Recap 2008

With the end of the 2008 race season in the books, Brandon and the crew were pleased with the outcome.  After deciding only to run a partial schedule the only goal for the year was to go out and have fun!!!!

Going out every week and not worrying about points made it so much easier to have a more laid back atmosphere.  So when the season was concluded it was no surprise that Brandon was content with a third place in the final BMARA point standings with not even attending three points races. 

Brandon started out the season with a win at the Amsoil Arena in New Richmond, WI for Badgers opener driving the Jim Fiscus no. 7.  The rest of the season saw Brandon in the familiar no.3 car that we are accustomed to seeing.  In that car Brandon picked up another feature win at Charter Park at the end of July. 

By seasons end Brandon had two feature wins , 7 preliminary wins, 11 top 5 feature finishes, and passed 65 cars in the feature over the season to place him third in the Hard Charger standings. 

Brandon couldn't have done all this without the help of co-owner Jim Schulenberg, Crew Chief Benji Huss, Tire Specialist Jeff Jessberger, and all around jack of all trades Mike Hughes.  Among the them Brandon is greatly appreciative of all of his great sponsors that stuck with him this season: Temperature Systems Inc., Cardinal Heating, Conrad Real Estate, Carl F. Statz and Sons, Pit Stop Pub, Quality Plus Plumbing, Howie Chaussee Automotive, Dave's Masonry, Monarch Media Designs, Sign-1-1, and F.J. Racing Ent.  Not to mention the support from all the fans, friends and family that have helped out this season!!! 

Next on tap is the Chili Bowl Nationals....January 2009......Check website for complete review of Brandon's racing results.

 

August 17, 2008

With an early exit to last weeks feature due to a driveshaft failure Brandon wanted to have a good run in front to the packed Corn Fest 50 crowd at Angell Park.  Going out in the top 10 for qualifying, Brandon would time in at a 14.9 that would put him fourth among the stout field. 

Starting third in the nights trophy dash Brandon would finish where he started.  Next up was the heat race.  Brandon would start on the inside of the third row for the event.  With the car not exactly what Brandon and crew expected Brandon struggled to a fifth place finish, which would mean he would have to run the b-main.  Brandon quickly got into the lead after a few laps and cruised to a victory utilizing the high groove.  Brandon would now start on the outside of row 4 for the 50 lap event. 

Brandon would use multiple grooves throughout the night making his way to the front.  By mid-race Brandon found himself in the top five.  Closing in on Hatton and Ray with five laps to go Brandon shredded a right rear tire going into turn one.  Brandon would cause a caution ending his night early while running in the third position.  Brandon would end the night in the 11th position four laps short of the finish. 

After two disappointing weekends Brandon and crew hope to change there luck for the USAC/Badger doubleheader at Sun Prairie next weekend.  Brandon is currently third in BMARA points.

 

August 10, 2008

Coming up short in last weeks A-Main by one spot Brandon was anxious to get back on the track to try for a win.  Brandon would start the night out strong with a good second place qualifying effort.  With a draw for the lineup Brandon would start on the outside of the front row for the trophy dash.  DeSelle quickly jumped out into the lead and Brandon couldn't reel him in the the four lap event. 

The crew then had to quickly turn the car around because Waelti was in the first heat race.  Brandon, starting in the fifth row would need to move fast to get in the top three in order to get his qualifying time back.  Brandon slowly worked his way through the field running down Joe Wipperfurth on the white flag lap to take the lead and the win for the ten lap heat race.  With a good car underneath him Brandon was optimistic about there chances for the nights main event. 

Starting on the inside of row five Brandon quickly tried to make up ground but the red came out for a flipping Mike Hess.  It was at that time Brandon felt a vibration in the three car.  With a complete restart on tap Brandon again tried to weave his way through traffic but came up short on lap two with a driveline issue and was forced to pull in the pits.  The problem was a driveshaft that was broken. 

Brandon now sits third in the BMARA point standings going into the Corn Fest 50 at Sun Prairie Sunday night.

 

August 3 , 2008

After coming off somewhat of a struggle the week before Brandon and crew really wanted to get back on track this week.  Going out late to qualify Brandon would time in sixth quick among the tough field.  Brandon then would start on the inside of the third row for his heat race.  The heat race didn't go well as taking the green flag for the event the front row car didn't go and Brandon got involved in a wreck.  Brandon would be stalled on the track with a cut right rear tire and would not be able to continue.  Next up was the B-Main.  Brandon would start on the pole for the event and would be unchallenged for the 10 laps claiming the victory. 

The feature was next on tap for the Waelti Racing team.  Brandon would start on the inside of row three for the 30 lap feature.  Brandon quickly went to work and moved up to the third position after a few laps.  Brandon used the outside groove to get around David Gough to move into the second spot.  Brandon then chased down leader Davey Ray and made a move on him taking the lead on lap 10. 

By lap 15 a caution came out for a four car wreck.  Brandon's lead was erased.  Brandon got a good restart and would continue pacing the field until the white flag lap when Mike Hess made his move on the outside.  Brandon and Mike would have a drag race to the checkered flag and Brandon would come up just short of the win. 

After another second place finish Brandon still sits in second in the BMARA points going into next week race at Sun Prairie.

 

July 27, 2008

Hoping to have a good night at Sun Prairie, Brandon and crew were anxious to hit the track on Sunday night.  After a decent hot lap session, Brandon went out to qualify second to last. But as he got pushed off the car was only running on two cylinders.  The culprit was a bad ignition sensor.  The crew quickly went to work and changed it so Brandon got two qualifying laps.  Although the times weren't good, it was better than taking no time. 

Brandon then started on the outside of the front row for the heat race.  Being in the first heat Brandon and crew had no time to adjust the car after qualifying, so the car would be very loose.  Brandon quickly got out to an early lead but would get passed by Matt Smith at the halfway point.  With one lap to go Smith would blow a power steering line giving the lead to Waelti.  With a green,white, checkered finish Brandon held off a hard charging Joe Wipperfurth for the heat win. 

With such a poor qualifying effort, Brandon would start on the inside of row six for the feature.  Getting a good start Brandon quickly passed a few cars but then got caught in a lap two wreck with Wipperfurth.  Brandon would be able to continue with the crew changing a bent draglink on the red flag.  On the restart Brandon passed many cars and would run in the top five.  But by lap 10 the car began to overheat, forcing Brandon to limp the car to the finish by running 3/4 throttle around the bottom of the track for the last 20 laps giving up valuable positions.  By the checkered flag Brandon faded to the fifth position.

Hopefully this week Brandon and crew can repair the overheating situation for Sundays race at Sun Prairie. Brandon stills sits second in the BMARA point standings.

 

July 20, 2008

With a great racing weekend in the books from last week, Brandon and crew were anxious to get back on the track in hopes of continuing the good runs.  The night started out good as Brandon would time in fourth quick (identical time as Brad Kuhn) among the strong Badger field.  Brandon then would start on the tail end of the second heat race. Brandon slowly moved his way through the field and made a last lap pass on Chad DeSelle to come home with the heat race win.  Brandon would now start on the inside of row no. 4 for the feature event. 

Brandon utilizing the familiar low line, battled his way up to the fourth position for much of the event. Brandon would also have a fierce battle with Matt Smith for the third position for many laps.  With a red coming out with three laps to go, the field was all bunched up including many lapped cars.  The lapped cars would not fair well for the three car as Brandon struggled to get around them and finally Mike Hess passing Brandon coming out of turn four taking the checkers.  Brandon would settle for fifth on the night. 

With a decent night of racing in the books Brandon still sits in second position in the BMARA point standings going into next weeks race at Sun Prairie.

 

July 12-13, 2008

Brandon and crew headed to Charter Park for the last race of the "Duel at the Dam" Saturday night in hopes of a good finish.  Brandon drew a decent qualifying number and would time in ninth quick among the badger drivers.  Brandon then started on the inside of the third row for the heat race and quickly went to work passing cars.  By mid race Brandon gained control of the lead and never looked back, winning the heat race. 

Brandon then would start on the inside of row number two in the feature.  Brandon quickly got freight trained on the start as he did a huge wheelie coming out of turn two.  Brandon would recover to run in the fourth position for the start of the race.  He then slowly took his time on Slotten, Loyet and DeSelle and gained the lead by lap 11.  Brandon then held off the pass attempts of Loyet on a few restarts and would come home victorious in the six lap shortened feature event.  The crew then gathered in victory lane including Cam (Brandon's six month old daughter) for a victory lane picture.  This was Brandon's second career win at the track. 
 
With the help of the crew and the great sponsor support Brandon was hopeful of another good finish at Sun Prairie the next night.  Always tough to repeat Brandon and the crew again tried a different set up on the car in hopes of better qualifying effort.  The set up payed off timing in sixth quick on the rough but tacky track.  Brandon then started on the outside of the last row in the heat race in hopes of a top four finish to transfer to the nights 50 lap event.  Brandon got held up on the start from a slower car but weaved his way through the field finishing third in the race. 

Brandon's starting spot for the feature would be on the outside of row number three.  With 50 laps of racing on the plate Brandon would have plenty of time to try to make it to the front.  As the race began Brandon would run in the fourth position for the first ten laps or so before making his move on Bobby East moving him up to third.  With the leader Pickens flipping shortly there after Brandon would move up to second. 

As the race progressed Brandon would encounter a lot of lapped traffic and could not get close to the very fast leader of Scott Hatton.  Brandon would have to settle for second place in the two lap shortened event.  After a lot of hard work from the crew, Brandon and the team were pleased with the weekends outcome.  Brandon now sits second in the BMARA point standings behind Mike Hess.

Next race is Sunday at Sun Prairie.

 

July 6, 2008

After a strong run the week before at Sun Prairie, Brandon hoped to duplicate that finisih or even better it this week.  Again this week trying a different set up for qualifing, Brandon hoped for better results.  That wouldn't be the case as he would put in one of his worst qualifing efforts in many years. 

Starting on the pole of the second heat, Brandon jumped out to the early lead but couldn't hold off the efforts of the charging Michael Pickens.  Brandon would hold on the second spot.  Still not happy with the car, the crew quickly went to work to try to make the car better for the feature as Brandon would start on the outside of row number six.  Brandon slowly went to work passing cars using the familiar bottom groove. 

After a few cautions Brandon adjusted his line up the high groove and picked off more cars.  By lap 21 Brandon found himself in the second spot where he would finisih.  Brandon held off the advances of Hatton late in the race.  Brandon still sits fourth in the points, five points behind Hatton. 

Next race is Charter Park in Beaver Dam Saturday night and then to Sun Prairie on Sunday.

June 29, 2008

Coming off a rained out previous week Brandon and crew were excited to get back on the track.

Trying a new set up on the car Brandon hoped to improve there qualifying efforts.  That wasn't the case, Brandon again struggled and timed in outside the top 10 again.  That put him on the outside of the second row for the first heat race.  Brandon quickly went to work on the field and came home with a convincing heat race win. 

With the new racing format in place and the the b-main complete, Brandon would start on the outside of the front row for the feature.  Aaron Fiscus quickly got into the lead at the start but by lap two Brandon got the lead.  Waelti held the lead for the next few laps until Davey Ray would get by him.  Utilizing the top groove Brandon battled with the likes of Ray, Altig, and Hatton to name a few.  With a lap 22 red flag Brandon stopped on the front stretch with a overheating engine.  The crew quickly went to work and got some water back in the car to finish the last eight laps. When everything panned out Brandon came home in the second spot behind Altig.

Waelti is now fourth in the BMARA points, two points behind Hatton with missing the two day Knoxville race a week ago.

June 15, 2008

After a week off due to major rain in southern Wisconsin, Brandon and the team were anxious to get back to racing at Angell Park Speedway. 

Thinking that the track would we extremely tacky for the weekends event Brandon and the crew were surprised to see a very dry track for qualifications.  Going out third to last Brandon again continued his struggle in qualifying, qualifying outside the top fifth teen.  Brandon would start on the inside of row two in the third heat race. 

Badger was going with a new format which required you to position yourself in the top three in order to transfer to the feature.  Putting on a battle with the likes of Coons Jr., Hatton, and Hess Brandon ended up in the third spot.  Brandon now had his work cut out for him as he would have to start on the inside of row six for the feature event.  Brandon quickly went to work on the field and sliced his way up to the top five by lap ten. 

Quickly there after Brandon got himself up to the second position thinking he might have a chance at a win.  Brandon had fierce battles with Pickens, Hess, Alguiar, and Hatton to name a few during the race but Brandon would surrender a few positions.  Going into the third corner on the last lap a rocker arm broke on the no. 3 car and Brandon was lucky to coast to a third place. 

Badger now goes to the famous Knoxville Raceway for a two day show on fri. and sat.  With Brandon not going to the Knoxville race Brandon is likely to drop from his third place points standings with BMARA. 

The next race for the Waelti Racing team is Sunday at Angell Park.  Don't forget to get your new hero cards in the Waelti Racing pits after the races.

June 1 , 2008

Brandon and the team had moderate expectations going into the race at Charter Park this weekend after the less then stellar performance the first round at the track.  The night didn't start out too well with a broken oil filter housing taking the green in hot laps.  With nobody in the pits having an extra one the crew called the Cody Wiesensel team in Sun Prairie and had one on there blown motor.  So big Mike on the crew called his sister to pick it up and race the part to Beaver Dam so the team could make the heat race.  Starting last Brandon sliced his way up to the third spot, transferring him to the A-Main event.  With no qualifying lap completed Brandon was forced to start last in the 22 car field.  Thankfully the track had multiple grooves and Waelti quickly went to work making his way up to the front.  By mid-race Brandon got as high as SECOND place, but a clogged injector would slow his pace and would still settle for a solid fifth place finish passing 17 cars and battling with the likes of Coons Jr.., Darland and East to name a few.  With the help of the Wiesensel team, Big Mike's sister and the quick work of the crew Brandon ended the night very well considering how the night began.
 
Off to Sun Prairie for night two of the Badger race weekend.  With a split show with the MSA sprint cars the track was very tricky for the Waelti team.  Qualifing a slightly disappointing 13th for the show Brandon started mid pack in his heat race.  Brandon then easily transferred running third in the fourth heat race.  Committed to the familiar bottom groove for the feature event Brandon went to work slowly picking off cars.  But when the night ended Brandon still only could get to the eighth spot passing 7 cars from his 15th place starting position.  Brandon now sits third in the BMARA points standings behind Coons Jr. and Hess going into next Sundays race at Sun Prairie.

May 29, 2008

Photo by Jeff Arns

Coming off a big win up at the Sandbox up in New Richmond,WI, Brandon and crew decided to run a limited 2008 Badger Midget Racing Schedule.  

Brandon will pilot the familiar no. 3 car at all the Sun Prairie events with possibilities of racing at Charter Park. Waelti will not be present at Dodge County Fairgrounds and the two day show at Knoxville Raceway. With the ever growing costs of the sport this would be all the Waelti race team can do for the 2008 season. Thanks to the great sponsors and fans for making the limited season even possible. The Waelti Racing team and Brandon hope to pull off a few victories at the famous Angel Park Speedway.
 
With a couple of race nights in the book the team mustarded up a few decent finishes among the Badger standouts. A eighth place finish at Charter Park and a fourth place finish at the opener at Sun Prairie puts Brandon fourth in the points for the abbreviated season. Last Sundays race at the prairie was cut short due to rain but Brandon held on for second in his heat race. Next up is Sundays race at the Prairie June 1, 2008.

March 29, 2008

Photo by Jeff Arns

The Badger race season opener was March 29, 2008 at the new Amsoil Sandbox Arena at Cedar Lake Speedway in which Brandon would make history. With 2008 plans up in the air for Waelti, Brandon was tabbed to drive the Jim Fiscus stealth/esslinger 7x car with teammates Aaron Fiscus and Tim Noble.

The night would start out good posting the fourth quick time among the Badger competitors. Waelti would have to start shot gun on the field for his heat race. Brandon would charge his way to the front finishing a strong third place. Good enough to make the trophy dash Brandon would start fourth.

Brandon quickly made his move and would battle Dave Darland for much of the race but would have to settle for second. That solid finish would slate Brandon for an outside front row starting spot for the first ever event. Getting the jump on Darland, Brandon would pace the first couple of laps, but would surrender the lead on lap three. Brandon kept Darland in sight and would stage a fierce battle for much of the race.

Finally on lap 22 Brandon would take back the lead and not look back becoming the first ever winner at the new facility. Brandon would like to thank the whole Fiscus team and "Waelti crew" for all there hard work to pull off the win.
 
Back on Sunday Waelti and crew hoped to repeat from the night before. Going with the "passing points" system for Sunday's program Brandon would pull a no. 4 for the draw. So again Waelti would start shot gun in his heat race. With significantly different track conditions it was very hard to pass, Brandon would not fair well in his heat finishing outside the top 5. Not making the dash Brandon would start well back in the field....16th. Again with very dry track conditions passing was extremely difficult, Waelti battled with many top Badger contenders but could only muster a eighth place finish on the night. With both nights complete Brandon is sitting third in BMARA points behind Darland and Fiscus.

The next event is May 3, 2008 at Charter Park in Beaver Dam, WI.