WDLMA Debuts as Part of Racing Action at the Speed Zone
by Cresta Buss 

The Wisconsin Dirt Late Model Association (WDLMA) made its debut at the Powercom Speed Zone and the largest crowd of the year was there to welcome them. As a reward to the fans, the drivers put on a great show in every division.

Thirty one late models would register to compete, but in the end it was a familiar face from the Modified division that would capture the first ever feature win in the WDLMA as Tim Lemirande captured his first late model feature win. Scott Specht would jump out to an early lead as the green flag flew but Lemirande and Ron Berna would not let him get to far away. Lemirande, who raced in the Modified division at the Speed Zone last year, used his knowledge of the track to grab the lead by the end of lap one.  A quick caution would pack the competitors together for a restart but Lemirande would be unfazed as he began to pull away from the field. In action behind the leader Chris Carlson began to work his way forward grabbing the second from Specht and setting his sights on Lemirande. Lemirande, Carlson, and Berna, who had taken over third would begin to separate from the field as a three-wide battle for fourth took place between Specht, Kerry Hansen, and Jim Zdroik with Zdroik grabbing the spot. Zdroik would eventually work his way up and grab third from Berna who was beginning to slip backwards. With five laps remaining Lemirande had checked out and was beginning to work lap traffic and Carlson was holding a solid second position. Lap traffic would not rattle Lemirande though as he would take the checkered flag ahead of Carlson, Zdroik, Hansen, and Russ Scheffler.

The Budweiser Modified feature event would take on a familiar theme as the 10 car would dominate from start to finish. However, unlike the past couple weeks the car would be the 10m of Joe McGrath and not the 10 S of Jay Schraufnagel. McGrath grabbed the lead on lap one and moved to a different zip code than any of his competitors as he built up a straight away lead.  Meanwhile, back in the pack John Schultz and Lee Sohns would battle it out hard and heavy for second with Sohns winning the battle. Schraufnagel would begin to make some noise, as he was the victor in a four-way battle for fifth with Travis Spaulding, Benjamin Brinkman and Chris Engels. At the halfway point it would be McGrath, Sohns, and Schraufnagel in the top three spots with Brinkman and John Schultz engaging in a battle for fourth. Brinkman would win the battle with Schultz for fourth taking Spaulding with him. Spaulding would not be content in fourth though as he began his assault on Brinkman. Brinkman would show his strength and hold the position though. At the line it would be McGrath, Sohns, Schraufnagel, Brinkman and Spaulding making up the Budweiser A-main top five. 

The American Auto Sales Stock car feature would provide some great racing, as D.J. Rindt would grab the early lead with Scott Solomon running in second behind him. Action would really pick up on lap five as Ken Feavel, Trevor Schmidt, Jerry Kope and Shawn Haydon would join Solomon to battle it out for second. Feavel would win the battle but not the war as Schmidt, who had grabbed third began to pressure him for second and eventually wrestle it away. Schmidt would place the 38 of Rindt in his cross hairs and begin to chip away at his lead. On lucky lap number thirteen Rindt, and Schmidt would take their battle into a side-by-side duel with Schmidt grabbing the lead on lap fifteen.  Schmidt would maintain his lead for the final five laps pacing Rindt, Solomon, and Feavel across the line.

The Signmakers/Corporate Impressions Dirt Devil would see Mike Klawitter grabbing his first win of the year. Klawitter would have to weather three cautions on his way to victory lane, as cars were spinning, dropping debris and losing tires in their efforts to catch him. Jasper Drengler, would power his way in to second with Patrick Klawitter and points leader Mike Mueller falling in behind him. Ron Koenig would grab fourth from Mueller on lap 14 but Mueller would battle back and regain the position a couple laps later. At the line it would be Mike Klawitter, leading Drengler, Patrick Klawitter, Mueller and Koenig making up the Signmakers/Corporate Impressions Dirt Devil top five. Post race inspections would find infractions on the 01 of Drengler, forcing a disqualification. 

Action continues on Tuesday night, May 25th at the Powercom Speed Zone with 
Budweiser Modifieds, American Auto street stocks, and Quick Signs/Corporate Impressions Dirt Devils and Miller Lite Grand Nationals battling it out.  Racing begins at 7:00 pm.