Jim Leka won the Herald & Review 100 at Mighty Macon Speedway. He’s
joined in victory lane with his father Bob Leka. – TCA Photo
Macon, Ill. (July 13, 1989) – One of the finest racing facilities in the United States held the ninth annual Herald & Review 100 late model classic with a full grandstand, 33 late models, and the winner receiving $4,000.
The event also marked the third stop on the UMP Summernationals tour.
Jim Leka was red hot as he powered to victory in the 100-lap main event on Thursday night at Mighty Macon Speedway, picking up his second Summernationals win in a row in as many outings.
Buffy Clark started the action by taking the early lead in the century grind, leading the 18-car field around the 1/5-mile dirt oval. Kevin Weaver challenged Clark on several occasions as the pair brought the fans to their feet in a fierce battle for the lead.
On lap 25, Weaver, running the high groove, made his move once again, this time passing Clark coming out of the second turn. Six laps later, Tom Rients followed suit, passing Clark to take over second and setting his sights on Weaver.
Hard-charging Roger Long was sneaking his way through the field, moving into third position after starting 13th, and setting his sights on Weaver and Rients.
After a caution for debris on lap 55 bunched up the field, racing action got hot and heavy as Rients, running the low side, and Weaver, on the high side, battled side-by-side for the number one position with Long and Leka running side-by-side right on their tails in a four-car battle.
Long jumped the cushion, dropping back to fourth. But when his rocket booster kicked in, Long found the middle groove passing Leka, Rients, and Weaver, within two laps gaining the lead on lap 70. Jim Leka passed Rients and Weaver moving into second as Rients passed Weaver moving into third in the late stages of the contest.
Long opened up a straightaway advantage over Leka and appeared to be well on his way to victory when disaster struck as his engine went up in cloud of smoke, forcing him to the infield.
Leka inherited the top spot and held off a last lap challenge from Rients to take the checkered flag and join Bob Pierce as the only two-time winners of the event. Kevin Weaver, Buffy Clark, Joe Ross Jr., and Dick Taylor were all running neck-and-neck at the wire for third position, finishing in that order.
Results –
1. Jim Leka
2. Tom Rients
3. Kevin Weaver
4. Buffy Clark
5. Joe Ross Jr.
6. Dick Taylor
7. Terry Messenger
8. Butch Smith
9. Roger Long
10.Marvin Burton
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