Joliet, Ill.—For the third consecutive year, Grundy County’s finest won the D’Arcy Buick GMC Route 66 Classic Grudge Match with a score of 4-2 over Will County, bringing the lifetime score to 3-1. Dignitaries from each county laid it on the line in equally prepared GMC Sierras for charity tonight at Route 66 Raceway, where a total of $21,000 will be donated into the respective communities.
The night opened with Grundy County States Attorney Jason Helland, who is undefeated in D’Arcy Buick GMC Route 66 Classic Grudge Match racing, taking the win against Mayor of Joliet Bob O’Dekirk. Morris Police Chief John Severson followed up with a win against Joliet Police Chief Al Roechner.
Channahon Mayor Missey Schumacher laid down a win for Will County as she defeated Grundy County Sheriff Ken Briley. Morris Fire Chief Tracey Steffes answered back with a win over Plainfield Fire Chief John Stratton, bringing the score to 3-1 in favor of Grundy County.
Race number five saw Veterans Asst. Commission Superintendent Kristi McNichol red light, which gave the win to Veterans Asst. Commission Superintendent Ken Buck, which clinched the win for Grundy County. The final race pitted Will County Board Member Joe Van Duyne against Grundy County Board Member Eric Rasmusson. Van Duyne picked up the win when Rasmussonleft early, which triggered the red light.
“I’ve beat everyone that Will County put in front of me –the Mayor, the States Attorney and the State Rep,” said Helland. “Who’s next? I can’t wait to pick up another win next year. I made a deal with Bob (O’Dekirk) before the race that we would each share equal parts of our winnings to our charities, so we will each pay out $1,750.”
Each winner will donate $2,000 to their charity and their competitor will donate $1,500 to their charity.
Match #1: Grundy County States Attorney Jason Helland(Morris YMCA) def. Mayor of Joliet Bob O’Dekirk (Miracle League of Joliet)
Match #2: Morris Police Chief John Severson (Morris Police Benevolent Society) def. Joliet Police Chief Al Roechner (Team Make a Difference)
Match #3: Channahon Mayor Missey Schumacher (Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Will & Grundy Counties)def. Grundy County Sheriff Ken Briley(Grundy County Hero’s &Helpers)
Match #4: Morris Fire Chief TraceySteffes(Operation Saint Nick) def. Plainfield Fire Chief John Stratton (Plainfield Area Interfaith Food Pantry)
Match #5: Veterans Asst. Commission Superintendent Ken Buck (Grundy County Veterans Assistance Commission) def. Veterans Asst. Commission Superintendent Kristi McNichol (Will County Veterans Assistance Commission)
Match #6: Will County Board Member Joe Van Duyne (Kuzma Care Cottage) def. Grundy County Board Member Eric Rasmusson (Grundy County PADS)
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