WILMOT, Wis. — 13-year-old 8th grader Hudson Launer scored his first ever 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints feature win on First Responders Night Saturday, September 5, at Wilmot Raceway.
“Turn four was a little tricky for me, but I was able to gather it back up and score the win,” Launer, joined by his dad in victory lane, said. “I have to thank my Dad, Grandpa, mom, grandma, family, sponsors, and everyone who helped get me here. This is fantastic.”
The initial main start was red flagged when Edward Emrich got upside down on the backstretch. After being attended to by track ambulance and safety team members, Emrich was transported to a medical facility for further evaluation.
On the restart, Launer shot to the front from his pole start with a caution coming on the second circuit when the wing from Ron Brannam came off on the front straightaway.
Launer held off the late charges from second finishing Tucker Richards of Bristol and third place Nathan Crane for the popular win. Richards and Crane crossed the checkered by less than half of a second. Jordan Funderburk was fourth. Mark Heinert fifth.
