Spatola Concludes 2014 Season in Style with Kokomo Klash Triumph!
(October 20, 2014) Mike Spatola III wrapped up his 2014 campaign in style on Sunday night, October 19, as he claimed an impressive victory in the 8th Annual 'Kokomo Klash' at Kokomo Speedway in Kokomo, Indiana! Mike laid down the fastest lap in his group during the qualifying session and later scored the victory in heat race action. After starting the 25-lap feature from the pole position, Mike led all but two laps to record the $2,014 payday. "Opie" beat Dona Marcoullier, Jay Morris, Brandon Thirlby, and Joe Godsey to the checkers to score his seventh triumph of 2014! Complete results from Kokomo can be obtained by visiting www.kokomospeedway.net. (Jim DenHamer Photo)

Mike Spatola III Climbs to Eighth in IL State Championship
(October 5, 2014) The Spatola Racing team made a return trip to Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois on Saturday evening, October 4 for the annual running of the 'Illinois State Championship.' Mike Spatola III knocked down the ninth fastest lap overall during the UMP qualifying session and later grabbed the fourth transfer spot through his heat race. After starting the $5,000 to win feature event from the inside of the seventh row, Mike enjoyed a solid run throughout the 100-lap headliner. "Opie" eventually landed in the eighth position of this year's edition of the 'Illinois State Championship.' Full results from Peoria can be accessed online at www.peoriaspeedway.com.

Spatola Sews Up Kankakee Track Championship with Third Place Run!
(September 28, 2014) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team traveled to Kankakee County Speedway in Kankakee, Illinois and Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois for a pair of $1,000 to win events over the September 26-27 weekend. At Kankakee on Friday night, Mike laid down the quickest lap during qualifying, finished fifth in his heat race, and later advanced up to third in the A-Main to finish behind only winner Kevin Weaver and runner-up Ryan Unzicker. The podium effort at the fairgrounds bullring secured the 2014 UMP Late Model Track Championship for the Spatola Racing team!

On Saturday evening at Peoria, "Opie" once again earned Fast Time honors during qualifying prior to scoring the win in heat race action. After starting the headliner from the pole position, Mike led the first half of the race before settling for another third place performance behind only victor Ryan Unzicker and runner-up Billy Drake. Complete results from both Land of Lincoln venues can be found online at www.kankakeecountyspeedway.com and www.peoriaspeedway.com.

More Mechanical Issues Drop Mike Spatola III at Peoria...
(September 21, 2014) The Spatola Racing team bolted to Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois on Saturday evening, September 20 for a weekly UMP Super Late Model program. Mike Spatola III qualified seventh fastest overall during the time trial session and later ran third in his heat race. After starting the $1,000 to win feature from the inside of the third row, Mike unfortunately broke a j-bar early in the race and was forced to retire in the sixteenth position. Complete results from the disappointing finish last night in Peoria can be accessed online at www.peoriaspeedway.com.

Mechanical Woes Take Spatola Out of Running at LaSalle...
(September 14, 2014) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team ventured to LaSalle Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois on Saturday evening, September 13 for a regular weekly Super Late Model show. Mike timed in second quickest in his group during the qualifying session and later scored the win in heat race action. After starting the $1,000 to win feature event from the outside of the front row, Mike was racing for the lead in the headliner before suffering a broken oil pump. "Opie" was forced to retire from the race due to the mechanical woes and was relegated to a disappointing twelfth place showing. Full results from last night at LaSalle can be accessed online at www.lasallespeedway.com.

Spatola Racing Enters 44th Annual World 100 at Eldora Speedway
(September 7, 2014) Spatola Racing and driver Mike Spatola III rolled into the hallowed grounds of Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio from September 4-6 for the 44th edition of the 'World 100.' Things kicked off at the "Big E" on Thursday and Friday with a pair of Twin 25 preliminary programs, each of which paid $5,000 to the winner. On Thursday night, Mike unfortunately did not transfer into the 25-lap feature, but he did advance into Friday's headliner. After running fourth in his heat race and winning his B-Main, the Manhattan, Illinois native wound up nineteenth in the final rundown of the 25-lapper.

When the stakes were raised much higher at the 1/2-mile, high-banked speedplant on Saturday, Mike had his sole focus set on the prestigious globe trophy and the $47,000 payday. Unfortunately, "Opie" finished twelfth in his stacked heat race and was not able to earn a coveted transfer spot into the 'World 100.' Complete results from Eldora Speedway can be accessed online at www.eldoraspeedway.com.

Mike Spatola Spends Labor Day Weekend at Kankakee and FALS
(August 31, 2014) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team spent their Labor Day holiday weekend at Kankakee County Speedway in Kankakee, Illinois and Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois on August 29-30. At Kankakee on Friday night, Mike ran fourth in his heat race, but later suffered a broken right rear shock during the $1,000 to win UMP headliner, which dropped him to a ninth place finish. On Saturday evening in a $3,000 to win American Late Model Series (ALMS) showdown at FALS, Mike finished third in heat race action prior to crossing underneath the checkers seventh in the main event. Full results from both Land of Lincoln venues can be accessed online at www.kankakeecountyspeedway.com and www.fairburyspeedway.com.

Spatola Racing Tackles World of Outlaws Stops in Wolverine State
(August 24, 2014) The Spatola Racing team bolted to the Wolverine State of Michigan on August 22-23 for a pair of $10,000 to win World of Outlaws Late Model Series battles. On Friday night at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan, Mike Spatola III clicked off the fastest lap in Group A during qualifying prior to slipping back to fifth in his stacked heat race. Following a win in his B-Main, Mike advanced seven spots during the 50-lap headliner en route to a solid tenth place showing.

At Merritt Speedway in Lake City, Michigan on Saturday evening, Mike knocked down the fourth quickest time in Group A during the qualifying session and later grabbed the fourth transfer spot through his heat race. After rolling off from the outside of the seventh row in the 50-lapper, "Opie" eventually finished fifteenth in the final rundown at Merritt. Full results from both weekend races can be obtained online at www.woolms.com.

Mike Spatola III Claims Sixth Feature Win of 2014 at Hartford Speedway!
(August 17, 2014) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team celebrated in victory lane for the sixth time in 2014 in an unscheduled stop to Hartford Speedway in Hartford, Michigan on Friday, August 15! Mike ran second in his heat race and later started the weekly UMP Late Model feature event from the outside of the front row. "Opie" then beat J.R. Hotovy, Phil Ausra, Guy Volk, and Doug Ausra to the checkers to bag the $1,200 payday!

Spatola Racing also spent a couple of days at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois from August 13-16. On Wednesday night, Mike timed in fifth fastest in qualifying, ran second in his heat race, and later suffered problems in the $1,200 to win A-Main that caused him to retire in the fifteenth position. At FALS on Saturday evening, another $1,200 top prize was up for grabs in a weekly Super Late Model showdown. Mike qualified seventh quickest in time trials, finished third in heat race action, and later climbed four spots during the headliner to claim a strong third place performance behind only victor Bobby Pierce and runner-up Daren Friedman. Full results from all three of these races can be accessed online at www.fairburyspeedway.com and www.hartfordspeedway.net.

Spatola Bags Pair of ALMS Wins Over Three-Day Weekend!!!
(August 11, 2014) The Spatola Racing team posted a pair of victories and an additional runner-up effort in an impressive weekend of racing action from August 8-10! On Friday night at Kankakee County Speedway in Kankakee, Illinois, Mike Spatola III knocked down the fastest lap in his group during qualifying, won his heat race, and later started the American Late Model Series (ALMS) feature event from the outside of the front row. Mike then took the lead with only 6 circuits remaining in the headliner to secure the $2,000 top prize over Jay Morris, Brandon Thirlby, Tom Smith, and Allen Murray!

At Plymouth Speedway in Plymouth, Indiana on Saturday evening, Mike and his #89 team once again reached victory lane in ALMS Series competition. After running second in his heat race, "Opie" blasted into the lead on lap 22 and never looked back in the 30-lapper en route to the $2,000 triumph over J.R. Hotovy, Curtis Roberts, Brandon Thirlby, and Gordy Gundaker! In the weekend finale on Sunday at LaSalle Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois, Mike won his heat race and led most of the $1,000 to win weekly UMP Late Model main event before eventually recording a solid runner-up performance behind only race winner Ryan Unzicker. Full results from the action-packed weekend can be found online at www.dirtondirt.com.

Mike Spatola III Tackles Huge Prairie Dirt Classic Weekend at FALS
(July 27, 2014) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team rolled into Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois on July 25-26 for the huge 'Prairie Dirt Classic' weekend, which kicked off on Friday with the completion of a $10,000 to win UMP Summer Nationals program that was rained-out on June 21. Mike won the consolation race to advance into the 50-lap feature event. After starting seventeenth on the grid, "Opie" was able to climb four spots to finish in the thirteenth position.

Also on Friday, preliminary action for the 25th edition of the 'Prairie Dirt Classic' was held at the 1/4-mile bullring. Mike timed in twentieth fastest in Group B during World of Outlaws Late Model Series qualifying and later ran seventh in his stacked heat race. When the stakes heightened on Saturday evening at FALS, Mike unfortunately lost a motor in his consolation event and was unable to make the start in the $25,000 to win headliner, which was won by Tim McCreadie. Complete results from the action-packed PDC weekend can be accessed online at www.fairburyspeedway.com.

Spatola Racing Back in Action at Farmer City & Fairbury...
(July 20, 2014) The Spatola Racing team strolled into Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois and Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois on July 18-19 for a pair of UMP Super Late Model programs. On Friday night in a $1,500 to win showdown at Farmer City, Mike Spatola III timed in tenth fastest during qualifying and finished sixth in his heat race to earn the outside of the sixth row for the start of the A-Main. Unfortunately, an oil line came off during the feature and Mike pitted to fix the issue before returning to the track to salvage an eleventh place effort. At Fairbury on Saturday evening, "Opie" fought fuel pressure problems all night, but was able to advance past nine competitors during the $1,200 to win main event to finish fourth behind only winner Daren Friedman, Joe Harlan, and Kevin Weaver. Full results from both racetracks can be viewed online at www.farmercityracing.com and www.fairburyspeedway.com.

Mike Spatola III Hits Two More Summer Nationals Shows in Land of Lincoln
(July 14, 2014) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team invaded Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois and Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, Illinois from July 11-13 for a pair of UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tilts. On Friday night at Farmer City, Mike timed in fourth fastest in Group B during qualifying prior to scoring the win in heat race action. After drawing the outside of the front row prior to the start of the $10,000 to win feature event, Mike stayed near the front of the field in the 40-lapper and eventually netted a strong fourth place performance behind only winner Billy Moyer, Bobby Pierce, and Shannon Babb.

At Danville on Sunday evening, a $5,000 top prize was on the line in another "Hell Tour" battle. Mike posted the third quickest lap in Group A during time trials and finished third in his loaded heat race - despite suffering a blown motor on the last lap. "Opie" was forced to load up prior to the 40-lap feature and was placed seventeenth in the rundown from VCS. Full results can be accessed online at www.thehelltour.com.

Spatola Enters High-Profile Late Model & Modified Events Over Weekend
(July 6, 2014) Spatola Racing traveled to LaSalle Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois on Thursday, July 3 for another UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tilt, which boasted a $5,000 payday. Mike Spatola III knocked down the fourth fastest lap in Group B during qualifying and later grabbed the fourth and final transfer spot through his heat race. After rolling off from the outside of the eighth row in the 40-lap feature, Mike suffered an early flat tire in the headliner and was relegated to a disappointing twenty-third place outing.

Mike's doubleheader holiday weekend then wrapped up on Friday evening, July 4 with the annual running of the 'Firecracker 50' for the Open Wheel Modifieds at Shadyhill Speedway in Medaryville, Indiana. "Opie" won his heat race after starting in the seventh position and later started the $3,000 to win main event from the outside of the second row. Mike was then battling for the lead late in the race, but unfortunately tangled with a lapped car and was pushed back to fourteenth in the final finishing order.

Mike Spatola Earns Another Kankakee Win; Climbs to Tenth at Lincoln
(June 30, 2014) Mike Spatola, of Manhattan, Illinois, racked up his third feature win of the 2014 campaign on Friday night, June 27 at Kankakee County Speedway in Kankakee, Illinois! After starting the weekly UMP Super Late Model feature from the outside of the third row, Mike stormed to the front of the field to record the $1,000 victory over Torin Mettile, Randy Manos, Don Hilleary, and Dave Whittington! Mike also put forth another solid showing on Saturday, June 28 in an Open Wheel Modified at Shadyhill Speedway in Medaryville, Indiana, as he won his heat race before finishing runner-up in the A-Main behind only winner Jesse Bitterling.

On Sunday evening, June 29, the action quickly shifted to Lincoln Speedway in Lincoln, Illinois for another UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals showdown. Mike timed in eleventh quickest in Group A during qualifying and later placed sixth in his heat race and tenth in the B-Main. After receiving a series provisional to gain access into the $5,000 to win feature event, "Opie" charged past nine competitors during the 40-lapper en route to a tenth place performance.

Spatola Racing Hits Select UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Shows...
(June 23, 2014) Spatola Racing made their way to Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois tonight for another UMP Summer Nationals battle. Mike Spatola III showed up late to the track and did not record a lap during qualifying. After finishing eighth in his heat race and ninth in the B-Main, Mike fortunately received a series provisional to gain access into the $5,000 to win main event. During the course of the 40-lap headliner, "Opie" drove past twelve competitors to salvage a solid tenth place effort out of the evening.

(June 21, 2014) Mike Spatola III and the #89 team rolled into Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois tonight for a $10,000 to win UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tilt. Mike knocked down the fourteenth quickest circuit in Group A during qualifying and later placed fifth in his stacked heat race. Unfortunately, inclement weather invaded the Fairbury area prior to the B-Main and the remainder of the program was postponed to a later date.

(June 15, 2014) The Spatola Racing team headed to Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wisconsin tonight for a special Sunday showdown, which was sanctioned by the grueling UMP Summer Nationals tour. Mike Spatola III clicked off the second fastest lap in his group during qualifying and later finished second in heat race action behind only prelim winner Brandon Sheppard. After starting the $5,000 to win main event from the outside of the third row, Mike was able to move up one spot in the 40-lapper en route to a strong fifth place performance behind only winner Rick Eckert, Shannon Babb, Ryan Unzicker, and Brian Shirley.

Spatola Nabs $2,000 Payday in Pappy & Bob Allen Memorial!!!
(June 14, 2014) Mike Spatola III, of Manhattan, Illinois, recorded his second win of the 2014 racing season tonight at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois! The annual running of the 'Pappy & Bob Allen Memorial' was held at FALS tonight and a strong contingent of UMP Super Late Models were in the pit area. Mike timed in second quickest during the qualifying session and finished a very close runner-up in his heat race. After starting from the outside of the second row in the 40-lap main event, "Opie" came out on top to earn the $2,000 top prize over Scott Bull, Eric Smith, McKay Wenger, and Kevin Weaver! Full results from Fairbury can be accessed online at www.fairburyspeedway.com. (Jeff Hall Photo)

Mike Spatola III Grabs Top Five in Summer Nationals Stop at Kankakee
(June 12, 2014) The Spatola Racing team rolled into Kankakee County Speedway in Kankakee, Illinois again tonight for a visit by the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour. Mike Spatola III laid down the second quickest lap in his group during time trials and later scored the win in heat race action. After drawing the third starting spot prior to the green flag in the $5,000 to win feature, Mike put forth a solid showing in the 40-lapper and eventually crossed underneath the checkers fifth behind only winner Billy Moyer, Ryan Unzicker, Brian Shirley, and Rick Eckert. Full results from Kankakee tonight can be accessed online at www.thehelltour.com.

Spatola Racing Reaches Victory Lane Tonight at Kankakee!!!
(June 6, 2014) Mike Spatola III picked up his first feature win of the 2014 campaign tonight at Kankakee County Speedway in Kankakee, Illinois! Mike set fast time during the qualifying session and later finished second in his heat race after starting in the fourth spot. When the main event went green at Kankakee, Mike rolled off from the outside of the front row and led the second half of the 25-lapper. "Opie" recorded the $1,000 payday in the regular weekly UMP show by besting Mike Provenzano, Torin Mettile, Shawn Toczek, and Jay Morris! Complete results from tonight at Kankakee County Speedway can be accessed online at www.kankakeecountyspeedway.com.