Gondik Law Speedway
Hinkemeyer survives for AMSOIL win at Superior
By Jerry O'Brien
AMSOIL Late Model Series
Jeff Hinkemeyer celebrates at Superior. (Ken Johnson)
SUPERIOR, Wis. (July 18) — Inheriting the lead when A.J. Diemel departed mid-race in an attrition-plagued event, Jeff Hinkemeyer of St. Cloud, Minn., led the rest of the way at Superior Speedway for his first career victory on the WISSOTA-sanctioned AMSOIL Late Model Series. Hinkemeyer earned $2,000 in a 35-lap race slowed by seven cautions that saw fewer than half the 25 starters running at the finish on a high-speed oval.
Tom Waseleski Sr. of Hibbing, Minn., finished second followed by Jake Redetzke of Eau Claire, Wis., Don Copp of Brule, Wis., and Tim McMann of Duluth, Minn. Duluth's Mike Rich actually crossed the finish line fourth but was disqualified for weighing in too light.
The fourth-starting Diemel took control on the third lap on a wicked-fast track saturated by heavy afternoon rain, but mechanical problems put him among more than a dozen drivers watching the race at the finish. Among others were Harry Hanson, Jeff Provinzino and Kelly Estey, all part of a multicar crash in turn one on lap 20.
Notes: Hinkemeyer is sponsored by Glen's Precision Auto and S&S Floor Covering. ... Polesitter and reigning series champion Darrell Nelson, who wrecked his regular ride recently, continued to field the Tom Esse-owned No. 21. ... Diemel spun the slower car of Greg Hill early in the race but was restored to the lead. ... The cars of Nelson and Don Copp were hooked after one of the race's incidents and it took several minutes to pry them apart; Copp continued while Nelson was finished. ... Rich was 22 pounds light at the scales.
AMSOIL @ Superior: (1) Jeff Hinkemeyer, (2) Tom Waseleski Sr., (3) Jake Redetzke, (4) Don Copp, (5) Tim McMann, (6) Jeff Broking, (7) Travis Budisalovich, (8) Steve Vesel, (9) Terry Lillo, (10) Kevin Carlson, (11) Joey Jensen, (12) Darrell Nelson, (13) Harry Hanson, (14) Jeff Provinzino, (15) Kelly Estey, (16) Tom Waseleski Jr., (17) Greg Hill, (18) Todd Gehl, (19) A.J. Diemel, (20) John Massingill, (21) Eric Breeschoten, (22) Tom Nesbitt, (23) Bobby Carlson, (24) Aaron Lillo. Disqualified: Mike Rich. Heat race winners (among 30 cars): McMann, Diemel, Waseleski, Redetzke. Consolation winner: A. Lillo. Provisional starter: T. Lillo.
