As reported Sunday, July 6, 2003 In the Daily Southtown
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dssports/pro/062sd7.htm
By Tony Baranek
Staff writer
SCHERERVILLE, Ind. — Dave Weltmeyer has virtually done it all during a 30-year racing career in which he has established himself as one of the greatest in Chicagoland short-track racing history.
But one thing he hasn't done is win an Illiana Speedway late-model championship.
The reason? Most times it was because he didn't run enough nights — either because of work or travel considerations — to be in a position to win one. Multi-time champions Frank Gawlinski and Mike White had something to do with it, as well.
But 2003 may be different.
"Oh, I don't know," Weltmeyer said with a smile after capturing Saturday night's fourth annual Molenaar Classic. "We haven't run for a title in 25 years, but we'll see what happens.
"If I have to take one night or another off (from work), I'll take off Saturdays. If you win your share, you'll end up in the top of the points."
Weltmeyer is winning his share, and getting better and better results from his No. 16 every night out. Saturday, the "Dyer Flyer" came from 11th starting position to overhaul White with just seven laps remaining in the 40-lap race.
It was Weltmeyer's fourth feature win of 2003. This one, in a race honoring the memory of former Illiana Speedway owners and promoters Harry and Signe Molenaar, was special.
"You know what? Harry and Signe were my friends from my rookie year when I started here 30 years ago," Weltmeyer said. "I need these wins. Years from now, I'll be glad I got them."
The race proved difficult to start, with two misfires because of Lap 1 skirmishes. But once the 19-car field gained its balance, it was a fast and predominantly clean race.
Joe O'Connor was the front-runner for the first 14 laps after outdueling Larry Middleton Jr. at the drop of the green. Middleton held on for second for quite awhile, but O'Connor had no trouble maintaining the lead.
"We made the right call," O'Connor said. "For a while there I thought I might have a shot at this thing. But when I saw Mike (White) coming, I knew he was coming on strong. And you know he never wants to lose."
White took the lead from O'Connor on lap 15 and set sail. By the time Weltmeyer moved into second place, just 11 laps remained.
Weltmeyer was about four car-lengths behind White but gaining when a yellow came out on lap 30 for a spin by Woody Pool. That tightened the field.
"My guys said he was coming a little bit, but I was in a rhythm there," White said. "Without a yellow, it might have been close at the end. But he had the fastest car, and it's hard to hold him back when he's that good."
Weltmeyer made an inside move on White and completed the pass on lap 33. White was able to hang within a few car-lengths of Weltmeyer to the finish. O'Connor finished off one of the best runs of his career with a third, while Middleton was fourth, Brian Schwartz fifth and Boris Jurkovic sixth.