8/26/2019
JOHNSON TAKES WILMOT BANDIT TITLE; POTTER HOMAN SPECIAL; N. SIMONS MODIFIEDS; ZIELSKI WINGLESS; MALEUG LIGHTNING
(Wilmot, Wis)--Salem's Ryan Johnson closed out the 2019 Bandit 4-Cylinder Stock Car Season by winning the 20-lap season championship feature solidifying his Wilmot Raceway track title.
"I have to thank my girlfriend, Jennifer, my team, car owner Brad Becker, sponsors, the fans, everyone," said Johnson after being congratulated in victory lane by 2018 Champion and 2019 runner-up Tony Barron. "This is really awesome."
Johnson, in his first season of racing, worked his way into the lead from his fifth starting spot on lap five overtaking Scott Ellis of Lake Villa, IL. John Cole of McHenry, IL challenged several times in the closing laps as the pair briefly went side by side. Johnson was up to the charge going on to the win. Cole was second. Union Grove's Dale Ehleiter third. Scott Quarnstrom of Lake Villa fourth. S. Ellis fifth.
Pell Lake's Cody Potter captured the 25-lap Tommy Homan Street Stock Special sponsored by Choppers Bar & Grill of Antioch.
"This win was definitely harder then the first," said Potter, thanking his dad, family and crew for their support. "The power in the new Coil Racing engine was evident. I knew Rob (Maule) was coming because I could see it on the scoreboard. The car was set up perfectly and stuck wherever I wanted to put it."
Potter took over the lead from his seventh starting spot just prior to the halfway point. Despite a couple of late race cautions, Potter kept the field behind going on to the victory. Maule of Hebron, IL was second. Big Bend's Mark Baker charged through the field after an early race restart at the rear to finish third. Dave Jones of North Chicago, IL, who led much of the early stages, was fourth. Kenosha's Craig Kreuser fifth.
Genoa City's Nick Simons weathered a series of cautions to win a hard fought 20-lap modified feature.
"I found something on the high side and stayed there," said a winded Simons after his first feature win of the season. "I knew Joe (Huenefeld) was coming and kept hoping he would stay low. It's been a long time. I thank my sponsors, family, everyone."
N. Simons flag to flag win was not easy as Huenefeld of Cedarville, IL battled side by side several times. Three caution periods during the last half of the feature slowed progress and kept resetting the field behind N. Simons. The last three laps went green with N. Simons taking the win. Huenefeld was second. Eagle's Steve Mueller third. Tichigan's Mike Wittenburg fourth. Genoa City's Mike Simons II fifth.
Oconomowoc's Ryan Zielski won his first ever 20-lap AutoMeter Wisconsin WingLess Sprint feature at Wilmot.
"My dad, mom and grandmother who are in the stands, the entire team has supported me and I am glad I finally got a win here at Wilmot," said Zielski.
Tim Cox of Park City, IL took the lead following an aborted feature start which realigned Cox to the front row. A late race stoppage with two laps remaining saw Cox go into turn one, spinning high in front of the field with a broken bolt on his right-front torsion bar ending his night. Zielski inherited the lead going on to the win. Zach Raidart of Antioch, IL was second. Greg Olsen of Round Lake Beach, IL third. Mitchell Davis of Auburn, IL started 15th ended up fourth. Trevor's Chris Dodd fifth.
C,J. Maleug of Johnsburg, IL took his fourth 20-lap Lightning Sprint feature victory of the season.
"The car was set up perfectly and ran anywhere I wanted to put it," said Maleug. "We're getting momentum now and just have to keep it up."
Maleug led wire to wire for the win. Ion Stear of Hebron, IL was second. Slinger's Jeff Schmidt third. Waukesha's Mark Heinert fourth. Tim Brannam of Holiday Hills, IL fifth.
Next up for Wilmot Raceway is the Tony Stewart Sprint Car Challenge with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association (IRA) Outlaw Sprints on Friday, August 30.
The all sprint car program will include the AutoMeter Wisconsin WingLess Sprints and the Lightning Sprints. The IRA feature will include the Bill Klein Tribute and the IRA Founders Trophy. Klein, who was the first IRA president when the organization was formed 52 years ago, passed away earlier this summer. The Founders Trophy recognizes the Ray Toft, Whitey Harris and the late Junior Dodd who originated the IRA. The perennial award is sponsored by the Southeastern Wisconsin Racing Hall of Fame which is where it is displayed during the year. Dale Blaney won it twice, in 2014 & 2015, with Bill Balog taking the honor back to back in 2016 & 2017, while Jake Blackhurst took the honors in 2018. The August 30 program will mark the final appearance of the season for the winged sprint cars at the IRA's original home track. The Wilmot regular season 410 winged champion will be crowned at the end of the night.
Labor Day Weekend at Wilmot Raceway continues to crown 2019 champions with the WingLess Sprints, Modifieds, Lightning Sprints and Street Stocks concluding their point championship seasons on Saturday, August 31.
Grandstands open both nights at 5 p.m. with on track activity at 6:00 p.m. and racing slated for 6:45 p.m.
August 30 grandstand admission is $25.00 for adults ages 12 and over, $5.00 for ages 7-11 with ages 6 and under admitted free.
Grandstand admission August 31 is $15.00 for ages 12 and over, $5.00 ages 7-11, with ages 6 & under admitted free.
Following Labor Day weekend Wilmot Raceway has two nights scheduled in 2019. On Saturday, September 7 is the Dirt Kings Late Models Jim "Wildman" Watson Classic plus WingLess Sprints, Modifieds and Street Stocks along with a huge bike giveaway.
The final night of 2019 is Saturday, October 5 with the Fall Festival of Speed featuring WingLess Sprints, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Lightning Sprints and Bandit 4-Cylinder Stock Cars.
Both September 7 and October 5 are non-championship point shows.
Check wilmotraceway.com or the official Wilmot Raceway Facebook Page for updates.
Article Credit: Michael H. Babicz