On The Track: I Like Cheese

by Christopher Kidder-Mostrom

November is the end of the year for Friday Night Cheese at the ILC. The 2020 season’s final two races happened this past fortnight. The reigning Big Cheese at the beginning of Race 53 was Nick Deavers in a lovely rat rod style pickup truck.

Despite the fact that James Kleman could not mathematically be removed from his spot atop the overall rankings and would be crowned the 2020 Friday Night Cheese Champion after the conclusion of Race 54, Deavers drove like a man unwilling to release his hold on the Big Cheese title.

In his first lap against Warpig76’s Rapid Responder, Deavers left the significantly lighter truck in his dust. But, a much closer heat was just ahead, as the second lap in the best of three race was full of rubbin’ all the way to the very end. Warpig76 stuck to Deavers like chewing gum on a 7-year-old’s tennis shoe. But, with a slick spin move just before the finish line, Deavers broke away and retained his title for another week.

The last few races have featured vehicles and drivers that are getting a second go at the Man-Pam Motor Speedway. In fact, Deavers himself was a Second Cheese driver in this truck not too many weeks ago. As the season wound down, it was only fitting that the overall champion of the season got to take his turn at Second Cheese in Race 54.

Kleman’s signature General Lee lined up for a chance to take the title of Big Cheese back and to be the reigning title holder as well as the season champion.

Deavers knew there was a lot on the line, since if he could hold on to the title, he would start the 2021 season (launching in December) as the first Big Cheese of the new go- ’round.

SURPRISINGLY CLOSE -- Warpig76's Rapid Responder gives Nick Deavers a run for his money

The cars were all business. Kleman’s car weighed in slightly heavier at 119 grams. Deavers truck is 114 grams.

The two were close down the first straightaway, but Kleman pulled ahead coming out of the first turn. He gathered speed on the middle straightaway, and hit turn two so fast that he launched right off the back of the embankment, completely out of the Speedway.

Deavers kept a level head and kept on truckin’ to a lap one victory. And, because leaving the track is an automatic forfeiture, that single lap win means that Deavers will start 2021 as the Big Cheese yet again.

Elsewhere, just outside the stadium, the General Lee of James Kleman met an ignoble end, becoming a fireball (or at least a fire ring) and ending its time at the ILC.

ETERNAL FLAM -- James Kleman's General Lee lights up the night, but not in the way he'd hoped.

James Kleman torched all comers all year long, but when the finale of the season came, it was his car that got burned.

As the 2020 Champion of Friday Night Cheese, James Kleman will receive the much lauded $1.19 Walmart gift card that is the ILC prize.