IRA VS All-Stars at Wilmot open historic double header weekend!
July 15, 2014; Appleton, WI. – A pair of highly anticipated shows featuring the 900 horsepower machines of the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints will be showcased at a pair of venues this weekend.
First up is the third-annual showdown of the IRA vs. All-Stars event to be held at Wilmot Raceway on Saturday night July 19th. Located at the Kenosha County Fairgrounds, the Wilmot Raceway is hallowed ground for sprint car racing in Wisconsin. The birthplace of the IRA sprints, the third-mile clay oval will be the scene of the open-wheeled battleground where the IRA sprints will take on the visiting UNOH All-Star Circuit of Champions competitors for supremacy.
The past two years, Dale Blaney of Fowler, Ohio has represented the All-Stars by claiming top honors in the showdown. The multi-time All-Stars champion has enjoyed great success at the third-mile clay oval with the victories adding to his total atop that series win list where he has collected over 100 wins. Blaney heads into the Wilmot contest as the All-Stars current point leader as he attempts to earn his fifth national championship. Joining Blaney will be his fellow Buckeye state racer's, the father & son duo of 'The Wild Child" Jac Haudenschild and his son Sheldon.
While the IRA Sprints have been locked out of the win column in their meetings with the All-Stars, IRA regulars did capture 7 of the top 10 spots in last seasons showdown, led the way by six-time and defending champion Bill Balog. Balog, who has won an amazing five straight IRA victories, needs to overcome not only the best of the IRA but the All-Stars as well, if he is to establish a modern era win streak record of six straight victories this weekend. You can also count on "Mr. Excitement" Tommy Sexton, past IRA champion Scotty Neizel, defending Wilmot champ Jeremy Schultz, former WoO regular and current IRA points runner-up Bill Rose, and a talented cast of many, many more, trying to claim the “W” under the IRA banner.
The Saturday night show will also feature the rescheduled Salute to the Founders of IRA, honoring Ray Toft, Whitey Harris and the late Junior Dodd, who originally organized and began the IRA back in March of 1968. They will be the highlight of the evening’s pre-race festivities. Special feature trophies sponsored by the Southeastern Wisconsin Short Track Racing Hall of Fame honoring the founders will be presented.
The Wilmot Raceway event held on Saturday night July 20th, will also see Modifieds, mini-sprints and 4 cylinder cars participating in the program. Adult admission is just $25.
The grandstand gates will open at 5:00pm with the racing action set to get underway at 6:45pm.
The Kenosha County Fairgrounds where the track resides is located just north of the intersection of county roads C and W in Wilmot, WI. Wilmot, Wisconsin is located just 8 miles west of I-94 taking county highway C which is exit 345.
For those seeking additional information please check out the track website at www.wilmotraceway.com or call the track on race day at 262-862-2090.
After the amazing show at Wilmot, the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints will trek west one hour to the famed Angell Park Speedway for a show on Sunday night, July 20th.
It has been 29 years since the last appearance of the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw sprints, at Angell Park Speedway located in Sun Prairie, WI. The third mile clay oval is hallowed ground to open-wheeled fans as the track had long been the home to the longest running weekly midget program in the history of the sport.
During the 1985 season the 410 Sprints appeared on three occasions, running a total of four feature events, as the final race held on August 7, 1985 would showcase a twin feature format. Four drivers that season had opportunity to visit victory lane with wins claimed by Dave Hanna, Rick Lemanski, Darrell Dodd and Joe Fote.
In addition to his A-main win in the first feature on that final race day, Dodd collected two of the three fast qualifying efforts, establishing the all-time track record of 13.742 seconds. The record should easily fall this coming Sunday evening.
Fans attending the show at Angell Park Speedway will also witness Badger National Midgets, Badger Micros, and Wisconsin Legends. Front gates open at 4:30pm, Hot Laps at 6:00pm, Racing following Hot Laps.
General Admission is $20 for adults; and $15 for students ages 12 through 18. Children ages 11 and under are admitted FREE.
To reach the track, take the Highway 19 exit East off of Highway 151. Head through the town of Sun Prairie. On the east side of town take County Trunk N (Grove Street) south one block to Miller Drive. Turn onto Miller Drive and you will see the raceway.
Additional information can be found at www.angellparkspeedway.com
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 continues it’s 2014 season 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 Jul 15, 2014
- Article Date: 7/15/2014