For the City Times

MARSHFIELD – In a dominating performance, Wisconsin Rapids’ Jeff Weinfurter won both 30-lap Feature events, during the CWRA Stars to Legends Tour’s Aug. 17 at Marshfield Motor Speedway.

With the wins, Weinfurter looks to grab the season points Crown, with one event left at Golden Sands Speedway on Aug. 23.

The first 30-lap Feature found Greg Matthews, Wisconsin Rapids, and Mike Sievers, Wisconsin Rapids, on the front row. Sievers jumped out to the early lead, with the 23-car field in hot pursuit.

Weinfurter, from his third-row starting spot, wasn’t wasting any time, however, as he roared past Sievers by Lap 5. A caution flag slowed action, but Weinfurter, with the double file restart, immediately assumed command.

Nick Roehl, Fond du Lac, grabbed the third position and was working over Sievers for second. Bentley Trucking Fast Qualifier Chad Butz, Green Bay, was slicing through the field from his 15th starting position, moving into the third spot by lap 12.

Weinfurter’s lead had expanded by seven car lengths, but Butz was closing the gap after racing into second.

Darek Gress, Neillsville, was another driver on the move, grabbing the third position by lap 16. Without the aid of any additional slowdowns, Weinfurter increased his lead and crossed the finish line eight car lengths ahead of Gress, who just nipped Butz for second at the start-finish line.

Rounding out the top finishers were Roehl; Mark Mackesy, Wausau; and Travis Volm, Mosinee.

The second 30-lap Feature was inverted 65 percent from the first one, which put Frank Nitzke, Berlin, and Putch Bentley, Iron River, MI, on the front row. The two battled side-by-side for the first four laps before Bentley moved out to a slight lead.

Darren Jackson, Wisconsin Rapids, and Volm made up the third and fourth positions, racing nose to tail with the two leaders.

The caution flew on Lap 10 for a Mark Mackesy excursion off the back stretch into the light standard, which ended his night.

Once green flag racing resumed, it was again Bentley and Nitzke battling. They had company, however, as no less than eight cars were in the thick of the battle for the top spot.

Volm with an outside maneuver took the second position, and within a half lap, motored into the lead past Bentley. First 30-lap Feature winner, Weinfurter was inching toward the front, up to fourth position with 15 laps remaining. Butz had just passed Bentley for second position and was rapidly closing on leader Volm. Butz got to the inside of Volm, and appeared to have the fastest car, but could only draw even with the leader which is the way the raced for the next 12 laps. Weinfurter, with nowhere to go settled into third, waiting for the opportunity to pounce on the two leaders. That chance came heading into the third turn of the last lap, as both Volm and Butz drifted a bit high, allowing Weinfurter just enough space on the inside to take the lead and win. In a near photo finish, Weinfurter edged Butz for first, with Volm right behind.

Rounding out the top finishers were: Jackson; Harley Jankowski, Sparta; and Nick Roehl.

The season finale for the Tour is Aug. 23 at Golden Sands Speedway, Plover, where the 2019 Champion will be crowned.