Jeff Blaser Photo | Blaser Photography

First in a series of four introducing the Dells Raceway Park Rookies of the Year

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (November 7, 2011) - Spencer Wilhelm isn't your typical Fire Rescue Supply Bandit driver. His age and location made him different from his fellow Bandits. His experiences and dedication helped him stand out in his rookie season.

While most Bandit drivers come from hometowns within a half hour of Dells Raceway Park, Wilhelm and his family traveled nearly an hour and a half. His decision to race at DRP on a weekly basis was largely based on the track's policy to allow drivers under the age of 14. Wilhelm turns 13 on Nov. 16.

With an extraordinary trip to DRP each week, Wilhelm's trip to Victory Lane on August 20 was something out of the ordinary, as well. By capturing the feature win, Wilhelm became the youngest weekly division feature winner in Dells Raceway Park history. The win was a big part of the late season surge that propelled Wilhelm past two other stellar young drivers, Ali Pennel and Colton Morgan, for Rookie of the Year honors in the Bandits. He finished sixth in the final season standings.

Had Wilhelm started the season the way he finished it, he may have been a Championship contender. Over the final six weeks Wilhelm recorded four top fives (including his win) and a top ten. In fact, Wilhelm almost etched his name into the books as the youngest feature winner two weeks earlier as he paced the field for 17 out of 18 laps.

In that event, ironically, Wilhelm was chased down by Haley Kapp. Just six weeks earlier Kapp had set the bar as the youngest feature winner as she had just turned 14. Wilhelm grazed the wall just enough for Kapp to pass him and collect the win. Wilhelm did hang on for a second-place finish.

"It was heartbreaking, but I think it was just the nerves getting to me," Wilhelm said of the race.

Kapp defended her place in the history books for the time being, but the groundwork was in place for Wilhelm to take over.

Starting the 18-lap main from the outside pole on Aug. 20, Wilhelm jumped out to a large lead and began to negotiate lapped traffic. Behind him, Kapp moved to second and tried to hunt him down again. However, Wilhelm applied the lesson he had learned two weeks ago and smoothly held on for the win.

"It was amazing," Wilhelm said of his win.

What also was amazing was the dedication of Wilhelm and his parents Greg and Tracey to get to that point. Not only did the Wilhelms travel 77 miles one way to get to DRP on Saturdays, they also took the time to bring Spencer to the track each Wednesday to take part in open practice.

Wilhelm said that helped him get the line down, and his steady improvement was the manifestation of all of the extra experience.

"I hoped that I would be competitive," Wilhelm said. "I made a lot of new friends young and old. It helps me out on the race track." Wilhelm said that the Bandit drivers were more than willing to help him out as he eased his way into the class. He said they all were happy to congratulate him when he was victorious.

The success of Wilhelm should not have been a surprise to anyone. Wilhelm came with six years of experience in go-karts at the Coulee track in West Salem. He worked his way from the kids carts to the junior sportsman and won three Championships in his young career.

With past Championships won, and a late-season jolt of momentum, Wilhelm expects to return and challenge for the Bandit title in 2012. To do so, Wilhelm recognized that he'll have to apply some lessons from his rookie campaign. "I need to try to keep my cool and stay concentrated."

In 2011 Wilhelm was sponsored by Stokes Electric, GTS Homes, Precisions Sign Company, Dave's Sheet Metal, Hess Excavating, Enercept and Prudential-Lovejoy Realty.