8/1/2013
IRA Interstate Racing Association
IRA SPRINTS RETURN TO BEAVER DAM RACEWAY SATURDAY NIGHT!
Extremely competitive field expected for Saturday Night show!
Beaver Dam, WI; July 30, 2013 – Beaver Dam Raceway will be kicking off the second half of the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series season with a Saturday Night showdown on the third mile clay oval. The show is the fourth of the five scheduled appearances for the winged 900 horsepower machines at the track this season, the event will feature a star studded field of nearly 30 drivers competing for top honors.
The past three Beaver Dam races have seen a showdown between five-time and defending champion Bill Balog and the hard charging Mike Kertscher. In fact the duo have dominated the top two podium positions so far in 2013 at Beaver Dam Raceway, but that has plenty of potential to change this weekend.
It began with Balog capturing the opening event of the 2013 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint season by edging Kertscher by a mere .009 seconds. Three weeks later the pair would clash again in battle at Beaver Dam, this time with Kertscher flexing some muscle and besting Balog by a dozen car lengths.
In the last appearance for the series at the track back in June, Balog was back in the winner's circle, this time with Kertscher chasing him to the finish.
There is a full field of some of the Midwest's finest 410 sprint pilots looking to break that trend.
Among them is leading series rookie Jeremy Schultz. Schultz is the only other driver aside from Balog and Kertscher to have multiple appearances on the podium at Beaver Dam having finished in the third spot in two of the three shows so far. Schultz has been turning in amazing performances in his rookie season having reached the top five in feature contests in 9 of the 14 races held so far. It seems Schultz is primed to score his first A-main win soon.
Another driver expected to be in the mix for the win this coming Saturday is Travis Whitney. The two-time IRA champion will be making his first showing at Beaver Dam in several seasons. Whitney recently captured his first career All-Star Circuit of Champions victory at Jackson Speedway where his car owner Doug DeWall of DeWall racing was just inducted into that tracks Hall of Fame.
Adding further to the competitive field will be Mike Reinke who has battled to get ahead of his motor program in 2013. Reinke looks to be getting his season back on track and a victory at Beaver Dam Raceway is one of the best ways to get his season headed the right direction.
Steve Meyer who has run a limited number of events so far in 2013 has been extremely competitive in his limited showings having almost won the most recent IRA event held at the Langlade County Fairgrounds in Antigo. Meyer who paced the majority of the feature eventually finished second in the contest and has shown the speed to grab an A-main victory in the near future.
Series regulars Scott Neitzel and Tommy Sexton have also thrown down some impressive runs in 2013 and are looking to break back into the winner's circle with Beaver Dam Raceway's victory lane directly in their sights.
Other entries expected include Scott Uttech who is having one of the best seasons of his career having climbed into the top five in points. Russel Borland, Nick Alden, rookie of the year contender Lance Fassbender, Bill Wirth, Phillip Mock, Wayne Modjeski, and Todd King should also appear for the event.
King was especially quick in his most recent appearance at Beaver Dam finishing the contest in third. He has previously won an A-main victory at Beaver Dam.
The August 3rd event at Beaver Dam Raceway will also include Grand Nationals, Sport Modifieds, Mini-Sprints and Legends in addition to the IRA 410 Sprints.
Pit gates will open at 3:30pm with the main gates opening at 4:30pm. Racing is set to get underway at 6:30 pm. The IRA Sprints will qualify with heats and main events to follow for all classes.
General admission is $20 for adults, with a youth ticket being sold for $10 to fans ages 6 though 11. Children ages 5 and under are admitted FREE with a paid adult.
Event information can be found on the Beaver Dam Raceway website at www.wismotorsports.net or by calling the track at (920) 887-1600. Beaver Dam Raceway is located on Racetrack Road just east of the intersection of Hwy 151 and 33 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
For more information on the IRA Outlaw Sprints check out the tour website at www.irasprints.com or logging onto the series Facebook page at www.facebook.com/irasprints
The IRA Outlaw Sprint Series is proudly supported by Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers, Hoosier Tire, Osborn & Son Trucking, TW Metals, Onan, Carriage Auto Body, Polaris DEFENSE, and Mother's Polishes and Waxes. The office of the IRA Sprints can be reached at 815-759-9269 or by e-mail at steve@irasprints.com
Article Credit: Jeffrey Sachse
Submitted By: Jeffrey Sachse
