So much talent. So much speed.
Ultimately, the 60th annual Tony Bettenhausen Memorial at Grundy County Speedway came down to a simple reality.
Too much Ty.
The Wisconsin native came in as a prohibitive favorite and showed why, dusting the 25-car field in the $6,000-to-win event.
“First of all, it’s cool winning the Bettenhausen 100,” Majeski said. “It’s a big win. The Bettenhausen 100 has been a staple in my eyes in Midwest short track racing since I’ve been in the sport.
“We ran it back at Illiana Speedway in 2015 and we really struggled, so it was cool to have an opportunity to come back.”
Majeski’s previous win at Grundy was in the 2016 ARCA Midwest Tour Wayne Carter Classic. Since 2014, he has won the touring series four times while running in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
In Saturday’s race he started 10th, but didn’t stay there long. He took the lead from Stan Zolodz on lap 17 and dominated the rest of the way.
“The car was just really good,” Majeski said. “The lane went our way at the beginning, when one of the guys held up the bottom and we were able to get track position and set the pace.”
His only real challenge came during qualifying.
Former late model champion Paul Shafer set a new track record with a lap of 14.453 seconds. Majeski was second at 14.533.
During the race, Shafer seemed headed for a runner-up finish when sparks began to fly from the right front of his No. 7. He pulled off the track with five laps remaining.
“Either a right front flat or something in the sway bar broke,” Shafer said. “Whatever it was, it wasn’t going to get us past Majeski. I just wish we were in second. That would be better than sitting in the pits with five to go.
“For most of the night we were pretty good. Better than most. Just not as good as Ty. He’s good. He can go anywhere in the country and win.”
Second place went to D.J. Weltmeyer, ahead of Ricky Baker, Zolodz, Steve Dorer and Josh Nelms.
Turning a corner: Weltmeyer’s second-place finish put a cap on a strong second half of the season at Grundy.
Weltmeyer, the son of local legend Dave Weltmeyer, missed several nights early in the summer because of engine problems. But after his return, he won two features and posted consistent finishes up front.
“We worked hard this year and it’s paying off,” Weltmeyer said. “This was just another race that proves we’re going in the right direction. There was no junk in this field back to front. It’s encouraging to know we’re going the right way.
“I just really want it. I’m committed. I’ve been studying and I’m willing to do some things physically for myself that’s going to make it even better for next season. You never know when your last race is going to be. I want to make sure every lap I get is to the best of my abilities.”
Smooth Stewart: Tim Stewart won the 25-lap season finale for the Mid-American class by using a brilliant move to pass John Ventrello.
After several attempts on the low side were denied, Stewart abruptly shot to the top on the backstretch with seven laps remaining.
“I was just patient and waited for my opening,” Stewart said. “I wasn’t going to wreck the guy. I just kept working and working, and he finally got loose coming off Turn 2. I was able to shoot to the outside and get around him. Then it was game over. Set sail.”
Stewart went on to beat Ventrello by 1.427 seconds to win the $2,000 first prize. Marqus Hoover was third, ahead of David Einhaus, Matt Clemens and Scotty Gardner.
The final street stock feature of the season saw Randy Weese win a back-and-forth battle with track champion Scott Gardner. The 4-cylinder feature went to Dan Schmeissing over Zach Legner.
