(Wilmot, Wis., Saturday)--Cambridge's Zach Boden won the 10th annual "Salute to Harry Turner" Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie Badger Midget Racing Series feature Saturday, July 6 at Wilmot Raceway. Boden's win marked the first career series feature victory for the third-year driver highlighting Wilmot's Military Appreciation Night.
Boden jumped into the lead at the start of the event, closely followed by Jordan Mattson. The only caution appeared on Lap 7 when second place Mattson came to a stop, retiring from the event. On the restart Tristan Koenings escaped injury in a Turn One flip.
Boden led Brian Peterson, and Chase McDermand on the restart. McDermand took over second place at the mid-way point. Boden's advantage was a 1.8 second lead over McDermand, with five laps remaining. Boden caught the tail of the field two laps later, allowing McDermand to quickly "cut into" Bodens lead.
Driving the Harlan Kittelson owned Bullet/Ford Duratech No. 2, Boden finished 0.34 seconds ahead of the fast closing McDermand. Peterson, Ryan Probst, and rookie Matt Rechek, rounded out the top five.
"I got really slowed down by the lapped cars the last couple of laps, but I was committed to running the bottom, I knew someone had to be closing on me, I finished second to Scott (Hatton) in this race two-years ago during my rookie year, it's great to finally get a win" commented Boden after the victory. "I don't know what they(track prep crew) did before our feature, but it made the track really fast. I didn't think my first win would come at Wilmot, but I am glad it did. I've won a few races in my time but this one is so special and by far the most meaningful one. On my noggin last time out(flipped) and now we're on top. Thanks to everyone who is a part of this."
Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harbor, IL scored the 20-lap AutoMeter Wisconsin WingLess Sprint Feature. "This is really a family effort," said Sivia, joined by his entire family and crew in victory lane. "To beat someone like Tim Cox is awesome. He was winning races before I was even born."
Sivia jumped in front from his front row starting spot never to be headed in the non-stop main. Tim Cox of Park City, IL pulled even a couple of times, but could not overtake Sivia who became the seventh different Wilmot WingLess feature winner of the season in eight outings. Cox was runner-up. Zach Raidart of Antioch, IL whose win streak was stopped at two in a row at Wilmot took third. Trevor's Jordan Paulsen was fourth. Derek Crane of Waukegan, IL fifth.
Jeff Larson of Freeport, IL made his first Wilmot appearance of the season count by winning the 20-lap modified main. "They are always tough and when you see cars like the 24(Nick Simons) and 25(Mike Simons II) starting in front of you and the tough field of drivers here, you know it's not going to be easy," said Larson. "Our set up proved to be perfect, so I have to thank our crew, sponsors and everybody."
Milwaukee's David Wirth took the initial lead, with Mike Simons II of Genoa City powering in front following a lap two caution. While working lapped traffic, Larson, who started eighth, tried a couple different lines to get past a stubborn Simons. As the two worked a lapped traffic, Larson took the lead down the front straightaway into turn one. At the finish it was Larson, M. Simons second, Tichigan's Mike Wittenburg third, Joe Huenfeld of Cedarville, IL fourth and D. Wirth fifth.
Pell Lake's Cody Potter held off his dad, Landry Potter, to win the 20-lap Street Stock Feature which saw three different leaders after an aborted initial start. "It's been a long time since I ran against dad, so that was a lot of fun," said C. Potter, the fourth different 2019 Wilmot street stock winner in as many outings. "It was a hard win on a very fast track. It was fun."
Cody Erickson of Algonquin, IL took the initial lead until lap eight when the elder L. Potter took the point. After initially starting eighth, C. Potter worked along side his dad several laps before taking the lead for the final time as the laps ticked off. At the checkered it was C. Potter by less than a car length. L. Potter second. Kenosha's Craig Kreuser worked up from seventh to third. Rob Maule of Hebron, IL fourth. David Jones of North Chicago, IL improved five spots from 10th starting berth to fifth.
Sheboygan's Brody Rivest drove his grandfather's car to victory in the 15-lap Bandit 4-Cylinder Stock Car feature in his first Wilmot start of 2019. "I have won here before, but with a different car," said Rivest, noting the winning car this time was his grandfather's originally. "It's always fun to come to Wilmot. The fans, drivers, track personnel are great. I will be back again (July 20) if the car survives the IMPACT Enduro."
Going three-wide on the start and momentarily four-wide in turn two, Rivest took the lead never to be headed becoming the fourth different Bandit feature winner in as many Wilmot 2019 mains. A red flag four laps in came when Terry Davis rolled in turn one. Davis was uninjured. Rivest had John Cole of McHenry, IL come along side several times during the closing laps having to settle for second. Milwaukee's Tony Barron finished third. Salem's Ryan Johnson fourth. Scott Quarnstrom of Lake Villa, IL fifth.
Special pre-race ceremonies included recognition of long time Wilmot Raceway modified driver Dave Holden who passed away July 3. Holden's family was on hand joining the Larson, the modified feature winner, in the grandstand victory lane.
Active Military and veterans were admitted as guests of Wilmot Raceway and Kenosha County Fair Board. Antioch VFW, USO of Wisconsin and the Veterans Med-Tech Mobile Center were on hand. The American Legion provided the color guard for the National Anthem.
The NOS Energy World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series invades Wisconsin's Original Home of Sprint Car Racing, Wilmot Raceway, Saturday, July 13 for the Badger 40.
Joining the "Greatest Show on Dirt" will be the AutoMeter Wisconsin WingLess Sprints and the IRA Lightning Sprints.
Grandstands open at 4:00 p.m. On track activity is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. with qualifying and racing to follow.
For ticket information check SLSPromotions.com.
Wilmot Raceway is located on the Kenosha County Fairgrounds in Wilmot, Wisconsin. For updates check wilmotraceway.com, the official Wilmot Raceway Facebook Page or phone the track side race line 262-862-2090.