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IRA Sprints

Tatnell Uses Late Race Heroics For Elko IRA Win Elko Speedway, Elko, Minnesota July 24, 2010

For nearly the entire 30 lap finale to the AMSOIL Dirt Nationals at Elko Speedway, it looked like Bill Balog was going to streak to victory lane, just like he did on Saturday night at the 2009 Dirt Nationals. Then, with a lap and a half remaining, Wayne Modjeski’s overtaxed right rear tire finally let loose and a yellow flag came out. This put ninth-starting Brooke Tatnell right on the rear nerf bar of Balog. The veteran racer popped to the inside of Balog in turn one on the restart and drove off to claim his first career Elko Speedway win and fourth IRA score of 2010. Balog, the IRA point leader, jumped out the early lead from the pole position while Wayne Modjeski and Steve Meyer followed. On lap six, Mike Reinke spun while passing Meyer for third, bringing out a yellow flag. At this point, Tatnell was moving to the front while Scott Winters was also on the charge from row seven. Over the next 24 laps, Balog continued to check out on the field as he blasted through the lapped traffic ahead of an excellent three, four and sometimes five car tussle for position between Modjeski, who held second for much of the race, Tatnell, Winters, Haeni and Meyer. Travis Whitney, a heat race flip victim in the Dewall Racing 16, was using the low groove and soon found himself in the fight as well. On the last yellow flag, for Modjeski’s tire, the lapped cars were put to the rear and Tatnell capitalized to take the win. Balog maintained second and upped his streak of top-five IRA finishes to 13 straight and extended his point lead over Neitzel. Scott Winters had his fourth consecutive podium finish in IRA action at Elko while John Haeni and Travis Whitney filled out the fastest five. The feature got off to a rough start when a push truck ran over Jeremy Kerzman’s right rear and the car was too badly damaged to continue. Bill Wirth was allowed to start as the first alternate. Heat races for the 29 cars were won by Tatnell, Kim Mock, and Russel Borland. Gregg Bakker set quick time during Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications. For more information on the IRA Sprint Cars, log on to www.irasprints.com.

Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications Quick Time: Travis Whitney 12.333 (NTR)

30-Lap A-Feature 1. Brooke Tatnell (9), 2. Bill Balog (1), 3. Scott Winters (13), 4. John Haeni (10), 5. Travis Whitney (12), 6. Gregg Bakker (6), 7. Steve Meyer (4), 8. Scott Neitzel (5), 9. Scott Biertzer (11), 10. John Sernett (22), 11. Dave Uttech (20), 12. Kim Mock (7), 13. Wayne Modjeski (2), 14. Mike Reinke (3), 15. Scott Uttech (19), 16. Kris Spitz (18), 17. Bill Warren (21), 18. Phillip Mock (16), 19. Andy Hunt (14), 20. Rob Kubli (17), 21. Russel Borland (8), 22. Bill Wirth (22), 23 Jeremy Kerzman (DNS)

Behling Racing Products B-main: 1. Whitney, 2. Biertzer, 3. Spitz, 4. S. Uttech, 5. D. Uttech, 6. Warren, 7. Sernett / 8. Bill Wirth, 9. Ryan Wilson, 10. Brandon Thone, 11. Michael Emme, 12. Duane Olson, 13. Jamie Klootwyk, 14. Dave Glennon (DNS)

Weld Racing Heat Race #1: 1. Tatnell, 2. Kerzman, 3. Modjeski, 4. Meyer, 5. Bakker / 6. Spitz, 7. Glennon, 8. Wirth, 9. Thone, 10. Klootwyk

Lane Automotive Heat Race #2: 1. K. Mock, 2. P. Mock, 3. Winters, 4. Kubli, 5. Balog / 6. Biertzer, 7. Warren, 8. Wilson , 9. Olson, 10. Whitney

DMI/King Racing Products Heat Race #3: 1. Borland, 2. Haeni, 3. Neitzel, 4. Reinke, 5. Hunt / 6. S. Uttech, 7. Sernett, 8. D. Uttech, 9. Emme

McCarl Outduels Winters for Elko IRA Score Elko Speedway, Elko, Minnesota July 23, 2010

He started on the pole position but it wasn’t a cake walk for Altoona, Iowa’s Terry McCarl as he drove to his first IRA win of the 2010 season on Friday night at Elko Speedway. The first night of IRA action for the AMSOIL Dirt Nationals at Elko (normally a paved track just south of the Twin Cities metro area) saw McCarl snare the pole position alongside Brooke Tatnell for the 30-lap feature. Tatnell used the preferred high line in turn one to grab the lead and led McCarl and third starting Scott Winters through the first five laps. On lap six, Tatnell tagged the concrete in turn three and flipped. He was uninjured but finished for the evening. McCarl led Winters on the restart but as the leaders approached lapped traffic, Winters took the top spot as McCarl was forced to fend off a bottom-feeding charge from Scott Neitzel. Just past the halfway point, however, McCarl repaid the favor and nipped by Winters in lapped traffic. Meanwhile, Bill Balog was charging up from the 11th spot and had entered the top five behind McCarl, Winters, Neitzel and Scott Biertzer. With just five laps remaining and the lead pack in heavy traffic, Steve Meyer spun in turn two to bring out a yellow flag. On the restart, McCarl drove away from Winters and cruised to his first career win at Elko Speedway over Scott Winters, who has never finished worse than third at Elko in IRA action, and Biertzer. Balog edged by Neitzel in the waning laps to take fourth. Balog, the current IRA point leader, has now finished in the top five in an amazing 12 straight IRA shows. Heat races for the 33 cars were scored by Neitzel, Winters, Sprint Car rookie Jeremy Kurzman and Gregg Bakker, who passed Davey Heskin with a fourth-turn, last lap stunner. Balog scored the B-main over Mike Reinke, who had to pull out a backup car for the evening after crashing in the first heat race while running second. In qualifying, Travis Whitney lost his track record to Brooke Tatnell and then Scott Winters before coming out late in time trials to again lower the mark with a lap of 12.333 to capture Osborne and Sons Trucking Quick Time and also regain the track record. During a brief intermission, drivers passed their helmets through the stands and raised $1,400 to benefit injured racer Travis Rilat and to help comfort the family of his crew member Tyson Perez, who passed away this week due to an unfortunate shop accident. The next IRA race is Saturday, July 24, when the series returns for the conclusion of the AMSOIL Dirt Nationals at Elko Speedway in Elko, Minnesota. For more information on the IRA Sprint Cars, log on to www.irasprints.com.

Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications Quick Time: Travis Whitney 12.333 (NTR)

30-Lap A-Feature 1. Terry McCarl (1), 2. Scott Winters (3), 3. Scott Biertzer (9), 4. Bill Balog (11), 5. Scott Neitzel (7), 6. Gregg Bakker (8), 7. Davey Heskin (16), 8. Travis Whitney (4), 9. Mike Reinke (18), 10. John Haeni (13), 11. Rob Kubli (6), 12. Jeremy Kurzman (5), 13. Steve Meyer (10), 14. Wayne Modjeski (15), 15. Russel Borland (20), 16. John Sernett (19), 17. Bill Warren (17), 18. Phillip Mock (21), 19. Dave Glennon (14), 20. Kris Spitz (12), 21. Brooke Tatnell (2), 22. Billy Hafemann (22)

Behling Racing Products B-main: 1. Balog (2), 2. Reinke (16), 3. Sernett (1), 4. Borland (8), 5. P. Mock (3), 6. Hafemann (9) / 7. Scott Uttech (4), 8. Dave Uttech (11), 9. Andy Hunt (10), 10. Kim Mock (6), 11. Brandon Thone (13), 12. Duane Olson (14), 13. Bill Wirth (7), 14. Matt Wasmund (5), 15. Jamie Kloatwyk, 16. Michael Emme (12)

Weld Racing Heat Race #1: 1. Neitzel, 2. Biertzer, 3. Whitney, 4. Glennon, 5. D. Uttech, 6. Wirth, 7. Reinke, 8. S. Uttech, 9. Kloatwyk

Lane Automotive Heat Race #2: 1. Winters, 2. Modjeski, 3. Meyer, 4. Kubli, 5. Wasmund, 6. Borland, 7. Emme, 8. Richert Jr.

DMI Heat Race #3: 1. Kurzman, 2. Tatnell, 3. Warren, 4. Spitz, 5. P. Mock, 6. Sernett, 7. Hafemann, 8. Thone

King Racing Products Heat Race #4: 1. Bakker, 2. Heskin, 3. McCarl, 4. Haeni, 5. Balog, 6. K. Mock, 7. Hunt, 8. Olson

Tatnell Tames Field for IRA Masters Score

One night after running a strong second to Scott Biertzer at Cedar Lake Speedway on Friday night, Australian Brooke Tatnell returned to the same track with the same car with obvious intentions of leaving with the winner's check. Mission accomplished. Just as he did on Friday night, Tatnell earned the highest point total through the three heat races (Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications were canceled for the evening) and again pulled the pill that put him outside row number four. At the start, Jim Moughan jumped out to the early lead from his pole position. The Springfield, Illinois, veteran was making just his second start at CLS and led through two earlier cautions for spins by Jeremy Kerzman and Friday night winner Biertzer. By lap three, Tatnell had charged from eighth to third but on the restart, Moughan again opened up a sizable advantage as Tatnell worked his way by second-starting Scott Nietzel. On lap 19, Tatnell finally used lapped traffic to blast by Moughan on the high side of turn four and stretched his lead over the last 11 laps. Nietzel nipped into second shortly after and was within striking distance of Tatnell but could never quite reel him in. Following Tatnell, Nietzel and Moughan, it was Mike Reinke and Bill Balog. The win was Tatnell's third IRA score of the season. Heat races for the 28 car field were won by Bill Balog, Mike Reinke and John Sernett while Dave Uttech bested Russel Borland for the B-main win. In heat race action, Jerry Richert Jr. and Bill Wirth both took wild tumbles but escaped without injury.

Masters Night #2 at Cedar Lake Speedway 30-Lap Feature Event June 19, 2010

1. Brooke Tatnell, 2. Scott Nietzel, 3. Jim Moughan, 4. Mike Reinke, 5. Bill Balog, 6. Travis Whitney, 7. John Sernett, 8. Bill Warren, 9. Todd King, 10. Scott Biertzer, 11. Scott Uttech, 12. John Haeni, 13. Billy Hafemann, 14. Russel Borland, 15. Brad Barickman, 16. Kris Spitz, 17. Dave Uttech, 18. Ty Bartz, 19. Leigh Thomas, 20. Brandon Thone, 21. Andy Hunt, 22. Jeremy Kerzman

Behling Racing Products B-main 1. D. Uttech, 2. Borland, 3. Hunt, 4. Kerzman, 5. Spitz, 6. Bartz, 7. Nick Alden, 8. Wayne Modjeski, 9. Phillip Mock, 10. Rick Kelsey

Weld Racing Heat #1 1. Balog, 2. Biertzer, 3. Whitney, 4. Nietzel, 5. Thone, 6. D. Uttech, 7. Barickman, 8. Mock, 9. Alden, 10. Borland

Lane Automotive Heat #2 1. Reinke, 2. Warren, 3. Haeni, 4. Moughan, 5. Thomas, 6. Hunt, 7. Richert Jr., 8. Wirth, 9. Kelsey

DMI/King Racing Products Heat #3 1. Sernett, 2. Tatnell, 3. S. Uttech, 4. Hafemann, 5. King, 6. Bartz, 7. Kerzman, 8. Spitz, 9. Modjeski

Biertzer Bests Tatnell for Cedar Lake Masters Score

He started outside row one and led every lap of the 25-lap feature event but the box score does not even begin to tell how hard Scott Biertzer worked en route to his second career IRA Sprint Car win on Friday night at Cedar Lake Speedway. The West Bend, Wisconsin, racer blasted by polesitter Bill Balog down the backstretch on lap one and maintained the top spot through a lap three red flag for a series of backstretch barrel rolls by Nick Alden and a lap eight yellow for a spin by Phillip Mock. With each stoppage, Brooke Tatnell worked his way closer and close to the lead from his eighth starting spot. The Cedar Lake surface, beat hard by heat and wind all day, finally began to turn black towards the twenty lap mark and as Biertzer worked his way around the lapped cars, Tatnell closed the gap with each lap. With just a handful of laps remaining, Biertzer made contact with the lapped car of Scott Uttech, who nearly careened into Tatnell. The white flag flew and the large crowd, obviously rooting for the underdog Biertzer, followed the top two around the track and exploded when Biertzer grabbed the win, his first at IRA. “I can’t believe we just won the Masters,” exclaimed Biertzer in victory lane before climbing atop the wing to soak in the cheers. Tatnell settled for second while Bill Balog, Mike Reinke and first time Cedar Lake starter Jim Moughan rounded out the fastest five. Heats for the 29 cars went to Reinke, Tatnell and Kris Spitz while Bill Warren scored the B-feature. Osborne and Sons Trucking qualifications were canceled and drivers used a passing point system to determine lineups throughout the evening. Heat action saw Davey Heskin and Rob Kubli each make hard contact with the concrete in turn two. Both were uninjured but finished for the night. The IRA Sprints return to Cedar Lake Speeday for night two of the Masters on Saturday night, June 19, 2010.

Masters Weekend Night Number 1 25-lap A-Feature June 18, 2010 1. Scott Biertzer, 2. Brooke Tatnell, 3. Bill Balog, 4. Mike Reinke, 5. Jim Moughan, 6. Travis Whitney, 7. John Sernett, 8. Bill Wirth, 9. John Haeni, 10. Scott Neitzel, 11. Kris Spitz, 12. Jerry Richert Jr., 13. Brad Barickman, 14. Wayne Modjeski, 15. Dave Uttech, 16. Todd King, 17. Scott Uttech, 18. Phillip Mock, 19. Andy Hunt, 20. Billy Hafemann, 21. Nick Alden, 22. Bill Warren

Weld Racing Heat 1: 1. Reinke, 2. Sernett, 3. Haeni, 4. S. Uttech, 5. Mock, 6. Borland, 7. Warren, 8. Thomas, 9. Davey Heskin

Lane Automotive Heat 2: 1. Tatnell, 2. Whitney, 3. Nietzerl, 4. Balog, 5. Hafemann, 6. Alden, 7. King, 8. Barickman, 9 Kelsey, 10. Bartz

King Racing Products/DMI Heat 3: 1. Spitz, 2. Biertzer, 3. Moughan, 4. Modjeski, 5. Richert Jr. 6. Hunt, 7. D. Uttech, 8. Thone, 9. Rob Kubli

Behling Racing Products B-main: 1. Warren, 2. Barickman, 3. Hafemann, 4. King, 5. Hunt, 6. D. Uttech, 7. Bartz, 8. Thomas, 9. Borland, 10. Kelsey, 11. Thone

The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series presented by the U.S. Army competed in a trio of events over the Memorial Day weekend as they circled Lake Michigan competing in events at Hartford MI, Wilmot WI, and Francis Creek (141) WI. When the final checkered flew the weekend produced 3 different winners including a first time series winner in Dustin Daggett, but a tie for the IRA point lead and third place just five points back. Daggett captured the Hartford event on a frightenly fast track as he took advantage of leader Scotty Neitzel in lapped traffic and went on went on to score his first career IRA win in front over his home Michigan fans. All-Star traveler Greg Wilson was third followed by Bill Balog, and John Haeni. Series regular Russell Borland came home a career best 6th. Tommy Sexton is a master at Wilmot and he demonstrated thatr again with his 2nd consecutive IRA win on the tricky Wilmot track topping a 36 car field. Mike Reinke came home second over Todd Hepfner, Bill Balog, and Scotty Neitzel. The weekend closed out with Mike Reinke capturing IRA's first ever visit to the NEW 141 Speedway. The picturesque facility provided some great racing. Bill Balog came home second over Steve Meyer, Tommy Sexton, and Scott Biertzer. Neitzel and Balog who make up the past four series championships with two each are tied for the current point lead with Reinke just 5 markers back.

Hartford A-Main Results; 1. Dustin Daggett, Scotty Neitzel, Greg Wilson, Bill Balog, John Haeni, Russel Borland, Billy Hafemann, Dave Uttech, Scott Uttech, Phillip Mock, Bill Wirth, Tony Bures, Mike Reinke, Andy Hunt, Kris Spitz, Wayne Modjeski, Matt Vandervere, Scott Young, Nick Alden, Adam Miller 21 cars- Fast Time Wilson - Heats; Borland, Daggett, Modjeski - Hard Charger was Balog

Wilmot; 1. Tommy Sexton, Mike Reinke, Todd Hepfner, Bill Balog, Scotty Neitzel, Patrick Haynes, Bill Warren, Scott Biertzer, John Haeni, Kris Spitz, Mike Kertscher, Scott Young, Scott Uttech, Bill Wirth, Jereme Schroeder, Russel Borland, Todd Daun, Donny Goeden, Mark Wernes, Billy Hafemann, Nick Alden, Dave Uttech 36 cars Fast Time-Kertscher, Heats - Hafemann, Balog, Young, Hepfner B-Mains - Alden, Neitzel Hard Charger - Haynes

141; 1. Mike Reinke, Bill Balog, Steve Meyer, Tommy Sexton, Scott Biertzer, Bill Warren, Todd King, Billy Hafemann, TJ Leudtke, Nick Alden, Lance Fassbender, Scott Uttech, KenJay Fiedler, Donny Goeden, Jeremy Schultz, Phillip Mock, Russel Borland, Paulm Pokorski, Kris Spitz, John Haeni, Michael Emme, Scotty Neitzel 31 cars Fast Time - Neitzel, Heats - Neitzel, Meyer, Warren, Sexton B-Main - Goeden Hard Charger - Alden

It’s Tatnell Again in Rice Lake IRA Stop Rice Lake, Wisconsin May 22, 2010

It wasn’t easy and it took a little luck but Brooke Tatnell roared to his second IRA win of the young season on Saturday night at Rice Lake Speedway in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Tatnell started fourth in the 22-car field and it was polesitter Travis Whitney who was the show for the first 2/3rds of the event. Whitney, making his first start of the 2010 season, jumped off the pole position and opened up a large lead while Mike Reinke, John Haeni and Tatnell swapped spots behind him. On lap 15, Haeni did a 360 spin just off turn four and, despite continuing, brought out a mandatory yellow flag. Haeni would charge back to tenth. Seven laps later, the battle for the lead was on between Whitney, Tatnell and Reinke when Andy Hunt looped his number 9A in turn three in front of the leaders. Whitney went high, Tatnell went low and Reinke tagged the concrete and flipped while trying to avoid. The IRA point leader was finished for the evening. Following a few restarts, Travis Whitney led the field back into action with just eight circuits remaining but soon dropped out with a flat left rear tire. Whitney was unable to get safely off the racetrack and brought out another yellow flag. On the restart, Tatnell got a great jump and cruised to the win. Scott Neitzel, who had two wins and two fifths in IRA action at Rice Lake prior to this stop, held off 16th-starting Bill Balog for third. Balog, from nearby Eau Claire, Wisconsin, drew large cheers from the partisans in the stands. Although the box score shows fourth place runner Steve Meyer advancing from sixth to fourth, he was involved in a turn one tangle with John Vandenberg on lap two and restarted at the tail. Meyer ripped through the field and nabbed Jerry Richert Jr. at the stripe for fourth. The IRA brought 24 cars to Rice Lake Speedway for their first visit of the 2010 season. Superior, Wisconsin’s Duane Olson scratched prior to hot laps and Scott Beirtzer was finished with engine woes after qualifying. Heat races winners included Meyer, Vandenberg and Kris Spitz. For more information on the IRA Sprint Cars, log on to www.irasprints.com.

Osborne and Sons Trucking Qualifications Quick Time: Brooke Tatnell 12.565

Weld Racing Heat Race #1: 85M Steve Meyer (2), 2. 59 Brooke Tatnell (6), 3. 3K Scott Uttech (1), 4. 68 Dave Uttech (4), 5. 9 Travis Whitney (5), 6. 53W Bill Wirth (3), 7. 10V Matt Vandevere (7)

Lane Automotive Heat Race #2: 1. K9 John Vandenberg (2), 2. 2W Scott Nietzel (4), 3. 23 Russel Borland (1), 4. 02 Mike Reinke (6), 5. 2B1 Jimmy Sivia (7), 6. 1M Phillip Mock (3), 7. 17B Bill Balog DNF (5)

DMI/King Racing Heat Race #3: 1. 4k Kris Spitz (4), 2. 8A Nick Alden (2), 3. 14AJ Wayne Modjeski (1), 4. 63 Jerry Richert Jr. (3), 5. 21J John Haeni (6) 6. 2B Billy Hafemann (5), 7. 94 Brandon Thone (7) 8. 9A Andy Hunt (8)

30-Lap A-Feature 1. Brooke Tatnell (4), 2. Scott Neitzel (3), 3. Bill Balog (16), 4. Steve Meyer (6), 5. Jerry Richert Jr. (7), 6. Nick Alden (11), 7. Kris Spitz (8), 8. Billy Hafemann (17), 9. Phillip Mock (19), 10. John Haeni (2), 11. Scott Uttech (12), 12. Bill Wirth (18), 13. Russel Borland (13), 14. Wayne Modjeski (14), 15. John Vandenberg (5), 16. Matt Vandervere (22), 17. Andy Hunt (20), 18. Brandon Thone (21), 19. Jimmy Sivia (15), 20. Travis Whitney DNF (1), 21. Mike Reinke DNF (3), 22. Dave Uttech (10)

TATNELL CLAIMS IRA OPENING SCHMIDT MEMORIAL 4/17

Beaver Dam, WI Brooke Tatnell was up to the challange as he outlasted and outdueled his way to the win in the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series sanctioned 11th annual Rick Schmidt Memorial at the Dodge County Fairgrounds. Tatnell, who started seventh in the 23 lap affair on the big half-mile, endured several early yellows and a red before coming out on the winning side of a great multi-lap late race duel with Scott Young. The US Army presented event paid Tatnell $2300 for his efforts, the number 23 being significant as it was the number of long time IRA supporter Rick Schmidt. Rick's son, Al Schmidt who last won a IRA feature in 1999 and hadn't competed in several years, put a car together with the aid of family friend Kim Mock just for this event and did the Schmidt family proud by racing his way into the A-main and winding up a respectable 16th. With Brooke being the second generation racer he is, victory lane may have been meant to be.

Tommy Sexton jumped out to the initial lead over front-row mate John Haeni. Ryan Bunton brought out the first yellow after contact with the backchute concrete, then ironically leader Sexton came to a halt while under yellow. Scott Young would take the point and raced back and forth for the top spot early with defending IRA Champ Bill Balog through numerous early yellows. The extremely high winds which caused havoc all day finally were taking a toll. Haeni, Lynton Jeffrey, Bill Warren, Ricky Logan, and fast qualifier Mike Kertscher were all involved in early cautions.Balog himself was an eventual wall banger and dropped to the rear of the field prior to a Andy Hunt and Dave Uttech red.

When racing resumed the action heated up tremendously. Young had tremendous pressure from Tatnell while the seventh row starting tandem of Mike Reinke and Scotty Neitzel were charging thru the field and battled with Steve Meyer and Todd Hepfner for positions in the top five. Hepfner himself had some wall contact ending his strong run.

The last 9 laps of the 23 lap affair were all green and spectacular. While leader Young defended the challanges of Tatnell, Reinke, Meyer, and Neitzel closed in. Haeni and Logan who were early yellow victims were charging back thru the field and battling with Scott Biertzer for sixth. There was action-a-plenty for the large frozen crowd. Young and Tatnell exchanged sliders on nearly corner for three laps before Tatnell finally made one stick with Young nearly spinning while trying to counter. Reinke, Meyer, and Neitzel slipped by Young who did a masterful job saving his mount but only one lap remained. Tatnell would win by just a few car lengths over Reinke, Meyer, Neitzel, and Young. Biertzer took sixth over a charging Haeni and Logan. Davey Heskin and Todd King rounded out the fleet top ten.

Kertscher outqualified the talented 31 car field. Heat wins went to Logan, Tatnell, and Hepfner. Reinke captured the B-main and was also the night's hard charger.

The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints next event is this Saturday April 24th also at the Dodge County half-mile as part of the U.S. Army Wisconsin Spring Dirt Track Championships.

11th annual Rick Schmidt Memorial - Dodge County Fairgrounfds, Beaver Dam, WI

A-main: 1. Brooke Tatnell (7), Mike Reinke (14), Steve Meyer (6), Scotty Neitzel (13), Scott Young (4), Scott Biertzer (12), John Haeni (1), Ricky Logan (10), Davey Heskin (15), Todd King (11), Kris Spitz (17), Phillip Mock (22), Scott Uttech (13), Bill Balog (3), Billy Hafemann (16), Al Schmidt (19), Todd Hepfner (9), Ryan Bunton (20), Lynton Jeffrey (5), Andy Hunt (18), Dave Uttech (24), Bill Warren (22), Mike Kertscher (23), Tommy Sexton (2)

Fast Qualifier - Mike Kertscher (31 cars)

Heat Winners - Logan, Tatnell. Hepfner

B-Main - Reinke

Hard Charger - Reinke

IRA TO OPEN 2010 SEASON SATURDAY

The 2010 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series will take its' first green flag of the season this Saturday night, April 17th, in the 11th annual Rick Schmidt Memorial contested on the high speed half-mile Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway located just east of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The US Army presented event is the first of thirty-three slated for the upper-Midwest's premier race series. Joining the IRA 410's will be the Midwest Sprintcar Association (MSA) 360's in a unique Sprint Car doubleheader. Warm-ups are slated for 4:45, with IRA qualifying to let loose at 5:30, and racing to begin just after 6 pm. A solid field in both groups is anticipated. A open practice will be held at the Dodge County facility on Friday night the 16th, from 5 til 9pm.

Two-time defending Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series Champion Bill Balog will be looking to get off to a good start in what he hopes will be a three-peat season. Past two-time IRA Champion Scotty Neitzel, along with former series titlists John Haeni, and Donny Goeden are definite candidates for victory lane as are previous Dodge County winners Mike Reinke, Steve Meyer, Todd Hepfner, and Mike Kertscher. Scott Biertzer, Scott Uttech, Phillip Mock, Bill Wirth, Dave Uttech, Scott Young, Billy Hafemann, Tommy Sexton, Todd Daun, Brian Kristan, Bill Warren, Todd King, Andy Hunt, and Ty Bartz head up a list of definite contenders. Former IRA Rookie of the Year turned MSA Champion Wayne Modjeski is back with the IRA for 2010 and has learned how to win. Kris Spitz, Nick Alden, Russel Borland, Matt Vandervere, Cainen Reimann, and Brandon Thome are all expected to step up their game as are many others. Michael Emme heads up those who have put their hat in the Rookie ring. And ofcourse the unknown factor which has played such a significant role in IRA events the past several years as numerous top talent throughout the Sprint Car world has frequently dropped in unannounced. Central Illinois campaigners Ryan Bunton, and Kaley Gharst have indicated that opening night at Dodge are on their agendas.

IRA had 20 different feature winners in 29 contested 2009 events, the biggest ratio of winners of any significant Sprint series..... world wide!

Both IRA & MSA are known for their solid fields and competitive nature, and both groups are coming fully loaded with high expectations for the 2010 season. The 2010 Wisconsin Sprint Car season goes green in a big way, this Saturday night April 17th, with the 11th annual Rick Schmidt Memorial at the Dodge County Fairgrounds.

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
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
26 LaSalle IL
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.

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