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Carlson Wins with Last Lap Pass

(Wilmot, Wis., Saturday, August 7, 2021)--Beaver Dam's Scott Neitzel captured his second straight Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association(IRA) feature at Wilmot Raceway taking top honors in the 30-lap Founder's Night main event Saturday, August 7.
"I didn't have any brakes at all after the fifth lap," admitted a jubilant Neitzel as he became the fifth different winner in the special Founders Night feature. Neitzel adds his name with previous winners Dale Blaney who won in 2014 and 2015, three-time winner Bill Balog who won in 2016, 2017 and 2020; Jake Blackhurst in 2018; and Jeremy Schultz in 2019. The annual trophy is sponsored by the Southeastern Wisconsin Racing Hall of Fame and is displayed during the season at the museum in Hartford, WI. Founders Night honors the three men who originated the IRA 53 years ago at Wilmot, Ray Toft, Whitey Harris and the late Junior Dodd. "I knew all three of those men, so winning this event is very special," said Neitzel, noting he had told his wife he was retiring from racing. "This is a lot of fun. I have a great crew and we seem to be getting on a roll. I can't wait to come back (Saturday, August 21) for the Fair Night race."
Blackhurst, from Hanna City, IL, took the initial lead until Neitzel found just the right spot on four laps into the main. "I had brakes just long enough," Neitzel admitted. "I was able to get Jake and then worked the lapped traffic."
Blackhurst held on to second with a fast closing Blake Nimee of Oswego, IL taking third. "After Scott got me I just couldn't work the lapped traffic to catch back up to him," said Blackhurst. "We will regroup and see if we can improve one spot when we come back for the Fair."
"Scott ran awesome," said Nimee. "To finish on the podium in third means a lot because Wilmot is where I started racing sprint cars and I love running strong here. I can't wait for Fair Night."
Gibson's Danny Schlafer finished fourth. Kewaskum's Russel Borland fifth.
Oconomowoc's Ryan Zielski won his fourth 20-lap Brewington Electric-AutoMeter Wisconsin wingLESS Sprints feature at Wilmot in a highly competitive final few laps. Burlington's Rusty Egan had taken the lead in the early going with the two battling wheel to wheel exchanging the top spot several times during the closing circuits. With less than two laps to go, Zielski got past Egan in turn one as they worked lapped traffic. Zielski went on to his second consecutive Wilmot win. C.J. Malueg of Johsburg, IL caught Egan on the final lap to score a career best ever second place finish. Egan was third. Tate Hensley of Trevor moved up from 12th on the starting grid to finish fourth. Allen Hafford of Beach Park, IL was fifth.
"The car was really tight, but I was able to get Rusty," said Zielski. "I have a great crew and sponsors. I am glad the weather held off and we were able to race. I am looking forward to two weeks(August 21) when we run for the Bill Grogan Tribute."
Caledonia's Chris Carlson won his ninth 20-lap Wilmot modified feature out of a dozen starts, but it was not easy. Genoa City's Mike Simons took the lead from early pacesetter Tony Izzo of Capron, IL about four laps into the main. M. Simons held top spot until the final lap as he and Carlson battled side by side with Carlson taking the lead on the white flag lap coming out of turn four for the checkered. M. Simons was second less than a car length back. Eagle's Steve Mueller third. Genoa City's Nick Simons fourth. Union Grove's Joel Crowbridge fifth.
"I wasn't sure I had enough to catch Mike," admitted Carlson. "I was able to make the car stick. I hope the fans enjoyed it and I am looking forward to our fair race(Friday, August 20). I have a great crew that gives me a super car to drive."
Ion Stear of Hebron, IL won his second 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints feature of the season at Wilmot. Stear overtook early race leader Tim Brannam of Holiday Hills, IL at the halfway point. Stear went on to the victory. Pleasant Prarie's Mike Neau finished second. Nick Petska of Sprint Grove, IL third. C.J. Malueg of Johnsburg, IL fourth. Oak Creek's Mark Heinert fifth.
"This win is special because my dad set the car up for me," said an emotional Stear in victory lane. "It was perfect. We struggled early in the season, but now it's all coming together. I hope it continues fair night(August 21)."
Wilmot Raceway is off until its Kenosha County Fair events. On Friday, August 20 will be modifieds, street stocks and Bandit 4-cylinder stock cars, along with a Monster Truck demonstration and fireworks show.
On Saturday, August 21 will be the Roger Iles Tribute for the Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Cars in their final scheduled 2021 appearance at their original home track. The Wingless Sprints are slated for the Bill Grogan Tribute and the IRA Lightning Sprints are on the all sprint car program.
Grandstands open both nights at 5 p.m. with racing scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The Fair features truck and tractor pulls plus a combine demolition derby on both Wednesday and Thursday, August 18 and 19. The traditional fair concluding demolition derby is slated for 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 22.
For racing updates phone the trackside raceline 262-862-2090, or check wilmotraceway.com or the track's official Facebook page. For fair information check the Kenosha County Fair Facebook Page or website.
Submitted by Michael H. Babicz(262-206-5465)

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