[STARS Racing]

STARS Debuts May 30 with Patrick Wilda Jr. Night

By: Kale Fisher

(MORRIS, IL – MAY 22, 2015)—The Short Track Auto Racing Series (STARS) season opener is this Saturday May 30th at Grundy County Speedway. STARS will have all five divisions competing and will be led by The D’Arcy GMC National Midgets. Opening night will honor the late Patrick Wilda Jr., who lost his life in an industrial accident in January.

Wilda began racing at the age of nine in go-carts, before moving to midgets when he turned 16 and was named the 2004 UMARA Rookie of the Year. In 2005 Wilda earned his first three wins of his career (as a car owner) on the way to claiming the car owner’s championship.
Also that year Wilda was voted Most Popular Driver. In Wilda’s 31st career start with STARS on September 14, 2013 he captured his only series win at the Night Before the 400. Wilda ranks in the top six in STARS history in top five’s, top 10’s, career starts, and fast qualifying times. Wilda’s last race with STARS was last August where he finished in third place.

The night will honor Wilda in multiple ways. STARS will be designating a reserve section in the grandstands for Wilda’s family and close friends. After the National Anthem the Wilda family will lead the parade laps and at the start of the race the pole position will have the missing man formation. Patrick Wilda Sr. will be the honorary driver in the pace truck.

There will also be significant giveaways for fans and drivers. Drivers will win prizes for different race accomplishments. Fans will have the opportunity to win giveaway certificates. At the end of the night a super giveaway with duplicates of all the giveaway certificates will be rewarded to one lucky fan.

The pits will open at 1:00 pm and the front gate at 4:30 pm. The first races will begin at 6:00 pm. Before the race there will be a car show to remember and honor the late Patrick Wilda Jr. at the Grundy County Fair Grounds from 12:00 pm to 4:33pm.

The race event will be led by The D’Arcy GMC National Midgets. The other four divisions competing will be the STARS Classic Modifieds (Dwarf), Illini Racing Series Sportsman Midgets (IRS), CSR Super Cups, and Legacy Midwest Racing Series.

The cost to watch some great racing will be family friendly. Adult tickets cost $12, children tickets (age 5 to 12) cost $2, and children 4 and under are free. There is also no charge for parking.

Stay connected with STARS on the website, www.shorttrackauto.com, and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/shorttrackauto, to see what will be happening this racing season.