---

Back on Top: Neitzel Secures Emotional Victory After Two-Year Drought

Back on Top: Neitzel Secures Emotional Victory After Two-Year Drought

33 cars checked in for the 11th annual Founders Night at Wilmot Raceway presented by Body Craft. This year marks the 11th Founders Night held at Wilmot commemorating where it all began. Past Founders Night feature winners include Dale Blaney in 2014 and 2015; Bill Balog in 2016, 2017 and 2020; Jake Blackhurst in 2018; Jeremy Schultz in 2019; Scott Nietzel in 2021; Danny Schlafer in 2022; and Brenham Crouch in 2023.

Quicktime overall was set by Joel Myers Jr with a 12.694. The ‘out of town’-er was ready to fight for the top spot after last year’s defeat by the North Pole Nightmare after leading the majority of the previous feature at the track. Heat races were won by Travis Arenz, Corbin Gurley, Scotty Neitzel, and Sage Fruit/Hepfner Racing Products Rookie of the Year contender, Tylar Rankin.

Dash wins went to Blake Nimee and Joel Myers Jr, while the B-Main was awarded to Kyle Schuett.

When Todd Booker would drop the green for the 30-lap Founders Night Feature, Myers Jr was out to the early lead. Nimee and the rest of the pack would follow suit behind the 46JR. Schlafer, who started in the 10th position, had already found his way around the top of the raceway and knocking at the door of Rankin. After the dust had settled on the opening laps, it was the 46JR leading the way, 79, 16c, 2w, and the 25.

While Myers Jr would run away from the field, the battle to watch was behind him with Danny Schlafer passing Neitzel and Rankin for third. Rankin would exchange the position momentarily until Danny would ultimately power around the 16c. During this time, second through fourth had caught up to the 46JR and Schlafer wasn’t done yet. The 25 would pass Nimee for second and temporarily Myers Jr for the lead. With 23 laps to go in the feature, Danny Schlafer tapped the backstretch wall and blew his right rear tire. He would draw out our first caution of the night. He would return to the tail of the field.

We went back to green, and Myers Jr would resume the lead followed by Blake Nimee and Tylar Rankin. Neitzel would pass Rankin on this restart for third and begin to hunt down Nimee for second. The opportunity would arise for Neitzel as Nimee would tap the treacherous backstretch wall as he would overtake second.

It would be 20 laps to go, Myers Jr continuing to lead the way, Neitzel second, Rankin third. Travis Arenz in the 25T would make his way from the 5th row as well and challenge Rankin for third. 18 laps remained when trouble arose for the 87A of Hartmann and the 12 of Corbin Gurly when they tangled in turn three. Both were able to walk away from the scene.

We would go back to green, where Neitzel would capitalize on the restart and take the lead from Myers Jr. Myers Jr would be the next to draw out the caution, as he hit the tractor tire in turn three and would slow to a stop in turn one. He would retire for the night. Neitzel would resume the lead on the restart with ten laps to go. He would hit traffic with 6 laps remaining which allowed the 16c to catch up to the 2w, but the white and the checkered would wave for The Ironman at Wilmot Raceway. Rankin second, Nimee third, Reinke fourth, and Travis Arenz would round out the top 5.

The Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Car Series will take next weekend off to allow teams to compete with the World of Outlaws. We wish all our teams the best of luck. The series will return to action June 8th for the Road America Challenge.

EVENT TIMES
Pits Open 2:00 PM
Gates Open 4:30 PM
Hot Laps At 5:30

Tickets can be purchased in advance: https://www.myracepass.com/series/1012/tickets/1393284

Seal the deal with an advance purchase and receive a complimentary pit pass. Ticket pricing will increase to $30 on June 3rd. Additionally, Road America Challenge advance tickets will feature a scannable QR code, allowing fans to enjoy a generous $15 discount on their Sunday Ticket for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES XPEL Grand Prix.

---

Back to News