The stars and cars of the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association are gearing up for a huge 3-day weekend. Thursday night, teams will take to the historic Angell Park Speedway to make up the rained out All Stars-IRA showdown from 5/21. Then on Friday the series heads to the Oshkosh Speedzone, and on Saturday the IRA returns to its former home, the Wilmot Raceway.
Thursday night should see a large field of cars, as many of the 51 cars in attendance on May 21st have indicated their plans to return, as well as others who were not there on the 21st. Tony Stewart has confirmed he will be bringing his Rush Truck Centers 14 car back to take his shot at the $5000 to win purse. He will have to contend with Scotty Thiel though, who has shown immense speed all year and proven he can navigate the 1/3rd mile dirt oval as well as anyone.
Friday when the field rolls into Oshkosh it will be for night 2 of the Hopf Farms Bullring Showdown, and could very well be the last sprint car event ever held at the Speed Zone. Mike Reinke will be the man to keep your eyes on as he is always strong. But if any driver wants to pick up the win Friday they will have to beat the Rhine Auto 17b piloted by Bill Balog. Balog is the most recent series winner and has shown time and time again he is a dominate force anywhere he goes.
Saturday night the IRA will return to its home, the Wilmot Raceway. When cars hit the track, eyes will surely be on the Jerrys Automotive 5j of Jeremy Schultz, the 3 time and defending Wilmot Raceway champion, as well as defending IRA champion. If the 5j team will be beat, it likely could come from a team with historic Wilmot lineage, the Darrell Dodd owned 11 machine with Springfield, Illinois’ Joey Moughan behind the wheel. The Dodd Moughan combination proved this past Saturday night they have what it takes to find victory lane and beat the Schultz team, but can they do it again when the IRA roll into town?
- Kim Tennyson on Jun 06, 2017
- Article Date: 6/5/2017 by Gared Tennyson