(Wilmot, Wis., Sunday, May 16, 2021)--Waukesha's Taylor Scheffler powered past race leader Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, IL four laps from the finish of the Dirt Kings Late Models Diamond 43 to highlight a special Sunday, May 16 program at Wilmot Raceway.
Erb had paced the field from the initial drop of the green flag until a final yellow flag with seven laps to go closed up the field. Three laps from the restart Scheffler shot to the outside down the backstretch taking the lead and going on to the win, picking up the $4,300.00 first place pay day.. Erb ended up second. Bonduel's Nick Anvelink was third. Justin Reed of Camp Point, IL fourth. Shawano's Brett Swedberg fifth.
The evening, and particularly the Dirt King portion of the program, was dedicated to the memory of Jim Letizia who passed away recently. Letizia was a great supporter of racing and a successful businessman in the Milwaukee area. Scheffler's car was sponsored, in part, by Diamond Jim's Auto Sales and Steakhouse.
Caledonia's Chris Carlson scored his third straight 20-lap modified feature victory of the season. "This is special to win on this particular night as Jim was a great supporter of my racing career, personally, and his sponsorship is on the car," said Carlson, who is undefeated in Wilmot main events this season, West Bend's Mike Klenz was second. Early race leader Joel Crowbridge of Union Grove was third. Carlson worked his way to the point just after the halfway mark overtaking Crowbridge who led the opening 10 circuits.
In the evening's closest finish, Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harbor, IL became the third different Autometer/Brewington Electric wingLESS sprint car feature winner this season at Wilmot. It was not easy as Sivia jumped the turn four cushion coming for the checkered flag, momentarily losing the lead to Trevor's Chris Dodd.
Sivia hit the throttle and shot to the inside coming for the checkered, edging out Dodd by inches at the finish. Dodd ended up second. Third place went to Salem's Chance Ciskowski in just his fourth career start in any type of race car.
"I should have stuck to the bottom," admitted Sivia. "I jumped the cushion and almost lost it. It was a great finish and lots of fun running with both those guys."
Nick Petska of Spring Grove, IL took the lead at the halfway point of the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints feature, going on to become the third different main event winner this season at Wilmot. Ion Stear of Hebron, IL was second. Ron Brannan of Barrington, IL, who led the opening 10 circuits, ended up third.
"I have to thank Larry Neau, my car owner, for letting me drive this season," said Petska. "I didn't know if I had a chance starting tenth, but some of the guys had some tough luck and things just went our way."
Rob Maule of Hebron, IL made it two straight wins at Wilmot in the 20-lap street stock feature. It took a while for Maule to overtake early race pace setter Cody Erickson of Algonquin, IL who led until Maule overtook the point just prior to a final caution two laps from the finish. Erickson finished second. Jason Eisel of Rhinelander made his first ever Wilmot start memorable finishing third.
"We've got this car dialed in this year," said Maule. "After going winless in 2020, it's running super this season. I have to thank my wife and daughters for all their work on the car."
Wilmot Raceway returns to action on the 1/3-mile clay oval Saturday, May 22 with three classes featuring Wingless Sprints, Modifieds and Bandit 4-Cylinder Stock Cars in action. Grandstands open at 5 p.m. with on track activity at 5:45 p.m. and racing slated for 6:45 p.m. For updates phone the trackside raceline 262-862-2090, or check the official track website wilmotraceway.com, or Wilmot Raceway Facebook Page.
- Kim Tennyson on May 19, 2021
- Article Date: 5/19/2021 by Mike Babicz