#89
Team Enters Select UMP Summer Nationals Shows... (June
16, 2018) Another $10,000 top prize was up for
grabs on the "Hell Tour" grind tonight at the Dirt Oval
at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. Mike Spatola III timed
in sixth fastest in his group during qualifying before finishing
sixth in his heat race and second in his B-Main. After rolling
off from the inside of the ninth row in the 30-lap feature event,
Mike wound up fifteenth in the final finishing order at the Chicago-area
speedplant.
(June 15, 2018) The
third leg of the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals was held earlier
this evening at Sycamore Speedway in Maple Park, Illinois and
a $10,000 payday was on the line. In the richest Super Late Model
event ever at the 55-year old facility, Mike Spatola III laid
down the tenth quickest time in Group B during qualifying and
later ran third in his loaded heat race. He then started twelfth
on the grid in the 55-lap main event, but a flat left rear tire
on lap 22 relegated the Manhattan, Illinois ace to a disappointing
nineteenth place effort.
(June 14, 2018) Night
two of the "Hell Tour" featured a complete $5,000 to
win program at Kankakee County Speedway in Kankakee, Illinois.
Mike Spatola III posted the second fastest lap in his group during
qualifying prior to grabbing the second transfer spot through
his heat race. After rolling off from the outside of the third
row in the 40-lap feature event, "Opie" moved up inside
of the top five to finish in the fifth position behind only winner
Shannon Babb, Billy Moyer, Brian Shirley, and Rusty Schlenk!
(June 13, 2018) The
2018 edition of the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour kicked off
tonight at Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois and the #89 team
was in attendance to do battle for the $5,000 paycheck. Mike Spatola
III knocked down the twelfth quickest lap in Group B during qualifying
before finishing fifth in his heat race and fourth in his B-Main.
After receiving a provisional to gain access into the 40-lapper,
Mike had moved up in the running order until a lap 35 flat tire
helped relegate the Manhattan, Illinois native to a seventeenth
place showing.
Spatola Sweeps Second
Weekend in a Row; Takes $2,000 FALS Win! (June
10, 2018) For the second straight weekend, Mike
Spatola III swept events at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City,
Illinois and Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois
on June 8-9, which raised his 2018 win total to six! At Farmer
City on Friday night, Mike set Fast Time in qualifying, won his
heat race, and later led flag-to-flag in the A-Main to capture
the $1,000 winner's check over Kevin Weaver and Jose Parga. On
Saturday evening at FALS in the 22nd Annual 'Pappy and Bob Allen
Memorial,' Mike knocked down the second quickest lap during time
trials prior to winning his heat race and the $2,000 main event
ahead of Kevin Weaver, Scott Schmitt, Billy Drake, and Myles Moos.
Full results from both Land of Lincoln bullrings can be viewed
online at www.farmercityracing.com
and www.fairburyspeedway.com.
(Rocky Ragusa Photo)
Mike Spatola Sweeps
Farmer City and FALS for Two-Win Weekend! (June
3, 2018) Spatola Racing swept the June 1-2 weekend
at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois and Fairbury American
Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois to elevate his 2018 win
total to four! On Friday night at Farmer City, Mike Spatola III
timed in sixth fastest during the qualifying session prior to
running fourth in the heat race. After starting the weekly A-Main
from the outside of the second row, Mike grabbed the lead about
the lap five mark and led the remainder of the distance to pocket
the $1,000 payday ahead of Jose Parga, Kevin Weaver, Brandon Thirlby,
and Taylor Scheffler!
At FALS on Saturday evening, "Opie" was
dominant all night long as he set Fast Time in qualifying, won
his heat race, and later led each and every circuit of the headliner
to grab the $1,300 top prize. Finishing behind his #89 at the
checkered flag was Brandon Thirlby, Ryan Unzicker, Kevin Weaver,
and Scott Schmitt! Full results from both Land of Lincoln bullrings
can be viewed online at www.farmercityracing.com
and www.fairburyspeedway.com.
(Rocky Ragusa Photo)
Spatola Nabs $2,000
Victory at Spoon River; Runner-Up at Macon! (May
29, 2018) Manhattan, Illinois ace Mike Spatola
III racked up his second feature win of the 2018 racing season
over a hectic Memorial Day holiday weekend (May 25-28)! Following
a rain-out on Friday night at Farmer City (IL) Raceway and a fifth
place showing in a $2,000 to win UMP special on Saturday evening
at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois, Mike
captured his first career Midwest Big 10 Series victory on Sunday
at Spoon River Speedway in Banner, Illinois. "Opie"
won his heat race and later beat Ryan Unzicker, Jose Parga, Rickey
Frankel, and Bob Gardner to the checkers in the main event to
claim the $2,000 payday. In a $1,200 to win Big 10 event on Monday
to close out the weekend at the tiny Macon Speedway in Macon,
Illinois, Mike set Fast Time in qualifying, ran second in his
heat race, and later placed second in the 50-lapper behind only
victor Ryan Unzicker. Complete results can be found at www.fairburyspeedway.com,
www.spoonriverspeedway.com,
and www.maconracing.com.
(Joseph Putnam Photo)
Mike Spatola III Runner-Up
at Both Farmer City & FALS! (May 20, 2018) Mike
Spatola III and the #89 team invaded weekly UMP Super Late Model
shows at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois and Fairbury
American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois over the May 18-19
weekend. On Friday night at Farmer City, Mike won his heat race
and later finished second behind only race winner Kevin Weaver
in the $1,000 to win main event. At FALS on Saturday evening in
a $1,300 to win program, Mike once again took the win in his heat
race before leading a few laps in the A-Main and finishing a strong
runner-up behind only victor Brian Shirley. Full results from
both tracks can be accessed online at www.farmercityracing.com
and www.fairburyspeedway.com.
Spatola Competes in
Farmer City 74; Improves to Runner-Up at Peoria (May
13, 2018) The Spatola Racing team started their
May 11-12 weekend at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois
on Friday, as the MARS Racing Series presided over the 'Farmer
City 74.' A strong field of 35 competitors signed into the pit
area at the 1/4-mile fairgrounds oval to vie for a $10,000 winner's
check. Mike Spatola III grabbed the fourth transfer spot late
in his heat race prior to starting the 74-lap headliner from the
inside of the eighth row. Unfortunately, Mike suffered a late
flat tire and retired in the twentieth position.
Following a rain-out early in the day at Fairbury American Legion
Speedway on Saturday, the #89 team bolted to Peoria Speedway in
Peoria, Illinois. Mike won his heat race and later rolled off
from the inside of the third row in the $1,000 to win weekly main
event. The Manhattan, Illinois ace then moved past a trio of competitors
during the feature to secure a strong runner-up effort behind
only victor Bob Gardner! Full results from both facilities can
be accessed online at www.marsracingseries.com
and www.peoriaspeedway.com.
(Todd Healy Photo)
Mike Spatola Turns
In Strong Weekend at Farmer City & FALS (May 6, 2018) The
Spatola Racing team made their way back to Farmer City Raceway
in Farmer City, Illinois and Fairbury American Legion Speedway
in Fairbury, Illinois over the May 4-5 weekend for a pair of weekly
UMP Super Late Model contests. On Friday night at Farmer City,
Mike Spatola III laid down the quickest lap overall during qualifying
before finishing second in his heat race and fourth in the $1,000
to win feature event behind only winner Ryan Unzicker, Frank Heckenast,
Jr., and Kevin Weaver. In a $1,300 to win show at FALS on Saturday
evening, Mike set Fast Time in qualifying, won his heat race,
and led a few laps early in the main event before winding up a
strong runner-up behind only victor Ryan Unzicker! Full results
from both tracks can be accessed online at www.farmercityracing.com
and www.fairburyspeedway.com.
Spatola Racing Lands
in Victory Lane for First Time in 2018 Season! (April
29, 2018) Mike Spatola III and his Spatola Racing
team celebrated in victory lane for the first time in the young
2018 racing season on Saturday evening, April 28 at Fairbury American
Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois! Mike swept the UMP Super
Late Model show by earning Fast Time honors during qualifying,
winning his heat race, and leading each lap in the headliner to
claim the $1,300 top prize over Kevin Weaver, Scott Schmitt, Nick
Kurtz, and Jay Sparks! On Friday night, April 27 in another weekly
program at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois, Mike
laid down the fastest lap in qualifying and won his heat race
once again before leading the first 18 laps of the $1,000 to win
main event and settling for a third place feature performance
behind only victor Ryan Unzicker and runner-up Kevin Weaver. Full
results from both tracks can be accessed online at www.farmercityracing.com
and www.fairburyspeedway.com.
(Rocky Ragusa Photo)
Mike Spatola III Back
in Action; Grabs Top Five at Farmer City (April 22, 2018)
After a few weekends away from the racetrack, the #89 team tackled
weekly UMP Super Late Model programs at Farmer City Raceway in
Farmer City, Illinois and Fairbury American Legion Speedway in
Fairbury, Illinois on April 20-21. On Friday night in a $1,000
to win show at Farmer City, Mike Spatola III fought battery issues
during qualifying prior to finishing fourth in both his heat race
and the main event. "Opie" trailed only victor Kevin
Weaver, Allen Wiesser, and Ryan Unzicker at the 1/4-mile fairgrounds
oval. At FALS on Saturday evening, Mike earned Fast Time honors
during qualifying, ran second in his heat race, and unfortunately
caught fire on the track prior to start of the $1,300 to win headliner.
A carburetor issue led to the flames, which were quickly extinguished,
but the Manhattan, Illinois native was relegated to a disappointing
fifteenth place effort. Full results from both tracks can be accessed
online at www.farmercityracing.com
and www.fairburyspeedway.com.
Spatola Rallies for
Pair of Top Tens in LaSalle's Thaw Brawl! (April
1, 2018) The Spatola Racing team returned to dirt-slinging
action on March 30-31 in the 7th Annual 'Thaw Brawl' at LaSalle
Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois. In Friday night's $5,000 to win
weekend opener, which was sanctioned by the Lucas Oil MLRA Series,
Mike Spatola III laid down the quickest lap overall of the 48
entrants to earn Fast Time honors before finishing eighth in his
heat race and third in his B-Main. After rolling off from the
inside of the ninth row in the 50-lap headliner, Mike rallied
past eight competitors during the contest to claim a steady ninth
place showing. On Saturday evening in the $15,000 to win 'Thaw
Brawl' finale, "Opie" ran fourth in his heat race prior
to winning his B-Main and advancing up to seventh in the 75-lapper.
Full results from the 1/4-mile bullring over the weekend can be
viewed online at www.mlraracing.com.
(Mike Ruefer Photo)
(June
16, 2018) Another $10,000 top prize was up for
grabs on the "Hell Tour" grind tonight at the Dirt Oval
at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. Mike Spatola III timed
in sixth fastest in his group during qualifying before finishing
sixth in his heat race and second in his B-Main. After rolling
off from the inside of the ninth row in the 30-lap feature event,
Mike wound up fifteenth in the final finishing order at the Chicago-area
speedplant.
(June
10, 2018) For the second straight weekend, Mike
Spatola III swept events at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City,
Illinois and Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois
on June 8-9, which raised his 2018 win total to six! At Farmer
City on Friday night, Mike set Fast Time in qualifying, won his
heat race, and later led flag-to-flag in the A-Main to capture
the $1,000 winner's check over Kevin Weaver and Jose Parga. On
Saturday evening at FALS in the 22nd Annual 'Pappy and Bob Allen
Memorial,' Mike knocked down the second quickest lap during time
trials prior to winning his heat race and the $2,000 main event
ahead of Kevin Weaver, Scott Schmitt, Billy Drake, and Myles Moos.
Full results from both Land of Lincoln bullrings can be viewed
online at 
(June
3, 2018) Spatola Racing swept the June 1-2 weekend
at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois and Fairbury American
Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois to elevate his 2018 win
total to four! On Friday night at Farmer City, Mike Spatola III
timed in sixth fastest during the qualifying session prior to
running fourth in the heat race. After starting the weekly A-Main
from the outside of the second row, Mike grabbed the lead about
the lap five mark and led the remainder of the distance to pocket
the $1,000 payday ahead of Jose Parga, Kevin Weaver, Brandon Thirlby,
and Taylor Scheffler!
(May
29, 2018) Manhattan, Illinois ace Mike Spatola
III racked up his second feature win of the 2018 racing season
over a hectic Memorial Day holiday weekend (May 25-28)! Following
a rain-out on Friday night at Farmer City (IL) Raceway and a fifth
place showing in a $2,000 to win UMP special on Saturday evening
at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois, Mike
captured his first career Midwest Big 10 Series victory on Sunday
at Spoon River Speedway in Banner, Illinois. "Opie"
won his heat race and later beat Ryan Unzicker, Jose Parga, Rickey
Frankel, and Bob Gardner to the checkers in the main event to
claim the $2,000 payday. In a $1,200 to win Big 10 event on Monday
to close out the weekend at the tiny Macon Speedway in Macon,
Illinois, Mike set Fast Time in qualifying, ran second in his
heat race, and later placed second in the 50-lapper behind only
victor Ryan Unzicker. Complete results can be found at 
(May
13, 2018) The Spatola Racing team started their
May 11-12 weekend at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois
on Friday, as the MARS Racing Series presided over the 'Farmer
City 74.' A strong field of 35 competitors signed into the pit
area at the 1/4-mile fairgrounds oval to vie for a $10,000 winner's
check. Mike Spatola III grabbed the fourth transfer spot late
in his heat race prior to starting the 74-lap headliner from the
inside of the eighth row. Unfortunately, Mike suffered a late
flat tire and retired in the twentieth position.
(April
29, 2018) Mike Spatola III and his Spatola Racing
team celebrated in victory lane for the first time in the young
2018 racing season on Saturday evening, April 28 at Fairbury American
Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois! Mike swept the UMP Super
Late Model show by earning Fast Time honors during qualifying,
winning his heat race, and leading each lap in the headliner to
claim the $1,300 top prize over Kevin Weaver, Scott Schmitt, Nick
Kurtz, and Jay Sparks! On Friday night, April 27 in another weekly
program at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois, Mike
laid down the fastest lap in qualifying and won his heat race
once again before leading the first 18 laps of the $1,000 to win
main event and settling for a third place feature performance
behind only victor Ryan Unzicker and runner-up Kevin Weaver. Full
results from both tracks can be accessed online at 
(April
1, 2018) The Spatola Racing team returned to dirt-slinging
action on March 30-31 in the 7th Annual 'Thaw Brawl' at LaSalle
Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois. In Friday night's $5,000 to win
weekend opener, which was sanctioned by the Lucas Oil MLRA Series,
Mike Spatola III laid down the quickest lap overall of the 48
entrants to earn Fast Time honors before finishing eighth in his
heat race and third in his B-Main. After rolling off from the
inside of the ninth row in the 50-lap headliner, Mike rallied
past eight competitors during the contest to claim a steady ninth
place showing. On Saturday evening in the $15,000 to win 'Thaw
Brawl' finale, "Opie" ran fourth in his heat race prior
to winning his B-Main and advancing up to seventh in the 75-lapper.
Full results from the 1/4-mile bullring over the weekend can be
viewed online at 
