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Stouthamer Scores Lightning Sprint Wilmot Title While Irwin Wins At Wilmot For First Time

(Wilmot, Wis., Saturday, September 6, 2025)--Big Bend's Chad Stouthamer used a lot of knowledge learned from Waukesha's Mark Heinert to pick up the 11-75 Sports Complex & Eatery IRA Lightning Sprints Wilmot Raceway 75th Season Championship Saturday, September 6, 2025.
"I learned a lot from Mark and he helped me quite a bit when I was first getting started in lightning sprints," admitted Stouthamer following a runner-up finish in the 20-lap feature. "I would have rather had Mark right behind me in third, but it was great for us."
"I have to thank my parents, my Grandpa (Bob Peterson) who celebrated his 90th birthday a couple weeks ago," said Stouthamer, who is a second generation campaigner.
Heinert, who held a 2-point advantage over Stouthamer going into the night and following preliminary qualifying and heat race competition.
Nick Petska of Spring Grove, IL posted the fastest time trial lap in Body Craft of Antioch, IL qualifying. Irwin took the win in the Fox Lake Harbor presents All Star Performance Heat 1.
Jordan Funderburk of Wadsworth, IL took top honors in the Game Day Men's Health presents Rod End Supply Heat 2. In the second heat Stouthamer was second and Heinert fourth, Combined with their qualifying efforts and heat race passing points both were still two points apart going into the feature.
On the first attempt to start the main, Heinert went into turn one a little too hard resulting in spinning in turn two with the field narrowly missing the disabled mount. On the ensuing start, Heinert found himself having to try to work up from the tail.
Funderburk of took the initial lead with Genoa City's Jacob Irwin going to the point using the inside groove coming out of turn four.
Nine laps from the checkered, Petska, who was running in the top five, got sideways ending up doing a slow roll onto his side in turn one. After being righted, Petska was able to restart.
Irwin went on to score the win. Stouthamer came across second after a back and forth battle with overall IRA Lightning Sprints series pointleader Brian Strane Jr. of Paris ending up third.
Funderburk took fourth. Pleasant Prairie's Mike Neau fifth. Strane earned the Behling Race Equipment hard charger award by improving four spots from his original 7th berth in the original lineup.
Heinert ended up recovering to finish 8th, which wasn't quite good enough to take the track championship.
"We've been trying for a long time to get a win here at Wilmot, so this means a lot," said 16-year old Irwin who won his first ever main earlier this season at Sycamore Speedway. "I'm actually glad we had the red because my right leg was really getting tired and needed a rest."
"I have to thank my family, everyone, who has supported our team," said Irwin. "This is really special to win here because of all of the history."
Next for the lightning sprints is Wilmot's 2nd Annual Fall Classic finale Saturday, September 13. MSA 360 Sprints, AutoMeter Powered by Gandrud Performance WingLESS Sprints, Wilmot 604 Winged Sprints, Street Stocks, Modifieds and Bandits are on the card with a fireworks show closing out the show.
On Friday, September 12 the Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprints highlight the program at their original home track for Classic Night 1. Street Stocks, Modifieds, Bandits and Wilmot Winged 604 Sprints are running.as well.
The lightning sprints Wisconsin series season closes out as part of the Wisconsin Sprint Championships Saturday, September 27 along with IRA Winged 410 Sprints, AutoMeter powered by Gandrud Performance Wisconsin WingLESS Sprints and MSA 360 Sprints.
Submitted by Mike Babicz - IRA
Photos by Irwin Racing & Charlie Lancour

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