August 20, 2013; LaSalle, IL – The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series drivers have a new challenge this weekend. Their mission is to slip a crossed the border into Illinois and steal the top prize in the 4th Annual Bill Waite Jr. Memorial event to be held this Saturday night August 24th at LaSalle Speedway.
The high-banked quarter-mile clay oval provides plenty of close quarter, wing to wing action and it’s not just IRA’s best going for the $4,000 top prize.
The stars of the Midwest Open Wheel Association (MOWA) will also be on hand to battle IRA’s best for bragging rights and one of the area’s best 410 Sprint payouts.
Over 30 winged 410 Sprints are expected for the show which will also feature UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks and UMP Hornets.
In addition to the great racing action taking place fans can win a ride with Jack Hewitt in his two-seat sprint car to experience what it’s like to power slide into LaSalle Speedway’s high banked turns in a real sprint car. There will be additional fan activities including a pre-event autograph session, various prize giveaways and a Frisbee toss.
The high-banked quarter-mile oval is located at E. 578 on U.S. Highway 6 in LaSalle, Illinois. The track is 60 miles west of Joliet, 80 miles east of the Quad Cities, 70 miles south of Rockford, and 60 miles north of Bloomington.
Pit Gates will open at 1:00 pm, Grandstands open at 4:00 pm. Hot Laps will begin at 6:00pm with racing action set to get underway at 7:00pm.
Admission for the show is $22 for adults. High school students with ID are admitted for $5. Children 13 and under are admitted FREE with a paid adult. Skybox Seats are available by calling in advance. To Purchase Advance Tickets Call 630-279-3006.
The racing action will see a showdown between two well respected series. Representing the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints with be 5-time and defending series champion Bill Balog who has won the past two Bill Waite Jr. Memorial races. Balog has also seen action at LaSalle this year having competed in the World of Outlaws Race back in July where he placed fifth, the highest finish of any non-World of Outlaws regular.
Other challengers for the victory from the IRA side will include leading series rookie Jeremy Schultz who scored his first career IRA Main event win this past weekend with a victory at Wilmot Raceway. Schultz is already establishing himself as a future title contender in just his first full season with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints.
Fans should also keep an eye on Phillip Mock who turned in one of his strongest runs of the year during the most recent IRA event claiming third place at Wilmot. Other IRA stars expected to appear include Tommy Sexton, Scott Neitzel, Russel Borland, Bill Wirth, Scott and Dave Uttech, Kris and Dennis Spitz, Nick Alden, Wayne Modjeski and a whole cast of contenders.
Leading the way from the MOWA side expect current point leader A.J. Bruns and former series title holder Jerrod Hull to rank among those challenging for the win. MOWA will also be represented by Jimmy Hurley, Paul Nienhiser, Ben Wagoner and Robbie Standridge.
Expect travelers Jordan Goldesberry, recent Wilmot Track record setter Brett Tripplett and veteran racer Jim Moughan to also contend for victory on Saturday evening.
So if you’re looking for some of the best Winged Sprint Car action in the Midwest fans need to look no further than the “Showdown in the Flatlands” during the running of the Bill Waite Jr. Memorial event this Saturday night.
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
- Jeffrey Sachse on Aug 20, 2013
- Article Date: 8/20/2013 by Jeffrey Sachse