From Tyler Altmeyer | All Star Circuit of Champions
Zeb Wise opens Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by Cometic Gasket with final corner pass at Attica Raceway Park
ATTICA, Ohio (June 9, 2023) - If opening night of the 41st edition of Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by Cometic Gasket gives any indication to what Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 fans can expect the rest of the week, it’s safe to assume that it’s going to get wild in the Buckeye State, as Angola, Indiana’s Zeb Wise concluded night one at Attica Raceway Park with an impressive highside hustle, resulting in a $6,000 Bert and Brigitte Emick Classic score.
Wise, now a three-time Attica Raceway Park All Star winner, exactly half of his career-total with “America’s Series,” performed his highside hustle, or “ripping the lip” as most would suggest, in the final corner of the final lap, ultimately driving by race leader and two-time All Star champion, “Sunshine” Tyler Courtney. Courtney and Wise had been battling back and forth for much of the second half of the 35 lapper with Courtney earning the lead initially on lap eight. Zeb Wise took control from Sunshine with a slider on lap 22, only to lose command to Courtney with a dive of his own on lap 31. The pair would resume their near-nose-to-tail campaign until Wise’ aforementioned cushion blast on the final circuit, which eventually ended in a drag race; the final margin of victory was .281 seconds.
“That last lap was definitely win it or wear it. I’m not sure I ran three and four that hard all race until the last lap,” Zeb Wise, ace of the Rudeen Racing/Rayce Rudeen Foundation/No. 26 sprint car, said. “I kinda made some poor decisions prior to that last lap that put us behind Tyler [Courtney] earlier in the race. I think I was able to move a little bit better than he could. It’s just really rewarding to come here and put it all together, and I owe it all to the guys standing behind me.
“I don’t know what it is about this place,” Wise added. “I’ve just always been really comfortable here. I’m not sure if it’s the banking or the shape, but I’ve always really enjoyed racing at Attica.”
Jordan Ryan, who led the first seven circuits before losing the top spot to Courtney, finished third at Attica Raceway Park, followed by Craig Mintz and Cole Macedo.
“I made the wrong move into three,” Tyler Courtney said. “I just feel it for my guys. I think I gave one away there, but hats off to Zeb and his team. It’s been fun watching him grow up the last few summers. He’s a really good race car driver.”
ON DECK:
Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by Cometic Gasket action will resume with a $10,000-to-win program at Fremont Speedway in Fremont, Ohio, on Saturday, June 10, followed by a doubleheader at Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, Ohio, on Sunday and Monday, June 11-12. Wayne County’s opener will award a $6,000 payday, followed by a $10,000-to-win finale on Monday evening.
For those who can not witness the All Star Circuit of Champions live and in person, FloRacing.com, the official media partner and broadcast provider of the All Stars, has you covered. To access live and on-demand racing action from the All Star Circuit of Champions, visit FloRacing.com and become an annual PRO subscriber. Race fans can see all the USAC and dirt late-model action they want in addition to Eldora Speedway’s slate of races and those of the All Star Circuit of Champions. The subscription unlocks access to premium content across the entire FloSports network. Watch the events across all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.
Tezos A Feature (35 Laps):
1. 26-Zeb Wise[1]; 2. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[3]; 3. 25R-Jordan Ryan[2]; 4. 09-Craig Mintz[10]; 5. 29M-Cole Macedo[4]; 6. 55-Michael Kofoid[6]; 7. 9-Trey Jacobs[5]; 8. 45-Tim Shaffer[7]; 9. 4-Chris Windom[19]; 10. 48-Danny Dietrich[13]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson[9]; 12. 5-Byron Reed[21]; 13. 35-Stuart Brubaker[18]; 14. 8M-TJ Michael[17]; 15. 32-Bryce Lucius[14]; 16. 29-Sye Lynch[25]; 17. 97-JJ Hickle[24]; 18. 23-Zeth Sabo[8]; 19. 33W-Cap Henry[11]; 20. 7N-Darin Naida[22]; 21. 71M-Caden Englehart[16]; 22. 4S-Tyler Street[23]; 23. 28M-Conner Morrell[26]; 24. 19-Paige Polyak[20]; 25. 22-Brandon Spithaler[12]; 26. 49X-Cale Thomas[15] LAP LEADERS: Jordan Ryan (1-7), Tyler Courtney (8-21), Zeb Wise (22-30), Tyler Courtney (31-34), Zeb Wise (35)
2023 Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by Cometic Gasket Standings (As of 6/9):
Zeb Wise - 150
Tyler Courtney - 146
Jordan Ryan - 144
Craig Mintz - 142
Cole Macedo - 140
Buddy Kofoid - 138
Trey Jacobs - 136
Tim Shaffer - 134
Chris Windom - 132
Danny Dietrich - 130
2023 All Star Circuit of Champions DRIVER Standings (As of 6/9):
Tyler Courtney - 1864
Chris Windom - 1750
Zeb Wise - 1720
Tim Shaffer - 1710
JJ Hickle - 1626
Hunter Schuerenberg - 1592
Scotty Thiel - 1590
Conner Morrell - 1488
Sye Lynch - 1312
Parker Price-Miller - 1202
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Photo: All Star Circuit of Champions | Chad Warner