The “North Pole Nightmare” Bill Balog was the man to beat Saturday night at Spoon River Speedway in Canton, Illinois, not only conquering the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 for an $8,000 payday, but leading all 35 laps in the process, holding back Friday night winner and current All Star driver points leader, Zeb Wise. Balog, who started from the pole position as the result of a dash victory, withstood five cautions and a red flag in his victory march, driving on to secure the fourth All Star triumph of his career.

Rudeen Racing’s Zeb Wise finished second in the NOS Energy Drink presents The Rumble on the River, followed by Greg Wilson, who started ninth, Kraig Kinser, and a hard charging Chris Windom, who commenced his forward progress from 22nd in the running order.

As hinted, besides the half dozen caution breaks, Balog was relatively - for the most part - unchallenged in his 35-lap campaign, still feeling some late race heat from Wise. Wise actually got the best of Balog, driving around the ten-time IRA champion following a lap 28 restart, but caution flags waved again giving the top spot back to Balog. Balog went on to switch his restart approach and he never looked back.

WATCH REPLAY

All Star Circuit of Champions at Spoon River Speedway Highlights

Winning Quote From Bill Balog

“With a guy like Zeb [Wise] behind me, I knew I had to switch things up. But we were just so good. Even in traffic, I felt really good. I was able to switch things up and it all worked out, It feels so good to get an All Star win outside of Wisconsin. These races are so hard to win and there’s so much pressure. I really don't know what to say.”

All Star Circuit of Champions Results From Spoon River Speedway

1. 17B-Bill Balog [1]

 2. 26-Zeb Wise [5]

3. W20-Greg Wilson [9]

4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3]

5. 4-Chris Windom [22]

6. 91-Cale Thomas [11]

 7. 55-Kerry Madsen [6]

 8. 51B-Joe B. Miller [8]

9. 7BC-Anthony Macri [2]

10. 16TH-Parker Price Miller [4]

11. 28M-Conner Morrell [12]

 12. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [7]

13. 45-Tim Shaffer [23]

14. 96-Jake Blackhurst [14]

 15. 97-JJ Hickle [17]

 16. 17AU-Jamie Veal [10]

 17. 21T-Cole Macedo [15]

18. 3N-Jake Neuman [21]

19. 35-Zach Hampton [18]

20. 6-Mario Clouser [20]

21. 29-Sye Lynch [13]

22. 37-Bryce Norris [16]

23. 9K-Kyle Schuett [19]

24. 23B-Brian Bell [24]

Tezos All Star Circuit Of Champions Point Standings 

Zeb Wise has inherited the driver points lead but has a narrow margin over Chris Windom by 10 points. Rudeen Racing now trails Clauson Marshall Racing by just 44 points in the owner's standings. 

Full ASCoC Driver Point Standings

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