9/23/2015
IRA Interstate Racing Association
WEEKEND DOUBLE-HEADER SHOULD CLARIFY CHAMPIONSHIP PICTURE IN THE BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA OUTLAW SPRINTS!
LUXEMBURG AND DODGE COUNTY TO HOST BUMPER TO BUMPER SPRINTS AS 2015 SEASON HITS THE FINAL STRETCH!
September 22, 2015; Appleton, WI – It has been an amazing season for the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series. So far 17 different drivers have captured A-main wins in the 24 events held this season. Five drivers are in contention for the championship with three events to go. The series has averaged over 30 cars per events.
All remarkable statistics on their own.
The numbers themselves however are not a full indication of the amazing season it has been. From dramatic late race finishes, to new drivers getting their first taste of victory the 2015 season for the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints series will go into the record books as one of the most action packed in it’s 50 plus year history.
The best part? It’s not over yet.
Three races remain, and a pair of those will be contested at two very different race tracks this coming weekend. Luxemburg Speedway, and the Dodge County Fairgrounds will host the events.
As far as the championship chase goes the biggest question mark will be the second annual Battle by The Bay held on Friday night September 25th. Presented by Six-Four promotions, the event held at Luxemburg Speedway marks the second straight year the winged 410 outlaw sprints have taken to the slightly banked third-mile clay oval located in Northeastern Wisconsin.
Last year marked the return of sprint car action to the track for the first time in nearly a decade. Kyle Marten, the current leader in the 2015 Rookie of the Year chase had an amazing run scoring his first IRA victory before his rookie season even officially began.
Marten, currently ninth in the season point chase heads into this year’s show seeking his first top five performance of the season. Last year he was chased to the finish by Phillip Mock another driver looking to get back to victory lane after capturing a pair of IRA wins in 2014.
Heading into the Luxemburg event Friday night, Ben Schmidt sits precariously atop the standings. The multi-time 360 sprint champion has overcome some major setbacks fighting his way to the top in spite of adversity. He holds a scant 8 point advantage on two-time series champion Scotty Neitzel.
Neitzel has been methodical in his performances and is the only driver this season to have started every single A-main event. Flawless best describes the season for Neitzel who has already scored a win and is seeking another.
Third in points is veteran racer Bill Rose. Rose spent the majority of the season trading the point lead back and forth with Schmidt. A bit of bad luck has hindered Rose of late and he has fallen 31 markers back from the top of the point heap. Rose, who is still seeking his first Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint victory could use that first win to shoot back to the top of the standings.
Jeremy Schultz had earned a pair of wins during the 2015 campaign and has moved within 53 markers of the top of the point list a podium finish in the most recent event has given the 2013 Rookie of the Year momentum coming into Friday nights show.
Blake Nimee is the final driver with a shot at the 2015 title. He’s currently 88 points back. He’s having the best season of his young career having captured a pair of wins but it will likely take another trip to victory lane to help him close the gap and strengthen his title hopes.
The Friday night show at the Luxemburg Speedway will start with pit gates opening at 2:00pm, grandstand gates opening at 5:00pm and racing to start at 7:00pm!
Three other divisions will support the 410 Outlaw Sprints as IMCA type Northern Sport Mods will be on hand along with INEX Legends and 600cc Micro Sprints.
Adults tickets are $20, a youth ticket for children ages 11 through 15 is available $10 and youngsters ages 10 and under are admitted FREE.
Luxemburg Speedway is located at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds just off 3rd Street in Luxemburg, Wisconsin. The slightly banked third-mile clay oval is just 20 minutes east of Green Bay, Wisconsin on Highway 54.
For additional information please check out www.luxemburgspeedway.com or https://www.facebook.com/SixFourPromotions
After Friday evening’s show the drama will continue to unfold at the Dodge County Fairgrounds with the running of the Checkered Classic on Saturday night, September 26th.
Known as the “Horsepower Half-mile”, the intensity will ramp up as the 900 horsepower winged sprints will be approaching 130 mph on the long straights. Located just east of Beaver Dam, WI the track has a throw back feel to the glory days of short track racing.
Open wheel star Rico Abreu made a late race pass in IRA standout Mike Reinke for the victory in the last appearance for the series. Reinke, who was leading the race this past weekend at Beaver Dam Raceway when mechanical issues dropped him from the contest. Reinke is no doubt hoping to have things back together in time to participate in this weekends Dodge County event.
All totaled over two-dozen drivers are expected to accept the challenge at Dodge County on Saturday night.
The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series will be joined by the Midwest Sprint Car Association MSA 360 Sprints. Plus the Mid-Am Stock Car Series and Vintage cars will also take on the big half mile clay oval!
Pit Gates open at 2:00pm, Spectator Gates open at 4:00pm. Warm ups are schedule for 5:00pm pm with hot laps to follow. Opening ceremonies will take place at 6:15 pm.
Spectator admission is $20 for adults. Students ages 6 through 12 are admitted for $5. Children ages 5 years and younger are admitted FREE.
For more info on the Bumper to Bumper 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 Final Events:
9/25/2015 Luxembuerg Speedway – Luxemburg, WI
9/26/2015 Dodge County Fairgrounds – Beaver Dam, WI
10/3/2015 Sheboygan County Fairpark – Plymouth, WI
Submitted By: Jeffrey Sachse
