Ryan Unzicker News & Updates

Unzicker & Harrison Enjoy Spotlight As Nearly $400,000 Is Distributed During DIRTcar UMP ‘Night of Champions’ Awards Banquet

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Jan. 8, 2011 – Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., and Mike Harrison of Highland, Ill., shared the spotlight during Saturday night’s 28th annual DIRTcar Racing UMP ‘Night of Champions’ Awards Banquet inside the Springfield Crowne Plaza Hotel’s ballroom.

Unzicker, 30, was honored for winning his first-ever DIRTcar UMP Late Model national championship in 2011. The rising star accomplished his stated goal, using a late-season surge to unseat Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, Mich., for the renowned short-track organization’s highest full-fender honor.

The 37-year-old Harrison, meanwhile, moved closer to DIRTcar UMP Modified immortality, winning the open-wheel division’s national crown for the second straight season and third time in his career. He is just the third driver in 18 years to win back-to-back UMP Modified national titles and moved within one of matching the circuit-record four championships owned by Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.

A DIRTcar UMP banquet record crowd of nearly 900 attendees from more than a dozen states and Canada watched as DIRT Racing officials distributed nearly $400,000 to the champions and top performers who raced under the DIRTcar UMP banner in 2011.

Unzicker earned $27,000 in points-fund checks for his breakout 2011 campaign, including $20,000 for the national crown and a $2,000 prize for capturing the Illinois State points title. He also pocketed $5,000 for finishing fourth in the DIRTcar Summer Nationals points standings.

“It was a great year,” said Unzicker, who beat Schlenk by 49 points (2,551-2,502) to win a championship determined using drivers’ best 35 finishes/points nights. “There were a lot of ups and not a lot of downs besides the Summer Nationals. Our goal was to win the national championship so pulling it off is very satisfying.”

A winner of a career-high 17 DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned features in 2011, Unzicker grabbed the national points lead early in the season and held it until being overtaken by Schlenk in late August. He proved his mettle, however, by rallying over the last month of points racing, winning four straight features to regain the top spot in the standings and then salting the title away by finishing no worse than seventh in his final six starts.

“I never doubted us when we were behind,” said Unzicker, who saw his once 300-plus-point lead become a 37-point deficit before his impressive comeback. “We led it the whole time and only lost it for two weeks. We had confidence and momentum, everyone was behind us, and we knew we could do it.”

Unzicker, who makes his living as the safety director at his family’s RJR Transportation company, said the primary focus in 2012 for his family-owned team will be on chasing the DIRTcar Summer Nationals championship. He hopes to begin his season next month with a trip to Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., for the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment, which features six consecutive nights of Late Model racing from Feb. 20-25.

Harrison picked up $22,575 in points-fund checks at the banquet for his 2011 UMP Modified success, including a $20,000 national-title stipend and $2,000 for capturing the championship of the inaugural Summit Racing Equipment UMP Modified Nationals. His earnings were accented by $500 for finishing fourth in the Southern Illinois State points and $75 for placing 15th in the Midwest States standings.

A UMP Modified regular since 1996 who works fulltime for Rinderer Farms in Trenton, Ill., Harrison won 24 features in 2011, including eight in Summit Racing Equipment UMP Modified Nationals competition. He captured the national title by 17 points (1,924-1,907) edge over Michael Long of Quincy, Ill.

“Winning the third national championship is the biggest highlight for me,” said Harrison, whose first national crown came in 2004. “Being the first Summit Modified Nationals champion was special too. We had a great season.

“But it’s not just all about me. It’s about my whole crew. They’re the ones that put me in the position that I’m in. I really just get in the car and drive it.”

No driver collected more points-fund money at the awards banquet than Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., whose third career DIRTcar Summer Nationals title was worth $25,000 – the single-biggest check handed out during the affair. He earned a total of $28,000, including $3,000 for finishing fourth in the national standings.

Babb, 38, rediscovered his vintage Summer Nationals form in 2011, winning nine times – including a sizzling six races in a row – en route to his first title since he captured back-to-back championships in 2006-06.

“I was really proud of what we brought into 2011 because I stayed home all winter and prepared everything,” said Babb, a fulltime professional driver. “It feels good to win, but you can’t let the grass grow. There are guys out there just like me doing the same thing I’m doing trying to beat me.”

Babb plans to pursue his fourth Summer Nationals championship in 2012. The month-long series has become his favorite time of the year.

“Thirty days (of racing) is grueling, but it’s a blast,” said Babb. “It brings out a lot of people that take vacations and showcases what we have built (as a team).”

The night’s third-largest national championship check was presented to Dustin Griffin of Quincy, Ill., who pocketed $10,000 for capturing his first-ever DIRTcar UMP Pro Late Model title. The 25-year-old driver also collected $250 for finishing second in the Northern States points and $140 for placing sixth in the Southern States standings.

Jeremy Hines of Seymour, Ind., was feted for winning his second career DIRTcar UMP Sportsman national championship. He received $3,200, including $200 for capturing the Southern States points title.

Mark Anderson of Canton, Ill., accepted accolades for his first-ever DIRTcar UMP Limited Modified national crown. His championship season earned him a $1,000 check.

Nate Zimmer of Mattoon, Ill., also became a first-time national champion, winning in the Stock Car division. He earned $3,240, including a pair of $120 checks for finishing third in the Northern and Southern States points standings.

Dennis Bringedahl of Twin Lakes, Mich. (Factory Stocks) and Jeremy Callahan of Mt. Vernon, Ill. (Sport Compacts) were honored as the national champions of UMP DIRTcar’s entry-level classes, which debuted in 2007.

Both drivers earned $1,000 for their national titles; Callahan added a $200 check for winning the Sport Compact Western States points crown.

State champions recognized during the banquet included:

* Late Models ($2,000 each): Unzicker (Illinois), Eric Spangler (Michigan), Randy Korte (Midwest), Garrett Alberson (Western), Trevor Glasier (Northwestern), Jon Henry (Eastern) and Terry English (Southern).

* UMP Modifieds ($2,000 each): Denny Crane (Missouri), Doug Adkins (Ohio), Clayton Miller (Kentucky/Tennessee), Michael Bolyard (Midwest), Todd Sherman (Eastern), Troy Foulger (Northwest), Jeff Mathews (Deep South), Clint DeMoss (Indiana), Jacob Poel (Michigan), Ray Bollinger (Northern Illinois) and Tim Hancock (Southern Illinois).

* Pro Late Models ($500 each): Nick Bauman (Northern) and Credence Mott (Southern).

* Sportsman ($200 each): Hines (Southern), Dan Flessner (Illinois), Joey Ladoucuer (Northeastern), Jake Simmons (Northern) and Jeff Herzog (Western).

* Stock Car ($200 each): Mike Hodges (Southern), John Farris (Northern), Aaron Fields (Eastern) and Dan Dykman (Northeastern).

* Sport Compact ($200 each): Callahan (Western), Evan Gaultney (Southern), Paul Namey (Eastern) and Kenny Butterfield (Northern).

Other DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned series titlists recognized during Saturday’s festivities were Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill. (Northern All-Stars Late Model Series), Bryan Barber of Greensburg, Ky. (American Modified Series) and Nick Lyons of Centralia, Ill. (Pro Crate Racing Association).

Bobby Pierce, 15, of Oakwood, Ill., received a $1,000 check for winning 2011 DIRTcar UMP Late Model Rookie of the Year honors. The son of former DIRTcar UMP Late Model great Bob Pierce won five features and finished 10th in the national standings.

A number of special awards determined by a vote of the DIRTcar UMP membership were handed out:

* Brandon Thirlby (Late Models) and Brian Lynn (Modifieds) received Sportsman of the Year trophies.

* Brian Redmon, who turns the wrenches on Ryan Unzicker’s Late Models, and Terry Frazier, who serves as Harrison’s UMP Modified crew chief, were presented the Mechanic of the year awards. Frazier won the UMP Modified honor for the second consecutive year.

* Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park was announced as the DIRTcar UMP Track of the Year.

* Betty Crook of Mount Pleasant (Mich.) Speedway was presented the DIRTcar UMP Promoter of the Year award.

Randy Mooneyham received the seventh annual Bob Memmer Achievement Award, which honors the memory of UMP DIRTcar Racing’s late founder. A veteran Missouri promoter who operates Monett Speedway in his home state and directs the MARS DIRTcar Series, he was surprised to win the award – not to mention shocked to be joined for pictures by eight members of his family, who traveled to the banquet unbeknownst to Mooneyham and sat at a table tucked away in a corner of the ballroom until the award was announced.

The 2011 DIRTcar UMP Chassis Builder of the Year awards went to Rocket Chassis of Shinnston, W.Va., in the Late Models and Bob Pierce Race Cars of Oakwood, Ill., in the Modifieds. Rocket cars won 110 DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned features and Pierce machines reached Victory Lane 155 times in Modified competition.

Rhyne Racing Engines was recognized as the 2011 DIRTcar UMP Late Model Engine Builder of the Year as well as the National Champion Engine Builder. The Gary, Ind.-based shop collected 52 feature wins and powered Unzicker to the national title.

Mullins Racing Engines in Mt. Olive, Ill., claimed the 2011 DIRTcar UMP Modified Engine Builder of the Year with 81 feature wins, while Dargie Racing Engines in Richmond, Ind., was honored as the 2011 UMP Modified National Champion Engine Builder for providing powerplants to Harrison.

MastersBilt Race Cars (Late Models) and Larry Shaw Race Cars (Modifieds) were recognized as national champion chassis builders.

The banquet began for the fourth consecutive year with an awards ceremony for the top drivers in the Kid Modz division, a four-cylinder version of a UMP DIRTcar Modified that car builder Bob Pierce launched to bring youngsters into the sport. Teenager Logan Mitchell of Palmyra, Ill., was celebrated as the division’s 2011 champion.

Appreciation plaques were presented on Saturday to promoters or representatives from the nearly two-dozen DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned tracks who were in attendance. Promoters met earlier in the afternoon with DIRTcar UMP officials to discuss the organization’s plans for the 2012 season.

The 2012 DIRTcar UMP season begins on Feb. 2 with the first of three consecutive nights of UMP Modified racing at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla. Twelve more evenings of UMP Modified action will take place in Florida during the month – Feb. 9-11 at East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton; Feb. 14-21 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville (UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit); and Feb. 23-25 at North Florida Speedway in Lake City.

The DIRTcar UMP Late Model division will also jump-start the 2012 season in Florida, running as part of the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit at Volusia Speedway Park. Six nights of full-fender action includes four under the DIRTcar UMP banner (Feb. 20, 21, 22 and 24) and two World of Outlaws Late Model Series programs (Feb. 23 and 25).

For more information on DIRTcar Racing, visit www.dirtcar.com.

2011 UMP NATIONAL LATE MODEL CHAMPION!!!

November 22, 2011

A special word of thanks to everyone who helped and contributed to make this year's Ryan Unzicker Championship Party a huge success!

October 15, 2011 - Atomic (KC Raceway) Speedway Event #84

Heat 3 - Started 9th / Finished 9th
B Main (20-laps) - Started 11th / Finished 14th

October 14, 2011 - Atomic (KC Raceway) Speedway Event #84

Qualifying @ 16.368 - 27th fastest in Group 1; 55th fastest overall among 90 entries

October 08, 2011 - Eldora Speedway Event #83

Heat 3 - Started 5th / Finished 1st
A Main (30-laps) - Started 5th / Finished 5th

October 07, 2011 - Eldora Speedway Event #82

Qualifying @ 16.204 - 1st fastest in Group 3; among 50 entries
Race of Champions (10-laps) - Started / Finished 4th

October 01, 2011 - Kankakee County Speedway Event #81

Qualifying @ 14.825 - 7th fastest overall among 23 entries
Heat 3 - Started 2nd / Finished 1st
A Main (30-laps) - Started 1st / Finished 1st

September 30, 2011 - Kankakee County Speedway Event #80

Qualifying @ 14.662 - 7th fastest overall among 25 entries
Heat 3 - Started 2nd / Finished 1st
A Main (25-laps) - Started 1st / Finished 3rd

September 25, 2011 - Fairbury Amer. Legion Speedway Event #79

Qualifying @ 12.532 - 1st fastest overall among 37 entries
Heat 1 - Started 4th / Finished 2nd
A Main (60-laps) - Started 5th / Finished 2nd

September 24, 2011 - Tri-City Speedway Event #78

Qualifying @ - 8th fastest in Group 1; among 28 entries
Heat 1 - Started 8th / Finished 6th
A Main (30-laps) - Started 15th / Finished 2nd

September 23, 2011 - Tri-City Speedway Event #77

Qualifying @ - 3rd fastest in Group 2 among 32 entries
Heat 2 - Started 3rd / Finished 3rd
A Main (30-laps) - Started 10th / Finished 6th

September 22, 2011 - Tri-City Speedway Event #76

Qualifying @ - 4th fastest in Group 2 among 10 entries
Heat 2 - Started 4th / Finished 3rd
A Main (30-laps) - Started 10th / Finished 7th

September 17, 2011 - LaSalle Speedway Event #75

Qualifying @ 13.09 - 3rd fastest among 17 entries
Heat 1 - Started 2nd / Finished 2nd
A Main (25-laps) - Started 3rd / Finished 1st

September 16, 2011 - Kankakee County Speedway Event #74

Qualifying @ 14.613 - 5th fastest among 17 entries
Heat 2 - Started 4th / Finished 2nd
A Main (25-laps) - Started 2nd / Finished 1st

September 11, 2011 - Tri-City Speedway Event #73

No Qualifying - among 22 entries
Heat 2 - Started 8th / Finished 1st
Dash - Started 2nd / Finished 2nd
A Main (25-laps) - Started 8th / Finished 1st

September 10, 2011 - LaSalle Speedway Event #72

Qualifying @ 13.29 - 3rd fastest among 18 entries
Heat 2 - Started 3rd / Finished 3rd
A Main (25-laps) - Started 3rd / Finished 1st

September 09, 2011 - Kankakee County Speedway Event #71

Qualifying @ 14.993 - 3rd fastest among 13 entries
Heat 2 - Started 4th / Finished 2nd
A Main (25-laps) - Started 2nd / Finished 2nd
Notes: Led nearly the entire distance until final corner when lapped car slowed his momentum giving lead and win to 14-year-old Bobby Pierce Jr.

September 04, 2011 - Farmer City Raceway Event #70

Qualifying @ 12.900 - 11th fastest among 36 entries
Heat 4 - Started 3rd / Finished 6th
B Main - Started 4th / Finished 2nd
A Main (25-laps) - Started 20th / Finished 18th DNF

September 01, 2011 - Peoria Speedway Event #68

Qualifying @ 12.892 - 7th in Group 2; 15th fastest among 30 entries
Heat 2 - Started 7th / Finished 6th
B Main - Started 2nd / Finished 5th
A Main (25-laps) - Started 4th / Finished 1st

August 28, 2011 - Shepp's Speedway Event #67

Qualifying @ 1 - 2nd fastest among 11 entries
Heat 2 - Started 1st / Finished 1st
A Main (25-laps) - Started 1st / Finished 11th DNF
Notes: Broke brand new rear end leading opening lap of feature.

August 27, 2011 - Fairbury American Legion Speedway Event #66

Qualifying @ 12.487 - 3rd fastest among 23 entries
Heat 3 - Started 4th / Finished 3rd
A Main (30-laps) - Started 3rd / Finished 6th

August 26, 2011 - Kankakee County Speedway Event #65

Qualifying @ 14.582 - 3rd fastest among 17 entries
Heat 2 - Started 5th / Finished 4th
A Main (25-laps) - Started 4th / Finished 1st
Notes: Took lead on lap 3 and never looked back in recording his 12th win

August 25, 2011 - Highland Speedway Event #64

Qualifying @ 13.666 - 2nd fastest in Group 5; overall among 36 entries
Heat 5 - Started 2nd / Finished 2nd
A Main (40-laps) - Started 10th / Finished 17th DNF

August 21, 2011 - Illinois State Fairgrounds (ARCA) Event #1

Qualifying @ 34.952 - 15th fastest among 31 entries
ARCA Allen Crowe 100 (100-laps) - Started 15th / Finished 20th
Notes: Running 7th when motor blew and Ryan backed it hard in outside retaining wall. Ryan climbed from the Hendren Motorsports RJR Transportation Chevrolet uninjured.

August 20, 2011 - Fairbury American Legion Speedway Event #63

Qualifying @ 12.691 - 3rd fastest among 20 entries
Heat 2 - Started 2st / Finished 1st
A Main (30-laps) - Started 11th / Finished 1st

August 19, 2011 - Farmer City Raceway (NALMS) Event #62

Qualifying @ ?? - ?? fastest among 21 entries
Heat 3 - Started 3rd / Finished 4th
A Main (30-laps) - Started 12th / Finished 6th

August 17, 2011 - Fairbury American Legion Speedway Event #61

Qualifying @ 13.037 - 10th fastest among 30 entries
Heat 2 - Started 1st / Finished 1st
A Main (30-laps) - Started 10th / Finished 18th

August 14, 2011 - Shepp's Speedway Event #60

Qualifying @ Help please! - 1st fastest among 15 entries
Heat 1 - Started 1st / Finished 2nd
A Main (25-laps) - Started 4th / Finished 3rd

August 13, 2011 - Fairbury American Legion Speedway Event #59

Qualifying @ 12.530 - 2nd fastest among 22 entries
Heat 3 - Started 3rd / Finished 4th
A Main (30-laps) - Started 4th / Finished 1st

August 12, 2011 - Kankakee County Speedway (ALMS) Event #58

Qualifying @ 14.4?? - 2nd fastest in Group 1; among 32 entries
Heat 1 - Started 3rd / Finished 2nd
A Main (40-laps) - Started 2nd / Finished 2nd

August 6, 2011 - Fairbury American Legion Speedway Event #57

Qualifying @ 13.172 - 8th fastest overall among 22 entries
Heat 3 - Started 8th / Finished 4th
A Main (30-laps) - Started 4th / Finished 1st
Notes: Winner Winner... Chicken Dinner!

August 5, 2011 - Tri-City Speedway Event #56

No qualifying - Pill Draw among 21 entries
Heat 1 - Started 7th / Finished 2nd
A Main (35-laps) - Started 2nd / Finished 13th DNF
Note: Led 33 of 35 laps, broke rear axle in brand new rearend

July 30, 2011 - Fairbury American Legion Speedway Event #55

Qualifying @ 13.515 - 8th fastest overall among 27 entries
Heat 3 - Started 8th / Finished 6th
A Main (30-laps) - Started 6th / Finished 2nd

July 29, 2011 - Kankakee County Speedway Event #54

Qualifying @ 14.701 - 5th fastest overall among 17 entries
Heat 2 - Started 4th / Finished 1st
A Main (25-laps) - Started 1st / Finished 1st

July 19, 2011 - Unzicker Slated to Drive in Two ARCA Events

Current UMP National points leader Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, IL has teamed up with Hendren Motorsports of Gridley, IL to run an ARCA car August 21st at the "Springfield Mile" in the Allen Crowe 100 and again on September 5th at the DuQouin State Fairgrounds in the Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Auto Parts. Both are 1-mile ovals.

Unzicker ran part time with the Gridley, Ill.-based Hendren team in 2003 and '04 in ARCA and American Speed Association competition before focusing on Dirt Late Model racing starting in 2005. His best ARCA finish came in 2003 at the Springfield Mile, when he finished sixth in a race won by nine-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel. Local fans are asked to head on down to these two facilities to show your support for Unzicker as he competes among some of the top ARCA drivers in the country.

Most UMP Summernationals reports are taking in part from Dirt On Dirt's Joshua Joiner's fantastic coverage of the month long tour.

July 23, 2011 - Fairbury UMP Summernationals Event #24 (No-points)

Qualifying 2nd in Group 3 @ 12.816 - 3rd fastest overall among 30 entries
Heat 3 - Started 2nd / Finished 1st
A Main - Started 3rd / Finished 22nd

July 21, 2011 - Macon UMP Summernationals Event #23 (No-points)

Qualifying 5th in Group 1 @ 11.316 - 20th fastest overall among 31 entries
Heat 1 - Started 5th / Finished 2nd
A Main - Started 5th / Finished 6th

July 16, 2011 - Oakshade UMP Summernationals Event #22

Qualifying 2nd in Group 2 @ 15.334 - 7th fastest overall among 51 entries
Heat 2 - Started 2nd / Finished 2nd
A Main - Started 7th / Finished 8th
Finished 4th overall in UMP Summernationals Points

July 15, 2011 - Attica UMP Summernationals Event #21

Qualifying 1st in Group 1 @ 14.973 - 1st fastest overall among 38 entries
Heat 1 - Started 1st / Finished 1st
A Main - Started 1st / Finished 3rd

July 14, 2011 - Spoon River UMP Summernationals Event #20

Qualifying 4th in Group 2 @ 15.117 - 13th fastest overall among 38 entries
Heat 2 - Started 4th / Finished 3rd
A Main - Started 10th / Finished 9th

July 13, 2011 - La Salle UMP Summernationals Event #19

Qualifying 1st in Group 2 @ 13.476 - 2nd fastest overall among 29 entries
Heat 2 - Started 1st / Finished 2nd
A Main - Started 5th / Finished 6th

July 12, 2011 - Brownstown UMP Summernationals Event #18

Qualifying 6th in Group 2 @ 14.685 - 16th fastest overall among 40 entries
Heat 2 - Started 6th / Finished 5th
B Main - Started 1st / Finished 1st
A Main - Started 17th / Finished 6th

July 10, 2011 - Tri-State UMP Summernationals Event #17

Well, Ryan Unzicker finally hit a bright spot on the Hell Tour, and it came with a boost of good news on top. Unzicker has been declared the winner of the Belle Clair Speedway's UMP Summernationals event a few weeks back when apparent race winner Michael Kloos' tire came back testing positive for being chemically altered. While the punishment still remains in question, Kloos had his winnings and points stripped away from him. The win comes as welcome news for a team that has struggled mightily this year during the month long tour. With a week remaining, Unzicker looks to capitalize on a bit of momentum as he prepares to attack the UMP National Championship points chase. As of now, Unzicker holds nearly a 300 point advantage over his nearest rival, Brandon Sheppard. The Belle Clair win is Unzicker's second career UMP Summernationals triumph.

At Tri-State Sunday night, Unzicker kick started the night with a qualifying effort of 14.192, which was second quick in Group 1 and second quickest overall. Starting outside pole for the first heat race, Unzicker jumped the berm at the start and immediately fell back to fourth where he would finish and grab the final transfer spot.

Starting 13th for the 40-lap feature event, Unzicker mounted a charge into the Top 10, and wouldn't let up as he claimed a fine sixth place finish. Unzicker has also moved back into the sixth position in overall UMP Summernationals points with his efforts Saturday and Sunday at Clarksville and Tri-State, respectively.

July 10, 2011 - Thanks to Everyone For the Birthday Wishes

Today, Ryan Unzicker celebrates his 30th Birthday, and he couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than scoring a win tonight at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN. Ryan would like to thank each and everyone of you who have extended him birthday greetings on Facebook, and also thanks to everyone for being so supportive during this difficult few weeks on the road.

July 09, 2011 - Clarksville UMP Summernationals Event #16

Unzicker and crew headed south to Clarksville Speedway in Tennessee, where Unzicker has had some success over the years. Unzicker began the night by qualifying fifth fastest in Group 4 at 14.004, or 14th fastest among the 44 cars entered. Unzicker would gain one spot in the fourth heat race to get himself in the show, where he would be scheduled to start 16th for the 40-lap contest.

Unzicker used a methodical charge to work his way up through the field into the Top 10. In the final rundown, Unzicker would be credited with a ninth place finish. Unzicker's team did receive a bit of good news however on the night, stemming from the tires Michael Kloos used to claim victory at Belle Clair. His tires were deemed to have been chemically altered, and Kloos has been placed on probation for the remainder of the year and also fined. He stands to lose the victory if his appeal does not hold up. That would mean that Ryan Unzicker would get credit to the UMP Summernationals victory, his second career UMP Summernationals victory.

July 08, 2011 - Farmer City UMP Summernationals Event #15

Stop number 16 on The Hell Tour's trail was close to home at Farmer City Raceway. Unzicker qualified fastest in Group 3 and sxith overall amongst 40 entries at 13.572. That put Unzicker on the pole for the third heat, and despite starting up front and taking command early on, Unzicker's car once again had loss of power issues, pushing him back to fifth and just out of a transfer spot. Unzicker then tallied a 13th place showing in the B Main, but would rely on his trusty provisional option to secure a spot in the main event field. Unzicker began the 40-lap $5,000 to win race in the 20th position and climbed to 12th in the final rundown.

July 07, 2011 - Macon UMP Summernationals Event #15

Tonight's UMP Summernationals event at Macon Speedway has been rained out and rescheduled as a non-points event on July 21st. This couldn't have come at a better time for Team 24 as they look to bounce back this weekend.

July 06, 2011 - Peoria UMP Summernationals Event #14

Well after a night off, and a lot of decision making, the team had decided to make the trip to Peoria after all and will take the tour one day at a time from here on out. Ryan qualified 5th fastest in Group 2, but finished sixth in a tough heat race relegating himself into another B Main. Ryan opted to use another provisional and would start the feature in 21st position. Ryan was however, one of the very few cars that made something out of nothing, as the track rubbered up and became a one lane train race with little to no passing. Unzicker meanwhile rolled his way up to the 11th position before the track conditions changed and made a good night out of nothing. Tomorrow we'll see what Macon Speedway has in store for the Unzicker team.

July 04, 2011 - 34 Raceway UMP Summernationals Event #13

Event #13 of the UMP Summernationals took 26 teams across the border to 34 Raceway in Burlington,IA. Unzicker was fastest in Group 2 and third fastest overall after a qualifying effort of 15.583. Despite earning the pole for heat two, Unzicker could not parlay that into a heat race win, and would settle for second. This would place Unzicker in the fifth spot on the feature lineup, however it was discovered that Unzicker hurt his motor in that heat race and would be unable to make the call for the feature. Jack Sullivan lent Unzicker a hand and loaned Unzicker his car so that he could at least get his starting points and pay. It's been a miserbale two weeks thus far for the team, with more downs than ups, but the team presses onward one day at a time with one remaining car and motor as the tour makes it way this week through Illinois and close to home for Unzicker. Hopefully, the team can figure out a way to turn the gremlins on the sides of Unzicker's car more into a Furbies.

July 03, 2011 - Lincoln UMP Summernationals Event #12

Ryan Unzicker was one of 35 entrants that made the trip up to Lincoln Speedway where promoter Norm Horn welcomed a record breaking crowd on a night where weather loomed large. Unzicker was placed in Group 4 where he chimed in with a lap of 13.609, which stood for 5th quick in the group. A group which featured Matt Miller, Scott James, Brian Shirley, Steve Sheppard, Kent Robinson, and Dillan White.

In heat race action, Unzicker charged his way to grab the third spot and secure a spot in the 40-lap A Main. That would mean Unzicker would start 12th on the grid and have some work to do if he were to change his misfortunes of late. Things seemed to be going as planned as Unzicker quickly moved himself up to the sixth position. However, Unzicker would be a victim of a mid-race restart and get caught up in a chain reaction melee resulting in front and rear damage, mostly cosmetic. After a quick trip to the hot pit area, Unzicker would rejoin the field in 20th position. He again charged his way up to 10th position before Brian Shirley got into him and turned Unzicker around. Unzicker was able to get turned back around and continue and track down Shirley in the end finishing one spot behind in 12th.

July 02, 2011 - I-55 UMP Summernationals Event #11

After once again being plagued by electrical problems while leading his heat race Friday night, Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., is hoping the pesky issue has been solved after he and his crew stayed up to 4 a.m. Saturday morning replacing the entire electrical system on his MasterSbilt Race Car.

Ryan Unzicker was one of 41 teams that entered Saturday night's UMP Summernationals tour stop #11 at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, MO. However, a new venue did not mean a change in fortunes for the team, as their recent string of bad luck continued Saturday night when both Ryan and crew chief Brian Redman suffered minor burns after a radiator hose burst soaking both with scalding hot water. Both initially refused medical treatment, but Redmon was later transported to an area hospital where he was tretated and released for burns to his shoulder. Unzicker received minor burns to his face and head but stayed at the track and continued to compete throughout the evening.

Unzicker qualified 8th quick in Group 1 and 16th fastest overall with a lap of 13.249. Unzicker wasn't able to do much with that after having started 8th in Heat 1, he rolled his way one position better to finish 7th. This relegated the current UMP National points leader to a B Main, where he opted to use a UMP National points provisional to secure a spot in the 40-lap main event.

Unzicker would begin the feature in 20th position and work his way up to 14th in the final rundown. Billy Moyer won the $10,000 to win event, which had been rained out the two previous years. The tour comes a little closer to home Sunday, to Lincoln Speedway at the Logan County Fairgrounds. Unzicker will be able to rest in his own bed and hopefully get things turned around in front of all you Ryan Unzicker fans out there. He sure could use a show of support tomorrow night and some words of encouragement to lift his spirits.

July 01, 2011 - Paducah UMP Summernationals Event #10

The Hell tour made it's way over to Paducah International Raceway Friday night for the richest purse on the tour's schedule with a $12,000 pay day awaiting the feature winner.

For the third time in four days electrical problems plagued Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill. The mysterious problem that keeps occurring at inopportune times sent Unzicker to the pit area while leading his heat race. The same electrical-related problems caused Unzicker to fall from second to third during Tuesday’s feature at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Ind., and kept him from competing in his heat race Thursday night at Clayhill Motorsports Park in Atwood, Tenn. The recurring problem is getting pretty frustrating for Unzicker and his team. “We’ve changed everything we can and it keeps happening,” one perplexed crew member said as they hurried to try to remedy the issue so Unzicker can use a provisional to start the main event.

In qualifying, Unzicker was fastest in Group 4 but 24th overall among the 40 entries as the track changed considerably throughout qualifying. Unzicker posted a time of 16.849 to secute the pole pposition for the fourht heat race

Austin Dillon won the fourth heat race after polesitter Ryan Unzicker fell out while leading. Tanner English took the early lead before Unzicker moved by on lap two. A caution for a spin by Jason Oldfield slowed the field on lap three and Unzicker pulled off the track before the race went back green. This would earn Unzicker a trip to the B Main.

Unzicker would again use a series provisional to place himself in the field lined up in 20th position, but his troubles continued as he made a quit exit and was scored 22nd in the final rundown. The finish would mean Unzicker has fallen to fifth place in Summernationals points behind leader Shannon Babb (569), Scott James (521), Jason Feger (483), Brian Shirley (459). Unzicker came into the event in fourth place with a total of 482 points.

June 30, 2011 - Clay Hill UMP Summernationals Event #9

The gremlin reflected on the outside of the #24 machine of Ryan Unzicker has found a home inside the car as well, as electrical problems continue to plague the Unzicker team. After a disappointing qualifying effort, Unzicker was unable to make the call for the lineup for Heat 1 resulting in an automatic berth in the C Main. However, even with all that time to diagnose the trouble, Unzicker was still unable to fully correct the problem prior to the A Main. Unzicker would have to use only his second provisional thus far during the two week stint, and after starting 20th on the grid, Unzicker was able to motor his way up to the 12th position in the final outcome. Unzicker would walk away with some glimmer of hope when the night was all said and done, and a boost of cinfidence that perhaps he has put his gremlins to rest.

Unzicker was one of 30 race teams on hand as the tour made it's way to Tennessee's Clay Hill Motorsports Park in Atwood, TN. Some of the newest faces on the tour included Terry English, Ray Cook, and NASCAR Camping World Truck driver Austin Dillon. Unzicker put himself in a pickle right off the bat qualifying fifth fastest in Group 1 with a lap of 16.548.

June 29, 2011 - Belle Clair UMP Summernationals Event #8

Ryan Unzicker picked up right where he left off at Lincoln Park on Tuesday. Unzicker set fast time of the 32 entrants at 12.301. Unzicker won the second heat race after Randy Korte suffered a flat right-rear tire on the final lap. The second-starting Korte moved to the lead over Unzicker on the start of the race and used the high groove to maintain the spot through the first nine laps. The low-running Unzicker pressured Korte the majority of the race and survived a mid-race brush with the inside wall to score the victory. Brian Shirley also moved by Korte on the final lap to finish second. Korte held on for third with Kevin Weaver taking the fourth and final transfer position at the finish line.
In the redraw, Unzicker drew a four meaning he would start second row outside of Jason Feger.
After moving by Moyer shortly before lap 30, Unzicker ran down Kloos late in the caution-free race and made a final-lap attempt to drive around Kloos on the outside. But the move came up short and he settled for second.
"I really thought we had a chance to win there for a little while, but the rubber kinda locked down pretty hard on the bottom, said Unzicker, who finished third Wednesday night at Lincoln Park Speedway in an event he felt he should have won. "You always want to win, but tonight we'll take second. We were disappointed with third last night because we had the car to beat, but we're really happy with tonight".
The team had fixed the electrical issues that caused him to slow on the final lap of Tuesday night's feature at Lincoln Park Speedway. An issue in the wiring of the electrical motor that powers the fan in his helmet caused an electrical short. He was running second when the problem occurred and ended up third after Jason Feger moved by him.

June 28, 2011 - Lincoln Park UMP Summernationals Event #7

After a day of rest to regroup, The team headed to Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, IN. A track not typically known as late model country, but rather sprint car territory. With that in mind, 23 teams entered the event in hopes of cashing in on the $5,000 winner's share of the purse.

Ryan Unzicker qualified 2nd fastest in Group 3, but would start from the pole after Dream 100 winner Don O'Neal of Martinsville, IN flipped his mount on his second qualifying lap. Unzicker's lap of 13.752 was good enough for 11th quick of the 23 cars taking time.

Unzicker led every lap of the caution-free third heat race for a convincing victory while Scott James moved by Brian Shirley on the final lap to finish second. Shirley settled for third with Jon Dome fourth. Kent Robinson was the only other car to start the race, but he fell out around halfway. Don O'Neal was scheduled to start from the pole, but didn't make the call after rolling his race car on his second qualifying lap.

After the redraw, Unzicker found himself setting pretty on the outside pole. At the drop of the green flag, Unzicker took command, however Shannon Babb moved by Unzicker in traffic on lap 14 of Monday's main event and led the remainder of the 40-lap race for a $5,000 payday.

After starting fourth, Babb trailed the second-starting Unzicker for the first 10 laps of the race and closed the gap when Unzicker struggled to put Greg Kendall of Paloi, Ind., down a lap. Babb went three-wide with Unzicker and Kendall exiting turn four on lap 13 before contact between the three drivers nearly sent Babb into the infield of the quarter-mile racetrack. But he maintained control of his race car and completed the winning pass in turns one and two.

"He was a little quicker than me down the straightaways, but we got to traffic and I knew I could probably get him because my car was really good through the corners", Babb said of his battle with Unzicker. “I went low under him and I looked over and we kept getting tighter and tighter. The next thing I know I’m almost in the infield. That’s just short track racing. It got tight, but we made it through it.”

Babb pulled away from Unzicker during the middle portions of the caution-free race, but his own struggle with traffic allowed Unzicker to make a late charge. Unzicker pulled to within a few car lengths of Babb with two laps remaining, but mechanical problems slowed Unzicker on the final lap and Babb pulled way to the victory.

Unzicker’s misfortune also allowed Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., to move by him for second in the final corner, forcing Unzicker to settle for third. Lawrenceburg, Ind., driver Scott James, Babb’s closest challenger in the points standings, finished fourth with Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., fifth.

June 26, 2011 - I-96 Speedway Summernationals Event #6

After an overnight drive to Lake Odessa, MI, 46 teams entered the UMP Summernationals event at I-96 Speedway, a newly configured 3/8th's mile oval built inside of the existing 1/2-mile.

Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., was one of 10 drivers who took a ride over the turn-four banking. He went off the track in qualifying and hit a U-tire that marks in inside of turn four on the half-mile track. Unzicker's qualifying time of 17.415was 11th quick in Group 1, and 24th fastest overall. After making repairs to the front end of his race car, he rebounded in his heat race. Ryan Unzicker started from the tail of the field and moved to the fourth and final transfer position midway through the 10-lap race. He ran down Curtis Roberts in the closing laps, but couldn't find a way around. “It’s definitely tricky up there,” Unzicker said. “I don’t know what to say about it. It held us pretty decent up there in hot laps, but when I tried to go up there in qualifying it never even thought about sticking.

Unzicker would then start tenth for the 40-lap main event, but never mounted any sort of charge that would enable him to work his way forward. Unzicker would sttle for an 11th place finish and look forward to a day off before taking on Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, IN

June 25, 2011 - Fairbury UMP Summernationals

Persistent late afternoon rains forced FALS officials to post-pone the 50-lap $10,000 to win UMP Summernationals to July 23rd. The event will not be a UMP Summernationals points race, however the race should draw a healthy field of cars trying to stake claim to the 10K.

June 24, 2011 - Tri-City UMP Summernationals Event #5

Ryan Unzicker's team discovered a problem with the pinion angle on his car's lift bar, a problem he thinks might've hampered the car's performance recently. "Something didn't seem quite right with the car, but the lift bar wasn't an obvious place to look. It's something you never move," said Unzicker, who suspects a wreck a month ago in Fairbury, Ill., as the culprit.

The day did not get off on the right foot for the Unzicker team when he got into the wall in turns three and four on his first lap. He was able to drive the car off the racetrack, but didn’t complete a lap.

Unzicker started 12th in Heat 2, and finished 10th. A long way from transferring into the main event. Unzicker was then slated to start a B Main but opted to use his first provisional of the UMP Summernationals and start at the tail of the field in 22nd.

Despite the starting spot and undaunting task at hand, Unzicker managed to work his way forward through the file dto record a respectable 12th place showing on the night. The Hell Tour now moves to Fairbury American Legion Speedway in the 50-lap $10,000 affair.

June 23, 2011 - Fayette Co. Speedway UMP Summernationals Event #4

Stop #4 on The Hell Tour took 48 race teams to Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown, IL. Ryan Unzicker kicked off the night by qualifying fourth in Group 2 and sixth fastest overall at 13.529. However, Unzicker finished exactly where he started in the 10-lap heat race, in the fourth position. This meant Unzicker would start 14th on the grid for the 40-lap main event. The night proved to be too much to overcome as Unzicker rolled his way to a disappointing 13th place finish

June 22, 2011 - Highland Speedway UMP Summernationals Event #3

Ryan Unzicker was one of 50 entries for the Highland Speedway UMP Summernationals vying for the $5,000 lion's share of the purse. Unzicker qualifed eighth quick overall and third fastest in Group with a lap of 14.538. He then started and finished third in Heat 4. That would earn Unzicker a spot outside row seven for the 40-lap main event. From there it was all forward resulting in an eighth place finish in the end.

June 21, 2011 - Spoon River Speedway Summernationals

Spoon River Speedway officials were forced to pull the plug on tonight's UMP Summernationals $5,000 to win event until July 14th.

June 20, 2011 - La Salle Speedway Summernationals

Due to wet grounds, La Salle Speedway officials were left with no choice but to post-pone tonight's $5,000 to win UMP Summernationals event until July 13th.

June 18, 2011 - Cedar Lake Summernationals

Mother Nature was back at it again on Saturday, forcing the cancellation of day two at Cedar Lake Speedway's $10,000 to win UMP Summernationals event.

June 17, 2011 - Cedar Lake UMP Summernationals Event #2

After a long overnight haul to northern Wisconsin, Ryan Unzicker was ready to get back on track in hopes of rising above his fourth place finish at Kankakee. Unzicker was one of 29 race teams entered for the $5,000 to win event. Unzicker's qualifying effort of 13.137 was good for sixth overall, but also fourth fastest in Group 1. Unzicker would set sail from the four hole in the 10-lap heat race, and hold down the third spot behind Dan Schlieper, new track record holder Jason Rauen, and just in front of Chad Simpson, and Dennis Erb.

This would mean Unzicker would line up seventh on the grid for the 40-lap feature race. Unzicker could never mount a serious challenge forward and would finish in eighth place.

June 16, 2011 - Kankakee Co. Speedway UMP Summernationals Event #1

Ryan Unzicker came back to Kankakee County Speedway after picking up a win here less than a week ago and getting some valuable track time to boot. Unzicker was the fastest overall qualifer amongst the 37 entries with a lap of 14.590. Unzicker would then start pole of Heat 2 but get turned back by first time visitor Chad Simpson of Iowa, who used the track's upper groove to roll to victory.

Unzicker would then find himself starting fifth on the feature grid, and would battle all race long with Brian Shirley for the fourth position, having held it for one lap early in the contest. Rookie late model sensation Mike Spatola, of nearby Manhattan, IL, proved his first three outings at the track were no fluke, as he led all 40 laps to take home the $5,000 top prize. The win was Spatola's fourth in four tries at his home track, as he became the youngest winner in UMP Summernationals history to win an event, and also the first to win in his very first outing on the tour. Unzicker would settle for fourth position behind Spatola, Simpson, and Shirley, while just ahead of Matt Miller, who rounded out the top five.

June 15, 2011 - Brownstown Speedway UMP Summernationals

Track officials were forced to cancel tonight's series opener at Brownstown (IN) Speedway due to inclement weather. The event has been rescheduled for Tuesday night, July 12th. The series will hopefully kick-off tomorrow night at Kankakee County Speedway before heading to Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, WI for a pair of events slated for Friday and Saturday.