Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series Press Release

THE END IS NEAR!  IT’S TIME TO MAKE A POINT!  BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA SPRINTS HEAD TO BEAVER DAM RACEWAY THIS SATURDAY NIGHT! 

TWO RACES REMAIN IN 2016 POINT CHASE FOR THE BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA OUTLAW SPRINTS!

September 15, 2016; Appleton, WI – It’s been a hectic season for the drivers of the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series.

28 races are already in the books and two events remain on the 2016 season schedule.  The first event is this Saturday evening at Beaver Dam Raceway with the running of the 2nd annual Scott Semmelman Memorial race.  The season finale will be held two weeks later on Saturday night October 1^st at the Dodge County Fairgrounds

While the goal of any driver is to win races, but attention has also focused on the season point standings.  The battle isn’t just for the championship but for as high a position as possible.

In Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series action, there is a very complex system of earning points based on performance.  As a base, a driver can earn a maximum of 150 points for their finishing position in qualifying, heat races, and the main events.  In addition, points are awarded for passing. Winning the main event itself will earn a driver 65 points.  The difference between first and last in the main event is 48 points. There are many ways to both gain and lose points to another driver.

With that information, we can begin to decipher just where the point battles lie.

Looking down from the top Jeremy Schultz heads the way with an 82 point advantage. Schultz, who has racked up a pair of titles at Wilmot Raceway and has earned championships in 360 sprint action before joining the IRA back in 2013 does not have a mathematical lock on the title. However, the crown is his for the taking if he can put together a good performance at either of the remaining 2016 events.  For Schultz it’s simple, earn a spot in the A-mains and run a solid race.  That will be the key to his first career Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint series title.

Scotty Thiel remains a title threat but for Thiel to steal the point lead he will have to win.  Thiel’s first career IRA victory was earned at Beaver Dam Raceway in August of 2014 so he has done well at the track.   This season Thiel notched three victories and had led the standings during the first half of the season.   

However is has been Schultz who then turned in an amazing string of nine straight top five finishes starting in mid-June who has climbed to the top.  Schultz took over the top of the standings with that performance by early August.

Though not mathematically eliminated two-time series champion Scotty Neitzel has an outside shot of a third crown but to earn such accolades Neitzel would not only have to sweep the final two races, but misfortune would have to befall both Schultz and Thiel.  Neitzel, who is 154 markers from the lead, will likely finish third in the season standings.

Seven-time IRA champ, Bill Balog has been an influence this season in spite of missing several contests.  He has racked up 11 victories.  He’s fourth in the standings in spite of missing five events.

While the battle at the front has been interesting, perhaps the tightest battle lies in the fifth through ninth positions where a mere 101 points separate the spots.

2015 Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint series Rookie of the Year Kyle Marten holds down the fifth spot by a mere 28 markers over young charger Matt Vandervere.  Both drivers are having the best season of their careers in IRA competition and nailing down that final top five spot would make for a solid chapter in their IRA history book.

Just behind the pair in the seventh spot is Blake Nimee.  Nimee who had a banner year last season when he won his first two career IRA victories has been hampered this year by bad luck.  Still, the hard charging racer from Northern Illinois has maintained a top ten position in the points and has a shot at the top five sitting 31 markers behind Marten and just 10 behind Vandervere.

In eighth currently, resides veteran racer Mike Reinke who is celebrating his 25^th year behind the wheel.  Reinke missed several events this year choosing to focus on racing at various events that he’s attended in his impressive career.  Reinke is not one to chase points but rather wins.  He is 101 markers behind Marten who holds the fifth spot. For Reinke, a victory at either of the two remaining races would be a greater thrill than a higher position in the standings.

Three drivers are battling for two spots to stay inside the top ten.

Currently in ninth is Wayne Modjeski who has the position by 38 points over Scott Uttech who holds down the final top ten position.

Ben Schmidt is the outside driving looking in.  Schmidt who has driven cars for four different teams has seemed to find a home in a ride owned by Brandon Thone.  Since he’s taken the wheel for that team he’s climbed back up the standings from being nearly outside the top 20, to having a shot at cracking the top ten.  He would have to gain 33 points on Uttech to do so.

The last item of interest is a family rivalry for bragging rights.  Kris Spitz holds a 22 point advantage on his father Dennis to maintain the 12^th spot.   The question will be which of the Spitz family sits in the top dozen and which earns the lucky 13^th place position!

The program this Saturday night at Beaver Dame Raceway will feature the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints.

Joining IRA will be Legends, Grand Nationals, and Modifieds for a full evening of racing action.

Pits will open at 3:30pm with the grandstands opening at 4:30pm.  Racing is set to take place at 6:30pm.

Tickets are just $20 for adults, $10 for students age 6-11 and kids 5 and younger are free. Qualifying begins at 5 p.m., with racing to follow.

Event information can be found on the Beaver Dam Raceway website at www.wismotorsports.net or by calling the track at (920) 887-1600. Beaver Dam Raceway is located on Racetrack Road just east of the intersection of Hwy 151 and 33 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

For more information on the IRA Outlaw Sprints check out the tour website at www.irasprints.com or by logging onto the series Facebook page at www.facebook.com/irasprints the series is also on twitter at #IRA_sprints.

The IRA Sprints are presented by its long time supporting series partners. The series support is led by title sponsor Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers, and associate series partners Hoosier Tire, Osborn & Son Trucking, TW Metals, Cummins Onan, and Twin Lakes Marine.

Remaining 2016 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series Events:

9/17/2016 – Beaver Dam Raceway – Beaver Dam, WI

10/1/2016 – Dodge County Fairgrounds – Beaver Dam, WI

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