THE BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA OUTLAW SPRINTS ANNOUNCE 2018 SCHEDULE

12/28/17 McHenry, IL 

   The 2018 season will mark the 52^nd year for the Interstate Racing Association (IRA). IRA proudly announces its’ Bumper To Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series schedule which will consist of 30 full point races, including co-sanctioned events with the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC), and the Midwest Open Wheel Association (MOWA). Additionally there is a “Show Up” points ONLY weekend, and 4 “Non-Point” events listed which have incentives attached for IRA member teams. Full points will be awarded at races held at 15 different venues within a 4 state region. Wisconsin, particularly the southeast part of the state, is home for the series as IRA fixture facilities such as Beaver Dam Raceway, Wilmot Raceway, Plymouth Dirt Track, and Angell Park Speedway will each host 4 events. 141 Speedway has the IRA winged/410 group 3 times, with the popular Dodge County Fairgrounds having a pair of dates. The Outagamie Speedway (Seymour) returns to the schedule after a year’s absence.

  The Bumper To Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints will again headline annual Fair & Festival events such as the Langlade County Fair (July 27), the Kenosha County Fair’s Roger Iles Tribute (Aug 18), Sun Prairie’s Miller Lite Corn Fest at Angell Park (Aug 19), the Sheboygan County Fair (Sept 1), and the Clay Co Fair in Spencer, IA in a non-point affair on Sept 14.

  Other popular annual events back on for 2018 include, as examples, The Wipperfirth Memorial at Beaver Dam (April 21), the Norm Nelson Classic at Angell Park (June 17), the Harry Neitzel Tribute at Dodge Co (July 6), the Filskov Memorial at Plymouth (July 21), the Schmidt Memorial at Dodge Co (Aug 24), the Northern Nationals at Superior (Sept 7), the Richert Memorial at Cedar Lake (Sept 8), the Semmelmann Memorial at Beaver Dam (Sept 22), and the Waite Jr Memorial at LaSalle (Sept 23).

  141 Speedway will again host a trio of events around holiday weekends, May 27, July 1, and Sept 2. The first two are all IRA events as IRA’s Wisconsin wingLESS Sprints Series, and the WIMS Mini Sprints share the card.

   The IRA has a trio of co-sanctioned IRA / All Star Challenge races with Tony Stewart’s Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions. Those major events will go trackside at Plymouth (May 19), Angell Park (May 20), and the Dirt Oval @ Route 66 (June 30). All 3 of these races were chose by the ASCoC to be included in their 2018 limited MAVTV package. The Joliet event at Route 66 is Saturday night of Chicagoland Speedway’s big NASCAR weekend, following the conclusion of the NASCAR Xfinity race just across the street.

   The IRA officially has the events at 34 Raceway, Fairbury American Legion Speedway, and LaSalle Speedway listed as co-sanctioned races with MOWA, though it is likely that the MOWA sanction will be added to enhance one or two of the currently listed multiple race Wisconsin weekends too.

   While Deer Creek isn’t new to the IRA schedule, it’s been several years since the series has run at the 3/8 highbanks, as last year’s return visit fell victim to rain.

   As mentioned there are some co-sanctions, but the overall the majority of the schedule is filled with numerous special events where other sanctions such as the Wisconsin wingLESS Sprints (9), WIMS Mini Sprints (7), MSA Sprints (6), Badger Midgets (4), POWRI Midgets (2), UMSS Sprints (2), POWRI Lucas Oil WAR Sprints (2), Dirt King Late Models (1), plus others too that will share the race night line-up card with IRA in 2018. A FEW examples include Beaver Dam (April 21 & Sept 22) as IRA, WI wingLESS, and the Badger Midgets all compete on the same night. Dodge Co (July 6) includes IRA, MSA, and the Dirt King Late Models. Fairbury (July 7) & Angell Park (Aug 19) includes IRA and the POWRI Nat’l Midgets. Wilmot (Aug 4) has IRA, the POWRI Lucas Oil WAR non-wing Sprints, and WIMS. Cedar Lake (Sept 8) & Deer Creek (Sept 15) include IRA, and both UMSS 360 and UMSS Traditional Sprints on the card. Those are just some of the outstanding combinations fans can expect in 2018!

   The IRA is also proud to announce that the overwhelming majority of the 2018 schedule will pay $3000 (or more) to win!

   The 4 non-point events listed on the schedule have participation incentives tied to them for any IRA member team that competes, and are also purposely included to allow IRA teams that want to race at major events like the Knoxville Nationals, and/or Jackson Nationals some laps at those venues prior to those big events. Same holds true of Oskaloosa which has a very similar shape as Knoxville, plus the Osky event is officiated in part by the IRA staff. And lastly, our friends at SLS Promotions are putting on the Clay Co Fair event and the IRA staff will officiate again… plus it provides a good travel tie-in for those who want to race another show in conjunction with the full point event at Deer Creek the next night.

   The Bumper To Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints will conclude their “full” point season again by headlining the 2^nd annual Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships,   at Plymouth (Sept 29). The event will include MSA, WI wingLESS, and WIMS in their championship full point finales too.

   The IRA is proud to have Bumper To Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers as their title sponsor, and thank Osborn & Son Trucking, Hoosier Tire, TW Metals, Cummins Onan, Carriage Auto Body, and Hopf Farms for their continued loyal, and generous support.

               The 2018 Bumper To Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series schedule

Apr 7       34 Raceway (IA) w/MOWA

Apr 21     Beaver Dam (WI) Raceway

May 5      Wilmot Raceway (WI)

May 11* Jackson Motorplex (MN) *Non-Points

May 12* Knoxville Raceway (IA) *Non-Points

May 19    Plymouth Dirt Track (WI) w/ASCoC

May 20    Angell Park Speedway (WI)

May 26    Beaver Dam Raceway

May 27    141 Speedway

Jun 15    Outagamie Speedway (WI)

Jun 16    Wilmot Raceway

Jun 17    Angell Park Speedway

Jun 30    Dirt Oval @ Route 66 (IL) w/ASCoC

Jul 1       141 Speedway

Jul 6       Dodge Co Fairgrounds (WI)

Jul 7       Fairbury American Legion Speedway (IL) w/MOWA

Jul 21     Plymouth Dirt Track

Jul 22     Angell Park Speedway

Jul 27     Langlade Co Fair (WI)

Jul 28     Beaver Dam Raceway

Aug 4     Wilmot Raceway

Aug 6 *  Southern Iowa Speedway (IA) *Non-Points

Aug 18   Wilmot Raceway

Aug 19   Angell Park Speedway

Aug 24   Dodge Co Fairgrounds

Sep 1      Plymouth Dirt Track

Sep 2      141 Speedway

Sep 7      Superior Speedway (WI)

Sep 8      Cedar Lake Speedway (WI)

Sep 14 * Clay Co Fair (IA) *Non-Points

Sep 15    Deer Creek Speedway (MN)

Sep 22    Beaver Dam Raceway

Sep 23    LaSalle Speedway (IL) w/MOWA

Sept 29   Plymouth Dirt Track

Oct 5 **  Fairbury American Legion Speedway w/MOWA **Show Pts Only

Oct 6 **  Fairbury American Legion Speedway w/MOWA **Show Pts Only

50^TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON CONCLUDES FOR THE BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA SPRINTS WITH THE CHECKERED FLAG CLASSIC AT THE DODGE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS THIS SATURDAY! 

FAST CARS, AND POINT CHASES, MEANS BIG ACTION AT THE DODGE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS HORSEPOWER HALF-MILE THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!

September 27, 2016; Appleton, WI – The 50^th Anniversary season for the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints will draw to a close this Saturday night in a big way.  The Checkered Flag Classic will be held at one of the largest, and fastest tracks on the IRA tour as the Winged 900 horsepower machines invade the Dodge County Fairgrounds half-mile clay oval located just three miles east of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

Tight point battles in several top ten positions within the IRA Sprint series standings will add additional drama to an already action-packed program that will also feature the final point night for the MSA 360 Sprints.

Fans will get event more high-speed action with the addition of Late Models to the program. This gives fans a chance to see the fastest cars on clay, both open-wheeled and fendered.  The Late Model portion of the show will showcase the fastest full-bodied cars to race in the state.  If speed is the attraction the Dodge County Fairgrounds needs to be your destination this Saturday night.

Heading into the program the 2016 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series title is still on the line but it’s currently in the hands of 2013 Rookie of the Year Jeremy Schultz to seal the deal and bring home the title.  Schultz, who wrapped up his third Wilmot Raceway Sprint Car title last weekend comes into the show with an 86 point lead on his nearest rival Scotty Thiel.

To make the crown his Schultz needs to lock himself in the main event and take the green flag, once that happens he will earn his first career Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Series title.  Schultz will have earned the crown with an impressive 22 top ten finishes in 29 starts, and 17 top five performances which included a streak of nine straight top five runs during the mid-portion of the 2016 campaign.  

Thiel remains a mathematical possibility for the championship but he will need help.  Not only will he have to increase his odds by claiming the victory, which would be his fourth of the season, he will need to see Schultz have some bad luck and somehow miss the main event.  

No matter the outcome Thiel has a breakout season with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprints this year having collected three victories including back to back wins during a weekend main event sweep back in mid-June.

However, the closest point battle among the leaders will determine the fifth through seventh position.  Last season’s Rookie of the Year Kyle Marten holds down the fifth spot with a 17-point gap on Blake Nimee.  Marten has remained consistent throughout the year while Nimee has been hampered by various mechanical troubles and plain bad luck.  For either driver, a top five point finish is a solid foundation heading into 2017.

Not to be counted out of the battle of Matt Vandervere.  The young charger had turned in an impressive season and has showcased his developing talent.  Whatever the outcome for Vandervere the 2016 season will go into the books as a breakout year for the talented racer. Vandervere is a mere 20 points back from the fifth spot.

The other battle to watch for is for the final top ten position.  

Scott Uttech currently has the spot by 13 points over Ben Schmidt.  Uttech who competes on a modest budget had performed well when avoiding mechanical ills that have plagued his late season performances.  Schmidt on the other had made a dramatic comeback after losing a ride with a race team he had been with for years.  Schmidt has driven the 2016 schedule behind the wheel with four different race teams before landing a ride owned by Brandon Thone.   

A top ten finish for either driver is perhaps salvation for a rather trying year.

Other drivers expected to make some noise this Saturday night include Scotty Neitzel.  The two-time Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint series champ won the most recent IRA event at the track held back in August and confidence is high in the Neitzel camp for a repeat.

Mike Kertscher is another driver to watch having won two events over the past two weekends.  First, he outran Mike Reinke for the victory at the Beaver Dam Raceway in the most recent IRA event that was held two weeks ago.  Then he captured the win on championship night at Wilmot Raceway.   A victory at Dodge County Fairgrounds would allow Kertscher to conclude his season running the table with three straight wins.

Reinke who pressured Kertscher at Beaver Dam is running his 25^th season in motorsports and would like to close out the campaign with a victory.  Reinke has three runner-up performances this year but thus far a victory has eluded him.  Remarkably quick, Reinke remains one of the hardest charging drivers on the circuit and the Dodge County Fairgrounds track plays directly to his driving style.

Add to the mix seven-time series champ Bill Balog who is seeking to earn one more win this year to close out the season with an even dozen checkered flags to his credit.

Fans can witness all the drama this Saturday Night, October 1^st at the Dodge County Fairgrounds.

The event will showcase the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints which will be joined by the MSA/PDTR 360’s and area WDLMA Late Models.

Pit Gates will open at 3:00 pm, spectator gates open 5:00 pm, with warm-ups at 6pm with hot laps to follow, qualifying is set for 6:45 pm with racing to follow at the completion of qualifying.

Spectator Admission is $25 for adults, with children ages 6-12 admitted for $5. Children ages 5 and younger are FREE with an adult admission.

The Dodge County Fairgrounds is located on highway 33, just 2 miles east of Beaver Dam and just west of highway 26.

For additional information please see http://www.dodgecountyfairgrounds.com

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.

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

SCHATZ DOMINATES IRA/WORLD OF OUTLAWS CO-SANCTIONED CONTEST DURING CORNFEST AT ANGELL PARK SPEEDWAY!

SPRINTFEST MEETS CORNFEST AT ANGELL PARK WITH SCHATZ TAKING VICTORY IN FRONT OF STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWD!

August 21, 2016; Sun Prairie, WI – It would be easy to run out of adjectives to describe just how wildly successful the joint sanctioned contest with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints and the Craftsman World of Outlaws was.

You simply had to be at Angell Park Speedway to understand the excitement, anticipation and thrills as the best drivers in open-wheeled racing descended upon the third-mile clay oval.

The show, run on Sunday evening during the Sun Prairie Corn Festival had a carnival-like atmosphere with the main attraction being the thrills only 900 horsepower winged can bring. It resulted in a standing room only crowd.

Donny Schatz from Minot, North Dakota turned in a dominating performance en route to victory in the 40 lap A-main outrunning Daryn Pittman to collect the first place prize of $10,000.  Schatz a seven-time series champion and current point leader in the World of Outlaws nearly completed a sweep of the evening’s events.

He had started the night setting a new track record blistering around the track in 11.718 seconds.  Later he captured his heat race and narrowly missed the sweep by claiming third in the dash an event captured by Pittman who would be the main nemesis of Schatz throughout the evening.

From the IRA standpoint, the tried and true blue collar racers which make up the lifeblood of the series fought valiantly against the World of Outlaws traveling professional racers. 

Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint car teams had earned ten spots in the main event and showcased a race long battle between Mike Reinke, Scotty Neitzel and Bill Balog for bragging rights amongst the IRA series competitors.  Reinke, in rim riding fashion, managed to fend off several challenges from Balog to earn an IRA best 12^th place finish.  Neitzel in the thick of a title hunt worked past a fading Balog late in the race to grab 13^th overall and second among the IRA competitors.  

Balog, Mike Kertscher, and Jeremy Schultz comprised the top five IRA runners when the checkered flag fell after 40 laps of A-main action.

The 40 lap headliner had it’s challenges to get underway.

Pittman who had started on the pole got the jump on Brad Sweet at the drop of the green flag leading the way to the stripe to complete the first circuit,  Schatz who began the contest in third rumbled into the second position before the caution flew for Kertscher who came to a halt in turn four.   Kertscher’s crew made quick repairs to his machine under yellow and he was able to rejoin the contest.

The race resumed with a double-wide restart but before a lap was completed Brandon McMullen jumped the cushion in turn one and tagged the wall resulting in a quick flip.  For McMullen, it was an abrupt ending to an otherwise very successful night.  Making just his second ever 410 sprint car start McMullen was impressive.  The former 360 sprint champ qualified 14^th quick among the 37 car field and had raced is way into the big show after a solid performance in his heat race.  It was unfortunate his evening ended on lap one in the main event, with a 24^th place official finish driving an Ozzie Weisner owned machine.

A single file restart proved successful and the main event continued.   

Pittman looked to have the speed in the early going to keep Schatz at bay as the leaders worked through back markers.   Sweet continued to hold down the third spot shadowing the lead duo.

On several occasions, Schatz appeared to get a run on Pittman only to be repelled by Pittman’s determination.

Amongst the IRA drivers Reinke was having a throwdown battle with Balog, as they, along with Nietzel were working to crack the top ten.

On lap 17, Scotty Thiel slammed the wall coming off turn four.  The hard hit resulted in a red flag.  Thiel was able to climb from his battered machine unhurt but his evening was done and he finished in the 22^nd position.

The green flag returned and the final 23 laps completed without further incident.  Schatz however, needed just one more circuit to overhaul Pittman for the top spot as he surged ahead into the lead down the backstretch on lap 18.

Once out front Schatz slowly increased his lead and accepted the checkered flag.  Pittman earned the second spot finishing a dozen car lengths behind Schatz.  Sweet managed the final podium spot after coming out on top of a spirited battle with David Gravel over the final circuits.  Gravel and Logan Schuchart completed the top five.

Earlier in the night the current Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series point leader Jeremy Schultz captured top honors in B-main to advance to the main event.  IRA drivers took three of the four transfer spots with Wayne Modjeski earning second, Greg Wilson third and Kyle Marten fourth.

The final transfer spot came down to a last-lap pass.  Ben Schmidt had been running in the fourth positions but had been showing signs of struggling with handling problems in the waning laps.  Schmidt suffered a flat tire on the final circuit allowing Marten to slip past for fourth.  Schmidt’s fifth place finish made him the first alternate for the main event.

Heat race victories were captured by Schatz, Gravel, Shane Stewart and Joey Saldana.

Pittman captured the dash.

Schatz led the 37 car field in qualifying with a record setting 11.718-second tour of the raceway.  Stewart’s 11.881 was second quick followed by Saldana with 11.926.

32 of the 37 drivers in attendance all qualified within a second of the fastest time set by Schatz.

The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints continues with a very busy late season schedule.  Six events will take place over the next three weeks.

The season continues with the 6^th Annual Bill Waite Jr. Memorial at LaSalle Speedway next Saturday night August 27^th.  The contest will be a jointly sanctioned show with the Midwest Open Wheel Association joining the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints.

The co-sanctioned format will continue on to Sunday Night, August 28th when an encore show will take place at Angell Park Speedway giving fans back to back weeks of 410 sprint action after a very successful program this week.  Fans who have a ticket stub from the World of Outlaws/IRA event will receive an additional $5.00 their admission ticket.

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.

Upcoming 2016 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series Events:

8/21/2016 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, WI

8/27/2016 – LaSalle Speedway, LaSalle, IL

8/28/2016 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, WI

9/2/2016 – Plymouth Dirt Track – Plymouth, WI

9/4/2016 – 141 Speedway – Francis Creek, WI

410 Sprints | IRA Interstate Racing Association

A-Main - (40 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[3][$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman[1][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet[2][$3,200]; 4. 5-David Gravel[4][$2,800]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart[11][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart[8][$2,300]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson[7][$2,200]; 8. 83-Joey Saldana[5][$2,100]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen[10][$2,050]; 10. 7-Paul McMahan[13][$2,000]; 11. 7S-Jason Sides[6][$1,500]; 12. O2-Mike Reinke[15][$1,200]; 13. 2W-Scotty Neitzel[9][$1,100]; 14. 17B-Bill Balog[19][$1,050]; 15. 41X-Dominic Scelzi[20][$1,000]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson[23][$900]; 17. 80K-Mike Kertscher[16][$800]; 18. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[21][$800]; 19. 99-Kyle Marten[24][$800]; 20. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[18][$800]; 21. 65-Jordon Goldesberry[12][$800]; 22. 64-Scotty Thiel[17][$800]; 23. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[22][$800]; 24. 73-Brandon McMullen[14][$800]. Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-17, Donny Schatz 18-40. KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+7].

Qualifying - 1. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.718; 2. 5-David Gravel, 11.812; 3. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.881; 4. 83-Joey Saldana, 11.926; 5. 7-Paul McMahan, 11.977; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.004; 7. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.016; 8. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.031; 9. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.036; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.052; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.067; 12. 65-Jordon Goldesberry, 12.090; 13. 64-Scotty Thiel, 12.195; 14. 73-Brandon McMullen, 12.208; 15. 17B-Bill Balog, 12.281; 16. 80K-Mike Kertscher, 12.308; 17. 2W-Scotty Neitzel, 12.319; 18. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 12.331; 19. O2-Mike Reinke, 12.405; 20. 59-Ben Schmidt, 12.426; 21. 5J-Jeremy Schultz, 12.341; 22. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski, 12.452; 23. 1M-Phillip Mock, 12.465; 24. 41X-Dominic Scelzi, 12.469; 25. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.578; 26. 99-Kyle Marten, 12.623; 27. 68-Dave Uttech, 12.666; 28. 23B-Russell Borland, 12.675; 29. 7U-Scott Uttech, 12.732; 30. 53W-Bill Wirth, 12.751; 31. 12-Mike Decker, 12.772; 32. 4K-Kris Spitz, 12.844; 33. 79-Blake Nimee, 12.944; 34. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.967; 35. 10V-Matt Vandervere, 13.099; 36. 41D-Dennis Spitz, 13.155; 37. 7V-Tim Vandervere, 13.260

Heat 1 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet[3]; 3. 2W-Scotty Neitzel[5]; 4. 7-Paul McMahan[2]; 5. 64-Scotty Thiel[4]; 6. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[6]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson[7]; 8. 7U-Scott Uttech[8]; 9. 79-Blake Nimee[9]; 10. 7V-Tim Vandervere[10]

Heat 2 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5-David Gravel[1]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman[2]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen[3]; 4. 73-Brandon McMullen[4]; 5. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[5]; 6. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[6]; 7. 99-Kyle Marten[7]; 8. 53W-Bill Wirth[8]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp[9]

Heat 3 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart[1]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson[2]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart[3]; 4. O2-Mike Reinke[5]; 5. 17B-Bill Balog[4]; 6. 1M-Phillip Mock[6]; 7. 10V-Matt Vandervere[9]; 8. 68-Dave Uttech[7]; 9. 12-Mike Decker[8]

Heat 4 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 83-Joey Saldana[1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides[2]; 3. 65-Jordon Goldesberry[3]; 4. 80K-Mike Kertscher[4]; 5. 41X-Dominic Scelzi[6]; 6. 59-Ben Schmidt[5]; 7. 23B-Russell Borland[7]; 8. 4K-Kris Spitz[8]; 9. 41D-Dennis Spitz[9]

Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 9-Daryn Pittman[1]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet[2]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz[6]; 4. 5-David Gravel[5]; 5. 83-Joey Saldana[3]; 6. 7S-Jason Sides[8]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson[7]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart[4]

Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[2] [-]; 2. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[3] [-]; 3. W20-Greg Wilson[5] [-]; 4. 99-Kyle Marten[6] [-]; 5. 59-Ben Schmidt[1] [$300]; 6. 1M-Phillip Mock[4] [$250]; 7. 7U-Scott Uttech[9] [$225]; 8. 79-Blake Nimee[13] [$200]; 9. 23B-Russell Borland[8] [$200]; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp[14] [$200]; 11. 10V-Matt Vandervere[15] [$200]; 12. 53W-Bill Wirth[10] [$200]; 13. 4K-Kris Spitz[12] [$200]; 14. 41D-Dennis Spitz[16] [$200]; 15. 7V-Tim Vandervere[17] [$200]; 16. 68-Dave Uttech[7] [$200]; 17. 12-Mike Decker[11] [$200]

BALOG GOES BACK TO BACK, TAKES ROGER ILES MEMORIAL EVENT IN BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA SPRINT ACTION AT WILMOT RACEWAY!

BALOG MASTERS TRAFFIC, MAKES MID-RACE PASS ON PARKER PRICE-MILLER TO TAKE WILMOT RACEWAY WEEKEND SWEEP!

August 20, 2016; Kenosha, WI – Fans who have followed the exploits of sevn-time series champion Bill Balog in the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series race have come to know his mastery of traffic.

When the battle for the lead takes place amongst lapped cars Balog is relentless in his pursuit and quick to strike.

Parker Price-Miller is the latest driver to witness Balog’s proficiency as he was overtaken by Balog’s charge when he got temporarily caught behind a lapped car.

Once Balog made his move he was not to be denied, moving ahead to a comfortable margin to earn his seventh win in IRA sprint action this season.  Tonight’s victory capped off a sweep of the two Kenosha County Fair races held at Wilmot Raceway.   Balog also swept the night having also won his heat race and setting fast time to begin the program.

During the early portion of the contest it appeared Price-Miller who had won the season opening IRA event at LaSalle in April might have the speed to capture the event as Balog was mired in traffic, but as the race developed Balog found a groove to his liking and quickly picked off cars until only Price-Miller remained in front of him.

On lap 20 Balog maneuvered by a couple lapped cars surpassing Price-Miller in the process.   Balog increased his lead to the checkered leaving Price-Miller to battle with Mike Kertscher,  Kertscher had closed within striking distance of the second spot but eventually had to settle for the third position.  It was Kertscher’s first podium since his victory at Seymour Speedway in July.

The 36 lap A-main boasting a first place prize of $3,600 saw a field of 24 of the Midwest’s finest 410 sprint pilots accept the green flag.   Pole-sitter Bill Wirth who earlier in the evening captured his heat race took the opening lead after outrunning fellow front row starter Jordan Goldesberry.

Ben Schmidt, now sporting the number 59 on his Brandon Thone prepared machine powered past Wirth for the top spot before the completion of lap two.

Price-Miller wasted little time surging forward from his seventh place starting spot, earning the second position after a brief duel with Wirth.  

Schmidt continued to work the high line around the third-mile paper-clip shaped raceway clinging precariously to his lead.

Price-Miller opted for the lower groove and slowly reeled in Schmidt.  On lap eight Price-Miller executed the pass for the top spot.

A spin by Kris Spitz on lap 13 coming off turn two created the first of just two slowdowns in the event.

Price-Miller led Schmidt, Phillip Mock, Balog and Scotty Thiel as the race resumed.

Balog wasted no time surpassing Mock for third and soon began to pressure Schmidt for the second position.   Balog worked both the high and low grooves in an attempt to overtake Schmidt who managed to repel several challenges.

Out front Price-Miller began to reach the tail of the field.

On lap 17 Balog jumped to the high line and made his way by Schmidt, he then began to quickly close on Price-Miller whose pace was slowed by several lapped cars.

Balog was quick to take advantage of the situation and on lap 20 he roared past Price-Miller for the top spot.

A spin on the backstretch by heat race winner Blake Nimee on lap 23 drew the final caution and bunched the field.

With the green flag waving Balog again set sail pulling away from the pack while Price-Miller and Schmidt contested the second spot.

Further back Kertscher ramped up his pace cracking the top five with ten laps to go.  Kertscher was relentless in his charge moving past Mock and Thiel before knocking Schmidt off the podium annexing third as the final few laps approached.

With Balog a full straightaway out front attention focused on Kertscher who made a brief attempt to garner second as the white flag flew.

Balog comfortably accepted the checkered flag after 36 laps surpassed.  Price-Miller won the battle for second with Kertscher settling for third.

On the final lap World of Outlaw Series regular Greg Wilson who had began the contest in 17th made a successful pass of Schmidt to earn fourth.  

Schmidt completed the top five.

Thiel was the highest finishing of the title contenders taking sixth just ahead of Jordan Goldesberry.    Mock, Russel Borland and Wirth completed the top ten finishers.

Earlier in the night the B-main was hotly contested as Jeremy Schultz and Borland tossed the lead back and forth.  Schultz gained the hand during the final laps to win the event with Borland having to settle for second.  Borland faired best in the main event however as he was the highest finishing of the B-main cars.

Other transfer cars from the B-main included Johnny Fahl in third and Dave Uttech in fourth.  Uttech earned the final transfer spot on the final circuit edging out Kyle Marten.

Balog, Dominic Scelzi, Nimee and Wirth captured heat race wins.

Balog was the quickest of the 31 cars checked into the pit area this evening in qualifying.

After two nights of racing at the Wilmot Raceway it’s time for an epic gathering of sprint car racing at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

For the first time ever the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series will be joining forces with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Series. The event on Sunday, August 21^st takes place during the annual Sweet Corn Festival, will be the Outlaws first ever appearance at the historic, 1/3-mile Angell Park.

The epic gathering is known as the Sun Prairie Sprint Car classic at the third-mile clay oval will feature not only the stars of the IRA sprints but sprint car standouts such as Donny Schatz, the seven-time and defending series champion who leads the way for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. David Gravel, who was victorious last month in Wisconsin at Wilmot Raceway is second in points, followed by Brad Sweet, Daryn Pittman and Joey Saldana.

Shane Stewart, who won the opening night of the Knoxville Nationals on August 10, is currently sixth in points, with Jason Johnson seventh, Logan Schuchart eighth, Jason Sides ninth and Paul McMahan 10th.

The IRA Sprints will have the home field advantage for this contest and Scotty Thiel who had captured both IRA Sprint contests at the track this season has proven to be the man to catch on the unique third-mile clay oval. 

The Badger Midgets will also be on hand adding to a great night of open-wheeled racing action.

Pit gates will open at 2:00pm with the grandstands opening at 4:00pm.   The first cars will hit the track at 6:30pm and racing action is set to get underway at 7:30pm.

Tickets for the Sun Prairie Sprint Car Classic, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Cars at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin on Sunday, August 21 can be purchased online at https://slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by phone at 815-344-2023.

For more information on tickets, visit https://slspromotions.ticketforce.com.

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.

BUMPER TO BUMPER INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION

ROGER ILES MEMORIAL 36-LAP FEATURE: 1. Bill Balog; 2, Parker Price-Miller; 3. Mike Kertscher; 4. Greg Wilson; 5. Ben Schmidt; 6. Scotty Thiel; 7. Jordan Goldesberry; 8. Phillip Mock; 9. Russel Borland; 10. Bill Wirth; 11. Todd Hepfner; 12. Dominic Scelzi; 13. Johnny Fahl; 14. Scotty Neitzel; 15. Scott Uttech; 16. Jereme Schroeder; 17. Jeremy Schultz; 18. Raymond Hensley; 19. Matt Vandervere; 20. Blake Nimee; 21. Wayne Modjeski; 22. Dave Uttech; 23. Todd Daun; 24. Kris Spitz

Upcoming 2016 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series Events:

8/21/2016 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, WI

8/27/2016 – LaSalle Speedway, LaSalle, IL

8/28/2016 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, WI

9/2/2016 – Plymouth Dirt Track – Plymouth, WI

9/4/2016 – 141 Speedway – Francis Creek, WI

HISTORIC TRIPLE HEADER WEEKEND LOOMS AHEAD – 50^TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON FOR THE BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA SPRINTS CONTINUES AT WILMOT AND SUN PRAIRIE!

BACK TO BACK FAIR RACES AT WILMOT, FIRST EVER WORLD OF OUTLAWS CO-SANCTIONED RACE AT SUN PRAIRIE LIE AHEAD THIS WEEKEND!

August 17, 2016; Appleton, WI – The teams of the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series are about to get busy, really busy.  Over the next six weeks, teams will battle in 11 contests, and it all begins with a challenging three-race weekend that will begin this Friday.

One of the longest running traditions on the IRA schedule is the Kenosha County Fair races.  Rich in history this year's events at the fair will again be run back to back on Friday and Saturdayevenings.

Starting on Friday Night Carriage Auto Body of Waukegan, Illinois will present day one of the Roger Illes Memorial. In addition to the 410 sprints track tracks own Meyer Valves & Vacs Wingless Sprint Series presented by the IRA, street stocks and Bandit 4-cylinder stock cars will be on the car for a full night of racing action.

A scant 24 hours later on Saturday evening the teams are right back at it tossing clay at the Wilmot Raceway and thrilling fans with the high speed adventures created when you placed 900 horsepower winged sprints on a semi-banked third-mile clay oval.

The Saturday, August 20 will be day two of the Carriage Auto Body Roger Illes Memorial as the IRA sprint cars make their final appearance of their 50th Anniversary Season Tour at their original home track.  Saturday's annual Roger Iles Tribute will pay $3600 to win the 36 lap finale. Modifieds, Wisconsin-Illinois Mini-Sprints and Bandit 4-cylinder stock cars are on the August 20 program as well.

Cars will take to the track starting at 6:00pm both days.

The Wilmot Raceway contests will be pivotal in the battle for the 2016 season title for the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints.  Jeremy Schultz, a two-time champion at the Wilmot Raceway and winner of the most recent IRA contest held at the Plymouth Dirt Track two weeks ago  heads up the points heading into the shows.  Scotty Thiel of had sat atop the standings for much of the season now has become the chaser in the point battle with a margin of 48 markers to make up.   Two-time series champion Scotty Neitzel is also in the thick of the battle making his patented late-season charge.  He sits only 90 points from the top spot.

Both programs run during the fair require fair admission.  Kenosha County Fair admission is $9.00 daily for adults ages 12 and over, $5.00 for children ages 8-11, with youth ages 7 and under admitted free.  Wednesday through Friday 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. senior citizens ages 62 have a reduced admission of $6.00.  Active or retired military with an ID are admitted free daily between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.  Season passes are available as is a special lifetime pass, which is available at the fair office only.  General parking is free.

For the latest information on the fair go to the official web site www.kenoshacofair.com.

Admission into the grandstands for the races requires an additional $5.00 ticket for everyone ages 12 and older, with children ages 11 and under admitted free.

For additional information on the races, you can check out the Wilmot Raceway web site www.wilmotraceway.com, the track Facebook page or trackside race line 262-862-2090.

Wilmot Raceway is located on the Kenosha County Fairgrounds in Wilmot, Wisconsin. Take I-94 to Kenosha County Hwy. C, C west to downtown Wilmot.  Go north on County Hwy. W (Fox River Road) one-quarter mile to the fairgrounds and the Raceway.

After two nights at the Wilmot Raceway it’s time for an epic gathering of sprint car racing at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

For the first time ever the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series will be joining forces with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Series. The event on Sunday, August 21^st takes place during the annual Sweet Corn Festival, will be the Outlaws first ever appearance at the historic, 1/3-mile Angell Park.

The epic gathering is known as the Sun Prairie Sprint Car classic at the third-mile clay oval will feature not only the stars of the IRA sprints but sprint car standouts such as Donny Schatz, the seven-time and defending series champion who leads the way for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. David Gravel, who was victorious last month in Wisconsin at Wilmot Raceway is second in points, followed by Brad Sweet, Daryn Pittman and Joey Saldana.

Shane Stewart, who won the opening night of the Knoxville Nationals on August 10, is currently sixth in points, with Jason Johnson seventh, Logan Schuchart eighth, Jason Sides ninth and Paul McMahan 10th.

The IRA Sprints will have the home field advantage for this contest and Scotty Thiel who had captured both IRA Sprint contests at the track this season has proven to be the man to catch on the unique third-mile clay oval. 

The Badger Midgets will also be on hand adding to a great night of open-wheeled racing action.

Pit gates will open at 2:00pm with the grandstands opening at 4:00pm.   The first cars will hit the track at 6:30pm and racing action is set to get underway at 7:30pm.

Tickets for the Sun Prairie Sprint Car Classic, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Cars at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin on Sunday, August 21 can be purchased online at https://slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by phone at 815-344-2023.

For more information on tickets, visit https://slspromotions.ticketforce.com.

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.

Upcoming 2016 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series Events:

8/19/2016 – Wilmot Raceway – Wilmot, WI

8/20/2016 – Wilmot Raceway – Wilmot, WI

8/21/2016 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, WI

8/27/2016 – LaSalle Speedway, LaSalle, IL

8/28/2016 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, WI

POINT LEADER JEREMY SCHULTZ DELIVERS BIRTHDAY GIFT TO FATHER FROM VICTORY LANE DURING THE 20^TH RUNNING OF THE FRANK FILSKOV MEMORIAL RACE AT PLYMOUTH DIRT TRACK!

SCHULTZ DENIES BALOG … SCORES NAILBITER VICTORY IN BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA OUTLAW SPRINT ACTION AT THE PLYMOUTH DIRT TRACK!

August 6, 2016; Plymouth, WI – It would be hard for Hollywood to write a script more dramatic than the events which played out at the prestigious 20^th Annual Frank Filskov Memorial raceSaturday Night at the Plymouth Dirt Track.

Heading into the evening Jeremy Schultz, once a weekly competitor in the tough 360 sprint car division on the tight third-mile clay oval, led the Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprints to the track from his perch atop the point standings.

Still, he had come to the event seeking his first Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint victory of the season. In spite of an impressive string of eight straight top five finishes including a pair of runner-up performances the past two events Schultz had been seeking an elusive win.

He was due for a victory.

Add to that the fact on this evening, his father Jerry was celebrating his 59^th birthday.  What better way to honor the man who helped shape his racing career by giving him a triumph.

Jeremy would deliver in a dramatic way, pacing a majority of the 27 lap distance, a length which was chosen to honor Filskov whose number matched the length of the contest.  It was the final lap however that got fans on their feet.  

Seven-time IRA series champion Bill Balog had methodically picked his way through the field from his tenth place starting spot, and after the white flag flew he put a perfectly timed slider on Schultz to briefly hold the top spot.  Schultz countered with and expertly crafted cross-over move and he then won the drag race into the final turns where he was able to repel any further challenge from Balog.  He packaged up the victory and delivered.  By less than a car length.

Chalk one up for a storybook ending, except the unscripted action was real.

“I’m ecstatic.  Thanks to all the fans, love you guys!”, Schultz shouted after climbing from the car.  We got it done tonight, I’m excited about that.  Thanks for coming out and thanks to Hopf Farms for what they did (providing extra money to the field),” Schultz stated.

“We were not good early in the night, we got in the invert luckily and Bill (Balog) pulled me a good draw for the front row.  We’ll take it.   I’m glad we came out on top especially racing against Bill, he’s a hell of a racer.  I hope he does us proud down in Knoxville next week”, as Schultz wished his fellow competitor well at the prestigious Knoxville Nationals coming up next week!

Balog came up just short of his sixth win of the year having to settle for second.   For Balog finishing second was as much about sportsman ship as speed.  The last lap slide job was made knowing it could be done cleanly.

“I probably should have done it a couple laps sooner, I had a little better run but I wanted to make a real clean pass and there wasn’t a lot of racetrack left to do that kind of thing”, Balog noted on his last-ditch effort to steal the win.

“Congratulations to Jeremy he did a great job up there banging around on that cushion.  We were pretty good on the bottom and middle, passing cars down there.  We weren’t good on the top early but eventually we had to get up there”, Balog said of his late-race transition to the cushion.

Mike Reinke, who at one point in the contest appeared to have the fastest car on the track was stymied by a late race caution where he had been running second and was closing on Schultz.  Balog had slipped past on the restart and Reinke spent the balance of the contest trying to chase down the lead pair, eventually having to settle for third.

The 27 lap A-main greeted the fans with the tradition four-wide salute and then it was down to business.

Bill Rose, the defending Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Series champion from Plainsfield, Indiana was making just his third start of the season and put tonight’s opportunity to good use taking the opening lead from his pole starting berth.

Schultz meanwhile had started outside the front row.  Ironically it was Balog who drew the invert number by virtue of his fast time.  Balog placed himself 10^th on the grid with the draw.

Schultz took advantage of the starting spot, dogging Rose during the opening circuits.  Schultz preferring to run the high groove swept past Rose on the backstretch after the first circuit and started to pull away.

Third was hotly contested between Reinke and Blake Nimee whose team managed to return to action tonight after a hard crash last evening at the Dodge County Fairgrounds.  The battle between Reinke and Nimee allowed them to overtake Rose and filter into the second and third spots by lap five.

Schultz began to work through lapped traffic by lap seven and had built a dozen car length lead on Reinke.   

The laps ticked off at a brisk pace until lap 15 when Matt Vandervere executed a 360 spin between turns one and two when he was forced to stand on the brakes to avoid overrunning another car.  This resulted in the first caution period and as a result, he went to the tail of the field.

Schultz, Reinke, Nimee, Philip Mock and Balog were shown in the top five as the second half of the race began.

Balog quickly annexed the fourth spot from Mock on lap 16 and he then set his sights on Nimee.

Out front, Schultz had gone back to commanding the contest outrunning Reinke who maintained second.

Nimee’s podium hopes ended with a spin in turn four on lap 20 while running in the third spot.

The incident elevated Balog to the third position behind Schultz and Reinke. The final seven laps were run caution free.

Schultz got an excellent restart while Reinke was forced to battle with Balog for the second spot.  Balog, with a signature slider, overtook Reinke for second on lap 21 and he then set out after Schultz.

By lap 25 Balog had closed within a car length and then had to choose the time to make a passing attempt.  As the white flag flew Balog made a bold move to the inside, and while he led briefly Schultz was able to return to the throttle faster and power ahead over the final half lap taking the win.  It was his first in IRA action since a victory at Angell Park Speedway one year ago.  It was also his first series win at Plymouth Dirt Track.  

Balog and Reinke crossed the line in second and third respectively.

Mock who was making his first start in nearly a month after expiring a motor returned with an impressive performance nailing down the fourth spot.

Ken Jay Fielder turned in a breakthrough performance this evening.  Fielder who has won championships at Plymouth Dirt Track in the former Supermodified class has been a steadfast competitor in the tracks 360 sprint division.  Running double duty tonight Fielder battled in the lead pack all night recording a fifth place finish.

Ben Schmidt who had topped the B-main this evening clawed his way forward throughout the contest earning a respectable sixth place showing.  Rose faded to the seventh spot by the checkered chased to the line by Scotty Thiel.

Thiel’s run to eighth was an advancement of 11 spots from his 19^th place-starting berth.  He had passed the most cars of any driver in the main event.

Scotty Neitzel, the winner of the main event last evening at the Dodge County Fairgrounds earned ninth this evening and Todd Daun completed the top ten finishers.

21 of the 24 starters were still on the track at the finish.

In earlier action Schmidt laid claim to the B-main chased to the finish by Vandervere, Mike Kertscher, Chris Dodd, Tim Vandervere and Alex Bliesner who earned the final transfer spot on the last lap.

Heat race wins went to Rose, Reinke, and Mock.

Balog’s trip around the track in 12.222 seconds headed up the 30 cars field.  Matt Vandervere turned in a 12.459 effort for second quickest and Ryan Bowers who was a guest driver in the Ozzie Weinser owned #73 machine was impressive with a lap of 12.518 seconds, the third quickest of the night.

The series now takes a brief break for the Knoxville Nationals before a daunting triple-header weekend.  The first two events run during the Kenosha County Fair will take place on back to back Friday and Saturday evenings, August 19^th and August 20^th at Wilmot Raceway.

The series then heads to Angell Park Speedway for a Sunday, August 21^st event run during the community’s Corn Festival.

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.

Upcoming 2016 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series Events:

8/19/2016 – Wilmot Raceway – Wilmot, WI

8/20/2016 – Wilmot Raceway – Wilmot, WI

8/21/2016 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, WI

8/27/2016 – LaSalle Speedway, LaSalle, IL

8/28/2016 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, WI

410 Sprints | IRA Interstate Racing Association

Bumper Auto Parts A Feature 1 (27 Laps): 1. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[2]; 2. 17B-Bill Balog[10]; 3. 02-Mike Reinke[4]; 4. 1M-Phillip Mock[6]; 5. 95A-Ken Jay Fiedler[7]; 6. 94B-Ben Schmidt[12]; 7. 6-Bill Rose[1]; 8. 64-Scotty Thiel[19]; 9. 2W-Scott Neitzel[15]; 10. 19-Todd Daun[8]; 11. 80K-Mike Kertscher[21]; 12. 4K-Kris Spitz[13]; 13. 10V-Matt Vandevere[11]; 14. 99-Kyle Marten[5]; 15. 79-Blake Nimee[3]; 16. 0-John Fahl[20]; 17. 43-Jereme Schroeder[16]; 18. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[17]; 19. 7-Scott Uttech[18]; 20. 7V-Tim Vandevere[23]; 21. 73-Ryan Bowers[9]; 22. (DNF) 14X-Alex Bleisner[24]; 23. (DNF) 01-Chris Dodd[22]; 24. (DNF) 23D-Trey Datweiler[14]

Behling Racing Equipment B Feature 1 (12 Laps): 1. 94B-Ben Schmidt[2]; 2. 10V-Matt Vandevere[1]; 3. 80K-Mike Kertscher[9]; 4. 01-Chris Dodd[3]; 5. 7V-Tim Vandevere[7]; 6. 14X-Alex Bleisner[10]; 7. 41-Dennis Spitz[5]; 8. 6X-Kenny Gouws[8]; 9. (DNF) 68-Dave Uttech[4]; 10. (DNF) 11-Todd King[6]; (DNS) 85M-Steve Meyer; (DNS) 23-Russel Borland

Real Wheels Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 6-Bill Rose[1]; 2. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[2]; 3. 17B-Bill Balog[6]; 4. 95A-Ken Jay Fiedler[4]; 5. 99-Kyle Marten[3]; 6. 2W-Scott Neitzel[7]; 7. 94B-Ben Schmidt[5]; 8. 7V-Tim Vandevere[9]; 9. 80K-Mike Kertscher[10]; 10. 41-Dennis Spitz[8]

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 02-Mike Reinke[3]; 2. 4K-Kris Spitz[1]; 3. 64-Scotty Thiel[10]; 4. 19-Todd Daun[5]; 5. 7-Scott Uttech[8]; 6. 43-Jereme Schroeder[7]; 7. 01-Chris Dodd[4]; 8. 10V-Matt Vandevere[6]; 9. 68-Dave Uttech[2]; 10. 6X-Kenny Gouws[9]

All Star Performance Products Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 1M-Phillip Mock[4]; 2. 79-Blake Nimee[3]; 3. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[7]; 4. 73-Ryan Bowers[6]; 5. 23D-Trey Datweiler[1]; 6. 0-John Fahl[10]; 7. 11-Todd King[8]; 8. (DNF) 85M-Steve Meyer[2]; 9. (DNF) 23-Russel Borland[5]; (DNS) 14X-Alex Bleisner

Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts Qualifying 1: 1. 17B-Bill Balog, 12.222[5]; 2. 10V-Matt Vandevere, 12.459[4]; 3. 73-Ryan Bowers, 12.518[1]; 4. 94B-Ben Schmidt, 12.623[3]; 5. 19-Todd Daun, 12.704[2]; 6. 23-Russel Borland, 12.716[9]; 7. 95A-Ken Jay Fiedler, 12.756[8]; 8. 01-Chris Dodd, 12.780[15]; 9. 1M-Phillip Mock, 12.789[18]; 10. 99-Kyle Marten, 12.850[26]; 11. 02-Mike Reinke, 12.857[21]; 12. 79-Blake Nimee, 12.904[20]; 13. 5J-Jeremy Schultz, 12.925[24]; 14. 68-Dave Uttech, 12.949[12]; 15. 85M-Steve Meyer, 13.079[16]; 16. 6-Bill Rose, 13.102[11]; 17. 4K-Kris Spitz, 13.133[14]; 18. 23D-Trey Datweiler, 13.140[7]; 19. 2W-Scott Neitzel, 13.169[25]; 20. 43-Jereme Schroeder, 13.205[19]; 21. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski, 13.220[6]; 22. 41-Dennis Spitz, 13.325[17]; 23. 7-Scott Uttech, 13.627[29]; 24. 11-Todd King, 13.659[22]; 25. 7V-Tim Vandevere, 13.724[27]; 26. 6X-Kenny Gouws, 13.741[10]; 27. 14X-Alex Bleisner, 13.984[13]; 28. 80K-Mike Kertscher, 15.064[23]; 29. (DNF) 64-Scotty Thiel[28]; 30. (DNF) 0-John Fahl[30]