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BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA OUTLAW SPRINTS RELEASE 2010 SCHEDULE
2/22/10 McHenry, IL The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series proudly announce their 2010 schedule. The 33 race schedule has the winged 410 regional powerhouse visiting 15 different tracks in a 5 state region. Wisconsin hosts the most events with 27, though the series has stops in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan. The Dodge County Fairgrounds and Wilmot Raceway will each host five series events, while the Beaver Dam Raceway, Oshkosh SpeedZone, and Cedar Lake Speedway which host 3 nights of racing action. Sheboygan County Fair Park, Rice Lake Speedway, and the Elko Speedway which each host IRA twice, with single events slated for Knoxville Raceway, Hartford Speedway Park, 141 Speedway, Kankakee Motor Speedway, Deer Creek Speedway, Langlade County Speedway, Eagle Valley Speedway, and the Superior Speedway.

The schedule is loaded with tradition, beginning with the annual Rick Schmidt Memorial kicking off the season on the big Dodge County half-mile on Saturday April 17th. The season does conclude with a change in the traditional rotation however with the Frank Filskov Memorial at Sheboygan County Fair Park running a week earlier than usual on September 18th, followed by the Fall Festival of Speed at Wilmot on Sept 25, with the season concluding where it began, Dodge County on October 2nd with the Dick Witt Checkered Classic. The series returns to Kankakee and Langlade after a two year absence, and makes its first visit to the 141 dirt, as the long time paved quarter-mile has been transformed to a high-banked dirt third-mile.

IRA is proud to have Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts onboard for their 10th year as series title sponsor. Associate series sponsors include The US Army, Osborn & Son Trucking, Bar's Leaks, Rislone, TW Metals, Onan, DNA Energy Drink, and Goodyear.

IRA was recently recognized as National 410 Co-Promoter of the Year by the North American Sprint Poll. The series is widely known for it's solid car counts highwhich include the highest member supported car count per event of any traveling sprint series. And the ultra-competitive nature of their events which produced 20 different winners in 29 2009 events. Additional events may be added yet to enhance some travel combinations.

2010 IRA SCHEDULE
April
17 Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam WI
24 Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam WI
May
1 Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam WI
8 Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville IA
22 Rice Lake Speedway, Rice Lake WI
28 Hartford Speedway Park, Hartford MI
29 Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot WI
30 141 Speedway, Maribel WI
June
5 Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam WI
11 Oshkosh SpeedZone, Oshkosh WI
12 Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley MN
18 Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond WI
19 Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond WI
25 Kankakee Motor Speedway, Kankakee IL
26 Sheboygan County Fair Park, Plymouth WI
July
2 Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam WI
3 Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot WI
16 Oshkosh SpeedZone, Oshkosh WI
17 Langlade County Speedway, Antigo WI
18 Eagle Valley Speedway, Jim Falls WI
23 Elko Speedway, Elko MN
24 Elko Speedway, Elko MN
31 Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot WI
August
7 Beaver Dam Raceway Baver Dam WI
21 Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot WI
27 Oshkosh SpeedZone, Oshkosh WI
28 Rice Lake Speedway, Rice Lake WI
September
3 Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam WI
10 Superior Speedway, Superior WI
11 Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond, WI
18 Sheboygan County Fair Park, Plymouth WI
25 Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot WI
October
2 Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam WI

IRA's 2009 Top 10 L-R 5th Mike Reinke, 4th Scott Biertzer, 3rd John Haeni, 2nd Scotty Neitzel, 1st Bill Balog 10th Phillip Mock, 9th Bill Wirth, 8th Donny Goeden, 7th, Steve Meyer, 6th Scott Uttech

IRA 2009 Champion Billy Balog

IRA 2009 Rookie of the Year - Phillip Mock

BALOG TOPS LIST OF IRA HONOREES

Plymouth, WI 11/21 Racers Hall in Plymouth, Wisconsin was filled to capacity to honor repeat Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series Champion Bill Balog and seventeen of his fellow competitors. Balog is IRA's third consecutive back to back champion following the lead of IRA's previous two champion's Scotty Neitzel and Travis Whitney. Over $60,000 in cash awards were presented to the eighteen point fund eligible teams. In addition each team took home numerous items from IRA's extremely popular contingency program. Balog took home over $11,000 in cash awards plus numerous contingencies. Balog also garnered the TW Metals Fast Timer bonus for earning the most qualifying points throughout the season. In addition Bill received jackets from Hoosier & HRP, plus a beautiful custom designed floor rug from Kay & Mike Larson. All this in addition to his Frank Filskov Memorial IRA Championship hardware, and ASA recognition certificate. Balog crew members Ryan Buesser and Jeff Bonilla completed the team's outstanding season by being named Mechanix Wear Mechanics of the Year, and we're also recognized by HRP for their achievement. Second generation racer Phillip Mock honored as the Awesome Racewear / R&H Enterprises Rookie of the Year. The teenager finished 10th in the point standings. Phillip was awared a $1200 check for his rookie accomplishments on top of his point fund earnings, plus receiving a custom Awesome Racewear driving suit, Hoosier Tire jacket, a HRP bonus check, and numerous contingency prizes. Mock and team were also the recipient of the Midwest Safety Team's Persevearance Award and $500 check that goes with it. The father and son combination of Bob and Bill Wirth were presented the prestigeous Rick Schmidt Memorial IRA Member of the Year Award. Nick Alden was presented with the James Bartz Memorial Most Improved Driver Award. Dave Uttech's #68 was named series All-Star Performance Best Appearing Car. Scott Uttech won the Q Oil - Wix Filters Heat Race Award. Billy Hafemann won the Behling Racing Equipment B-Main Award. IRA appreciation awards were presented to Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts, United Trailers, TW Metals, Cummins Onan, The Midwest Safety Team, and Jay Parrish. Bill Wirth and Scotty Neitzel each won new 2010 Maxim chassis as part of IRA's contingency product drawing. Jeff Fischer and photographer Dave Olson (Speed-Grahics) presented a video tribute, while Justin Zoch, Jeff Wesell, and Steve Sinclair co-hosted the awards presentation. A very prosperous night was capped off with the rockin' sounds of MissBehavin'. IRA would like to additionally thank The U.S. Army, Bar's Leaks, Rislone, Team Can-Am, Osborn & Son Trucking, Hoosier Tire, and the American Speed Association for their outstanding support.

KERTSCHER TAKES FILSKOV MEMORIAL, BALOG IRA CHAMP

9/26 Plymouth, WI Mike Kertscher stole the win from Tommy Sexton with a last corner pass to claim the 13th annual Frank Filskov Memorial Fall Classic at Sheboygan County Fair Park. The race sanctioned by the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series is tradionally the final event of the IRA point season. Kertscher put down an absolute perfect lap rim-riding his way around Sexton and winning the drag race to checkerd. Kertscher piloted the Jim Bell / Chris Hartnell Captain Jim's Yacht Sales Kistler/JEI to the $2700 win. It was Kertcher's second IRA wi of the season, and also his second Filskov Memorial victory. Bill Balog was crowned IRA series champion for the second consecutive season. Donny Goeden led the early going, however fifth starting Sexton powered his way to past Billy Hafemann, Kertscher, and Mike Reinke before taking command as the first 14 laps went green. Veteran Joe Symoens stopped the action with a high altitude back-chute tumble. Sexton would lead Goeden, Kertscher, Scotty Neitzel, Bill Balog, Hafemann, and Reinke on the restart. Neitzel's strong run would end a few laps later with driveline woes, and then Balog became a spin victim initiated by a Ty Bartz - Bill Wirth incident. Sexton would lead Goeden, Kertscher , Hafemann, and Reinke at the restart. Kertscher was able to get by Goeden and began his pursuit of Sexton. Sexton was strong dispite fighting obvious overheating issues, though on the last lap Kertscher agressively pounded the cushion and won the drag to the checkered over Sexton by just a few feet. Goeden would come home third while Reinke edeged Hafemann for fourth. John Haeni, hard charger Todd Hepfner, Scott Uttech, and veterans Jim Melis, and Darrell Dodd completed the top ten. Hafemannset fast time over the 36 car field, while heat wins went to Sexton, Balog, Dodd, and Reinke. Neitzel edged Haeni, and Symoens in a very entertainng B-Main. Scott Biertzer came into the event in third place behind Balog, and Neitzel in the point standings, however a sub-standard qualifying time but Biertzer in the B-main, and Biertzer was eliminated in a turn two incident. Haeni, with a solid 6th place A-main run was able to gain enough points to grab third in the final point standings with Biertzer dropping to fourth. Second generation racer Phillip Mock captured IRA Rookie of the Year honors, though father Kim substitued by for his son so the youngster could attend his High School Homecoming activities. A-main Finish: 1. Mike Kertscher, Tommy Sexton, Donny Goeden, Mike Reinke, Billy Hafemann, John Haeni, Todd Hepfner, Scott Uttech, Jim Melis, Darrell Dodd, Jerome Schroeder, Steve Meyer, Kim Mock, Todd Daun, Bill Warren, Bill Balog, Ty Bartz, Jimmy Sivia, Bill Wirth, Scotty Neitzel, Joe Symoens, Wayne Modjeski

McCarl Finally Captures IRA Northern Nationals

There are not too many tracks around the Upper Midwest where Terry McCarl had not visited victory lane but Superior Speedway in Superior, Wisconsin, was one of them. That all changed when McCarl raced by Erin Crocker to take the win at the Budweiser Northern Nationals. The win was the fourth IRA win of the season for McCarl. Crocker took the lead from the outside of the front row and held off polesitter Davey Heskin through a few early yellow flags and a red flag for Billy Hafemann's flip in turn two. On the restart, McCarl snuck by Crocker and opened up a large lead. Late in the race, IRA point leader Bill Balog closed in on Crocker to take second but was never able to pass McCarl, despite a late yellow flag. Balog, who started 10th, was second followed by Crocker, Mike Reinke and Scott Neitzel. Johnny Herrera suffered a broken nose wing and slipped to sixth from third at the finish ahead of Davey Heskin, who spun while running second but charged back to seventh at the finish. The heat races for the 25 cars were scored by Neitzel, Reinke and Crocker. In Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications, Terry McCarl established a new track record of 12.715, finally breaking the mark of Donny Goeden's 12.958 that held for ten years of IRA and World of Outlaws Gumout Series competition. Goeden established the mark on September 10, 1999.

Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications (25 cars) 1. Terry McCarl (24) 12.715 2. Johnny Herrera (2) 13.212 3. Erin Crocker (59) 13.270 4. Scott Biertzer (4B) 13.274 5. Davey Heskin (56) 13. 318 6. Bill Balog (17) 13.340 7. Scott Uttech (3K) 13.467 8. Brad Barickman (34) 13.504 9. Billy Hafemann (2B) 13.509 10. Dave Uttech (68) 13.567 11. Andy Hunt (9A) 13.576 12. Lynton Jeffrey (12) 13. 580 13. Scott Nietzel (2W) 13.613 14. Mike Reinke (02) 13.622 15. Kris Spitz (4K) 13.626 16. Steve Meyer (85M) 13.635 17. Travis Whitney (9) 13. 638 18. Ryan Wilson (18) 13.707 19. John Haeni (21J) 13.793 20. Phillip Mock (1M) 13.866 21. Joe Symoens (96) 13.955 22. Todd King (K9) 14.152 23. Bill Wirth (53W) 14. 256 24. Leigh Thomas (29) 14.295 25. Duane Olson (16) 15.242

Lane Automotive Heat Race #1 1. Scott Neitzel, 2. Steve Meyer, 3. Terry McCarl, 4. Dave Uttech, 5. John Haeni, 6. Scott Uttech, 7. Todd King, 8. Duane Olson, 9. Scott Biertzer (DNF)

VMAC Racing Heat Race #2 1. Mike Reinke, 2. Johnny Herrera, 3. Davey Heskin, 4. Andy Hunt, 5. Brad Barickman, 6. Phillip Mock, 7. Travis Whitney (DNF) 8. Bill Wirth (DNF)

Wesmar/DMI Heat Race #3 1. Erin Crocker, 2. Bill Balog, 3. Lynton Jeffrey, 4. Kris Spitz, 5. Billy Hafemann, 6. Joe Symoens, 7. Leigh Thomas, 8. Ryan Wilson (DNF)

30-Lap A-Feature 1. Terry McCarl, 2. Bill Balog, 3. Erin Crocker, 4. Mike Reinke, 5. Scott Neitzer, 6. Johnny Herrera, 7. Davey Heskin, 8. Brad Barickman, 9. Dave Uttech, 10. Lynton Jeffrey, 11. Ryan Wilson, 12. Todd King, 13. Kris Spitz, 14. Scott Uttech, 15. Leigh Thomas, 16. Phillip Mock, 17. Andy Hunt, 18. Bill Wirth, 19. Steve Meyer, 20. Scott Biertzer, 21. Billy Hafemann, 22. John Haeni, 23. Joe Symoens

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Tatnell Keeps It In the Family at Richert Memorial

It was an emotional night for the entire Richert family as they huddled to honor their father, Jerry Richert, and watched a member of the family � Brooke Tatnell � score the win at the Ninth Annual Jerry Richert Memorial at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin. Tatnell, who is married to Jerry�s daughter Amy, raced a car owned by Joe Kouba and Jerry Richert Jr. to victory over a very impressive field of IRA Sprint Cars to score his second consecutive win in the event. Tatnell, who was returning to the cockpit for the first time since shattering his left leg in a driveline explosion in July, stared the feature event in the fifth spot and watched Johnny Herrera open up a lead over the first part of the race. Once the leaders reached lapped traffic, Herrera eventually succumbed to the pressure from Tatnell as a torrid four-car battle between Herrera, Tatnell, Terry McCarl and tenth starting Scott Winters heated up from laps 10-20, when Josh Higday slapped the concrete wall on the backstretch, bringing out a yellow flag. Tatnell survived a series of late race yellow flags and managed to hold Scott Winters on every restart while McCarl and Herrera battled back and forth. On the final restart, with two laps remaining, Bill Balog drove from sixth to fourth while Tatnell cruised around to a very popular victory. Tatnell was followed by Johnny Herrera, Balog and McCarl. Greg Parent (GRP Motorsports) put up two Hard Charger Awards and it went to two very deserving drivers as Bill Balog earned the IRA Hard Charger and Scott Winters won the non-IRA member award. Each driver was given $200 from Parent. In Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications, Terry McCarl nearly broke his five-year-old track record with a lap of 10.787 (the record in 10.757) and the four heat races went to Scott Uttech, Lynton Jeffrey, Robbie Wolfgang and Tatnell. Davey Heskin on the Behling Racing Products B-main, which saw Phillip Mock take a horrendous backstretch tumble. The current IRA Rookie point leader emerged uninjured.

Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications (34 Cars) Fast Time: Terry McCarl (10.787)

Lane Automotive Heat 1 (Top Four Transfer) 1. Scott Uttech, 2. Jerry Richert Jr., 3. Terry McCarl, 4. Bill Warren/ 5. Billy Hafemann, 6. Brad Barickman, 7. Leigh Thomas, 8. Todd King, 9. Tony Kaus

VMAC Racing Heat 2 1. Lynton Jeffrey, 2. Mark Dobmeier, 3. Dave Uttech, 4. Jake Peters/ 5. Ryan Wilson, 6. John Haeni, 7. Josh Higday, 8. Duane Olson, 9. Travis Whitney (DNS)

DMI Heat 3 1. Robbie Wolfgang, 2. Bill Balog, 3. Kris Spitz, 4. Johnny Herrera/ 5. Davey Heskin, 6. Scott Biertzer, 7. Andy Hunt, 8. Joe Symoens

Wesmar Racing Engines Heat 4 1. Brooke Tatnell, 2. Mike Reinke, 3. Scott Winters, 4. Erin Crocker/ 5. Scott Neitzel, 6. Phillip Mock, 7. Russel Borland 8. Bill Wirth (DNS)

Behling Racing Products B-main (Top Six Transfer) 1. Heskin, 2. Barickman, 3. Biertzer, 4. Higday, 5. Haeni, 6. King/ 7. Wilson, 8. Hafemann, 9. Borland, 10. Kaus, 11. Olson, 12. Neitzel (DNF), 13. Mock (DNF), 14. Hunt (DNF), 15. Symoens (DNF), 16. Thomas (DNF), 17. Wirth (DNS), 18. Whitney (DNF)

Jerry Richert Memorial (30-Laps) 1. Tatnell, 2. Winters, 3. Herrera, 4. Balog, 5. McCarl, 6. Crocker, 7. Jeffrey, 8. Peters, 9. Reinke, 10. Wolfgang, 11. Biertzer, 12. Heskin, 13. Richert Jr., 14. Dobmeier, 15. Warren, 16. Barickman, 17. D. Uttech, 18. King, 19. S. Uttech, 20. Spitz, 21. Haeni (DNF), 22. Higday (DNF)

Mike Reinke and Scott Young were the winners in Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series events over the Labor Day weekend. Reinke picked up a well deserved and overdue win by capturing the IRA portion of the Stan Fox Memorial at the Dodge County Fairgrounds, while Young who has competed a very partial schedule this year grabbed a thriller at the Grant County Speedway the following night. For both it was their first IRA victories of the season, making it 18 different drivers winning IRA A-mains thus far in 2009. Scotty Neitzel had a outstanding weekend with a pair of runnerup finishes and the closed the point chase some as defending series champ and current point leader Bill Balog suffered from horrendous luck at Grant Co after recording a solid third place run the night previous. Balog broke a rear axle while leading his heat, then apparently had a rear-end let go while leading the B-main, thus failing to transfer to the A. 31 cars were on hand at Dodge, while 26 made the tow over to Lancaster the following night.

The Dodge County event got off to a slow start as numerous yellows and a red kept the race from getting any early momentum. Once finally a lap could be completed Reinke proved to be dominant. Neitzel was able to close in a few times in traffic however Reinke in the SCA/Race Rock Pizza/Mike's Construction/ Wesmar powered Maxim would not be denied. Neitzel, Balog, Scott Biertzer, and a charging Todd Hepfner completed the top five while Scott Young, Tommy Sexton, John Haeni, Donny Goeden, and Kurt Davis rounded out the top ten. Terry McCarl captured the Osborn & Son / TW Metals Fast Time honors while heat wins went to Scott Uttech (Lane), Phillip Mock (DMI), and John Vanderberg (Wesmar). Ty Bartz won the Behling Racing Equipment B-main while Goeden was the HRP Hard Charger. A-main Finish; 1. Mike Reinke, Scotty Neitzel, Bill Balog, Scott Biertzer, Todd Hepfner, Scott Young, Tommy Sexton, John Haeni, Donny Goeden, Kurt Davis, Andy Hunt, Scott Uttech, Bill Warren, Ty Bartz, Rusel Borland, Brian Kristan, Bill Wirth, John Vandenberg, Todd Daun, Steve Meyer, Billy Hafemann, Mike Kertscher, Terry McCarl, Phillip Mock.

The Grant Co Speedway in Lancaster has always provided tremendous multi-groove racing and that was certainly again the case. Travis Whitney was blistering fast setting a torrid pace as the first fifteen laps were all green, however on the first restart Whitney would have a left rear tire come off the rim ending what appeared to be a dominating win. Whitney would replace the tire and rejoin the field at the rear and quickly put himself well inside the top ten before having a rear-end fail with just a few laps remaining. Donny Goeden also appeared to have victory in sight, also with what appeared to be a comfortable margin only to unexplainably spin in turn two on the final lap. Scott Young in the family J&J would inherit the lead however would have a green- white-checkered completion with Scotty Neitzel, Mike Reinke, and John Haeni all lined up directly behind. Young who has traditionally been fast at Grant Co went to the highside on the restart while Neitzel tried to dive under him, however Young had too much momentum on the cushion and drove past Neitzel's attempt and on to the win followed by Neitzel, Reinke, Haeni, and John Vandenberg. Todd Daun, Scott Biertzer, Jim Moughan, Scott Uttech, and Bill Warren rounded out the top ten. Billy Hafemann recorded the Osborn & Son Fast Time while heat wins went to Joe Symoens (Lane), Scott Biertzer (VMAC), and Phillip Mock (Wesmar). Hafemann also captured the Behling B-main. Moughan was the HRP Hard Charger. A-main Finish; 1. Scott Young, Scotty Neitzel, Mike Reinke, John Haeni, John Vandenberg, Todd Daun, Scott Biertzer, Jim Moughan, Scott Uttech, Bill Warren, Ryan Irwin, Kris Spitz, Billy Hafemann, Andy Hunt, Nick Alden, Matt Wasmund, Dave Uttech, Donny Goeden, Joe Symoens, Travis Whitney, Phillip Mock, Chris Dodd

Balog leads Neitzel, Haeni, Biertzer, Reinke, Meyer, S. Uttech, Goeden, Wirth, and Mock in the point standings leading into this weekend, racing Fri Sept. 11th at the Superior Speedway's Northern Nationals and Saturday's Jerry Richert Memorial at Cedar Lake.

IRA is a ASA affiliated series with support from Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers, United Trailers, Hoosier Tire, Osborn & Son Trucking, The U.S. Army, Bar's Leaks, Rislone, TW Metals, BRP/Can-Am, and Mechanix Wear.

While the 2009 race season may be slowing down in some places, it certainly remains hot and heavy with the Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Outlaw Sprint Series as 8 races remain on the point schedule including a trio of consecutive doubleheaders beginning this weekend. 16 different drivers have visited IRA victory lane in 22 completed events, (points have been awarded at 23). This Friday, Aug 28, has IRA at the fast sweeping 1/3 mile in Oshkosh WI while the following night has IRA at the high-banked 1/3 mile in Rice Lake, WI. Friday Sept. 4th has IRA co-headlining with the Badger Midgets at the Stan Fox Memorial at the Dodge Co Fairgrounds near Beaver Dam, WI, with Saturday Sept 5th being IRA's return to the popular Grant Co Speedway in Lancaster, WI after a few year absence. Then on Sept. 11th is the annual Northern Nationals at Superior, WI followed by IRA's richest event on Saturday Sept. 12th with the running of the annual Jerry Richert Memorial IRA/Knoxville Challange at Cedar Lake Speedway near New Richmond, WI. The upstart UMSS 360 Sprints play a support role at Cedar Lake beginning a string of ALL SPRINT events to conclude the IRA season. The MSA 360 Sprints take the support role the last 2 nights of the IRA season as the open-wheel duo hit the Dodge Co half-mile on Sept 19th for the Dick Witt Checkered Classic, and season championships for both IRA & MSA conclude a week later, Sat Sept 26th, with the traditional curtain closing Frank Filskov Memorial Fall Classic at Sheboygan Co Fair Park in Plymouth, WI... 1200cc Mini-Sprints are also on the all "Sprint" card at Plymouth. 08 IRA Champ Bill Balog leads 04 & 05 IRA Champ Scotty Neitzel, 02 IRA Champ John Haeni, third generation racer Scott Biertzer, and perennial IRA front-runner Steve Meyer in the season point chase. Phillip Mock, son of 2-time IRA Champ Kim Mock heads the Rookie race. IRA has averaged 34 cars per event thus far in 2009. Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts hold the IRA title sponsor role with additional support coming from United Trailers, Osborn & Son Trucking, Hoosier Tire, Bar's Leaks, Rislone, The U.S. Army, TW Metals, BRP/Can-Am, and Mechanix Wear. IRA is a ASA affiliated series. 09 IRA Winners include; Billy Balog (3), Terry McCarl (3), Johnny Herrera (2), Scott Winters (2), Scotty Neitzel, Ricky Logan, Davey Heskin, Tim Kaeding, Joey Saldana, Donny Goeden, Sammy Swindell, Jake Peters, Sam Hafertepe Jr, Mike Kertscher, Tommy Sexton, and Todd Daun. Whose next???

DAUN GRABS IRA KENOSHA CO. FAIR WIN

Wilmot, WI 8/22 Veteran Todd Daun scored the biggest win of his career by capturing the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints Kenosha County Fair headliner at the Wilmot Raceway. Daun, the 2008 Wilmot track champion, piloted the Carriage Auto Body Maxim to a well earned win in front of a huge County Fair crowd. Fourth starting Daun took the lead on lap five from initial leader Steve Meyer, then swapped the lead numerous times with IRA point leader Billy Balog over much of the thirty lap affair. Daun, a past IRA Rookie of the Year and and perennial top IRA points runner a decade ago, drove an outstanding race countering the pressuring Balog's every move.

Visiting Wayne Johnson moved up from his tenth starting position and challanged Balog for second in the closing laps, and despite a solid hit with the back straight wall ended up third. The next eight cars crossed the line under a large blanket several wide thrilling the packed house as 16th starting hard-charger John Haeni edged Meyer, polesitter Scott Uttech, 11th starting Todd Hepfner, Donny Goeden, Mike Reinke, 20th starting Scott Biertzer, and Brian Kristan. The Wilmot surface, though too wet early, widened out great and provided outstanding racing action.

2-time series champion and current points runner-up entering the night Scotty Neitzel had yet another strong performance end in heartbreaking fashion, running as high as second and in the top three for nearly the entire event had what appeared to be ignition failure with just three laps to go ending his solid drive.

Traveler Ricky Logan rode out a series of nasty flips after contact with Mike Kertscher while battling for a transfer position in the fourth heat. Logan was transported to the hospital with a likely leg injury.

Johnson set fast time over the 40 car field, just over track record time. Heat wins went to Neitzel, Meyer, S. Uttech, and Kertscher. Joe Symoens won a B-main thriller over Dave Uttech, while Hepfner captured the second B-main.

A-Main Summary: 1. Todd Daun, Billy Balog, Wayne Johnson, John Haeni, Steve Meyer, Scott Uttech, Todd Hepfner, Donny Goeden, Mike Reinke, Scott Biertzer, Brian Kristan, Bill Warren, Kris Spitz, Bill Wirth, Darrell Dodd, Joe Symoens, Phillip Mock, Scotty Neitzel, Mike Kertscher, Dave Uttech, Billy Hafemann, Patrick Haynes.

IRA is a ASA ffiliated series with support from Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts, United Trailers, Osborn & Son Trucking, Bar's Leaks, Rislone, The U.S. Army, TW Metals, BRP/Can-Am, and Mechanix Wear. Nightly race sponsors include Osborn & Son Trucking, Lane Automotive, VMAC Racing, DMI, Wesmar Engines, The Joie of Seating, HRP, and Behling Race Equipment.

IRA has a pair of Wisconsin events this coming weekend Aug 28-29, Friday in Oshkosh and Saturday in Rice Lake.

SEXTON WINS FIRST, TAKES IRA WINKER/DAUN MEMORIAL

8/1 Wilmot, WI Tommy Sexton has been fast over the years, however one thing he hasn't been is lucky. Well the second generation driver didn't need any luck tonight as he thundered to an impressive win by claiming the 30 lap Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints presented by The U.S. Army, Al & Marie Winker / Wayne Daun Memorial at the Wilmot Raceway. Sexton piloted the Charlie Fisher powered #83d Maxim to his first career IRA win. Both Kurt Winker and Todd Daun competed in the annual event remembering their parents. 37 cars were present, vintage IRA machines from the past on display, and Wilmot's biggest crowd of the season turned out despite threatening skies.

Scott Uttech grabbed the initial lead, though on lap two second running Brian Kristan jumped the cushion and slid over the first turn bank forcing a yellow. Uttech would remain the leader for the next few laps before Sexton, who drove the extreme high side of the track in turns three and four way above the large curb that developed on the heavy surface, powered by on the outside for the lead. The race was slowed by a multi-car red flag as the top ten cars of Kris Spitz, Mike Kertscher, John Haeni, and Darrell Dodd were involved with all but Dodd restarting after repairs.

Sexton was the class of the field on this night opening a substantial lead, though Todd Hepfner ran a strong second as well. Donny Goeden went to the high side late picking up several positions from his ninth starting position leading the fleet trio of IRA points leading Billy Balog, Mike Reinke, and Scott Neitzel. Uttech who appeared to be having some mechanical woes had slipped back to seventh.

At the finish it was Sexton by eight car lengths over Hepfner and a closing Goeden. Balog edged 13th starting Reinke for fourth, with 20th starting Neitzel, S. Uttech, 18th starting Bill Wirth, 21st starting Scott Biertzer, and Steve Meyer completing the top ten. Haeni would rebound after major repairs to come home 11th.

Kertscher captured the Osborn & Sons / TW Metals fast time honors by out qualifying the 37 car field, and also the Lane Automotive first heat. Goeden captured the VMAC Racing 2nd heat, Balog the DMI 3rd heat, and Haeni the Wesmar Engines 4th heat. IRA veterans Dodd and Joe Symoens each captured a Behling Racing Equipment B-Main, while Neitzel was the Hepfner Race Products Hard Charger.

Kurt Winker drove one of the Vandervere entries, qualifying 9th quick, running third in his heat, but dropping out the main after some contact with the front straight wall. Daun, the defending Wilmot track champion, qualified 6th quick but was involved in a night ending front straight tumble while battling at the line for a heat race transfer position.

IRA is a ASA affiliated series with support from Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts, United Trailers, Osborn & Son Trucking, Bar's Leaks, Rislone, TW Metals, The U.S. Army, Mechanix Wear, and Can-Am/BRP.

Billy Balog leads Scotty Neitzel, and John Haeni in the title chase moving into IRA's next event, Saturday night August 8th at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

IRA Winker / Daun Memorial A-main Finish: 1. Tommy Sexton, Todd Hepfner, Donny Goeden, Billy Balog, Mike Reinke, Scotty Neitzel, Scott Uttech, Bill Wirth, Scott Biertzer, Steve Meyer, John Haeni, Dave Uttech, Mike Kertscher, Bill Warren, Brian Kristan, Kris Spitz, Patrick Haynes, Darrell Dodd, Billy Hafemann, Kurt Winker, Joe Symoens, Jim Moughan

Following a grueling 3-day swing which included an extremely successful inaugural 2-day headline appearance at the Elko Dirt Nationals in Minnesota, and an annual visit to Eagle Valley Speedway in Wisconsin, the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series heads to Wilmot (WI) Raceway this Saturday night (Aug. 1) for the annual running of the Al & Marie Winker / Wayne Daun Memorial. 34 teams were on hand at Elko, all uncertain on what to expect as the top notch 3/8 pavement track was coated with dirt for the weekend. The racers were greeted with an ultra-smooth surface that far exceeded most expectations, and an event that will not soon be forgotten. One thing for certain that both racers and the HUGE throng of fans that turned out for this inaugural event discovered, the Elko Speedway is a spectacular facility. They also discovered improvement with each night, beginning with IMCA Sprint action which began on Wednesday to Saturday's IRA Sprint / USMTS Mod finale. Terry McCarl established a track record on Friday only to have Travis Whitney smash it the next night. The Friday A-main included some great racing with Jake Peters passing Scott Winters and then outdueling Winters, McCarl, Scott Biertzer, and Donny Goeden for the exciting win. Saturday night it was current IRA point leader and defending series champion Billy Balog taking the win in front of a massive crowd, leading Whitney, Winters, Steve Meyer, and Jerry Richert Jr to the checkerd. After LOTS of post race fun it was off to Eagle Valley where some dark clouds suprised everyone. Sam Hafertepe Jr also surprised everyone as he unexpectedly entered the pit area. Haftertepe Jr and four others lowered the track record making it 4 consecutive races that IRA established new track records. After a lengthy rain delay, the A-main thundered off only to have a scary first turn crash involving rookie Matt Vandervere. The likable Vandervere scared everyone at the time as he was transported for additional care, but thankfully he's back at home and going to be just fine. As the race went green, Whitney, Hafertepe Jr, and Balog were frightening fast, as the trio ran nose to tail at track record speeds, Hafertepe Jr used his WoO experience and took advantage of a Whitney hesitation in traffic to grab the lead and the win, the Texas drivers first in IRA competition. (On a little history note, fellow Texan Gary Wright captured a IRA win at LaSalle IL back in the mid 90's) Hafertepe Jr bested Whitney, Balog, Scotty Neitzel, and Richert Jr. As IRA heads to Wilmot, the usual solid Wilmot car count is expected. Balog and guest driver Sammy Swindell have captured IRA's previous two 2009 Wilmot visits. Balog leads Neitzel, John Haeni, Biertzer, and Meyer in the series points chase. IRA is a ASA affiliated series with support from Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts, United Trailers, Osborn & Son Trucking, Bar's Leaks & Rislone, The U.S. Army, TW Metals, Mechanix Wear, Super Clean, and Can-Am/BRP.

Hafertepe Jr. Drops by Eagle Valley for First IRA Score

Earlier in the week, Sam Hafertepe Jr. pulled off the World of Outlaws trail to do some racing around the Midwest and after spending Friday in Attica, Ohio, and Saturday watching rain showers in Terre Haute, Indiana, the Sunnyvale, Texas, driver decided to drop in on the IRA Sprint show at Eagle Valley Speedway in Jim Falls, Wisconsin, on Sunday night. It was a decision he would not regret. The Sprint feature was delayed nearly two hours by a brief but hard rain shower and once it began, the 30-lap feature got off to an ugly start when Matt Vandervere tangled with Steve Meyer and turn one and executed a wild series of flips. Vandervere climbed out under his own power but was later taken to a local hospital for observation. Second-starting Travis Whitney led the early going as Hafertepe quickly charged to second from fourth while Bill Balog moved from sixth to third. The lead trio raced in that formation until lap 12 when Hafertepe slipped by Whitney for the lead in lapped traffic. On the next lap, Phillip Mock looped his 1M in turn four directly in front of the leaders, who all managed to squeeze by him. On the restart, Hafertepe pulled away from Whitney and Balog and remained untouchable following a late yellow flag for a stalled Wayne Modjeski. The win was the first IRA series win for Hafertepe while Whitney bested Balog, Scott Neitzel and 11th-starting Jerry Richert Jr. on a very fast racetrack. Earlier in the evening, Hafertepe lowered the track record to 12.351 seconds, nearly a half second better than Whitney's previous mark of 12.814 set in July of 2008. It was fourth consecutive night that the IRA has set a new track record. The trio of heat races were scored by Balog, Scott Uttech and Joe Symoens.

Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprints Eagle Valley Speedway, Jim Falls, Wisconsin

Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications (22 Cars) 1. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (Sunnyvale, Texas) 12.351 2. Brad Barickman (Richfield, Minnesota) 12.470 3. Travis Whitney (Coons Rapids, Minnesota) 12.603 4. Kris Spitz (Salem, Wisconsin) 12.678 5. Scott Neitzel (Beaver Dam, Wisconsin) 12.726 6. Scott Biertzer (West Bend, Wisconsin) 12.882 7. Wayne Modjeski (Oak Creek, Wisconsin) 12.923 8. Phillip Mock (Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin) 12.939 9. Jerry Richert Jr. (Forest Lake, Minnesota) 12.957 10. John Haeni (Brownsville, Wisconsin) 12.967 11. Scott Uttech (New Berlin, Wisconsin) 13.042 12. Steve Meyer (Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin) 13.042 13. Bill Balog (Eau Claire, Wisconsin) 13.097 14. Andy Hunt (Randolph, Wisconsin) 13.191 15. Joe Symoens (Franksville, Wisconsin) 13.362 16. Donny Goeden (Kewaskum, Wisconsin) 13.343 17. Russel Borland (Kewaskum, Wisconsin) 13.541 18. Matt Vandervere (Beach Park, Illinois) 13.648 19. Bill Wirth (Cudahey, Wisconsin) 13.758 20. Lance Fassbender (Burnett, Wisconsin) 13.853 21. Dave Uttech (Kenosha, Wisconsin) 14.094 22. Todd King (Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin) NT

Lane Automotive Heat 1 1. Bill Balog, 2. John Haeni, 3. Kris Spitz, 4. Wayne Modjeski, 5. Sam Hafertepe Jr., 6. Bill Wirth, 7. Donny Goeden (DNF)/ DNS: Todd King

VMAC Racing Heat 2 1. Scott Uttech, 2. Scott Neitzel, 3. Russel Borland, 4. Brad Barickman, 5. Andy Hunt, 6. Phillip Mock, 7. Lance Fassbender

Wesmar Racing Engines/DMI Heat 3 1. Joe Symoens, 2. Scott Biertzer, 3. Jerry Richert Jr., 4. Travis Whitney, 5. Matt Vandervere, 6. Dave Uttech, 7. Steve Meyer (DNF)

30-Lap Feature Finish (Starting Position in Parenthesis) 1. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (4), 2. Travis Whitney, (2), 3. Bill Balog (6), 4. Scott Neitzel (10), 5. Jerry Richert Jr. (11), 6. Scott Biertzer (9), 7. John Haeni (12), 8. Joe Symoens (5), 9. Kris Spitz (1), 10. Scott Uttech (7), 11. Phillip Mock (16), 12. Wayne Modjeski (8), 13. Andy Hunt (13), 14. Dave Uttech (20), 15. Russel Borland (14) (DNF), 16. Brad Barickman (3)(DNF) , 17. Bill Wirth (18) (DNF), 18. Lance Fassbender (19) (DNF) 19. Matt Vandervere (15) (DNF) , 20. Steve Meyer (17) (DNF) DNS: Donny Goeden, Todd King

Balog Bags Third IRA Win of Season at Elko Finale

One week ago, Bill Balog stood in victory lane at Deer Creek Speedway after winning the IRA event. Tonight, as Elko Speedway in Elko, Minnesota, wrapped up their inaugural Dirt Nationals, the 2008 champion did it again. Balog, from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, started outside the first row and trailed polesitter Steve Meyer for the first three circuits before taking the top spot. On lap four, Brett Geldner brought out the yellow with a soft flip in turn four. On the restart, Travis Whitney edged past Meyer to take the second spot. Balog continued to lead as Whitney dueled with eigth-starting Scott Winters through the early part of the race. A lap 14 yellow flag period for a tangle between Matt Vandevere and Andy Hunt set up a shootout as the top three cars lined up nose-to-tail on the restart. Balog, however, proved to be too strong as he pulled away from Whitney to take his third win of the season in IRA competition. Winters held third while Meyer fended off Jerry Richert Jr. for fourth. Earlier in the night, Travis Whitney demolished the day-old track record set by Terry McCarl on Friday night � a 13.510 � with a lap of 12.410 to set quick time during Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications. The three heat races for the 26 car field went to rookies Phillip Mock and Nick Alden while Richert Jr. scored the third heat. The IRA Sprints wrap up a three race weekend with a Sunday night stop at the Eagle Valley Raceway in Jim Falls, Wisconsin on July 26.

Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprints Elko Speedway, Elko, Minnesota 25-Lap Feature Finish (Starting Position in Parenthesis)

1. Bill Balog (2), 2. Travis Whitney (4), 3. Scott Winters, (8), 4. Steve Meyer (1), 5. Jerry Richert Jr. (7), 6. Jake Peters (10), 7. John Haeni (3), 8. Donny Goeden (13), 9. Nick Alden (5), 10. John Sernett (23), 11. Phillip Mock (6), 12. Kris Spitz (17), 13. Scott Neitzel (9), 14. Brad Barickman (11), 15. Bill Wirth (18), 16. Scott Uttech (15), 17. Joe Symoens (14), 18. Andy Hunt (19) 19. Scott Biertzer (16) (DNF), 20. Matt Vandervere (21) (DNF), 21. Russel Borland (20) (DNF) 22. Brett Geldner (12) (DNF), 23. Scott Lenz (22) (DNF) / DNS: Ryan Wilson, John Lambertz, Jesse Smith

Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications (26 Cars) Quick Time: Travis Whitney (12.410 NTR)

Lane Automotive Heat 1 1. Mock, 2. Neitzel, 3. Whitney, 4. Meyer, 5. Barickman, 6. Spitz, 7. Borland, 8. Wirth, 9. Lenz (DNF)

VMAC Racing Heat 2 1. Alden, 2. Haeni, 3. Geldner, 4. Peters, 5. Symoens, 6. Vandervere, 7. Wilson (DNF), 8. Lambertz (DNF), 9. Sernett (DNS)

Wesmar Racing Engines/DMI Heat 3 1. Richert Jr., 2. Goeden, 3. Winters, 4. Balog, 5. Uttech, 6. Hunt, 7. Smith (DNF), 8. Biertzer (DNS)

Peters Opens Historic IRA Visit to Elko With Win

If you only looked at where he started and finished, you would think that Jake Peters had a pretty easy go of it at the IRA tour stop at Elko Speedway in Elko, Minnesota, on Friday night. The Sioux Falls, South Dakota, racer took the green flag from the pole position and burst out to a large lead over Donny Goeden. Soon, however, Scott Winters had worked his way to second and when Peters encountered lapped traffic on lap five, Winters sneaked past him on the inside of turn two to take the top spot. Winters continued to set a blistering pace around the high side of the speedway while Peters briefly slipped back to third behind Goeden. Meanwhile, sixth-starting Terry McCarl was working his way forward as he moved by Scott Biertzer to take fourth. On lap 14, Brett Geldner brought out the only yellow flag when he contacted the wall in turn four. On the restart, Winters led Peters, Goeden and McCarl to the green flag before Peters blased around the outside in turn two to take the lead down the backstretch. From there, no one could catch the fleet Peters as he cruised to his second career IRA Sprint Car win. Winters survived a hard charge from McCarl through lapped traffic to take second while Biertzer bested Goeden for fourth. Earlier in the evening, McCarl established a new track record with a lap of 13.5 seconds around Elko Speedway to best the field of 34 cars. Heat races went to John Lambertz, Bill Wirth, Joe Symoens and Dave Uttech while Scott Neitzel won the B-main. This was first ever visit for the IRA to Elko Speedway, which covered the speedway with dirt for the first time ever to host a four day Dirt Nationals. The event concludes on Saturday, July 25, before the IRA continues their road trip with a Sunday night show at Eagle Valley Speedway in Jim Falls, Wisconsin on July 26.

Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprints Elko Speedway, Elko, Minnesota 25-Lap Feature Finish (Starting Position in Parenthesis)

1. Jake Peters (1), 2. Scott Winters (3), 3. Terry McCarl (6), 4. Scott Biertzer (4), 5. Donny Goeden (2), 6. Travis Whitney (5), 7. John Sernett (14), 8. John Lambertz (8), 9. Davey Heskin (15), 10. John Haeni (13), 11. Scott Uttech (7), 12. Steve Meyer (16), 13. Bill Wirth (10) 14. Joe Symoens (9), 15. Scott Neitzel (11), 16. Jerry Richert Jr. (19), 17. Bill Balog (20), 18. Jennifer Eriksen (18), 19. Jesse Smith (17) 20. Phillip Mock (22), 21. Brett Geldner (12) (DNF), 22. Brad Barickman (21) (DNF)

Behling Racing Products B-main (12-Laps) 1. Neitzel, 2. Haeni, 3. Richert Jr, 4. Balog, 5. Barickman, 6. Mock/ 7. Nick Alden, 8. Todd King, 9. Scott Lenz, 10. Richard Smith Jr., 11. Matt Vandevere (DNF), 12. Kris Spitz (DNF), 13. Todd Wanless (DNF) / DNS: Bruce Allen, Cainen Reinan, Russel Borland, Ryan Wilson, Tony Norem

Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications (34 Cars) Quick Time: Terry McCarl

Lane Automotive Heat 1 1. Lambertz, 2. McCarl, 3. Sernett, 4. Meyer/ 5. Haeni, 6. Neitzel, 7. Lenz, 8. King, 9. Spitz

VMAC Racing Heat 2 1. Wirth, 2. Eriksen, 3. Whitney, 4. Goeden/ 5. Barickman, 6. Balog, 7. Mock, 8. Vandevere

Wesmar Racing Engines Heat 3 1. Symoens, 2. Biertzer, 3. Peters, 4. Heskin/ 5. Richert Jr., 6. Wanless, 7. Smith Jr., 8. Borland (DNF)

DMI Heat 4 1. Uttech, 2. Winters, 3. Smith, 4. Geldner, 5. Alden, 6. Norem (DNF), 7. Wilson (DNF)

Balog Extends IRA Point Lead With Deer Creek Score

On a surface that was racy from the first lap to the last lap, from the top to the bottom, Bill Balog reminded everyone why he is the defending IRA champion and current point leader. Balog, an Alaskan transplant to Wisconsin, started third in the feature event and passed early leader Scott Biertzer near the halfway point and cruised to victory at the Deer Creek Speedway, located near Spring Valley, Minnesota. Biertzer, a victor the last time the IRA raced at Deer Creek in 2007, jumped ahead of polesitter John Haeni on the initial start and survived two yellows flag periods � one for Kris Spitz�s stall and one for a multi-car tangle that eliminated Jody Rosenboom, Tony Norem and Russel Borland. Near the midway point, however, Balog took advantage of a restart and blitzed by Biertzer with a daring move in turn two. Meanwhile, tenth-starting Travis Whitney was running a strong third while dueling with Biertzer and eighth-starting Jake Peters. Biertzer�s dream night ended when he spun late in the race in turn four. Simultaneously, third-running Jake Peters went up in smoke and went pit side. On a late restart, Balog survived a challenge from Travis Whitney to score his second win of the season in IRA action and extend his point lead over Mike Reinke, who left on lap three in a ball of smoke, and Scott Neitzel, who coasted to a stop near lap 15. Whitney was second over 18th starting Donny Goeden, Haeni and Steve Meyer. Earlier in the evening, Whitney demolished the previous track record of 12.562 with a new track record of 11.927 on a night when well over half the field turned times quicker than the previous track record. Whitney added to his accolades with a win in heat race number one after leader Goeden went pitside with a broken u-joint. Bill Balog used a slide-job to take the second heat race while John Haeni held off Jake Peters to take the third heat. In the B-main, Jerry Richert Jr. worked past leader Nick Alden with four laps remaining to take the lead. The IRA returns to action in Minnesota next Friday night for a double header at the Elko Raceway, a paved track just south of the Twin Cities metro area that is putting dirt on for a weekend event, and a Sunday night show in Jim Falls, Wisconsin, at the Eagle Valley Raceway.

Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications (24 Cars) Travis Whitney 11. 927 (NTR)

Lane Automotive Heat Race #1 1) Travis Whitney, 2) Kris Spitz, 3) Russel Borland, 4) Scott Neitzel, 5) Scott Uttech, / 6) Tony Norem, 7) Scott Lenz, 8) Donny Goeden (DNF)

VMAC Racing Heat Race #2 1) Bill Balog, 2) Jody Rosenboom, 3) Brad Barickman, 4) Phillip Mock, 5) Mike Reinke / 6) Joe Symoens, 7) Nick Alden, 8) Cainen Reinan

Wesmar/DMI Heat Race #3 1) John Haeni, 2) Jake Peters, 3) Scott Biertzer, 4) Steve Meyer, 5) Matt Wassmund, / 6) Jerry Richert Jr., 7) Bill Wirth, 8) Dave Uttech

Behling Racing Products B-Main 1) Jerry Richert Jr., 2) Nick Alden, 3) Donny Goeden, 4) Dave Uttech, 5) Joe Symoens, 6) Bill Wirth, 7) Tony Norem, / 8) Cainen Reinan, 9) Scott Lenz

30-Lap A-Feature 1) Bill Balog, 2) Travis Whitney, 3) Donny Goeden, 4) John Haeni, 5) Steve Meyer, 6) Jerry Richert Jr., 7) Brad Barickman, 8) Scott Uttech, 9) Matt Wassmund, 10) Nick Alden, 11) Scott Beirtzer, 12) Bill Wirth, 13) Dave Uttech, 14) Phillip Mock, 15) Joe Symoens, 16) Jake Peters, 17) Scott Neitzel, 18) Tony Norem, 19) Russel Borland 20) Jody Rosenboom, 21) Kris Spitz, 22) Mike Reinke

McCARL WEATHERS IRA THIEL MEMORIAL

Beaver Dam, WI 7/3 Terry McCarl played weatherman and headed the Big Game Tree Stands entry towards Wisconsin as it appeared the World of Outlaw event scheduled at Husets Speedway in Sioux Falls, SD in which he originally planned on attending was going to rained out. He guessed right and made his long tow pay off by capturing the prestigeous Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series 25 lap Sue Thiel Memorial Classic at the half-mile Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway. A huge crowd turned out for the annual event with 31 IRA Sprinters on hand. While McCarl took the $3000 winner's share, it was no easy task as early leader Donny Goeden gave McCarl a solid challange throughout the contest. For McCarl who recently won at Eldora Speedway with the All-Star Circuit of Champions, and Knoxville Raceway with the World of Outlaws, he now added Dodge County with IRA to his win list. It was the Iowa driver's third IRA win of the season.

After the initial start went red due to 4th starting Dave Uttech's unfortunate contact with the third turn concrete resulting in a slow roll, and then 11th starting Billy Hafemann's brake locking spin, the third try was a charm as pole sitter Goeden took the initial lead. Goeden looked strong opening up a several car length lead over Robbie Pribnow, Scotty Neitzel, Mike Reinke, and 10th starting McCarl. As the leaders hit lapped traffic the battle for second began to heat up as the trio of Pribnow, Neitzel, and McCarl went 3 wide in turn four, Pribnow got a little sideways with Neitzel running out of room and contacting the concrete bringing out a caution. Neitzel would resume from the tail with obvious handling woes. On the restart McCarl would close in on Goeden and eventually take the point, though Goeden gave a valiant chase keeping the leader within striking distance the entire race. Pribnow, Reinke, and Scott Biertzer waged war for third in the final stages, nearly going three-wide under the white flag, however they would complete the top five in that order. Series point leader Billy Balog came home sixth with Todd Hepfner, Mike Kertscher, John Haeni, and Todd King rounding out the top ten. Neitzel would rebound to salvage a 13th.

McCarl paced the 31 car field in qualifying earning Osborn & Son Fast Time honors. The Lane Automotive first heat was captured by Ty Bartz, the VMAC Racing Heat by Goeden, and the DMI 3rd Heat by Pribnow. Nick Alden captured the Behling Racing Equipment B-Main, while Todd Daun was the HRP Hard Charger coming from 24th to 12th.

IRA is a ASA affiliated series with additional series support from United Trailers, Hoosier Tire, Bar's Leaks, Rislone, TW Metals, Mechanix Wear, Can-Am/BRP, and The U.S. Army.

IRA / Sue Thiel Memorial Classic A-Main Results; 1. Terry McCarl, Donny Goeden, Robbie Pribnow, Mike Reinke, Scott Biertzer, Billy Balog, Todd Hepfner, Mike Kertscher, John Haeni, Todd King, Ty Bartz, Todd Daun, Scotty Neitzel, Tim Vandervere, Andy Hunt, Joe Symoens, Bill Wirth, Nick Alden, Phillip Mock, Russel Borland, Scott Lenz, Scott Uttech, Billy Hafemann, Dave Uttech

GOEDEN WINS ABBREVIATED PLYMOUTH IRA ROUND 6/27

Plymouth, WI Donny Goeden captured the rain shortened Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints headline event at Sheboygan County Fair Park, and ironically did it without ever leading a lap. The race ended when race leader Mike Kertscher spun while trying to put a lap on another competitor and while the yellow was out for Kertscher and new leader Goeden paced the field the sprinkles which were constant throughout the entire A-main turned into a shower which took its' toll on the track surface to the point the race could not be restarted, thus Goeden was declared the winner. It was Goeden's first IRA win of the year. Goeden piloted the Bob Walldan #11 Maxim to the win as 20 of the scheduled 30 laps were completed. The 20 laps which were completed were action packed. Scott Uttech and Scott Biertzer shared the front row with each holding the lead briefly before fifth starting Todd Hepfner rocketed to the lead with eighth starting Mike Kertscher in tow. There was action throughout the field with Hepfner and Kertscher trading slide jobs upfront, to Mike Reinke, Todd Daun, and Billy Hafemann putting on charges from the rear on the tight tricky track. With Kertscher leading Hepfner, a great battle waged behind as Goeden, Biertzer, Uttech, Steve Meyer, Bill Warren, Joe Symoens, and Scotty Neitzel battled hard. Kertscher would take command as Goeden wrestled second from Hepfner, however disaster struck the leader as he attempted an outside pass as he attempted to start the lapping process, Kertscher would jump the cushion on the outside of turn two and go over the banking and spin, forcing the yellow which eventually caused the end of the race due to the rain the picked up in intensity during the delay to get get Kertscher refired. Goeden would be awarded the win, with Hepfner, Biertzer, Meyer, Warren, Symoens, Uttech, Billy Balog, TJ Leudtke, and a charging Reinke completing the top ten. All cars were on the lead lap, thus an unfortunate Kertscher went from first to last. Though abbreviated, the 20 laps provided were truly outstanding. Meyer outqualified the 40 car field, while Heat wins went to Symoens, Biertzer, Balog, and Uttech. Meyer and Leudtke captured the twin B-mains. A-Main finish: Donny Goeden, Todd Hepfner, Scott Biertzer, Steve Meyer, Bill Warren, Joe Symoens, Scott Uttech, Billy Balog, TJ Leudtke, Mike Reinke, Scotty Neitzel, Wayne Modjeski, Todd Daun, Billy Hafemann, Bill Wirth, John Haeni, Tommy Sexton, Robbie Pribnow, Ben Schmidt, Adam Miller, Nick Alden, Mike Kertscher

IRA is a ASA affiliated series with support from United Trailers, Osborn & Son Trucking, Hoosier Tire, Bar's Leaks, Rislone, TW Metals, Can-Am/BRP, Mechanix Wear, and the U.S. Army. IRA Heat Race Sponsors are: Lane Automotive, DMI, VMAC Racing, and Wesmar Engines. Behling Racing Equipment sponsors the B-Mains, while Osborn & Son Trucking awarded fast qualifier Steve Meyer $200 for his efforts.

The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series will be competing at one of their favorite venues this Saturday night, as Plymouth's Sheboyagan County Fair Park hosts the 900 horsepower thunder of the regional powerhouse 410/winged series. As a added bonus, it's not too often 410 Sprints & Late Models compete together, but this Saturday they do making this a true special event. On top of that the PDTR Grand National division joins the dynamic duo making for an outstanding 3-division event and certainly providing something for every type of fan. The IRA point chase has heated up dramatically in recent weeks as defending champ Billy Balog leads perennial series contenders Mike Reinke and Scotty Neitzel who are certainly within reach of that top spot. 2002 IRA king John Haeni is coming off a solid 3rd place run in IRA's most recently completed event (Cedar Lake 6/21) and sits a comfortable fourth. Steve Meyer holds just a marker advantage over third generation racer Scott Biertzer for fifth. Meyer who resides in nearby Sheboygan Falls has had zero luck on his side most of the season and hopes to turn things around competing in front of his local crowd. There is always plenty of action, and usually wheelies galore, everytime IRA appears on the tight quarters at Plymouth. A large field is expected to compete in the IRA portion, other expected entries include Cainen Riemann, Todd Hepfner, Phillip Mock, Billy Hafemann, Scott Uttech, Kris Spitz, Brian Kristan, Nick Alden, Andy Hunt, Donny Goeden, Wayne Modjeski, Robbie Pribnow, TJ Leudtke, Russel Borland, Adam Miller, Kirk Fehrman, Todd Daun, Jereme Schroeder, Ty Bartz, Bill Wirth, Dave Uttech, Mike Kertscher, Tommy Sexton, Mike Emme, Brandon Thome, Bill Warren, Joe Symoens, Todd King, Scott Lenz, and many more. Pit gates open at 3, grandstands 5, with IRA qualifying scheduled for 6:30. IRA is a ASA affiliated series with support from United Trailers, Hoosier Tire, Osborn & Son Trucking, Bar's Leaks, Rislone, TW Metals, Mechanix Wear, Can-Am/BRP, and the U.S. Army.

Kaeding Edges Reinke In IRA Rice Lake Go 5/30

Rice Lake, WI California pilot Tim Kaeding picked up the win in the 30 lap Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series headliner at the Rice Lake Speedway, though the he definitely had to work for it. Kaeding driving the famous Dennis Roth #83 fought hard to regain the lead from Mike Reinke after the duo traded the top spot on more than one occasion. 29 cars made the trek to well manicured northwest Wisconsin facility and gave the large crowd an outstanding show. The 22 car A-main paraded four wide led by a US Army Humvee prior to going green. Jim Moughan grabbed the early lead from polesitter Scotty Neitzel with third starting Kaeding in tow. Moughan led a few circuits before Kaeding to control. Fifth starting Billy Balog and sixth starting Mike Reinke wrestled third and fourth from Neitzel and waged war amomg themselves for a few laps before they both made their way past Moughan. Reinke would eventually get the upper hand on his IRA rival and then began to chase down the leader. Reinke not only ran down the fleet traveler but took command with an outside move in lapped traffic just prior to a yellow for a slowing Moughan. While Reinke led Kaeding on the restart, the battle throughout much of the top ten really heated up with Balog, Travis Whitney, Neitzel, and a charging Scott Biertzer dicing it out, with Dave Uttech and Brad Barrickman right there too. Kaeding was able to out-manuever Reinke in lapped traffic and regain the lead as the track began to take rubber, ironically in rare move the lapped car of Bill Wirth actually found the rubber on the low side first, passing the two highside leaders and getting his lap back. While Reinke continued to pressure Kaeding, the race for third intensified as it too changed hands nearly every lap. Kaeding made his Wisconsin trip payoff however as he took the checkered about five car lengths over an outstanding drive by Reinke. Biertzer would claim third with some late race heroics over Whitney, and Neitzel while Balog with drop to sixth after a failed high line bid failed. Billy Hafemann, John Haeni, Steve Meyer, and Brad Barrickman rounded out a very fleet top ten. Barrickman outqualified the 29 car field, Kaeding was 13th quick on the wide banked third-mile. Heat wins went to Kaeding, Moughan, and Neitzel while Hafemann ran away with the B. IRA is a ASA affiliated series.

A-main Finish; 1. Tim Kaeding, Mike Reinke, Scott Biertzer, Travis Whitney, Scotty Neitzel, Billy Balog, Billy Hafemann, John Haeni, Steve Meyer, Brad Barrickman, Dave Uttech, Andy Hunt, Brian Kristan, Scott Uttech, Rusel Borland, John Sernett, Phillip Mock, Bill Wirth, Dave Glennon, Jim Moughan, Todd Daun, Lou Kennedy

Osborn & Son Trucking / TW Metals Fast Time; Brad Barrickman 12.759 Lane Automotive Heat 1; Tim Kaeding VMAC Racing Heat 2; Jim Moughan DMI / Wesmar Engines Heat 3; Scotty Neitzel Behling Racing Equip. B-Main; Billy Hafemann HRP Hard Changer: Russel Borland

IRA's Next Event.... Tues June 2 Kasey Kahne Night at Charter Raceway Park

IRA title sponsor is Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers Associate series sponsors include; United Trailers, Bar's Leaks, Rislone, Hoosier Tire, U.S. Army, Can-Am/BRP, and Mechanix Wear.

LOGAN IRA WINNER AT CHARTER

Beaver Dam, WI 5/2 Ricky Logan made his long trek from Arkansas pay off as he captured the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints headliner at Charter Raceway Park. A big field of 40 cars were on hand, however it was Logan who captured the win in his inaugural run for car owner Joe Probst. Logan, who started 7th, picked up the top spot when leader Donny Goeden hit the wall in tiun two eliminating himself. Goeden was a rocket and was stetting a torrid pace on the new but tretcherous clay. Goeden had a few lapped machines between himself and Logan went he tried to go high to put a few more cars a lap down when disaster struck.

Billy Balog from 12th, Jim Moughan, Brad Barickman, Brian Kristan, and Dave Uttech would chase Logan, while many eyes were watching Scotty Neitzel and Mike Reinke rim ride their way from 16th and 20th respectively. Balog, the defending series champion, did a masterful job in the races first few circuits picking off ten cars in just a few laps.

Reds for Tommy Sexton, and Mike Kertscher and yellows for Goeden, Scott Biertzer, Todd Hepfner, Uttech, and Steve Meyer slowed the progress of chargers Neitzel and Reinke as they were obviously on the charge and needed more green laps.

After the final restart Neitzel was able to challange Balog for second which allowed Logan to win by a three car length margin. Balog edged Neitzel at the line for second, while Reinke overtook Moughan for fourth. Kristan, Barickman, Hepfner, Todd Daun, and Joe Symoens completed a very fleet top ten.

Biertzer outqualified the 40 car field was a blistering lap of 12.387. Heat wins went to Moughan, Barickman, Goeden, and Logan. Billy Hafemann, and Balog won the twin B-mains. Reinke was the hard charger for the second time in two races.IRA is a ASA affiliated series.

A-main Summary: 1. Ricky Logan, Billy Balog, Scotty Neitzel, Mike Reinke, Jim Moughan, Brian Kristan, Brad Barickman, Todd Hepfner, Todd Daun, Joe Symoens, Andy Hunt, Scott Young, John Haeni, Scott Uttech, Phillip Mock, Dave Uttech, Steve Meyer, Mike Kertscher, Billy Hafemann, Scott Biertzer, Donny Goeden, Tommy Sexton

Biertzer - Osborn & Son Trucking Fast Qualifier Moughan - Lane Automotive Heat 1 Winner Barickman - Wesmar Engines Heat 2 Winner Goeden - VMAC Racing Heat 3 Winner Logan - DMI Heat 4 Winner Hafemann & Balog - Behling Racing Equipment B-Main Winners Reinke - HRP Hard Charger

IRA would like to thank Bumper to Bumper, United Trailers, Osborn & Son Trucking, Bar's Leaks & Rislone, The U.S. Army, Super Clean, Mechanix Wear, & TW Metals for their series support.

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