6/30/2016
Badger Midget Auto Racing Association
"Waelti tops Rockford Clay Classic field”
Loves Park, Ill., June 29---Brandon Waelti won the “Outlaw Clay Classic” 20-lap Mid-State Equipment/Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie Badger Midget Series feature Wednesday Night at Rockford Speedway. The event was the first for Badger at the track since September 1981. Over 200 truckloads of clay turned the ¼-mile paved oval into a high banked dirt track. The event was run with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.
The feature got off to a rough start, with Clint Woolbright flipping on the opening lap. On the restart an eight-car accident occurred on the backstretch sidelining five cars.
When racing resumed Robbie Ray jumped into the lead and paced the initial two laps, before Waelti took the lead. The pair pulled away from the field. Waelti began lapping the back of the field on Lap 7. Waelti held a two second advantage over Ray at the midway point.
Running in heavy lapped traffic Waelti increased his lead to a straightaway with five laps remaining. Ray and Aaron Schuck waged a torrid battle for the runner-up position over the final five laps.
Waelti driving the Harlan Kittleson owned Stealth/Ford Duratech No. 15 finished 6.43 seconds ahead of Schuck, Ray, Brad Greenup and Derek Childs. “Track was rough and kept you on top of your game tonight, hats off to the everyone at the track for turning this into a dirt track in four days” commented Waelti.
SUMMARY
20-lap Feature: 1. Brandon Waelti; 2. Aaron Schuck; 3. Robbie Ray; 4. Brad Greenup; 5. Derek Childs; 6. Tyler Baran; 7. Andy Baugh; 8. Zach Emmons; 9. Austin Archdale; 10.Buddy Luebke; 11. Kurt Mayhew; 12. Brian Peterson; 13. Jeff Zelinski; 14. Nick Baran; 15. Neil Weigen; 16. Mike Stroik; 17. Denny Smith; 18. Jordan Caskey; 19. Lamont Critchett; 20. Scott Koerner; 21. Bryce Dunn; 22. Clint Woolbright.
8-lap Semi Feature Winner: Luebke.
8-lap Heat Race Winners: D. Smith, Ray Waelti.
Cars Present: 28 Feature Lap Leaders: Ray 1-2, Waelti 3-20.
*Hanson flipped in practice. Woolbright flipped on opening lap of feature. Both drivers uninjured.
Article Credit: Bryan Gapinski