EPIC POINT BATTLE CONTINUES ON BIG DODGE COUNTY HALF-MILE THIS FRIDAY NIGHT!
August 3, 2015; Appleton, WI – Ominous dark clouds greeted the race teams of the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series as haulers arrived in the pit area at Seymour Speedway on Sunday afternoon.
Track officials had made a well-prepared racing surface for the evening but heavy storms reached the track as the pit area was opening, forcing cancellation of the event. Officials from the track and the series are already hard at work firming up dates for the 2016 season.
The event was the sixth to fall to weather this season.
The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints now will travel to to the Dodge County Fairgrounds for their next show. It will be held on Friday Night August 7th. The horsepower half-mile is among the fastest tracks on the 2015 schedule with the 900 horsepower machine reaching speeds of 130mph.
An epic battle for the 2015 season crown is taking place as the top four drivers a separated by less than 100 points.
Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, WI has been tossing the point lead back, and forth with Plainfield, Indiana native Bill Rose. Schmidt had relied on the strength of his first career series victory along with a handful of second place finishes, and numerous heat race wins to sit atop the current standings. A multi-time 360 sprint champion at area tracks, Schmidt is having a breakthrough season with the IRA, and a championship is within his grasp.
The margin however is a mere 13 points over Rose.
Rose a former regular on the World of Outlaws tour, and the 2014 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series Rookie of the Year has been methodical in his performances. Amazingly consistent, Rose has dropped out of only two races since joining the series. He’s started every A-main. This year he racked up 13 top 10 finishes in 15 starts so far. Rose has been trading the point lead back, and forth with Schmidt throughout the season, and it was a rare DNF due to an oil filter issue at Antigo this past weekend which allowed Schmidt to get back to the point lead.
Two-time series champion Scotty Neitzel is having one of his strongest seasons in recent years. Fast everywhere he has raced so far, Neitzel has caught the lead pair in the standings. Neitzel has already captured a victory this season, and he’s had some of his best performances of the year in recent events. As a result he’s clawed his way back into the thick of the point chase. He’s currently 77 markers out of first, and in prime position to seek out his third series title.
After a slow start to the 2015 season, Jeremy Schultz is another driver making a late season charge. Fast on tracks of all shapes, and sizes Schultz has closed to 86 points from the lead. In his rookie season in 2013, Schultz managed to finish with runner-up point honors enroute to the Rookie of the Year title that year. He is in a position to improve upon that performance if he can remain fast, and avoid the dreaded DNF’s.
The event this Friday evening at the Dodge County Fairgrounds has no clear cut favorite. 11 different drivers have taken an A-main wins this season and several more have oh so close to their first wins of the year . It’s been one of the most competitive years in nearly a decade, and basically every car starting the main event has been capable of pulling off a win.
In addition to the top point runners, drivers who have scored victories this season who should attend the Dodge County event include, Blake Nimee, Mike Reinke, Travis Whitney and Scott Uttech.
Seven-time IRA champion Bill Balog is also expected to appear. Balog has been running a limited IRA schedule this season but has captured a series leading four victories.
Other front runners include Scotty Thiel who has had several runner-up finishes and is homing in on his first victory of the 2015 season. Phillip Mock with a pair of victories at his local Wilmot Raceway is also seeking his first IRA win of the year.
Also expected to attend include such notables as Rookie of the Year point leader Kyle Marten, Russel Borland, Kris and Dennis Spitz, Josh Walter, Dave Uttech, Rick Kelsey, Wayne Modjeski, Scott Biertzer, Bill Wirth, Steve Meyer, Jereme Schroeder, Michael Decker, Jason Johnson and Allen Hafford.
Over two dozen 410 outlaw sprints car are expected to participate in the program this Friday night and Dodge County Fairgrounds events are known to draw several Knoxville Raceway regulars who appear at the last minute to run for the top prize.
The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints will be joined by the MSA 360 sprints along with the Mid-American Stock Car series which is making a rare appearance on dirt.
Pit Gates will open at 3pm, spectator gates open 5pm, with warm ups at 6pm with hot laps to follow, opening ceremony 7:15 pm.
Spectator Admission is $20 for adults, with children ages 6-12 admitted for $5. Children ages 5 and younger are FREE with an adult admission.
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.dodgecountyfairgrounds.com
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.
The IRA Sprints are presented by its long time supporting series partners. The series support is 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.
2015 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints Upcoming Events:
8/7/2015 Dodge County Fairgrounds – Beaver Dam, WI
8/21/2015 Wilmot Raceway – Wilmot, WI
8/22/2015 Wilmot Raceway – Wilmot, WI
8/23/2015 Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, WI
8/29/2015 LaSalle Speedway – LaSalle, IL
- Jeffrey Sachse on Aug 04, 2015
- Article Date: 8/4/2015