By Brandon Aschenbrenner
Special to the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — The Wisconsin Challenge Series, a four race, big money series featuring races at all four UMA Central Wisconsin tracks of State Park, Dells Golden Sands and Marshfield speedways took to the track for event no. 3. Dalton Zehr and Andrew Morrissey both took wins at SPS and DRP respectfully.

(Photo: Jeff Blaser of Blaser Photography)

A big money race would take place along with more bonus money thanks to Assembly Products and all the great sponsors. Also Checks Muffler and Plainfield Firefighters Jamboree put up some extra cash for the Super Stocks and Pure Stocks with no points awarded to any weekly divisions tonight.

In Super Stock Action, Greg Back (6) took fast time yet again to celebrate car owner Kathy Raykowski’s birthday. In heat racing, Brian Weinfurter (24) cruised to the win. In the feature, it would take Weinfurter only five laps to take the lead and maintain it the entire race going on for the feature victory. A good race took place for second as Travis Volm (76) and Back raced side by side and bumper to bumper for much of the event. Volm would capture second with Back third and John Zuch (8) and Matt Komatz (33) taking home top five finishes.

Brian Weinfurter. (Photo: Jeff Blaser Blaser Photography)

In the WCS Super Late Models, Chris Weinkauf (75) got quick time with a very fast 12.188. The eight cars that did not qualify in the top ten raced in a heat race where they would start in the order they would finish. Jeremy Lepak (40) took the lead from Derek Kraus (9) on the start and pulled away. The top ten qualifiers would run a dash for cash and the positions they finish was also how they would start the feature. MG Gajewski (22) would rein victorious and win the cash and the pole. In the feature, Gajewski was able to lead early. Casey Johnson (5) made the inside move on Gajewski after eighteen laps and they raced side by side for 2 laps until Johnson prevailed and brought Chris Weinkauf with him. Wyatt Brooks (25) would soon follow those two and take third. With forty-seven laps left on the scoreboard, Chris Weinkauf would take the lead from Johnson and set the sails.

Caution would slow things down with thirty-six laps left when Tyler Radavich (13) spun out of turn four. On the restart, Chris Weinkauf got out to the lead again and never turned back cruising to a strong victory in the seventy-five lap feature. Johnson was able to keep Brooks behind him for second and third, while Mike Lichtfeld (44) ran his way up to fourth and Lepak, passing the most cars and getting a bonus, took fifth. Mark Eswein (71), Dalton Zehr (7-11), Gajewski, Darren Jackson (2) and Jason Weinkauf (76) finished in the top ten.

(Photo: Jeff Blaser, Blaser Photography)

In the Pure Stocks, Mitch Stankowski (19) took fast time for the second week in a row. The heat would start three-wide and it would be Louie Merriam (17) finding his way to victory lane. In the feature, the three cars again would start side by side by side and it would again be Merriam holding off the others and taking the win. Stankowski would sneak in to take second with Mark Kalata (75X) taking third.

In Four-Cylinder Stock racing, Shawn Kemnetz (24) got quick time for his second time. The heat race would be won by Brandon Polansky (287) after a crazy three wide start. Kyle Check (33) and Karley Kemnetz (18) made contact but were able to race in the feature. In the feature event, Nikki Coulthurst (17) lead lap one with Brett Breitenfeldt (7) taking the lead on lap 2 until caution would wave when Polansky got crossed up in turn three and corrected into Isiah Rowe (96) making hard contact and sending Rowe into the sand outside of turn four. After two tow trucks worked to remove Rowe from the sandy area, he was able to drive away from the scene and would be able to continue the race. On the restart, Shawn Kemnetz would be the leader and looked to have the win secured after a few weeks of mechanical gremlins, in turn four of the last lap with the checkered flag in the air, Kemnetz’s car shut off and Rowe was right there to capitalize and won the race by a nose. Kemnetz did cross the line second with Breitenfeldt, Polansky and Coulthurst finishing in the top five.

The Four-Cylinder Outlaw class saw Scott Ciesielski (21) pick up fast time. Ian Arneson (14) won the heat race over Ciesielski and created a replay in the feature. Arneson with the win, Ciesielski second and Keith Kemnetz (37) taking third.

The next event at Golden Sands Speedway is Friday, August 4th it will be the CWRA Super Late Models with all of our weekly divisions, and school bus racing! Gates Open at 5, Time Trials at 6:30 and Racing at 7:45. Follow along on Facebook and/or www.gssraces.com.