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Kevin Kovac
LA SALLE, Ill. (July 14) - The 17th annual Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals on Sun., Sept. 14, at La Salle Speedway will return to the World of Outlaws Late Model Series schedule in 2008, tour and Track Enterprises Inc. officials have announced.
A fixture on the dirt Late Model scene in the 'Land of Lincoln' for nearly two decades, the Illinois Fall Nationals will be run over the 40-lap distance and offer a $7,000 top prize.
The La Salle date will create a WoO LMS doubleheader with I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., which is scheduled to run its annual Pepsi Nationals under the national tour's banner on Sat., Sept. 13.
"Making the Illinois Fall Nationals part of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series sets up a great weekend in the Midwest for fans and racers," said Bob Sargent, whose Macon, Ill.-based Track Enterprises Inc. will continue its longtime promotion of the event. "Last year's race at La Salle produced a great field and exciting racing on an action-packed bullring, and we'll use the same formula again on September 14."
Following a 15-year run at the one-mile Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill., Sargent moved the Illinois Fall Nationals to the quarter-mile La Salle oval for the first time last season. It served as the first-ever WoO LMS event at La Salle Speedway.
Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., made history in last year's event, becoming the first driver from the Wolverine State to capture the Illinois Fall Nationals. It was also his first career WoO LMS A-Main triumph.
VanWormer joined an all-star list of drivers who have won the prestigious Illinois Fall Nationals since 1992, including 2005 WoO LMS champion Billy Moyer (four times), Brian Birkhofer (three times), 2004 WoO LMS titlist Scott Bloomquist (twice), John Mason (twice), Charlie Swartz, Shannon Babb, Darrell Lanigan and Darren Miller.
On Sept. 14, La Salle's pit gates will open at 2 p.m. and the grandstand gates will be unlocked at 4 p.m. Practice is scheduled to get the green flag at 5 p.m., followed by WoO LMS time trials at 5:30 p.m. and racing action at 6 p.m.
For more details, including ticket information, about La Salle's Illinois Fall Nationals, contact Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200 or visit www.trackenterprises.com.
La Salle Speedway is centrally located on US Rt. 6 in La Salle, Ill., 60 miles west of Joliet, 60 miles north of Bloomington, 70 miles south of Rockford and 80 miles east of the Quad Cities.
Additional info on the WoO LMS can be obtained by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.com.
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