(Wilmot, Wis.)--A third restart proved to be the charm as Navarino's Nick Anvelink bested Waukesha's Mitch McGrath for the Dirt Kings Late Model Tour Jim "Wildman" Watson Classic Saturday, September 7 at Wilmot Raceway.
McGrath was bidding for back to back wins at Wilmot having won the inaugural 2018 Watson Classic at Wilmot, appeared headed toward achieving the victory. Leading every lap, a series of late race cautions and a call back on a restart for a car going early set up a great final two laps.
McGrath stuck to the high side while Anvelink kept to the inside groove as the two went wide by side. On the white flag lap Anvelink made the move stick powering past McGrath to the win.
McGrath gave it one last shot coming for the checkered ending up second by less than a car length. Dorchester's Mark Rose was third.
Taylor Scheffler and Mark Rose led the 24-car field to the green flag of the 2nd Annual DiscountShopTowels.com Dirt Kings Late Model Tour Jim Wildman Watson Classic at Wilmot Raceway. McGrath passed Scheffler for the lead on the inside of turn three on the first lap. McGrath continued to lead the race as Anvelink and Justin Schmidt battled for second. Caution slowed the field on lap 15, when Brad Mueller slowed in turn three. On the restart, McGrath, Schmidt and Anvelink pulled away from the rest of the field. Schmidt and Avenlink battled for second position but with ten laps to go, Anvelink passed Schmidt for second place. Caution slowed the field with three laps to go as Justin Reed spun in turn two.
On the restart, McGrath led the field to the green flag with Anvelink diving to the inside in turn two with Rose and Scheffler close behind. Caution slowed the field one more time for an incident in turn two. On the final restart of the night, McGrath led the field to the green flag with Anvelink diving to the inside as they entered turn one. Avenlink made the pass as they raced down the backstretch, with McGrath in pursuit. Anvelink held on to win his fifth DiscountShopTowels.com Dirt Kings Late Model Tour race of the season and returned to Mueller's Sales & Service Victory Lane. Rose finished third followed by Scheffler and Brett Swedberg.
Brittany Watson, Jim's daughter was in the Mueller's Sales & Service Victory Lane to present the trophy to Nick Anvelink after the race. John Burnside designed the custom trophy, courtesy of Behling Racing Equipment and Impact Helmets.
The Brent Family sponsored the W1ld heat races with Mark Rose, Mitch McGrath and Nick Anvelink taking the win in their respective heat races, taking home an additional $50 from The Brent Family. Brett Swedberg won the Redline Web Design Hard Charger Award for $100 and a commemorative trophy by advancing ten positions in the 30-lap event.
Justin Ritchie took home the Sunoco Rookie of the Race Award, finishing eighth.
For Anvelink, the win was his first at Wilmot but fifth out of eight events on the Dirt Kings 2019 tour. Next stop is Plymouth Dirt Track Saturday, September 14.
Shawano's Brett Swedberg earned the hard charger award finishing fifth after starting 15th in the 24-car field.
Oconomowoc's Ryan Zielski won his second 20-lap AutoMeter Wisconsin WingLess Sprints feature. The initial start of the main was red flagged when Zielski and front row starter Mitchell Davis of Auburn, IL got together creating a wild scramble resulting in Nick Petska of Spring Grove, IL flipping on the front straightaway. Petska and 2018 Wilmot Champion Tim Cox of Park City, IL, who was caught up in the melee, were both unable to continue. Davis came back and ended up tenth after restarting from the rear.
"That's not what I want to do to win a race," said Zielski of the incident. "I feel badly about what happened."
At the checkered it was Zielski, Greg Olsen of Round Lake Heights, IL second. Trevor's Chris Dodd third. 2019 Wilmot Track Champion Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harbor, IL fourth. Salem's Jordan Paulsen fifth.
Tim Hamburg of Dixon, IL captured his third 20-lap Modified feature. "This is big for us," said Hamburg, noting it's a 2 1/2- hour one-way tow to Wilmot from home. "I really love this place, run well here and the fans are great.
Hamburg battled wheel to wheel with past Wilmot champion South Milwaukee's Chris Carlson for several laps. Hamburg was up to the challenge. Mitch Morris of McCausland, Iowa caught Carlson for second in the final laps. Carlson was third. Joe Huenefeld of Cedarville, IL, 2019 Wilmot season champion, finished fourth. Genoa City's Mike Simons, 2-time Wilmot champion, was fifth.
Pell Lake's Cody Potter won his third 20-lap street stock main. "I knew Adam (Crapser) was coming and boy is that young guy fast," said Potter. "I have to thank my dad, everyone who works on the car, and Nick Simons along with Wilmot Raceway for hosting this event."
Brookfield's Adam Crapser was second. Cody Erickson of Algonquin, IL third. Caledonia's Kyle Caswell fourth. Big Bend's Mark Baker fifth.
Thanks to numerous race teams, Wilmot Raceway staff, sponsors, a total of 104 bikes were given away to youngsters in the grandstands. In addition, Alt-Egan racing donated glow sticks and Frisbees which were given away during the program.
Prior to the races, WLCB 101.5 at lakesradio.org with Pat Cameron, Matt Rosenburg and Ron Pecorini broadcasted with a live remote from the Raceway.
Wilmot Raceway is scheduled to host its Fall Festival of Speed on Saturday, October 5. WingLess sprints, modifieds, street stocks, lightning sprints and Bandit 4-cylinder stock cars are planned for the 2019 season ending program.
For details check the track web site wilmotraceway.com or the official Wilmot Raceway Facebook Page.