SPRINGFIELD | Just as legislation to create specialty NASCAR license plates was about to take the checkered flag, an untimely wreck in the Illinos House has it back on pit row.

A minor change made by the Senate forced House sponsor state Rep. Bob Flider, R-Mount Zion, to call it on the House floor for a final vote late Saturday night.

The Senate revised the legislation to state that only one NASCAR plate would be issued instead of multiple versions featuring the auto-racing league's many drivers, such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch.

Flider said the vote to turn down the amendment had more to do with the frustration of a late night and defeated statewide construction program than opposition to the legislation.

"It was just the general mood of the General Assembly at that time after many hours of debating and getting through session," Flider said. "I feel confident that if we take it up again we'll get the votes."

Flider hopes the measure will be back on the House floor during the fall veto session.

In its original form the legislation generated revenue for the state, however the most recent version calls for the money to help fund rehabilitate the developmentally disabled.

Half of the $40 issuance fee would be deposited in the Vocational Rehabilitation Fund along with $20 of the $27 specialty plate renewal fee.

-- Kartikay Mehrotra may be reached at (217) 789-0865 or via e-mail at Kartikay.mehrotra@lee.net.