360 Sprint Graduates Ben Schmidt and Scott Thiel to Duel for Checkered Flags In Rookie Chase!
April 7, 2014; Appleton, WI. – New incoming talent is the key to the longevity of any racing series and over the past several seasons the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints has seen an influx of highly competitive rookie drivers set to thrill the next generation of fans.
The source of this talent the past several years have been graduates of area 360 sprint car racing. These drivers have competed weekly at the Plymouth Dirt Track and Manitowoc County Expo and their migration to 410 sprints have added to an already deep talent pool in the IRA series.
Last season rookies, Jeremy Schultz and Lance Fassbender, were both inside the top ten in points when Fassbender had an unfortunate injury which left Schultz to blaze a trail to the Rookie of the Year title. Along the way Schultz captured two wins and finished second to six time champion, Bill Balog, in the season point chase. It was perhaps the best ever performance by a rookie in series history. Before Schultz the best anyone had done during their rookie season in the past dozen years was Mike Kertscher who finished fifth in points during the 2003 campaign.
360 graduates also took rookie of the year honors in 2012 when Robbie Pribnow earned that honor with an eighth place point finish and in 2011 it was another 360 sprint standout T.J. Luedtke taking the rookie title. The common thread, each of these racers jumped from the 360 sprints to the more powerful 410 cubic inch power plants of the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints and enjoyed immediate success.
One has to go back to the 2002 season to find two rookies finishing in the top ten when Todd King edged out Scott Uttech for the honor finishing 7th and 8th respectively in the standings.
Enter the 2014 season and we have candidates Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove and Scott Thiel of Sheboygan. On par with last season’s rookie clash both drivers will not only be racing each other for supremacy but both are a legitimate threat to win races and have a shot at the series title as well.
Rhine Auto Motorsports was the first of the two teams to announce their plans for the 2014 season. Schmidt, who has been driving for the team since the 2010 season, has had a great deal of success in the 360 ranks. Schmidt actually began his racing career in a fendered car, driving street stocks at Plymouth. Schmidt got his first taste of open wheeled racing running an event with the World of Outlaws in 2006. “After running my first sprint car race against the Outlaws at Princeton in 2006 in Alex Bleisner’s car, we knew it was time to get rid of the fenders. So we got a MSA 360 for the following year, but ran on a very limited budget”, noted Schmidt.
Schmidt caught the eye of car owner Mike Urner, who had fielded cars for decades at the Sheboygan County Fairpark in Plymouth and gave Schmidt an opportunity to drive for the Rhine Auto Motorsports team. Since joining forces the team has collected 21 A-main victories and 4 championship trophies.
“Success wouldn't have been possible without the help of my car owner Mike Urner. The next natural step is to move up into the 410 ranks. I believe my crew is up for the challenge of putting a competitive car out there every week”, said Schmidt. Craig Urner will serve as crew chief keeping the Maxim chassis based machine in tune.
Schmidt understands the challenges ahead. “Running for the IRA will be tough. Bill Balog, Scotty Neitzel, Steve Meyer, and Mike Reinke are all hard to beat. And now with Scotty Thiel committed to run against us for Rookie of the Year, it will make for an interesting season. We got our feet wet toward the end of last season, had a couple of good runs, and hope to continue that in 2014”, Schmidt stated.
Schmidt, has in fact, already had a podium finish having claimed runner-up honors at his home track in Plymouth during the fair last year. A couple days later he was in the lead running for the win at 141 Speedway when he encountered engine difficulties.
He summed up his thoughts on the season ahead in an excited manner, “I can’t be any more excited to get this 2014 season started!”, exclaimed Schmidt.
Schmidt’s machine will be supported by Rhine Auto Inc., Schetter Electric, Adell Auto Center, Hopf Farms, Odyssey Fun Center, Hepfner Racing Products, K&N Performance and Roy's Tree Lot.
Fans can follow Schmidt’s efforts on the team webpage at www.facebook.com/rhineautomotorsports35 or on twitter @RhineAuto35
While much of Schmidt’s success has come close to home, Scott Thiel is a true barnstormer having run for victories far more than attempting to win championships. His advantage is the sheer number of different tracks he’s competed on.
Thiel began his racing career at the age of six starting out in snowmobiles. Over time he developed his skill on the ice and collected several titles along the way including the USSA Semi-Pro Sprint 600 Championship. During the summers he would turn his talents to kart racing winning three track championships in Shawano at the USA International Raceway.
Putting snowmobiles and karts behind him, Thiel made the jump to 360 sprint car racing in 2008 capturing Rookie of the Year honors at Plymouth Dirt Track. In the past six seasons that the team has been racing sprint cars, they have had great success. The team has collected 16 A-main wins and topped the $5,000 to win Open Wheel Nationals in 2013.
Thiel had also tested the waters with IRA last season with three finishes in the top ten while running an ASCS based 360 engine. His best run was a solid 5th place showing at the 141 Speedway on Memorial Day weekend.
A jump to the 410 sprints of the Bumper to Bumper IRA outlaw Sprint series was the next obvious challenge for the young charger.
“I’m very exciting to join the IRA tour in 2014 as we plan on running 100% of the races this season. Our team ran a handful of events last year with the IRA and did very well considering we were using our ASCS 360 engine. Qualifying was our struggle but we made every main and ran inside the top 10 each time, minus a crash at Oshkosh. We feel it is time as a team to move forward with our racing program and the IRA presented us this opportunity to race with a great series”, exclaimed Thiel.
For both Schmidt and Thiel confidence is running high based upon the success of last year’s Rookie of the Year, Jeremy Schultz, who had a similar path to the IRA through the 360 sprints.
“Our goals for the 2014 season is to contend for the Rookie of the Year honors and a championship. The 5j ( Jeremy Schultz ) showed last year that it is possible to do both as he just came up just short”, noted Thiel.
Thiel noted his sponsors were key to making the IRA effort possible. “Our marketing partners have backed us 110% on the decision to move up with our race program and, without them, this entire plan would not be possible”, concluded Thiel.
His efforts are supported by Professional Plating, Scott Thiel Builders, Complete Water, M-B Companies, D&H Sales & Service, Brad Dahmer Motorsprots, Ti22 Performance, Kaemmer Foods, Triple X Chassis, Velocity Wings, Super Shox, CSI Suspension, and Velocita Race Suits.
Fans can follow his efforts by checking www.scottythiel.com or on the teams social media pages: Twitter: @scottythiel64 | Facebook: Scotty Thiel #64 Fan Page – www.scottythiel.com.
Whatever the outcome fans are in for as treat as both talented rookies will be pushing each other hard for the rookie of the year title and A-main victories.
IRA proudly moves into 2014 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, Cummins Onan, and Carriage Auto Body.
The 2014 season is currently scheduled to get underway on Saturday, April 19th. The late afternoon show at the Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway will mark the first of 30 shows to be held this season at 15 different area tracks. Action on the semi-banked third mile oval will begin with hot laps and qualifying at 3:00pm with racing to follow.
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 racing.
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
- Jeffrey Sachse on Apr 09, 2014
- Article Date: 4/9/2014