[i (Bill W) September 9, 2009]
Another solid second place finish has Brandon Wimmer and car owner Rick Ferkel looking forward to this weekend’s Hoosier Fall Classic at the Lawrenceburg Speedway in Indiana. The run came at the Hilltop Speedway and capped off a three-race weekend with the All Star Circuit of Champions.
Friday action came at the Lernerville Speedway near Sarver, Pennsylvania. Brandon timed in 22nd in the 39-car field. “They had the late models running, and the track was as slick as I’ve ever seen it,” says the Fairmount, Indiana driver. “You couldn’t do much on it, it was like ice. We didn’t qualify well, and that hurt us.”
Nonetheless, he made it through his heat (2nd), and lined up outside row ten for the main event. “It was just hard to pass out there (finishing 16th),” says Brandon. “There wasn’t a cushion, or a bottom. They had already run the 50-lap late model feature. It was just tough to get any momentum going forward. Even when Stevie Smith went to the back, he didn’t go anywhere. It was just a tough night to move forward.”
On Saturday, action moved to the Attica Raceway Park in Ohio. Despite a charge through the field in the feature, mechanical problems surfaced. “We didn’t qualify the best again (16th), but we were good in our heat race (1st),” says Brandon. “In the feature, we were actually going well. We were able to get past (Dale) Blaney and we were ahead of (Tim) Shaffer still. We were probably around tenth (after starting 15th). Then, the inboard brake rotor mount broke. With the track being rough, once that broke, that was it.”
Disappointment turned to confidence at the Hilltop Speedway south of Millersburg, Ohio. Brandon was third quick amongst the 31-car field in the #0. “We were fast every time we hit the track,” he says. “We were good in qualifying, and we were able to run from sixth to third in the heat, and advanced in the dash (2nd) too.”
Posting outside row two for the feature, Brandon settled into third behind Shaffer and David Gravel. “We were able to get by Danny Smith there early, and we chased David Gravel, who was running second, most of the way,” he says. “I think he ran out of fuel there late in the race.”
With many cautions plaguing the event, attrition became a factor, and the car was running on fumes at the end. “It became a challenge to make the 40 laps,” says Brandon. “I started to run out of fuel towards the end on a caution for Sam Hafertepe Jr. With three to go, I started sputtering in the corners. Thankfully, we were able to finish second. It was a solid finish, and a good way to head into this weekend at Lawrenceburg. I’d like to get a win there. We don’t get many chances to run in my home state.”
Brandon and Rick Ferkel would like to thank the following sponsors for all their help: Shorty’s Truck Repair, Smith’s Farm, Goodyear Tires, Griff’s Engines, Kear’s Speed Shop, Huggins Cams, BRODIX Heads, Barnes Oil Pumps, Prism Lubricants, Zeis Land Development, Butlerbuilt, Simpson, Winning With Wellness and WRT Web Designs.
Team Mannatech
Brandon has realized that a driver not only needs good equipment on the racetrack, but needs to also be in the best physical shape to be a success. That's why Brandon has added a wellness program to his daily routine, which includes adding a line of scientifically validated nutritional products from Mannatech. Mannatech, Incorporation is a leading developer and provider of proprietary nutritional supplements, weight management products and skin care solutions. Athletes around the world rely on Mannatech products because they are formulated from high quality, natural plant sources and are formulated without any substances banned by major worldwide anti-doping agencies.
Brandon has been invited to serve on an elite team of athletes called Team Mannatech because of the results he has had with the products and will be working to share his experience with drivers, crews and fans. With more than 200 athletes representing countries around the globe, Team Mannatech members have been drawn from the exclusive ranks of sports legends, the everyday athlete and young enthusiasts destined to become superstars. They inspire action and attract passionate wellness champions and are all role models for their sport, committed to helping people of all ages lead a healthy, active lifestyle.
[u Brandon at Hilltop Speedway (Mike Campbell Photo)]
- Bill Wright on Sep 09, 2009
- Article Date: 9/9/2009