8/29/2016
IRA Interstate Racing Association
BALOG NOTCHES ANOTHER BILL WAITE JR. MEMORIAL VICTORY! TOPS CO-SANCTIONED IRA-MOWA EVENT AT LA SALLE SPEEDWAY!
BALOG OUTRUNS PRICE MILLER FOR LA SALLE SPEEDWAY VICTORY!
August 27, 2016; LaSalle, IL – There is something about LaSalle Speedway that attracts Bill Balog to victory lane. The seven-time Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Series champ has been a perennial favorite on the high-banked quarter-mile oval and tonight he chalked up his fourth Bill Waite Jr. Memorial race victory.
To do so he had to make a thrilling pass on early race leader Matt Vandervere, and then fend off a late race challenge from Parker Price Miller who had captured the season opening IRA show at LaSalle back in early April.
A late race caution flag had given Price Miller one last opportunity to overhaul Balog, but simply checked out on the restart winning by four car lengths.
Price Miller earned a second place finish for his efforts.
The final podium spot was settled on the final lap when Brett Triplett wiggled past Vandervere as the white flag flew earning the third spot.
The program co-sanctioned between the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints and the Midwest Open Wheel Association had an impressive 35 cars checking into the pit area this evening, making every preliminary event of the utmost importance.
By the time the four-wide salute was given to the fans before the start of the 30 lap Bill Waite Jr., Memorial race the field had been trimmed to the 24 best perform drivers of the evening.
Joey Moughan had earned the pole position based upon a draw from fast qualifier Mike Reinke who placed himself eighth on the grid.
When the green flag flew it was outside front row starter Vandervere who got the upper hand.
Moughan was quick to challenge Vandervere for the top spot, but on lap two his evening went sour as he looped his ride in turn two as he attempted to take the lead forcing the first slowdown of the contest.
On the restart Vandervere had Price Miller and Balog pressuring him for the top spot.
Vandervere running the high line kept his rivals at bay as he began to reach the back of the field. Balog meanwhile began to work on Price Miller, diving to his inside on lap eight and pull ahead down the backstretch to gain second.
Balog had just begun to challenge Vandervere for the top spot when the red flag flew for two incidents occurring at the same time on lap nine.
In turn three Jordan Goldesberry was running in the fourth spot and lost grip in his #65 machine spinning and sliding up the banking. Phillip Mock, who was running directly behind him was unable to avoid contact and both cars came to rest in the middle groove.
Meanwhile back in turn two. Andy Baugh did a quick flip which drew the red flag. Baugh who finished fourth in the midget feature earlier in the program was unfortunately scored the first car out of the sprint car main event.
The race restarted after assisting all three cars from the racing surface.
Underway again Balog wasted no time in overhauling Vandervere for the lead, charging to the top spot on lap ten.
Price Miller was also on the move, whipping past Vandervere to laps later and the lead pair of Balog and Price Miller began to separate themselves from the field.
As the race reached the final ten circuits lapped traffic began to provide additional challenges to the leaders. Balog’s lead, at less than a car length was precarious and on several occasions Price Miller had dropped low on the track in effort to try and steal the top spot.
As the final five laps were reached Balog got a break in traffic and began to open a slim lead.
Just as it appeared the race would run to the finish IRA point leader Jeremy Schultz and Brandon Wimmer made contact on the backstretch on lap 28. Wimmer came to a rest on the racing surface and Schultz had pulled off a 360 degree spin.
Both drivers were able to rejoin the field at the back of the pack.
The field lined up for the two lap dash to the checker with Balog, Price Miller, Vandervere and Triplett showing the way.
Balog got a solid restart slowly pulling away from Price Miller over the final laps to score the victory. Price Miller backed up his win from the season opening IRA event at LaSalle with a solid second place showing. Triplett slipped by Vandervere for third with Vandervere earning fourth after one of his best performances of the season.
Scotty Thiel claimed the fifth spot, the best finish of any of the title contenders.
Fast qualifier Mike Reinke netted a sixth place run chased to the finish by Chris Urish.
Jake Blackhurst, A.J. Burns and Kyle Marten completed the top ten.
Title contenders Scotty Neitzel and Schultz finished 13th and 15th respectively.
21 of the 24 starters were still on the track at the finish with the top 14 cars on the lead lap.
In earlier action Triplett captured the B-feature outrunning a great battle between Kris Spitz and Wayne Modjeski for the second spot. Spitz came away with second while Modjeski earned the third position. The final transfer spot went to Scott Uttech who had his hands full with the challenges of Blake Nimee over the final circuits. A lose while which left Nimee’s car negated that battle with Uttech earning the final spot with a fourth place run. Dave Uttech was fifth and was the first alternate for the main.
Heat race wins were claimed by Vandervere, Blackhurst, Moughan and Schultz.
Reinke was the fastest of the 35 cars checked in for the show turning in a lap of 11.232 seconds. Wimmer was second quick at 11.259 and Balog was third at 11.288 seconds.
The entire field of 35 drivers were separated by less than a second.
After the program, the teams Packed up and headed north will to Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
One week ago the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints joined forces with the World of Outlaws at the historic third-mile oval with multi-time WoO champion Donny Schatz claiming bragging rights.
This week's show will again showcase an outstanding field of 410 sprints and fans have the added benefit of saving an addition $5 off their admission ticket of they have a ticket stub from attending that event.
Normal adult admission is $20, while a student ticket is $15 for those ages 12 to 18. Children under the age of 12 are admitted FREE.
Again a ticket stub from the join IRA/WoO event last week will save an additional $5.
In addition to the 410 Sprints, Badger Midgets and Wisconsin Dirt Legends are on the card.
Hot laps are set to begin at 6:00pm with time trials and racing action to follow hot laps.
To reach the track, take the Highway 19 exit East off of Highway 151. Head through the town of Sun Prairie. On the east side of town take County Trunk N (Grove Street) south one block to Miller Drive. Turn onto Miller Drive and you will see the raceway.
Additional information can be found at www.angellparkspeedway.com.
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.
The IRA Sprints are presented by its long time supporting series partners. The series support is led by title sponsor Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers, and associate series partners Hoosier Tire, Osborn & Son Trucking, TW Metals, Cummins Onan, and Twin Lakes Marine.
30 Lap Bill Waite Jr. Memorial feature: 1. Bill Balog; 2. Parker Price Miller; 3. Brett Triplett; 4. Matt Vandervere; 5. Scotty Thiel; 6. Mike Reinke; 7. Chris Urish; 8. Jake Blackhurst; 9. A.J. Burns; 10. Kyle Marten; 11. Joe B. Miller; 12. Kris Spitz; 13. Scotty Neitzel; 14. Brandon Wimmer; 15. Jeremy Schultz; 16. Jerrod Hull; 17. Jim Moughan; 18. Wayne Modjeski; 19. Russel Borland; 20. Scott Uttech; 21. Joey Moughan; 22. Jordan Goldesberry; 23. Phillip Mock; 24. Andy Baugh
12 Lap B-Feature: 1. Triplett; 2. K. Spitz; 3. Modjeski; 4. S. Uttech; 5. Dave Uttech; 6. Bill Wirth; 7. Trey Datweiler; 8. Patrick Hayes; 9. Jeremy Standridge; 10. Logan Faucon; 11. Tim Vandervere; 12. Blake Nimee; 13. Dennis Spitz; 14. Jimmy Fifield; 15. Ryan Bunton
Upcoming 2016 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series Events:
8/28/2016 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, WI
9/2/2016 – Plymouth Dirt Track – Plymouth, WI
9/4/2016 – 141 Speedway – Francis Creek, WI
9/9/2016 – Amsoil Speedway – Superior, WI
9/10/2016 – Cedar Lake Speedway – New Richmond, WI
Submitted By: Jeffrey Sachse
