6/6/2020
Eric Blumer
RUNNER UP AT GRAVITY PARK USA
Eric rolled the 6E into Chilton’s Gravity Park USA for the first race of 2020 in the Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series point chase. “It’s a 1/3 mile on the outside,” is how the track describes this bullring. Tight, fun and fast, the track can be a bit tricky, especially for those with few laps on it.
The draw went well for Eric and he knew going into his heat that if he finished at least 4th, he’d be on the pole for the feature. In that heat he started 5th behind Faith Zellmer, in the seven car field. Eric jumped to the lead by the second lap or so and was not challenged. The track had some grip to go with his Hoosiers as he took the checkers. Zellmer, who had dropped to 5th at one point fought back for a 3rd place finish, one of her best runs to date.
Our old friend Greg Leatherberry accompanied the team to Chilton. With Crew Chief Justin Hoium off for the night, Greg filled in nicely. Like Justin, Greg gives valuable feedback and has an eye for detail when it comes to what the track is doing. Greg’s been part of Eric’s life since he was born and the two work well together.
Right up until the field left the pits for the feature, Greg was briefing Eric and making adjustments. Eric started from the pole and the track had now slicked off on the lower two lanes. It happens and that’s part of the beauty of dirt track racing. Greg and Eric knew if he could hold the bottom he would probably be fast enough to win. Eric took off at the green with number 5 car of Dave Eberle next to him. Eric got the jump on the Illinois driver and led the field for over half of the race.
At some point Eberle got by Eric probably one of the few ways anyone could. In lapped traffic, he used the lapper as a pick, pinning Eric low and squeaking by him on the topside. Eric caught back up to Eberle’s rear bumper as the laps wore down. Meanwhile, the grandfather/grandson duo of Mike Mueller and Ryan Sullivan had charged from middle of the 21 car field to challenge also.
Upon taking the white flag, a lapped car came into play in the last turn. Eric gave it a shot on the outside. Eberle had just enough room to clear the lapper and still give Eric a lane as Eric was tight to the outside wall. If they were any closer they would have made contact. At the line Eberle took the checkers by maybe a half a car length.
Mueller, Sullivan and Ryan Mech who also started mid-pack, rounded out the top 5.
NOTES
The team hung around to have a Hamm’s Light and meet Eric’s friend from UW-Platteville, Faith and her folks, who happen to hail from Chilton. The 6E rolled into Sun Prairie at about 2 a.m.
On those closing laps Eric tagged the rear of another car. Our post-race inspection revealed that the front bumper was held on by only one of the two tabs. Otherwise, the cursory shakedown at the track indicates the 6E is in good shape.
UP NEXT
Next week, Saturday, June 13, we’ll be back in action at Beaver Dam Raceway for the track’s normal 5 division night.
Please note, the following week, June 20 was originally scheduled as a World of Outlaws Sprint Car show. THAT SHOW IS OFF, the Outlaws ran last night and again tonight (June 6) at BDR instead (see track for details, the show was sold out, as we understand it). HOWEVER, the IRA Sprint Car have been added to the June 20 date and the Legends are one of the opening acts. As fans of racing are always excited to run with the 410 Sprint Cars.
Check the track’s website for the official and most current details.
Please keep in mind… During the pandemic with all of the varying restrictions and rules, be vigilant regarding race tracks and their schedules. Check and double check your info if you are headed to a race. Most of all, be kind and understanding. These are tough times for a lot of people and we are really lucky to have the tracks running that are able to. No track in Wisconsin has a schedule exactly as they would like. We’re sure they are taking a financial hit no matter what and in some cases have to decide if it will even be worth opening at all in 2020.
Support those tracks you can. Follow their rules. Let them know you appreciate what they are doing!
As always, thanks to our sponsors: Dog Guard of Wisconsin; BRS Radiator, Machine & Fabrication; Northern Air Systems, Inc.; Storage & Handling Systems; Club LaMark; Bullseye Games; Ground Up Lifts; Sieg Law Office; OWL Graphics and Lettering; Grandpa Blumer.
We couldn’t do it without the folks who helped put the 6E on the track this season! Justin Hoium, Big Dumb Guy, Greg Leatherbeary, Joe Wipperfurth, Bill Tefft, Brian Benisch, Cody Weisensel, Brady Kruchten and Stephanie Blumer.
A SPECIAL NOTE OF THANKS
Thanks to Eric’s friends Andrew Upperman and Owen Leatherberry who are currently serving our country in the armed services!
Submitted By: William Blumer
