From IRA
Beaver Dam, WI — (4/30/2011) — The fans certainly were treated to a thrill show as the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series finally got their 2011 campaign started as Mike Kertscher somehow managed to squeeze between the wall and leader Scotty Neitzel as the two drag raced to the checker, and with contact and all Kertscher edged Neitzel by maybe two feet at the line. The contact forced Neitzel to spin wildly just past the lane forcing a yellow checkered for the remainder of the field. Mike Reinke charged from 17th to claim third. Kertscher piloted the Capt’n Jim’s Yacht Sales Kistler powered J&J to the IRA season opening victory at Beaver Dam Raceway.
The staff at Beaver Dam Raceway did a tremendous job of just getting the facility open, as Wisconsin like much of the Midwest has been over saturated all Spring. While the track was certainly fast, it became quite tricky following the preceding Modified feature, and certainly put a added twist to the night keeping fans on the edge of their seats and IRA’s Midwest Safety Team on high alert. In the 30 lap headliner Matt Vandervere and Wayne Modjeski got together immediately ending both their nights. Scott Biertzer and Bill Balog battled hard for the lead early, resulting in contact and a Balog flip. Laps later Biertzer would retire while leading due to damage from the earlier contact.
Neitzel took control with Kertscher, Russ Borland, Dave Uttech, Todd King, and a charging Reinke in tow. Kris Spitz would be the next flip victim, followed a few laps later by a strong running King whose tumble also eliminated Ben Schmidt.
Neitzel would continue in command with Kertscher staying within striking distance. Reinke continued his charge and moved into third. On the final restart Neitzel would lead all his contenders to the green. Neitzel and Kertscher pulled away slightly over Reinke. The lead duo then hit lapped traffic with one lap Neitzel gaining a length, and Kertscher gaining it back the next. The final lap would have the Neitzel machine slowed slightly after hitting a rut, while Kertscher hung it all out on the top as the two exited the final corner. A drag race between the pair complete with contact had the everyone on their feet as Kertscher somehow edged Neitzel at the line in dramatic fashion with Neitzel spinning wildly. Reinke came home a very solid third putting a good ending to what started out to be a horrific night as the team had to change engines after hot laps and failing to get a qualifying lap in. Uttech and Bill Wirth had very good nights completing the top five. Borland, Phillip Mock, Jeremy Schultz, John Haeni, and Scott Uttech rounded out the lead lap top ten.
Haeni, Donny Goeden, and Billy Hafemann were also flip victims earlier in the night with both Goeden and Haeni rebounding strong in the B-main following significant.
Kertscher, Mock, and Vandervere won the heats, while Goeden the B-main. Kertscher swept the show as he was topped the 27 car field in qualifying.
Some of the IRA will head west and run with the 410’s over at Knoxville Raceway per tradition next Saturday.
The IRA is supported by Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts, Goodyear, Osborn & Son Trucking, DNA Energy Drink & Snacks, TW Metals, MPT Industries, UltraLube, Onan, Big Game Treestands, Carriage Auto Body, and Polaris DEFENSE.
4/30 Beaver Dam Raceway A-main Results; 1. Mike Kertscher, Scotty Neitzel, Mike Reinke, Dave Uttech, Bill Wirth, Russel Borland, Phillip Mock, Jeremy Schultz, John Haeni, Scott Uttech, Andy Hunt, Brandon Thone, Craig Lager, Todd King, Ben Schmitt, Kris Spitz, Scott Biertzer, Bill Balog, Donny Goeden, Matt Vandervere, Wayne Modjeski
Osborn & Son Trucking Fast Time – Kertscher
Weld Racing Heat 1 – Kertscher
AllStar Performance Heat 2 – Mock
DMI Heat 3 – Vandervere
Behling Racing B-Main – Goeden
HRP Hard Charger – Reinke
Saldana Racing Products Hard Luck – Hafemann