Dells Raceway Delivers an Epic Night of Mid-Am Racing Action

The Gardner Crew in Victory Lane

Scotty Gardner Jr. powered to victory at Dells Raceway Park after an epic, door-to-door battle with Kenny Richards that had fans on the edge of their seats. The two raced wheel-to-wheel for several laps, with the winner not decided until they thundered across the start/finish line on the final lap in an epic finish.

Veteran Josh Nelms ran a smart race in third, closely watching the fierce side-by-side battle between the leaders. With both drivers locked in a wheel-to-wheel duel, there was little room or opportunity for Nelms to make a move and advance. Our Hawkeye Downs winner will be knocking on the door again!

Another standout performance came from Rick Redig-Tackman in the Willingham Racing Ford. After a difficult start to the season plagued by mechanical issues both on and off the track, Redig-Tackman bounced back in style — capturing a heat race win and finishing a strong 4th in the feature in his Ford-bodied, Ford-powered machine.

Kyle Brick continued to impress, finishing 5th after leading multiple laps and running with the leaders for much of the race. With performances like this, the question on everyone’s mind is: when will his first feature win come?

Meanwhile, Cameron Preisler and the Eddie Wolf Racing team quietly worked their way to a solid finish, overcoming a season full of mechanical setbacks to put together a strong and steady night. Thank you for your persistence and perseverance.

Another moment worth celebrating came from Shane Sapp, who dusted off his racing shoes for the 2025 race season after retirement and turned in what Mid-Am staff agreed was his best showing of the year. Sapp drove a calm and calculated race to finish 7th, lighting up the pits with his return and proving he’s still got plenty left in the tank.

Finishing just behind Sapp in 8th,

Andrew Borntreger brought his Area Sportsman car out to race with the Mid-Am field and put on a show. Mixing it up with series regulars all night, Borntreger demonstrated he can hang with the best. We’re asking: when can you race with us again? And please bring Kooper Heintz along — the Mid-Am family would love to see you both more!

Rounding out the top ten were two more drivers with stories beyond the track. In 9th, Phil Speciale raced with a heavy heart following the recent passing of Mary, his wife. While results took a backseat on this emotional weekend, it meant the world to see Phil at the track, doing what he loves. The entire Mid-Am family was proud to have him with us.

In 10th place, Bobby Gash didn’t get the finish he wanted but showed strong pace throughout the night. Looking sharp and finishing inside the top ten in such a competitive field is no small feat — and there’s no doubt he’ll be pushing toward the front in the races ahead.

All three heat races featured wheel-to-wheel battles and breakout performances, setting the stage for an unforgettable night of racing. Heat Race 1 was especially spicy, with Tim Schmitt and Michael Gerike battling hard until the checkers, leaning on each other aggressively — it’s safe to say they’ll likely not be exchanging Christmas cards this year. Heat Race 2 was Rick Redig-Tackman and Andrew Borntreger in a close but clean fight, while Heat Race 3 featured a door-to-door duel between Kyle Brick and Andrew Meyerhofer. Meyerhofer ultimately picked up the win and delivered his best showing of the year throughout the whole race.

If there was any doubt about the competitiveness of the Mid-Am field, the lap times told the story: from first to last place in the feature, all drivers were separated by just three-tenths of a second — the blink of an eye. That razor-thin margin is a testament to the depth of talent and preparation across the board.

Series owners Tim Scrogham and Cheryl Hryn summed it up best:

“This was by far the best race we’ve seen since taking ownership of the series. We’re incredibly proud of these teams — their effort, sportsmanship, and the incredible show they put on is everything Mid-Am racing stands for.”

As the sun set over Dells Raceway Park, one thing was clear: this race won’t be remembered just by lap times, but by the heart, hustle, and passion of every team that took the green flag.

Up next: The Mid-Am Racing Series heads to Kankakee County Speedway on July 11th. Come join us on DIRT! Mid-Am is one of the most diverse racing series in the United States, as we run dirt, asphalt, and road courses. If this race was any indication, fans won’t want to miss what’s coming next.

Final Feature Results:

1. Scotty Gardner Jr.

2. Kenny Richards

3. Josh Nelms

4. Rick Redig-Tackman

5. Kyle Brick

6. Cameron Preisler

7. Shane Sapp

8. Andrew Borntregger

9. Phil Speciale

10. Bobby Gash III

11. Andrew Meyerhofer

12. Jim Thorson

13. Greg Thorson

14. Michael Gerike

15. Josh Fehrmann

16. Kooper Heintz

17. Dan Calhoun

18. Tim Schmitt

19. Michael Moore

20. Connor Kosowski (DNS)