Golden Sands. (Courtesy Golden Sands)

Golden Sands Speedway opens season with big crowd, thrilling finishes

Metro Wire Staff

PLOVER — It was technically the second night of racing at Golden Sands Speedway, but Friday marked opening night for each of the divisions competing at Central Wisconsin’s Power Playground. Mother Nature wasn’t friendly, as fans, teams, and staff had to overcome some unwanted showers. The show went on—and what a show it was. Gandrud Chevrolet Performance Night was one for the ages.

The Pomp’s Tire Pro Late Models headlined the night in the first round of the Brewster’s Lanes Triple Crown and the All-Star Challenge Series. Braison Bennett jumped out to the early lead in the 50-lap main event. Evan Hassler quickly moved into second, bringing Colten Morgan with him for third. The night’s fast qualifier, Brady Bill, worked his way to fourth early in the race. Those four drivers pulled away from the field. Bennett’s comfortable lead was erased by a late-race caution, and he and Hassler battled hard after the restart. Bennett was able to fend off the young Hassler to secure the win. Bill muscled his way into third, followed by Chris Weinkauf and Mark Eswein.

Pro Late Models results:

  1. Braison Bennett (Neenah, WI)

  2. Evan Hassler (Colgate, WI)

  3. Brady Bill (Reedsburg, WI)

  4. Chris Weinkauf (Merrill, WI)

  5. Mark Eswein (Wisconsin Rapids, WI)

  6. Colten Morgan (Baraboo, WI)

  7. Michael Guderski (Markesan, WI)

  8. Noah Eisenhower (Freeport, IL)

  9. Ronnie Osborne (Fitchburg, WI)

  10. Kooper Guralski (Wausau, WI)

  11. Justin Woller (Wausau, WI)

  12. Laney Osborne (Janesville, WI)

  13. Max Larson (Columbus, WI)

  14. Cole Howard (Baraboo, WI)

  15. Thomas Spierowski (Hortonville, WI)

  16. Chad Devine (Mackville, WI)

  17. Michael Haggar (Hanover, MN)

The Stone Innovations Super Stocks featured a blast from the past, with Matt Pyburn making his return to Central Wisconsin’s Power Playground. Jeremy Flees and Sean Eurick led the field to green, with Flees gaining the early advantage. Pyburn and Rachael Kallas joined the mix to make it a four-car shootout. Pyburn had a run on Flees and drew even, but a caution for a spin temporarily halted the battle. After the restart, Flees regained the lead, but Pyburn would not be denied. He passed Flees and cruised to victory, chased to the checkers by Flees, Eurick, Kallas, and Brian Weinfurter.

Super Stocks results:

  1. Matt Pyburn (Wisconsin Rapids, WI)

  2. Jeremy Flees (Plover, WI)

  3. Sean Eurick (New Berlin, WI)

  4. Brian Weinfurter (Wisconsin Rapids, WI)

  5. Rachael Kallas (Wisconsin Rapids, WI)

  6. Brad Blinker (Stevens Point, WI)

  7. Rick Beyer (Wisconsin Rapids, WI)

  8. Jacob Meyer (Reedsburg, WI)

  9. Adam Raykowski (Stevens Point, WI)

  10. Brad Scholze (Rudolph, WI)

  11. Zachary Blaes (Stevens Point, WI)

Eric Niemi and Elliot Weiler led the Legends Division to green, with Weiler taking the early lead. Hunter Jordan swiped the lead away, bringing Ayrton and Tim Brockhouse with him. Rain temporarily halted the action, but once resumed, Jordan continued to lead until Ayrton Brockhouse found a way around to take the top spot. The two finished first and second, followed by Tim Brockhouse, T.J. Moon, and Devin Dieringer.

Legends results:

  1. Ayrton Brockhouse (Shakopee, MN)

  2. Hunter Jordan (Davidson, NC)

  3. Tim Brockhouse (Shakopee, MN)

  4. T.J. Moon (Taylorsville, NC)

  5. Devin Dieringer (Marshfield, WI)

  6. Elliot Weiler (Marshfield, WI)

  7. Zachary Geiger (South St. Paul, MN)

  8. Eric Niemi (Belleville, WI)

  9. Ardell Hahn (Hartford, WI)

  10. Russ Weiler (Marshfield, WI)

  11. Abby Blasel (Dorchester, WI)

  12. Hayden Dieringer (Marshfield, WI)

  13. Todd Tolton (Alma, ON)

  14. Anthony Lashua (Mosinee, WI)

  15. Ernie Duerr (Hewitt, WI)

  16. Dirk Henry (Blaine, MN)

  17. Alex Ruedinger (Larsen, WI)

  18. James Berndsen (Necedah, WI)

  19. Marc Hunkins (Necedah, WI)

  20. Karl Genett (Auburndale, WI)

The Bandolero feature may have been the most action-packed race of the night. Bentley Thompson and Emily Billings wasted no time getting to the front, battling side-by-side for several laps. Billings, the event’s fast qualifier, eventually got past Thompson to claim the win. Wesley Baumeister, Oliver Weinkauf, and Christopher Flynn rounded out the top five.

Bandolero results:

  1. Emily Billings (Waterloo, WI)

  2. Bentley Thompson (West Salem, WI)

  3. Wesley Baumeister (Beloit, WI)

  4. Oliver Weinkauf (Merrill, WI)

  5. Christopher Flynn (Farmington, MN)

  6. Gage Kubicz (Whitewater, WI)

  7. Justice Doubrava (Apple Valley, MN)

  8. Ransom Tate (Doylestown, WI)

  9. Caleb Hawes (Belle Plaine, MN)

  10. Kam Martinez (Amherst, WI)

  11. Zadale Demeny (Janesville, WI)

  12. Michael Blake (Evansville, WI)

  13. Adriana Hawes (Belle Plaine, MN)

The Champions Auto Wash Warrior Division was led to the start by Walter Mancl and Pat Literski. Mancl, in a pickup truck, led lap one, but Michael Kluck made a bold three-wide move to the outside and took the lead on lap two. Kluck never looked back and claimed the win, followed by a hard-charging Joey Kuhn. Literski, Mancl, and Craig Lyon completed the top five.

6-Cylinder Warriors results:

  1. Michael Kluck (Plover, WI)

  2. Joey Kuhn (Hancock, WI)

  3. Pat Literski (Wausau, WI)

  4. Walter Mancl (Wisconsin Rapids, WI)

  5. Craig Lyon (Wisconsin Rapids, WI)

The next event at Golden Sands Speedway is Monday, May 26, for the Trickle 99. The Memorial Day show will feature a 99-lap Super Late Model race, the Midwest Truck Series, Wisconsin Sport Trucks, American Super Cups, and the Upper Midwest Vintage Racing Series. The first race is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Golden Sands Speedway is located at 10992 State Hwy. 54, about halfway between Plover and Wisconsin Rapids.