Young Wimmer runs like vet

World of Outlaws driver Brandon Wimmer pilots his sprint car like a seasoned veteran.

It is not until he steps out of the cockpit and takes off his helmet that the truth is revealed: he is only 18 years old and not yet graduated from high school.

Wimmer is the youngest competitor on the World of Outlaws sprint car circuit.

The soon-to-be high school senior is competing with the Outlaws during the summer until school begins again in the fall.

"It's odd (being the youngest driver) but there are people out here close to my age like (19-year-old) Kraig (Kinser). I've kind of gotten used to it."

Indeed, he must be used being the youngster.

Wimmer began racing Go-Karts competitively at 5.

He said he won six or seven Go-Kart titles before graduating to sprint cars at age 15.

Wimmer won two sprint features at local tracks in Indiana and Ohio last season, besting Outlaws rookie of the year candidate Kraig Kinser in one event.

"When you are in the car it doesn't matter how old you are," Wimmer said. "Everybody has been really friendly. But when you are out on the track it's all business. You don't have any friends on the track."

Wimmer, who drives a car owned by his grandfather, Tom, said he hopes to compete with the Outlaws full-time next year.

Tom Wimmer, a legend in sprint car circles, has owned the 7TW sprint car since 1985. The car was once driven by former Outlaws regular Jeff Swindell.

"This is the biggest group, in terms of dirt track racing," Brandon said. "We're getting better."

Brandon Wimmer is currently 15th in the Outlaws points standings.

He has finished in the top 10 three times. Wimmer's best finish in an "A" main feature was seventh at Dodge City Raceway Park on June 22.

"Whether I make it to NASCAR or I stay here I'm happy," Wimmer said. "This is one of the best jobs to do. All I have to do is drive a sprint car.

"It beats working at some fast-food place."

Allard to see another specialist

Rookie Outlaws driver Jonathan Allard is scheduled to see an eye specialist next week in Indianapolis to try to correct an eye injury.

Allard suffered problems with night vision following a crash at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park on June 2.

He discovered the problem following an afternoon race at Eagle National Raceway on June 20.

"It think it surprised a lot of people, even himself," said Outlaws public address announcer John Gibson. "I think he realized there was a huge difference (with his eyesight), that it was better in the day than in the night."

Allard had a career-best fifth-place finish during the afternoon race at Eagle.

He is on an indefinite leave of absence to get his eye problems corrected.

Allard has already been examined by several doctors.

"I hope he can come back soon," Gibson said. "He's a good driver and a good guy."

Readers can reach Forum reporter Heath Hotzler at (701) 241-5562

First heat race (eight laps)

Top five transferred to A feature

1. Danny Lasoski. 2. Donny Schatz. 3. Daryn Pittman. 4. Brandon Wimmer. 5. Tim Shaffer.

Second heat race (eight laps)

Top five transferred to A feature

1. Mark Kiser. 2. Jason Meyers. 3. Jason Sides. 4. Brian Paulus. 5. Brian Carlson.

Third heat race (eight laps)

Top five transferred to A feature

1. Paul McMahan. 2. Craig Dollansky. 3. Tim Kaeding. 4. Jason Solwold. 5. Erin Crocker.

Dash (five laps)

Finishing order determined inside first four rows of A feature

1. Joey Saldana. 2. Steve Kinser. 3. 4. Lasoski. 5. Brooke Tatnell. 6. Schatz. 7. M. Kinser. 8. Dollansky.

360 sprints

First heat race (eight laps)

1. Curt Lund, Morton, Minn. 2. Dave Becker, Belle Plaine, Minn. 3. Roger Rager, Pequot Lakes, Minn.

Second heat race (eight laps)

1. Donovan Peterson, Brookings, S.D. 2. Scott Butz, Harwood, N.D. 3. Brad Pake, Felton, Minn.

Third heat race (eight laps)

1. Micah Schliemann, Hartford, S.D. 2. Lou Kennedy Jr., Winnipeg. 3. Dave Glennon, Casselton, N.D.

Make-up feature (12 laps)

1. Dustin Lindquist, Floodwood, Minn. 2 .Dave Glennon, Casselton, N.D. 3. Loren Langerud, Harwood, N.D. 4. Curt Lund, Morton, Minn. 5. Wade Nygaard, Fargo.