6/24/2019
RAIDART'S FIRST WINGLESS MAIN LEADS LIST OF WILMOT MEYER/FIRST RESPONDER NIGHT WINNERS
(Wilmot, Wis)--Zach Raidart of Antioch, Illinois captured his first ever 20-lap AutoMeter Wisconsin WingLess Sprint Feature highlighting First Responder and Wm. Meyer & Sons of Libertyville, Illinois Night at Wilmot Raceway on the first official night of summer Saturday, June 22.
"This is a fantastic win," said Raidart, in his fifth season overall racing having won a mini-sprint feature prior at Wilmot. "To win in the wingless with a field of competitive drivers like we have means a lot. I have to thank my family, sponsors and the fans for supporting me."
Raidart, who became the fourth different Wilmot feature winner this season and seventh different on the overall Wisconsin WingLess series, jumped in front at the drop of the green never being headed. Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois was second. Allen Hafford of Beach Park, Illinois third. Trevor's Chris Dodd, a first responder fireman, fourth. Oconomowoc's Ryan Zielski fifth.
Brookfield's Adam Crapser won his first ever Wilmot 20-lap street stock feature becoming the third different winner in 2019. "The track was challenging and so was the battle up front," said Adam Crapser. "I have to thank my parents, grandparents, all our great sponsors who support me. I had my hands full with Rob and Mark Baker." "
Crapser worked his way in front at the midway point, overtaking early race leader Rob Maule of Hebron, Illinois, who ended up a close second by less than a car length. Defending Champion Mark Baker of Big Bend was third. Kenosha's Craig Kreuser fourth. Brookfield's Alex Crapser, Adam's brother, fifth.
"When you're in second place you like to see the caution, but not when you're the leader," said Jefferson's Zeke Bishofberger weathered a late race caution to take the modified feature. "The car ran super strong."
Bishofberger became the fourth different main event winner of the season, overtaking early leader Waterford's Jeff Bodendorfer Sr. five laps into the main opening a straightaway-plus lead. A caution at the halfway point erased the advantage. Bishofberger expanded the lead again, only to see it go away when a final caution flew five laps from the finish. A two-car tangle on the front straightaway during the white flag lap brought a yellow-checkered ending the race. South Milwaukee's Chris Carlson was second. Tim Hamburg of Dixon, Illinois third. Bodendorfer fourth. Tichigan's Michael Wittenburg fifth.
"It's been a while, but this win means a lot," said Scott Quarnstrom of Lake Villa, Illinois following his first 15-lap Bandit 4-Cylinder stock car main event in two years as he became the third different 4-cylinder main winner of the year.
Quarnstrom led flag to flag in the non-stop main with a fast closing John Cole of McHenry taking second by less than a car length. Salem's Ryan Johnson third. Defending champion Milwaukee's Tony Barron fourth. Waterford's DJ Rudzinski fifth.
"Driving this car at the track where it was originally raced back in the seventies is really a thrill," said Ringle's Jeremy Allard of his Milwaukee Stock Car Vintage Racing feature victory driving a Mike Neary and Ken Monroe built modified originally campaigned in 1975. Horicon's Ron Feller in a 1968 Chevelle body on a 1985 Allen Winker Engineering Chassis with a 400 Cubic Inch carburetor Chevy engine was second. Delavan's Scott Koepke was third. Madison's John Fahey in a Dodge Dart body with a 350 Chevy engine was fourth.
CK Contractors of Bristol provided complimentary checkered flags for the youngsters. Dan Erickson of Genoa City displayed his Pop Kline driven original Interstate Racing Association (IRA) modified allowing fans to sit in it and take pictures. The Kenosha American Legion Post 21 Color Guard of Jon Sutter, Jim Schmitz and Carol Bogar Jr. presented colors for National Anthem sung by Rachel Teeter, daughter of Wm. Meyer & Sons employee Gene Teeter. Tye Hammerle of Kenosha provided fly over with his bi-plane.
In pre-race ceremonies, Wm. Meyer & Sons President Greg Buric presented a donation check to PADS of Lake County. Charlie Meyer presented donation check from the Meyer McPike Furry Friends Foundation to Animal House Shelter of Huntley, Illinois.
Next up for the 1/3-mile clay oval is the final First Responder Night Saturday, June 29 featuring AutoMeter Wisconsin WingLess Sprints, Modifieds, Street Stocks and Bandit 4-Cylinder Stock Cars. First responders showing identification at the ticket office will be admitted free to the grandstand guests of Wilmot Raceway and Kenosha County Fair. Grandstand admission June 29 is $15.00 ages 12 and over, $5.00 ages 7-11 with ages 6 & under admitted free.
A special mid-week show on Tuesday, July 2 features the UMP Summer Nationals Late Model Tour making its only area stop at Wilmot. Modifieds and street stocks join the regional and national stars.
Grandstands open both nights at 5:00 p.m. with on track activity at 5:45 p.m. and racing to follow. Wilmot Raceway is located on Kenosha County Fairgrounds in Wilmot, Wisconsin with acres of free parking available. For updates phone track side race line 262-862-2090, check the official web site wilmotraceway.com or the track Facebook page.
Article Credit: Michael H. Babicz
