20th-century fox
Driving with 1999 chassis, Hulbert collects surprising win in late model
It was a pretty big surprise when Billy Hulbert Jr. won a feature race at Grundy County Speedway on just his 10th time behind the wheel of a late model.
But here’s the real stunner: He did it in a chassis that was built during the 20th century, according to car owner Tony D’Ambrose.
“It’s from 1999,” D’Ambrose said. “We used it strictly for driver-development testing.
“That car sat outside under a cover for seven years. Until Billy got in it, we’d never competed with it.”
It was 21st-century fast on Aug. 21 as Hulbert led from start to finish in the 30-lap feature to beat division leader Paul Shafer Jr.
The 30-year-old Channahon native even surprised himself with the power show he put on in the well-matured chassis.
“You know, we had started up front a couple of times this year,” Hulbert said. “I don’t know if it was something with my confidence or what, but we just weren’t able to hang on the outside.
“I really didn’t see us winning. I’m still shocked to this day. I have to give a lot of credit to Tony D’Ambrose. We’re very fortunate that he’s giving us this opportunity to make all of this happen in a short period of time.”
Hulbert, who went into Friday’s program fifth in the late model points standings, is no stranger to oval track racing.
With help from his father Bill, he has raced midget cars since age 15. In 2018, Hulbert won the POWRi Pavement Midget championship at Grundy.
Struggling for cars, the series folded early in 2019. D’Ambrose, who had been associated with the Hulberts as both a friend and adviser, took the cover off of the development car.
“I told his dad, ‘Hey, you need to come get this car,’ ” D’Ambrose said. “I told him that I didn’t have a lot of time to put it together. But let’s put the kid in the seat and go test.
“We spent a whole day and we were fifth-fastest on the board with old tires. I said, ‘Well, let’s go.’ ”
Hulbert ran the final three nights at Grundy and was a top-five qualifier. This season he has avoided major issues, finding his way to the front.
“He listens to instructions,” D’Ambrose said of Hulbert. “He trusts me, unconditionally. He’s just smart, super smooth and cautious. The family is amazing. I’m just happy to support him as best we can.”
Scott Gardner was just two turns away from a victory in Friday night’s 30-lap street stock feature when a yellow flag brought the race to a jarring stop.
That’ll mess with your
Focus-firm:
head, especially with veteran Randy Weese behind you for the restart. Gardner?
“I smiled,” Gardner said. “I said, ’One more time. One more time to go around in circles with him.’ I knew I just had to get a good restart.”
It was a masterful restart, to be sure. Gardner gunned it coming out of Turn 3, seemingly catching Weese by surprise and running away from everybody.
“That’s not my typical restart,” Gardner said, smiling. “I did that one clear out of the blue. It worked.”
Gardner beat Eddie Ligue to the finish line by more than a second. Chad Bayuk was third, ahead of John Senerchia and Weese.
See it, seiz e it : Blake Brown pulled one of the surprise wins of the season in the late model feature, passing Eddie Hoffman on a restart one lap from the finish.
Hoffman’s No. 8 bottomed out and slid up in Turn 1, allowing Brown to take his second win of the season. Keith Tolf was third, ahead of Paul Shafer and Stan Zolodz.
“I wasn’t even planning on going for the win,” Brown said. “We knew he had the better car, but then he washed up in one and two real bad.
“I had to kind of shoot the gap there. It was great racing with him for a win.”
Tim Stewart edged out Josh Nelms in the MidAmerican feature, while the pure stocks main went to Katie Hocking.