Wilmot July 31st

(Wilmot, Wis., Saturday, July 31, 2021)–It was a night for duplicate feature winners at Wilmot Raceway on Saturday, July 31. Oconomowoc’s Ryan Zielski scored his third 20-lap Autometer/Brewington Electric Wisconsin Wingless Sprints feature win at Wilmot, and sixth overall in the series. Greg Olsen of Round Lake Heights, IL took second in a hard fought battle with third place finishing Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harbor, IL. Trevor’s Chris Dodd was fourth. Kansasville’s Ryan Marshall, who started 20th in the 24-car field after winning one of the “B” Mains, shot through the field to pick up fifth. “My wife isn’t able to be here because she is expecting any time now, but she gives me a lot of support along with our entire team,” said Zielski, who weather through a late race caution four laps from the finish. “It was a little tougher for us in turns one and two, but we really had the car dialed in turns three and four where it didn’t seem like anyone could touch us.” C.J. Malueg of Johnsburg, IL overtook Nick Petska of Spring Grove, IL coming for the white flag lap of the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints feature. Malueg ended up taking the victory, his second of the season at Wilmot, with Petska second. Pleasant Prairie’s Mike Neau was third. Bristol’s Adam Schroeder fourth. Early race leader Max Brannam of Holiday Hills, IL finished fifth.
“We’ve been coming and finally I saw the spot and went for it,” said Malueg, who had a pair of second place finishes in the recent mains. “The crew had the car set up perfect. It’s great to finally get another win.”
Genoa City’s Mike Simons weathered a series of a half-dozen caution flags which slowed the progress of the 20-lap modified feature. The final came four laps from the finish, but M. Simons was up to the challenge powering to his second main win of the season. Jeff Larson of Freeport, IL was second. Genoa City’s Nick Simons, originally starting 15th int eh 21-car field, finished third. Caledonia’s Chris Carlson came back from a spin with 12 laps to go which restarted him at the rear of the field to finish fourth. Elkhorn’s Jason Wirth was fifth.
“I have to thank my brother, Nick, who put a new engine in the car last Sunday,” said N. Simons. “We’re starting to get things sorted out and are running strong. This is fun.”
South Milwaukee’s Jay Orr made it two starts at Wilmot this season in the Bandit 4-Cylinder Stock Cars and two feature wins. Orr took the lead when his brother, Jake Balk, who had been leading had something mechanically go wrong with the car coming out of turn four four laps into the feature bringing out a caution. The remainder of the main went non-stop with Orr scoring the victory. Rick Zifko of Aurora, IL was second. Salem’s Ryan Johnson third. Ernie Herlt of Grayslake, IL fourth. Union Grove’s Dale Ehleiter came from 12th starting spot to finish fifth.
“I would have liked to have raced with my brother (Jake Balk) more, I don’t know what happened to him,” said Orr, noting he will be back at Wilmot for the Kenosha County Fair race on Friday, August 20, which happens to be the next Bandit event on the 2021 schedule, then on the final night of the season Saturday, September 11. “I like it here, but come more to have fun then to race for points. The car ran super. We’ll be back for the Fair.”
Next up for Wilmot Raceway is Saturday, August 7featuring Founder’s Night for the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association (IRA) Winged Sprint Cars. Wingless Sprints, IRA Lightning Sprints and Modifieds are on the program. The evening recognizes the three original founders of the IRA, Ray Toft, Whitey Harris and the late Junior Dodd, who started the organization over 50 years ago at Wilmot, which had always served as the original home track for the IRA. The feature winner’s name will be added to the Founder’s Trophy sponsored by the Southeastern Wisconsin Racing Hall of Fame, with it being displayed at the Museum in Hartford.
Grandstands open at 5 p.m. with on track activity slated for about 5:45 p.m., hot laps at approximately 6 p.m., with IRA winged sprint car time trials and racing to follow. Grandstand admission is $25.00 for adults ages 12 and over; $5.00 ages 7-11; with ages 6 and under admitted free. Pit gates open at 3 p.m. with pit passes $30.00.
For updates phone the Wilmot Raceway trackside raceline 262-862-2090, check the track website wilmotraceway.com or the official Wilmot Raceway Facebook page.
Submitted by Michael H. Babicz