From Jeffrey Sasche
Appelton, WI — (June 12, 2015) — Bill Balog, the seven-time, and defending IRA champ looks to broaden his horizons, and in doing so the 2015 title chase has been put into question. With a focus on major events, and a concentrated effort in participating in the newly formed National Sprint League, Balog might be handing over the reigns on the longest string of titles in IRA history.
Coming to the forefront is a host of challengers; in fact any driver currently in the top ten in the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series standings is capable of claiming the crown. Let’s take a look at the contenders heading into this weekends event at the Sheboygan County Fairpark. Known as Sprint-Mania, the show will feature three classes of sprint cars. The Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Sprints, the Plymouth Dirt Track 360 sprints, and the crate engine based wingless sprints which made their debut this season at Wilmot Raceway.
Heading into the weekend Bill Rose, of Plainfield, Indiana has a slim 2 point gap on multi-time 360 sprint title holder Ben Schmidt who heads to his hometown track in Plymouth, Wisconsin full of momentum and confidence.
Rose, a former regular on the World of Outlaws tour has been amazing in his consistency. He finished runner-up to Balog in the season point chase last season thanks in part to finishing all but one A-main event. This year he’s finished every lap of every A-main, and has finished every event in the top ten. He also set a track record at Angell Park Speedway in dramatic fashion, being the last car to qualify on a racing surface that was starting to give up speed. For all his efforts there is one thing Rose wants, perhaps as much as the championship, and that’s a victory on the IRA tour. He’s been second on several occasions, but a win would make the 2015 title chase all that much sweeter should he collect the crown.
Giving Rose all he can handle is Plymouth, Wisconsin native Schmidt. His efforts in the 360 sprints have netted multiple championships, and his team Rhine Auto Motorsports has a long and storied history of collecting championship hardware at the Sheboygan County Fairpark. This year that team has found it’s rhythm. They scored their first IRA victory recently at Beaver Dam, and have three runner-up performances. Schmidt has been swapping the lead in the title chase with Rose, and appears to have momentum heading into the Plymouth event. A win in front of a hometown crowd would elevate Schmidt to the top of the heap in dramatic fashion. Of course Schmidt will have to best a field of over 30 drivers to do so, including Balog who wants to get back in victory lane after finishing behind Blake Nimee, and Schmidt at the most recent event this past weekend.
Should Rose or Schmidt stumble there are plenty of others who would not mind a championship trophy. Currently third in points is Beaver Dam native Scotty Neitzel. Neitzel already had two-titles under his belt, and knows well what it takes to set the pace in a title run. Neitzel won the very first 360 sprint event at a newly reconfigured Plymouth Dirt Track at the beginning of the 2014 season, and he’s looking to improve upon his recent third place finish at Beaver Dam. This weekend’s race is as likely as any for Neitzel to begin to chip into the point lead Rose, and Schmidt have established.
Jeremy Schultz currently sets in fourth in the standings. The 2013 IRA “Rookie of the Year” had an amazing inaugural season with the IRA finishing runner-up to Balog. Last year however Schultz defined what the sophomore jinx is, with the result of having to settle for 10th in points after missing a few events to regroup. This year, the hard charger is back, showing the poise of his rookie season. He’s already collected an A-main win this year, and is hungry for more.
Phillip Mock spent the 2012, and 2013 seasons solidly in the fourth spot in the IRA standings. To start off 2014, Mock collected his first career victory taking a win at Beaver Dam, and a few weeks later backed that up with another victory. From that point on however, his season came unglued with the expiration of their only motor. It was a setback to be sure. This year, Mock is back. He took two wins at Wilmot Raceway in the tracks’ 410 sprints, and has finished with runner-up honors in IRA competition already this season. His current fifth place point rank could easily be elevated with a victory or two, and joining his father Kim Mock, as an IRA champion surely isn’t out of the question.
Blake Nimee is having a breakout season in IRA competition. The young charger has seen his share of setbacks but he’s been unrelenting in his efforts to establish himself as a front-runner in the tough IRA series. This past week Nimee broke into the win column in dramatic fashion. Charging through the field, Nimee overtook Schmidt for the lead in the final turn to take that coveted first checker flag by a few feet at Wilmot Raceway. Now that he’s had the taste of victory, that win isn’t likely to be his only one this season. Victories will surely elevate his current sixth place point ranking.
Other drivers in the top ten include Scotty Thiel, Balog, Russel Borland and leading Rookie of the Year candidate Kyle Marten. Each driver is a threat to take a victory.
All of IRA’s top ten should be at the event this Saturday Night at the Plymouth Dirt Track and they will be joined by series regulars Scott, and Dave Uttech, Kris, and Dennis Spitz, Jordan Goldesberry, Wayne Modjeski, Jereme Schroeder, Allen Hafford, Scott Biertzer, Nick Alden, and Brandon Thone.
Rookie of the Year candidates Rick Kelsey, and Josh Walter are also expected, which will keep the pressure on Marten in that chase.
Part time hotshoes Mike Reinke, and Steve Meyer are also expected to be in action plus several drivers will be doing double duty running with the IRA, and the local 360 class including Kurt Davis, and Jason Johnson. Matt Vandervere, and Brian Kristan are two additional IRA standouts likely to appear.
The “Sprint Mania” event will see the pit gates open at 3:00pm. Grandstands will open at 4:30pm with hot laps slated for 5:30pm with qualifying to follow. The first green flag is expected to fly at 7:00pm.
Adult tickets are $20, kids 6-12 yrs $5, and with youngsters 5 & under are FREE.
The Plymouth Dirt Track is located on the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds just off Fairview Drive (CTY O ) in Plymouth, Wisconsin.
For additional information on the event fans can check out www.shebcofair.com or www.plymouthdtr.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 Osborn & Son Trucking, TW Metals, Hoosier Tire, Cedar Creek Motorsports, Cummins Onan, and Carriage Auto Body.