(Wilmot, Wis., Friday, June 18, 2021)--It was a night of repeaters for Wilmot Raceway's Friday, June 18 Family Night.
Leading the list is dominating Chris Carlson of Caledonia who captured his seventh 20-lap modified feature win of the season as he has taken every Wilmot main event in that division in 2021. It took a while for Carlson to get the front spot, taking the lead using an outside pass in turn two getting around early pacesetter Steve Mueller of Eagle five laps from the finish. Mueller ended up second. Genoa City's Nick Simons third. Genoa City's Mike Simons fourth and Milwaukee's David Wirth fifth.
"Steve is tough on the bottom and sticks to it," said Carlson. "It took me a while to figure the tricky track out, but decided to go for the high side. I have to thank my crew which completely took the car apart after last week because there was a vibration and it just wasn't running right. It's a nice early Father's Day gift for me with the win."
A wild 20-lap Autometer-Brewington Electric Wisconsin wingLESS Sprints feature saw a caution period plus two red flag incidents for flips. None of the drivers involved were injured.
Oconomowoc's Ryan Zielski took the lead from early leader Kansasville's Ryan Marshall five laps in following a restart for the caution. Two circuits later the initial red flew when Trevor's Tate Hensley took a wild ride over the turn three berm ending up in the tree bank outside of the push off lane. The final red came at the halfway mark when Nathan Crane of Waukegan, IL flipped in turn one.
Each disruption erased Zielski's advantage keeping the field within striking distance, but he was up to the challenge and pulled away to his second Wilmot win of the year and third in the overall Wisconsin Wingless series. A tight battle for runner-up was decided at the finish with Marshall getting second by inches over third finishing Tim Cox of Park City, IL. Bristol's Natalie Klemko was fourth just ahead of her brother, Chris Klemsko, also from Bristol.
"This is a great team I have to give a lot of credit to," said Zielski, crediting his crew with hours of work getting the car ready. "I knew Ryan was tough and there were a lot of really good drivers coming, so I just stuck to my line."
John Cole of McHenry, IL, reigning Bandit 4-Cylinder Stock Car 2020 champion, scored his second straight 20-lap feature win of the season. Cole sliced through traffic keeping second place Ryan Johnson of Salem in tow, but not close enough to work past Cole. Ernie Herlt of Grayslake, IL was third. Pleasant Prairie's Steve Ellis fourth, Scott Ellis of Lake Villa, IL fifth.
"I have to thank my wife, Danielle, who is here," said Cole, noting his last victory this year she was not at the track. "She and our sponsors give me a lot of support."
Rob Maule of Hebron, IL scored his third 20-lap street stock feature victory of the year. Two laps into the main, Maule worked past Craig Mertes of Antioch, IL for the lead. Two caution periods kept erasing a huge advantage Maule had built, but each time he powered away. At the finish it was Maule, Brandon Mertes was second. New Berlin's Jake Binash third. Courtney Atkinson of Muskego fourth. Big Bend's Mark Baker fifth.
"My family puts up with me spending a lot of time in the garage," said Maule, joined by his wife, two daughters and niece in victory lane. "I think I was dehydrated because I stopped sweating after the heat race. This was a tough one."
Wilmot Raceway's 1/3-mile on the Kenosha County Fairgrounds resumes action Saturday, June 26 featuring the only appearance of the season by the Midwest Sprint Assn. (MSA) winged 360-sprints. wingLESS sprints, modifieds and street stocks are also on the card. Grandstands open at 5:00 p.m. with hot laps at 6:00 p.m. and racing slated for 6:30 p.m. Grandstand admission is $20.00 for ages 12 and over; $5.00 ages 7-11; with ages 6 & under admitted free. Pits open at 3:00 p.m. with pit passes being $30.00.
Coming up on Tuesday, June 29 is the second annual Independence Week Holiday Spectacular featuring Car Load and Fireworks Night. wingLESS Sprints are planned for twin features plus modifieds and Bandit 4-Cylinder Stock Cars. June 29 admission is $25.00 per car load, with each passenger required to have a seatbelt.
For updates phone the trackside raceline 262-862-2090, or check the official Wilmot Raceway Facebook Page or web site wilmotraceway.com.
Submitted by Michael H. Babicz(262-206-5465)