7/19/2025
Midwest Legends Dirt Series
Last Lap Steal for Schmuhl at Gravity Park
Chilton, WI (July 19th, 2025) - It took all twenty-laps, but Hayden Schmuhl was able to pick up another win with the Midwest Legends Dirt Series at Gravity Park with a last lap breakthrough. A sixth win for Schmuhl means the championship gap continues to close midway through the season.
Twenty-four cars made the trip to another Friday night race. All the series regulars were in attendance with three newcomers making their first few appearances. The series welcomed Jeff and Jake Barth to the grid the previous few weekends with winged karting standout Caden Schmitz making his Legends debut.
N&S Towing Heat Races made their way to the track with the first heat on the track. Keith Carey and Nate Werner started on the front row. Rob Maule broke through, picking up the win in the heat with Adam Zellmer and Lilly Fassbender taking the other top three spots.
Heat two saw championship leader Ryan Sullivan start on the front row with Keith Moline alongside. It was a good battle for the win, with Schmuhl managing to break through for the win while Sullivan and Jeff Schmidt finished second and third.
Ayden Erickson and Oliver O’Brion led heat three to the green. Erickson ran away with the win, making the four-hour trip worth it, with O’Brion and Faith Zellmer-Schultz taking home the second and third spots.
It was A-Main time next, and a normal twelve-car redraw put Carey and Sullivan first and second. The field saw the green and Sullivan jumped to the early lead. Zellmer quickly jumped to the second spot and began to close on Sullivan. The first caution of the night was brought out for a cluster of cars in turn three. The mess was cleaned up and racing got back underway. He made his way past by the midway point. Schmuhl began his charge a few laps prior, and after the restart was working through the field and into the top five. Caution flew again for some bodywork coming off a car we still haven't been able to identify. Zellmer controlled the field on the restart and led. Schmuhl capitalized on the jump and went two-for-one to take over second. He set his eyes on Zellmer out front and began to chase him down. Moline and Sullivan went at it post-restart, with Moline coming out on top for the moment before Sullivan found his groove and reclaimed the spot. Out front, Schmuhl found his speed and caught the back bumper of Zellmer with five-laps to go. A lapped car threw Schmuhl off and made him lose some time. He regrouped and regained on Zellmer, looking for his time to strike. That time came on the final lap. With Zellmer marred in lapped traffic, Schmuhl saw a gap up high and went topside in turns one and two, setting up momentum down the back straight. Schmuhl hung it out to dry up top, ripping the lip to edge out Zellmer at the line in yet another last lap pass for the win for Schmuhl in 2025.
Hayden Schmuhl took his car to victory lane, with Zellmer only able to laugh about the battle he was just a part of. Sullivan was able to bring home the final podium spot with Talyn Neuman breaking into fourth in the end after a quiet but strong night for the #14T, while Moline rounded out the top five.
It was another prosperous night for Schmuhl as he earned himself awards from Aero Race Wheels and Rush Racegear for the win. Connor Carey, after rolling at 141 and bringing out the backup car during the week, picked up the Professional Plating and Rush Racegear Hard Charger award. Mackenzie Maule was given a birthday present after being drawn as the HMS Motorsports award winner initially, and after a scoring mix-up, Russell Loof was given the position, so it was a two HMS Motorsports award kind of night.
The series returns to racing at Gravity Park in August, making its third and final trip on the 15th. Racing in the coming week ramps up as the series returns to Maquoketa Speedway on July 23rd for the Jackson County Fair and another edition of the Weekday Warrior Series. Then it’s off to a two day show at Beaver Dam Raceway, for the Legends Direct 10K Dirt Showdown.
To view the results or to learn more about the Midwest Legends Dirt Series, visit the series on Facebook or MyRacePass today!!
Article Credit: Zack Krueger
Submitted By: Zack Krueger