Hoseheads Sprint Car Photos & News

Beaver Dam, WI 5/3 Donny Goeden captured the season opener for the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series by capturing Round 1 of Charter Raceway Park's Duel At The Dam. Goeden, last year's winningest IRA driver, picked up where he left off last season with another trip to victory lane aboard the Bob Walldan owned #11 Maxim. Despite starting on the front row, the win by no means came easy. Action galore throughout the field gave the fans who braved an extremely cold evening a show well worth the trip. The Charter Raceway Park officials commited themselves to getting the show in despite cold, windy, and wet weather.

John Haeni grabbed the initial lead, though the red flew early as third-row starting Tommy Sexton took a tumbler after contact with another machine bringing out the first of two reds in the 30 lap headliner. Haeni would continue to lead Goeden and Scotty Neitzel when action resumed. Goeden would move to point after a good battle with Haeni. Neitzel, Mike Reinke, Brian Kristan, and Mike Kertscher would mix it up fighting for the top five positions. Todd King, Steve Meyer, and Bill Wirth were charging through the field, with King running the bottom line to perfection.

King would roar into the top three and by mid-race the 5th row starting King, would overtake Goeden for the lead. Despite a broken right front shock, King was beginning to pull away and looked as though he may be on his way to his first career IRA feature win. However a spin by Bill Warren who had charged his way to battle for a top ten position after starting near the back, slowed the field on lap nineteen.

Shockingly King appeared to run out of fuel as the race restarted with Goeden, a determined Meyer, Haeni, Neitzel, Kristan, Reinke, Wirth, and Kertscher in tow. Goeden would take back the lead following a restart for a Billy Hafemann spin, and then on lap twenty-five the multi-lap three way battle for seventh came to a head as Kertscher tried to split Wirth and Reinke with contact sending Reinke into a hard third turn crash. The wreck also eliminated Kertscher.

Goeden would again stay in command despite pressure from Meyer and Haeni, while Wirth, and nineteenth starting Tim Vandervere began to flex their muscles. A lap 27yellow for Scott Young tightened the field for a three lap dash to the checker. Goeden got a good jump while Meyer settled in for a solid second. On the race's final corner Haeni would make contact with the infield tire barrier and spin wildly into the infield sending officials and photographers scattering as the checker flew. Neitzel would claim third with a rim-riding Vandervere taking fourth over Wirth. Kristan slid back to sixth with Billy Balog, Kurt Davis, Jason Johnson, and TJ Luetke completing the top ten with the rest o the field ending on yellow checker due to the Haeni's misfortune.

Kertscher set quick time over the thirty-one car field, while heat wins went to Dave Uttech, Young, and King. Kim Mock captured a very entertaining B-Main.

IRA travels to Iowa next weekend May 9-10 with shows at 34 Raceway and Knoxville Raceway. IRA is an ASA affiliated series with associate sponsor support from United Trailers and Bar's Leaks & Rislone.

Charter Raceway Park A-Main Finish; 1. Donny Goeden, Steve Meyer, Scotty Neitzel, Tim Vandervere, Bill Wirth, Brian Kristan, Billy Balog, Kurt Davis, Jason Johnson, TJ Leutke, Bill Warren, Kim Mock, Dave Uttech, Andy Hunt, Rusel Borland, John Haeni, Scott Young, Mike Reinke, Mike Kertscher, Todd King, Billy Hafemann, Tommy Sexton

IRA READY FOR CHARTER DUEL

Beaver Dam, WI The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series looks forward to finally getting its' 08 season going this Saturday night, May 3rd, at Charter Raceway Park as it co-headlines Round 1 of the three-race Duel At The Dam series with the Badger Midgets. After two consecutive weekends of rain-outs, IRA is more than ready to get started, and this popular combination is a great way for the fans to get their ultimate spring open wheel fix. A solid field is expected to kick-off IRA's 49th year of racing. Charter Raceway Park has played a significant role in shaping the IRA of today. IRA star's Donny Goeden, Scott Young, and Travis Whitney all visited Charter Raceway Park victory lane in 2007, and all are fully expected to be on hand Saturday night. IRA is an ASA affiliated series. The IRA 410 Outlaw Sprints and the mighty Badger Midgets, together for Round 1 of the Duel At THe Dam series, Saturday night at Beaver Dam's Charter Raceway Park. It's be FAST, or be LAST!

IRA SET TO OPEN 49th SEASON, SATURDAY 4/26

Beaver Dam, WI The 49th edition of the Interstate Racing Association's IRA Outlaw Sprint Series is set go trackside Saturday April 26th at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway, just outside of Beaver Dam. The originally scheduled April 19th opener, also scheduled at Dodge County fell victim to saturated grounds. Both Dodge County and IRA officials are bound and determined to get this event in, as Sunday April 27th will be utilized for a raindate if the 4/26 show should fall to Mother Nature. Both days are scheduled for an early start, with engine warm-ups scheduled for 3:30, with the first race set to go green at 5:30. Joining the headlining Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Outlaw Sprints on the big Dodge County half-mile will be the TechSquad MSA 360 Sprints. This is the only scheduled double-bill for the two Wisconsin based sprint groups.

Officials hope to announce an optional practice at Dodge, for either Thursday or Friday night. Details will be announced soon.

All teams planning on competing with the IRA regularly will be expected to be on hand for their annual Team's Meeting at 1:30. Rulebooks and sponsor sticker packs will be handed out at that time. IRA would like to remind its' team's that mufflers are NOT needed at Dodge County, however RaCeiver radio's are. Radio's will be available for purchase or rent. ASA/IRA Insurance forms also need to be filled out at that time.

IRA returns to the Beaver Dam area on Saturday May 3rd, as IRA is joined by the Badger Midgets in another outstanding open wheel double-bill, this time the banked third-mile Charter Raceway Park will play host.

IRA Opener Postponed

4/15/08 Beaver Dam, WI The 2008 season opener for the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series scheduled for this Saturday April 19th at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway, is being pushed back a week to Saturday April 26th. With the unseasonably wet wintery weather that fell upon the area nearly all spring, the pre-race work needed to be done prior to the opener has yet to be completed. The track hasn't been dry enough for crews to even begin their prep, and as of today has yet to be touched. Concerns of not having time to properly work the high-speed half-mile, plus the other maintenance needed at the facility, combined with more days of rain forecasted for the area beginning Thursday through Saturday morning have forced Dodge County officials to push the event back a week. The pit area and much of the parking lot are still saturated as well. Even though things have improved some the past two days with tomorrow looking good too, the conditions are still less then favorable. The back to back IRA events were scheduled this way to assure atleast one event would get in.

IRA will now go green on its' 49th season of racing just one week later, Saturday April 26th at Dodge County with the annual running of the Rick Schmidt Memorial. This event will have an early start, as hot laps are slated for 3:30. A raindate of Sunday April 27th, with the same early start is being considered and will likely be announced. April 26th will feature the Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Outlaw Sprints, with the TechSquad MSA 360 Sprints playing a supporting role.

For updates on the event, and even the possibility of a scheduled practice at Dodge prior to the 26th, please check out irasprints.com and/or irasprints.org

IRA PREPARES FOR BIG 2008 SEASON

2008 marks the 49th year of sanctioning races for the Interstate Racing Association (IRA). Its' IRA Outlaw Sprint Series looks forward to yet another great season. A thirty-one race schedule is in place, and it will be contested at nineteen different tracks within a four state region. Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers for the 8th consecutive year will again be title sponsor for the winged/410 series.

Two-time and defending series champion Travis Whitney will be back aiming at his third IRA title. Whitney won't be alone in that quest however as other 2-time titlists Scotty Neitzel and Kim Mock aim for their third too. Donny Goeden and John Haeni have also captured an IRA Championship, and both have realistic chances of adding a second big trophy to their collection. There are several other capable and loyal IRA supporting teams aiming at their first IRA crown, and several more at their first IRA win.

The season has several traditional events on the schedule, including the Rick Schmidt Memorial which kicks off the season at the fast Dodge County Fairgrounds half-mile on April 19th. The series returns to Dodge Co. just one week later for the much anticipated all sprint event as the MSA 360 series joins the show. IRA visits Dodge two more times throughout the season, Friday June 6th with the WDLMA Late Models, and the annual Dick Witt Checkered Classic Sept. 13th. Steve Meyer, Mike Kertscher, and Ricky Logan were Dodge Co. winners in 07.

Charter Raceway Park hosts three Duel At The Dam signature events featuring twin headline divisions as IRA shares the spotlight with the popular Badger Midgets on May 3rd, May 31st, and July 12th. Donny Goeden, Scott Young, and Travis Whitney visited Charter victory lane in 07.

Cedar Lake Speedway is the site for what has become a pair of IRA's most presigeous events. The two-day Masters is a fan favorite and it goes trackside June 13-14 with IRA sharing the billing with the WDRL Late Models. Then IRA's richest race of the year, The Jerry Richert Memorial goes trackside September 6th. In 07, Whitney captured both ends of the Masters, while Mike Reinke took his 2nd consecutive Richert race.

Wilmot Speedway has three 08 events scheduled, The Wayne Daun Memorial May 17th, The Al & Marie Winker Memorial July 5th, and the Kenosha County Fair special August 15th. Donny Goeden scored two Wilmot victories in 07, while Chad Blonde and Wayne Johnson also grabbed wins.

The Oshkosh SpeedZone Raceway and Sheboygan County Fair Park each have a pair of dates. Oshkosh has moved both its' dates on the fast third-mile to Saturday's this year. Whitney and Mother Nature were last year's Oshkosh IRA winner's. Sheboygan County has the IRA for a proven popular midseaon special on June 28th, and then annual Frank Filskov Memorial IRA curtain closer September 27th. Goeden and Scott Uttech were Sheboygan winner's in 07.

Several other traditional dates are in place. The Hancock County (IA) Fair and Deer Creek (MN) Speedway weekend are set for July 18-19. Goeden and Scott Biertzer were the respective 07 victors of that popular combo. The northwest Wisconsin Red Cedar Speedway - Rice Lake Speedway Aug. 22-23 weekend is another tradition. Scotty Neitzel captured his second Rice Lake win in as many tries, while Red Cedar fell victim to weather. IRA will repeat the inaugural Arlington (MN) Speedway - Eagle Valley WI combo for the second consecutive year July 26-27. Minnesota pilots Scott Winters and Jerry Richert Jr were last year victors.

IRA's traditional May visit to the famed Knoxville Raceway will be enhanced by a stop the night prior at southeast Iowa's 34 Raceway May 9th. Dusty Zomer captured Knoxville last year while IRA's first visit to 34 fell to weather.

The Lafayette County Speedway and Seymour Speedway both hosted their first IRA events in 2007, and both were huge successes. This year the two are teamed up on Labor Day weekend, with a tentative date at LaSalle (IL) Speedway projected in the middle of the two for August 30th. Kurt Davis took LaFayette, Brooke Tatnell LaSalle, while Reinke wowed the standing room only crowd at Seymour last season.

Ofcourse the series will be returning to Superior Speedway Sppt. 5th as the annual Friday night headliner of the Northern Nationals, and the fast Langlade County Speedway for the Aug. 16th Summer Sizzler. Whitney and Johnson were the respective 07 winners.

Back on the IRA schedule for the first time in many years will be the Shawano Speedway as IRA co-headlines the first night ever of the new Rumble Dirt Series for WISSOTA Late Models. This date is set for Friday May 16th.

The reason we named last winner's at of these events is that the overwhelming number of those winner's are expected back to defend their victory at those race's.

IRA would like to thank their many series sponsor's, including United Trailers, Bar's Leaks, Rislone, Osborn & Son Trucking, Arctic Cat, Mechanix Wear, Hoosier Tire, Miller Lite, Fram/Autolite, Onan, TW Metals, and all the wonderful companies that so strongly support IRA's contingency program.

2008 IRA OUTLAW SPRINTS schedule

April 19 Dodge Co Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam WI (twi)
April 26 Dodge Co Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam WI (twi)
May 3 Charter Raceway Park, Beaver Dam WI
May 9 34 Raceway, West Burlington IA
May 10 Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville IA
May 16 Shawano Speedway, Shawano WI
May 17 Wilmot Speedway, Wilmot WI
May 31 Charter Raceway Park, Beaver Dam WI
June 6 Dodge Co. Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam WI
June 7 Oshkosh SpeedZone Raceway, Oshkosh WI
June 13 Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond WI
June 14 Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond WI
June 28 Sheboygan Co. Fair Park, Plymouth WI
July 5 Wilmot Speedway, Wilmot WI
July 12 Charter Raceway Park, Beaver Dam, WI
July 18 Hancock Co. Speedway, Britt IA
July 19 Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley MN
July 26 Arlington Speedway, Arlington MN
July 27 Eagle Valley Speedway, Jim Falls WI
Aug 15 Wilmot Speedway, Wilmot WI
Aug 16 Langlade Co. Speedway, Antigo WI
Aug 22 Red Cedar Speedway, Menomonie WI
Aug 23 Rice Lake Speedway, Rice Lake WI
Aug 29 LaFayette Co Speedway, Darlington WI
Aug 30 LaSalle Speedway, LaSalle IL (T)
Aug 31 Seymour Speedway, Seymour WI
Sept 5 Superior Speedway, Superior WI
Sept 6 Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond WI
Sept 13 Dodge Co. Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam WI
Sept 20 Oshkosh SpeedZone Raceway, Oshkosh WI
Sept 27 Sheboygan Co. Fair Park, Plymouth WI

(twi) twi-light show (T) Tentative

IRA SPRINTERS TO OPEN APRIL 19

McHenry, IL The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series is set to open their 49th season of racing on Saturday April 19th as it goes trackside for the annual Rick Schmidt Memorial at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway. The big Dodge County half-mile located on the east side of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin has become a favorite of both fans and competitors. The Rick Schmidt Memorial has been the season lid-lifter for the IRA for the past several season's, paying tribute to the long time IRA series supporter who was active with the series as a car owner, driver, and IRA officer. Steve Meyer captured last year's IRA Schmidt Memorial winning the event with a last corner pass. Modifieds will share the race card for this twi-light show, with engine warm-ups set to begin at 3:30

The winged/410 series returns to the Dodge County oval again for the second tour stop one week later on Saturday April 26th as IRA headlines an all sprint car show, as the local MSA 360 group joins the fray opening their 2008 campaign. This event too is scheduled as a twi-light event and should have over 60 total sprint cars on hand in what should be an Upper Midwest's sprint fan's dream event.

The Beaver Dam area is truly the early season home for the IRA as event number three is slated for the area too, this time though two miles west at the third-mile Charter Raceway Park Saturday May 3rd for Round 1 of the three race Duel at the Dam series contested with the Badger Midgets. Another great open wheel night of racing with the area's two premier series co-headlining together.

IRA is proud to begin their 8th consecutive season with Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts as the series title sponsor. IRA is proud to be adding Bar's Leaks and Rislone to their long list of sponsor's joining United Trailers, Hoosier Tires, TW Metals, Osborn & Son Trucking, Arctic Cat, Cummins Onan, Fram/Autolite and Mechanix Wear as part of the IRA presenting family. IRA will again be competing in 2008 as an ASA affiliated series. The 08 schedule will consist of over thirty events contested throughout several Upper-Midwest states.

2-time and defending IRA Champion Travis Whitney will be on hand to begin defense of his title. Other past IRA Champion's looking to add another title to their resume include Scotty Neitzel 04 & 05, Kim Mock 94 & 01, John Haeni 02, and last year's winningest driver Donny Goeden 99. Mike Reinke, IRA series runner-up the past two season's, is scheduled to be on hand leading a very talented and loyal corp of the Upper-Midwest's best in hopes of capturing their first IRA Championship.

Other information regarding the 2008 edition of the IRA can be found on the web at either www.irasprints.com and www.irasprints.org or by calling series President Steve Sinclair at 815-759-9269.

IRA Newsletter: February 2008

Greetings,

Despite the fact that we currently have a foot of white stuff on the ground right now, in a little more than 2 months we'll be going green on what should be another exciting IRA season.

We do not have a Feb. meeting scheduled, though our March meeting will be quite informative as it will be the final one before we go racing. The March meeting is set for Wed. March 19th at the Bowlero. Memberships are available now, including the new associate membership good specifically for family members. Be sure to get them preferably by the March meeting as prices will go up April 1. You can always contact Dick Symoens via e-mail at rsymoens@gdinet.com with any questions and of course the info is on both the irasprints.com & .org sites.

I'm extremely pleased to have our sponsors in place again for 08, and have additionally signed a 3 year contract with Bar's Leak/Rislone which will keep our point fund and bonus program strong for years to come.

It's been kind of quiet this offseason which I believe shows the stability within the membership. Regarding the rules, the tire rule will be the same for 08, with IRA still having the 3 tire selection of Hoosier SC RR tires to choose from. The successful rebate program to our "supporting teams" will again be in place. In regards to wings, all top wings which were legal in 2007 will again be with IRA for 08. IRA is allowing as an option however a totally flat top wing with a 1" wickerbill. Cars running the flat top wing will also likely be allowed a wicker (size to be confirmed and announced shortly) on their nose wing, even if dished nose wing. Myself and board member Steve Meyer will see first hand in Florida how this rule works and make an announcement to clarify upon our return. Lastly the only other likely change will be the elimination of cockpit adjustable shocks and weight jackers.

A motion was brought to the floor last meeting calling for IRA to follow the lead of the WoO, All-Stars, Knoxville, etc regarding this rule. With 11 voting teams present of the 20 eligible, a vote of 10-1 in favor of following the new rule took place. Those votes have been recorded, and the other 9 teams will have a say and can call or e-mail in their vote, however with just 1 more vote in favor of eliminating these cockpit controls, the rule will be passed. The announcement on that issue will be made at the same time as nose wing wicker clarification. It should be made clear, if this rule passes, it does not make adjustable shocks illegal, just the cockpit controls. I also ant to make it clear that this isn't a Steve rule as I really didn't have an opinion here, it's a team rule if passed.

In regards to our schedule, the one found on the website's is currently accurate. I'm doing my best to keep travel down and am looking hard at making our schedule the best it can be.

Additionally the promoter turn-over is greater than it's been in many a year, thus we have to establish new relationships in some cases. Problem we have again is more places want us then we can honestly handle. We're looking at several Memorial Day weekend options and then we'll just fill a few more in and be at 30-32 dates, the actual schedule being released as is tradition just upon returning home from Florida. If work days need to be taken off, the only others that could "possibly" be needed that don't appear on current web-schedule, would be Memorial Weekend Fri May 23, and Labor Day Weekend Fri Aug. 29. Again those are not confirmed, but have been requested. We'll announce firm 08 schedule very soon.

We had a good Jan. meeting and some good ideas came from the floor aimed at enhancing our show. We have some good promotional ideas to help teams give their sponsors more hype, and those ideas will be addressed at our next meeting, basically the teams will be given the tools to help themselves, hopefully many will take advantage.

We're trying to have our races become larger in stature, like the Cedar Lake has done with the Masters & Richert Race. We want to hype and name all our events and give the fans a reason to choose to spend their racing budget with us.

Sprint Cars are expensive, we want our teams to be rewarded for running with us and will continue to look at ways to give back to our teams. Our point fund, contingency program, tow package, purses, etc are already the best by far in this area. However we're gonna keep digging in hopes of bringing more on board, or enhancing current programs to help our teams. Years ago we were the only sprint car game around here. Now there are several other places to run a sprint car, though none come close to what we have. The waters get muddy some times, but IRA will continue to shine through as this area's sprint car elite. Actually we're the upper-Midwest's racing elite period. I was recently contacted by a very prominant and successful USAC team who wanted to know in detail what our program was all about. Ironically myself and flagman Jim Barr discovered while in Indy recently that those details regarding things we do, point fund, tow money, tire rebate, etc.. and the way we did things was presented by this veteran team to USAC asking why this small independent group in WI was doing things a well financed, full time multi-employee staffed series wasn't for their racers. It was quite amazing to hear, and made both me and Jim quite proud too.

Hope everybody is having a great off season. Please contact me if you need something, otherwise get those memberships coming and stay-tuned for details regarding the 08 edition of the IRA in about two weeks. March 19th is our last meeting, and one month later is our opener, April 19th The Rick Schmidt Memorial at Dodge.

Thank You, Steve Sinclair / IRA Pres.

WHITNEY, OTHERS, HONORED AT IRA BANQUET

Watertown, WI A large gathering came out to Turner Hall on a snowy Wisconsin night to honor Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series Champion Travis Whitney and nineteen of his fellow IRA competitors. For Whitney it was his second consecutive IRA series title as he took home $10,500 of the $70,000 in cash awards presented this night. The Minnesota driver was welcomed to the stage with a standing ovation as he accepted the IRA Frank Filskov Memorial Championship Trophy, and the TW Metals Fast Timer Award. Travis's Father and Car Owner Walt Whitney was also awarded his second consecutive VMAC Mechanic of the Year Award as the Don Ott powered #9 recorded twenty-seven top ten's in thirty starts, including five feature wins highlighted by capturing both rounds of Cedar Lake's Masters in front of his home crowd.

Popular second generation driver Billy Hafemann received Rookie of the Year accolades which included an additional $1250 above his point fund earnings, plus a custom driver's suit courtesy of R&H Enterprises & Awesome Racewear, a Bell helmet, Hoosier Tire jacket, and numerous other contingency awards.

In an emotional presentation long time IRA official Dick Symoens received the prestigeous Rick Schmidt Memorial IRA Member of the Year Award for his professional and dedicated service to the series.

Fifth place points finisher Donny Goeden, and his car owner Bob Walldan had a big night as Goeden picked up a pair of additional $500 checks by claiming the Weld Wheels Winningest Driver Award as the team captured a series leading six feature events, and from CJW Distributors/Miller Beer for capturing King of Wisconsin honors by accumulating the most points at the four Wilmot Speedway events which included two wins and a pair of seconds. Todd Hepfner of HRP Wings then added another $600 in cash to the team's wallet, $100 for each win using his product.

Seventh place point man Scott Biertzer too had a huge night. The second generation driver was awarded as the James Bartz Memorial IRA Most Improved Driver, and also picked up an additional $500 as the Midwest Safety Team Perseverance Award winner. Biertzer also won the R&H Enterprises Heat Race Award for capturing the most heat race wins throughout the season (14) and was presented a pair of Winters Performance front hubs. The Biertzer-Kohl team's luck continued on as they drew the number one pill later on in the evening kicking off IRA's unique and popular contingency product drawing, selecting a prize package highlighted by a set of All-Pro cylinder heads.

Brian Kristan's #5 was awarded Best Appearing Car honors.

IRA Appreciation Awards were presented to Lyle Lundy of Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers for their long time title support of the series, and to Bill McCroskey of McCroskey Chevrolet/Pontiac/Cadillac/Buick, Trace Roy of TW Metals, Chad Anderson of Hoosier Tire, Harry Neitzel of R&H Enterprises, and Kim Mock accepted on behalf of CJW Distributors. Behling Racing Equipment, Gleason Equipment, Osborn & Son Trucking, and Jay Parrish of Fram/Autolite were also acknowledged for their tremendous support.

IRA President Steve Sinclair proudly announced that Bar's Leaks is coming onboard in a presenting role beginning in 2008. Bar's Leaks the official stop leak, and their Rislone brand as the official additive of the IRA.

IRA Dedication Awards were presented to the Midwest Safety Team, accepted by founder Gil Radtke, to official starter Jim Barr, and to the Meyer and Tennyson families for their tireless efforts behind the scenes.

A record amount of product was handed out as all twenty teams shared in the (Car Owner's) product drawing. While all the teams went home big winners, some of the prize winners included Dave Uttech and Kim Mock who both won Maxim Chassis, Tim Vandervere a package highlighted by a set of Brodix cylinder heads, Bill Warren a Design 500 Racewear driver's suit, Bill Modjeski a KSE steering box, Mike Reinke a Fuel Safe tail tank assembly, Billy Hafemann a complete brake kit courtesy of The Brake Man, etc, etc.... Numerous other prize packages were highlighted by products coutesy of Velocity, HRP, MSD, Sander, Bell, Afco, Wilwood, Impact, MPD, Real, and FSR. Numerous other companies provided product adding tremendously to the value of the prize packages.

The 2007 season which for the first time had IRA running in affiliation with ASA Racing, completed thirty events at eighteen different venues within a four state region. Additionally four events at yet two more additional facilities fell victim to weather.

Justin Zoch emceed the event. A musical slide presentation by Dick Symoens and photographer Jeff Arms, and a video tribute from Dave's Racing Video's warmed up the crowd on a wintery Wisconsin night. Music by Majeeda revved up the post awards party.

IRA's Top 10 Final Point Standings

1. Travis Whitney 3974 2. Mike Reinke 3914 3. Scotty Neitzel 3840 4. Steve Meyer 3725 5. Donny Goeden 3609 6. John Haeni 3592 7. Scott Biertzer 3359 8. Scott Uttech 3160 9. Brian Kristan 3072 10. Bill Warren 2878

S. UTTECH WINS IRA FINALE, WHITNEY CHAMPION

9/29 Plymouth, WI Scott Uttech edged Donny Goeden in a last lap thriller to capture the 11th annual Frank Filskov Memorial Fall Classic contested at Sheboygan County Fair Park. Uttech earned his first ever Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints feature win in style, by taking the lead on the final lap and steering the Klootwyk Maxim to victory in one of IRA's most prestigeous events. Filskov, a long time IRA competitor, always drove his familiar no. 27f, thus the race was 27 laps in distance and paid $2700 to win. Ironically, Uttech's father Jim competed against Filskov many a night prior to Filskov's tragic passing in 1996. While Uttech was all smiles in victory lane, celebration's were also going on for Travis Whitney who scored his second consecutive IRA series championship, and for Billy Hafemann who took Rookie of the Year honors. A forty-seven car field filled the pits as IRA paid tribute to one of its' own.

Seventh place point man Scott Biertzer was eliminated on the first lap after contact with Todd Hepfner. As action got underway, Kurt Davis powered to the front with Scotty Neitzel, and Donny Goeden in tow. The lead trio pulled away slightly on the small third-mile, though a yellow for a Chad Blonde spin would tighten up the field. Davis would again take control, Goeden and sixth starting Uttech would move under Neitzel for second and third just prior to Hepfner and Neitzel getting together with both bringing out a caution.

Davis would lead Goeden, Uttech, Billy Balog, and Brian Kristan on the restart. Goeden would overtake Davis on the high side and take the lead. Meanwhile Mike Reinke and Chad Blonde were storming through the field on a fast drying cushion. A multi-car incident involving Hepfner, Tim Vandevere, Darrell Dodd, and Robbie Pribnow would eliminate the last two. Uttech would slip under Davis on the restart on begin to reel in Goeden. Blonde was on the charge and back contending well inside the top ten as it was action galore. Kristan and John Haeni got together while racing for fourth with Kristan bringing out the race's only red.

Shortly after the restart Blonde and Steve Meyer got together with both getting well into the infield bringing out the final caution. The remaining several laps went green with Uttech running a patient bottom and leader Goeden the middle to high side. Uttech was able to pull alongside Goeden on exit of the corners only to have Goeden gain an advantage down the straights. This scenario repeated itself for three laps before Uttech was able outdrag the series winningest 2007 driver in Goeden, out the final corner to take the win by less than a car length. Balog would come home third, Haeni fourth, and a charging Reinke fifth. Davis slipped to sixth, while Rick Kelsey, Ty Bartz, hardcharger Bill Warren, and Joe Symoens completed the top ten.

Whitney, who brought a somewhat comfortable point lead into the event, ended up needing it, as shockingly he and newly crowned and Rookie of the Year Hafemann got together while running first and second in the first B-main eliminating both from transferring. The IRA does not utilize provisionals. Whitney needed the point cushion, though despite a strong A-main run by runnerup Reinke, who too had to come through the B-main, Whitney was able to win his second IRA Championship by a 60 point margin.

Second and third generation drivers were abundent throughout the large field who attended. The lead pair family names of Uttech and Goeden are two of the biggest in Wisconsin dirt racing. Bill Warren, Todd Hepfner, Tommy Sexton, Tim Vandevere, Brian Kristan, Darrell Dodd, and Scott Biertzer are all additional second and third generation racers who competed in the A-main during the 11th running of the IRA Frank Filskov event.

IRA is an ASA affiliated series.

Meyer outqualified the 47 car field, while heat wins went to Neitzel, Goeden, Biertzer, and Davis. Bartz and Pribnow captured the twin B-mains.

A-Main Results, 11th annual IRA Frank Filskov Memorial Fall Classic; 1. Scott Uttech, Donny Goeden, Billy Balog, John Haeni, Mike Reinke, Kurt Davis, Rick Kelsey, Ty Bartz, Bill Warren, Joe Symoens, Todd Hepfner, Bill Wirth, Scotty Neitzel, Steve Meyer, Chad Blonde, Tommy Sexton, Johnny Fahl, Tim Vandevere, Brian Kristan, Darrell Dodd, Robbie Pribnow, Scott Biertzer

TOP 10, IRA FINAL POINT STANDINGS

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