Midwest Speed Expo

Jan
10
2012

Mike Harrison named 2012 Midwest Speed Driver of the Year!

If roses grow in heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for

me place them in Moms arms, and tell her they are

from me.

Tell her I love her and I miss her and when she turns

to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hug her for

a while because remembering her is easy, I do it

every day but theres an ache within my heart,

because I am missing her today!

This award is designated in the memory of my

mother whom I lost in 2007 to a battle with lung

cancer. My mother was a winner and expected the

best from everyone and today we honor one of the

best from the 2011 season.

Not many have the opportunity to say they have

been a champion, yet we all know that in our own

way we are each champions in our own right.

Its always tough to decide a winner for this award,

the candidates are many, Brandon Sheppard had a

break out season claiming the NALMS

Championship, Ryan Unzicker certainly had the best year of his career, Mike Harrison had a stellar year claiming the inaugural Summit Modified Summer Nationals title, Shannon Babb winning his 3rd

strongman title by claiming yet another Hell Tour

crown as well as many other worthy individuals.

Please join me, my family, Dave Poske Performance

Parts and Wick Oil, the prersenting sponsors of the Driver of the Year award in welcoming this years

winner who joins a list of names which includes

Dennis Erb, Jeff Leka, Justin Allgaier, Jason Feger and Jeff Herzog and will be etched into our records

as the winner of this years award.

He won not his first, not his second, but his third

overall and second consecutive NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, with 20 plus A-main victories in addition to the previously mentioned UMP Modified Summer National tour presented by Summit Racing Equipment…… my friends I present to you Mike Harrison, this years Midwest Speed Driver of the Year in Memory of Cindy Young.

Dec
18
2011

9th Annual EXPO just around the corner!

9^th Annual MIDWEST SPEED EXPO Jan. 7 and 8, 2012… LOOK HERE for money saving opportunity!

MIDWEST SPEED Expo SHOW SPECIAL…. If you purchase a 2012 U.M.P. License at the show, you will have your name entered into drawings for $125.00 CASH to the winner, two drawings will be held each day of the show!…. Plan on getting your license while you are at the Expo! You could end up one of the lucky cash prize winners and get your license paid for!

The show is just around the corner and promises to be the best Expo yet to hit the Midwest area. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to look over both new and used parts for all types of racing as well as catching the show specials from many of the vendors including Arizona Sport Shirts, Aggressive Graphics, B&S Race Car Fabrication, Bassett Racing Wheel, C&D Racing Supply, Christian County Quarter Midget Association, Chizmark-Larson Insurance, AMSOIL Products Tim Crumpler, Davenport Performance, Dirt Works Race Cars, Dominator Chassis, DYERS Top Rods, E&E Motorsports, Tom’s Manufacturing, Henderson Advertising, KBC Graphix, Landrum Performance Spring, Mackay Engines, Mitchell Motorsports, MOONMAN Racing, New Vision Graphics, John Osman, Radical Race Gear, Roelandt Systems, Ethan Schnapp Motorsports, Speed Custom and Performance, Rick Thomas Racing, UB Machine, Donny Walden Signs and Designs, WEHRS Machine Racing Supplies, Bill West Enterprises, AFCO Shocks, Allen Automotive, Bandit Race Cars, Larry Bantz, R.A. Benson, Bland Bros. Racing, BOYD-BUILT Metal Brakes, Marvin Burton Racer’s Edge, S&R Creations, Checkered Flag Graphics, Gary Cook, Jr. Racing, Diamond Race Cars, DK Graphics, Brake & Clutch Exchange, FUSION Graphics, Dean Garland Used Parts, Joe Gibson Racing, Dan Griffin Performance, Doug Haack Vintage Photos, Impressive Race cars, JFR Graphics, K2 Motorsports, 2Kuhel Motorsports, Steve Lance, Sr. Tim Lance, MAG’S Performance, Micro-Armor Lubricants, R2C, Hal Russell, Jeff Schmitt Motorsports, Brian Shirley Racing, Steve Sheppard Racing, SHEPP’S Speedway, Steve Thomas Safety Equipment, Kenny VanDorn Racing, Lincoln Speedway, Macon Speedway, Central Illinois Dragway, EMSEE Matt Carver, G.M. Performance Parts Bill Martens, P.C.R.A., Midwest Open Wheel Association, Quincy Raceways, Spoon River Speedway, Farmer City Raceway, GOTTA RACE and Speed Chicks!

Also, Steven Brooks will display his modified with a special wrap in tribute to Josh Kerns who was severely injured defending his country in Afghanistan. Kerns lost both legs from the knee down and his right arm from the elbow down, as well as a broken left arm and shrapnel wounds to the groin. Stop by and join Midwest Speed in offering support for this war hero who unselfishly served for his country!

Show hours for the MIDWEST SPEED EXPO are 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on both Saturday and Sunday.

What better way to spend a wintery Saturday or Sunday just before the start of the new season? The MIDWEST SPEED EXPO is your opportunity to look over and purchase both new and used parts for your racing program as well as to talk with representatives from area tracks to catch up on any rule changes. Also on hand will be representatives from chassis manufacturers as well as shock, wheel, fuel, tires and safety equipment to answer any questions you may have.

On Sunday the 5th Annual Midwest Speed “DRIVER of the YEAR” will be named and awarded in memory of my mother Cindy Young. The award, sponsored by Dave Poske Performance Parts , WEEBLE’S Bar and Grill and WICK Oil will include $500.00 cash for the winning driver! The winner will join last years award winner Jeff Herzog, 2010 honoree Jason Feger and 2009 co-winners Jeff Leka of Buffalo, Illinois and Justin Allgaier of Riverton, Illinois and Dennis Erb of Carpentersville, IL., winner of the inaugural award.

Make this a family event and bring the kids out for a day of action packed fun! Make your plans now and mark your calendar and don’t miss this event! Admission is just $7.00 for adults, Children under 10 are admitted free!

Additional information can be obtained by visiting www.midwestspeed.net or calling Show Coordinator Terry Young at (217) 553-1963.

Dec
17
2011

SPEED EXPO Booth will aid injured Marine Josh Kerns

Steven Brooks of New Lenox, IL. has designed a wrap for his modified to honor a friend of his, injured U.S. Marine Josh Kerns who was injured earlier in 2011 while serving his country in Afghanistan.

Brooks will display the car at the 9th Annual Midwest Speed Expo and will have t-shirts available to help raise funds for this injured and fallen hero….. please support the cause at the show or by sending a donation to aid this young man who gave unselfishly of himself so that you and I can enjoy the freedoms that we many times take for granted.

Blast injures Patrick County Marine

Joshua B. Kerns, known as “J.B.” to his friends, is seen in a photo provided by his family. Kerns, of Ararat, was severely injured Thursday when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in Afghanistan. He is being treated in Bethesda, Md.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

By DEBBIE HALL – Bulletin Staff Writer

A Marine from Patrick County has been wounded in Afghanistan and is fighting for his life in Bethesda, Md.

Joshua Benjamin Kerns, 21, of Ararat, was injured Thursday by an improvised explosive device (IED), according to his aunt, Jennifer Hall of Ararat.

Kerns, known as “J.B.,” was a combat engineer on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, according to Hall and Kerns’ profile on Facebook.

He and other members of his unit, which worked to deactivate IEDs, stopped their Hummer to conduct a mine sweep in a safety zone, Hall said.

Kerns got out of the vehicle and “they said they believed he was beginning to kneel” down to work on a device when the blast occurred, Hall said.

Kerns lost both his legs from the knees down, Hall said. He also lost his right arm from the elbow down, she said.

Kerns’ left arm was broken in at least two places, Hall said. He also suffered shrapnel wounds to his groin and chest areas, she said.

He was sent to Germany for treatment and had several surgeries there, Hall said.

Medical personnel there were able to stabilize Kerns, and he later was transported to Bethesda, arriving there Sunday night, she said.

Kerns’ parents, Alex and Debra Bowman, and other relatives were summoned to Maryland on Sunday night when his condition deteriorated, she said.

“He was pretty unstable,” Hall said. “It was a pretty big scare.”

Kerns spent most of Monday in surgery to flush sand from his wounds, she said.

By Monday afternoon, “he is stable. That’s about the best we get” at this point, Hall said.

Kerns has been conscious enough to realize his parents are with him, but Hall said she does not know if he has been able to communicate.

But Kerns was living his dream with the military, she said.

“All this boy ever wanted to do was to be a Marine,” Hall said. “He wanted to fly an airplane” in the military.

After concluding his first tour of duty, the 2008 graduate of Patrick County High School re-enlisted and left for a second tour after his 21st birthday Feb. 19, Hall said.

“He loves America. Josh has always fought for what he thought was right,” Hall said.

The Joshua B. Kerns Benefit Fund was created to help the family with travel and related expenses while they are out of work and in Maryland with their son, Hall said.

Contributions may be made at any branch of Carter Bank and Trust, she said.

Nov
05
2011

Midwest Speed Expo rapidly approaching!

The 9th Annual MIDWEST SPEED Expo will be here before we know it. As the leaves change color and snow descends upon us, that must mean it is time for another Expo!

Vendor deadlines are also just around the corner as booth spaces must be paid for by November 15, 2011 in order for returning vendors to be assured of retaining their same spots they held last year.

Along with the announcement that WEEBLES Bar and Grill will join us and be serving beer and wine for show attendees, we also want to take this opportunity to announce that all UMP racers who purchase their 2012 licenses at the event will be entered into daily drawings for cash awards!

Plan on stopping in and seeing us at the Expo, have a pulled pork sandwich and a glass or wine or a can of beer, purchase your UMP license, look over all of the deals on hand from many of the sports top companies as well as a great supply of used parts from one of the many trade show vendors!

There is no better way to spend a Saturday afternoon or even a Sunday afternoon amongst friends of auto racing….. the MIDWEST SPEED Expo presented in cooperation with HOOSIER Racing Tire, Arizona Sport Shirts, SPEED CHICKS, WEEBLES Bar and Grill, Gotta Race, HOOSIER Tire Midwest and most importantly United Midwestern Promoters as they celebrate their annual awards banquet that weekend and crown the 2011 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

Also, on Sunday at 1:30 P.M. Midwest Speed will announce the 2011 Driver of the Year recipient. That person will add their name alongside previous winners Dennis Erb 2007, Jeff Leka and Justin Allgaier 2008, Jason Feger 2009 and Jeff Herzog 2010. Who will earn the honors for their achievments during 2011?

Each year the show tends to sell out for vendor space so if you are in need of a spot to try to sell your stuff, DO NOT HESITATE, ACT NOW and call and make your arrangements to secure a space for this mega-show that all of the racers throughout the Midwest talk about during the winter months!

Call show coordinator Terry Young at (217) 522-1955 Days, (217) 529-6205 Home or (217) 553-1963 Cell

Exhibitor booths are 10′ X 10′ and still go for the same rate they did in 2004! Just $65.00 and this includes two 2 day vendor passes! Parking is always free for both vendors and show attendees!

Nov
05
2011

WEEBLES Bar and Grill added as presenting sponsor of MIDWEST SPEED EXPO!

We are pleased to announce that Weebles Bar and Grill located at 4136 North Peoria Road Springfield, IL 62702 has joined us as a presenting sponsor of the 9th Annual Expo. The WEEBLES girls will be on hand to serve up your favorite brew as well as wine for those who prefer that. A nice glass of wine will compliment the menu provided once again by the Dr. of BBQ as he serves up his specialties!

Stop in and have a drink if you are in the area and welcome them aboard as a presenting event sponsor!

NO CARRY IN of food or beverages will be allowed by vendors or show attendees, so please help us in honoring that policy.

Jan
20
2011

Illinois Central Video Covers the MIDWEST SPEED EXPC

Brent Barrow and the crew from Illinois Central visited the Midwest Speed Expo and interviewed some of the drivers on hand and shot plenty of footage of the show.

You can watch the segment which aired on WICS Channel 20 on Saturday January 15, 2011 by pointing your web browser to http://www.illinoiscentral.tv/sections/videos/videos/vid_35.shtml

Thanks go out to Brent and his staff for their outstanding work on the Illinois Central segments throughout the year!

Jan
10
2011

JEFF HERZOG Named 4th Annual MIDWEST SPEED Driver of the Year!

I often get asked what goes into selecting the MIDWEST SPEED Driver of the Year. There is really no fancy scientific formula that allows it to be an easy task to pick the winner.

When I started this award, I wanted to do it to remember each year my Mother who I lost to a battle with cancer. I don’t know if my Mom ever attended a race in her life, but most importantly to me and my upbringing was the fact that my Mom was a winner in the race of life!

Many times we tend to think of the premier classes and premier drivers as the obvious choices because they are of course front and foremost in the coverage etc.

Someone suggested this years winner and I will be honest I do not know him real well. I have seen him race, but not a lot. OK, now you all think, Billy Moyer….. while Billy certainly has had a year worthy of a Driver of the Year honor in any measure, he is not this years winner.

When I started looking into the achievments and accomplishments of this years winner I began to nonchalantly ask around about him, what I heard over and over is what a great person he is off of the track in addition to being a true competitor on the track. At the end of the day, that says a lot about a person and is more important than winning a race.

There are so many worthy drivers that deserve this award, obviously all of the UMP Champions, the local track champions, the UMP Summer National HELL TOUR Champion, Billy Moyer who I mentioned previously, the Monster Midwest Champion, the Northern All Stars Champion, the list goes on and on.

This gentleman joins previous 2008 winner Dennis Erb, 2009 Co-Award winners Jeff Leka and Justin Allgaier and last years winner Jason Feger.

This years driver of the year has only been racing a short 4 years, has claimed a track championship EACH and EVERY year of his young career, in 2010 he won yet another track championship, a UMP Regional Championship and claimed the UMP National Championship, I ask you all to join me in congratulating and sending your best wishes to the 4th Annual Midwest Speed Driver of the Year from Herculaneum, Missouri… JEFF HERZOG, 2010 UMP National Sportsman Champion.

Thank you to

Midwest Speed Promoter Terry Young, SPEED CHICK Jenna Fowler, Driver of the Year Jeff Herzog and Ms. Eldora Speedway Lauren Stewart

sponsors Dave Poske Performance Parts and WICK Oil who take part each year in helping Midwest Speed present this award.

Dec
26
2010

8th Annual MIDWEST SPEED EXPO Jan. 8 and 9… LOOK HERE for money saving opportunity!

MIDWEST SPEED Expo SHOW SPECIAL…. If you purchase a 2011 U.M.P. License at the show, you will get FREE GENERAL ADMISSION to the Expo AND.. if you are planning on attending the UMP DIRTCar Roundup at Pevely in March 2011, you also get your entry fee waived…. plan on getting your license while you are at the Expo! Depending on your class you race, you could save as much as 50% of the cost of your license!

The show is just around the corner and promises to be the best Expo yet to hit the Midwest area. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to look over both new and used parts for all types of racing as well as catching the show specials from many of the vendors including IMPACT Racing Equipment, AFTERSHOCK Graphics, WEHR’S Machine, Dan Griffin Racing, Bob Pierce Race Cars, Jim Moody Racing, MuddBoss Video, Double J Racing Photo’s, Bassett Wheel, T.C. Collectibles, UB Machine, Landrum Springs, Diamond Race Cars, Mackay Engines, R2C Products, Impressive Race Cars, Allen Automotive, Amsoil Products Tim Crumpler, Coyer Enterprises, Bland Brothers, Davenport Performance, Chizmark Insurance, Jason Feger Racing, Mullin’s Automotive, Dyer’s Top Rods, QS Components, SHEPP’S Speedway, Steve Sheppard Racing, Bill West Enterprises, Bob Gibson Racing, Lincoln Speedway, Roy Mitchell, Speed Custom and Performance, C.J. Rayburn Race Cars, Brake & Clutch Exchange, Rick Thomas, Kerby Damery Racing, FUSION Graphics, Dean Garland New and Used Parts, B&S Race Fabrication, Arizona Sport Shirts, Dirtheads, Arizona Promotions Dearl Gilbert, New Vision Graphics, Illinois Lightning Sprint Series, Nick Kanselaar K2 Motorsports, E&E Racing, Christian County Quarter Midget Association, C&D Supply, Primo Design, KBC Graphix, Micro Armor Lubricants, Tim Lance Racing, JFR Graphics, Mad Fab, Tommy Sheppard Racing, 4m.net, Indiana Decal Co., Right Foot Performance Products, Sherman Enterprises, STEALTH Racewear, Steve Thomas Racing, Gary Wilson, AFCO Shocks, R.A. Benson, Circle Track Racing Supply, U.M.P. Apparel, Marvin Burton, Brian McLemore, Track Enterprises, Out-Pace Racing Products, Aggressive Signs, Wick Oil, Highland Speedway, Kankakee County Raceway, Northern All Star Late Model Series, GOTTA RACE and Speed Chicks!

Show hours for the MIDWEST SPEED EXPO are 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on both Saturday and Sunday.

On Sunday the 4th Annual Midwest Speed “DRIVER of the YEAR” will be named and awarded in memory of my mother Cindy Young. The award will include $500.00 cash for the winning driver! The winner will join last years award winner Jason Feger and 2009 co-winners Jeff Leka of Buffalo, Illinois and Justin Allgaier of Riverton, Illinois and Dennis Erb of Carpentersville, IL., winner of the inaugural award.

Make this a family event and bring the kids out for a day of action packed fun! Make your plans now and mark your calendar and don’t miss this event! Admission is just $7.00 for adults with a $2.00 discount offered to all U.M.P., I.M.C.A. and Northern All Star Late Model Series members when you present your membership card at the door! Children under 10 are admitted free! Additional information can be obtained by visiting www.midwestspeed.net or calling Show Coordinator Terry Young at (217) 553-1963.

Dec
14
2010

Mayor Tim Davlin 1957-2010 R.I.P.

(Springfield, Illinois)

December 14, 2010

All of us at the Midwest Speed Expo are deeply saddened by the loss today of the Mayor of the city of Springfield. Tim Davlin was a true friend of auto racing in this community and others and was a friend to the Midwest Speed Expo.

Our condolences go out to the family of the late Mayor and our thoughts and prayers are with them in this time of loss. May they take comfort in knowing that Tim touched so many lives in so many positive ways that his legacy will live on and endure for many years to come.

Pictures is the late Mayor doing a ribbon cutting at one of the early Expo’s. Tim also issued two different proclamations overt the years of the Expo commemorating special achievements by local racers.

Tim was also the winner of the celebrity portion of the $10,000.00 to win record setting event that Midwest Speed was involved in bringing to the capitol city in cooperation with Rob Caho and Barry Braun and Rocket Barstool, I will always remember the smile on the face of Tim when he pulled to victory lane on the winning barstool….. GODSPEED Mayor and may you rest in eternal peace!

Nov
18
2010

Midwest Speed offers SIMPSON / HOOSIER Firesuit to our Customers…

As patrons of the Midwest Speed Expo, we are please to be able to offer to you as a customer of Hoosier Tire Midwest the opportunity to have built for you a custom Team HOOSIER firesuit! This is a great way to save a bunch of money on your safety gear and have the state of the art at greatly reduced pricing… available only by being part of Team HOOSIER Midwest.

Hoosier Tire Midwest and Simpson Racing Products have teamed up to offer 3 different Hoosier Tire Driving Uniforms. These are One Piece, Two Layer Suits, that are available to members of our team, Team Hoosier! Team Suit #1 and #2 are available at a reduced price of $575.00 and team Suit #3 is offered at $650.00

All three uniforms are constructed of Gabardine Nomex Fabric and come standard with Straight Leg Cuff and Full 360 degree Shoulder Gussets.

Three options are available on all suits:

Option 1: Back Gusset (a stretch panel in the back at waist level to help when bending and moving) This option is an additional $50.00.
Option 2: Built In Arm Restraints. This option is an additional $50.00
Option 3: Two Piece Uniform. This option is an additional $35.00
No other options are available on the Hoosier Program Suits.

If you would like a suit built for you, please contact Susannah Stapp at (317) 858-1234 with a fax number that she can send you a measurement form to or you may e-mail her at: stapp4u@yahoo.com and she can e-mail you back all of the information necessary to get your suit order started!

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