UMP Thunder Rolls Back into Du Quoin

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The 16th running of the Bill Oldani Memorial for UNited Midwestern Promoters (UMP) Modifieds returns to the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds for two days of racing Sept.6 and Labor Day, Sept. 7.

Twenty-nine cars from Illinois and Missouri entered the 2008 Oldani Memorial.

A similiar number, including 15 drivers from Central Illinois and Southern Illinois are expected for the 2009 version. Drivers from at least five different states-some as far away as west Texas-could also enter.

John O'Neal, Jr. of Kansas City, Mo. took the lead on lap 16 of last year's feature and motored to his first mile dirt track win.

Jesse Snyder of Robinson, Il. was second with Emmett Groves of Charleston, Mo. fourth.

Bill Oldani Memorial

Past winners

Larry Hughes- 1994, 1996; Joe Cooksey- 1995; Tom Burnside- 1997; Jim Shereck- 1998; Kevin Gundaker- 1999; Kyle Steffens- 2000; Brian Collins- 2001; Brian Shaw- 2001, 2004, 2006; Mark Voight-2003; Jeff Parks- 2005, 2007; John O'Neal-2008.

Parks has the six-lap heat race record fastest time of 3:19.66 (108.184 MPH) with Shaw's 20-lap charge to victory in 11:14.01 driving the WTHI-Robinson Bowling Center Special translating to a speed of 106.283 MPH in 2006.

Cooksey won the Oldani in 1995 and five years later earned the ARCA pole at Du Quoin.

Magic Mile Records

UMP Modifieds

6-Laps: Jeff Parks, 2002

(3:19.66; 108.184 MPH)

20-Laps: Brian Shaw, 2006

(11:14.01; 106.283 MPH)