By Jimmy Dearing – STLRacing.com
Pontoon Beach, IL (April 6th, 2012) A great crowd and a great field of cars turned out for Tri-City Speedway’s 2012 Season Opener. The fans were treated with great side by side action on a fast, smooth surface.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY!

In the UMP DIRTcar Late Model division, Dewayne Kiefer continued his 2012 early season hot streak. Kiefer and Kevin Cole had a great battle for the top spot throughout the entire twenty-five lap main event. The two swapped the lead back and forth on several occassions, with a little contact mixed in on a couple of occassions. Jason McBride took the lead at the drop of the green flag, with Kiefer and Cole getting past him by lap three. While Kiefer and Cole battled at the top spot, McBride, Craig Smith, Mark Voigt and Billy Laycock battled behind them. A late caution to setup a final duel to the finish and Cole would take advantage and get the lead from Kiefer one final time, but Kiefer would storm back on the high side to retake the lead and go on to victory. Cole would finish a close second with McBride taking third. Craig Smith would finish fourth and Billy Laycock fifth.

The UMP DIRTcar Modifieds saw a lot of good cars go off on the hook as a lot of impatience from many drivers led to a caution filled event with many wrecked race cars. But NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace would lead the entire main event enroute to the win. Tommie Seets, Jr. would keep the pressure on Wallace as he stayed glued to Wallace’s rear bumper for the entire event, but was unable to make a bid for the lead. Seets would finish second. Rick Stevenson also had a great run and would secure a third place finish. Josh Russell would get the fourth spot with Brian Dively charging through the field to finish in the fifth spot.

After not racing in 2011 and most of 2010, it didn’t take long for Billy Faust to get back into the groove of things as he picked up the win in the UMP DIRTcar Pro Late Model main event in his very first attempt. Scott Weber jumped out to the early lead over Mark Oller and paced the field till just past the half way mark. Faust had been running back in the fourth spot until he decided to go to the top. Faust would then start picking off cars quickly as he moved to the front. Once Faust got the lead, he would check out and go on to a comfortable win. Weber would finish second with Oller taking third. Aaron Heck would get the fourth spot with Jim Shereck rounding out the top five.

David Armstrong and AJ Cline had a classic battle in the Street Stock main event. Armstrong led most of the event with Cline right on his heels. As Armstrong used the high side, Cline would make a move for the lead on the bottom and get the top spot. A lap later, Armstrong would get back under Cline and get the lead back. Armstrong would hold Cline off in the closing laps to get the win. Buddy Love would finish third with Fred Sparks fourth and Richie Gabriel fifth.

Josh Bauer would get around early leader Sage Thornhill and pull away to a convincing win in the Sport Compact main event. Thornhill would finish second with Rob Shaw taking third. Scott Wickliffe would finish fourth and Tyler Benson completed the top five.

Tri City Speedway — Pontoon Beach, IL
Race Results for 4/6/2012

Factory Stk-4cyl/UMP Sport Compacts – A-Main– 14 Cars
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 19* Josh Bauer St. Jacob, IL
2 24 Sage Thornhill (F) St. Louis, MO
3 B5 Rob Shaw Highland, IL
4 22W Scott Wickliffe Fenton, MO
5 18RR Tyler Benson Creve Coeur, IL
6 21C Bill Burke Nashville, IL
7 25 Gerrot Jacobson Concord, MO
8 35R Rickey Carriker (F) Wood River, IL
9 17 Matt Lear Granite City, IL
10 19 Joe McDannald Jacksonville, IL
11 73M Michael McKay Springfield, IL
12 26A Alan McKay Springfield, IL
13 39 Jonathan Schulte Caseyville, IL DNS
14 72 Rob McKay Dexter, MO DNS

Factory Stk-4cyl/UMP Sport Compacts – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 24 Sage Thornhill (F) St. Louis, MO
2 21C Bill Burke Nashville, IL
3 19 Joe McDannald Jacksonville, IL
4 22W Scott Wickliffe Fenton, MO
5 39 Jonathan Schulte Caseyville, IL
6 72 Rob McKay Dexter, MO
7 17 Matt Lear Granite City, IL

Factory Stk-4cyl/UMP Sport Compacts – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 19* Josh Bauer St. Jacob, IL
2 B5 Rob Shaw Highland, IL
3 25 Gerrot Jacobson Concord, MO
4 18RR Tyler Benson Creve Coeur, IL
5 35R Rickey Carriker (F) Wood River, IL
6 73M Michael McKay Springfield, IL
7 26A Alan McKay Springfield, IL

Street Stocks/UMP Factory Stocks – A-Main — 17 Cars
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 34 David Armstrong Festus, MO
2 17C AJ Cline Wood River, IL
3 17L Buddy Love Wood River, IL
4 11b Fred Sparks Roxana, IL
5 63g Richie Gabriel Jerseyville, IL
6 81 Creg Cannon Cottage Hills, IL
7 19 Erik Sedlack (S) Godfrey, IL
8 68 Max Morrison Bunker Hill, IL
9 00jr Dave Meyers Bethalto, IL
10 07 Steve Stonecipher Bethalto, IL
11 11S Jessy Snyders Alton, IL
12 29H Matt Hancock Bunker Hill, IL
13 66 Jason Worley (S) Ste. Genevieve, MO
14 57P Bobby Silkwood Bethalto, IL DNS
15 81C Levi Cannon Bethalto, IL DNS
16 313 Ricky Smith Brighton, IL DNS
17 WILD1 Marty Kopp Jr Godfrey, IL DNS

Street Stocks/UMP Factory Stocks – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 81 Creg Cannon Cottage Hills, IL
2 17L Buddy Love Wood River, IL
3 19 Erik Sedlack (S) Godfrey, IL
4 68 Max Morrison Bunker Hill, IL
5 11S Jessy Snyders Alton, IL
6 WILD1 Marty Kopp Jr Godfrey, IL
7 57P Bobby Silkwood Bethalto, IL
8 29H Matt Hancock Bunker Hill, IL

Street Stocks/UMP Factory Stocks – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 34 David Armstrong Festus, MO
2 17C AJ Cline Wood River, IL
3 63g Richie Gabriel Jerseyville, IL
4 11b Fred Sparks Roxana, IL
5 07 Steve Stonecipher Bethalto, IL
6 00jr Dave Meyers Bethalto, IL
7 81C Levi Cannon Bethalto, IL
8 66 Jason Worley (S) Ste. Genevieve, MO
9 313 Ricky Smith Brighton, IL

UMP Late Models – A-Main — 22 Cars
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 0 Dewayne Kiefer St. Genevieve, MO
2 81C Kevin Cole Benton, IL
3 77 Jason McBride Carbondale, IL
4 8 Craig Smith Godfrey, IL
5 82 Billy Laycock Marine, IL
6 112 Tim Ratajczyk Millstadt, IL
7 78 Chad Zobrist Highland, IL
8 1s Rick Salter Aviston, IL
9 30 Mark Voigt Marine, IL
10 87 Jason Zobrist Highland, IL
11 01 Casey Montague Lebanon, IL
12 92K Brant Kehrer Albers, IL
13 7L Jerry Lierly Camp Point, IL
14 79 Robby Warner Quincy, IL
15 33 Steve Lampley Benton, IL
16 3S Brian Shirley Chatham, IL
17 T4 Adam Tischauser Greenville, IL
18 11 Jeff Herzog Herculaneum, MO
19 15 Chris Fetter Troy, MO
20 16 Rusty Griffaw Festus, MO DNS
21 20 Dustin Griffin Camp Point, IL DNS
22 82B Roger Brickler Springfield, IL DNS

UMP Late Models – Dash
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 77 Jason McBride Carbondale, IL
2 20 Dustin Griffin Camp Point, IL
3 81C Kevin Cole Benton, IL
4 0 Dewayne Kiefer St. Genevieve, MO
5 8 Craig Smith Godfrey, IL
6 112 Tim Ratajczyk Millstadt, IL

UMP Late Models – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 77 Jason McBride Carbondale, IL
2 81C Kevin Cole Benton, IL
3 78 Chad Zobrist Highland, IL
4 3S Brian Shirley Chatham, IL
5 82 Billy Laycock Marine, IL
6 33 Steve Lampley Benton, IL
7 01 Casey Montague Lebanon, IL
8 92K Brant Kehrer Albers, IL

UMP Late Models – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 20 Dustin Griffin Camp Point, IL
2 8 Craig Smith Godfrey, IL
3 30 Mark Voigt Marine, IL
4 16 Rusty Griffaw Festus, MO
5 11 Jeff Herzog Herculaneum, MO
6 7L Jerry Lierly Camp Point, IL
7 T4 Adam Tischauser Greenville, IL

UMP Late Models – Heat 3
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 112 Tim Ratajczyk Millstadt, IL
2 0 Dewayne Kiefer St. Genevieve, MO
3 87 Jason Zobrist Highland, IL
4 79 Robby Warner Quincy, IL
5 15 Chris Fetter Troy, MO
6 1s Rick Salter Aviston, IL
7 82B Roger Brickler Springfield, IL DNS

UMP Modifieds – A-Main — 24 Cars
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 36 Kenny Wallace Concord, NC
2 86 Tommie Seets Jr Alton, IL
3 77S Rick Stevenson O’Fallon, MO
4 70 Josh Russell Festus, MO
5 29W Brian Diveley Springfield, IL
6 1a Steve Meyer Jr Worden, IL
7 4B Neil Wade, Jr. Marthasville, MO
8 94K Kevin Graf (M) Hazelwood, MO
9 000 Scott White St. Peters, MO
10 WILD1 Ricky Huebner Bethalto, IL
11 27 John Seets III Brighton, IL
12 2 Justin Hall South Roxana, IL
13 27E Kyle Mixon Alton, IL
14 56 Dane Gundaker Bridgeton, MO
15 44 Timmy Hancock Jr Mt. Olive, IL
16 1 Tim Hancock Mount Olive, IL
17 18L Michael Long Quincy, IL
18 808 Kelby Simmons Mason, IL
19 b10 Bradley White Bridgeton, MO
20 9w Doug Wood Festus, MO
21 49 Craig Kern Vandalia, IL
22 26M Mike Morgan O’Fallon, MO
23 4UW Bobby Regot III (M) Saint Peters, MO DNS
24 28K David Kathriner Sr. (MR) St. Louis, MO DNS

UMP Modifieds – Dash
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 36 Kenny Wallace Concord, NC
2 9w Doug Wood Festus, MO
3 86 Tommie Seets Jr Alton, IL
4 b10 Bradley White Bridgeton, MO
5 808 Kelby Simmons Mason, IL
6 4UW Bobby Regot III (M) Saint Peters, MO DNS

UMP Modifieds – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 9w Doug Wood Festus, MO
2 b10 Bradley White Bridgeton, MO
3 70 Josh Russell Festus, MO
4 49 Craig Kern Vandalia, IL
5 94K Kevin Graf (M) Hazelwood, MO
6 26M Mike Morgan O’Fallon, MO
7 2 Justin Hall South Roxana, IL
8 28K David Kathriner Sr. (MR) St. Louis, MO

UMP Modifieds – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 4UW Bobby Regot III (M) Saint Peters, MO
2 86 Tommie Seets Jr Alton, IL
3 77S Rick Stevenson O’Fallon, MO
4 1 Tim Hancock Mount Olive, IL
5 4B Neil Wade, Jr. Marthasville, MO
6 44 Timmy Hancock Jr Mt. Olive, IL
7 27 John Seets III Brighton, IL
8 27E Kyle Mixon Alton, IL

UMP Modifieds – Heat 3
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 36 Kenny Wallace Concord, NC
2 808 Kelby Simmons Mason, IL
3 18L Michael Long Quincy, IL
4 WILD1 Ricky Huebner Bethalto, IL
5 29W Brian Diveley Springfield, IL
6 56 Dane Gundaker Bridgeton, MO
7 1a Steve Meyer Jr Worden, IL
8 000 Scott White St. Peters, MO

UMP Pro Crate Late Models – A-Main — 25 Cars 
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 17X Billy Faust Highland, IL
2 8BALL Scott Weber Festus, MO
3 67 Mark Oller Highland, IL
4 58 Aaron Heck Mount Vernon, IL
5 17UW Jim Shereck St. Charles, MO
6 15 Kolby Vandenbergh Ashland, IL
7 32 Derek Fetter Troy, MO
8 9STAR Jordan Bauer St. Jacob, IL
9 16 Garrett Britton West Frankfort, IL
10 50 Ed Dixon Union, MO
11 48 Bobby Martintoni (C) Livingston, IL
12 X Dustin Korte Highland, IL
13 74C John Crenshaw Madison, IL
14 51 Lance Getz Troy, MO
15 74H Tim Hancock (C) Granite City, IL
16 83S Chris Stahlschmidt Brighton, IL
17 3 Craig Bessinger Pacific, MO
18 11S Andy Scoles St. Charles, MO
19 21 Andy Beavers Alton, IL
20 2 Ed Lenhardt Brighton, IL
21 5J Josh Jackson (C) South Roxana, IL
22 83 Drew Marshall Carmi, IL
23 9T Travis Horner Alhambra, IL
24 55 Daniel Heck Mount Vernon, IL DNS
25 24 Dick Taylor Riverton, IL DNS

UMP Pro Crate Late Models – Heat 1
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 8BALL Scott Weber Festus, MO
2 67 Mark Oller Highland, IL
3 58 Aaron Heck Mount Vernon, IL
4 48 Bobby Martintoni (C) Livingston, IL
5 55 Daniel Heck Mount Vernon, IL
6 50 Ed Dixon Union, MO
7 83S Chris Stahlschmidt Brighton, IL
8 24 Dick Taylor Riverton, IL
9 74H Tim Hancock (C) Granite City, IL

UMP Pro Crate Late Models – Heat 2
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 3 Craig Bessinger Pacific, MO
2 17X Billy Faust Highland, IL
3 17UW Jim Shereck St. Charles, MO
4 5J Josh Jackson (C) South Roxana, IL
5 X Dustin Korte Highland, IL
6 9STAR Jordan Bauer St. Jacob, IL
7 21 Andy Beavers Alton, IL
8 2 Ed Lenhardt Brighton, IL

UMP Pro Crate Late Models – Heat 3
Finish Car No Driver Hometown
1 16 Garrett Britton West Frankfort, IL
2 74C John Crenshaw Madison, IL
3 15 Kolby Vandenbergh Ashland, IL
4 32 Derek Fetter Troy, MO
5 83 Drew Marshall Carmi, IL
6 11S Andy Scoles St. Charles, MO
7 9T Travis Horner Alhambra, IL
8 51 Lance Getz Troy, MO DNS