8/31/2025
IRA Interstate Racing Association
Illinois reigns as Kings of the Hill
Illinois reigns as Kings of the Hill
By: Madeline “Chatty Madi” Ruh
Photo by HW Designs
The Hill Raceway was the final stop on the triple header weekend plans for the Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Car Series. The series brought 22 cars up to Sturgeon Bay, WI to decide who was ‘King of the Hill’.
Lap times dwindled down during Box3 Media Hot Laps as Danny Schlafer went fastest. The previous track record was bested by the top five drivers, but Danny Schlafer was ultimately victorious once more reclaiming the track record with a 12.097 in the Carbon Safety Technologies Qualifying earning the Hi-Planes Building Division Quicktime Award.
Jordan Goldesberry would win Fox Lake Harbor Presents Allstar Performance Heat one, Thomas Schinderle would bring home BodyCraft of Antioch presents Behling Racing Heat two. Scotty Neitzel would win Game Day Men’s Health presents Engler Machine & Tool Heat #3
The Horizon Whiskey Dash Draw would set Thomas Schinderle and Danny Schlafer on the poles of the dashes. Jake Blackhurst would grab the win in Optium Electric Dash one, and Jake Neuman would win himself front row outside in the feature in Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Reality Dash two.
Blackhurst and Neuman would lead the field to green for 30 laps around The Hill Raceway. It would be Jake Blackhurst fending off the rest of the IRA Sprint Car Series that represented the Illinois field of entries.
Blackhurst would fight against Neuman in the 3N for the beginning of the race as the 16c would wait in the wings for an opportunity to pounce for an attempt to win number two on the weekend. At the end of the 30 laps Jordan Goldesberry, who started seventh, quickly worked his way through the field, and a late-race caution created a tense final few laps. Goldesberry was the closest to challenge Blackhurst, but Blackhurst held his line and powered his way to the checkered flag.
Goldesberry, from Springfield, Illinois, finished an impressive second, with New Berlin, Illinois' Jake Neuman rounding out the podium in third. Max Guilford and Travis Arenz, both strong contenders in the points chase, had solid runs, finishing fourth and seventh, respectively.
The Series is back in action for the 25th Annual Jerry Richert Memorial Race hosted by Cedar Lake Speedway September 5th and 6th. The winner of Saturday’s feature with a high payout of $10,000. Watch the action live on FloRacing.
Article Credit: Madeline "Chatty Madi" Schultz
Submitted By: Madeline Schultz
