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History
Thaw Brawl
2021
May 8 — La Salle (Ill.) Speedway (MARS)
Pos. Driver, hometown
1. Garrett Alberson, Las Cruces, N.M., $12,000
2. Brian Shirley, Chatham, Ill.
3. Tanner English, Benton, Ky.
4. Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, Ill.
5. Jason Feger, Bloomington, Ill.
6. Jeremiah Hurst, Dubuque, Iowa
7. Travis Semler, Ionia, Mich.
8. Bob Gardner, East Peoria, Ill.
9. Ryan Weistart, Tonica, Ill.
10. Dale Markham, Maple Park, Ill.
11. Jake Miller, Mendota, Ill.
12. Jeff Riddell, Stewart, Ill.
13. Kyle Cooper, DeMotte, Ind.
14. Rich Bell, Sheffield, Ill.
15. Kolby Vandenbergh, Ashland, Ill.
16. Mike Mataragas, DeKalb, Ill.
17. Mike Chasteen Jr., Peoria, Ill.
Lap leaders: Shirley 1-31; Alberson 32-60
Fast qualifier (among 17 cars): Alberson, 13.166 seconds
Heat race winners: English, Shirley
May 7 winner: Unzicker
2020
Cancelled because of Covid-19
2019
March 31 — La Salle (Ill.) Speedway (Ethanol)
Pos. Driver, hometown
1. Tyler Erb, New Waverly, Texas, $15,000
2. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.
3. Chris Simpson Oxford, Iowa
4. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill.
5. Ricky Weiss, Headingley, Manitoba
6. Jeremiah Hurst, Dubuque, Iowa
7. Brandon Thirlby, Traverse City, Mich.
8. Rich Bell, Sheffield, Ill.
9. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa
10. Travis Stemler, Ionia, Mich.
11, Bob Gardner, East Peoria, Ill.
12. Logan Arntz, Vestaburg, Mich.
13. Rusty Schlenk, McClure, Ohio
14. Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.
15. Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, Ill.
16. Brian Shirley, Chatham, Ill.
17. Jason Feger, Bloomington, Ill.
18. Kyle Bronson, Brandon, Fla.
19. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill.
20. Hudson O'Neal, Martinsville, Ind.
21. Scott Schmitt, Tonica, Ill.
Lap leaders: Bronson 1, 3, 28; Shirley 2, 4-27, 29-40; Simpson 41-63; T. Erb 64-65, 72-75; Pierce 66-71
Fast qualifier (among 31 cars): Pierce, 12.834 seconds
Heat race winners: Shirley, Bronson, Feger
Consolation winner: Weiss
Provisional starter: Stemler
2018
March 31 — La Salle (Ill.) Speedway (MLRA)
Pos. Driver, hometown
1. Chris Simpson, Oxford, Iowa, $15,000
2. Rusty Schlenk, McClure, Ohio
3. Ricky Weiss, Headingley, Manitoba
4. Chad Simpson, Mount Vernon, Iowa
5. Brian Shirley, Chatham, Ill.
6. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill.
7. Mike Spatola, Manhattan, Ill.
8. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill.
9. Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, Minn.
10. Mason Oberkramer, Brosley, Mo.
11. Jose Parga, New Berlin, Ill.
12. Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, Ill.
13. Rob Toland, Colona, Iowa
14. Joe Godsey, Bedford, Ind.
15. Rich Bell, Sheffield, Ill.
16. Tony Jackson Jr., Lebanon, Mo.
17. Will Vaught, Crane, Mo.
18. Chad Finley, St. Johns, Mich.
19. Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas
20. J.C. Wyman, Griswold, Iowa
21. Jason Feger, Bloomington, Ill.
22. Scott Schmitt, Tonica, Ill.
Lap leaders: Chad Simpson 1-17; Chris Simpson 18-75
Fast qualifier (among 38 cars): Schmitt, 14.453 seconds
Heat race winners: Chad Simpson, Feger, Chris Simpson, Weiss
Consolation winners: Spatola, Schmitt
Provisional starters: Sanders, Wyman
March 30 winner: Babb
2017
March 24 — La Salle (Ill.) Speedway
Pos. Driver, hometown
1. Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.Va., $7,000
2. Chris Simpson, Oxford, Iowa
3. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.
4. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.
5. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill.
6. Tony Jackson Jr., Lebanon, Mo.
7. Rob Toland, Colona, Iowa
8. Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, Minn.
9. Scott Schmitt, Tonica, Ill.
10. Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, Ill.
11. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa
12. Mason Oberkramer, Brosley, Mo.
13. Payton Looney, Republic, Mo.
14. Austin Rettig, Sikeston, Mo.
15. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill.
16. Kolby Vandenbergh, Ashland, Ill.
17. Hudson O'Neal, Martinsville, Ind.
18. Jeff Roth, Bentonville, Ark.
19. Rich Bell, Sheffield, Ill.
20. Joe Godsey, Bedford, Ind.
21. Shannon Scott, Henryetta, Okla.
22. Kevin Weaver, Gibson City, Ill.
23. Jason Feger, Bloomington, Ill.
24. Michael Kloos, Trenton, Ill.
25. Mike Mataragas, DeKalb, Ill.
Lap leader: Richards 1-40
Fast qualifier (among 35 cars): Simpson, 12.982 seconds
Heat race winners: Pierce, Richards, Toland, Feger
Consolation winners: Kloos, O'Neal
Provisional starters: Rettig, Scott, Roth, Bell
March 25 program: Rained out
2016
March 26 — La Salle (Ill.) Speedway (ALMS/MARS/Corn Belt Clash)
Pos. Driver, hometown
1. Brian Shirley, Chatham, Ill., $15,000
2. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.
3. Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, Ill.
4. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill.
5. Rusty Schlenk, McClure, Ohio
6. Rich Bell, Sheffield, Ill.
7. Tony Jackson Jr., Lebanon, Mo.
8. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill.
9. Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, Ill.
10. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
11. Chris Simpson, Oxford, Iowa
12. Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, Ark.
13. Jason Feger, Bloomington, Ill.
14. Mike Spatola, Manhattan, Ill.
15. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa
16. Adam Bowman, Seymour, Ind.
17. Justin Asplin, Birch Tree, Mo.
18. Mitch McGrath, Waukesha, Wis.
19. Jeff Roth, Bentonville, Ark.
20. Jared Landers, Batesville, Ark.
21. Ryan VanderVeen, Six Lakes, Mich.
22. Scott Schmitt, Tonica, Ill.
23. Payton Looney, Republic, Mo.
24. Jeff Massingill, Keewatin, Minn.
25. Kevin Weaver, Gibson City, Ill.
Lap leaders: Feger 1-49; Shirley 50-75
Fast qualifier (among 44 cars): Pierce, 13..371 seconds
Heat race winners: Heckenast, Feger, Pierce, Simpson
Consolation winners: Schmitt, Weaver
Provisional starters: VanderVeen, McGrath, Roth, Erb
Non-qualifiers' race winner: Hunter Rasdon, Jonesboro, Ark.
March 25 winner: Shirley
2015
April 4 — La Salle (Ill.) Speedway (ALMS)
Pos. Driver, hometown
1. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill., $15,000
2. Chris Simpson, Oxford, Iowa
3. Ricky Weiss, Headingley, Manitoba
4. Brian Shirley, Chatham, Ill.
5. Jared Landers, Batesville, Ark.
6. Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
7. Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, Ill.
8. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill.
9. Steve Casebolt, Richmond, Ind.
10. Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.
11. Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.
12. Jason Feger, Bloomington, Ill.
13. Rich Bell, Sheffield, Ill.
14. Adam Hensel, Barron, Wis.
15. Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, Ill.
16. Mike Spatola, Manhattan, Ill.
17. Kolby Vandenbergh, Ashland, Ill.
18. Rusty Schlenk, McClure, Ohio
19. Brandon Thirlby, Traverse City, Mich.
20. Ryan VanderVeen, Six Lakes, Mich.
21. Kevin Weaver, Gibson City, Ill.
22. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.
23. Scott Schmitt, Tonica, Ill.
Lap leaders: Weiss 1-21; Pierce 22-75
Fast qualifier (among 38 cars): Landers, 12.894 seconds
Heat race winners: McCreadie, Weiss, Feger, Shirley
Consolation winners: Sheppard, Bloomquist
Provisional starters: Vandenbergh, Schlenk
April 3 winner: Pierce
2014
March 29 — La Salle (Ill.) Speedway (ALMS)
Pos. Driver, hometown
1. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill., $15,000
2. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.
3. Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, Ill.
4. Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
5. Jason Riggs, Harrisburg, Ill.
6. Billy Drake, Bloomington, Ill.
7. Matt Furman, Iowa City, Iowa
8. McKay Wenger, Fairbury, Ill.
9. Jason Jaggers, Peoria, Ill.
10. Jason Feger, Bloomington, Ill.
11. Phil Ausra, Dowagiac, Mich.
12. Brandon Thirlby, Traverse City, Mich.
13. Rusty Schlenk, McClure, Ohio
14. Rich Bell, Sheffield, Ill.
15. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
16. Steve Dimmick, Joliet, Ill.
17. Brian Shirley, Chatham, Ill.
18. Kevin Weaver, Gibson City, Ill.
19. Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning, Mich.
20. Scott Schmitt, Tonica, Ill.
21. Devin Moran, Dresden, Ohio
22. Chris Simpson, Oxford, Iowa
Lap leader: Erb 1-75
Fast qualifier (among 29 cars): Weaver, 12.319 seconds
Heat race winners: Unzicker, Erb, Van Wormer, Shirley
Consolation winner: Moran
Provisional starters: Thirlby, Ausra
2013
March 30 — La Salle (Ill.) Speedway (ALMS)
Pos. Driver, hometown
1. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa, $10,000
2. Chris Simpson, Oxford, Iowa
3. Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.
4. Billy Drake, Bloomington, Ill.
5. Austin Hubbard, Seaford, Del.
6. Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, Wis.
7. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill.
8. Tim Isenberg, Marshfield, Wis.
9. Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, Ill.
10. Russ Scheffler, Waukesha, Wis.
11. Jason Jaggers, Peoria, Ill.
12. Kevin Weaver, Gibson City, Ill.
13. Brian Ruhlman, Clarklake, Mich.
14. Rich Bell, Sheffield, Ill.
15. Jon Henry, Ada, Ohio
16. Scott Bull, Fairbury, Ill.
17. Ryan VanderVeen, Six Lakes, Mich.
18. Jeff Babcock, Wayne, Ohio
19. Brandon Thirlby, Traverse City, Mich.
20. Jesse Stovall, Galena, Mo.
21. Phil Ausra, Dowagiac, Mich.
22. Jason Feger, Bloomington, Ill.
Lap leaders: Sheppard 1-9; Birkhofer 10-50
Fast qualifier (among 40 cars): Isenberg, 13.25 seconds
Heat race winners: Sheppard, Birkhofer, Simpson, Hubbard
Consolation winners: Thirlby, Babcock
March 29 winner: Erb
2012
April 7 — La Salle (Ill.) Speedway (DIRTcar)
Pos. Driver, hometown
1. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill., $5,000
2. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
3. Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, Ill.
4. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill.
5. Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, Ill.
6. Bret Sievert, New Berlin, Wis.
7. Brian Shirley, Chatham, Ill.
8. Kevin Weaver, Gibson City, Ill.
9. Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.
10. Tyler Reddick, Corning, Calif.
11. Rich Bell, Sheffield, Ill.
12. Shawn Toczek, Hebron, Ind.
13. Scott Bull, Fairbury, Ill.
14. Jay Morris, Pittwood, Ill.
15. Russ Scheffler, Waukesha, Wis.
16. Jason Feger, Bloomington, Ill.
17. Mike Spatola, Manhattan, Ill.
18. Mike Provenzano, Marseilles, Ill.
19. Tim Dimmick, Joliet, Ill.
20. Torin Mettille, Cullom, Ill.
21. Gary Schalmo, Mokena, Ill.
Lap leaders: Sievert 1-7; Erb 8-40
Fast qualifier (among 32 cars): Sievert, 13.272 seconds
Heat race winners: Sievert, Erb, Heckenast, Sheppard
Consolation winners: Spatola, Bull
Race Winners
Year: Winner, hometown
2022: Rained out
2021: Garrett Alberson, Las Cruces, N.M.
2020: Cancelled
2019: Tyler Erb, New Waverly, Texas
2018: Chris Simpson, Oxford, Iowa
2017: Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.Va.
2016: Brian Shirley, Chatham, Ill.
2015: Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.
2014: Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill.
2013: Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
2012: Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill.
