From the Chris Wimmer Pits... Wimmer Nabs Runner-up Finish at Elko. Closes in on ASAMT Overall Point Lead

Wausau, WI, September 28th, 2009 – Chris Wimmer brought home a runner-up finish Satrday at Elko Speedway in Minnesota and also moved in on the overall ASA Midwest Tour points championship.

Wimmer qualified 4th for the Race for the Gold 125 and Elko and followed that up with a third place finish in his fast heat. “My car was pretty good all day,” said Wimmer, “I was really hoping my time would stick for fast time, but to qualify in the top-five is always good.”

With the invert, Wimmer began the race for the Gold 125 from the seventh starting position, but he wasted no time weaving his way towards the front. After just 25 laps the #52 had moved up in to the third position. “With the tire we run now it seems that everyone kind of evens out over time,” said Wimmer, “The car was pretty good, so I knew I needed to try and work my way to the front as early as possible.”

Wimmer then began to close in on the front two cars. He was battling for the second spot with ASAMT points leader, Nathan Haseleu, when Haseleu’s transmission failed, sending him in to the outside wall. “He just made a little contact with me,” said Wimmer, “I didn’t really know what happened. I knew there was another car right behind him on the outside, I wasn’t sure if they made contact or what. I just hate to see when something like that happens to anyone, let alone the guy who’s leading the points.”

With Haseleu out, Wimmer moved up in the second position and began to challenge Dan Fredrickson for the lead. Just before the break at lap 75, Wimmer was able to get inside Fredrickson’s #36, but wasn’t able to make the pass. “I was getting a little tight before the break so I tried to loosen it up a little bit,” said Wimmer, “I also made a few minor shock adjustments.”

The battle between Wimmer and Fredrickson continued after the break and for the final 50 laps. Wimmer’s #52 was able to get inside of Fredrickson many times, but, as before, was never able to complete the pass. Fredrickson held on for the checkered flag and Wimmer took second. “Dan’s raced here so many times so I knew it would be really tough to get by him,” said Wimmer, “He gave me room to the inside, but I was never able to get the momentum out of the corners to pass him. In order to do that I would have had to make some contact and I didn’t want to do that or wreck anybody. I would have loved to have won, but second is pretty darn good, and it’s definitely the best run I’ve had here, so that’s
exciting.”

Due to Haseleu’s blown motor, Wimmer’s second place finish kept him 3rd in the ASAMT points, but moved him within 52 points of the ASAMT overall championships. With just one race left, it all comes down to Octoberfest and three drivers. Haseleu, Wimmer, and Steve Carlson, currently second in ASAMT points, are the only driver’s with a chance to win the point title. “That definitely makes it exciting for me and the fans,” said Wimmer, “I know Carlson is always very good at La Crosse, so he’ll be tough, and I know I’d need a little luck to make up that many points, but just to go there and have a chance at the overall title is pretty cool.”

Octoberfest takes place at La Crosse Speedway October 8-11. The ASAMT Championship and final race will be held Sunday afternoon.

Wimmer Racing is looking for sponsorship for the race in La Crosse, if you have any interest, please contact Jana Jurkovich at jjurkovich@gmail.com or (612) 819-4564