Schlieper claims Pepsi Nationals Title at I-55
(Pevely, MO – Sep 16, 2000) Day two of the 18th Annual I-55 Pepsi Nationals attracted a huge field of cars and a capacity crowd. One hundred forty six cars filled the pit area in the three divisions. The $10,000 to win UMP Late Model feature brought 43 late models into the pit area, including some of the top late model drivers from around the country.
Don O'Neal and Kevin Weaver had starting spots guaranteed in the dash after finishing first and second the previous night. The other 41 late models had to qualify. The top four qualifiers were locked in the dash along with the track high point driver and the UMP National highest point driver. Randy Korte set fast time followed by Mullvain, Schlieper and Birkhofer. Ed Dixon and Mike Hammerle were added to the dash based on their point totals. This set the field for an eight-car dash with Dan Schlieper starting front row pole. The eight-lap dash had the fans on their feet as Schlieper and Weaver battling back and forth for the lead. O'Neal was running a very close third until the last lap when O'Neal tried the high side and passed both Schlieper and Weaver to take the victory.
In the feature event, Schlieper was able to get the jump from his outside starting position and took the early lead. O'Neal stayed glued to the back bumper of Schlieper as the two pulled away from third place competitor Brian Birkhofer. The race was slowed four separate times for spins or debris, but each time Schlieper and O'Neal were able to pull away and keep it a two-car battle. O'Neal was able to get a nose under Schlieper several times but could never make the pass. Schlieper took the win, O'Neal was second, Birkhofer third, Mark Oller fourth and track champion Ed Dixon completed the top five. Some big names in late model racing finished sixth through tenth and they were Terry Phillips, Kevin Weaver, Billy Moyer, Bob Pierce and Gary May. Bob Pierce, Mark Oller, Billy Drake and Terry Phillips won the heat races and Steve Shive and Jeff Johns won the semi features.
The UMP Modified division brought 59 cars into the pit area which required seven heat races and three semi features to determine the feature lineup. Once again, track champion Scott Weber proved he is the man to beat as he took the lead from Dean Hoffman and lap five and led the rest of the way. However, Jeff Leka moved into second place and kept the pressure on Weber for the entire event. Weber never bobbled and held on to win. Jeff Leka was second, Dean Hoffman third, Jim Shereck fourth and Brent Mullins fifth. There was a scary moment on lap 12 when a group of cars running in the middle of pack were racing three and four wide. Mark Leuck got turned sideways and hit the back straight-away wall with the driver's side of his car. Leuck was unconscious for a short period of time but was able to walk to the ambulance. Leuck was transferred to a nearby hospital for observation. No further report of his condition was available at the time of this release.
Brent Mullins, Ray Wagner, Leroy Haney, Keith Grider, Jim Shereck, Chris Woods and Jeff Leka won the heat races in the UMP Modified divisioin. Mullins also won the dash. John Seets, Sr., Phil Johns and Kyle Byerline won the semi features.
Darrell Hewlitt showed the way in the Sportsman division. Hewlitt held off Friday night's winner Gary Haynes to pick up the victory. Following Haynes was Scott Stuppy, Max Kirkendall and Steve Maisel. Dennis Wernle, Max Kirkendall, Doug Wood and Jim Abshier won the Sportsman heats and Gary Haynes won the dash. The semi features were won by John Hoffman and Paul Belken, Jr.
| UMP LATE MODELS | UMP MODIFIEDS | AARA SPORTSMAN |
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QUALIFYING 00 Randy Korte – 14.298 HEAT 1:
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Other Cars Present 0 Steve Lance, Jr. 30 Tom Carson |
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Other Cars Present 00 Steve Picou 9S Tom Seets |
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Other Cars Present 174 John Seets, Jr. 72 Bill Whitehead D5 Dave Jenkins F16 Frank Melton |
