MORRIS, Ill. — A veteran of Midwest late model racing, Wes Griffith Jr. captured the 30-lap feature race at Grundy County Speedway Friday during First Responder Night.
It was Griffith’s first win at the speedway.
Getting out into the lead, Griffith, making his second start of the season at the third-mile, paved oval, stayed out front with the likes of Eddie Hoffman and fast qualifier D.J. Weltmeyer giving chase. Hoffman, the six-time late model champion – looking to be headed for a record seventh title, was on the back bumper of Griffith, only to see Weltmeyer make the pass for second as the race wound down.
At the checkered flag, it was Griffith with a .441 second margin over Weltmeyer, followed by Kevin Murphy, who was behind the wheel of the Dave Gentile Jr. Chevy. Hoffman, Clay Curts, last week’s feature winner, and Steve Seligman rounded out the top six.
Former two-time division champion Matt Clemens won the 25-lap Mid American sportsman main event, scoring his first feature win of the year. Clemens was chased by Tristan Batson, Marqus Hoover, David Einhaus and division points leader Blake Brown at the finish.
Looking to secure a division championship, Scott Gardner captured the street stock headliner. Gardner held a .288 second advantage over his son, Scotty, at the finish. Chad Bayuk, Rick Dawson and Pat Ligue finished behind the Gardners.
Dan Schmeissing was the winner of the 20-lap four-cylinder division feature race. Schmeissing scored the victory ahead of Zach Legner and Kyle Brick. Jacob Senerchia claimed top honors in the super cup main event, besting Carter Appleton and JoJo Fadke.