Polesitter Kevin Karnitz jumped out to the lead on the opening circuit of the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main with third starter Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum following into second. On lap 5, sixth starter Jim Melis of Glenbeulah used the high groove to move in to challenge the low-riding Wenninger for second.
By lap 8, Karnitz had built up a half-straightaway cushion over Wenninger. However, on the next lap, Melis finally surged ahead of Wenninger into second. Two laps later, Wenninger got a big run off the inside lane to regain the runner-up spot and close in on Karnitz.
As Karnitz began to negotiate slower traffic on lap 15, Wenninger moved in to close the gap on the leader. Wenninger attempted to wrestle the lead away from Karnitz by moving up to the high groove on lap 16.
However, heavy lapped traffic impeded Wenninger’s progress as 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove, who started fifth, bolted in to take second from Wenninger along the high groove on lap 20 while three-time Midwest Sprint Car Association champion Brandon McMullen, who started eighth, followed into third on lap 21.
Schmidt appeared poised to launch himself into the lead along the high line on lap 22 before the lone caution of the race appeared on the same lap for Chris Clayton of Waldo, who spun in turn four.
On the restart, McMullen got a huge run along the high groove to vault past Schmidt into second and challenge Karnitz for the top spot on lap 23. One lap later, McMullen powered into the lead along the high groove entering turn three and held off Karnitz, who stayed in close quarters over the final circuit, to secure his 16th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and 22nd career Midwest Sprint Car Association main event triumph.
Karnitz placed second, Schmidt wound up third, Wenninger placed fourth and Melis rounded out the top five.
Danny Schlafer of Sussex won the IRA B main behind the wheel of the Darrell Dodd-owned No. 11 car.
Tony Wondra won the first PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main and Tyler Davis of South Milwaukee earned the victory in the second PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main.v