POINT CHASES EXTREMELY TIGHT THROUGHOUT THE TOP 15!
September 22, 2014; Appleton, WI – While it may feel like just days ago that the wraps came off the 2014 racing season, the calendar now indicates the 2014 season is fast coming to a close.
With 22 events completed so for the final two shows will take place this coming weekend.
Bill Balog sits in a familiar place, atop the point standings. On the strength of 11 victories, Balog is poised to capture his seventh straight Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series title. The championship total is second only to open wheeled legend Joe Roe who amassed nine titles in his storied career.
Bill Rose of Plainfield, Indiana appears to be locking up Rookie of the Year honors in his first full season in IRA Sprint action. Rose, had completed every lap of every A-main until an accident at Plymouth Dirt Track knocked him from the main event during the early portions of the race two weeks ago. Still the remarkable consistency has laid the groundwork for an impressive first year with the series. Rose has been within striking distance of a victory and this upcoming weekend is the last opportunity to capture a victory in 2014.
Though he has missed several shows, Mike Reinke lies third in points and is perhaps having one of his best seasons. Already capturing a pair of wins Reinke also notched three track qualifying records, and has finished in the top ten in main events in all but a single appearance. He currently sits third in the overall standings.
Veteran racer Scotty Neitzel currently sits fourth overall in the standings, his consistent on track performances have overcome a slow start to the season which had several dnf’s. Still, Neitzel is one of just three drivers to have started every A-main this year. A testament to the knowledge, and skill acquired in years of battle behind the wheel of a sprint car.
Rookie’s Scotty Thiel and Ben Schmidt are currently fifth and sixth in the standings. Once again, area 360 sprint car racing has provided the IRA with hard charging competitors in this year’s rookie chase. Thiel will go on record as marking the season straight season a rookie has captured an A-main win, no easy fete with the tough field the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints bring the track every week. Schmidt meanwhile, is one of just three drivers looking to have started every A-main this year, joining Rose and Neitzel in that elite category.
Scott Uttech’s current point position matches his car number. A budget racer Uttech and his small team have reached the podium on several occasions this year and have rallied past occasional mechanical issues to place themselves solidly in the top ten.
Veteran racer Steve Meyer is holding down the eighth spot in the standings in spite of running a somewhat limited schedule. He will be celebrating his 25th season in racing with a solid top ten point showing.
Positions nine through 14 are extremely close and only a handful of points separate those positions. Russel Borland, Blake Nimee, Dave Uttech, 2013 Rookie of the Year Jeremy Schultz, Kris Spitz and Wayne Modjeski all have a chance to lock down a top ten spot.
It is anticipated all of the aforementioned drivers will be in attendance for the shows this weekend.
First up is a trip to Luxemburg Speedway.
Action will begin on Friday Night September 26th with the inaugural “Battle of The Bay”. A late addition to the 2014 season schedule, Luxemburg Speedway will showcase the 900 horsepower winged sprints for the first time since 2005. During that contest Mike Kertscher collected the victory as over 30 sprints rocked the relatively flat third-mile clay oval.
Three other divisions will support the 410 Outlaw Sprints as IMCA Northern Sport Mods will be on hand along with INEX Legends and 600cc Micro Sprints.
The Friday night show at the Luxemburg Speedway will start with pit gates opening at 3:00pm, grandstand gates opening at 5:00pm and racing to start at 7:00pm!
Adults tickets are $20, a youth ticket for children ages 6 through 14 is available $10 and youngsters ages 5 and under are admitted FREE.
Luxemburg Speedway is located at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds just off 3rd Street in Luxemburg, Wisconsin. The slightly banked third-mile clay oval is just 20 minutes east of Green Bay, Wisconsin on Highway 54.
For additional information please check out www. luxemburgspeedway.com or https://www.facebook.com/SixFourPromotions
Then it’s time to wrap of the 2014 season!
The following evening on Saturday night September 27th, the 2014 season will conclude at the Dodge County Fairgrounds. Known as the “Horsepower Half-mile”, it’s a high-speed finale, and a fitting conclusion to a successful 2014 season.
Balog has captured the last two events held at the raceway including the most recent show held back in June when he outran two-time series champ Travis Whitney, and Steve Meyer.
Two classes of sprint cars will take to the big track as the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw 410 sprints will be joined by the MSA 360 sprint series with a full show of their own. Modifieds will also be on hand along with the Illinois Vintage Stock Cars. Vintage Mods and Stocks from Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota are expected.
Pits will open at 2:00pm, grandstands at 4:00pm, warm-ups will take place 5:30pm followed by IRA Qualifying and racing to follow shortly thereafter. Admission is $20 for adults and $5 for students ages 6 through 12. Children ages 5 and under are admitted FREE.
The Dodge County Fairgrounds is located on highway 33, just 2 miles east of Beaver Dam and just west of highway 26.
For additional information please see http://www.irasprints.com/ or http://www.dodgecountyfairgrounds.com
IRA proudly presented 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 Sep 22, 2014
- Article Date: 9/22/2014