By: Paul Reichert
May 31, 2024
It is always exciting to see a traveling series come to your local race track. With all the sizes of the various race tracks that are run by a traveling series, it is always a challenge for the drivers who have to take on those different race tracks. Tomah-Sparta Speedway has hosted exciting traveling race series like the Midwest Dash Series, the CWRA Late Models, the Big 8 Late Model Series, the American Super Cup Series and the Upper Midwest Vintage Racing Series. Tonight the INEX Great North Legends, the INEX Bandoleros and the Mid-Am Racing Series were the stars of tonight’s racing on the legendary Tomah-Sparta oval. Chris Weber looked like he would go gate-to-wire in the Cranberry Cup 50, but rookie leader Scott Gardner, Jr. powered by Weber late to capture his first career series win.
The Cranberry Cup 50 lap Mid-Am Racing Series feature got off on the wrong foot when Andrew Meyerhofer, rookie Connor Kosowski and Daniel Calhoun all got tangled up in turn one. Veteran Sportsman racer Chris Weber got around Bobby Gash III to assume command of the race, and Weber began to build up a huge advantage on the field. Heading to the front of the field after starting mid-pack in the field was five-time champion and three-time Tomah winner Ron Vandermier, Jr. With last year’s winner Timmy Stewart not on hand, Vandermier, Jr. was moving through the field in his quest for a fourth win at Tomah. Vandermier, Jr. got into a heated battle with Gash III for second, and just before halfway they made contact in turn four. Both were sent to the back, and Weber began to pull away from his competition again on the restart. Soon a new contender, current rookie leader Scotty Gardner, Jr., would make life difficult for Weber. Gardner, Jr. and Joshua Nelms also got into a close battle for second when they made contact in turn one with seven laps to go. Nelms tapped out and Gardner, Jr. was given his spot back up front. While under the yellow, officials noticed that there may be fluid on the track in turns one and four. Safety teams checked over the track and officials checked over several cars for a possible leak, which was not found. Gardner, Jr. put a ton of pressure on Weber on the restart, and finally went to the outside lane to power around Weber for the race lead with five laps remaining. Gardner, Jr. pulled away down the stretch to become the first rookie driver to capture his first career Mid-Am Racing Series victory in quite some time.
Ayden Brockhouse powered by Andrew Borntreger for the lead at the start of the INEX Great North Legend feature. Ayden was on a mission to capture his second career Legends feature, both coming at Tomah. Soon it would become a brotherly battle for the lead as defending Legends champion Ayrton was quickly catching Ayden. Ayrton shot past brother Ayden to take charge of the main event on lap five. As Ayrton began to open up a lead on the field, Robby Carter began to close the gap on Ayden for second. Carter made the pass on Ayden to settle into the runner-up spot on lap nine. The lone yellow flag came out with five laps to go for a spinning Coty Gular in turn four. That was just a minor bump in the road as Ayrton pulled away on the restart and made his second straight trip to TACU Credit Union Victory Lane.
The first twelve laps of the INEX Bandolero feature were very exciting. Blake Michael powered to the lead from his pole position, but then looped his race car in turn two right out of the lead on lap four. Emily Billings assumed the lead on the restart, but Wesley Barmeister stuck right with Billings before powering by her for the lead on lap five. Soon Barmeister would have to contend with the very successful visitor from North Carolina. T.J. Moon already scored two feature wins recently at Elko and Wausau, and drove around Barmeister on lap seven in his quest for a third victory in a week. Yellow returned with four laps left when Oliver Weinkauf tagged the front straight wall. Defending Bandolero champion Bentley Thompson powered around Moon on the restart to take control of the race. Yellow returned with three laps to go for a tangle between Ethan Jensen and RansomTate in turn two. Coming to the green, Thompson and Moon tangled in turn four to abort the restart. Take two resulted in a spin by Mackenzie Maule in turn four as they came to green again. The third try did not go any better when Maule and Christopher Flynn tangled in turn four. 2022 Bandolero champion Axel Oldenhoff was now the leader of the pack as we finally got the last three circuits in the books. Oldenhoff pulled away from Barmeister and drove off with his first career Bandolero feature win and his chance to ring the Victory Bell.
In the Hobby Stock feature, 2023 rookie champion Seth Gnewikow powered past Grant Witcraft to take the early race lead. When Shelby Lockington spun into the infield on the back straight on lap four, that gave Andy Moore his opening to seek the lead. Moore would zoom around the outside of Gnewikow for the number one position on lap five. Just before halfway current rookie Mike Gratz and 2022 rookie champion Witcraft collided in turn one. While under yellow, Moore pulled onto the old track in turn four with a mechanical issue to bring his night to an unfortunate end. Point leader Matthew Cleveland was now the race leader on the restart and he opened his advantage on the field as the laps clicked away. Gnewikow was in a hot and heavy dogfight with Scott Mahlum over second place during the final four laps, which ended up going to Gnewikow. Cleveland was long gone as he notched his second straight feature victory of 2024.
Call the track office at 608-461-1920, visit our website at tomahspartaspeedway.com or like the track’s Facebook page for more information about Tomah-Sparta Speedway and the 2024 schedule of events.
RESULTS
Mid-Am Racing Series
Cranberry Cup Feature (50 laps): 1. Scotty Gardner, Jr. 2. Chris Weber, 3. Ron Vandermier, Jr., 4. Daniel Calhoun, 5. Andrew Meyerhofer, 6. Connor Kosowski, 7. Joshua Nelms, 8. Jim Thorson, 9. Steve Blair, 10.. Bobby Gash III, 11. Charles Vian, Jr., 12. Cameron Vandermier
Even Heat (8 laps): 1. Charles Vian, Jr., 2. Ron Vandermier, Jr., 3. Joshua Nelms, 4. Bobby Gash III, 5. Steve Blair, 6. Cameron Vandermier
Odd Heat (8 laps): 1. Chris Weber, 2. Andrew Meyerhofer, 3. Daniel Calhoun, 4. Scotty Gardner, Jr., 5. Connor Kosowski, 6. Jim Thorson
Qualifying: 1. Scotty Gardner, Jr. 15.938 (NEW TRACK RECORD), 2. Joshua Nelms 15.973, 3. Connor Kosowski 16.107, 4. Ron Vandermier, Jr. 16.135, 5. Daniel Calhoun 16.313, 6. Cameron Vandermier 16.330, 7. Andrew Meyerhofer 16.342, 8. Steve Blair 16.374, 9. Jim Thorson 16.421, 10. Bobby Gash IIi 16. 537, 11. Chris Weber 16.615, 12. Charles Vian, Jr. 16.799
INEX Great North Legends
Feature (15 laps): 1. Ayrton Brockhouse, 2. Robby Carter, 3. Ayden Brockhouse, 4. Elliott Weiler, 5. Andrew Borntreger, 6. Rose Borntreger, 7. Cael Slater, 8. Gage Schmidt, 9. Devin Dieringer, 10. Coty Gular, 11. Russ Weiler, 12. Daden Barclay, 13. Devon Lee, 14. Matt Schecklman, 15. Anne Green, 16. Paul Finch, 17. Dalton Lee
Heat #1 (8 laps): 1. Matt Schecklman, 2. Daden Barclay, 3. Dalton Lee, 4. Devon Lee, 5. Anne Green, 6. Paul Finch
Heat #2 (8 laps): 1. Russ Weiler, 2. Devin Dieringer, 3. Rose Borntreger, 4. Cael Slater, 5. Coty Gular, 6. Gage Schmidt
Heat #3 (8 laps): 1. Ayden Brockhouse, 2. Ayrton Brockhouse, 3. Robby Carter, 4. Elliott Weiler, 5. Andrew Borntreger
Qualifying: 1. Ayrton Brockhouse 16.591 (NEW TRACK RECORD), 2. Elliott Weiler 16.921, 3. Robby Carter 16.839, 4. Andrew Borntreger 16.861, 5. Ayden Brockhouse 16.988, 6. Rose Borntreger 17.024, 7. Cael Slater 17.048, 8. Russ Weiler 17.092, 9. Gage Schmidt 17.111, 10. Coty Gular 17.164, 11. Devin Dieringer 17.390, 12. Devon Lee 17.507, 13. Anne Green 17.658, 14. Matt Schecklman 17.658, 15. Dalton Lee 18.050, 16. Paul Finch 18.286, 17. Daden Barclay 18.594
INEX Bandoleros
Feature (15 laps): 1. Axel Odlenhoff, 2. Wesley Barmeister, 3. Emily Billings, 4. Carter Stein, 5. Mackenzie Maule, 6. Blake Michael, 7. T.J. Moon, 8. Bentley Thompson, 9. Ransom Tate, 10. Logen Carter, 11. Christopher Flynn, 12. Ethan Jensen, 13. Roman Crow, 14. Ryder Robinson, 15. Oliver Weinkauf, 16. Cole Kurth
Heat #1 (8 laps): 1. Colton Roe Pershall, 2. Ransom Tate, 3. Ryder Robinson, 4. Mackenzie Maule, 5. Ethan Jensen, 6. Roman Crow
Heat #2 (8 laps): 1. Emily Billins, 2. Blake Michael, 3. Carter Stein, 4. Christopher Flynn, 5. Wesley Barmeister, 6. Logen Carter
Heat #3 (8 laps): 1. T.J. Moon, 2. Bentley Thompson, 3. Axel Oldenhoff, 4. Cole Kurth, 5. Oliver Weinkauf
Qualifying: 1. Bentley Thompson 18.221, 2. Cole Kurth 18.274, 3. T.J. Moon 18.311, 4. Oliver Weinkauf 18.351, 5. Axel Oldenhoff 18.560, 6. Wesley Barmeister 18.589, 7. Carter Stein 18.714, 8. Emily Billings 18.730, 9. Christopher Flynn 18.730, 10. Blake Michael 18.856, 11. Logen Carter 19.129, 12. Mackenzie Maule 19.132, 13. Colton Roe Pershall 19.183, 14. Ethan Jensen 19.562, 15. Random Tate 20.002, 16. Ryder Robinson 20.431, 17. Roman Crow 21.091
Hobby Stocks
Feature (15 laps): 1. Matthew Cleveland, 2. Seth Gnewikow, 3. Scott Mahlum, 4. Grant Witcraft, 5. Mike Gratz, 6. Landon Lockington, 7. Bryan Schott, 8. Shelby Lockington, 9. Andy Moore
Heat #1 (8 laps): 1. Landon Lockington, 2. Mike Gratz, 3. Scott Mahlum, 4. Seth Gnewikow, 5. Bryan Schott
Heat #2 (8 laps): 1. Matthew Cleveland, 2. Andy Moore, 3. Grant Witcraft, 4. Shelby Lockington
Qualifying: 1. Andy Moore 17.535, 2. Matthew Cleveland 17.978, 3. Shelby Lockington 18.272, 4. Grant Witcraft 18.423, 5. Seth Gnewikow 18.483, 6. Scott Mahlum 18.538, 7. Mike Gratz 18.604, 8. Landon Lockington 18.614, 9. Bryan Schott 19.360
