Plymouth Dirt Track Racing
by George Baumann
Special to The Review
PLYMOUTH – Fast and close racing highlighted Plymouth Dirt Track Racing’s program Saturday night in all four divisions.
A-main winners were John Schultz III (Milwaukee) in the Grand National Division; T.J. Luedke (Plymouth), Sprints; and Randy Markwardt (Sheboygan), Late Models. The Outlaw Compact A-main was called after three laps after a crashed resulted in a lengthy time delay.
Schultz's win came after he grabbed the lead early and held on despite never leading by more than a car length. First, Matt Vetting (Manitowoc) ran second, then Steve Schneider (Chilton), and by lap 11, Brad Lubach (Elkhart Lake).
Lubach was very fast on the outside, but a tire went down on lap 16, putting Brian Gilles (Plymouth) in second. Brett Wenzel (Manitowoc) then raced Gilles, Schneider and Tim Warner (Malone) very close.
On lap 24, Wenzel and Gilles were side-by-side with Wenzel narrowly finishing ahead at the end. Warner and Schneider rounded out the top five.
The Sprint A-main went to Luedke after he passed Jeremy Schultz (Beaver Dam) on lap five and he held the point to the end. Kurt Davis (West Allis) attempting to make it three wins in a row started in the sixth row and wasted no time charging forward.
By lap 10, Davis was in fourth but lapped traffic separated him from the front. On lap 17, he would pass Schultz for second but with the green flag waving, Luedke could not be caught. Crossing the finish line behind Davis were Schultz, Danny Schlafer (Sussex) who started 20th, and Doug Wondra (Oakfield), respectively.
Craig Schueffner (Sheboygan Falls) paced the Late Model Main early, with Chris Carlson (Union Grove) right behind, and Markwardt giving chase. Markwardt, while using the entire racetrack, caught Carlson and finally on lap 15 passed for second.
Then on lap 21, he again went to the outside and passed Schueffner for the lead. Schueffner would finish second, followed by Carlson, Rick Scheffler and Ted Dolhun Sr., respectively.
The Outlaw Compact A-main had a number of early cautions and finally on lap three, the race was stopped after the car of Michael Zitzer (Sheboygan) rolled over a number of times in turn four. The race was then called with drivers all given equal points and pay.
B-main winners were Troy Theobald (Sheboygan) in the Grand Nationals, and Ben Schmidt (Plymouth) and Earl Possi (Rock, Mich.), Sprints.
Racing continues Saturday with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. The night will honor veterans and active duty military personnel who will be given free admission to the grandstand by showing verification of their service.
