Hafford Nabs Wilmot Opener On Last Lap
Tim Cox lead the first 19 laps of an action packed Auto Meter Wisconsin wingLESS Sprints Presented by the IRA, but Allen Hafford capitalized on a late race mistake and stole the victory.
30 wingLESS teams signed in for action on the cold April night at Wilmot Raceway. Qualifying saw Derek Crane set quick time around the 3/8ths mile clay oval. Minnesotan Jimmy Kuba would qualify in 2nd over Nick Petska, Allen Hafford, and James Walldan.
Heat Race 1 action saw former champion Doug Schenck lead all 8 laps in route to the victory over 6th starting Jordan Mattson and Allen Hafford. Derek Crane would bring his 19k home in 4th followed by Defending Wilmot Raceway 410 sprint car champion Matt Vandervere.
Heat 2 saw Jimmy Kouba drive from 4th to the lead in 3 laps. Kouba would hang onto that lead until the checkers flag dropped, picking up the heat race win. Long time IRA and Wilmot competitor but wingLESS series new comer Dennis Spitz would finish 2nd over fellow 410 switch-over Chris Dodd. James Walldan and Jimmy Silvia would round out the top 5.
Heat race 3 would see Tim Cox jump out front in his red and white #40. Cox lead all but the last corner when Nick Petska would sneak by in his number 18 and grab the win. Cox would be scored 2nd ahead of sophomore driver Garrett Deieso and Craig Campton. Nathan Crane would bring his bright orange 97 machine home in 5th.
B main action was exciting, as Rod Colburn lead the first 7 laps before Jake Kouba would finally find a line around the Harley Davidson sponsored 1 machine. Kouba would lead the remaining laps, but as the race was coming to an end Colburn would jump a wheel and get upside down, causing the race to end under red flag conditions. Kouba would be awarded the win over Scott Grissom and Shawn Swim. The 5 transfer positions would be rounded out with the #70 of Chris Klemko and the #16 Anna Hippe.
The A main saw Tim Cox take the early lead and dominate much of the race, but behind him the action was intense. Jimmy Sivia held the 2nd position initially, but would soon drop back as Allen Hafford and Jimmy Kouba worked there way into podium positions. With just 8 laps to go, it seemed as if Cox had all but won the feature, until the first yellow flag of the race waved. James Walldan had spun his #77 machine and set up what would turn out to be a great 8 lap dash for the win. On the restart, Cox took the low line, the preferred line, into turn 1 and Allen Hafford went high, as the pair raced side by side for the lead. a pair of former series champions came into the mix, and Doug Schenck and 11th starting Jordan Mattson raced for 3rd. As the white flag waved Cox switched lines and entered turn 1 on the high side, but would bobble on the cushion, Hafford drove his black and yellow 38 car around the bottom and Doug Schenck tried to use the middle lane. The trio of drivers exited turn two - 3 wide but as they moved down the back stretch and into turn three Allen Hafford proved to have the best line and would grab the win away from the pair of seasoned veterans. Schenck would come home second, and Cox settled for third. Jordan Mattson brought his Lein Acres machine home in fourth and Jimmy Kouba rounded out the top five.
The Auto Meter Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Series presented by the IRA is back in action Sunday April 29th at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin for a twilight show.