Crago Wins Ohio Wheelman Battle at The Battleground!

By: Jim Foose/ Speedway Action Magazine

(PAINESVILLE, OH) The Painesville Speedway hosted a Doubleheader Weekend featuring the Ohio Pro Compacts on Friday and Saturday and capped off by the return of the Ohio Wheelman Series to the ⅕ mile.  Friday’s program featured the Ohio Pro Compacts, Habco Tool Warriors, Hometown Slice Pizza Co. Figure 8 Ironmen, Habco Tool Old School Figure 8 and a 75 lap Enduro.

Zach Myers topped the field in the Ohio Pro Compact 25 lap Feature event with Vinny Cicconetti (2nd), Jason Stanfield (3rd), Seth Yehl (4th) and Brandon Weigel (5th).  Weigel led several laps fending off challenges from Myers before a penalty put the #01 to the rear of the field, Weigel battled back for the fifth place finish.  John Cunningham and Mikey Oldenburgh scored Heat Race victories.

Craig Brackman picked up the Habco Tool Warrior Feature after starting third.  For Brackman, it was his first feature win since 2006.  Finishing behind Brackman was Magen March (2nd), Gavin Elmore (3rd), Jason Sharer (4th) and Kerek Ball (5th).  Gavin Elmore scored the Dash victory with Joe Elmore winning the Heat race.

The Hometown Slice Pizza Co. Figure 8 Ironmen Feature win went to Lou Hill, Sr. who put a front row starting position to work for him, while others fought through the pack Hill was putting on a Figure 8 clinic Friday.  MJ Reed finished second followed by Kenny Bender, Jr, (3rd), Lou Hill, Jr. (4th), and Jacon Pahner (5th) completed the top five.  Lou Hill, Jr. won the Fast Dash and a Heat Race while Mike Davis won the other Heat race.

Eric Lehmann scored the Habco Tool Old School Figure 8 Feature event over Lyle Mattson (2nd), Robert Wormald (3rd), Chad Tekavic (4th), and Taylor Bock (5th).  Wormald won the Heat Race.

Matt Wiedlund was able to overcome a deficit early to pick up the 75 lap Painesville Enduro to close out Friday night’s program.

Saturday brought the Ohio Wheelman Series to Painesville Speedway for the first time in 2025.  The Ohio Wheelman Series was set for 50 laps at “The World’s Toughest Motorsports Battleground”.  When the dust settled it was Orland, Indiana’s Tristian Crago taking top honors in the King of Ohio 50.  Crago held off Eddy Poderzay, who finished second, while Billy Roberts (3rd), Matt Wilson (4th) and Mike Henderson (5th) completed the top five finishers.  Jesse Fischbach and Joe Pugh won the pair of Heat Races, while Jeff Kuykendall scored the Fast Dash victory.

Hayden Nails was park the #3 in Victory Lane, taking the Ohio Pro Compact Feature win.  Nails was followed by Brandon Wiegel (2nd), Friday’s Feature Winner Zach Myers (3rd), Vinny Cicconetti (4th) and Richie Gregory (5th) across the finish line.  Weigel and David Abramczyk  scored Heat Race wins while Seth Yehl won the Fast Dash.

Thomas Winegord swept the night in the Scooter’s Dawg House Rising Stars, winning the Heat and Feature event.

Magen March finished one spot better than she did Friday night, scoring the Habco Tool Warrior Feature Win.  Gavin Elmore (2nd), Jason Sharer (3rd), Friday’s Winner Craig Brackman (4th) and Aaron Vitolo (5th) completed the top five.  Sharer and Gavin Elmore scored Heat Race wins.

The Hometown Slice Pizza Co. Figure 8 Ironmen hit the track for a 20 lap Feature event and it was the Ryan Turner show, holding off a hard charging Kenny Bender, Jr.  Bender, Jr finished second followed by Steven Sandli (3rd), MJ Reed (4th) and Lou Hill, Sr. (5th) completed the top five.  Turner and Hill, Sr. won the pair of Heat races.

The R&Z Auto Recycling Compact Figure 8 returned to action with TJ Schinke scoring the victory in the #62.  Mikey Oldenburgh (2nd), Autumn Merrill (3rd) and Chris Leland (4th) completed the field.  Leland scored the Heat Race victory.

Next up for Painesville Speedway; Throwback Night at The Battleground featuring the Battleground Six Pack divisions.

The Painesville Speedway remains committed to offering Fast & Affordable Family Fun!  More information including gate times and ticket prices can be found at NEOhioRacing.com.

Located at 500 Fairport Nursery Rd in Painesville, OH, The Painesville Speedway has been providing affordable family fun for generations.  The ⅕ mile oval and figure 8 track provide close quarters and action packed racing at “The World’s Toughest Battleground”.