It’s all about the math. Stick a 900 horsepower winged sprint, on a half-mile clay oval, and you have speeds approaching 130mph as drivers sling their cars into the corners at the Dodge County Fairgrounds. Seven-time series champ Bill Balog holds the current track record of 16.211 seconds!
The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints will showcase the amazing speed of the fastest cars on dirt this Friday evening. The event is the first of three shows to be presented this year at the Dodge County Fairgrounds.
This event is the 16th Annual Rick Schmidt Memorial race. Schmidt, a renowned driver, and crew chief. He was instrumental in helping make the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints a true touring series. After he passed away in 1999, an annual event was established at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in his honor, and the A-main is always contested 23 laps in remembrance of his car number.
The list of possible winners is nearly endless, as six different drivers have tasted victory in the first 9 events this season.
A Schmidt name could well be on the trophy at the end of the day. Though no relation, Ben Schmidt is leading the way in the current standings. Ben scored his first career IRA win at Beaver Dam Raceway in early May. Since that time he has recorded four runner-up finishes. That effort is enough to give the former multi-time 360 sprint champ a slim lead in the 2015 standings.
Hot on his heels is Plainfield, Indiana native Bill Rose. So far in 2015 Rose has finished every main event in the top ten. His remarkable consistency goes all the way back to when he joined the series full time at the beginning of 2014. Since that time he has started every A-main and has only a single DNF. The only thing missing from his resume is a victory and that is something that’s coming… it’s only a matter of time.
Scotty Neitzel currently ranks third in the season standings, the two-time champion nailed down a win recently at Angell Park Speedway and considers the big Dodge County oval among his favorites.
Mike Reinke, the most recent winner in IRA competition having won just last week is a standout performer on the big half-mile. Last year during the season finale at Dodge County it was Reinke charging to the lead in the closing laps only to have mechanical ills slow his pace in the final circuit. He’s seeking redemption for that near victory.
The field this Friday will also see hard chargers like 2013 IRA Rookie of the Year Jeremy Schultz, hard charging youngsters Blake Nimee, Phillip Mock and Scotty Thiel and local favorite Russel Borland.
Let’s then add to the mix 2015 rookie of the year hopeful’s Kyle Marten, Rick Kelsey and Kyle Marten.
Proving racing is a family sport toss in the father and son team of Dennis and Kris Spitz, along with cousins Scott and Dave Uttech.
Long time series supporters Steve Meyer, Wayne Modjeski, Bill Wirth, Scott Biertzer, Allen Hafford, Jereme Schroeder, Brandon Thone and Michael Decker should also appear.
In addition to a field of nearly 30 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint cars expected in attendance for this Friday Nights show, two other divisions will be taking to the track. The 360 winged sprints and IMCA type modifieds. Modified cars cars must be EITHER Beaver Dam Raceway, IMCA, or Wilmot Raceway legal.
Spectator Admission; Adults $20, kids 6-12 yrs $5, 5 yrs and younger FREE. Pit admission $30 .
The Dodge County Fairgrounds is located on highway 33, just 2 miles east of Beaver Dam and just west of highway 26.
To see the list of races scheduled on the half mile go to https://dodgecountyfairgrounds.com/events/category/dirt-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 @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:
7/18/2015 Eagle Valley Speedway – Jim Falls, WI
7/19/2015 Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, WI
7/24/2015 Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway – Oshkosh, WI
7/25/2015 Wilmot Raceway –Wilmot, WI
7/31/2015 Langlade County Speedway – Antigo, WI
