Spatola Runner-Up in Crate at Kankakee; Sets New Track Record at Peoria!
(September 18, 2016) The Spatola Racing team invaded both Kankakee County Speedway in Kankakee, Illinois and Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois over the September 16-17 weekend. On Friday night at Kankakee, Mike Spatola III unloaded a Crate Late Model for the weekly show and finished third in his heat race prior to bagging a strong runner-up effort in the headliner. In the $2,000 to win UMP Super Late Model special on Saturday evening at Peoria, Mike set a New Track Record during qualifying and ran second in his heat race. The Manhattan, Illinois ace was then leading the main event before a wreck took out the leaders and Mike wound up tenth in the final rundown. Complete results from both Land of Lincoln venues can be accessed online at www.kankakeecountyspeedway.com and www.peoriaspeedway.com.

Spatola Racing Tackles World 100 Weekend at Eldora Speedway
(September 11, 2016) The #89 team ventured to the hallowed grounds of Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio on September 8-10 for the 46th Annual 'World 100.' The three-day crown jewel spectacular at the 1/2-mile, high-banked speedplant drew 108 competitors and started with a pair of $10,000 to win Twin 25 preliminary programs. On Thursday night, Mike Spatola III dropped a driveshaft during qualifying, finished seventh in his heat race and eighth in his B-Main, and unfortunately missed out on the 25-lap feature event. At the "Big E" on Friday evening, Mike ran eighth in his heat race and seventh in his B-Main, which once again kept him out of the 25-lapper.

The stakes were significantly heightened on Saturday, as the "Biggest Dirt Race in the World" boasted a whopping $49,000 winner's check and the famed globe trophy. Mike placed thirteenth in his loaded heat race before scratching from his B-Main. The Manhattan, Illinois native was forced to watch the 'World 100,' which was won by fellow Illinois driver Bobby Pierce. Complete results from the extended weekend in the Buckeye State can be located online at www.eldoraspeedway.com.

Mike Spatola III Busy in Labor Day Weekend Triple Shot in Illinois
(September 5, 2016) Mike Spatola III and the Spatola Racing team traveled to a trio of facilities in the Land of Lincoln over the Labor Day holiday weekend (September 2-4) for special events. Things kicked off on Friday night at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois with a $5,000 to win American Late Model Series (ALMS) tilt. Mike laid down the fastest lap in his group during time trials prior to running third in his inverted heat race. With passing at a premium throughout the main event, Mike started twelfth and finished thirteenth in the 40-lap contest.

On Saturday evening, the dirt-slinging action quickly shifted to Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois for a $3,000 to win UMP battle. "Opie" ran fourth in his heat race before blitzing up to second in the 40-lapper to finish an impressive runner-up behind only race winner Kevin Weaver. At Spoon River Speedway in Banner, Illinois on Sunday, Mike placed fourth in his heat race and sixth in the $2,500 to win main event. Full results from all three holiday weekend shows can be accessed online at www.farmercityracing.com, www.fairburyspeedway.com, and www.spoonriverspeedway.com.

Spatola Back in Fairbury Victory Lane for Ninth Win of 2016 Campaign!
(August 28, 2016) Spatola Racing recorded their ninth feature win of the 2016 campaign on Saturday evening, August 27 at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois! Mike Spatola III laid down the quickest lap during the qualifying session and later ran second in his heat race. After starting the weekly UMP Super Late Model feature from the inside of the second row, Mike led the final three circuits to pocket the $1,200 payday over Rusty Schlenk, Kevin Weaver, Jay Morris, and Joe Harlan! Full results from last night at FALS can be viewed online at www.fairburyspeedway.com. (Rocky Ragusa Photo)

Mike Spatola III Notches Eighth Feature Win of '16 at Peoria Speedway!
(August 21, 2016) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team reached victory lane for the eighth time in 2016 on Saturday evening, August 20 at Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois! Mike timed in second quickest during qualifying, won his heat race, and later led the 30-lap feature from flag-to-flag to bag the $1,000 payday. On Friday night, August 19, the Spatola Racing team was in the pit area at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois for another $1,000 to win weekly UMP Super Late Model show. Mike won his heat race in preliminary action and eventually wound up third at the checkers behind only winner Jason Feger and runner-up Billy Drake. Full results from both races can be viewed online at www.farmercityracing.com and www.peoriaspeedway.com. (Hall Racing Photos)

Spatola Racing on Podium Twice Saturday Evening at FALS!!!
(August 14, 2016) Following a rain-out on Friday night at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois, the Spatola Racing team rolled into Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois on Saturday evening, August 13 for an American Late Model Series (ALMS) shootout! Mike Spatola III posted the second quickest lap in his group during qualifying prior to slipping to fourth in his loaded heat race. After starting the $2,000 to win main event from the outside of the sixth row, Mike bolted all the way up to third in the running order to finish behind only victor Bob Gardner and runner-up Rich Bell. In a rain-postponed feature event from earlier this season at FALS, "Opie" started second and finished second in the $1,200 to win headliner behind only race winner Kevin Weaver. Complete results from last night at Fairbury can be accessed online at www.fairburyspeedway.com.

Mike Spatola III Back in Fairbury Victory Lane on Saturday Night!
(August 7, 2016) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team rolled into Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois and Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois on August 5-6 for a pair of weekly UMP Super Late Model programs. On Friday night at Farmer City, Mike timed in third quickest in qualifying, ran second in his heat race, and later advanced up to second in the $1,000 to win feature event to finish behind only victor Kevin Weaver. At FALS on Saturday evening, "Opie" won his heat race prior to leading all thirty circuits of the A-Main to bag the $1,200 winner's share for his seventh win of 2016 over Kevin Weaver, Scott Schmitt, Jay Morris, and Joe Harlan! Complete results from both Land of Lincoln venues can be accessed online at www.farmercityracing.com and www.fairburyspeedway.com. (Rocky Ragusa Photo)

Spatola Wins Heat Race; Retires Early in $27,000 Prairie Dirt Classic
(July 31, 2016) The 27th Annual 'Prairie Dirt Classic' weekend was the focus of the #89 team on July 29-30 at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in downtown Fairbury, Illinois. A $27,000 winner's check was on the line in the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series special. On Friday night, Mike Spatola III clicked off the fourth fastest lap in Group B during qualifying prior to scoring an impressive victory in heat race action. After drawing the outside of the front row prior to the start of Saturday's 100-lapper, Mike ran towards the front of the stellar field early in the distance before retiring his smoking racecar in the twenty-seventh position. Full results from the PDC weekend can be found by clicking on www.woolms.com.

Mike Spatola Grabs Sixth Checkered Flag of 2016 Saturday at Fairbury!
(July 24, 2016) Manhattan, Illinois native Mike Spatola III racked up his sixth feature victory of the 2016 campaign on Saturday evening, July 23 at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois! After running second in his heat race, Mike led the last seven circuits of the UMP Super Late Model headliner to bag the $1,200 top prize over Jay Morris, Scott Schmitt, Steve Thorsten, and Joe Harlan! On Friday night at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois, a $5,000 top prize was on the line in a UMP special event. "Opie" finished sixth in his heat race before climbing to seventh in the 40-lap feature event. Full results from both Land of Lincoln venues can be located online at www.farmercityracing.com and www.fairburyspeedway.com. (Rocky Ragusa Photo)

Spatola Racing Solid in Weekend Events at Farmer City & FALS
(July 17, 2016) Mike Spatola III and his Spatola Racing team returned to dirt-slinging action over the July 15-16 weekend at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois and Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois. On Friday night in a weekly UMP program at Farmer City, Mike timed in third quickest in qualifying, won his heat race, and later placed second in the $1,000 to win Super Late Model feature behind only victor Joe Harlan. "Opie" also ran a Crate Late Model and drove it to a stellar third place effort in the headliner.

At FALS on Saturday evening, a $2,000 top prize was up for grabs in a UMP Super Late Model showdown. Mike qualified well and later scored the victory in his heat race, which lined him up starting from the inside of the second row in the main event. The Manhattan, Illinois native hung around the front during the feature before slipping back to sixth at the checkers behind only winner Kevin Weaver, McKay Wenger, Frank Heckenast, Jr., Scott Bull, and Tanner English. Full results from both facilities can be viewed online at www.farmercityracing.com and www.fairburyspeedway.com.

Hectic Stretch of Racing for Mike Spatola III and Spatola Racing
(July 9, 2016) The #89 team passed through the pit gate tonight at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois to compete in a weekly Super Late Model show. Mike Spatola III earned Fast Time honors for his stellar qualifying lap, but was unfortunately involved in a wreck during heat race action. After starting the $1,200 to win feature from the inside of the tenth row, Mike stormed through the pack throughout the contest and eventually made it all the way up to fourth to finish behind only victor Joe Harlan, Derek Chandler, and Scott Bull.

(July 8, 2016) Spatola Racing made a last minute decision to change their racing plans for tonight and headed to Hartford Speedway in Hartford, Michigan for an American Ethanol Late Model Tour program, which boasted a $4,000 payday. Mike Spatola III won his heat race in preliminary competition and later started the A-Main from the inside of the third row. The Manhattan, Illinois native then worked his way past a pair of competitors during the contest on his way to a strong third place podium effort behind only winner J.R. Hotovy and runner-up Eric Spangler!

(July 6, 2016) Mike Spatola III and the Spatola Racing team rolled into Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois tonight for another $5,000 to win "Hell Tour" battle. Mike knocked down the quickest lap in his group during the qualifying session and later finished third in heat race action. "Opie" then started the 40-lap feature from the inside of the fifth row, but ran into problems early in the caution-free affair, which dropped him to a disappointing twenty-first place outing.

(July 5, 2016) The UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals took the #89 team to Daugherty Speedway in Boswell, Indiana tonight for another $5,000 to win showdown. Mike Spatola III qualified fourth quickest in his group during time trials prior to running fifth in his loaded heat race. The Manhattan, Illinois native then started ninth on the grid in the 40-lap main event before driving his Warrior racecar to a tenth place performance tonight in the Hoosier State.

(July 4, 2016) Following a day off, the Spatola Racing team was back in action tonight at LaSalle Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois, as the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour rolled into the 1/4-mile facility. Mike Spatola III finished sixth in his stacked heat race and second in the B-Main before starting the $5,000 to win main event from the inside of the ninth row. "Opie" then worked his way past seven competitors during the 40-lapper to bag a solid tenth place showing.

(July 2, 2016) Another weekly UMP Late Model battle greeted the #89 team tonight at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois and a $1,200 top prize was on the line. Mike Spatola III was strong in qualifying and later scored the victory in his heat race. After starting the headliner from the outside of the front row, the Manhattan, Illinois ace was battling for the win with only a handful of laps remaining before a broken right rear axle tube dropped Mike to a disappointing eleventh place effort.

(July 1, 2016) Mike Spatola's 2016 win total now stands at five following a victory tonight at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois! Mike set Fast Time in qualifying for the weekly UMP Late Model program and later ran second in his heat race. "Opie" then grabbed the lead late in the feature distance to score the $1,000 triumph over McKay Wenger, Scott Schmitt, Joe Harlan, and Don Hammer! (Double J Photos)

(June 30, 2016) The dirt-covered Rockford Speedway near Rockford, Illinois played host to the inaugural 'Outlaw Clay Classic' tonight, which kicked off an ultra-busy stretch of racing for the Spatola Racing team. The single-day World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series throwdown in the Land of Lincoln paid $10,000 to win and attracted a stout 34 car field. Mike Spatola III timed in seventh quickest in Group B during qualifying and later grabbed the fourth transfer spot through his heat race. After starting the 30-lapper from the inside of the eighth row, "Opie" decided to retire early on the rough racing surface and wound up thirteenth in the final finishing order.

Mike Spatola III Claims Top Ten in "Hell Tour" Stop at Fairbury!
(June 26, 2016) After scratching from Friday night's weekly UMP show at Farmer City (IL) Raceway following a heat race wreck, Mike Spatola III was back in action on Saturday evening, June 25 at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois. The UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour invaded FALS to preside over a $10,000 to win program. Mike qualified fourth fastest in Group A during time trials prior to running second in his loaded heat race. Following a sixth place start in the 50-lap headliner, "Opie" slipped back to ninth at the checkered flag in the "Hell Tour" battle. Full results from last night at Fairbury can be accessed online at www.thehelltour.com.

Spatola Racing Fourth at Kankakee; Busy with UMP Summer Nationals
(June 20, 2016) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team kicked off the 2016 edition of the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals with four high-profile shows from June 16-19 in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin. Things started on Thursday at Kankakee County Speedway in Kankakee, Illinois, as a $5,000 top prize was on the line. Mike timed in second quickest in his group during qualifying prior to running third in his heat race. After starting the 40-lapper from the outside of the fourth row, "Opie" was able to work his way past four competitors on his way to a strong fourth place performance behind only winner Bobby Pierce, Mike Marlar, and Frank Heckenast, Jr.!

At the renowned Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin, a pair of special events made up the annual 'Masters' weekend. Mike was forced to rely on a provisional each night and wound up twentieth in the final rundown in Friday's $5,000 to win show and sixteenth in Saturday's $10,000 to win 'Masters' finale. On Sunday evening at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wisconsin, the Manhattan, Illinois ace laid down the fastest lap in his group during qualifying and later placed second in heat race action. After rolling off from the inside of the third row in the 40-lap headliner, which carried a $5,000 top prize, Mike unfortunately brought out a lap 16 caution flag and settled for an eighteenth place effort. Complete results from all four races can be found online by clicking on www.thehelltour.com.

Mike Spatola III Sweeps Crate Late Model Events at FALS!
(June 12, 2016) The Spatola Racing team rolled into Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois on Saturday evening, June 11 for a weekly Super Late Model showdown. Mike Spatola III won his heat race in preliminary action prior to running second in the $1,200 to win feature event behind only victor Kevin Weaver. Mike also piloted a #05 Crate Late Model to a pair of triumphs at the 1/4-mile bullring last night! After scoring the $1,000 victory in a make-up feature event, "Opie" set Fast Time, won his heat race, and captured the $500 win in the regularly scheduled Crate show at FALS. Complete results from the busy night can be accessed online at www.fairburyspeedway.com. (Rocky Ragusa Photo)

Spatola Racing Nabs Second Checkered Flag of 2016 Saturday at FALS!
(June 5, 2016) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team bagged their second feature win of the 2016 racing season on Saturday evening, June 4 at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois! Mike swept the night's festivities at FALS, as he set Fast Time in qualifying, won his heat race, and later led from flag-to-flag in the weekly UMP Super Late Model main event. "Opie" nabbed the $1,200 payday by besting McKay Wenger, Scott Schmitt, Jay Morris, and Dan Flessner. Earlier in the weekend, Mike earned Fast Time honors and ran second in his heat race on Friday at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois before an early incident in the $1,000 to win A-Main dropped the Manhattan, Illinois native to fifteenth in the final finishing order. Full results from both weekend battles can be viewed online at www.farmercityracing.com and www.fairburyspeedway.com.