Chris Wimmer; Win-Tron Racing Solider To Top-20 In Michigan

Chris Wimmer; Win-Tron Racing Solider To Top-20 In Michigan

Topics: Chris Wimmer, Racing for Wildlife 200

Chris Wimmer; Win-Tron Racing Solider To Top-20 In Michigan

Chris Knight
Win-Tron Racing
June 17, 2008

BROOKLYN, Michigan (June 17, 2008) - - Returning to the ARCA RE/MAX Series at the site of his inaugural debut a year later, American Speed Association Midwest late model driver Chris Wimmer maneuvered a solid 16th place finish in the rain-delayed Racing for Wildlife 200 at Michigan International Speedway (MIS).

Returning to MIS with Win-Tron Racing, Wimmer was looking forward to finishing what he started as in his ARCA debut. An engine failure in 2007 erupted Wimmer’s chances of a top-five finish. Another chance equaled another opportunity for the Wisconsin native.

The weekend started off on a positive note for the Win-Tron Racing team as Wimmer posted his No. 32 Win-Tron Driver Development-Red Line Oil Dodge Charger 10th on the overall rundown netting a time of 39.662 seconds or 181.534 mph.

“Our Dodge is pretty strong,” offered Wimmer. “We made some great gains in practice. It feels good to be back here in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and especially with Win-Tron Racing. We’ll hope to improve on practice and get us a good starting position for the race.”

Wimmer in Kevin Cywinski’s owned No. 32 Dodge tackled the two-mile oval in a time of 39.780 seconds or 180.995 mph in ARCA SIM Factory pole qualifying. A tick slower than practice, Wimmer’s efforts still awarded the team with a solid 13th place starting position.

“Our car is still really good,” Wimmer stated. “We slowed down a little but I think that comes from the track heating up pretty good. I’m confident heading into the race and hope we can bring home another top-10 for Win-Tron Racing.”

Sunny skies would give way to rain on Friday afternoon forcing ARCA officials to postpone the ninth race on the 2008 ARCA schedule to Saturday morning. The new starting time would throw a number of teams for a loop with weather conditions expected to be a 180-degree turn.

Beautiful and cool racing conditions greeted the teams on Saturday morning with Wimmer strapped in and ready to go.

At the start of the Racing for Wildlife 200, Wimmer found himself comfortably in the top-15. As the race progressed, Wimmer’s handling changed on his Dodge Charger forcing a slide in the rundown heading into the first caution flag on lap 21.

Running 19th at the time of the yellow, Wimmer brought his machine down with the lead pack allowing crew chief Mike Chaffee and the Win-Tron bunch to do their magic and put Wimmer back on track.

Returning to the facility 16th on the course, Wimmer would find a very neutral racecar underneath him. Continuing to motor on in a very clean and green ARCA event, Wimmer’s machine again started to take a handling turn forcing Wimmer to drive a little harder.

Another caution flag allowed an opportunity for Wimmer to bring his No. 32 Dodge to the attention of his team. Geared up with fresh rubber and Sunoco fuel and another chassis adjustment, Wimmer would be ready to go for his final run of the Racing for Wildlife 200.

Unfortunately, the tire compound for Saturday’s race would be the source of the tight racecar and Wimmer would have to settle for a 16th place finish on the lead lap.

“The teams were given a new tire for Saturday’s race and it threw us for a loop,” said Wimmer, who completed all 100 circuits. “We did everything we possibly could to get our racecar to the front and we came up short. The Win-Tron Racing team gave me a great car, the tires just didn’t match.”

Nate Thiesse of Win-Tron Racing noted, “Chris gave it his all in the race. The tire problem seemed to be a major issue for a number of the race teams and we unfortunately joined that lineup. Chris never gave up behind the wheel and gave us everything the car had. He did a good job.”

Wimmer and Win-Tron Racing hope to put the 28-year old in a few more ARCA RE/MAX Series races later this year if sponsorship can be obtained.

Exiting Michigan, Wimmer will prepare for a busy race week beginning on June 22 with the ASA Midwest Tour reconvenes at Grundy Count Speedway. On Tuesday, June 24, Wimmer will head to Madison International Speedway and participate in the fourth annual All-Star challenge featuring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Matt Kenseth and Tony Stewart. Wimmer will close out his week on Thursday, June 26th at State Spark Speedway in Wausau, Wisconsin participating in the sixth annual Flip Merwin Memorial race.

Wimmer has spent the 2008 season competing in the ASA Midwest Tour Series. After four races the 28 year old sits sixth in the championship standings with two top-10 finishes.

Next up for the ARCA RE/MAX Series is a trip to Cayuga Motor Speedway on Sunday, June 29 for the Cayuga ARCA 250. The 10th event on the 2008 schedule is set to roll off 1:30 p.m. EST.

Further information on Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 952.469.1839. For more on Chris Wimmer please visit, ChrisWimmer.com.