8/29/2013
IRA Interstate Racing Association
IRA SPRINTS GET BUSY FOR FINAL MONTH OF ACTION!
Three consecutive double header weekends begin with Plymouth and 141 Speedway this week!
McHenry, IL; August 28, 2013 – The pages on the calendar are ready to flip to September and the final month of the 2013 racing season for the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints is set to begin. While the season may be winding down, fans need not fear that they won't get their share of Winged 410 Sprint Car action, as the month will prove to be one of the most challenging of the year for the series stars.
The weekend combos begin this Friday Night with the running of the annual Sheboygan County Fair event held at the Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, WI. The quarter-mile bullring last hosted the IRA in June, when NASCAR star Tony Stewart made a special guest appearance and battled 5-time IRA champion BIll Balog to the checkered flag.
The pair swapped the lead back and forth before Stewart got the upper hand on that evening but Balog has captured three of the past four events at the Plymouth track. In the most recent race at the facility Tommy Sexton joined Stewart and Balog on the podium with a strong third place performance. Balog, who leads the series standings heading into the event is edging closer to the IRA all-time win mark having now collected 58 victories in IRA competition. He trails nine-time series champion Joe Roe, by three wins as Roe had seen the checkered flag first on 61 occasions.
Don't count out series heavy hitters Scott Neitzel and Mike Reinke from adding their name to the win column as both drivers are back at full speed. Neitzel spent much of last Saturday evening pacing the most recent IRA event at the LaSalle Speedway before having to settle for runner-up honors turning in one of his best performances of the of his season.
Reinke meanwhile appears to be back on top his engine program and spent much of the race at LaSalle fending off two-time Midwest Open Wheel Association champion Jerrod Hull for the final podium spot.
After the race Friday evening the teams of the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series head to the 141 Speedway. Expect plenty of close quarters action on the tight third-mile oval and expect several standout area 360 sprint pilots to join the IRA ranks perhaps testing the waters for a move to the IRA series in 2014.
Balog won the two most recent IRA events at the raceway but there is a chance Balog may miss the show due to his participation in a nationally ranked midget event. This leaves victory lane ripe for the picking and Mike Kertscher, who was the last driver to defeat Balog at 141 Speedway would appear among the favorites to capture the win. Kertscher also holds the track record becoming the first driver to turn in a lap at the track in under 11 seconds. The current mark stands at 10.750 seconds.
Fans should also keep an eye on Steve Meyer as he made a podium finish in his last appearance at 141 Speedway earning the first of two second place runs this season. Meyer has cracked the top three in his last pair of outings taking second at the Langlade County Speedway in July and then grabbing a third at Beaver Dam at the beginning of August.
You can expect all the series stars to be in attendance including Phillip Mock, Russel Borland, Scott and Dave Uttech, Bill Wirth, Wayne Modjeski, Nick Alden, Chris and Dennis Spitz, Michael Decker, Brandon Thone and a host of others.
The Plymouth event on Friday Night, August 30th has an adult grandstand admission of just $8. General fairgrounds admission is $5 and gives fans access to the Sheboygan County Fair.
Racing is set to begin at 7:00pm with qualifying beforehand.
Fans are advised to take note of local road construction when heading to the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds. Fairview Drive (CTY O ) exit off HWY 23 is closed. Fairview Dr. is open from Eastern Ave. (main drag) to the Fair Park. As an alternate exit to the pit area it is suggested to take HWY 23 to CTY E to Douglas Drive.
For additional information on the event fans can check out www.shebcofair.com
On Sunday evening, September 1st, the 141 Speedway will see activities getting underway at 6:00pm. The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints will be joined by the tracks won Street Stocks and Mini-Sprints have also been added to the card.
For more information please check 141speedway.com. You can also follow us on both Facebook and Twitter. The track phone is (920) 863 3377. For further information call (920) 905 1112. 141 Speedway is located 15 minutes south of Green Bay on County “R” in Francis Creek.
For more information on the IRA Outlaw Sprints check out the tour website at www.irasprints.com or logging onto the series Facebook page at www.facebook.com/irasprints
The IRA Outlaw Sprint Series is proudly supported by Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers, Hoosier Tire, Osborn & Son Trucking, TW Metals, Onan, Carriage Auto Body, Polaris DEFENSE, and Mother's Polishes and Waxes. The office of the IRA Sprints can be reached at 815-759-9269 or by e-mail at steve@irasprints.com
Article Credit: Jeffrey Sachse
Submitted By: Jeffrey Sachse
