CHILLICOTHE, OH – Atomic Speedway in Ross County hosted a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Ohio Sprint Speedweek on Saturday, June 21, 2025, with the Dean Knittel Memorial delivering standout performances across multiple racing classes. The event showcased victories by Danny Dietrich, Zach Wigal, and Zach Milbee, marking a memorable night for Chillicothe’s racing community.
In the NAPA Auto Parts All Star Circuit of Champions’ 35-lap feature, Dietrich of Gettysburg, PA, claimed the $26,554 top prize and his first Ohio Sprint Speedweek title. Starting from the pole after winning the dash, he led all laps, capitalizing on Cap Henry’s early exit due to a heat race crash into the turn 3 wall. The 43-car field saw Ryan Smith of Fleetwood, PA, finish second, Tim Shaffer of Aliquippa, PA, third, and local driver Cole Duncan of Circleville, OH, fourth. Cale Thomas of Fountaintown, IN, rounded out the top five, while Greg Wilson of Benton Ridge, OH, advanced 17 spots to seventh. Bryce Lucius of Findlay, OH, struggled to 25th after early damage.
Simultaneously, the USAC Midwest Thunder Midgets featured a 25-lap A-Main where Zach Wigal of Belpre, OH, stole the show. Starting fourth, he overtook early leader Bryce Massingill of Troy, OH, to win, with Massingill finishing second. Tyler Nelson of Indianapolis, IN, climbed from 10th to third, while Cole Morgan of Brookville, OH, and Ryan Barr of Piqua, OH, took fourth and fifth, respectively. Notable movers included Taylor Nibert (+5) and Jim Jones (+4), though Jakeb Boxell of Zanesville, IN, did not start.
The Ohio Valley Late Model Dirt Series’ 25-lap feature saw Zach Milbee of Poca, WV, dominate from the pole, leading every lap in his No. 5M machine against a 25-car field. Steven Dotson of West Union, WV, surged from eighth to second, and Miles Cook II of Wheelersburg, OH, advanced from 10th to third. Lucas Crooks of Grayson, KY, gained 10 spots to fifth, behind Evyian Terry of Catlettsburg, KY. Front-row struggles included Donnie Dotson (16th) and John Melvin (20th).
Held at 2535 Blain Hwy, Chillicothe, OH 45690, the event featured 85 total entries across the classes and was streamed on FloRacing, with track contact at 740-703-9749. The night, part of a weeklong series impacted by earlier weather cancellations, highlighted Atomic Speedway’s status as a premier dirt track, with further details at www.atomicspeedway.net.
