Kunert Is Grundy Co. Ace

MORRIS, Ill. — Grundy County Speedway hosted its Carter Memorial Mid-Season Championship stock car racing program Friday night with Austin Kunert coming home the winner of the 50-lap championship run for late model stock cars. 

The event was held in honor of the Carter Family, which has been involved in automobile racing in the Grundy County area since the 1920s.

Making only his second start at the third-mile paved oval, Kunert wheeled the Josh Nelms-owned, Lisa Thomas Salon/VanDoorn Racing Development/Wheaton Laundry-sponsored Chevrolet No. 71 to the win – his second career victory in as many starts.  The first coming last season. 

Starting on the pole of the 12-car field for the 50 lapper, the Batavia, Ill., driver led all the way until with two laps to go got sent spinning after contact with Blake Brown.  Brown, who had battled with Jim Weber and D.J. Weltmeyer for positions, tapped out, putting Kunert back in front for a two-lap drive to the finish.  

Kunert took the checkered flag with a .367-second advantage in front of Weltmeyer, fast-qualifier Larry Schuler, Eddie Hoffman, Scott Koerner and Weber.

Jeff Wakeman was the winner of the Midwest MASS Stock Car Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts sportsman 35-lap headliner.  Wakeman finished ahead of John McMahon, fast timer David Einhaus, Kevin Murphy, Rickey Mathis Jr. and John Ventrello.  

Winning for the third time this year, Scotty Gardner took home top honors in the 30-lap street stock feature race over James Dean, Scott Gardner, Randy Weese and Darrell Gay.  

Picking up his second win of the season, Trevor Starek scored the victory in the four-cylinder main event.  Starek bested Elijah Atkinson and last year’s division champion Cameron Preisler.  Jacob Senerchia won the Super Cup Series headliner.