Two-time Mid-American champion Matt Clemens is finding out that you don’t need to be behind the wheel to feel like a winner at Grundy County Speedway.
When Ken Benson Sr. earned his first career Mid-Am feature victory on June 28, he gave a bunch of the credit to Clemens for helping him with the setup.
“I came here the week before and I didn’t like the way his car looked,” Clemens said. “I asked him if I could help him out. He said, ‘Absolutely.’ We made a couple of adjustments and the car really came alive.
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“It was more rewarding watching him win the race than it was for me to win any of my races last year. I was so genuinely excited. I wouldn’t mind being a crew chief later on in my career.”
Clemens is chasing his own checkered flags on the road this season. The 30-year-old Channahon resident is a regular in the Mid-American traveling series.
His best finish was seventh on June 21 at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Friday was only his second appearance of the season at Grundy.
“We’re out learning all of the tracks,” Clemens said. “We’re fast every week. It’s just learning how to pass guys at the bigger tracks and not making mistakes.”
Last season, Clemens saw a potential third track title dashed in the final race when he spun and was crashed into by a fellow competitor. Chad Proctor went on to win the feature and the championship by one point.
After 10 seasons of chasing titles, Clemens decided to take a break.
“It is the greatest relief not to be racing for a championship,” Clemens said. “It’s just nice. We’re coming here just to win a race.”
He hasn’t, however, removed a third Grundy title from his career to-do list.
“Absolutely I’ll come back,” Clemens said. “I have to do this traveling for myself just to see how well I can do.”
Still flying: Veteran street stock driver Randy Weese is back in form midway through his 25th season.
The two-time track champion won for the first time this year on June 28. He set fast qualifying time and finished second in Friday’s 30-lap midseason championship race behind winner Eddie Ligue.
“This car is the best it’s been all season,” Weese said. “We’ve had some issues with flat tires and brake problems. It’s been one thing after another. Now it feels like it’s on a rail.”
Weese will turn 64 on Aug. 10.
“And I’m still loving it,” Weese said. “I’m still up there with these (younger) guys. My wife says, ‘You don’t look 63. You take care of yourself.’ When you hang out with young guys in racing, it keeps you feeling young.”
Clutch Clubb: Patience paid off for Cody Clubb in the 30-lap Mid-American feature.
After chasing leader Clemens for multiple laps, Clubb made the pass with six remaining. He went on to beat Kevin Murphy by 0.563 seconds.
Clubb, who has been a Grundy regular for several seasons, has been racing in the Mid-American traveling series and also on dirt at Kankakee and Fairbury.
He earned the win in a car owned by his brother, Nick.
“This feels great,” Clubb said. “I decided Wednesday to blow the dust off this thing. The last time it was raced was in October.
“In the beginning of the year, Matt (Clemens) and I became real good friends. I was hoping this would be a fun race.”
Eddie Hoffman won his fifth late model feature over David Einhaus. Katie Hocking won the 4-cylinder feature.
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