Illinois Vintage Racing returns to Fairbury Speedway Fri Sept 3rd Marland Riblet Memorial Race

The Illinois Vintage Racing Series will be taking fans on a trip down memory lane when they make their 2nd appearance at the Speedway this Friday Sept 3rd. Organizer Art “Fireball” Fehrman stated “Our field of Vintage Cars from the 50’s & 60’s are ready to race, and race they will, starting with 2 heat races and then a Feature.

Former USAC & ARCA driver Mike Marden will race his USAC 72 Plymouth Volarie Tribute car, and Nick Fratt will be driving his Beautiful 70 Chevelle. This car will take you back to the old days, the way racing used to be. Other champions entered are 2- time Sycamore Speedway Champion Gary Koering , driving the #05 Bob Kelley Tribute car. 1987 Fairbury champ Bill Knippenberg driving his, 62 Chevy Impala Convertible. The popular Father & Son Team of “Wild Bill” & Brian Stevenson. Bill won our very 1st Vintage race 6 yrs. ago and he’s still driving the same 57 Chevy. Brian is wheeling the families 72 Camaro. He’s a former IHRA Champion. There are many more legends entered to race their cars Fri Night. Hales Corners Speedway Veteran Pat Heaney from Milwaukee, Wisconsin will be making his 1st appearance at the Fairgrounds in his Smokey Yunick Tribute Chevelle. He won the Trophy Dash last Saturday at our last event in almost a Photo Finish. 9 time Late Model Champ Lil John Provenzano will return in the Larry Robb Tribute 59 Olds for this Special trip to Fairbury. Also returning with a very fast 55 Ford will be Butch Dunn, driving the Pink K-2 Dale Earnhardt car.

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all the our Vintage Club Members and all the Fans to give a special Thank You to Promoter Rusty Allan for inviting us back to race on this special weekend and thank him for the endless hours he spends making sure all of us get to enjoy what we love to do not only on Vintage night but also every Sat night all year long. 6 years ago he gave us a chance at Fairbury to race Vintage cars and our club has grown into a Traveling series. He has made many Families very happy.
There are many Sons and Daughters and Grandchildren who have heard all the stories and seen all the pictures of their Dad & Grandpa racing but now they are cheering at the fence watching them race again in the Vintage Series. We Salute you! You are a man of your word.

THANK YOU RUSTY ALLAN
See you Friday Night ! We close out the 2010 season Sunday night at the annual Night Of Features at Grundy co Speedway Morris, Il. 1st race 6:30p.m.

Check out our Web site at illinoisvintageracing.com

Art “Fireball” Fehrman

Vintage Dirt Nationals Canceled

Sycamore Speedway has canceled the Aug 22nd Vintage Dirt Nationals.
They have added an additional regular night of Vintage racing along with their regular program. Sat Aug 28th.

Joe’s Museum Latest Addition

Doug Morris owner of Joe’s Garage Museum in Towanda, Illinois and his longtime friend Bill Krieghauser have a new project in the works for the outside display area. They are building a replica of Art Fehrman Sr’s 1939 stock car that he drove at Soldiers Field, 87th Street and Mance Park Speedways in 1952, The affectionately call it the “Lawn Ornament”.



Art’s 1953 tribute coupe is currently traveling with the Illinois Vintage Racing Series for the summer. It will return to the museum this fall and winter for display and viewing. Bill Krieghauser’s original championship 1957 Chevy the famous “Green Weenie” is also on display. Bill retrieved his original car from a farm field about a year and a half ago and he completely restored it. The restoration was done with love and dedication and brought back many memories for him as he built the original himself back in the 60’s. Various stock cars and sprint cars are on display year round. Displays are updated and changed frequently as Doug searches for racing memorabilia. He is dedicated and passionate about preserving the local history of early speedway racing.



In May the museum hosted the “Rt. 66 Red Carpet Corridor Car Show”. For a thrill and some old school excitement, a video can be viewed on UTube by searching for “Rt. 66 Car Show Towanda Il”. To visit this amazing historic museum it is located at the Towanda exit on I 55. The address is 306 E Jackson Towanda, Il 61776 to call the museum for more information or specific directions you can reach Doug at 309-530-8851.


Art Fehrman

Rockford Champ Latest Sunday Vintage Entry

Loves Park, IL- Two time defending NASCAR Stanley Steemer Late Model Champion Jerry Gille is the latest to file his entry for the first ever Illinois Vintage State Championship taking place this Sunday June 27 at Rockford Speedway. Gille recently claimed back to back victories in the top class at the 63 year old speedway, and will now try to find victory lane Sunday while behind the wheel of a 1962 Chevrolet Impala convertible prepared by Bill’s Speed Shop in Joliet, IL.



“I just love the old stuff, that is what I grew up watching at Rockford.” Commented an excited Gille. “When they announced this event, I knew I wanted to be a part of it, these vintage cars are just cool.” Gille will also have his 1965 Dodge Coronet 500 Stock Car restoration project on display alongside numerous vintage display vehicles including open wheeled midget cars from the 1940’s and Sal Tovella’s 1970 Plymouth Superbird. Tovella will serve as Grand Marshall while longtime speedway starter Jack Heiman will return to the flagstand to twirl the sticks for the Jessup Automotive Race of Champions.

Spectator gates will open at 11am, qualifying begins at 11:30am with the first race at 1pm. Admission tickets are $12 for adults, ages 6-11 are $5, ages 5 and under are free and $6 will allow those ages 62 and older to enjoy over twenty vintage cars battle the legendary Rockford quarter-mile high banked oval. Racing action will include the American Super Cup Series and will conclude with the 50 lap Illinois Vintage State Championship main event. For more information visit www.rockfordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Box Office at 815-633-1500.

Expected Entries
Sunday June 27, 2010
IL Vintage State Championship
Rockford Speedway

# Driver Name Hometown Car Make Special Notes of Interest
2 Gary Mitidero Homer Glen, IL 72 Camaro * 300 Lap Winner Raceway Park (IL) 1970
3 Freddy Pitner Knoxville, TN 68 Chevelle
3 Randy Drefahl East Troy, WI 65 Impala Leroy Yabourgh Tribute Car
6 Donnie Harmonn, Jr Essex, IL 55 Chevy
7 Mike Marden Monee, IL 72 Plymouth Former USAC/ARCA Driver
8 Billy Knippenberg, Jr Minooka, IL 64 Chevelle * Earnhardt Tribute Car
13 Bobby Vosatka Lagrange Park, IL 66 Nova
13 Pat Heany Milwaukee, WI 66 Chevelle
20 TJ Markham Sycamore, IL 70 Nova * Former Sycamore/Lasalle Champion
22 Denny Falkos Aurora, IL 71 Chevelle * 1996 Sycamore Speedway Champion
25 John Provenzano Steator, IL 59 Oldsmobile * Nine time Late Model Champion
28 Bruce Griffin Lincoln, AL 64 Chevy II * NVRA Vintage Champion
28 Ronnie Lewis Crystal Lake, IL 65 Ford Fred Lorenzen Tribute Car
29 Brendon Lewis Crystal Lake, IL 68 Ford Bobby Allison Tribute Car
36 Tom Knippenberg Minooka, IL 72 Camaro * Joe Shear Tribute Car
47 Jeff Fritz Friendship, WI 72 Camaro * Former ARTGO Competitor
73 Bill Lessings West Dundee, IL 70 Chevelle
88 Pat Echlin Dyer, IN 57 Chevy * Four Time Raceway Park (IL) Champion
99 Frank Sabenak, Jr Cicero, IL 61 Studebaker Hawk Ray Young Tribute Car
188 Josh Nelms Joliet, IL 57 Oldsmobile * Ralph Earnhardt Tribute Car/NSTC Champion
K2 Butch Dunn Sheffield, IL 55 Ford Dale Earnhardt Tribute Car
O1 Jerry Gille Roscoe, IL 62 Chevy Convertible * Nikey Chevrolet Special

* Eligible for Jessup Automotive Race of Champions

Vintage State Championship to be Decided at Rockford


Sunday afternoon June 27 will see the first ever IL Vintage State Champion crowned at Rockford Speedway. Nearly 30 vintage machines are expected to take to the high banks of Rockford in a 50 lap Championship battle. Grand Marshall Sal Tovella and his 1970 USAC Plymouth Superbird will be on hand when the first green flag flies at 1pm. Racing action will include a Champions race, American Super Cups plus the Championship race.



Advance entries include 2009 National Short Track Championship Champion Josh Nelms in a 1957 Oldsmobile, former Milwaukee area standout Pat Heaney, track Champions like Pat Echlin, Tom Knippenberg, Herb Shannon, Sr, John Provenzano, as well as drivers from as far away as Tennessee and Alabama. Fans of the Detroit Big Three will have plenty to cheer for as vintage Ford, Plymouth and General Motors machines will make up the field including the sleek 1972 Camaro Joe Shear Tribute Car. Multiple open wheeled vintage machines are also expected to turn laps on this memorable afternoon. 



Adult general admission tickets are $12, ages 6-11 are $5, kids 5 and under are admitted FREE. For those age 62 or older, admission will be half price, just $6. Visit www.rockfordspeedway.com or call the Speedway Box Office at 815-633-1500 for further information. 



Expected Entries (additional entries arriving daily) 
Sunday June 27, 2010 
IL Vintage State Championship 
Rockford Speedway 

# Driver Name Hometown Car Make Special Notes of Interest

2 Gary Mitidiero 72 Camaro Remax South Suburban Spl.

3 Freddy Pitner Knoxville, TN 68 Chevelle 

3 Randy Drefahl East Troy, WI 65 Impala Leroy Yarbourgh Tribute Car 

6 Donnie Harmonn, Jr Essex, IL 55 Chevy 

7 Mike Marden Monee, IL 72 Plymouth Former USAC/ARCA Driver 

8 Billy Knippenberg, Jr Minooka, IL 64 Chevelle Earnhardt Tribute Car 

13 Bobby Vosatka Lagrange Park, IL 66 Nova

13 Pat Heany Milwaukee, WI 66 Chevelle

15 Herb Shannon, Sr Peoria, IL 71 Chevelle Three time Peoria State Champion

20 TJ Markham Sycamore, IL 70 Nova Former Sycamore/Lasalle Champion

22 Denny Falkos Aurora, IL 71 Chevelle 1996 Sycamore Speedway Champion 

25 John Provenzano Streator, IL 59 Oldsmobile Nine time Late Model Champion 

28 Bruce Griffin Lincoln, AL 64 Chevy II NVRA Vintage Champion 

28 Ronnie Lewis Crystal Lake, IL 65 Ford Fred Lorenzen Tribute Car

29 Brendon Lewis Crystal Lake, IL 68 Ford Bobby Allison Tribute Car 

36 Tom Knippenberg Minooka, IL 72 Camaro Joe Shear Tribute Car 

47 Jeff Fritz Friendship, WI 72 Camaro Former ARTGO Competitor

73 Bill Lessings West Dundee, IL 70 Chevelle

88 Pat Echlin Dyer, IN 57 Chevy Four Time Raceway Park (IL) Champion

99 Frank Sabenak, Jr Cicero, IL 61 Studebaker Hawk Ray Young Tribute Car

188 Josh Nelms Joliet, IL 57 Oldsmobile Ralph Earnhardt Tribute Car/NSTC Champion

15jr Herb Shannon, Jr Bartonville, IL 57 Chevy

K2 Butch Dunn Sheffield, IL 55 Ford Dale Earnhardt Tribute Car

O1 To Be Named TBD 62 Chevy Convertible Nikey Chevrolet Special