Results | Story & Pictures by Rocky Ragusa

The season opening race at the Fairbury Speedway drew 108 entries in five divisions looking to capture the checkered flag. Ryan Unzicker (Late Model), Mike Harrison (Modified), Joel Funk (Stock Car), Tommy Duncan (Sportsman), and Thad Gee (Hobby Mod) each earned feature wins in their respective classes.

Defending track champion McKay Wenger turned a lap of 13.315 seconds to take fast time honors, as 25 drivers looked to grab a FALS Cup trophy in the Late Model class. Three heat races were held with Wenger, Mike Spatola, and Ryan Unzicker taking the wins. Derek Chandler advanced to the 30-lap race by winning the semi-feature. At the start, Spatola jumped out to a commanding lead as Wenger, Jeremiah Hurst, Unzicker, and Myles Moos dueled for second. Unzicker was able to take the position on lap six and methodically reeled in Spatola. As Spatola was working his way past slower traffic, Unzicker dove low in turn three to move into the lead with seven laps remaining. Spatola made several attempts to retake the lead, but Unzicker was able to hold off the challenge. After going winless in Late Model competition in 2020, El Paso’s Unzicker scored the win in his new MB Custom chassis. With a smile on his face extending from Fairbury to El Paso, Unzicker commented from victory lane. “It was an exciting race from my seat. I can’t imagine what it was like for the fans. Mike is a tough competitor. The car would work on the bottom and middle of the track.” Spatola took second, with Jason Feger, Garrett Alberson, and Eric Smith in the top five. The remainder of the top ten saw Myles Moos, Jeremiah Hurst, Wenger, Jeffrey Ledford, and Adam Tischhauser.

Highland’s Mike Harrison toured the ¼ mile track at a time of 14.120 seconds to take quick time as 33 Modified drivers were on hand for their 25-lap, $1,500 to win race. Harrison, Will Krup, Bradley Jameson, and Nick Clubb won their respective heat races, while Levi Kissinger took the semi-feature. Harrison took the lead at the wave of the green flag as two cautions fell in the first ten laps. Behind Harrison, Allen Weisser, Mike McKinney, Krup, and Kyle Hammer had a fierce race for second. McKinney took over the second spot on lap 12, as he ran the top and bottom closing in on the race leader. Harrison proved to be too much for the competition as he took his 20th career feature win. “We have a new Hughes race car,” spoke Harrison. “It just keeps getting better and better. I love coming to Fairbury and putting on a show for the fans.” McKinney settled for the runner-up spot, followed by Krup, Hammer, Weisser, Steven Brooks, 17th starter Kissinger, Bradley Jameson, Travis Kohler, and Trevor Neville.

A time of 15.540 seconds gave Andrew Funk fast time as 25 drivers vied for a starting position in the 15-lap Stock Car race. Kyle Anderson, Jim Ransom, and Justin VanDrunen won heat races. Anderson led the first 11 laps of the race before the yellow flag fell on the field. On the restart, Andrew and Joel Funk both got by Anderson, as his tires began to fade. Joel was able to hold off Andrew and take the race win. “Holy smoke. I didn’t know if I had enough in me after that,” Funk said. “The 23 car wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Rick Thomas.” Younger brother Andrew ended the race in second, with Anderson, Zach Zuberbier, Michael Schomas, Josh Hetherington, Pete Odell, Dustin Pruitt, Adam Williams, and 24th starter Brice Slavens completing the top ten.

Defending track champion Tommy Duncan’s lap of 14.827 seconds gave him fast time for the 15-lap, CR Towing Sportsman race. Two heat races saw Duncan and Tyler Roth taking the wins. Duncan proved to be the class of the field on this night as he led flag-to-flag for the win. “We have a good car to work with this year,” Duncan said. “It helped to start on the front row with the track being slick.” Fairbury’s 2020 rookie of the year Austin Friedman finished second, with Roth, Anthony Craven, Lyndon Whitfill, Matt Ramer, Landen Miller, Makinzi Semmens, Brendan Ramer, and Austin Lipe completing the field.

A field of 15 Hobby Mod drivers saw Bryce Cunningham and Thad Gee winning heat races for their 12-lap race. In a wild, caution-plagued race, Gee avoided the mishaps to take the win. Luke Gebhardt, Jordan Walker, Wes Ricketts, 15th starter Scott Brown, Jake Green, Reid Gall, Cunningham, Ryan Kohler, and Ty Stutzman rounded out the top ten.

The Fairbury Speedway is excited to announce the reserved seating and camping outline for the 2021 race season.  Please understand that 2020 was a very unique year and a number of things had to be moved around to accommodate as many fans as possible.  We are very dedicated to make the best possible events in which fans and drivers have the opportunity for reserved seating and camping.  Outlined below will be the process in which the Fairbury Speedway ticketing team will operate.  If you have questions regarding reserved seating and camping, please send an email to falstickets@gmail.com.