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WAELTI WALTZES TO EAGLE RIVER SPEEDWAY VICTORY LANE
Posted on: Sunday July 19, 2026
ATTENTION SPORTS/MOTORSPORTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WAELTI WALTZES TO EAGLE RIVER SPEEDWAY VICTORY LANE
(EAGLE RIVER, WI) July 18 – Sun Prairie’s Brandon Waelti stormed past Jake Dohner to take the lead on lap 17 and went the distance for the remaining 13 laps, winning the caution-free, 30 lap Badger Midget feature race at Eagle River Speedway Saturday.
Dohner jumped into the lead at the drop of the green from his pole position, quickly building up a four car length cushion over Nick Kilan in the first five circuits. Waelti, who started 6th in the contest, hung around the fourth spot for the first several laps before snagging the runnerup spot on lap 12.
Waelti began to chisel away at Dohner’s margin. Waelti was able to close the gap to within two car lengths at the event’s halfway point. With 13 laps remaining, Waelti slipped past Dohner to take the top spot and never relinqusih it. The victory was Waelti’s 28th career win. Dohner hung on for second place. Cody Weisensel, Kilan, and Eric Blumer rounded out the top five finishers.
Michigan visitor Brayden Lundquist captured the Unified dirt street stock feature at Eagle River Speedway July 18. (Castle Creations Media)
Bark River, Michigan’s Brayden Lundquist grabbed the lead on a restart with three circuits remaining, and fought off hometown driver Ben Pitlik to score the street stock feature win.
Pitlik outraced fellow front row starter Quentin “Iceman” Morrison at the drop of the green in the 20 lap feature race. Pitlik quickly built up a six car length margin in the first eight circuits. Defending track champion Jason Eisel charged from his 10th starting spot into second on lap 12, and set his sights on Pitlik.
A Josh Joslin spin on lap 17 tightened up the field. On the restart, Lundquist and Eisel pressured Pitlik, with Lundquist squeezing past the hometown racer to snag the lead and the eventual win. Pitlik took second. Hope Eisel rallied on the final circuit to take third. Jason Eisel and Jake Binash took fourth and fifth, respectively.
Cornell, Michigan’s Ethan Manninen snagged the lead on a lap two restart, and cruised to his third, 600 micro sprint victory here the season. Rhinelander’s Blake Joslin took second place money. Jacksonville, Florida’s Jace Murray, New Richmond drivers Brenden Newville and Brian Link placed third through fifth, respectively.
The semi-pro feature was red flagged when hometown driver Colton Glembin collided with fellow hometown racer Graham Van Atta coming off of turn four. The contact sent Glembin’s racer into a rollover. Glembin emerged unhurt. The contest was won by Escanaba, Michigan visitor Keagan Jensen. The win was Jensen’s first here, in his inaugural visit.
Tomahawk’s Blake Wilke led wire-to-wire, winning his second 300 Pro feature. The contest went green-to-checkered without a yellow.
Drivers from five states took part in tonight’s program. Merrill’s Matt Eder captured the Dairlyland Vintage feature race.
Racing resumes Tuesday, July 21 with the track’s second IMCA modified Fast Shaft Qualifying race. A $1,000 top prize is on the line. Christmas in July will also take place, with a visit from Santa Claus. A full show with the track’s other divisions is scheduled. Racing starts at 7:00 p.m. For more information check out the track’s Facebook page.
RACE SUMMARY
BADGER MIDGET FEATURE – Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie; Jake Dohner, Edgerton; Cody Weisensel, Sun Prairie; Nick Kilan, Sun Prairie; Eric Blumer, Sun Prairie; Luke Wackerlin, Maple Park, IL; Brian Peterson, Mukwonago; RJ Corson, Markham, IL; MIles Doherty, Delmar, IA; Harrison Kleven, Marshall; Dave Collins Jr, Lake Mills; Mike Stroik, West Bend; Matt Rechek, Beaver Dam (DNS)
HEATS 1) Weisensel; Waelti 2) Dohner; Rechek
ZDROIK WELL DRILLING STREET STOCK FEATURE – Brayden Lundquist, Bark River, MI; Ben Pitlik, Eagle River; Hope Eisel, Rhinelander; Jason Eisel, Sugar Camp; Jake Binash, Forest Junction; Nick Allard, Three Lakes; Caleb Miller, Eagle River; Quentin Morrison, Eagle River; Jared DeMeuse, Gladstone, MI; Lucas Zdroik, Eagle River; Josh Joslin, Rhinelander; Alexis Joslin, Rhinelander; Jeremy Joslin, Rhinelander; Ayden Walker, Rhinelander; Blake Josline, Rhinelander
HEATS 1) Josh Joslin; Miller 2) Allard; Pitlik
JD PAINTBALL & ARCHERY 600 MICRO SPRINT FEATURE – Ethan Manninen, Cornell, MI; Blake Joslin, Rhinelander; Jace Murray, Jacksonville, FL; Brenden Newville, New Richmond; Brian Link, New Richmond; Jayger Quinn, Gladstone, MI; Braxton Lundquist, Bark River, MI; Katherine Towne, Boulder Junction
HEAT – Manninen; Murray
Dan’s Service 300 MICRO SPRINT FEATURES Pro) Blake Wilke, Tomahawk; Reed Joslin, Eagle River; Parker Ewert, Eagle River; Bentley Seliger, Wausau; Myia Ewert, Eagle River Semi-Pro) Keagan Jensen, Escanaba, MI; Graham Van Atta, Eagle River; Colton Glembin, Eagle River
Heats 1) Glembin; Jensen 2) Reed Joslin; Parker Ewert
Dairyland Vintage Feature – Matt Eder, Merrill; Brian Witberler, Merrill; Dale Williams, Merrill; Jeff Shellhorn, Gleason; Chad Lucas, Phelps; Breezy Bobby, Pea Ridge, AR
Heat – Witberler; Eder