Cedar Lake Speedway
Gilberts nips in-law Mars in Legendary photo finish
By Troy Powers
DirtonDirt.com correspondent
Scott Gilberts (21) and Jimmy Mars (28) at the checkers. (Vince Peterson)
NEW RICHMOND, Wis. (Sept. 14) — Upon further review, Scott Gilberts of Sand Creek, Wis., captured the Late Model portion of Cedar Lake Speedway’s eighth annual Legendary 100 on Sunday, earning a career-high $5,000 payday.
Gilberts officially led all 40 laps of the NASCAR-sanctioned event, but his brother-in-law Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., was initially ruled the winner as he and Gilberts took the checkers side-by-side at the 3/8-mile oval. | Slideshow
A victory lane interview with Mars immediately after the race turned into an interview with the runner-up when officials checked the video replay and decided Gilberts edged Mars by inches for the victory in a race delayed 24 hours by Saturday rain.
After the race’s lone caution on lap 38, Mars turned up the heat on Gilberts, who took the white flag just a few feet ahead. Mars had the advantage exiting turn four on the final lap, but momentum carried Gilberts back ahead at the line for a victory that capped the three-day event that stretched into a fourth day.
Mars, whose only victory of 2013 came in Thursday night’s preliminary feature, settled for a $3,000 runner-up prize while Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., was third. A.J. Diemel of Elk Mound, Wis., was fourth and Eric Breeschoten of Buffalo, Minn., rounded out the top five finishes.
Steve Laursen drew the lone yellow flag on the 38th lap.
Notes: Gilberts is sponsored by Tim’s Automotive Machine, Bud Light and CMD Race Shocks. ... Mike Goodremote has been making guest appearances in the Gilberts machine in recent weeks. ... Fifteen of 25 starters completed 40 laps. ... There were 20 cars running at the finish. ... Cedar Lake’s season wraps up Sept. 21 with a $10,000-to-win enduro.
Legendary 100: (1) Scott Gilberts, (2) Jimmy Mars, (3) Brady Smith, (4) A.J. Diemel, (5) Eric Breeschoten, (6) Tim Isenberg, (7) Chad Mahder, (8) Nick Anvelink, (9) Darrell Nelson, (10) John Kaanta, (11) Ricky Weiss, (12) Kyle Peterlin, (13) Jake Redetzke, (14) Brent Larson, (15) Mike Nutzmann, (16) Robby Bunkelman, (17) Rick Hanestad, (18) Adam Hensel, (19) Mike Bear, (20) Todd Gehl, (21) Steve Laursen, (22) Trent Follmer, (23) Greg Nippoldt, (24) Harry Hanson, (25) Jeff Keeney.
