(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 2, 2023 – Despite being mired in middle-of-the-pack A-main starting positions, Travis Arenz proved to be undaunted during back-to-back Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series events last weekend, improving a grand total of 16 spots en route to a pair of fifth place showings in the third annual Road America Challenge at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, July 28 and annual Founder’s Night event at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, July 29.
Returning to the familiar confines of The Plymouth Dirt Track where he has claimed three championships in two different divisions over the past 10 years on Friday, July 28, the Sheboygan Falls, Wis. driver opened the Road America Challenge night program by qualifying 18th in the 27-car IRA field with a lap of 14.265 seconds in very dry and slick track conditions.
Arenz, who captured his first career IRA 410 Sprint Car Series A-main victory in his last appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, July 1, lined up fourth in the third eight-lap IRA heat race before charging past Josh Schneiderman, Scotty Neitzel and Russel Borland to record a third place finish.
The 16th-year competitor started the 30-lap A main 12th and moved up steadily during the first half of the race to seize ninth from Dave Uttech on lap 12. Ten laps later, Arenz pulled off an impressive move to work his way past Jack Vanderboom and Jordan Goldesberry and advance into seventh on lap 22.
The lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 29 when Scotty Thiel spun in turn two. After restarting sixth, Arenz gained one more spot during the green-white-checkered flag finish to secure a fifth place showing in a race won by Greg Wilson.
“We actually had a good qualifying draw at Plymouth,” Arenz said. “But with the amount of rain we had received over a couple of days leading to the race, I was pretty surprised with the condition the track was in. We aren’t where we need to be for qualifying, so it’s something we are going to continue to work on. I was pretty happy to be able to finish fifth from the 12th starting spot in the feature. I’ve been able to move forward in the heat races and feature events, so if we can figure out qualifying, it will be huge.”
On Saturday, July 29, Arenz and the members of the Travis Arenz Motorsports team headed south to the birthplace of the IRA – Wilmot Raceway – for the annual Founder’s Night program.
With a late qualifying draw, Arenz turned in the 31st fastest qualifying time in the 38-car field with a lap of 13.450 seconds around the three-eighths mile semi-banked clay oval.
Arenz rebounded with a strong run in the third eight-lap IRA heat race to advance seven spots from the ninth starting position to finish second and secure a transfer spot to the 25-lap Founder’s Night A main.
The 2021 and 2022 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car champion started 14th in the main event and mounted a strong run up through the field to advance nine spots and claim a second straight fifth place A-main showing in a race won by Brenham Crouch.
Arenz’s 14th-to-fifth A-main run netted him the race’s Hard Charger Award for moving up a race-best nine positions.
“At Wilmot, again we qualified horribly, which started us in the back of our heat race,” Arenz said. “I was able to go ninth to second, which was huge. One of my crew members likes to give me ‘motivation speeches’ and told me she doesn’t help B-main cars, so I knew I had to finish in the top five. This set us up for a 14th starting position in the feature and we were able to earn hard charger, passing nine cars to finish fifth. Overall, we have had decent heat race and feature results in our recent events. We will continue to push every week as we move forward.”
With the IRA taking the next two weekends off to allow teams to participate in the Knoxville Nationals in Knoxville, Iowa, the Travis Arenz Motorsports team will return to action with the IRA for the annual Kenosha County Fair Night-Roger Illes Tribute Night racing program at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 19.
One night later, the team will visit Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. with the IRA for the annual Corn Fest event Presented by Zimbrick Chevrolet.
Pit gates open at 2 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 4 p.m., followed by engine heat at 4:45 p.m., hot laps at 5 p.m. and opening ceremonies at 6 p.m.
All 2023 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series events will be streamed live on FloRacing.
The 2023 Travis Arenz Motorsports sponsorship partners include Professional Plating Inc., Service One Transportation, Inc, Don and Lynn Kiel, Oostburg Concrete, Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Schoen’s Wildlife Removal, Premier Insurance Solutions-Craig Ladwig, Pallet Works, DW Fence, Little Bears Tree Service LLC, Lake Auto Glass and Service, Myhre Construction LLC, Roth’s Auto Restoration, Hair Fellers Barbershop, Fastenal of Plymouth, Jensen Sales and Humphrey’s Turner Hall Bar & Grill, Carbliss Hand Crafted Cocktails, Amy Bruechert Reality, Cornwell Tools-Paul Epping, Advanced Engine Concepts, Inc., Duehring’s Tax Service, Everhope Show Cattle, HRP Wings and Behling Racing Equipment.
The 2023 Travis Arenz Motorsports team consists of pit crew members Greg Piedot, Jerrod Gamb, Emily Stadler, Cameron Fritz, Bobby Bonelli and Trevor Hittman (public relations).
Additional information on the Travis Arenz Motorsports team can be found by visiting the team’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
Travis Arenz Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Roth’s Auto Restoration
Travis Arenz Motorsports is pleased to have Roth’s Auto Restoration on board as a sponsorship partner for the team’s rookie season of competition with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series in 2023.
Located at 113 Balsam Road in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., Roth’s Auto Restoration has specialized in collision and auto body repair since 2008, providing exact color matching, paintless dent repair, car and motorcycle painting among many more services. Roth’s Auto Restoration service technicians are ASE certified, Axalta paint certified and PPG paint certified to ensure the best match for all vehicles. In addition to auto body repair, Roth’s Auto Restoration also offers base mechanical services such as brake work, tires, wheel balances and oil changes, along with free estimates and insurance work.
To contact or learn more about Roth’s Auto Restoration, call 920-980-0098, email tompainter1@yahoo.com or visit www.rothsautorestoration.com.
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For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.
Travis Arenz Motorsports
Upcoming 2023 Schedule
Saturday, August 19 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis. (IRA)
Sunday, August 20 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis. (IRA)
Friday, August 25 – 34 Raceway, West Burlington, Iowa (IRA)
Saturday, August 26 – Federated Auto Parts I-55 Raceway, Pevely, Mo. (IRA-MOWA)
Travis Arenz Motorsports
410 Sprint Car
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 20
IRA Events – 19
All Star Events – 3
A Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 9
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 11
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 14
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 15
Heat Race Victories – 2
B Main Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 4
Dash Victories – 1
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
Travis Arenz Motorsports
360 Sprint Car
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total MSA-PDTR Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Heat Race Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
- Jeff Pederson on Aug 02, 2023
- Article Date: 8/2/2023 by Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions