Spatola Climbs to Seventh in Season Finale at Dome at America's Center!
(December 2, 2018) Mike Spatola III wrapped up his version of the 2018 racing season from November 29-December 1 at the Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The annual running of the 'Gateway Dirt Nationals' thrilled dirt racing enthusiasts and drew a whopping 93 Super Late Model entrants to the indoor spectacular. On Thursday night during the qualifying session, Mike laid down the fifteenth fastest lap in Group B during time trials to get his weekend started.

In his $5,000 to win preliminary event on Friday evening, Mike placed second in his heat race prior to slipping back to thirteenth in the 20-lap feature. By virtue of running second in Saturday's consolation race, "Opie" rolled off from the outside of the tenth row in the 40-lap headliner, which boasted a hefty $30,000 payday. On the temporary 1/5-mile oval, Mike was able to improve thirteen positions on the rugged racing surface to bag a strong seventh place performance in his season finale. Complete results from the season-ending weekend in St. Louis can be viewed by clicking on www.gatewaydirt.com.

Mike Spatola Returns to Eldora Speedway for Completion of World 100
(October 14, 2018) Over a month removed from the original 'World 100' date, the completion of the rain-postponed crown jewel spectacular took place on October 12-13 at the hallowed Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. Action was scheduled to start on Friday evening at the "Big E" with a pair of $10,000 to win Twin 25s, but additional inclement weather pushed back the preliminary program to Saturday afternoon. Mike Spatola III finished sixth in his heat race and sixth in his B-Main, which unfortunately kept him out of the 25-lap daytime main event.

Following a several hour break to clear the grandstands and rework the racetrack, the nighttime portion of the day/night doubleheader took place on Saturday evening and all eyes were focused on capturing the $51,000 top prize in the 48th edition of the 'World 100.' Mike ran seventh in his stacked heat race and later placed tenth in his B-Main. Unfortunately, "Opie" was unable to transfer into the 100-lapper that was eventually won by Tim McCreadie. Complete results from Eldora Speedway can be located online by visiting www.eldoraspeedway.com.

Spatola Leads Early at Berlin; Motor Problems Sideline #89 Team
(September 30, 2018) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team ventured to Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan on Saturday evening, September 29 for an American Ethanol Late Model Tour (AELMT) special. At the sprawling, dirt-covered 7/16-mile facility last night, 22 competitors signed into the pit area to vie for the $6,000 winner's check. Mike laid down the fourth quickest time in his group during qualifying before running second in heat race action. After drawing the pole position for the start of the 50-lap headliner, Mike led the first fifteen circuits before a hole in his radiator caused motor problems. The Manhattan, Illinois ace wound up retiring from the contest in the fifteenth position. Complete results from Berlin Raceway can be accessed online at www.aelmt.com.

Mike Spatola III Fifth in Illinois State Championship; Tenth at LaSalle
(September 24, 2018) The Spatola Racing team made their way to Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois and LaSalle Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois on September 22-23 for a pair of $5,000 to win DIRTcar Super Late Model specials. On Saturday night in the annual 'Illinois State Championship' at Peoria, Mike Spatola III ran third in his heat race prior to advancing up to fifth in the 100-lapper to trail only victor Brian Shirley, Billy Drake, Jason Feger, and Allen Weisser. At LaSalle on Sunday evening, another $5,000 payday was up for grabs in the 'Bill Waite Jr. Memorial Classic.' Mike placed fourth in his heat race before moving past four competitors in the 40-lap feature to record a solid tenth place showing. Complete results from both Land of Lincoln ovals can be accessed online at www.peoriaspeedway.com and www.lasallespeedway.com.

Spatola Racing Inside of Top Five in Pair of Peoria Races!
(September 16, 2018) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team invaded Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois on September 14-15 for a pair of $2,000 to win Super Late Model showdowns that made up the 4th Annual 'Fall Classic.' On Friday night, Mike timed in third quickest in his group during qualifying, but ignition woes during his heat race sent him to the consolation event. Following a B-Main triumph, Mike rallied past eleven competitors during the 40-lapper to score a strong fifth place effort behind only winner Allen Weisser, Billy Drake, Bob Gardner, and Todd Bennett. At Peoria on Saturday evening, "Opie" knocked down the quickest lap in his group during qualifying, ran second in his heat race, and later led early in the 40-lap headliner before claiming a third place podium performance behind only victor Billy Drake and runner-up Bob Gardner! Complete results from both weekend shows can be accessed online at www.peoriaspeedway.com.

Mike Spatola III Transfers into Twin 25 at Eldora; World 100 Postponed
(September 9, 2018) Spatola Racing had planned to unload their #89 machine from September 6-8 at the hallowed high-banks of Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio to vie for the prestigious globe trophy in the 48th Annual 'World 100.' However, with the rainy remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon postponing Friday and Saturday's action at the "Big E" until October 12-13, only Thursday night's $10,000 to win Twin 25s escaped the wrath of Mother Nature. In the wee hours of Friday morning after a lengthy rain delay, Mike Spatola III timed in 41st quickest during the qualifying session before grabbing the fourth and final transfer spot through his heat race. Mike then rolled off from the outside of the eighth row in his 25-lapper prior to winding up fifteenth in the final finishing order. Complete results from the soggy weekend in the Buckeye State can be found online at www.eldoraspeedway.com. (Todd Healy Photo)

Spatola Racing Runner-Up in UMP Special at Fairbury!
(September 2, 2018) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team rolled into Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois on Saturday evening, September 1 to compete in a $3,000 to win UMP special event. Mike knocked down the quickest lap overall during Super Late Model qualifying to earn Fast Time honors and later placed second in his heat race. After starting fourth on the grid in the A-Main, Mike drove up to second to finish a strong runner-up behind only victor and cousin Frank Heckenast, Jr. Complete results from last night at FALS can be located online at www.fairburyspeedway.com.

Mike Spatola III Continues Recent Hot Streak with FALS Win!
(August 27, 2018) The Spatola Racing team continued their recent hot streak by capturing their twelfth triumph of 2018 on Saturday evening, August 25 at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois! Mike Spatola III laid down the third quickest time overall during qualifying prior to scoring a heat race victory. Mike then led the majority of the weekly Super Late Model main event to bag the $1,300 top prize over Kevin Weaver, Donny Walden, Dan Flessner, and Jay Morris. On Sunday night, August 26 in a weekly $1,500 to win throwdown at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan, "Opie" was up to fourth in the feature before motor issues dropped him to ninth in the final finishing order. Full results from both weekend shows can be viewed online at www.i96speedway.com and www.fairburyspeedway.com. (Rocky Ragusa Photo)

Spatola Racing Picks Up Eleventh Win Last Night at FALS!
(August 19, 2018) Mike Spatola III and his #89 team found victory lane for the eleventh time in their 2018 season on Saturday night, August 18 at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois! after timing in second fastest overall in Super Late Model qualifying and running third in his heat race, Mike started the weekly A-Main from the outside of the third row. "Opie" then streaked to the front in his new XR1 Rocket Chassis by Brucebilt Performance and took the lead on the last corner of the final lap to secure the $1,300 payday over Jeff Curl, Kevin Weaver, Jay Sparks, and Donny Walden! Complete results from last night at FALS can be viewed online at www.fairburyspeedway.com. (Rocky Ragusa Photo)

Mike Spatola III Reaches Victory Lane for Tenth Time in 2018!
(August 12, 2018) The Spatola Racing team celebrated in victory lane for the tenth time in 2018 on Friday evening, August 10 at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois! Mike Spatola III debuted a brand new XR1 Rocket Chassis by Brucebilt Performance and promptly laid down the third quickest lap in qualifying before winning his heat race. After starting the weekly UMP Super Late Model main event from the pole position, Mike led early in the feature distance before retaking the point for good with five circuits remaining in the race. "Opie" scored the $1,000 payday by besting Bob Gardner and Donny Walden!

At Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois on Saturday night, August 11, the MARS Racing Series presided over the annual #FALS Frenzy, which paid $10,000 to the winner. Mike fought carburetor issues during qualifying and later wound up eighth in his heat race and sixth in his B-Main. After receiving a track provisional to gain access into the 50-lapper, the Manhattan, Illinois ace moved up to finish thirteenth in the final rundown. Full results from both Land of Lincoln bullrings can be viewed online at www.farmercityracing.com and www.fairburyspeedway.com. (Hall Racing Photos)

Spatola Makes Last Minute Decision to Invade Area Tracks
(August 5, 2018) Mike Spatola III and Spatola Racing initially had plans to enjoy the August 3-4 weekend away from the racetrack, but made a last minute decision to instead compete in weekly Super Late Model events at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois and Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois. On Friday night at Farmer City, Mike set Fast Time in qualifying, ran fourth in his heat race, and later climbed up to fourth in the $1,000 to win main event to trail only victor Kevin Weaver, Allen Weisser, and Matt Shannon. At FALS on Saturday in a $1,300 to win contest, Mike once again earned Fast Time honors in time trials before placing second in both his heat race and the A-Main behind only race winner Kevin Weaver. Full results from both Land of Lincoln bullrings can be viewed online at www.farmercityracing.com and www.fairburyspeedway.com.