Mike
Spatola Cashes in at Coles County for $10,000 Win! (September
29, 2025) On Sunday night, September 28, Mike
Spatola III and his #89 team claimed their fourth victory and
largest payday of the season at the tiny Coles County Speedway
in Mattoon, Illinois! In the inaugural 'Road to the Dome' program,
Mike timed in ninth fastest overall during the qualifying session
prior to placing second in his heat race. After securing a win
in the dash, Mike started from the pole position in the 40-lap
headliner. He then led each and every circuit to bag the $10,000
top prize ahead of runner-up Brandon Sheppard, Jason Feger, Chris
Ferguson, and Chevy Boyer!
An evening earlier on Saturday, September 27, a
$5,000 winner's check was up for grabs in the annual 'Illinois
State Championship' at Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois. Mike
went second quickest overall during time trials and later won
his heat race in preliminary action. "Opie" then led
laps 2-10 of the 50-lap feature before crossing underneath the
checkered flag in the fourth position behind only victor Ryan
Unzicker, Jason Feger, and Caden McWhorter. Full results from
both weekend races can be found online at www.dirtondirt.com.
(Brendon Bauman Photo)
Top Five for Spatola
Racing in Sycamore's Hell Tour Showdown! (June
17, 2025) Mike Spatola III and his Spatola Racing
team competed in a trio of DIRTcar Summer Nationals specials from
June 14-16 in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin. His best run
of the extended weekend took place on Sunday at Sycamore Speedway
in Maple Park, Illinois. Mike clicked off the second quickest
time in Group A during qualifying prior to securing a heat race
triumph. At the end of 30 green flag circuits in the headliner,
"Opie" was in the fourth finishing position behind only
$5,000 victor Jason Feger, Brian Shirley, and Dennis Erb, Jr.!
On Saturday evening with a $10,000 paycheck up for
grabs at Fairbury Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois, Mike ran second
in his heat race and later retired early from the 50-lapper in
the twentieth spot. At Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wisconsin on
Monday night, a $5,000 winner's check was on the line for the
"Hell Tour" competitors. Mike ran fourth in his heat
race prior to winding up sixteenth in the final rundown of the
30-lap feature. Full results from all three venues can be found
online by pointing your web browser to www.dirtcarsummernationals.com.
(Tyler Carr Photo)
Mike Spatola III Competes
in 31st Annual Dirt Late Model Dream (June
8, 2025) The #89 team invaded the famed Eldora
Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio from June 4-7 for the 31st edition
of the 'Dirt Late Model Dream.' The long week at the 1/2-mile,
high-banked venue started on Wednesday night with a $20,000 to
win FloRacing Night in America Series contest. Mike Spatola III
unfortunately missed out on the 50-lap feature in the opener after
finishing eighth in both his heat race and his consolation event.
In his $30,000 'Dirt Late Model Dream' prelim night
on Thursday, Mike advanced to fourth in his heat race and later
climbed to finish fifteenth in the final rundown of the 50-lap
main event. In Saturday's crown jewel finale, which boasted a
whopping $100,000 first place prize, Mike was not able to crack
the starting grid for the 100-lap headliner after placing seventh
in his heat race and fifth in his B-Main. Complete results from
the "Big E" can be found online at www.eldoraspeedway.com.
(Ryan Roberts Photography)
Spatola Racing Enters
Illinois Valley Showdown Grand Finale (June
1, 2025) The Spatola Racing team traveled to LaSalle
Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois on Saturday evening, May 31 for
the final night of the 'Illinois Valley Showdown.' The MARS Racing
Series sanctioned the $25,000 to win mega-event, which drew a
32 car field. Mike Spatola III clicked off the third quickest
lap in Group A during the qualifying session, but ran into problems
during his heat race and finished in the eighth spot. He then
climbed to a fifth place effort in his B-Main, but that finish
was just shy of a coveted transfer position into the 75-lap headliner.
Full results from last night at LaSalle Speedway can be viewed
online by clicking on www.marsracingseries.com.
(Josh James Artwork)
Mike Spatola III Claims
Pair of Top Tens Over Holiday Weekend! (May
26, 2025) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team competed
in a tripleheader holiday weekend from May 23-25 in the Land of
Lincoln. On Friday night at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City,
Illinois, a $1,500 winner's check was up for grabs in a weekly
Super Late Model program. Mike earned Fast Time honors during
the qualifying session, but later suffered problems in his heat
race. After starting the 25-lap feature from the inside of the
eighth row, "Opie" streaked past eleven competitors
to land in the fourth spot behind only victor and cousin Frank
Heckenast, Jr., Michael Leach, and Caden McWhorter.
Next on the racing calendar for the Spatola Racing
team was a pair of $5,000 to win MARS Racing Series showdowns
at Fairbury Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois and Spoon River Speedway
in Banner, Illinois. At FALS on Saturday evening, Mike won his
heat race and led laps 3-4 of the 40-lapper before winding up
sixth at the unfurling of the checkered flag. In the weekend finale
on Sunday at Spoon River, the Manhattan, Illinois native placed
fourth in his heat race and thirteenth in the 40-lap headliner.
Full results from all three Memorial Day weekend contests can
be found online at www.farmercityracing.com
and www.marsracingseries.com.
(Josh James Artwork)
Spatola Racing Transfers
into Four Illinois Speedweek Features (May
11, 2025) The Spatola Racing team was busy from
May 6-10, as they entered four high-profile events during Illinois
Speedweek. Up first were a pair of $20,000 to win FloRacing Night
in America Series shootouts at LaSalle Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois
and Spoon River Speedway in Banner, Illinois. On Tuesday at LaSalle,
Mike Spatola III finished fourth in his heat race, second in his
B-Main, and twenty-fourth in the 50-lap feature event. At Spoon
River on Wednesday, Mike placed sixth in his heat race, third
in his B-Main, and sixteenth in the 50-lapper.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series then roared
into the Land of Lincoln over the weekend to sanction big events
at both Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois and Fairbury
Speedway in downtown Fairbury, Illinois. On Friday in the $25,000
to win 'Farmer City 74,' Mike ran sixth in his heat race, third
in his B-Main, and twenty-second in the 74-lap headliner. With
a $30,000 top prize up for grabs on Saturday in the 'FALS Spring
Shootout,' Mike grabbed the fourth and final transfer spot through
his heat race prior to finishing twenty-first in the final rundown
of the 60-lap grand finale. Full results from each of these races
can be found online at www.floseries.com
and www.lucasdirt.com.
(Josh James Artwork)
Mike Spatola III Runner-Up
Friday at Farmer City Raceway! (May
4, 2025) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team kicked
off their month of May on May 2-3 in weekly Super Late Model contests
at both Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois and Fairbury
Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois. In a $1,500 to win show on Friday
at Farmer City, Mike earned Fast Time honors during qualifying,
won his heat race, and finished second in the A-Main behind only
victor Jason Feger. At FALS on Saturday evening in the track's
season opener, "Opie" ran third in his heat race, but
later suffered trouble in the $2,500 to win main event and was
ultimately scored in the sixteenth finishing position. Full results
can be viewed online at www.farmercityracing.com
and www.fairburyspeedway.com.
Spatola Leads Early;
Finishes on Podium in Garry Swibold Memorial! (April
27, 2025) Following a rain-out on Friday night
at Farmer City (IL) Raceway, the Spatola Racing team ventured
to Peoria Speedway on Saturday evening, April 26. The MARS Late
Model Championship Series presided over the annual 'Garry Swibold
Memorial' at the Peoria, Illinois oval and a $5,098 winner's check
was on the line. Mike Spatola III ripped off the third quickest
time overall during qualifying before securing a heat race triumph.
After starting the 40-lap feature from the outside of the front
row and leading laps 2-6, "Opie" eventually landed on
the podium in third behind only victor Ryan Unzicker and runner-up
Jason Feger! Full results from last night at Peoria can be viewed
online at www.marsracingseries.com.
(Todd Healy Photo)
Spatola Racing Reaches
Victory Lane for First Time in 2025! (April
20, 2025) Mike Spatola III, of Manhattan, Illinois,
stood tall in victory lane for the first time in 2025 on Friday
night, April 18 at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois!
Mike swept the evening at the 1/4-mile bullring by earning Fast
Time honors, winning his heat race, and coming out on top in the
25-lap feature to claim the $1,500 first place prize over Donny
Walden, Caden McWhorter, Timmy Dick, and Kevin Weaver!
On Saturday, April 19, the dirt-slinging action
quickly shifted to Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois for another
weekly Super Late Model program. "Opie" once again laid
down the fastest lap overall during qualifying before securing
a victory in his heat race. After starting on the pole in the
25-lapper, Mike finished on the podium in third behind only $1,000
victor Tommy Sheppard, Jr. and runner-up Allen Weisser. Full results
from both Land of Lincoln ovals can be found online at www.farmercityracing.com
and www.peoriaspeedway.com.
(82 Imagery)
Mike Spatola III Sees
Illini 100 Weekend Go Up in Smoke... (April
13, 2025) The #89 team invaded Farmer City Raceway
in Farmer City, Illinois on April 11-12 for the annual running
of the 'Illini 100,' which was once again sanctioned by the World
of Outlaws Late Model Series. On Friday night in the $12,000 to
win weekend lid lifter, Mike Spatola III narrowly missed out on
the 40-lap feature after placing seventh in his heat race and
fourth in his B-Main. In Saturday's grand finale, which boasted
a $20,000 payday, Mike placed sixth in his heat race, third in
his B-Main, and twenty-fifth in the 60-lapper after unfortunately
going up in smoke on lap 35. Complete results can be found online
at www.woolms.com.
(Josh James Artwork)
Spatola Enters Nippy
50 Weekend at Maquoketa Speedway (March
30, 2025) On March 28-29, the annual 'Nippy 50'
took place at Maquoketa Speedway in Maquoketa, Iowa and 44 MARS
Late Model Championship Series competitors piled into the pit
area for the doubleheader weekend. With a $10,000 paycheck up
for grabs in Friday's opener, Mike Spatola III unfortunately missed
out on the 40-lap feature after finishing seventh in his heat
race and foregoing his consolation event. In Saturday's weekend
finale that boasted a $15,000 top prize, Mike ran fifth in his
heat race, won his B-Main, and later advanced to place fifteenth
in the final rundown of the 50-lapper. Full results from the 'Nippy
50' can be viewed online at www.marsracingseries.com.
(Josh James Artwork)
Mike Spatola III Fourth
in Tuckassee Toilet Bowl Classic Finale! (March
2, 2025) The Spatola Racing team invaded Clarksville
Speedway in Clarksville, Tennessee on February 28-March 1 for
the annual running of the 'Tuckassee Toilet Bowl Classic,' which
kicked off their 2025 campaign. The Super Late Model portion of
the doubleheader weekend kicked off with a $2,500 to win opener
on Friday night. Mike Spatola III qualified fifth quickest overall
during qualifying, but unfortunately ran into issues during the
25-lap feature that dropped him to a disappointing fifteenth place
showing.
With a $7,500 top prize up for grabs in the finale
on Saturday evening, Mike timed in third quickest in his group
during qualifying and later grabbed the third transfer spot through
his heat race. The Manhattan, Illinois ace then blasted past four
competitors during the 30-lapper to land in the fourth position
behind only victor Ricky Weiss, Jason Riggs, and Allen Weisser!
Full results from the entire 'Tuckassee Toilet Bowl Classic' weekend
can be found online by clicking on www.clarksvillespeedway.com.
(Josh James Artwork)
(September
29, 2025) On Sunday night, September 28, Mike
Spatola III and his #89 team claimed their fourth victory and
largest payday of the season at the tiny Coles County Speedway
in Mattoon, Illinois! In the inaugural 'Road to the Dome' program,
Mike timed in ninth fastest overall during the qualifying session
prior to placing second in his heat race. After securing a win
in the dash, Mike started from the pole position in the 40-lap
headliner. He then led each and every circuit to bag the $10,000
top prize ahead of runner-up Brandon Sheppard, Jason Feger, Chris
Ferguson, and Chevy Boyer!
(June
17, 2025) Mike Spatola III and his Spatola Racing
team competed in a trio of DIRTcar Summer Nationals specials from
June 14-16 in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin. His best run
of the extended weekend took place on Sunday at Sycamore Speedway
in Maple Park, Illinois. Mike clicked off the second quickest
time in Group A during qualifying prior to securing a heat race
triumph. At the end of 30 green flag circuits in the headliner,
"Opie" was in the fourth finishing position behind only
$5,000 victor Jason Feger, Brian Shirley, and Dennis Erb, Jr.!
(June
8, 2025) The #89 team invaded the famed Eldora
Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio from June 4-7 for the 31st edition
of the 'Dirt Late Model Dream.' The long week at the 1/2-mile,
high-banked venue started on Wednesday night with a $20,000 to
win FloRacing Night in America Series contest. Mike Spatola III
unfortunately missed out on the 50-lap feature in the opener after
finishing eighth in both his heat race and his consolation event.
(June
1, 2025) The Spatola Racing team traveled to LaSalle
Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois on Saturday evening, May 31 for
the final night of the 'Illinois Valley Showdown.' The MARS Racing
Series sanctioned the $25,000 to win mega-event, which drew a
32 car field. Mike Spatola III clicked off the third quickest
lap in Group A during the qualifying session, but ran into problems
during his heat race and finished in the eighth spot. He then
climbed to a fifth place effort in his B-Main, but that finish
was just shy of a coveted transfer position into the 75-lap headliner.
Full results from last night at LaSalle Speedway can be viewed
online by clicking on 
(May
26, 2025) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team competed
in a tripleheader holiday weekend from May 23-25 in the Land of
Lincoln. On Friday night at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City,
Illinois, a $1,500 winner's check was up for grabs in a weekly
Super Late Model program. Mike earned Fast Time honors during
the qualifying session, but later suffered problems in his heat
race. After starting the 25-lap feature from the inside of the
eighth row, "Opie" streaked past eleven competitors
to land in the fourth spot behind only victor and cousin Frank
Heckenast, Jr., Michael Leach, and Caden McWhorter.
(May
11, 2025) The Spatola Racing team was busy from
May 6-10, as they entered four high-profile events during Illinois
Speedweek. Up first were a pair of $20,000 to win FloRacing Night
in America Series shootouts at LaSalle Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois
and Spoon River Speedway in Banner, Illinois. On Tuesday at LaSalle,
Mike Spatola III finished fourth in his heat race, second in his
B-Main, and twenty-fourth in the 50-lap feature event. At Spoon
River on Wednesday, Mike placed sixth in his heat race, third
in his B-Main, and sixteenth in the 50-lapper.
(May
4, 2025) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team kicked
off their month of May on May 2-3 in weekly Super Late Model contests
at both Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois and Fairbury
Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois. In a $1,500 to win show on Friday
at Farmer City, Mike earned Fast Time honors during qualifying,
won his heat race, and finished second in the A-Main behind only
victor Jason Feger. At FALS on Saturday evening in the track's
season opener, "Opie" ran third in his heat race, but
later suffered trouble in the $2,500 to win main event and was
ultimately scored in the sixteenth finishing position. Full results
can be viewed online at 
(April
27, 2025) Following a rain-out on Friday night
at Farmer City (IL) Raceway, the Spatola Racing team ventured
to Peoria Speedway on Saturday evening, April 26. The MARS Late
Model Championship Series presided over the annual 'Garry Swibold
Memorial' at the Peoria, Illinois oval and a $5,098 winner's check
was on the line. Mike Spatola III ripped off the third quickest
time overall during qualifying before securing a heat race triumph.
After starting the 40-lap feature from the outside of the front
row and leading laps 2-6, "Opie" eventually landed on
the podium in third behind only victor Ryan Unzicker and runner-up
Jason Feger! Full results from last night at Peoria can be viewed
online at 
(April
20, 2025) Mike Spatola III, of Manhattan, Illinois,
stood tall in victory lane for the first time in 2025 on Friday
night, April 18 at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois!
Mike swept the evening at the 1/4-mile bullring by earning Fast
Time honors, winning his heat race, and coming out on top in the
25-lap feature to claim the $1,500 first place prize over Donny
Walden, Caden McWhorter, Timmy Dick, and Kevin Weaver!
(April
13, 2025) The #89 team invaded Farmer City Raceway
in Farmer City, Illinois on April 11-12 for the annual running
of the 'Illini 100,' which was once again sanctioned by the World
of Outlaws Late Model Series. On Friday night in the $12,000 to
win weekend lid lifter, Mike Spatola III narrowly missed out on
the 40-lap feature after placing seventh in his heat race and
fourth in his B-Main. In Saturday's grand finale, which boasted
a $20,000 payday, Mike placed sixth in his heat race, third in
his B-Main, and twenty-fifth in the 60-lapper after unfortunately
going up in smoke on lap 35. Complete results can be found online
at 
(March
30, 2025) On March 28-29, the annual 'Nippy 50'
took place at Maquoketa Speedway in Maquoketa, Iowa and 44 MARS
Late Model Championship Series competitors piled into the pit
area for the doubleheader weekend. With a $10,000 paycheck up
for grabs in Friday's opener, Mike Spatola III unfortunately missed
out on the 40-lap feature after finishing seventh in his heat
race and foregoing his consolation event. In Saturday's weekend
finale that boasted a $15,000 top prize, Mike ran fifth in his
heat race, won his B-Main, and later advanced to place fifteenth
in the final rundown of the 50-lapper. Full results from the 'Nippy
50' can be viewed online at 
(March
2, 2025) The Spatola Racing team invaded Clarksville
Speedway in Clarksville, Tennessee on February 28-March 1 for
the annual running of the 'Tuckassee Toilet Bowl Classic,' which
kicked off their 2025 campaign. The Super Late Model portion of
the doubleheader weekend kicked off with a $2,500 to win opener
on Friday night. Mike Spatola III qualified fifth quickest overall
during qualifying, but unfortunately ran into issues during the
25-lap feature that dropped him to a disappointing fifteenth place
showing.
