Wilmot Raceway Saturday, July 27, 2024 Results
(Wilmot, Wis., Saturday, July 27, 2024)–The best was saved for last as Dave McKellips of Mt. Pleasant became the fourth different 20-lap B&L Office Furniture Powered By American Tire & Auto in four nights for that division highlighting D. Wells Automotive Service of Gurnee, IL Night at Wilmot Raceway Saturday, July 27.
McKellips win was by 0.064 seconds over hard finishing runner-up Craig Kreuser of Kenosha as the two crossed under the checkered side by side sifting through lapped traffic. Salem’s Ryan Johnson was third with his brother, Salem’s Austin Orth fourth as the top four finishers were separated by less than a half-second. Mt. Pleasant’s Jessica McKellips, the winner’s wife, rounded out the top five with a great view of her husband’s first feature victory since the 2023 season finale.
“I have been wanting a feature win for a long time, and I have been close many times before last year, but now I finally got another one,” said Dave McKellips, joined by his wife with a huge hug in victory lane and then several other competitors including the entire top five. “There’s a lot of people to thank. I knew Ryan, Austin, and my good friend Craig were all close, but I just stuck with my line and worked the traffic. This is fantastic.”
McKellips led flag to flag, but not without challenges as a caution flew three laps into the main with a red coming out seven laps from the finish when Bristol’s Joe Pilman Jr. had an engine expire down the front straightaway erupt into flames as he coasted while exiting the track. The fire was quickly extinguished by the fire-safety team with Pilman exiting the car unharmed.
That set up a four-way battle to the finish with McKellips staying in front for the win.
A hotly contested 20-lap Wisconsin AutoMeter Powered by Gandrud Performance Wilmot Raceway Catalyst Exhibits WingLESS Sprints main had three lead changes in as many circuits at the halfway point.
Allen Hafford of Beach Park, IL became the sixth different WingLESS feature winner in as many outings for the division at Wilmot this season. “I stuck with my line down low on the inside,” said Hafford. “I knew I could race them clean and Chris(Klemko) and Tristan(Furseth) race me clean. It was a great win for our team. We’ve had some struggles and my family and sponsors, and fans, have stuck with us. This is big for us.”
Furseth took the initial lead maintaining it through a caution five laps in. With Klemko in hot pursuit, the two battled back and forth. On lap 9, Klemko used his rim-ridding run on the top side to take the lead. One lap later, Klemko had the highside berm bite him as he drifted out just a little too high with Hafford powering into the lead on the low groove.
One final yellow set up a two-lap shootout which the “Racing Railroad Man” “Taters” Hafford was up to the challenge taking the win. Furseth came across second. Kenosha’s Bryce Andrews third with Klemko ending up fourth and Zack Raidart of Gurnee, IL completing the top five as the crossed less than half a straightaway apart.
CJ Malueg of Johnsburg, IL followed up his season opening win with his second Lift Pro Hepfner Racing Products Series Winged 604 Sprints victory of the year at Wilmot. Lead changes were the call of the night. Hafford, doing double-duty, took the initial lead. Following a lap four caution, Greg Olsen of Round Lake Heights, IL took the point on the restart. Three laps later, Malueg overtook Olsen powering on to the win. Olsen ended up second in a tight battle with third place finishing Brian Kristan of Zion, IL. Trevor’s Ellie Hensley followed up a popular heat race win taking fourth. Hafford end up fifth.
“It was hotly contested, but the car was really hooked up,” said Malueg. “I have to thank my family, especially my Dad, along with all our marketing supporters and especially D. Wells Automotive for the extra money they put up.”
D. Wells Automotive added $100.00 each to the top ten finishing Winged warriors in the feature.
With three laps remaining in the non-stop 11-75 Sports Bar IRA Lightning Sprints feature, 15-year-old Brian Strane Jr. of Paris made the third different leader work to his advantage going on to his second main event win at Wilmot this season.
Tim Brannam of Holiday Hills, IL took the initial lead with Waukesha’s Mark Heinert as the top runners kept slicing back and fourth throughout the early going. Strane, who started sixth, worked into the lead shooting to the inside of turn one overtaking Heinert three laps from the finish. Heinert came across second. Nick Petska of Spring Grove, IL third. Tim Brannam ended up fourth. Pleasant Prairie’s Mike Neau fifth.
“Staying green helped me get into my rhythm and the car was hooked up perfect,” said Strane, who due to all of the rain outs seeming to come on Lightning Sprints nights at Wilmot, last won on May 25 which was the last and only time this far this season at the Kenosha County Fairgrounds facility. “My dad had it set up awesome. The team, everybody, has been doing a great job. Hopefully we can start getting some more nights in here if Mother Nature cooperates.”
Ironically, just after victory lane festivities were concluded, Strane jumped into his Winged Sprint Car and ended up the first car retired due to mechanical woes.
Next up is history for Wilmot Raceway as the Case World of Outlaws Late Models come to town for the first time ever on Monday, July 27. IMCA Modifieds are on the program as well.
Grandstands open at 5 p.m. with hot laps and qualifying scheduled for 6:30 and opening ceremonies slated for 7:30 p.m. with racing to follow. Pits open at 2 p.m.
A $10,000.00 winners portion of the purse awaits the victor in addition to placing their name in the history of the Wilmot Raceway facility.
For July 29 ticket information or to purchase, check the world of outlaws late models website or the series Facebook page. Camping is available by contacting the fair or raceway office or checking the official Wilmot Raceway website wilmotraceway.com or the official track Facebook page.
Following the history making July 27 event, next up for Wilmot Raceway is the traditional Family Night Candy Drop for the youngsters on Saturday, August 3, the final race program prior to the Kenosha County Fair which runs Wednesday, August 14 thru Sunday, August 18 featuring races on August 14 and August 17 along with other fair grandstand events. On August 3 race program are Winged 604 Sprints, WingLESS sprints, IMCA Modifieds and Bandit 4-cylinder stock cars. For information or tickets for August 3 check the track website or Facebook page.
Submitted By Michael H. Babicz.
