7/2/2015
IRA Interstate Racing Association
SIX FOUR PROMOTIONS BRINGS BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA OUTLAW SPRINTS TO MANITOWOC SPEEDWAY AFTER 13 YEAR ABSENCE!
1ST ANNUAL HARBOR TOWN SHOWDOWN TAKES PLACE FRIDAY EVENING!
July 2, 2015; Manitowoc, WI – For the first time in over a dozen years the teams of the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints will be traveling to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The promotional group Six-Four Promotions headed up by sprint car driver Scotty Thiel has once again brought the series back to a Northeastern Wisconsin track. Last year the promotional group successfully ran the Battle By The Bay at Luxemburg Speedway and like Manitowoc there had been an extended absence of 410 Outlaw Sprint Car racing.
The last time the series competed at the raceway was in 2002, an event captured by IRA legend Joe Roe. An event slated to be held at the track in 2004 was rained out.
The roar of the 410 Outlaw Sprints return with The Harbor Town Showdown, which will take place on Friday evening, July 3rd, on the third-mile clay oval located at the Manitowoc County Expo grounds located just off Interstate 43.
The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints are in the middle of the 2015 season, and will bring to the facility an amazing point battle.
For the first time in many years an extremely dynamic championship chase is underway. Heading into the show Bill Rose holds a slim two point lead over Ben Schmidt. The pair has been trading the point lead back, and forth throughout the early season point chase.
Rose has started all eight main events the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints have presented so far this year, and he has completed every event in the top ten. Victory lane has thus far escaped the grasp of Rose, whose best effort was a second place performance in the season opener. Rose has had multiple runner-up efforts since joining the series, and had made clear a win is as much a goal as winning the season title.
Following Rose is a long list of drivers who have won this season. Schmidt scored his first career IRA victory at Beaver Dam Raceway in May, and has reached the podium in four of the last six events keeping the pressure on Rose in the title chase.
Two time series champion Scotty Neitzel lies third in the current points, and was the winner of the most recent IRA contest which was held at Angell Park Speedway two weeks ago. Jeremy Schultz, and Blake Nimee complete the top five in the current standings, and both drivers have won IRA contests at Wilmot Raceway. Nimee’s effort was his first career IRA victory.
Sixth in points is Phillip Mock, who scored his first career IRA main event win last year, is seeking his first IRA victory this season. Mock however scored a pair of wins at Wilmot Raceway’s own 410 shows this year.
Thiel, currently sitting eighth in IRA points, is seeking his first 410 sprint win of the 2015 season but is the most recent winner at Manitowoc Speedway after jumping behind the wheel of the 360 sprint, and taking the win just last week. Russel Borland, and current Rookie if the Year point leader Kyle Marten completes the current top ten in points.
In addition to a field of nearly 30 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint cars expected in attendance for this Friday Nights show, three other divisions will be taking to the track. IMCA Sport Modifieds, Grand Nationals and Legend cars will join the IRA Sprints.
Pits will open at 1:00pm with grandstand gates opening at 3:00pm. A driver autograph session will be held from 4:00pm to 4:30pm giving fans a chance to meet the drivers and see the cars up close and personal. Racing action begins at 6:30pm with IRA qualifying!
Adult tickets are just $20, with student pricing for children ages 6-14 admitted for just $10. Kids ages 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.
To reach the track from Interstate 43 take Manitowoc Exit 149 travel East on highway 151. Turn North on Rapids Rd., there are several entrances to the grounds at that point.
For more information on the IRA Outlaw Sprints check out the tour website at www.irasprints.com or by logging onto the series Facebook page at www.facebook.com/irasprints the series is also on twitter at #IRA_sprints.
The IRA Sprints are presented by its long time supporting series partners. The series support is led by title sponsor Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers, and associate series partners Osborn & Son Trucking, TW Metals, Hoosier Tire, Cedar Creek Motorsports, Cummins Onan, and Carriage Auto Body.
2015 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints Upcoming Events:
7/3/2015 Manitowoc County Expo – Manitowoc, WI
7/10/2015 Dodge County Fairgrounds – Beaver Dam, WI
7/18/2015 Eagle Valley Speedway – Jim Falls, WI
7/19/2015 Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, WI
7/24/2015 Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway – Oshkosh, WI
Submitted By: Jeffrey Sachse
