8/20/2019
QUARNSTROM TOPS BANDITS, HAMBURG MODIFIEDS, ERICKSON STREET STOCKS IN WILMOT FRIDAY FAIR FEATURES
(Wilmot, Wis.,--All three Kenosha County Fair Friday, August 16 Wilmot Raceway feature winners picked up their second mains of the season.
Scott Quarnstrom of Lake Villa, IL took the 20-lap Bandit 4-Cylinder Stock Car win.
The 2019 Bandit season champion will be crowned on Saturday, August 24. The Bandit regular season point finale will be part of the Tommy Homan Tribute Night for the Street Stocks. Autometer Wisconsin WingLess Sprints, Lightning Sprints and Modifieds are part of the five division program.
Tim Hamburg of Dixon, IL escaped a near miss in final turn coming for the checkered flag to win the 20-lap modified headliner.
Cody Erickson of Algonquin, IL made it two in a row in the 20-lap street stock feature. Erickson's win came on the last lap coming out of the final turn overtaking Pleasant Prairie's Josh Gehrig who held the front spot the entire distance up to that point. Kenosha's Craig Kreuser was third as the front trio came across side by side at the checkered.
"This second win was a lot harder than the first with a great field of drivers competing," said Quarnstrom, noticeably winded in victory lane. "I have to thank my family, sponsors, everyone who supports my racing and these great fair fans."
Union Grove's Dale Ehleiter took the initial lead in the Bandit main with a pack ranging from four to six cars in close competition for the front. John Cole of McHenry, IL had just worked into the lead following a restart after the halfway point when something broke on the front end sidelining him. Quarnstrom overtook the lead going on to the win. Ehleiter was second. Scott Ellis of Lake Villa third. Elkhorn's Brad Becker fourth. Lyons' Scott Ludtke fifth.
"This car has been awesome," said Tim Hamburg, joined in victory lane by his 20-year-old son, Brandon, who made his first ever race start. "This is definitely a family operation. My wife has been especially supportive."
South Milwaukee's Chris Carlson was closing in on Hamburg during the final laps. Into turns three and four on the white flag lap, a back marker spun necessitating both front runners to hit the brakes and take evasive action. Both made it through with Hamburg winning by less than a car length over Carlson. Genoa City's Nick Simons was third after leading much of the early going until Hamburg worked into the lead just about the halfway point. Joe Huenefeld of Cedarville, IL, season pointleader, was fourth. Franklin's Scott Barnharst fifth.
"I saw my chance on the high side and decided to go for it," said Erickson, regarding his move going into turn one on the white flag lap to overtake Gehrig. "This car was built by my dad, and he did it with a couple stipulations. That I not wreck it and win the big races (Dennis Carlton Tribute, Fair Night and upcoming August 24 Tommy Homan Memorial). That was a great race with Josh and Craig. Can't wait for next week."
Completing the top five were Terry Hilgendorf of McHenry, IL fourth and Big Bend's Mark Baker fifth.
New track qualifying records were set in time trials. South Milwaukee's Jay Orr posted the Bandit mark with a brand new car turning in a time of :19.563 seconds. Mechanical woes retired Orr early in the feature wiping out a shot at a clean sweep after winning his heat race.
Rob Maule of Hebron, IL posted a new track mark of :18.172 seconds in the street stocks. A blown engine in the feature eliminated Maule's chances for a sweep after winning his heat race.
Article Credit: Michael H. Babicz
