5/3/2025
IRA Lightning Sprints
Richards Scores First 11-75 Lightning Sprints Win On Dick Colburn Classic; Klemko Chalks Up Wisconsin Wingless Victory
(Wilmot, WI)--Bristol's Chris Klemko, defending Wilmot Raceway wingless sprints champion, finally snapped a feature win drought of over a year scoring a hard fought victory in the 20-lap AutoMeter Wisconsin Wingless Sprints main on Dick Colburn Classic Night Saturday, May 3.
It was not a easy win for the second generation and two-time Wilmot champion as three restarts with two laps or less remaining kept restacking the field behind Klemko.
Veteran John Fahl took the initial lead with Klemko settling behind. Eventually Klemko shot to the high side working his way in front. As the green flag laps rolled, Klemko's advantage began to shrink with Adam Taylor of Whitfield, IN gaining into contention with Fahl sliding back to third.
Suddenly, with 2 laps remaining three different times, the caution flew. With time limit along with fuel concerns beginning to come into play, officials made the decision to have the final restart see a white and green flag thrown together after the drivers had been notified if another caution or red came out, the race would be declared complete.
Taylor, who defeated Klemko in a year-end feature at Route 66 Dirt Track in Joliet, IL last October on a fourth turn coming for the checkered move, appeared getting into a replay.
The final lap stayed green with Klemko up to the challenge scoring the win. Taylor came across second by less than a couple car lengths improving from his ninth starting spot. Fahl came across third. Kenosha's Bryce Andrews fourth. Allen Hafford of Beach Park, IL fifth.
"I wasn't sure it was ever going to end," said Klemko, joined in victory lane by 3-time IRA Champion and 11-time champion overall, and Southeastern Wisconsin Short Track Hall of Fame Member Dick Colburn. "I knew Adam was there. He got me last time at Joliet, but this time it was my turn."
"The crew, as they always do, did a great job having the car ready," said Klemko, who drover in three of the four divisions in Wilmot's season opener and the original home for the Wisconsin Wingless sprints as they began their 11th season. "It feels good to finally get a victory after taking the Wilmot track championship without a feature win last season. The last time I won here was toward the end of the 2023 season, so it's been a while."
"I thank all of our marketing partners and my family for the support, and the great fans who came out on a cool night," added Klemko, who had to cut the interview short to jump into his 410-sprinter for the next main.
Rusty Egan of Round Lake Heights, IL scored the Body Craft of Antioch, IL Fast Time award for the 25-car field and won the Fox Lake Harbor presents the All Star Performance First Heat Race before his engine went up in smoke going into turn three during the early laps of the feature.
Klemko captured the Game Day Men's Health of Vernon Hills, IL presents the Behling Race Equipment Second Heat Race win.
Fahl won the BR Motorsports presents the King Race Products Third Heat Race.
Wisconsin WingLESS are off until Saturday, May 17 when they return to action at Wilmot Raceway.
Submitted by Mike Babicz.
(Wilmot, WI--Saturday, May 3, 2025)--Bristol's Tucker Richards, 14-years-old, took the lead after a tight battle with runner-up Chad Stouthamer of Big Bend going on to score a impressive memorable first career 20-lap 11-75 Sports Park & Eatery of Kansasville IRA Lighting Sprints main on Dick Colburn Classic Night at Wilmot Raceway.
Stouthamer took the initial lead overtaking pole-sitter Derek Fortier of Racine. Richards wasted little time moving into contention from his second row third starting berth.
As laps stayed green, Richards worked lapped traffic keeping the veterans behind him. Stouthamer came across second. Racine's Derek Fortier third. Paris' Brian Strane Jr. was fourth. Nick Petska of Spring Grove, IL finished fifth.
"It's amazing, winning on a night honoring a legend, Dick Colburn, and receiving my first feature win trophy from him is going to be something I will always treasure and remember," said Richards, "The Bristol Bullet," who began racing in 2016 six different kart championships. "I have to thank my family and all of the marketing partners and family who are supporting me. Looking forward to next week(Saturday, May 10) at Sycamore Speedway."
Petska established a new one-lap qualifying record with a :14.228 clocking to take the Body Craft of Antioch, IL Fast Time honors in the lightning sprints 35th season opener at their original home track.
Stouthamer scored the Fox Lake Harbor presents the All Star Performance Heat Race 1 win.
Strane, despite running with a cast on his ankle, captured the Game Day Men's Health of Vernon Hills, IL presents the Rod End Supply Heat Race 2 victory.
The next event for the 11-75 Sports Bar & Eatery Lightning Sprints will be at Sycamore Speedway joining the Bumper to Bumper IRA Winged Sprints and Badger Midgets on the Illinois Track's 62nd Season Opener. Pits open at 4 pm. For ticket or track information phone the track office 815-895-5454 or check Sycamore Speedway on MyRacePass where advance tickets are available.
Submitted by Mike Babicz.
Article Credit: Michael Babicz
Submitted By: Michael Babicz
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