Wilmot Raceway Kenosha County Fair Saturday, August 17, 2024 Roger Iles Tribute
(Wilmot, Wis., Saturday, August 17, 2024)–A 33-year drought came to an end for Greg Wilson of Benton Ridge, OH as he scored an impressive victory to highlight the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association (IRA) portion of the Roger Iles Tribute before a huge Kenosha County Fair crowd on Saturday, August 17.
Roger Iles was one of the original IRA competitors and supporters of individual teams as well as the entire series over the years though his business in Waukegan, IL, Carriage Auto Body. Ken Iles, his son, took ovet the business following his father’s passing and continued to show support for Wilmot Raceway and the IRA through the Fair Tribute to his father on fair night.
Starting 14th in the 24-car 30-lap feature field, Wilson took advantage of a caution on lap 14 which closed the ranks behind early pacesetter Jake Blackhurst of Hanna City, IL. Blackhurst led every lap from his front row spot due to winning the second dash. With 8 laps to go, Wilson powered past Blackhurst using both the top and bottom of the 1/3-mile oval.
At the checkered it was Wilson recording his third career IRA victory, but first ever at Wilmot, the birth place of the IRA over 50 years ago. Blackhurst took second in a tight battle with the final podium finisher third place Joe B. Miller of Millersville, MO. Blake Nimee of Oswego, IL rounded out the top five.
“The good Lord above has been testing me and our family,” said Wilson, joined by his wife and two daughters who help work on his pit crew. “They put up with a lot of my grumpiness. I’ve been coming here since I was 16 and I’m 49 now, and I always wanted to win here at Wilmot in front of these great fans and because of all of the sprint car tradition here. I have to thank the good Lord for this win.”
“I guess I should be happy with another podium, but it seemed like we had it tonight,” said Blackhurst, still able to at least give a smile. “When you lead as many laps as we did and you think you’ve got it, it is frustrating. Got to hand it to Greg (Wilson). He had the car to beat at the end.”
“I have to thank my family and everyone,” said Miller, noting his team drove 8 hours to race at Wilmot. “Greg and his team put it all together. Got to tip your hat to them. And Jake was tough, too. We like coming here before these great fair fans. It makes the drive worth it because they, and the IRA officials, make us feel so welcome.”
Two early cautions on laps 2 and 4, combined with a final yellow on lap 12, kept setting up tight battles in the 20-lap Wisconsin AutoMeter Powered By Gandrud Performance Wilmot Raceway Catalyst Exhibits WingLESS feature.
Tyler Kuxhouse of Antioch, IL, second generation driver in his first full season as a WingLESS competitor, took the lead on lap six, with a tremendous amount of pressure as the top five were continuously battling back and fourth.
A final yellow with 8 laps remaining came when Zach Raidart of Gurnee, IL, who was running third working the high groove, spun in turn one with several of the top runners narrowly avoiding getting caught up.
Kuxhouse, whose father Scott won several championships in various types of cars at Wilmot, but never an open wheel sprint car, scored his third overall career WingLESS win and second this season at Wilmot. Bristol’s Chris Klemko, who started tenth, came on strong at the finish to take runner-up. Burlington’s Matt Vandervere moved up from seventh to take third. Tim Cox of Park City, IL was fourth. New Berlin’s Trinity Uttech came across fifth as the top five were within one second of each other at the checkered.
“Today has been a challenging day for our family and team,” said Kuxhouse. “It’s always fun to win here, and to do it on fair night is even more special. I have to thank my family and crew members, and sponsors, for all of their support and these great Wilmot fans.”
The 11-75 Sports Complex IRA Lightning Sprints feature had a rough start with a pair of red flags. The first came when front row starter Max Brannam of Holiday Hills, IL had his throttle reportedly stick sending him rocketing off the end of the track in turn one striking a track preparation vehicle’s tire, spinning the car around like a top but keeping it on all four wheels when it landed. After evaluation, Max Brannam remained at the track with the car done for the night.
On the restart Jeff Schmidt of Slinger and Nate Kirchner of Stillwater, MN got together with Schmidt’s car getting upside down and Kirchner’s sustaining considerable damage. Neither driver was injured.
Waukesha’s Mark Heinert, who held the lead through the two stoppages which came after one lap was in the books, ended up pulling away from the field never being headed as he scored his first feature of the season with the main shortened due to time possible weather entering the area plus time constraints.
Nick Petska of Spring Grove, IL, came from eighth to take a distant second behind Heinert. Brian Strane Jr. of Paris moved up three spots from sixth to third. Jordan Funderburk of Wadsworth, IL was fourth. Pleasant Prairie’s Mike Neau fifth.
“This was a crazy race,” said Heinert, who was joined in victory lane by family including his daughter Mikayla who received an early 16th birthday present from Dad as her special day is August 21. “She’s a dancer and we support her dancing, just like she takes the time to support Dad. It’s been a while since we got in victory lane. My Dad, our entire crew and especially my family have stuck with me, so winning on fair night makes it even that much more special.”
Wilmot Raceway resumes action on Saturday, August 24 with the Badger Midgets making their only appearance of the season at the Kenosha County Fairgrounds 1/3-mile clay oval. Wisconsin Auto Meter Powered By Gandrud Performance Wilmot Raceway Catalyst Exhibits WingLESS Sprints, Unified Street Stocks plus B&L Office Furniture Powered by American Tire & Auto Repair of Kenosha and Lindenhurst Bandit 4-Cylinder Stock Cars round out the program.
Grandstands open at 5 p.m. with on track activity at 5:30 p.m. followed by racing at 6:45 p.m. Pits open at 3 p.m. Grandstand admission is $20.00 for everyone ages 13 & over, 11 & under admitted free. All pit passes are $35.00.
For updates check the trackside race line 262-862-2090, wilmotraceway.com or the official Wilmot Raceway Facebook Page.
Submitted by Michael H. Babicz – Wilmot Raceway
