8/30/2014
IRA Interstate Racing Association
PODIUM DÉJÀ VU’ – BALOG OUTRUNS THIEL AND REINKE TO GRAB 10TH BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA CHECKER OF SEASON AT THE SHEBOYGAN COUNTY FAIR EVENT!
LOCAL RACERS PROVIDE FANS WITH STRONG EFFORTS AT PLYMOUTH DIRT TRACK!
August 29, 2014; Plymouth, WI – Two weeks removed from the last Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series contest which was held at the Seymour Speedway, the Sheboygan County Fair, and the Plymouth Dirt Track hosted the winged 410 sprint series at the banked third-mile clay oval as a highlight to the fair festivities. A large crowd was on hand to witness the event. Nearly 60 sprint cars were in the pit area with both the IRA’s 410 sprints and the local 360 sprints on hand to present the show.
After thirty laps of hard fought action on the tight bullring, Bill Balog stood victorious after fending off the challenges of Scotty Thiel, and Mike Reinke. The top three had met under similar circumstances two weeks ago, as the same trio had finished in that running order after the checker had fallen at Seymour.
Balog who had started tonight’s contest in the fourth position, snared the lead from Thiel coming off turn four on the 12th circuit of the 30 lap contest when Thiel had briefly jumped the cushion providing Balog the opportunity to steal the lead. Once out front Balog was able to fend off the challenges of Thiel as the leaders worked heavy lapped traffic in the closing laps, taking the win by six car lengths.
Balog noted he had seen Thiel when the lapped traffic began to thicken. “I thought I had seen Thiel challenging for the lead at the end there. There were lapped cars all over the place and it was pretty awesome”, obviously thrilled with the close quarters dicing. “I think I had bent something on the car at the start of the race and the car was all over, but it was fine once I figured it out”, Balog noted on his move toward the front.
“I have to thank all these fans for coming out. It’s pretty easy too get hooked on these things (sprint car racing) so just be careful!” as he acknowledged the fact that the fair races often bring new fans to the track.
Thiel was please with his second place effort but noted there is not as much of a hometrack advantage as some may think due to the changes in the track. “The track is a little bit different than how we used to do it back in the day. It was a fun race track tonight.” During this past off-season the raceway was lengthened 60 feet and the third and fourth turns had a fair amont of banking added.
Thiel also noted the lapped cars had presented the opportunity to make an attempt on Balog. “The lapped traffic makes things a bit dicey, I really wanted to put the car up in there but….Bill drove a good race he got up there right away and we fought back”, he noted on the run.
“The car was working good tonight. As long as you get a podium and qualify good it’s fun. If your having fun the results will come”, concluded Thiel on the nights effort.
28 cars had presented for competition this evening, and with the field trimmed to 22 cars as the A-main event rolled trackside.
There was a festival like atmosphere, thanks to the running of the fair. The fair’s midway in the background made for a perfect backdrop as the field roared to life under starter Jim Barr’s green flag.
Local favorites Thiel, and multi-time Plymouth Dirt Track 360 sprint champion Ben Schmidt made up the front row, and the supporting crowd cheered their local racers who had turned many laps at the facility before moving on to IRA competition. Both drivers, contending for rookie of the year honors, gave those fans plenty to cheer about with Schmidt powering to the lead, and Thiel holding down the second slot.
Balog meanwhile had his hands full with Reinke in a battle for third. Reinke had established a new track record earlier in the program blistering the track with an orbit of 12.085 seconds. The former mark stood at 12.137 when Brian Kristan established the standard as the record book was rewritten when the track configuration was changed this season.
Out front Schmidt was rim riding his way around the track moving out to a slight lead on Thiel, and Balog. By the eighth lap the leaders had caught the tail of the field, and the lead trio began to slice through back markers.
Schmidt’s reign at the front came to an end on the backstretch on lap ten when he tagged the wall, slowing briefly. That allowed Thiel to take advantage of the opportunity, and dart into the lead. Balog also took advantage of the situation, scrambling to second by passing Schmidt.
Thiel’s time as the front proved to be brief, as on the next lap he slid wide in turn four, allowing Balog to drop to the bottom of the track and steal the lead. At the same time Reinke replaced Schmidt in the third spot.
The leaders were working heavy lapped traffic when they caught a break in the form of a caution created when Scott Biertzer performed a 360 spin in turn two on lap 18. The caution was the first slowdown in lRA main events the past two shows as the Seymour race had ran non-stop.
Racing quickly resumed with Balog holding a slim lead over Thiel, who in turn had a small advantage on Reinke. The trio again caught back markers with six laps to go in the event. Balog was briefly caught in traffic allowing Thiel to reel in the leader, but a bold move between two cars allowed Balog squirt out front.
Behind the lead trio Schmidt had been running solidly in the fourth spot then he suddenly left the racing surface with only a few laps remaining.
Thiel was able to follow Balog closely in the closing laps though he was unable to find a way by the high-flying Balog who accepted the checkered flag for the second straight event. Thiel earned his third runner-up performance of the year. Reinke’s third place effort was his third straight podium finish. Reinke has finished in the top four, six out of the last eight races showing remarkable consistency.
Two-time series champ, Scotty Neitzel, had elevated himself to the fourth spot when Schmidt had dropped from the contest holding the position to the finish. Kristan making a rare IRA start this season was able to earn his first top five effort of the season in fifth.
2013 Rookie of the Year Jeremy Schultz laid claim to the sixth spot, followed by Steve Meyer in seventh. Top 2014 rookie of the year contender Bill Rose finished eighth.
Local 360 racer Kyle Marten, made his second showing of the season in IRA competition, and his ninth place run was his second straight top ten effort for the potential 2015 rookie candidate. Scott Uttech completed the top ten runners. 12 cars were on the lead lap at the finish with 19 of the 22 starters still on the track when the event concluded.
Dave Uttech outran his cousin Scott Uttech to capture the B-main. Ken Jay Fiedler, Bill Wirth, Blake Nimee, Wayne Modjeski and Jason Johnson were the transfer cars to the main event by finishing in the top seven positions. Russel Borland finished eighth and was first alternate for the main event.
Kristan, Schultz and Schmidt captured heat race victories. Schmidt’s victory was especially impressive rocketing from third to first on the final two laps.
Reinke’s record setting lap of 12.085 seconds paced the 28 drivers taking qualification runs. Balog was second quick at 12.213 seconds with Schmidt earning third fast with a 12.281 second effort.
The IRA Sprints now head to 141 Speedway making their final showing of the year on the banked quarter-mile oval.
On Sunday evening, August 31st, the 141 Speedway will see activities getting underway with hot laps at 6:00pm. Spectator gates will open at 4:00pm to allow fans to grab their favorite seat.
Street Stocks, INEX Legends and Grand Nationals will join the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints on the semi-banked quarter-mile oval!
The facility is known to produce laps times under 11 seconds with the all-time track record sitting at 10.750 seconds. The mark was set by Mike Kertscher .
During this event last year Jeremy Schultz topped the contest. Schultz who has one win to his credit already this season is looking to visit victory lane for the fourth time in his short IRA career. The most recent IRA event held at the track was over Memorial Day weekend when Balog took the victory over Reinke.
For more information please check 141speedway.com. You can also follow us on both Facebook and Twitter. The track phone is (920) 863 3377. For further information call (920) 905 1112. 141 Speedway is located 15 minutes south of Green Bay on County “R” in Francis Creek.
IRA proudly moves continues it’s 2014 season backed by its long time supporting series partners 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.
The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints are a featured member of Racetext.net a website dedicated to bringing fans the best possible coverage of local short track racing.
For more information on the 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.
IRA Sprint Cars - IRA Interstate Racing Association
Event #18 – Plymouth Dirt Track – Plymouth, WI – August 29, 2014
IRA Sprint Cars | IRA Interstate Racing Association
Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts A Feature (30 Laps): 1. 17B-Bill Balog[3]; 2. 64-Scotty Thiel[1]; 3. 02-Mike Reinke[4]; 4. 2W-Scott Neitzel[7]; 5. 5K-Brian Kristan[6]; 6. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[5]; 7. 85M-Steve Meyer[14]; 8. 6-Bill Rose[10]; 9. 99-Kyle Marten[9]; 10. 7-Scott Uttech[12]; 11. 68-Dave Uttech[11]; 12. 79-Blake Nimee[19]; 13. 44-Jason Johnson[21]; 14. 53W-Bill Wirth[18]; 15. 70-Raymond Hensley; 16. 94-Brandon Thone[8]; 17. 4K-Kris Spitz[13]; 18. 95A-Ken Jay Fiedler[17]; 19. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[20]; 20. 35-Ben Schmidt[2]; 21. 4B-Scott Biertzer[15]; 22. 41-Dennis Spitz[16]
Notes: 41 Denis Spitz off lap 2, Leaders hit lap traffic lap 8, 64 Theil Pass for lead lap 11 17B Balog passes for lead lap 12 Yellow, 4B spin lap 18 4B Beirtzer off lap 25
Behling Racing Products B Feature (12 Laps): 1. 68-Dave Uttech[1]; 2. 7-Scott Uttech[4]; 3. 95A-Ken Jay Fiedler[3]; 4. 53W-Bill Wirth[6]; 5. 79-Blake Nimee[8]; 6. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[5]; 7. 44-Jason Johnson[7]; 8. 23-Russell Borland[9]; 9. 73-Dennis Weisner[12]; 10. 43-Jereme Schroeder[11]; 11. (DNF) 5-Bryon Walters[10]; 12. (DNF) 48H-Phillip Mock[2]; DNS 7F-Lance Fassbender
48H with suspension problems, 5 Pulled into the infield,
Weld Racing Products Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 5K-Brian Kristan[2]; 2. 6-Bill Rose[4]; 3. 02-Mike Reinke[6]; 4. 4K-Kris Spitz[1]; 5. 2W-Scott Neitzel[3]; 6. 68-Dave Uttech[5]; 7. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[7]; 8. 79-Blake Nimee[8]; 9. 5-Bryon Walters[9]; DNS 7F-Lance Fassbender
Diversified Machine Inc. Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[2]; 2. 17B-Bill Balog[6]; 3. 85M-Steve Meyer[1]; 4. 99-Kyle Marten[4]; 5. 64-Scotty Thiel[5]; 6. 95A-Ken Jay Fiedler[3]; 7. 23-Russell Borland[8]; 8. 53W-Bill Wirth[7]; 9. (DNF) 43-Jereme Schroeder[9]Yellow lap 4, 53 Wirth Spin
All Star Performance/King Race Products Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 35-Ben Schmidt[6]; 2. 4B-Scott Biertzer[1]; 3. 70-Raymond Hensley[2]; 4. 94-Brandon Thone[4]; 5. 41-Dennis Spitz[8]; 6. 7-Scott Uttech[3]; 7. 48H-Phillip Mock[5]; 8. 44-Jason Johnson[7]; 9. 73-Dennis Weisner[9]
Qualifying: 1. 02-Mike Reinke, 12.085[7]; 2. 17B-Bill Balog, 12.213[25]; 3. 35-Ben Schmidt, 12.281[22]; 4. 68-Dave Uttech, 12.312[13]; 5. 64-Scotty Thiel, 12.319[6]; 6. 48H-Phillip Mock, 12.362[27]; 7. 6-Bill Rose, 12.416[11]; 8. 99-Kyle Marten, 12.421[16]; 9. 94-Brandon Thone, 12.446[2]; 10. 2W-Scott Neitzel, 12.446[18]; 11. 95A-Ken Jay Fiedler, 12.448[9]; 12. 7-Scott Uttech, 12.466[15]; 13. 5K-Brian Kristan, 12.491[28]; 14. 5J-Jeremy Schultz, 12.496[17]; 15. 70-Raymond Hensley, 12.522[5]; 16. 4K-Kris Spitz, 12.524[21]; 17. 85M-Steve Meyer, 12.549[24]; 18. 4B-Scott Biertzer, 12.597[26]; 19. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski, 12.602[8]; 20. 53W-Bill Wirth, 12.616[14]; 21. 44-Jason Johnson, 12.648[10]; 22. 79-Blake Nimee, 12.893[3]; 23. 23-Russell Borland, 12.899[12]; 24. 41-Dennis Spitz, 12.903[23]; 25. 5-Bryon Walters, 12.958[20]; 26. 43-Jereme Schroeder, 12.959[4]; 27. 73-Dennis Weisner, 12.994[1]; 28. 7F-Lance Fassbender, 13.132[19]
Submitted By: Jeffrey Sachse
Article Media
