From IRAAppleton, WI — (May 14, 2014) –With 28 races still on tap during this racing season, the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series had a rare off week allowing teams to participate in various events throughout the Midwest before the series resumes it schedule at Beaver Dam Raceway this coming Saturday Night, May 17th.
Some teams used the break to prepare for the upcoming Beaver Dam event working in the shop while others took to the track at took to the track in multiple states to test their skills.
The high profile World of Outlaws event at Wilmot Raceway saw 11 drivers who are IRA regulars partake in the contest with Bill Balog, Phillip Mock, Jeremy Schultz and Blake Nimee all making the A-main.
The following evening both Nimee and Russel Borland loaded up the hauler to follow the World of Outlaw trail to Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Indiana. Borland would encounter mechanical issues, which hindered his efforts while Nimee again was able to make the A-main for the second straight night.
Schultz meanwhile opted to head to the legendary Knoxville Raceway in Iowa for his first effort at the facility.
Close to home Scotty Neitzel made history running a 360 sprint at the Plymouth Dirt Track. The raceway received a facelift this past off-season and now features lengthened straightaways and 15 degree banked turns. Neitzel adapted quickly to the reconfigured racing surface and came away with the victory in the A-main giving him the first ever main event checkered on the new racing surface.
The troops of the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints will now gather this coming Saturday night at Beaver Dam Raceway to do battle on the third-mile banked clay oval.
Heading into the event former World of Outlaws regular Bill Rose and six-time IRA champion Bill Balog are tied atop the current point standings. Rose came within a car length of stealing the win from Mock in the last appearance at the track. Balog meanwhile is the only driver to have recorded two top five finishes, but amazingly has been kept from the podium by the stiff competition in the series this season.
A rejuvenated Mike Reinke is only a handful of points behind the lead duo, and has shown some impressive speed early this race season. It’s only a matter of time before the familiar yellow #02 machine finds its way back to victory lane.
Rookies Scotty Thiel and Ben Schmidt will continue to battle for top rookie honors heading into Beaver Dam. Both drivers are inside the top ten in points with Thiel sitting solidly in fourth.
Veteran racer Steve Meyer will also be on hand celebrating his 25th year behind the wheel. His car, sporting a throwback paint scheme, has proven potent as he took runner-up honors to Craig Dollansky in the most recent IRA race at Oshkosh.
The IRA racing families will be back in action this weekend with cousins Scott and Dave Uttech joining the battle along with the father and son team of Dennis and Kris Spitz.
IRA hot shoes Bill Wirth, Jereme Schroeder, Lance Fassbender, Wayne “Mojo” Modjeski, Brandon Thone and Allen Hafford are also expected for the show.
Several other teams could be making their 2014 IRA debut at the forthcoming Beaver Dam event including former two-time series champion Travis Whitney, and the hard charging Brian Kristan.
The May 17th race program will see the pit gates opening at 3:30 pm and the grandstand will open at 4:30 pm. Racing action is set to get underway at 6:30 pm.
The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints should have nearly 30 of the best 410 sprint drivers in the Midwest on hand. The IRA sprints will be joined by the tracks own Street Stocks, Grand Nationals and Legends divisions.
General admission is $20 for adults, with a youth ticket being sold for $10 to fans ages 6 through 11. Children ages 5 and under are admitted FREE with a paid adult.
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.
IRA proudly moves into 2014 backed by its long time supporting series partners led by title sponsor Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers, and associate series partners Osborn & Son Trucking, TW Metals, Hoosier Tire, Cummins Onan, Carriage Auto Body AND Cedar Creek Motorsports.
The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints are a featured member of Racetext.net a website dedicated to bringing fans the best possible coverage of local short track racing.
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.