-Remembering Jim Wohlfeil (car owner of the 3w pictured)-
Over the past 30 years Jim was involved in many aspects of sprint car racing, it was hard not to. His dad, Johnny Wohlfeil, was an innovator in midget-auto racing and legendary champion. He's also an inductee at the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Jim started racing at the age of 42 after buying his first sprint car. Over the years he gained many accomplishments as a racer. Although his ultimate goal, winning a series championship, fell short by one place. In the mid-2000's, he stepped out of the car as 'driver' and took on the role ‘car owner’. The result brought many familiar faces behind the wheel of his infamous 3w sprint car. Among them were Joe Bares, Ryan Grubaugh (pictured left), Ryan Ruhl, and Brett Mann.
Sadly, the Michigan native and sprint car enthusiast, passed away last year- August 17, 2012. In his memory, the Roush Yates-powered 3w will run a limited schedule this season, making it's debut tonight at Crystal Motor Speedway (Michigan). Returning to the wheel will be one of Jim's former drivers, Ryan Grubaugh. Coincidentally, Ryan captured his first Sprints On Dirt (SOD) championship while driving for him in 2010- a proud moment for both the young racer, and veteran. In 2010, SOD honored him with an award for 'Car Owner of the Year’.
(2010 photo: Ryan Grubaugh & Jim Wohlfeil following the season-ender at I96 Speedway. Both stand proud as they fullfilled a challenging goal by clinching the Spints on Dirt championship title in 2010.
-photo courtesy Jennifer Peterson).
- Ryan Grubaugh on Apr 27, 2013
- Article Date: 4/27/2013