Balog Looks to Continue Win Streak, Goes for Third Straight!
June 10, 2014; Appleton, WI. – To say the recent break in action for the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints is unwanted is an understatement.
After a solid beginning to the year which saw victories posted by Phillip Mock, Bill Balog and Craig Dollansky, on track action the past few weeks has been limited to a few hot lap sessions for the highlight reel as weather has taken center stage. For the first time since 2010 and only the second time in a decade the winged 410 sprints have suffered three consecutive rainouts.
There is a planned end to that streak, as the series roars back into action at the Plymouth Dirt Track. The recently reshaped third-mile clay oval will play host to an all sprint car show this coming Saturday June 14th.
It was just one year ago this when Tony Stewart, and Bill Balog put on a battle at the track, that race will go down as one of the most entertaining events in series history. When the checked flag fell Stewart stood victorious, edging six-time series champ Balog by a car length after the two traded the lead over the final lap.
While that main event may have eluded him, Balog has captured five of the last six contests at the facility. The new racing surface and changes to the layout may be a bit of an equalizer, but Balog heads into the weekend with the point lead and plenty of determination.
Phillip Mock has also been on a roll in 2014. The young charger has dominated the action at Beaver Dam Raceway where he captured his first career A-main win to start the year and then backed up that effort with a second victory in the next appearance by the series at the track. Like Balog, Mock will be going for his third A-main win of 2014.
The list of other drivers hungry for a victory at the Plymouth event is as long as the entry list, but near the top of the heap has to be Mike Reinke.
Reinke has a pair of runner-up finishes, and a third place performance, in the four contests he’s run so far this season. His car has shown the speed it takes to win, it’s now a matter of reaching the checker flag first and that’s simply a matter of time.
The Plymouth Dirt Track has also has to be near the top of Scotty Neitzel’s list of favorite tracks. In the last appearance by the series Neitzel led a fair portion of the contest before having to settle for second behind Balog last September. Neitzel recently went in the history books as the first driver to win a sprint car race on the new surface when he topped the A-main at the local 360 sprint show on the track’s opening night this season.
Veteran racer, Steve Meyer, should also be in the hunt. Meyer, who is celebrating his 25th year in racing, recently finished runner-up to Dollansky at Oshkosh, and he finished third in last September’s contest at Plymouth.
Look for hot rookies Scotty Thiel, and Ben Schmidt to also play a factor in the outcome this coming Saturday night. Both drivers have turned many laps in weekly 360 sprint competition at the track, with Schmidt having a couple championship titles to his name at the raceway. Schmidt’s best career finish in the series was a second during the Sheboygan County Fair race last August while he was testing the waters before joining the IRA series full time. Thiel meanwhile, scored his first career podium finish with the IRA sprints taking third at 141 Speedway, the most recent race held prior to the rainouts.
Indiana native Bill Rose, a former regular on the World of Outlaws tour, continues his title chase with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints this season, he is looking to improve his second place showing in the season opener at Beaver Dam, and bring home his first career IRA victory.
The full cast of series regulars including Jeremy Schultz, who won the series 2013 Rookie of the Year honors, will be in attendance. Other stars will include, Lance Fassbender, the father and son team of Kris and Dennis Spitz, cousins Scott and Dave Uttech, Russell Borland, Blake Nimee, Brandon Thone, Jereme Schroeder, Wayne Modjeski and Allen Hafford.
A field of 30 cars is expected for the show.
In addition to the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw 410 Sprints, the tracks own 360 Sprints will be on hand giving fans all the sprint car action they can handle.
Located at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds, in Plymouth, the track will see pit gates 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 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 11, 2014
- Article Date: 6/11/2014