WAUSAU, WI – The CWRA Stars to Legends Tour as presented by Smiley’s Old Time Diner, made it’s second appearance, at State Park Speedway Thursday, July 18th, and the result was much the same as the first event, with Jeff Weinfurter, Wis. Rapids, WI., and Travis Volm, Mosinee, WI., the two Feature event victors. All in all it was a special night at the track, with it also being Father Grubba book signing night, as he premiered his new book 67, featuring the racing seasons of Dick Trickle and Tom Reffner.
The first 35 lap main found Putch Bentley, Iron River, MI., and Brett Breitenfeldt, Wausau, WI., setting the pace from their front row starting positions. Bentley would take the upper hand, moving into a 3 car length lead. Monte Gress, Neillsville, WI., moved into 2nd position on lap 3, gaining ground on leader Bentley. Tour point leader, Weinfurter settled into the 3rd spot with 8 laps in the books. Mark Mackesy, Wausau, WI., who is 2nd in Tour points was already up to 4th position from his 8th starting spot with 10 laps in the books. His trek to the front didn’t end there either as just like he was shot out of a cannon, Mackesy motored by the three leaders in just a lap’s time to take the lead. Meanwhile, Volm was on the move as well grabbing the second position on lap 16 and quickly closing to the bumper of Mackesy. The two raced nose to tail for the next 7 laps when lapped traffic came into play allowing Volm to sneak by. That’s when the fireworks began as on a caution slowing green flag restart, the two who were testing each other’s body panels, made harder contact, with leader Volm spinning. With neither driver admitting guilt, both were sent to the rear of the field and with just 11 laps remaining, their chances for a win gone. Capitalizing on the late race incident, was none other than Weinfurter, who inherited the lead on the restart and held it the rest of the way. With Weinfurter crossing the finish line first, it was Chad Butz, Green Bay, WI., Nick Roehl, Fon Du Lac, WI., Bentley in his best run of the year, Greg Back, Ringle, WI., and Harley Jankowski, Sparta, WI., following in his tire tracks.
The second 35 lap Feature found Curt Tillman, Rockton, IL., on the Pole, but it was outside front row starter, Mackesy bolting into the early lead. Mackesy increased his margin. Volm from 3rd spot broke from the field and immediately put pressure on Mackesy. The two set a torrid pace and without the benefit of a caution flag got into lapped traffic rather early which set the stage for some crafty maneuvers by the two drivers. At the halfway point it was still Mackesy and Volm in front, but Bentley Trucking fast qualifier, Mitch Stankowski, Wausau, WI., was on the move grabbing 3rd spot on lap 20. Lapped traffic again came into play, and Volm slipped by Mackesy with a nifty move, taking the lead with 10 laps to go. Volm would remain in that position, surviving a late race restart to take the win by 5 car lengths over Mackesy. Stankowski held on to the 3rd position at the stripe, with Dillon Mackesy, Wausau, WI., Nick Roehl. and Chad Butz making up the top 6 finishers.
A high caliber field of 20 CWRA Tour race cars participated during the night as growth for the Tour continues.
A great crowd was on hand for the event and a number of well known drivers including Dave Marcis, Tom Reffner, Johnny Sauter, Joe Kryzkowski, Tim Sauter, Al Schill, Conrad Morgan, Jay Sauter, among others enjoyed the evening’s festivities. Classic race cars from previous eras of racing were also on display throughout the night, as original as well as replica racing machines of Tom Reffner, Dick Trickle, Rich Somers, John Boegeman, Marv Marzofka, Bob Dalsky, and the famous Chicken Coupe, driven by Lyle Nabbefeldt were on hand.
Much of the same can be expected in the next CWRA Stars to Legends Tour as presented by Smiley’s Old Time Diner event, Thursday, August 8th, as it will be Mike Miller night at State Park Speedway. Miller a prolific winner of events throughout the United States including at State Park, will be on hand signing autographs and mixing and mingling with a group of celebrities and special guests that are expected to attend.
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