|
Wilmot Speedway
by Jim Adonnis
September 11 2004, 3 years removed from the events that changed all of our
lives on this fateful day. Its 6 pm on Saturday night and I’m at the Wilmot
speedway standing in for Billy Mews getting ready to call the action for the
Al and Marie Winker Memorial. As I sit on the wall on the front stretch, I had
time to reflect on the events of 9/11 it really brings home the point of how
lucky we all are to live in a country and live the dreams of ours, we all are
truly blessed. The fire staff was on hand to pay tribute to all who lost their
lives on that day 3 years ago. Chief Gerber of the Wilmot Fire Dept began the
evening with a speech and a singing of Amazing Grace on the Bag Pipers. The
fire fighters, EMS, followed this and the Racers prayer. Kristen Winker
(daughter of Al and Marie Winker) sang a beautiful rendition of the National
Anthem, which got us off to a great start; once again the track staff gave us
an awesome racing surface.
Sportsman heat #1 Found Pat Heany battling with Dave Gorny early on, but Gorny
faded by lap 5. Heany went on to win with Tommy Moore 2nd and Bobby Parker
3rd.
Sportsman heat #2 started uneventful, but that didn’t last long. Jeff Graf
forced his way to the front and never looked back. Graf won the event, Barry
Cates was 2nd and Joe Suheras was 3rd.
Mod heat #1 was a hard fought battle with fifth row starter Matt Barnes
charging to the front and winning the heat, with Elmer Everman finishing 2nd,
and 3rd Mike Conn
Mod heat #2 was a real barn burner, Jeff Bodendorfer shot into the lead with
an awesome pass coming out of turn 2 he got out front and never looked back
winning the event Lee Tibbitts finished 2nd, and Dan Hopkins rounded out the
top three
The sportsman “A” main found Pat Heany and last weeks feature winner Donny
Sorce Jr. starting the event in the fifth row. By lap 10 it was an all out
street fight between Heany, Dave Gorny and Don Sorce Jr. Heany slugged it out
with Gorny and Sorce but on lap 15 it was all Heany with Gorny and Sorce
slugging it out for 2nd. Pat Heany won the event; Don Sorce Jr was 2nd, and
Dave Gorny 3rd.
The Mod “A” main was marred by a couple of yellows, but it was still a
very exciting race. John Dost grabbed the early lead, but faded to 6th by race
end. Nick Simons emerged as the man to beat when he charged into the lead on
lap 3 with a spectacular high wheel pass on the bottom in turn 1. By lap 17
Simons was out front by a mile when his car began to miss coming off the
corners, this allowed Matt Barnes to close the gap. Simons down to 6 cylinders
managed to stay on point and win the event, Barnes finished 2nd and Lee
Tibbitts 3rd.
The mini sprint “A” main was a textbook driving school put on by Ron
Brannam he drove to an impressive full lap advantage by race end. Branham won
the event followed by Bob Reichert and Dave Lisowe in 3rd.
This was quite a night! The emotional highs and lows of the early evening
services with the firefighters to hard fought races all evening long. To be
frankly honest I was plumb wore out, but I consider it an honor to be asked to
help out with the events of the evening. I would like to thank the fire
fighters for their strength and bravery to their respective communities. I
would also like to thank Mike and Terry Simons and Gary Brown for the chance
to fill in for the vacationing Billy Mews. And I THANK YOU, the fans and
racers. Be safe in all your endeavors, have a good holiday season, and see you
soon.
|
|
|
