FARMER CITY, Ill. — The streaking Billy Moyer thrilled a record crowd to win Saturday night’s inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series Illini 100 at Farmer City Raceway.
The 50-year-old dirt-track legend from Batesville, Ark., pocketed $20,150 — the biggest dirt-late-model prize ever paid out in the state of Illinois — for capturing a wildly competitive event that featured eight lead changes among five drivers and was in doubt until the checkered flag.
It was the third straight WoO LMS victory for Moyer, a three-time tour champion who is enjoying an early-season run for the ages. On the WoO LMS alone, he’s already earned $53,450 in four events.
“Everything is just awesome right now,” said Moyer, who started third but led just three laps of the Illini 100, including the final two. “We’re just riding it out as long as we can.”
Moyer’s triumphant performance dashed the hopes of Shannon Babb, a former Farmer City regular who was hoping to give his hometown fans a reason to party.
Babb, 34, was forced to start last rather than his scheduled 19th spot in the 24-car field because he changed two tires after reporting to the track for the A-Main lineup, but he appeared ready to score a memorable victory when he grabbed the lead from defending WoO LMS champion Steve Francis on lap 55.
Alas, Moyer found another gear in his Clements-powered Victory Circle M1 Chassis — a machine he has helped develop — and nosed into the lead for the first time on lap 85. Babb regained command the following circuit, but Moyer used the inside groove to slip in front on lap 99 and repelled Babb’s final-corner challenge to cross the finish line less than a half car length ahead.
Babb settled for second behind his racing mentor.
“He’s had a real good year and I’m tickled to death for him,” a gracious Babb said. “It was a lot of fun to race for the win with him. I wish we would’ve won, but I’m happy to run second to him.”
Francis finished third, ahead of 20th-starter Tim McCreadie and Wes Steidinger.
The finish:
Billy Moyer, Shannon Babb, Steve Francis, Tim McCreadie, Wes Steidinger, Josh Richards, Rick Eckert, Darrell Lanigan, Steve Sheppard, Jr., Darren Miller, Shane Clanton, Chub Frank, Jeep VanWormer, Clint Smith, John Blankenship, Dennis Erb, Jr., Tim Fuller, Ryan Dauber, Brian Shirley,  Brian Birkhofer, Brady Smith, Kevin Weaver, Chris Simpson, Tim Lance.