SAYBROOK, IL - Blake Feese is beginning to enjoy racing again. After struggling through a difficult 2001 season, the 20-year-old racer has shown in the last two weekends that his racing talent is just starting to be recognized. Feese captured his first career All-Star Circuit of Champions Feature event on Saturday night at the famous Eldora Speedway.

"This is pretty amazing," remarked Feese following his first win at Eldora. "I’ve loved this track since the first time I came here. To run 30 laps and stay out of trouble and get through lapped traffic was lucky. I had a couple of close calls in lapped traffic. I had to tell myself to be calm, it’s only 30 laps. It’s an awesome feeling to be standing here."

Feese, who came to Eldora with confidence after posting a career-best 8th place run with World of Outlaws last Saturday, began the program by earning the fast qualifier award in his #1f Maxim owned by his dad, Dave Feese. He started the 30-lap Feature event sixth and quickly worked his way to the third spot by lap five. On the next lap leader, Chad Kemenah, blew an engine and runner-up Jim Neir couldn't avoid the slowing car and crashed. Once the race restarted, new leader Feese was not to be challenged as he ran away from the field. His impressive run ended at the checkered flag with a quarter lap lead and he lapped a majority of the competitors.

"We've worked hard to get things going in the right direction," continued Feese. "My dad has been really patient with me and both my parents really support me in racing. Everything worked great tonight. From the Maxim car to the Don Ott motor along with the Hoosier Tires and Weld Wheels, we had everything going our way. Chris Switzer has been helping as a crewman, and I appreciate his help greatly. I also want to thank Charlie Fisher for helping us here tonight. He has a lot of laps here and his guidance really helped."

Following his victory at Eldora, Feese traveled to Anderson, IN, to prepare for his USAC debut in Sunday's Glen Niebel Classic. Feese qualified 33rd and finished seventh in the first heat driving Lynn Reid's #2 sprinter before charging from 19th to 11th in the semi feature.

"The results on paper are a little deceiving," said Feese following his first career pavement event. "We were close with the car, but just a bit loose in our heat and tight in the semi. We learned a lot. This is a tough place to pass, but I got some valuable seat time today. I know that this is going to be a good race car and team as the season goes on. Everyone learned some things today that will help us down the road."

Feese isn't positive when his next race will be. He will be testing at Indianapolis Raceway Park next weekend and if time permits, he'll return to Eldora Speedway to compete with the Pennzoil World of Outlaws. If he can't make the shows in Rossburg (OH), he'll be back in action on April 20 at Nazareth (PA) Speedway in USAC's Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car Series.