Third Straight Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series event fall to rain.
June 7, 2014; Beaver Dam, WI. – After two impressive shows at the Beaver Dam Raceway this season, teams and fans of the Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints headed to the banked third-mile oval to witness the showdown between Phillip Mock and Bull Balog.
Both drivers were looking to extend their recent win streaks to three. For Balog, a victory would have been his third straight, having swept Memorial Day weekend where he was victorious at both Wilmot Raceway and the 141 Speedway.
Mock on the other hand, had been hoping to extend his dominance at Beaver Dam Raceway to three straight wins at the track. He captured top honors at the other two races held at the facility this season in doing so he led an impressive 57 of 60 A-main laps in the process.
One streak however slipped under the radar, even though it was ON the radar. Rain!
Officially weather would extend its streak to three … in a fashion that has disappointed both teams and fans by causing a cancellation for the third straight IRA event. Hot laps had just been completed for the 28 teams checked into the pit area and the racing surface was extremely fast prior to several rounds of downpours forcing the rainout as storms rolled through the area.
For the first time since the 2010 season the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints would lose three consecutive races due to weather related issues. During that year, early June saw a cancellation at Beaver Dam, and then the following double header weekend with events at Oshkosh and Deer Creek, MN also gave way to an overabundance of moisture.
The next appearance at Beaver Dam Raceway will be on August 2nd. Pit passes will be good for that event. Fans requesting refunds can contact the track directly through the Beaver Dam Raceway website at www.wismotorsports.net or by calling the track at (920) 887-1600.
Balog, Mock and the contingent of IRA stars now will head to the Sheboygan County Fairpark for the first race the series has held on the newly revamped Plymouth Dirt Track.
The all open wheeled show will be held on Saturday night June 14th.
Last season’s June event saw Tony Stewart made a special appearance at the track and narrowly edged out Balog for the victory as the pair swapped the lead over the final laps. The show was one of the most memorable in the IRA series 50 year history.
This year, the third-mile, clay oval, was lengthened and banking was added to the turns. Two-time IRA champion Scotty Neitzel was the first ever, sprint car A-main winner on the new surface taking a win in a 360 sprint on the track’s opening night this year. The racing surface has proven to extremely racy in its new configuration.
In addition to the Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprints, the tracks own 360 sprints will be also be on hand for the show. Pit gates are set to open at 3:00pm with the grandstands opening at 4:30pm. Fans are advised to arrive early to get the best possible seating as a full house is expected. Hot laps will begin at 5:30pm followed by qualifying for the IRA Sprints. The first race is scheduled to push off at 7:00pm
Adult admission for the program is just $20, with youth tickets for younger fans ages 6 through 12 only $5. Children under the age of six are admitted FREE with an adult.
For more information on the show you can check the IRA website of the Plymouth Dirt Track site at www.plymouthdtr.com or call 920-893-5751.
The 2014 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series scheduled season will consist of 30 shows to be held at 15 different area tracks.
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, 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.
- Jeffrey Sachse on Jun 08, 2014
- Article Date: 6/8/2014 by Jeffrey Sachse