Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway
Diemel rules Oshkosh, wins Scheffler Memorial
A.J. Diemel heads for fast time at Oshkosh, where he later claimed a $5,000 victory. (Shawn Fredenberg)
OSHKOSH, Wis. (Aug. 23) — Earning his richest victory of the season, fifth-starting A.J. Diemel of Elk Mound, Wis., captured the fourth annual George Scheffler Memorial on Friday in Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway’s lone Late Model event of the season. | Slideshow
Diemel took the lead from Mitch McGrath of Neosho, Wis., amid lapped traffic on the 19th lap and led the rest of the way for a $5,000 payday on Hales Corners Reunion night at Oshkosh.
McGrath held on to finish second ahead of former Dirt Track World Champion Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., while Nick Anvelink of Navarino, Wis., and T.J. Dolhun of West Allis, Wis., rounded out the top five.
Diemel notched his first $5,000 since last September and his third special-event victory of the season in the non-touring event sanctioned by the Wisconsin Dirt Late Model Association.
The lone caution of the race appeared on the eighth lap when Jim Schmidt spun with McGrath leading Dolhun and Diemel early in the race.
Notes: Diemel’s MB Customs No. 58 is sponsored by Beltline Body Shop, Mars Race Cars, CMD Shocks, Speedwerx, Integra, Keyser Mfg., Schaeffer Oil (John Ullmer), ButlerBuilt Seats, Wilwood Disc Brakes, JoeProvoRacewear.com and Dan Nolan Livestock. ... Diemel earned $2,500 for a NASCAR-sanctioned victory during USA Nationals weekend Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., and $3,000 for a Fourth of July victory on the Corn Belt Clash circuit at Luxemburg (Wis.) Speedway. ... Diemel also famously led the first half of the $50,000-to-win USA Nationals before a broken crankshaft forced him out. ... Paul Parker had a tough night. He spun out of second on the last lap of heat one, then rallied from the tail into a transfer spot in the second consy when his engine gave up. ... Jim Schmidt spun out of the lead of the third heat with two laps remaining, handing a victory to Nick Anvelink.
George Scheffler Memorial: (1) A.J. Diemel, (2) Mitch McGrath, (3) Jimmy Mars, (4) Nick Anvelink, (5) T.J. Dolhun, (6) Justin Ritchie, (7) Tim Buhler, (8) Ricky Weiss, (9) Tom Naeyaert, (10) Troy Springborn, (11) Russ Scheffler, (12) Rick Scheffler, (13) Todd Jensema, (14) Ron Berna, (15) Brett Swedberg, (16) Brad Mueller, (17) Jeff Curtin, (18) Pete Parker, (19) Mark Rose, (20) Jim Schmidt, (21) Al Atkinson, (22) Jim Letizia, (23) Ron Stroika, (24) Tim Rothe. Fast qualifier (among 42 cars): Diemel. Heat race winners: Russ Scheffler, Diemel, Anvelink, Naeyaert, Dolhun. Consolation winners: Rick Scheffler, Berna, Swedberg.
