Highland Speedway
Moyer rules Highland, grabs Challenge victory
Billy Moyer takes the checkers June 2 in Highland, Ill. (stlracingphotos.com)
HIGHLAND, Ill. (June 2) — Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., got the Tri-State Challenge off to a winning start Thursday at Highland Speedway, leading all 40 laps for a $5,000 victory on the Northern Allstars Late Model Series.
Moyer took command from the pole position and held comfortable leads most of the race, then kept fifth-starting Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., in check late in the race. The high-running Feger was second followed by Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., and Mike Spatola of Frankfort, Ill., who briefly ran as high as second. | VIdeo| Slideshow
Michael Kloos of nearby Trenton, Ill., rallied from 11th to cross the line fifth, but race officials gave that spot to hometown driver and outside front-row starter Mark Faust because Kloos dipped into the infield to overtake Faust..
Moyer notched his fifth career Northern Allstars victory and his first victory at Highland in 12 years, going back to a UMP DIRTcar Summernationals triumph during one of his six tour championships.
The Tri-State Challenge continues Friday at Paducah (Ky.) International Raceway and wraps up Saturday at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo.
Notes: Moyer's Victory Circle Chassis has a Clements Racing Engine and sponsorship from L&D Trucking, Henderson Motorsports, Banner Valley Hauling and Minx Show Palace. ... Moyer's last Northern Allstars victory came last June at I-55 Raceway. ... Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., saw his two-race win streak with the Northern Allstars come to an end; he failed to transfer through a heat race but won a consolation race. ... Highland hosts the Summernationals on June 22.
Tri-State Challenge: (1) Billy Moyer, (2) Jason Feger, (3) Shannon Babb, (4) Mike Spatola, (5) Mark Faust, (6) Michael Kloos, (7) Dillan White, (8) Billy Moyer Jr., (9) Donny Walden, (10) Ryan Unzicker, (11) Rodney Melvin, (12) Brandon Sheppard, (13) Kevin Weaver, (14) Bobby Pierce, (15) Mark Larson, (16) Brian Shirley, (17) Randy Korte, (18) Mike Schulte, (19) Greg Kimmons, (20) Frankie Martin, (21) Paul Bailey, (22) Ryan Little. Fast qualifier (among 36 cars): Unavailable. Heat race winners: Mike Spatola, Billy Moyer, Mark Faust, Shannon Babb. Consolation winners: Ryan Unzicker, Brandon Sheppard.
Correction: Swaps fifth- and sixth-place finishers.
