7/28/2015
IRA Interstate Racing Association
DIVERSE TRIPLE HEADER WEEKEND COULD PROVE PIVOTAL IN TITLE CHASE!
ANTIGO, PLYMOUTH AND SEYMOUR TO SHOWCASE BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA OUTLAW SPRINTS THIS WEEKEND!
July 27, 2015; Appleton, WI – One of the most challenging weekends of the 2015 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint schedule this season will be taking place this week beginning Friday Night.
Three different tracks will play host to the 900 horsepower machines as the winged 410 sprints will see action on a wide variety of tracks on three consecutive nights.
It all begins at the Langlade County Fairgrounds in Antigo, Wisconsin on Friday Night as fans will have a chance to take in the Langlade County Fair and then witness the best sprint car drivers in the upper Midwest tackle the largest dirt track in Wisconsin.
In Saturday night it’s off to the Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairpark in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Many of the recent newcomers to the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints are graduates of the popular weekly 360 sprint program fueled by the long standing tradition of open wheeled racing at the facility.
On Sunday the series will participate in a twilight program at the Seymour Speedway at the Outagamie County Fairgrounds in Seymour, WI. Recently returning the to the IRA schedule, last years show reintroduced Green Bay area fans to the thrill of sprint car action.
Heading into the weekend the amazing point battle taking shape for the 2015 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint title will play out at all facilities. Currently Bill Rose holds a slim 6 point lead over Ben Schmidt, while Scotty Neitzel lurks just 72 markers back.
Looking at the Friday Night show the past two seasons have seen a showdown between seven-time IRA champion Bill Balog, and veteran racer Steve Meyer who has over a quarter century of racing behind the wheel of a sprint car. While Balog walked away with wins on both occasions after passing Meyer late in both contests, it’s Meyer who will be the favorite this year as Balog is likely to be absent. Leading the most laps since the sprints have returned to Langlade County Speedway a victory at Antigo would be redemption for Meyer after two narrow misses. Jeremy Schultz, and Mike Reinke have also earned podium finishes since the sprints returned to the big 5/8 mile clay oval.
How will it affect the point chase? Expect it to be a neutral track as last year Schmidt edged Rose for the fourth place spot and each driver will be capable to collecting the victory.
IMCA Stock Cars will run in support of the two-dozen or more 410 winged sprints which will hit speeds in excess of 130 mph at the track,
Hot laps will begin at 6:00pm, with Qualifying at 6:30pm and Racing set to begin at 7:00pm. Adult tickets are $20, with yoputh tickets for those ages 4 to 12 being sold of $15. Children under the age of 4 are admitted FREE.
The fairgrounds are located at the northern end of town. Follow Highway 45 through Antigo to North Avenue and you will be at the location of the Langlade County Fairgrounds.
For addition information check out http://www.langladecountyfair.com
The stars of the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints then head to the Sheboygan County Fairpark for the running of the Frank Filskov Memorial race which will showcase a 27-lap A-main event.
In the point chase the track should favor Schmidt who has multiple championships at the facility behind the wheel of a 360 sprint. Surprisingly however Schmidt has had only modest success so far at his home track in a 410 sprint, taking a second place finish in 2013 prior to his rookie season. Since that time he’s not had a top five performance. Rose who is amazingly consistent managed just a single top five run at the tight third-mile bullring and the track gave him his only DNF last year. Among the point leaders Neitzel has the best record with a fourth and a third in his most recent showing at the track.
Mike Reinke is perhaps the most successful of in recent history of the 30 plus drivers expected to show for the event. Reinke has earned two straight podium finishes at the track heading into the show and won the most recent race for the IRA Sprints at the track last September.
Bill Balog the seven-time IRA champion who had finished runner-up to Tony Stewart at the track before following up with three straight IRA victories at the facility is expected to be in action. Balog last win an IRA race back in late May. The seven events held since that time has seen seven different winners in IRA action.
The Brian Portschy Memorial will be held for the local PDTR 360 Sprints and Badger 600cc Micro Sprints will also be on the program for an all-open wheeled show.
Pits will open at 3:00pm, Grandstands 4:30pm and cars will take to the racing surface starting at 6:00pm. Adult tickets are just $20, kids 6-12 years only $5, and children 5 & under are FREE.
Additional information on the event can be found at www.plymouthdtr.com
On Sunday evening the IRA Sprints will head to the Seymour Speedway at the Outagamie County Fairgrounds in Seymour, Wisconsin. Located just west of Green Bay and a short distance north of Appleton, the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints made a return trip to the track after a multi-year absence last season.
In the event Balog outran a determined Scotty Thiel for the victory in a non-stop contest. The wide, moderately banked third-mile clay oval is a momentum track and favors a driver with a heavy right foot.
Balog intends to be on hand to defend last year’s victory. In the A-main last year neither Rose nor Schmidt were major factors with Rose getting a slight edge by finishing ninth.
It will be a full evening of action with nearly 30 IRA Sprints in the pit area in addition to five weekly divisions participating in the show. IMCA Modifieds, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars will join Street Stocks and 4 cylinders in addition to the Sprint Cars.
Adult admission is $20, students ages 13 to 18 and seniors ages 55 plus pay only $15.
Qualifying is set for 5:30pm with racing set to take place at 6:00pm.
For additional information check out www.seymoursuperspeedway.net
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:
7/31/2015 Langlade County Speedway – Antigo, WI
8/1/2015 Sheboygan County Fairpark – Plymouth, WI
8/2/2015 Seymour Speedway – Seymour, WI
Submitted By: Jeffrey Sachse
