Macon Speedway
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Macon Speedway, located in Macon, Illinois is one of Illinois premier dirt ovals. It is also one of the longest continuous operating racetracks in the state.
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[edit] History
Macon Speedway was built in 1946 by Wayne Webb on the site of a brick factory on Macon's West side. It has been in continuous operation since its inception. The facilities have undergone many changes over the years, but the track's size has remained the same since it was built. The track has been stated as both 1/4 (.25) Mile and 1/5 (.20) Mile at different times. It has been touted as "The World's fastest 1/5th mile dirt track" for many years. It was also formerly know as "The Other Brickyard." "Other" being a reference to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's nickname, and "Brickyard" due to buried bricks rising up to the tracks surface from time to time. Many "famous" drivers on dirt have been to Macon at one time or another.
[edit] Webb Era
Macon Speedway remained in the Webb family for many, many years. Wayne, and his brother Lloyd, Webb ran Macon under the promotional name of Webb Enterprises, which also held other events at other venues, such as demolition derbies at county fairs in the surrounding area. The Webbs held the most varied programs in the track's 60+ year history. Almost everything from USAC Midgets and Sprints, to unsanctioned Outlaw Late Model races were held there. Figure-8 races were also held at Macon Speedway, which accounted for the track's unique triangle shaped judge's stand. Many "weird" events were held in Macon's past, including a "Roundy-round Demo Derby," where contestants had to make a certain number of laps, but also had to make contact with another automobile between the fourth corner and the finish line. Another unique even was a "Headlight Demo Derby." In that event, the track lights were extinguished, and the entrants had to compete with only the headlights on the cars. To be declared the winner, the entrant had to eliminate all other cars, while still having operable headlights. Macon also played host to many long events, such as 75 lap features for the Street Cars (later to become Sportsman, and still later UMP Sportsman). 300 lap or 3 hour long "Enduro's" were also held.
One of the more notable events in Macon's history was the Herald and Review 100 for UMP Late Models. This race became one of the premier races in the Midwest. With its $10,000 purse, it drew big names in Late Model racing from all over the US.
[edit] Track Enterprises Era
Local Promoter Bob Sargent bought Macon Speedway in 1985, and immediately aligned Macon with the newly formed United Midwestern Promoters. This partnership lasted many years until UMP became unstable in the late 1990's. Sargent and Track Enterprises made Macon The track to race at in the Midwest. With its UMP affiliation, Macon got its fair share of big purse races. Drivers such as Gary Webb, Scott Bloomquist, Ken Schrader, Billy Moyer and others have won big races hosted by the speedway.
[edit] More Recent Years
In 1998, Track Enterprises sold Macon Speedway to investors. That same year, Macon switched to NASCAR's Winston Weekly Racing Series, and a year later, Macon's top class, Late Models, was dropped, forcing many of the area's (and some of the Nation's) top drivers to search for another venue. In 2001, Macon once again re-aligned itself with UMP, when it was bought back by the Webb's, in the name of founder Wayne Webb's son, and former driver at Macon, Rich Webb. Macon Speedway closed its 2006 season early, due to declining attendance, poor car-counts, and other financial troubles. In 2007 Macon Speedway was sold again. Former Macon Speedway owner, Bob Sargent teamed up with NASCAR stars Ken Schrader, Kenny Wallace, and Tony Stewart as co-owners of Macon Speedway. Many improvements were incorporated into Macon Speedway's infrastructure, such as new catch-fencing, upgraded grandstands, new billboards along the backstretch, and the acquisition of 12 acres of adjacent farmland that was converted into a pit-area for the racers. Those improvements, along with 3 nights of racing that include NASCAR race drivers restored Macon Speedway to its former glory, and boasted sell-out crowds almost every race night for the 2007 season. The owners also added money to the weekly pay-outs, and added "Big Money" ($1200US or more to win) races to the regular schedule. 2008 includes many of the same big races, as well as a new crowd draw, rides in Macon Speedway's new 2-seat late model (see Gallery for picture).
[edit] Notable National/Regional Accomplishments
Macon has been the home track of several National Champions over the years, most notably was 1999 NASCAR Heartland Regional, NASCAR Winston Racing Series Champion, and NASCAR Winston Racing Series National Champion, Jeff Leka. Macon was also the home track of the 1998 Heartland Regional NASCAR ShorTrack Series Champion. Macon is also the home track of the 1989 UMP National Champion. In 2007, Macon was host to Speed TV's show "Night of NASCAR Stars."
[edit] Gallery
 Macon Speedway as seen from above, Circa 2004. |
 NASCAR drivers Casey Mears, Mike Wallace, JJ Yeley, Bobby Labonte, Steven Leicht, Kyle Busch, Steven Wallace, and Ray Evernham prepare for racing at Macon in 2007. |
 Ken Schrader in an Outlaw Late Model at Macon in the early 1980's. |
 Macon Speedway's 2-seat late model. |
[edit] Classes of racing
[edit] Current Classes
UMP Modifieds
UMP Sportsman
UMP Street Stocks
UMP Hornets
POWRi Midgets (Multiple special shows throughout the racing season)
[edit] Former Classes
- NMMRO Mini-Sprints
- Bombers
- Mini-Stocks
- Street Cars
- "Outlaw" Late Models
- Winged Late Models
- Sprint Cars
- USAC Midgets
- Super Stocks
- 6-Cylinders
[edit] Track Record
The record for the fastest time in Late Model qualifying is 10.311 seconds posted by Kyle Logue of Cisco, Illinois on May 10, 2008. The previous record of 10.453 seconds was set by Cory Daugherty of Blue Mound, Illinois, on April 19, 2008.
[edit] See also
[edit] External Links
[edit] References
1989 Macon Speedway Official Souvenir Program
