John DeAngelis Jr. Sees New Pairing Bringing “Rattler 250” Success
Bakersfield, CA – John DeAngelis Jr. made the trip to South Alabama Speedway (AL) in 2021, competing in the “Hardee’s Rattler 250” for the first time. In 2023, he will make his return to Opp, AL with Wimmer Motorsports, to challenge one of the toughest Super Late Model fields in the country, in the SRL National “47th Annual Hardee’s Rattler 250” on March 17-19th. $25,000 will be on the line for the winner, with a healthy $12,500 for second place. The record purse will see $1,600 paid to the last-place finisher of the historic event.
DeAngelis enjoyed the experience he had the first time he visited the track in 2021. He was competitive, qualifying in the top-10, and running in the top-five before mechanical issues ended his day in 29th. With his strong run, and gratification from participating in the event, the team decided to return, and compete for the rich win.
“We decided to put this race back on our schedule after how much fun we had our one and only time there before”, DeAngelis stated. “We also had a pretty good car, for our first time there, by starting ninth and running up to 5th in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, our day ended after 45 laps with a broken oil pump belt. My expectation for this race is to finish in one-piece, up front, and contend for the win. We don’t want to show up to run last.”
The Richfield, WI racer has had his share of success over the years. He has 49 starts in the ARCA Midwest Tour, competing in three full campaigns from 2017 to 2019. He improved in the championship standings each season finishing ninth, eighth and third respectively. In 2022 he competed in seven events, logging top-five’s in four of them. His best finish was a second in the 2019 “Dixieland 250” at Wisconsin International Raceway (WI), behind Ty Majeski, and in the 2021 “Jim Sauter Classic 200” at Dells Raceway Park (WI), behind Rich Bickle. The 2011 Slinger Super Speedway (WI) Limited Late Model champion scored victories in the Alive for 5 Super Late Model Series, once in 2021, and once 2022. He finished fourth in the standings, the former season. In 2019 and 2020 he earned top-five’s in the “Slinger Nationals” at Slinger Super Speedway.
DeAngelis is excited about his racing season in 2023, entering the campaign with a new partnership with Wimmer Motorsports. He is coming off first and second place efforts in the 2022 “Falloween Twin 75’s” at Dells Raceway Park, with Wimmer helping out. The relationship will see Chris Wimmer housing and maintaining the cars, where he will also be the Crew Chief for the team at the track.
“I’m super stoked to be working with Chris Wimmer full time”, DeAngelis exclaimed. “We have worked together a handful of times in the past year and a half and had really good success. We won one race, ran at the front during another, and got taken out. We had Fast Time in the third race we worked together and ran up front. Chris and I work really well together, and I cannot wait to see what kind of results we get this year!”
The “Rattler 250” will be a great event to start the full-time relationship in 2023. DeAngelis loves the facility, which has an air of familiarity about it, and loves the racing the facility provides.
“I love the track”, DeAngelis stated. “I feel as if it is like one of our tracks up here (in Wisconsin), that we run very well at. The times are close, and the track is fun, which makes for great racing!”
DeAngelis is thankful for the opportunity to compete in the 2023 “Rattler 250”, and for those who make the effort possible, as he stated.
“I’d like to thank my sponsors and supporters for getting me down here again! My sponsors include DeAngelis Construction, Bonafide Security Solutions, Fischer Truck Service Inc., Finish Line Towing & Auto Repair LLC, AJ Strasinger Trucking LLC, Berrada Properties, Rollin Transport LLC, Wagner Express with Kyle Wagner, Advanced Engine Concepts, Inc., Brake and Equipment Co., Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson, Performance Parts Supply, Shelby Berlin- Coldwell Banker Realty, FURY Race Cars, Wimmer Motorsports, and Let’s Get Roasted – Randy Gindt.”
The “Rattler 250” will take place from March 17th to 19th. It will pay $25,000 to the winner and $12,500 to second. $1,600 will be paid to those who make the starting field of 30, with $1,000 going to the Fast Qualifier. Nearly $94,000 will be paid out over the weekend for the Super Late Models. It is the first time the event has been sanctioned by the SRL National and will be Round #2 of the season series. For those unable to attend, the race will be broadcast LIVE on Racing America, with a subscription to RacingAmerica.TV.
Friday evening will see feature action for the Mini-Sportsman, Mini-Cups, Coyotes, Cuplites, and Super Stocks. Saturday night will see features for the Modifieds, Road Runners, and the “Baby Ratter 125” for the Pro Late Models. The three-day event will be capped off by the 47th Annual “Hardee’s Rattler 250”, scheduled to roll off at 2:00 PM.
Story: K. Peters, SRL National
PC: Bruce Nuttleman
