6/28/2025
IRA Interstate Racing Association
IRA Sprint Car Series Returns to Butler Motor Speedway After 20-Year Hiatus
IRA Sprint Car Series Returns to Butler Motor Speedway After 20-Year Hiatus
QUINCY, Michigan (June 28, 2025) – The IRA Sprint Car Series made a highly anticipated return to Butler Motor Speedway for the first time in two decades, drawing a strong field of 37 sprint cars and a full grandstand despite the heat.
The evening commenced with rapid-fire action. Travis Arenz posted the fastest time in Group A during Carbon Safety Technologies Qualifying, but it was California native Joel Myers Jr. who ultimately secured the overall fastest time in Box Media Hot Laps and earned the Hi Plaines Building Division Quicktime Award in Carbon Safety Technologies Qualifying. Myers Jr. continued his dominance by winning the Gameday Men’s Health Heat Race #3 presented by Behling Racing Equipment. Other heat race winners included Bryce Norris in the Allstar Performance Heat Race #1 presented by Fox Lake Harbor, Jason Blonde in the Engler Machine & Tool Heat Race #2 presented by Bodycraft of Antioch, and Logan Julien in the King Racing Products Heat Race #4 presented by BR Motorsports.
The Horizon Whiskey Dash draw saw Tim Shaffer and Joel Myers Jr. secure pole positions in their respective dashes. Both drivers capitalized on their starting spots, with Shaffer winning the Optimum Electric Dash and Myers Jr. claiming victory in the Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realtor Dash #2.
From the drop of the green flag in the main event, Joel Myers Jr. wasted no time asserting his lead over Tim Shaffer, picking up where he left off in his dash. Shaffer diligently searched for the optimal line to close the gap on the No. 19 car. The first Honest Abe Roofing caution of the night was displayed for Bloomington Speedway feature winner, Max Guilford.
On the restart, Jason Blonde challenged Logan Julien for a podium position, while Bryce Norris leveraged the momentum to break into the top five. All eyes were on Shaffer as he significantly narrowed the gap to Myers Jr. to just six-tenths of a second. Shaffer would ultimately make the pass for the lead with Myers Jr. around the bottom of the speedway. With just under halfway to go, the 2012 winner continued to lead down the front stretch. Julien then made a move on Myers Jr. to attempt to slide into second, but Myers Jr. held on, though he found himself in a checkmate situation against the sixteen-year-old 2024 Rookie.
Just as the halfway mark was reached, another Honest Abe Roofing Caution was called for Neuman spinning in turns one and two. Blonde capitalized on the subsequent restart, putting his nose under the No. 85J car in turns one and two to successfully claim third place. With ten laps remaining, a red flag was thrown for Max Guilford and Schinderle tangling in turns one and two. Guilford’s No.16c retired for the night, while Schinderle’s No. 41 went to the Honest Abe Roofing Work Area and was able to rejoin the field.
During the Gibbsville Cheese Restart, Julien regained third position from Blonde. Tim Shaffer, pushing hard, took to the cushion, but his right rear tire went over the edge, allowing Myers Jr. to regain a comfortable lead. Myers Jr. then counted down the laps, encountering lap traffic with two laps remaining. Shaffer made one final attempt, weaving through the lapped cars. Ultimately, Joel Myers Jr. took the checkered flag, securing his second IRA Sprint Car Series victory of the season. Tim Shaffer finished a strong second, and Logan Julien rounded out the podium, securing his first IRA podium finish. Kasey Jedrzejek earned the night's RT's Fifth Quarter Hard Charger (+8).
The series has now reached the halfway point of the 2025 season. Following a brief break to allow teams to compete with the World of Outlaws series at Wilmot Raceway, the IRA Sprint Car Series will return to action at Mississippi Thunder Speedway on July 25th, Beaver Dam Raceway on the 26th, and Angell Park Speedway on the 27th. Fans can catch all the action live on FloRacing.
Photo by Reitz Motorsports Photography
Article Credit: Madeline "Chatty Madi" Schultz
Submitted By: Madeline Schultz
