September 30
ABC Raceway,
Ashland, WI
Sanction: WISSOTA Late Models (Red Clay Classic) - $6,000
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated October 1, 3:03 pm)
Diemel's gaffe lifts Giossi to top Red Clay Classic
Red Clay Classic
- James Giossi
- Ashley Anderson
- Chad Mahder
- Darrell Nelson
- Jeff Massingill
- Jesse Glenz
- Mike Greseth
- Sam Mars
- Pat Doar
- Dave Flynn
- Steve Laursen
- Kevin Eder
- Travis Budisalovich
- Nick Anvelink
- Derek Vesel
- Tim McMann
- Andy Nezworski
- Mike Bellefeuille
- Lukas Koski
- Kevin Burdick
- Jake Redetzke
- A.J. Diemel
- Jayme Lautigar
- Skeeter Estey
James Giossi celebrates his $6,000 victory at ABC Raceway.
What won the race: Overtaking Ashley Anderson with an inside move at turn-two exit, eighth-starting James Giossi of Roberts, Wis., became the race's fourth different leader and paced the final 22 circuits to win Saturday's $6,000 48th annual Red Clay Classic at ABC Raceway. Giossi beat Anderson by 2.766 seconds to earn his first career feature victory at ABC and his first career Red Clay Classic triumph.
Quotable: “When you start eighth like that, you don’t really have a whole lot of hope, because all of these guys are good,” Giossi said. “With the amount of rain we had the last couple of days, I was thinking it was gonna be hard to pass, but actually the racetrack came around to be multi-lanes and actually put on some good racing from where I was at, so I hope the fans enjoyed the show as well.”
Key notes: The third-starting Anderson, of Elk Mound, Wis., led laps 22-28 before giving way to Giossi and trailing him the rest of the way. ... Making his final pass on lap 37, 12th-starting Chad Mahder completed the podium. ... A.J. Diemel led the first 20 laps from the pole before tangling with Jake Redetzke while trying to lap him, sending him spinning and collecting Kevin Burdick. Officials determined Diemel caused the caution and ordered him to tag the field, but Diemel opted to retire for the evening; Redetzke also called it a night. ... Second-starting Jeff Massingill inherited the point on the lap-21 restart before giving way to Anderson and fading to finish fifth. ... NLRA champion Mike Greseth improved four positions and finished seventh, the top-placing event's rookie. ... After winning Friday's 16-lap special, WCS champion Pat Doar gained four spots and finished ninth. ... Derek Vesel's solo-spin brought out the race's third and final yellow on lap 33; Vesel finished 15th. ... Kevin Burdick drew the second stoppage on lap 27 and required a tow back to the pits. ... Saturday's 26-minute feature saw 18 drivers complete 50 laps, with 19 running at the finish.
On the move: Darrell Nelson of Hermantown, Minn., started 19th and finished fourth.
Winner's sponsors: Giossi’s MB Customs Race Car is powered by a Pro Power Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Joel’s Auto Sales, Ignite Dispensary & Cigar, Star Prairie Sports Bar, GRP Motorsports, Kapella Machine Electronics, McConaughey Equipment & Outdoor Services LLC, Interstate Transmission, GTK Towing & Locksmith, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, CMD Shocks and Jig E Signs.
Points chase: WISSOTA points before ABC Saturday: 1. Tyler Peterson (2,231); 2. Chad Becker (2,217); 3. Kevin Burdick (2,157); 4. Pat Doar (2,149); 5. Kyle Peterlin (2,102).
Current weather: Overcast, 64°F
Car count: 39
Polesitter: A.J. Diemel
Heat race winners: James Giossi, Jesse Glenz, Sam Mars, A.J. Diemel
Consolation race winners: Nick Anvelink, Kevin Burdick
Next series race: October 6, Ogilvie Raceway (Ogilvie, MN) $4,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.