4/19/2023
Austin Hartmann
Mechanical misfortune spoils Hartmann’s IRA Beaver Dam Raceway effort
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) April 19, 2023 – A promising start to the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Jim Wipperfurth Memorial ended in disappointment for Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team as a mechanical malfunction brought the evening to an early conclusion prior to the drop of the green flag in the 30-lap main event at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday, April 15.
Hartmann came out of the gate strong to click off the fifth fastest qualifying lap in the 25-car field with a lap of 12.046 seconds around the high-banked third-mile clay oval.
After the fourth-year Sprint Car competitor started third in the second eight-lap IRA heat race, he fell back to fifth on the opening lap as Brenham Crouch and Travis Arenz bolted past. Hartmann then maintained fifth in the running order for the remainder of the eight-lap heat race.
Hartmann drew the third starting spot in the second four-lap IRA dash and wound up fifth to claim the 10th starting spot in the 30-lap A-main event.
However, Hartmann did not turn another competitive lap for the remainder of the program. Shortly after pushing off for the 30-lap A main, a broken component in the driveline of the 87A Hartmann Racing machine forced Hartmann to leave the track and retire to the pit area for the remainder of the event. He was listed 22nd in the final race rundown.
“We made a few changes over the week to the car, and the car felt great in hot laps and in qualifying,” Hartmann said. “In the heat race, I got a bad start, but I knew I had to finish in the top five to make the dash, which we did. In the dash, I played around testing the car in different grooves of the track. While firing the car for the A main, the four studs holding the sliding collar over the torque tube ripped out. We don’t know the cause of that issue, but it ended our night early.”
Following an off weekend, Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team will resume Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series action with a doubleheader weekend of competition starting at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. on Saturday, April 29 and concluding on Sunday, April 30 at with the IRA’s first-ever appearance at Mason City Speedway in Mason City, Iowa.
“We will get the car fixed up for the next weekend of racing with the IRA on April 29 and 30,” Hartmann said. “I am super excited to get back to Cedar Lake Speedway with the success we had there last year in winning the B main at the Jerry Richert Memorial event. I will watch some film and study Mason City Speedway to get ready for the IRA’s first race at that track.”
Pit gates open at 3 p.m. and spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m. for the Spring Open Wheel Spectacular at Cedar Lake Speedway, which also features Traditional Sprint Cars, Winged Limited Sprint Cars and 600cc Winged Micro Sprints.
Pits open at 3 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 4 p.m., hot laps at 5 p.m. and racing scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. for the IRA’s event at Mason City Speedway, which also features USRA Stock Cars, USRA B Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks and Outlaw Mini Mods.
All 2023 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series events will be streamed live on FloRacing.
The 87A Hartmann Racing team recently debuted a new website, which can be accessed at https://www.team87a.com.
Additional information on the 87A Hartmann Racing team can be found by visiting the team’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/87Ahartmannracing.
The sponsorship partners for the 2023 87A Hartmann Racing team include Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Competition Specialists, Schmidt’s Landscaping, Feldmann Sales & Service, Holler n Hills, Steinpreis Trucking, KSI Supply Inc., Quasius Construction, SwitchGear Brewing LLC, TheD8Dispensary, AF Inc., Hopf Farms, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Berryman Racing Shocks and Maxim Chassis.
The 2023 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Hunter Annis, Eric Bergschultz, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham and Kristine Hartmann.
87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Shufflebotham Tree Service
Located in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, Shufflebotham Tree Service specializes in tree trimming, tree removal, brush chipping, lot clearing, stump grinding and snow removal with fully insured service and free estimates.
Contact Andrew Shufflebotham and his highly skilled team, which has accumulated over 20 years of experience in the field, for your next tree trimming, removal or clean-up project by calling 920-627-3849 or checking out the Shufflebotham Tree Service Facebook page.
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Austin Hartmann - 87A Hartmann Racing
2023 Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, April 29 – Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond, Wis. (IRA)
Sunday, April 30 – Mason City Motor Speedway, Mason City, Iowa (IRA)
Saturday, May 13, Wilmot Raceway, Wis. (IRA/All Stars)
Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 3
IRA Events – 3
World of Outlaws Events – 0
All Star Events – 0
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 0
Heat Race Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 1
Dash Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
Article Credit: Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions
Submitted By: Jeff Pederson
