Alex Pokorski aims to cap undulating 2022 360 Sprint Car campaign on high note

Alex Pokorski heads into turn one in Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 3. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson, Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 6, 2022 – The penultimate event of the 2022 season for Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team proved to encapsulate how the majority of the team’s Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car campaign has panned out at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis., as a promising start to the A main event again ended with a tinge of disappointment on Saturday, Sept. 3.

With 24 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars checked in for the annual Sheboygan County Fair all-Sprint Car event featuring both the PDTR – Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars and Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, Pokorski opened the night by turning in the 17th fastest lap in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car group qualifying session with a lap of 13.411 seconds.

After lining up sixth in the second 10-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car heat race, Pokorski passed Chris Larson along the high groove to briefly move into fifth on the opening circuit. On lap two, Larson battled back to drop Pokorski to sixth, which is where he finished the race.

The third-year 360 Sprint Car driver then started 18th in the 25-lap main event and utilized the high groove to make his way around a number of cars in the early going. By lap 11, the cushion-pounding Pokorski had worked his way into 14th after working his way around Doug Wondra, Tyler Brabant and Blake Wondra.

After Justin Miller brought out the lone caution flag of the race after spinning in turn two on lap 14. Pokorski restarted 12th along the inside lane, eyeing his first top-10 A-main showing of the season at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Alex Pokorski (4) attempts to track down Chris Larson (51) in Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car action at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 3. – RC Custom Design photo

However, a logjam along the low line on lap 14 produced an accordion effect in turn two, which prompted Pokorski to turn sideways into the infield to avoid contact.

Pokorski managed to rejoin the race without causing a caution flag. However, the off-track excursion dropped him to 18th in the running order. Pokorski battled back to work his way around Dylan Winkel on lap 23 en route to a 17th-place finish in a race won by Brandon McMullen.

“I thought we could’ve been better for qualifying and the heat race,” Pokorski said. “In the feature, we were great in the beginning. I had to check up a bit more than I expected in turns one and two after the restart and it cost me all the spots I had gained. I’m a bit frustrated with myself for making a mistake like that, but these things happen. Hopefully, we can end the season on a high note.”

Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team will have two weekends off from competition before closing out the 2022 season on Saturday, Sept. 24 during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. On-track action is set to begin at 4:45 p.m.

Sponsors and supporters for Alex Pokorski and the 2022 Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Novak’s Service Center, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor ShowcaseAkright Auto

Located at 106 North Bluebird Lane in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Akright Auto has served as a reliable source for auto parts since 1940.

With a highly trained staff of auto parts professionals, Akright Auto is well prepared to assist customers with vehicle repair needs with a wide assortment of affordable, high-quality auto parts available on site. If a part is not available, Akright Auto offers next-day delivery services.

In addition, Akright Auto provides full auto salvage services, along with a 90-day standard warranty on all parts purchases.

Contact Akright Auto by phone at 920-467-4201, toll free at 800-400-4201, via email at dakright12@gmail.com or visit www.akrightauto.com.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor ShowcaseNovak Service Center

Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team would like to acknowledge the support of long-time sponsor Novak’s Service Center of Manitowoc, which is celebrating its 50th year in business in 2022.

Novak’s Service Center is a locally-owned, second-generation, family-owned, five-bay auto repair center, which has been serving customers in the Lakeshore area since 1972.

Novak’s Service Center offers comprehensive auto repair services, including 4 x 4 services, brakes, car and truck care, domestic cars and trucks, electrical services, electronic services, engine and transmission, engine maintenance, expired warranty care, general service, heating and cooling services, import cars and trucks, quick lube services, tires, towing, transmission and undercar services.

Located at 1320 Washington St. in Manitowoc, Novak’s Service Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To schedule an appointment, call 920-684-5737 or visit www.novaks1320.com.

For more information on Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook at https://facebook.com/pokorskimotorsports or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

 

Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 13
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 5
Heat Race Victories – 1

Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A/Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2
Heat Race Victories – 0

Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Upcoming Races

Saturday, September 24 – Plymouth Dirt Track Racing, Plymouth, Wis.

Thiel, McMullen stand tall in Sprint Car Fair Night main events at Plymouth Dirt Track

Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan, Wis. earned his series-leading fourth Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series A-main victory of the 2022 season, during the 30-lap main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 3. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 3, 2022 – On an unseasonably cool early September evening, two of the hottest drivers in their respective Sprint Car racing disciplines continued to excel at a fever pitch, during an all-Sprint Car event at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. held during the 2022 Sheboygan County Fair on Saturday, Sept. 3.

In the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series main event, Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan racked up his series-leading fourth main event victory of the 2022 IRA season in the 30-lap headliner.

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh recorded his fourth straight Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main victory in the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty PDTR 360 Sprint Car main event.

Polesitter Kyle Schuett of Philo, Ill., who won the most recent IRA A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track on July 30, jumped into the lead in turn one of the opening lap before Scotty Thiel, who started second, pulled off a slide job to seize the top spot in turn four on the opening lap.

On lap 2, fourth starter Zach Hampton of Mooresville, Ind., who was making his debut appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track, ducked low to briefly challenge Thiel for the top spot.

However, Thiel fended off Hampton’s challenge and pulled away to build up a sizable lead as the leaders began to catch the rear of the field on lap 6. One lap later, the red flag was displayed when IRA point leader and top rookie of the year contender Jake Neuman of New Berlin, Ill., flipped his machine in turn two.

Scotty Thiel (73) of Sheboygan, Wis. duels with Zach Hampton (35) of Mooresville, Ind. for the lead in close quarters, during the 30-lap Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 3. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Two laps later, another caution flag appeared when Kris Spitz of Salem stopped in turn two after losing his right rear tire. When the race resumed, Thiel pulled away from Hampton as the leaders began to work their way through lapped traffic on lap 14.

By lap 20, Thiel had built up a full-straightaway lead over Hampton on the lightning-fast, yet slide-job-receptive, track surface. Three laps later, a caution flag appeared when Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls spun in turn two.

On the restart, Hampton took a shot at the lead as he executed a slide job in turn two to surge ahead before Thiel battled back to regain the top spot in turn three. One lap later, the red flag came out when Austin Hartmann of Plymouth flipped into the turn one catch fence, following contact with Schuett along the front stretch on lap 24.

Over the final six laps, the Thiel-Hampton duel escalated substantially, as Hampton ripped off a slide job in turn two on lap 25 to vault his away into the lead before Thiel came back to return the slide-job favor in turn four to maintain the top spot.

Undaunted, Hampton battled back to surge ahead in turn two and assume the lead on lap 26. However, Thiel unreeled yet another slide job to pull off what proved to be the winning move in turn two on lap 27. Meanwhile, third starter Steve Meyer of Sheboygan Falls came to life along the low groove to move past Hampton and into the runner-up spot on lap 28.

Thiel held off Meyer’s late charge over the final two laps to secure his fourth A-main victory of the 2022 IRA campaign, first IRA main event triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track since the 2018 season and 23rd career IRA A-main win.

“It’s great to get a win here tonight,” Thiel said in victory lane. “I have to thank the crew for everything they do. Everyone on his team really does a great job to help put us in the position to win these races.

“During the last couple of restarts, I didn’t know what to do or the right way to go to keep the 35 car [Zach Hampton] behind me,” he said. “On the last restart, I decided to just let him go and see where he went and then adjust to what he did. That’s how it played out and luckily everything worked out in our favor over the final few laps.”

Meyer posted a strong second-place finish, Hampton finished third in his third career IRA appearance, seventh starter Jordan Goldesberry of Springfield, Ill. finished fourth and two-time IRA champion Scotty Neitzel of Beaver Dam placed fifth after starting sixth.

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh collected his fourth straight Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association main-event victory in the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 3. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

In the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty PDTR 360 Sprint Car main event, outside front row starter Brandon McMullen outpowered polesitter Tyler Davis of Franklin to surge into the lead along the backstretch on the opening lap. On lap 2, 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who started third, worked his way around Davis to take second.

Two laps later, defending PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion and current point leader Travis Arenz, who started fourth, moved his way into third along the high groove.

The lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 13 when 2018 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Justin Miller of Plymouth stopped in turn two and Tyler Brabant of Waupun stalled in turn four.

When the race resumed, Arenz worked the high line to power past Schmidt and secure second in the running order. However, Arenz was unable to track down McMullen, who pulled away to build up a full straightaway lead by lap 20 en route to his third straight PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track and fourth consecutive overall main event triumph in his last four Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association starts. McMullen’s win was worth an extra $250 courtesy of The Gravel Pit Sports Bar & Grill of Kiel, while 15th-place finisher Chris Clayton of Waldo also pocketed an extra $250 from The Gravel Pit Sports Bar & Grill.

The win was also McMullen’s all-time division-leading 27th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph and 38th career Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association main event victory.

“The car has really been working well over the past few weeks,” McMullen said. “Tonight, we were able to run the top, bottom and even the middle at times. Having a car that handles that well in all parts of the track is a testament to the crew. For most of the season, we haven’t been as fast as we wanted to be, but we’ve hit on something lately and the results have shown it.”

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champ Brandon McMullen (98) of Oshkosh battles with defending PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion and current point leader Travis Arenz (25T) of Sheboygan Falls, during the 25-lap main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 3. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Arenz finished second, Schmidt placed third, Davis wound up fourth and 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett finished fifth after starting fifth.

Arenz heads into the final event of the 2022 PDTR 360 Sprint Car season on Saturday, Sept. 24 with a commanding 73-point lead over Ben Schmidt at the top of the standings, as he looks to secure his second straight PDTR 360 Sprint Car crown.

Arenz also leads Schmidt by 17 points with two races remaining in the 2022 Midwest Sprint Car Association season.

Travis Arenz earned PDTR 360 Sprint Car overall fast qualifier honors with a lap of 12.701 seconds.

IRA rookie Austin Hartmann of Plymouth collected his first-career IRA fast qualifier award by topping the 31-car field with a lap of 11.461 seconds.

Jereme Schroeder of Lake Villa, Ill. won the 12-lap IRA B main.

The 12th full PDTR racing program of the 2022 season, which was sponsored by JDL Automotive & Detailing, drew 55 Sprint Cars, including 31 IRA 410 Sprint Cars and 24 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars.

The 2022 PDTR season will conclude on Saturday, Sept. 24 with the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships, featuring the final points race of the PDTR and Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car season, as well as the 2022 curtain closer for Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Sprint Cars, Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars and IRA Lightning Sprints.

The new book “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” by Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan, George Baumann of Waupun and Verla Peichl of Sheboygan Falls will be available for purchase at every race during the 2022 PDTR season, as well as at the Sheboygan County Fair office during regular business hours and online at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds is located at 229 Fairview Drive in Plymouth, Wis. For more information, visit www.plymouthdtr.com or check out Plymouth Dirt Track Racing on Facebook.

BUMPER TO BUMPER INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION 410 SP11RINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Austin Hartmann 11.461 2, Jake Blackhurst 11.494 3, Zach Hampton 11.596 4, Jordan Goldesberry 11.598 5, Kyle Schuett 11.648 6, Travis Arenz 11.683 7, Scotty Thiel 11.746 8, Danny Schlafer 11.752 9, Scotty Neitzel 11.799 10, Blake Nimee 11.806 11, Tyler Tischendorf 11.819 12, Steve Meyer 11.832 13, Preston Ruh 11.836 14, Scott Biertzer 11.837 15, Chris Martin 11.837 16, Dave Uttech 11.873 17, Ryan Bunton 11.895 18, Jake Neuman 11.895 19, Jack Vanderboom 11.922 20, Jereme Schroeder 12.059 21, Todd Daun 12.069 22, Kris Spitz 12.091 23, Hunter Custer 12.114 24, Jeremy Schultz 12.125 25, Scott Conger 12.194 26, Russel Borland 12.331 27, Alan Gilbertson 12.435 28, Ion Stear 12.445 29, Jason Johnson 12.746 30, Jett Mann 13.225 31, Zach Hansen 13.281.

HEAT 1

1, Scotty Neitzel 2, Preston Ruh 3, Kyle Schuett 4, Ryan Bunton 5, Austin Hartmann 6, Todd Daun 7, Scott Conger 8, Jason Johnson.

HEAT 2

1, Blake Nimee 2, Travis Arenz 3, Jake Blackhurst 4, Jake Neuman 5, Kris Spitz 6, Russel Borland 7, Jett Mann 8, Scott Biertzer.

HEAT 3

1, Scotty Thiel 2, Tyler Tischendorf 3, Zach Hampton 4, Chris Martin 5, Hunter Custer 6, Jack Vanderboom 7, Alan Gilbertson 8, Zach Hansen.

DASH 1

1, Kyle Schuett 2, Steve Meyer 3, Austin Hartmann 4, Jordan Goldesberry 5, Blake Nimee.

DASH 2

1, Scotty Thiel 2, Zach Hampton 3, Scotty Neitzel 4, Jake Blackhurst 5, Travis Arenz.

B MAIN

1, Jereme Schroeder 2, Todd Daun 3, Jack Vanderboom 4, Russel Borland 5, Ion Stear 6, Jett Mann 7, Zach Hansen 8, Jason Johnson 9, Scott Conger 10, Alan Gilbertson 11, Scott Biertzer.

A MAIN

1, Scotty Thiel 2, Steve Meyer 3, Zach Hampton 4, Jordan Goldesberry 5, Scotty Neitzel 6, Jake Blackhurst 7, Kyle Schuett 8, Tyler Tischendorf 9, Preston Ruh 10, Travis Arenz 11, Ryan Bunton 12, Chris Martin 13, Russel Borland 14, Jeremy Schultz 15, Danny Schlafer 16, Dave Uttech 17, Blake Nimee 18, Jeremy Schroeder 19, Jack Vanderboom 20, Hunter Custer 21, Todd Daun 22, Austin Hartmann 23, Kris Spitz 24, Jake Neuman.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANT VIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Travis Arenz 12.701 2, Brandon Berth 12.964 3, Lance Fassbender 12.977 4, Brandon McMullen 12.986 5, Tony Wondra 13.000 6, Bill Taylor 13.017 7, Ben Schmidt 13.149 8, Tyler Davis 13.173 9, Anthony Knierim 13.175 10, Justin Miller 13.177 11, Blake Wondra 13.201 12, Kurt Davis 13.204 13, Chris Larson 13.226, 14, Justin Erickson 13.233 15, Tyler Brabant 13.285 16, Dylan Winkel 13.295 17, Alex Pokorski 13.411 18, Chris Clayton 13.458 19, Doug Wondra 13.465 20, Katelyn Krebsbach 13.474 21, Kevin Seidler 13.520 22, Randy Post 13.525 23, Tim Haddy 13.545 24, J.J. Pagel 13.620.

HEAT 1

1, Tyler Davis 2, Lance Fassbender 3, Bill Taylor 4, Kurt Davis 5, Brandon Berth 6, Dylan Winkel 7, Chris Clayton 8, Kevin Seidler.

HEAT 2

1, Ben Schmidt 2, Brandon McMullen 3, Justin Miller 4, Anthony Knierim 5, Chris Larson 6, Alex Pokorski 7, Doug Wondra 8, Katelyn Krebsbach.

HEAT 3

1, Travis Arenz 2, Justin Erickson 3, Tony Wondra 4, Blake Wondra 5, Tyler Brabant 6, J.J. Pagel 7, Randy Post 9, Tim Haddy (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Travis Arenz 3, Ben Schmidt 4, Tyler Davis 5, Lance Fassbender 6, Bill Taylor 7, Kurt Davis 8, Tony Wondra 9, Justin Erickson 10, Anthony Knierim 11, Chris Larson 12, Brandon Berth 13, Blake Wondra 14, Katelyn Krebsbach 15, Chris Clayton 16, Justin Miller 17, Alex Pokorski 18, Dylan Winkel 19, Randy Post 20, Kevin Seidler 21, Doug Wondra 22, Tyler Brabant 23, J.J. Pagel 24, Tim Haddy.

Arenz earns first MSA Harry Neitzel Tribute triumph at Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway

Defending Midwest Sprint Car Association champion and current point leader Travis Arenz (middle) of Sheboygan captured his first Harry Neitzel Tribute race victory in the 20-lap Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 2. Also pictured presenting the trophy are Brendalee Neitzel (left) and Scotty Neitzel (right).  – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 2, 2022 – Defending Midwest Sprint Car Association champion and current point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan earned his seventh Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2022 season, while etching his name on the distinguished list of winners of the Harry Neitzel Tribute race Friday, Sept. 2 at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis.

The fifth annual Harry Neitzel Tribute event drew a field of 19 MSA 360 Sprint Cars to the sprawling “horsepower half mile” Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway facility to compete in honor of Neitzel, who was one of the MSA’s biggest and most beloved supporters.

In the 20-lap main event, five-time MSA champion and inaugural 2017 Harry Neitzel Tribute winner Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee jumped into the lead on the drop of the green flag from the pole position.

Meanwhile, sixth starter Tim Haddy of Waupun rode the high groove into second place in turn four on the opening circuit. On lap 2, 2011 MSA champ Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who started fourth, worked his way past Haddy into second before moving in to challenge Davis for the top spot along the low line on lap 3.

As Davis and Schmidt continued their side-by-side duel, third starter Travis Arenz moved in to make it a three-way battle for the top spot as the leaders caught the back of the field on lap 7.

The first of two caution flags appeared on lap 8 when Haddy stopped in turn two. On the restart, Arenz made a big move along the low groove to sweep past Schmidt and pressure Davis for the lead.

After hounding Davis for two laps, Arenz bolted into the lead along the high groove of the fast and smooth half-mile clay oval in turn two on lap 10. By lap 15, Arenz had built up a full straightaway cushion over Davis as Schmidt began to challenge for the runner-up spot.

The second and final caution flag appeared on lap 17 when Katelyn Krebsbach of Cascade spun in turn two. With less than five laps remaining, the race resumed following a single-file restart as Arenz maintained the top spot while Schmidt ducked underneath Davis to seize second in turn two.

Arenz held on over the final three laps to secure his first Harry Neitzel Tribute race victory, seventh MSA main event triumph of the 2022 season and 29th career MSA A-main win.

“The car was just perfect,” Arenz said after the race. “It was actually faster at the end of the race, but during the last two laps it started stumbling. I think I was almost out of gas. It means a lot to win this race. I remember Harry [Neitzel] selling me tearoffs back in the day when I raced a four-cylinder car.”

Schmidt placed second, Davis was third, 2005 MSA champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett moved up from the 11th starting spot to finish fourth and fifth starter Tyler Brabant of Waupun placed fifth.

Travis Arenz registered the fastest lap in MSA group qualifying with a time of 19.693.

Tim Haddy and Tyler Brabant posted eight-lap MSA heat race victories.

The MSA 360 Sprint Car Series is scheduled to return to the Dodge County Fairgrounds on Friday, Sept. 23 prior to closing out the 2022 season on Saturday, Sept. 24 during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.

For more information on the 2022 Midwest Sprint Car Association season, visit www.msasprints.com or check out the Midwest Sprint Car Association Facebook page.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through a diverse array of promotional strategies and methods, including press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

 

Midwest Sprint Car Association
Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway
Beaver Dam, Wis.
September 2, 2022

QUALIFYING

1, Travis Arenz 19.693 2, Ben Schmidt 19.727 3, Lance Fassbender 19.994 4. Tyler Brabant 20.211 5. Kurt Davis 20.215 6. Tim Haddy 20.255 7, Tyler Davis 20.259 8, Will Gerrits 20.327 9, Katelyn Krebsbach 20.391 10, Chris Clayton 20.516 11, Blake Wondra 20.564 12, Tommy Colburn 20.637 13, Bill Taylor 20.678 14, Justin Erickson 20.716 15, Justin Miller 20.727 16, Chris Larson 20.924 17, Kevin Seidler 21.455 18, J.J. Pagel 21.527 19, Tony Wondra no time.

HEAT 1

1, Tim Haddy 2, Ben Schmidt 3, Kurt Davis 4, Justin Miller 5, Blake Wondra 6, Chris Larson 7, Katelyn Krebsbach 8, Kevin Seidler 9, Will Gerrits 10, J.J. Pagel.

HEAT 2

1, Tyler Brabant 2, Travis Arenz 3, Tyler Davis 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Tommy Colburn 6, Chris Clayton 7, Justin Erickson 8, Tony Wondra 9, Bill Taylor.

A MAIN

1, Travis Arenz 2, Ben Schmidt 3, Kurt Davis 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Tyler Brabant 6, Justin Miller 7, Tyler Davis 8, Chris Larson 9, Justin Erickson 10, Chris Clayton 11, Tony Wondra 12, Blake Wondra 13, Tommy Colburn 14, Katelyn Krebsbach 15, Bill Taylor 16, J.J. Pagel 17, Kevin Seidler 18, Tim Haddy 19, Will Gerrits (DNS).

Austin Hartmann bags first IRA heat race win, salvages 16th in Wilmot Founders Night headliner  

Austin Hartmann (87A) races with Ion Stear (19) during a Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series event at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 27. – Victory Imagery Media Group photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions 

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 31, 2022 – On a night when the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series remembered the individuals who played a role in founding the IRA at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. in the mid-1960s, IRA rookie Austin Hartmann and the members of the 87A Hartmann Racing team forged their own racing memories during the IRA Founders Night program at Wilmot Raceway on Saturday, Aug. 27.

Hartmann’s evening featured his first IRA victory in heat race competition, as well as his fourth IRA dash appearance of the 2022 campaign. However, it also saw an unfortunate incident halt the possibility of attaining a career-best run in the 25-lap IRA main event.

The third-year Sprint Car racer opened the night by qualifying 11th in the 27-car field with a lap of 13.664 seconds. After starting on the pole of the second eight-lap IRA heat race, Hartmann bolted into the lead on the drop of the green flag and endured at caution flag on lap 5 to hold off Blake Nimee and secure his first-career IRA heat race triumph.

The heat race victory locked Hartmann into his fourth IRA dash of the 2022 season where he finished fifth after starting fourth in the second four-lap dash event to earn the 10th starting spot in the 25-lap IRA Founder’s Night main event.

After a lengthy delay and an opening red flag period when Scotty Neitzel made hard contact with the turn three wall on the initial start, Hartmann ended up rolling off eighth when the race got under way.

On lap 3, Hartmann worked his way past Todd Daun to take seventh. However, his run inside the top-10 turned out to be relatively short-lived, as an incident in turn two, while racing in close quarters with Jeremy Schultz, resulted in Hartmann spinning to stop to bring out the yellow flag.

Austin Hartmann earned his first career Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series heat race victory Saturday, Aug. 27 at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

After restarting 20th, Hartmann gradually worked his way up through the field following cautions on lap 10 and lap 12. On lap 12, Hartmann restarted 17th and utilized the high groove to power around fellow first-year IRA competitors Scott Conger and Preston Ruh, as Jeremy Schultz moved Hartmann back to 16th in the running order on lap 21.

On the final lap, Hartmann made a late charge in an attempt to sneak underneath Dave Uttech for 15th, which fell just short, as Hartmann placed 16th overall in a race won by Danny Schlafer.

“Everything felt good and the car was quick in qualifying, which set us up for a pole position in heat two,” Hartmann said. “We made some changes to the car and it felt great to drive. The car was on a rail in the heat race. At feature time, I felt good early on until the incident in turns one and two. Restarting at the back provided challenges getting through the field and we managed to end up 16th.”

With seven races remaining in the 2022 IRA season, Hartmann currently occupies the 10th position in the IRA point standings.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team is set to take part in an IRA tripleheader weekend of 410 Sprint Car action starting with the Harry Neitzel Tribute event on Friday, Sept. 2 at the sprawling, half-mile Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis., followed by the annual Sheboygan County Fair Race at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 3 and the final appearance of the 2022 season at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, Wis. on Sunday, Sept. 4.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the three-race weekend we have coming up,” Hartmann said. “I think it should be good for us.”

Those unable to make it to track can follow all of the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series action throughout the 2022 campaign via FloRacing by visiting https://www.floracing.com.

Additional information on the 87A Hartmann Racing team can be found by visiting the team’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/87Ahartmannracing.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team has assembled a strong group of partners in support of the team’s maiden voyage with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Series, including Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Call Girls Motorsports, PalletWorks LLC, AF Inc., Bennett Transport Inc., SCA Inc., Gretchen Tillman New American Funding, Classic Title Services, CP Services, Cobblestone Landscaping, Jensen Sales & Services, Lee’s Color Studio, Dave’s Fabrication, Racer’s Hall Sports Bar and Grill, Feldmann Sales & Service, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Pit Road Apparel, the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Sage Fruit.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Hunter Annis, Eric Bergschultz, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham, Jarrett Neese, Caitlin Shaw and Kristine Hartmann.

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – PalletWorks LLC

Austin Hartmann and 87A Hartmann Racing are pleased to have PalletWorks LLC on board as a sponsor for the team’s rookie campaign with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series.

Located at N5826 County Road M in Plymouth, Wis., PalletWorks LLC is a wood container and pallet manufacturing company, specializing in packing and crating materials.

To contact PalletWorks LLC, call 920-467-2600.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

 
Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 19
IRA Events – 17
World of Outlaws Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 5
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 12
Heat Race Victories – 1
Dash Appearances – 4
Dash Victories – 0

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
Upcoming 2022 Schedule

Friday, September 2 – Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, September 3 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA)
Sunday, September 4 – 141 Speedway, Francis Creek, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, September 10 – Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, September 17 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis. (IRA)
Friday, September 23 – Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver, Dam Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, September 24 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA)

Alex Pokorski backs up career-best fourth place MSA main event showing in Wilmot Raceway debut

Alex Pokorski (4) duels with eventual race winner Brandon McMullen (98) en route to a career-best fourth-place finish in the 25-lap Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association A main presented by Adonnis Waterproofing & Foundation Repair at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 27. – Catch Fence Imagery Photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions 

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 30, 2022 – Over the years, Wilmot Raceway has built a reputation as a somewhat acquired taste, and as a track where proven veterans often have a distinct advantage over relative newcomers.

However, third-year 360 Sprint Car driver Alex Pokorski certainly flipped that script by ripping off his best career Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main finish in his first-ever appearance at the third-mile clay oval in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 27, during the second half of a MSA doubleheader weekend of action.

Pokorski was quick right out of the gate behind the wheel of the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team 360 Sprint Car as he registered the fourth fastest overall time among the 29-car MSA group qualifying field with a lap of 14.068 seconds.

The West Bend driver rolled off from the pole position of the fourth eight-lap MSA heat race and bolted into the lead on the drop of the green flag and quickly built up a half-straightaway lead over defending MSA champion and current point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan. Pokorski held strong throughout the eight-lap event en route to his first heat race victory of the 2022 season.

On the strength of his strong performance in qualifying and heat race action, Pokorski started the 25-lap MSA A main presented by Adonnis Waterproofing and Foundation Repair of Caledonia, Wis. from the fourth starting spot. After holding the fourth spot in the early going, Brandon McMullen moved around Pokorski on lap 4 to drop him to fifth in the running order.

After a pair of cautions appeared on lap 5 and lap 14, Pokorski worked his way past Shane Wenninger and into fourth on lap 16. Over the final nine laps, Pokorski held strong in fourth despite feeling pressure at times from 2011 MSA champ Ben Schmidt and Tim Haddy in the closing stages of the race.

Pokorski went on to secure a fourth place showing to equal his previous career-best A Main showing, in a race won by Brandon McMullen. Pokorski’s previous best A-main finish was a fourth-place finish in a non-points MSA A-main event at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Oct. 2, 2021.

“The track was a nice change of pace,” Pokorski said. “The corners are a bit tighter and the straightaways are a little longer than Plymouth. The car was good all night. Starting on the front of a heat race always helps because you have clean air and track ahead of you.

“The A main was a fun race because the track had multiple lines to race on and we had a couple of restarts, which kept the field tightened up,” he said. “This season has been challenging and I’ve felt a bit unlucky at times. It felt like we got the monkey off our back a bit with a good finish, finally.”

One night earlier, Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team were in action with the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. for a special Friday night program on Friday, Aug. 26.

Pokorski opened the night by qualifying 22nd in the 24-car field with a lap of 13.841. After starting seventh in the first 10-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car heat race, Pokorski advanced past Doug Wondra in turn four on lap 3 and held on to finish sixth.

Alex Pokorski notched a 16th-place finish in a 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A-main at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, Aug. 26. – RC Custom Design photo

In the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main, Pokorski rolled off from the 15th starting position and spent the majority of the race keeping up with the frantic pace set on the lightning fast and undulating track surface.

Pokorski held his own throughout the caution-free race en route to a 16th-place finish in a race won by Brandon McMullen.

Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team are now set to compete in their second-to-last event of the 2022 season as part of an all-Sprint Car program featuring the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Cars and Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series on Saturday, Sept. 3 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. during the annual Sheboygan County Fair.

On-track action is set to begin at 5 p.m.

“We have two races left on our schedule at Plymouth this Saturday during the Sheboygan County Fair and then again at Plymouth on September 24th to close out the season,” Pokorski said. “We are looking forward to building off of the momentum of the good run we had at Wilmot and closing out the season on a strong note.”

Sponsors and supporters for Alex Pokorski and the 2022 Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Novak’s Service Center, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor ShowcaseAkright Auto

Located at 106 North Bluebird Lane in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Akright Auto has served as a reliable source for auto parts since 1940.

With a highly trained staff of auto parts professionals, Akright Auto is well prepared to assist customers with vehicle repair needs with a wide assortment of affordable, high-quality auto parts available on site. If a part is not available, Akright Auto offers next-day delivery services.

In addition, Akright Auto provides full auto salvage services, along with a 90-day standard warranty on all parts purchases.

Contact Akright Auto by phone at 920-467-4201, toll free at 800-400-4201, via email at dakright12@gmail.com or visit www.akrightauto.com.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor ShowcaseNovak Service Center

Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team would like to acknowledge the support of long-time sponsor Novak’s Service Center of Manitowoc, which is celebrating its 50th year in business in 2022.

Novak’s Service Center is a locally-owned, second-generation, family-owned, five-bay auto repair center, which has been serving customers in the Lakeshore area since 1972.

Novak’s Service Center offers comprehensive auto repair services, including 4 x 4 services, brakes, car and truck care, domestic cars and trucks, electrical services, electronic services, engine and transmission, engine maintenance, expired warranty care, general service, heating and cooling services, import cars and trucks, quick lube services, tires, towing, transmission and undercar services.

Located at 1320 Washington St. in Manitowoc, Novak’s Service Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To schedule an appointment, call 920-684-5737 or visit www.novaks1320.com.

For more information on Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook at https://facebook.com/pokorskimotorsports or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

 

Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 12
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 5
Heat Race Victories – 1

Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A/Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2
Heat Race Victories – 0

Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Upcoming Races

Saturday, September 3 – Plymouth Dirt Track Racing, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, September 24 – Plymouth Dirt Track Racing, Plymouth, Wis.

MSA 360 Sprint Car competitors set to square off for coveted Harry Neitzel Tribute trophy  

Defending Midwest Sprint Car Association champion and current point leader Travis Arenz (25T) of Sheboygan and 2011 MSA champion Ben Schmidt (35) of Plymouth, who currently stands second in the 2022 MSA points race, are among the top 360 Sprint Car competitors expected to square off in the fifth annual Harry Neitzel Tribute race at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 2.  – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 29, 2022 – A tight duel at the top of the Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association point standings will take center stage as a strong field of MSA 360 Sprint Cars competitors ventures to the sprawling Dodge County Fairgrounds “horsepower half mile” in Beaver Dam, Wis. for the prestigious fifth annual Harry Neitzel Tribute Race Friday, Sept. 2.

The special event to honor the universally respected Neitzel, who was one of the MSA’s biggest supporters, has grown into one of the crown jewel events on the MSA schedule.

To date, four different MSA drivers have claimed Harry Neitzel Tribute Race hardware. Five-time MSA champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee took home the inaugural event in 2017, West Bend’s Kevin Karnitz claimed the victory in 2018, Jim Melis of Glenbeulah was the 2019 race winner and four-time MSA champ Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh, who has posted three straight MSA A-main triumphs in 2022, claimed the victory in the 2020 event.

The Harry Neitzel Tribute race fell victim to rain in 2021.

2005 Midwest Sprint Car Association champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett will be seeking his first victory in the fifth annual Midwest Sprint Car Association Harry Neitzel Tribute race at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 2. – RC Custom Design photo

Heading the list of top competitors are defending MSA champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan and 2011 MSA champ Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who are locked in a tight battle at the top of the MSA 360 Sprint Car point standings as the chase for the 2022 title heads down the home stretch.

With four points races remaining on the 2022 MSA schedule, Arenz holds a slim six-point lead over Schmidt leading into the Harry Neitzel Tribute.

Arenz has racked up six A-main victories at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. during the 2022 campaign, while Schmidt visited victory lane in MSA 360 Sprint Car action at The Plymouth Dirt Track on July 9.

Other top contenders expected to compete include 2005 MSA champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett, Tim Haddy of Waupun, Justin Erickson of Plymouth, 2018 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Justin Miller of Plymouth, Bill Taylor of Boltonville, Will Gerrits of Waupun and Tony Wondra of Campbellsport.

Fassbender, Haddy and Erickson and Davis have each posted single MSA A-main victories in 2022.

Tim Haddy of Waupun, who has been a regular competitor with the Midwest Sprint Car Association since the series’ inception in 1999, heads into the fifth annual Harry Neitzel Tribute race at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 2 in search of his first victory in the event. – RC Custom Design photo

Also on the card will be the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, along with the Modified division.

Pit gates open at 3 p.m., spectator gates are set to open at 5 p.m. with warm ups at 6 p.m. and hot laps, qualifying and racing to follow with opening ceremonies slated for 7:30 p.m.

Spectator admission is $25 for adults with kids 6-12 $5 and children 5 and under admitted free. Pit admission is $30.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through a diverse array of promotional strategies and methods, including press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

McMullen extends winning streak to three with Wilmot MSA triumph

Four-time Midwest Sprint Car Association champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh earned his 37th career Akright Auto MSA A-main victory in the 25-lap main event presented by Adonnis Waterproofing & Foundation Repair Saturday, Aug. 27 at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. – Victory Imagery Media Group

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 27, 2022 – Four-time Midwest Sprint Car Association champion Brandon McMullen continued his impressive late-season charge by notching his third straight main event victory in the 25-lap Akright Auto MSA A-main presented by Adonnis Waterproofing & Foundation Repair in the MSA’s return Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 27.

With extra money on the line, including $1,000 to win courtesy of Anthony and Rachel Knierim of Adonnis Waterproofing and Foundation Repair of Caledonia, Wis., polesitter Will Gerrits of Waupun jumped into the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 25-lap MSA 360 Sprint Car headliner, as defending MSA champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan, who started on the outside of the front row, ducked into second, followed by third starter Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum.

On lap 4, McMullen, who started eighth, worked the high groove of the third-mile clay oval to sweep past fourth starter Alex Pokorski of West Bend to assume fourth just before Tyler Davis of Franklin stalled in turn four to bring out the first of three caution flags.

Following the restart, Wenninger moved past Arenz as Gerrits bolted out to a full straightaway lead on lap 9 by holding tight to the low line. Two laps later, McMullen worked the cushion to pass Arenz for third on lap 11 before moving around Wenninger and into the runner-up spot on lap 12.

The second caution flag of the race appeared on lap 14 when Justin Erickson of Plymouth stalled at the edge of the infield in turn three. When the race resumed, Arenz ventured to the high line to edge past McMullen for second before the third and final caution flag was displayed on lap 16 for the slowing car of Blake Wondra of Fond du Lac.

McMullen dug deep to mount an impressive charge following the restart as he powered back around Arenz along the high line on lap 17 and bolted past Gerrits into the lead entering turn three on lap 18.

Brandon McMullen (98) of Oshkosh duels for the lead with Will Gerrits (21) of Waupun during the 25-lap Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association A main presented by Adonnis Waterproofing & Foundation Repair at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 27. – Victory Imagery Media Group

While McMullen flexed his muscle at the front of the field, Arenz ducked low to move past Gerrits into second on lap 23. McMullen cruised over the final two circuits to secure his third consecutive MSA main event victory of the 2022 season and his 37th career MSA A-main triumph.

“I remember in 2018 when I was driving for Bob Hood, I was leading a 410 race here and I let one get away in the closing laps,” McMullen said. “It feels good to come back to this track and get a win here tonight.”

Arenz placed second, Gerrits finished third, Alex Pokorski equaled his career-best MSA A-main finish with a fourth place showing and Tim Haddy of Waupun charged from the 15th starting spot to place fifth.

Tyler Davis won the 12-lap MSA B Main, while heat race victories went to Brandon McMullen, Katelyn Krebsbach of Cascade, Tony Wondra of Campbellsport and Alex Pokorski.

2011 MSA champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth turned in the fastest qualifying time of the night with a lap of 13.777 seconds.

The 15th MSA 360 Sprint Car Series racing event of the 2022 campaign drew a field of 29 entrants to the Wilmot Raceway, which served as the home track of the Midwest Sprint Car Association during the 2004 season.

The MSA will return to action this Friday, Sept. 2 for the fifth annual Harry Neitzel Tribute race at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis., which will also include the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars and Modifieds.

Pit gates open at 3 p.m., spectator gates are set to open at 5 p.m. with warm ups at 6 p.m. and hot laps, qualifying and racing to follow with opening ceremonies slated for 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Sept. 3, MSA will compete during the 2022 Sheboygan County Fair as part of an all-Sprint Car program featuring the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars with on-track action slated to start at 5 p.m.

For more information on the 2022 Midwest Sprint Car Association season, visit www.msasprints.com or check out the Midwest Sprint Car Association Facebook page.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through a diverse array of promotional strategies and methods, including press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

 

Midwest Sprint Car Association
Wilmot Raceway
Wilmot, Wis.
August 27, 2022

QUALIFYING

1, Ben Schmidt 13.777 2, Travis Arenz 13.902 3, Dennis Spitz 13.944 4, Alex Pokorski 14.068 5, Will Gerrits 14.111 6, Shane Wenninger 14.119 7, Nick Daywalt 14.124 8, Kurt Davis 14.152 9, Greg Olsen 14.157 10, Robbie Pribnow 14.256, 11, Katelyn Krebsbach 14.308 12, Justin Erickson 14.349 13, J.J. Pagel 14.369 14, Anthony Knierim 14.388, 15, Brandon McMullen 14.407, 16, Tyler Davis 14.408 17, Tony Wondra 14.459 18, Cole Possi 14.498 19, Bill Taylor 14.504 20, Tim Haddy 14.590 21, Lance Fassbender 14.637 22, Dan Wade 14.661 23, Chris Clayton 14.673 24, Justin Miller 14.706 25, Blake Wondra 14.903 26, Eric Wilke 15.132 27, Ralph Johnson 15.703 28, Tommy Colburn no time 29, Daniel Graumenz no time.

HEAT 1

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Lance Fassbender 3, Tim Haddy 4, Chris Clayton 5, Anthony Knierim 6, Justin Miller 7, Blake Wondra 8, Ralph Johnson.

HEAT 2

1, Katelyn Krebsbach 2, Shane Wenninger 3, Will Gerrits 4, Nick Daywalt 5, Tommy Colburn 6, Eric Wilke 7, Tyler Davis.

HEAT 3

1, Tony Wondra 2, Kurt Davis 3, Justin Erickson 4, Bill Taylor 5, Dan Wade 6, J.J. Pagel 7, Cole Possi.

HEAT 4

1, Alex Pokorski 2, Travis Arenz 3, Ben Schmidt 4, Robbie Pribnow 5, Greg Olsen 6, Dennis Spitz 7, Daniel Graumenz.

B MAIN

1, Tyler Davis 2, Greg Olsen 3, Justin Miller 4, Anthony Knierim 5, Blake Wondra 6, Cole Possi 7, Nick Daywalt 8, Ralph Johnson 9, Dennis Spitz 10, Daniel Graumenz 11, Eric Wilke 12, J.J. Pagel.

A MAIN

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Travis Arenz 3, Will Gerrits 4, Alex Pokorski 5, Tim Haddy 6, Ben Schmidt 7, Lance Fassbender 8, Shane Wenninger 9, Robbie Pribnow 10, Tony Wondra 11, Chris Clayton 12, Bill Taylor 13, Anthony Knierim 14, Cole Possi 15, Katelyn Krebsbach 16, Justin Miller 17, Dan Wade 18, Blake Wondra 19, Justin Erickson 20, Kurt Davis 21, Greg Olsen 22, Tyler Davis.

Letizia, McMullen Koenig, Kulow, Blumer triumph at Plymouth Dirt Track

Turk Letizia of Milwaukee earned his first career Dirt Kings Late Model Tour A-main victory and fifth career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, Aug. 26. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 26, 2022 – It was a night filled with firsts at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, Aug. 26 as veteran Milwaukee racer Turk Letizia notched his first career WABAM Dirt Kings Late Model Tour A-main victory on his home track, two-time track champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh moved into sole possession of first place on the all-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory list and Eric Blumer of Sun Prairie captured the first-ever Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series A main contested at The Plymouth Dirt Track to highlight a full five-division racing program.

In other main event action, Elijah Koenig of Beaver Dam pocketed $1,700 for taking the victory 25-lap Next Step Insurance A main featuring an increased payout courtesy of Thomas Ott and Travis Schmidt Racing, while 2019 PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth claimed the victory in the 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National A main.

After lining up on the outside of the front row, A main, Turk Letizia outpowered polesitter Justin Ritchie of New London to lead the opening lap of the 30-lap WABAM Dirt Kings Late Model Tour A main.

As Letizia went about setting a blistering pace at the front the field on the lightning fast, yet treacherous track surface, fifth starter Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha worked his way into third on lap 5, while perennial Dirt Kings champion and current points leader Nick Anvelink of Navarino moved up from his fifth starting spot to take fourth on lap 7.

On lap 10, the first of six caution flags was displayed when Ron Berna of Abrams spun along the front stretch. The restart produced an incident in turn two involving Brett Swedberg of Shawano and Justin Green of Sheboygan Falls to bring out the second caution period.

After switching to single-file restarts for the remainder of the race, Scheffler bolted in to sweep past Ritchie into second on lap 11 before the third caution flag was displayed when four-time PDTR Late Model champ Brad Mueller of Random Lake stopped in turn one on lap 12.

On lap 15, Scheffler ducked low to pull even with Letizia for the lead. However, Letizia fended off Scheffler’s challenge to retain the top spot, as Anvelink worked around Ritchie along the high groove to take over third.

Two more caution flags came out on lap 20 when five-time track champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland spun in turn three after contact with Sawyer Specht of Sheboygan Falls in turn three and when Bill Edler of Howards slowed along the backstretch on lap 21.

After the restart, Scheffler surged ahead of Letizia along the low line on lap 23. However, the move was erased when the sixth and final caution flag of the race was displayed later in the lap when Lukas Postl of Shawano spun in turn four.

On the restart, Letizia maintained the top spot and pulled away from Scheffler, while ninth starter Charlie Schmidt of Oostburg flexed his muscle to move into fourth on lap 24. On the final circuit, Anvelink surged past Scheffler into second. However, Letizia could not be headed as he went on to post his first career Dirt Kings Late Model tour A-main victory and his fifth career PDTR Late Model A-main triumph in his new No. 24 car, which features a throwback tribute design in memory of his late father “Diamond” Jim Letizia.

Anvelink was second, Scheffler took third, Schmidt wound up fourth and Ritchie rounded out the top five.

“I saw Taylor there a few times, but thankfully the car held on and I held on to get this victory,” Letizia said. “I’ve been trying to win one of these Dirt Kings races since 2017 and it feels good to finally get one. It was a great race. I’m so proud to put this car in victory lane with this car in my dad’s memory.”

In the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasantview Realty 360 Sprint Car A main, 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett grabbed the lead on the opening lap from the pole position as outside front row starter Brandon McMullen settled into second.

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh moved into sole possession of first place on the all-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory list by notching his 26th career triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, Aug. 26. – RC Custom Design photo

By lap 6, the leaders caught the rear of the field and began to weave their way through lapped traffic. On lap 8, McMullen worked lapped traffic to his advantage to bolt underneath Fassbender, who was held up behind a slower car, exiting turn two.

Once again, McMullen set a blistering pace was he skillfully maneuvered his way through thick lapped traffic throughout the remainder of the race, even going three-wide to pass a group of slower cars on one occasion.

As the laps wound down, McMullen built up a full-straightaway lead over Fassbender en route to his second straight PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main to vault into sole possession of first place on the all-time PDTR 360 Sprint A-main victory list with his 26th career A-main triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track. The win was also McMullen’s 36th career A-main victory in Midwest Sprint Car Association competition.

Fassbender placed second, fourth starter Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum came home third, third starter Tim Haddy of Waupun placed fourth and defending PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion and current point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan charged from the 14th starting spot to place fifth in the caution-free race.

Outside front row starter Nick Schultz of Beaver Dam led the opening lap of 25-lap B Mod A main as fourth starter Elijah Koenig bolted into second from his fourth starting spot.

On lap 4, 2022 PDTR B Mod champion Andy Welter of Hartford, who started sixth, used a low move to pass third starter Geoff Jeche of Juneau. On lap 10, Koenig moved in to challenge Schultz for the top spot along the cushion as Welter slipped past Schultz to take second.

Elijah Koenig of Beaver Dam collected his third career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod A-main victory, which was worth $1,700, Friday, Aug. 26 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

The lone caution flag appeared on lap 22 when Jason Schilling of Milwaukee stopped along the backstretch.

When the race resumed, Welter was pushing hard to pressure Koenig for the big-money victory when he spun in turn two on the second -to -last lap. Koenig held on over the final circuit to collect his third career PDTR B Mod victory, which was worth a healthy payout of $1,700.

Schultz placed second, Jeche took third, two-time PDTR B Mod champion Tim Warner of Malone took fourth after starting ninth and eighth starter Travis Schmidt of Waldo wound up fifth.

In the 20-lap Wisconsin Legends Dirt Racing Series A main, polesitter Hunter Cardinal of Richfield led the opening two laps before spinning in turn two and collecting eighth starter Parker Jones to bring out the lone caution flag of the race on lap 3.

Eric Blumer, who started sixth, inherited the lead on the restart while Mike Mueller of Waupun, who started third, and Hayden Schmuhl of Beaver Dam, who started fifth, dueled side by side for second with Schmuhl taking the spot on lap 7.

On lap 9, Schmuhl got sideways in turn two, which allowed 12th starter Austin Winkel of Sheboygan Falls and Hartland’s Jordan Miklas, who started 13th, to sneak by before engaging in a heated duel for the runner-up spot.

Miklas finally surged past Winkel into second on lap 12, while Jones charged into third on lap 17, after restarting at the rear of the field on lap 3.

Eric Blumer of Sun Prairie was the winner of the first-ever 20-lap Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series A-main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, Aug. 26. – JW’s Car and Racing photos

Blumer cruised over the final three laps to score the victory in the first Wisconsin Legends Dirt Racing Series A-main ever contested at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Miklas finished second, Jones placed third, Michael Weber of Marion, Iowa, who started ninth, finished fourth and seventh starter Ryan Sullivan of Waupun placed fifth.

Outside front row starter Tyler Kulow grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap Grand National A main with polesitter Steven Weber of Plymouth following in second before fourth starter Chad Espen of West Bend swept past Weber to assume the second spot on lap 6.

The first of four caution flags flew on lap 7 when Scott Kafka of Kiel spun in turn two. Following the restart, Espen moved in to challenge Kulow for the lead with 2022 PDTR Grand National champion Luke Scholten of Oostburg, who started third, trailing in third on lap 10.

Three laps later, Scholten spun in turn four to bring out the second caution flag. One lap later, Kafka spun again along the backstretch to prompt the third caution flag of the race.

When the race resumed, sixth starter Nick Schumacher of Eagle made his presence felt as he rode the high groove to challenge the low-riding Espen for second place starting on lap 15.

2019 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth earned his 11th career 25-lap PDTR Grand National A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, Aug. 26. – RC Custom Design photo

The fourth and final caution flag was then displayed on lap 18 when Scholten spun in turn two. Schumacher again worked the high groove on the restart and briefly pulled even with Kulow over the final two laps.

However, Kulow proved to be too strong as he rolled to his 12th career PDTR Grand National A-main victory. Schumacher had to settle for second, Espen placed third, 2018 PDTR Grand National champ Matt Loehr of Dotyville finished fourth after starting eighth and Weber rounded out the top five.

Colton See of Chilton won the 12-lap B Mod B main.

Lance Fassbender earned PDTR 360 Sprint Car overall fast qualifier honors with a lap of 12.542 seconds.

The 11th full PDTR racing program of the 2022 season, which was sponsored by Hidden Dreams Livestock, drew a season-high 103 cars, including 21 Dirt Kings Tour Late Models, 24 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, 26 B Mods. 18 Legends and 14 Grand Nationals.

PDTR action resumes Saturday, Sept. 3 during the 2022 Sheboygan County Fair with an all-Sprint Car program featuring the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars and PDTR 360 Sprint Cars with on-track action slated to start at 5 p.m.

The new book “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” by Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan, George Baumann of Waupun and Verla Peichl of Sheboygan Falls will be available for purchase at every race during the 2022 PDTR season, as well as at the Sheboygan County Fair office during regular business hours and online at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds is located at 229 Fairview Drive in Plymouth, Wis. For more information, visit www.plymouthdtr.com or check out Plymouth Dirt Track Racing on Facebook.

WABAM DIRT KINGS TOUR LATE MODELS

HEAT 1

1, Taylor Scheffler 2, Ron Berna 3, Charlie Schmidt 4, Brett Swedberg 5, Jayme Zidar 6, Justin Schmidt 7, Jim Schmidt.

HEAT 2

1, Joel Bennett 2, Nick Anvelink 3, Brad Mueller 4, Sawyer Specht 5, Joe Bongiorno 6, Lukas Postl 7, Mike Mullen (DNS).

HEAT 3

1, Turk Letizia 2, Justin Ritchie 3, Kyle Raddant 4, Troy Springborn 5, Justin Green 6, Bill Edler 7, Mike Kline.

A MAIN

1, Turk Letizia 2, Nick Anvelink 3, Taylor Scheffler 4, Charlie Schmidt 5, Justin Ritchie 6, Troy Springborn 7, Joel Bennett 8, Jayme Zidar 9, Joe Bongiorno 10, Lukas Postl 11, Jim Schmidt 12, Kyle Raddant 13, Justin Schmidt 14, Mike Kline 15, Bill Edler 16, Ron Berna 17, Brad Mueller 18, Brett Swedberg 19, Justin Green 20, Sawyer Specht 21, Mike Muller (DNS).

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANT VIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Lance Fassbender 12.542 2, Katelyn Krebsbach 12.554 3, Shane Wenninger 12.584 4, Brandon McMullen 12.689 5, Justin Miller 12.697 6, Bill Taylor 12.737 7, Blake Wondra 12.871 8, Tim Haddy 12.873 9, Nick Daywalt 12.875 10, Tony Wondra 12.962 11, Mike Decker 13.024 12, Cole Possi 13.041 13, Ben Schmidt 13.046 14, Travis Arenz 13.251 15, Will Gerrits 13.288 16, Chris Larson 13.387 17, Chris Clayton 13.395 18, Randy Post 13.404 19, Eric Wilke 13.465 20, Doug Wondra 13.717 21, Justin Erickson 13.763 22, Alex Pokorski 13.841 23, J.J. Pagel 13.934 24, Brandon Berth no time.

HEAT 1

1, Will Gerrits 2, Ben Schmidt 3, Chris Clayton 4, Travis Arenz 5, Justin Erickson 6, Alex Pokorski 7, Doug Wondra 8, J.J. Pagel.

HEAT 2

1, Nick Daywalt 2, Tim Haddy 3, Brandon McMullen 4, Tony Wondra 5, Blake Wondra 6, Cole Possi 7, Chris Larson 8, Randy Post.

HEAT 3

1, Justin Miller 2, Shane Wenninger 3, Lance Fassbender 4, Bill Taylor 5, Katelyn Krebsbach 6, Brandon Berth 7, Mike Decker 8, Eric Wilke.

A MAIN

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Lance Fassbender 3, Shane Wenninger 4, Tim Haddy 5, Travis Arenz 6, Nick Daywalt 7, Ben Schmidt 8, Justin Miller 9, Bill Taylor 10, Will Gerrits 11, Cole Possi 12, Brandon Berth 13, Justin Erickson 14, Chris Clayton 15, Tony Wondra 16, Alex Pokorski 17, Blake Wondra 18, Chris Larson 19, Katelyn Krebsbach 20, Mike Decker 21, J.J. Pagel 22, Eric Wilke 23, Randy Post 24, Doug Wondra.

 

NEXT STEP INSURANCE B MODS

HEAT 1

1, Nick Schultz 2, Elijah Koenig 3, Travis Schmidt 4, Jason Schilling 5, Steve Lorier 6, Jonathan Hitsman 7, Colton See 8, Patrick Hanson 9, Will Garceau.

HEAT 2

1, Shane Long 2, Kyle Odekirk 3, Tim Warner 4, Geoff Jeche 5, Gary Glander 6, Ryan Mech 7, Rory Welch 8, Brandon Knepprath 9, Spencer Long (DNS).

HEAT 3

1, Andy Welter 2, Colton Roehl 3, Aaron Butterbrodt 4, James Rautmann 5, Michael Strean 6, Jonathon Baumann 7, Jeff Steenbergen 8, Skyler Woods.

B MAIN

1, Colton See 2, Ryan Mech 3, Jonathon Baumann 4, Rory Welch 5, Spencer Long 6, Brandon Knepprath 7, Patrick Hanson 8, Will Garceau (DNS) 9, Jeff Steenbergen (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Elijah Koenig 2, Nick Schultz 3, Geoff Jeche 4, Tim Warner 5, Travis Schmidt 6, Shane Long 7, Jonathan Hitsman 8, Aaron Butterbrodt 9, Jonathon Baumann 10, James Rautmann 11, Colton Roehl 12, Colton See 13, Gary Glander 14, Spencer Long 15, Rory Welch 16, Steve Lorier 17, Andy Welter 18, Jason Schilling 19, Kyle Odekirk 20, Michael Strean 21, Ryan Mech (DNS).

OOSTBURG AUTOMOTIVE GRAND NATIONALS

HEAT 1

1, Chad Espen 2, Tyler Kulow 3, Josh Pierce 4, Matt Loehr 5, Donny Kulow 6, Josh Borden 7, Scott Kafka.

HEAT 2

1, Luke Scholten 2, Steven Weber 3, Mavrick Ruh 4, Nick Schumacher 5, Matt Yancey 6, Derek Kaat 7, Jack Wiroll.

A MAIN

1, Tyler Kulow 2, Nick Schumacher 3, Chad Espen 4, Matt Loehr 5, Steven Weber 6, Mavrick Ruh 7, Josh Pierce 8, Donny Kulow 9, Matt Yancey 10, Jack Wiroll 11, Derek Kaat 12, Luke Scholten 13, Scott Kafka 14, Josh Borden.

WISCONSIN LEGENDS RACING DIRT SERIES

HEAT 1

1, Ryan Mech 2, Parker Jones 3, Jordan Miklas 4, Hayden Schmuhl 5, Adam Zellmer 6, Brady Ascherien.

HEAT 2

1, Michael Weber 2, Eric Blumer 3, Mike Mueller 4, Hunter Cardinal 5, Dallas Ross 6, Matt Gritt.

HEAT 3

1, Griffin McGrath 2, Austin Winkel 3, Ryan Sullivan 4, Eric Barth 5, Tim Franz 6, Nick Johnson.

A MAIN

1, Eric Blumer 2, Jordan Miklas 3, Parker Jones 4, Michael Weber 5, Ryan Sullivan 6, Hayden Schmuhl 7, Ryan Mech 8, Griffin McGrath 9, Nick Johnson 10, Mike Mueller 11, Adam Zellmer 12, Dallas Ross 13, Eric Barth 14, Matt Gritt 15, Austin Winkel 16, Brady Ascherien 17, Tim Franz 18, Hunter Cardinal.

Austin Hartmann nets top-15 Angell Park Speedway showing to cap festive IRA weekend double dip

Austin Hartmann racked up his fifth top-15 A-main finish of the 2022 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series season by placing 15th in the 30-lap main event at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, Aug. 21. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 24, 2022 – After a three-week break from competition, Austin Hartmann and the members of the 87A Hartmann Racing team got back to the business of traversing their rookie campaign with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series with a fast-paced, fair-themed weekend of doubleheader action.

The weekend twinbill opened on Saturday, Aug. 20 with a 27-car field checked in for the annual Roger Iles Tribute IRA event held during the Kenosha County Fair.

In his first appearance at Wilmot Raceway behind the wheel of a 410 Winged Sprint Car, Hartmann began the night by qualifying 15th with a lap of 13.759 around the tricky third-mile clay oval.

After lining up fifth in the first eight-lap IRA heat race, Hartmann outpowered outside third row starter Jereme Schroeder to settle into the fifth spot on the opening lap. While Hartmann stuck to the low line, Schroeder worked the middle to high groove to reel in the Plymouth, Wis. driver in the closing laps. However, Hartmann held on to record a fifth place showing.

Hartmann then rolled off from the 14th starting spot in the 36-lap, $3,600-to-win Roger Iles Tribute IRA A-main and held tight to the low groove in the early going. By lap 10, Hartmann locked into the 17th spot before falling back to 18th when Kris Spitz worked the high line to power his way around the third-year Sprint Car driver.

After the second of two caution flags displayed to the field during the second half of the race for a spin involving Jordan Paulsen on lap 31, Hartmann engaged in a spirited duel with fellow IRA rookie Tyler Tischendorf over the final five laps with Hartmann eventually coming home with a 20th-place showing in a race won by Jordan Goldesberry.

”It was an alright kind of night for us at Wilmot Raceway,” Hartmann said. “I definitely made some driver errors. I have to look past it and move forward.”

Hartmann came out firing one day later for the IRA’s annual stop at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie during the local Corn Fest event on Sunday, Aug. 21, as he ripped off the seventh fastest time in IRA qualifying with a fast lap of 12.433 seconds in the 26-car field.

After starting on the outside of the front row in the first IRA eight-lap heat race, Scotty Neitzel dove underneath Hartmann on the initial start to move Hartmann back to third in the running order. Hartmann held the position throughout the race en route to a third-place finish to secure his third dash appearance of the 2022 IRA season.

Hartmann started fourth and placed fifth in the first four-lap IRA dash to secure the ninth starting spot in the 30-lap IRA A main. Running the low groove, Hartmann found himself 14th when Jeremy Schultz brought out the first of five caution flags when he slowed along the backstretch on lap 14.

Austin Hartmann turned in a 20th-place finish in the 36-lap Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Roger Iles Tribute A main at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 20. – Dave Olson Studio 360 photo

After another caution flag was displayed on lap 17, Hartmann was running 16th when he attempted to duck underneath Dave Uttech for 15th and clipped an infield tractor tire entering turn four, triggering a spin to bring out the third caution period of the race.

Hartmann restarted 16th and endured two more caution flags in the late going to secure a 15th place finish in a race won by Jake Blackhurst.

”We had a great start to the night at Angell Park, but just fell off in the feature,” Hartmann said. “Despite struggling a lot on the feature side, all in all, it was a decent weekend.”

The finish marked Hartmann’s fifth top-15 and 11th top-20 A-main showing in the first 16 IRA events of the 2022 season.

With eight races remaining in the 2022 IRA season, Hartmann currently occupies the 10th position in the IRA points standings.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team will make a return visit to Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association on Saturday, Aug. 27, for an all-open wheel program also featuring the Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars and Badger Midgets.

Those unable to make it to track can follow all of the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series action throughout the 2022 campaign via FloRacing by visiting https://www.floracing.com.

Additional information on the 87A Hartmann Racing team can be found by visiting the team’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/87Ahartmannracing.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team has assembled a strong group of partners in support of the team’s maiden voyage with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Series, including Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Call Girls Motorsports, Pallet Works LLC, AF Inc., Bennett Transport Inc., SCA Inc., Gretchen Tillman New American Funding, Classic Title Services, CP Services, Cobblestone Landscaping, Jensen Sales & Services, Lee’s Color Studio, Dave’s Fabrication, Racer’s Hall Sports Bar and Grill, Feldmann Sales & Service, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Pit Road Apparel, the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Sage Fruit.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Hunter Annis, Eric Bergschultz, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham, Jarrett Neese, Caitlin Shaw and Kristine Hartmann.

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Lee’s Color Studio

Located at 3401 Dewey St. in Manitowoc, Wis., Lee’s Color Studio provides a wide array of painting and coating services, featuring a team of seasoned painting contractors utilizing high-quality brushes, rollers and various spray applicators to ensure even coating and a precise paint job at affordable prices.

Services include painting, custom wood finishing and refinishing, vinyl wall coverings, drywall finishing, epoxy floor coating, sandblasting, hydroblasting, exterior and interior line striping.

To contact or learn more about Lee’s Color Studio, call 920-684-7232, email info@leescolorstudio.net or visit www.leescolorstudio.net.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 18
IRA Events – 16
World of Outlaws Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 5
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 11
Heat Race Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 3
Dash Victories – 0

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
Upcoming 2022 Schedule

Saturday, Aug. 27 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis. (IRA)
Friday, Sept. 2 – Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, Sept. 3 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA)
Sunday, Sept. 4 – 141 Speedway, Francis Creek, Wis. (IRA)

Austin Hartmann stands 10th in the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series point standings with eight races remaining in the 2022 season. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Schmidt, Scholten, Welter secure Plymouth Dirt Track Racing titles as championship night rains out

Justin Schmidt of Cleveland collected a Plymouth Dirt Track record fifth consecutive track championship in the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model division during the 2022 season. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 20, 2022 – Steady rain showers produced an anti-climactic conclusion to the 2022 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing points season in the Late Model, Grand National and B Mod divisions as the PDTR championship night program for all three divisions at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. was cancelled due to wet grounds on Saturday, Aug. 20.

Justin Schmidt of Cleveland earned a Plymouth Dirt Track record fifth-consecutive track title in the PDTR Late Model division. Schmidt’s fifth overall track championship moved him into a tie with former Winged Super Modified and 360 Sprint Car champion Donny Goeden of Kewaskum for third place on the all-time track championships list, one behind Ken Markwardt and Brian Gilles, who each have six track championships, and four in back of Gary Laack, who stands at the top of the list with nine track titles.

Veteran competitor Luke Scholten of Oostburg notched his first career track championship by winning the 2022 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National division title. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

Longtime Plymouth Dirt Track competitor Luke Scholten of Oostburg collected his first career track championship in the Grand National division.

In his first full season of competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track, Andy Welter of Hartford claimed his first PDTR track championship in the B Mod division.

PDTR action resumes Friday, Aug. 26 with the Dirt Kings Late Model Tour highlighting the five-division program with a full points program for the PDTR 360 Sprint Car division and a guest appearance from the Wisconsin Dirt Racing Legends. The Grand National and B Mods will also be on the card competing in a non-points event, with the B Mod event featuring an extra payout courtesy of the Travis Schmidt Racing Team and several other area businesses, including $1,600 to win the A main.

Racing is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Andy Welter of Hartford posted his first career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod championship during the 2022 season. – RC Custom Design photo

The new book “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” by Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan, George Baumann of Waupun and Verla Peichl of Sheboygan Falls will be available for purchase at every race during the 2022 PDTR season, as well as at the Sheboygan County Fair office during regular business hours and online at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds is located at 229 Fairview Drive in Plymouth, Wis. For more information, visit www.plymouthdtr.com or check out Plymouth Dirt Track Racing on Facebook.

Alex Pokorski notches fourth top-15 showing of 2022 season at Plymouth Dirt Track

Alex Pokorski equaled his best A-main finish of the 2022 season with a 13th-place showing in the 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A-main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Saturday, Aug. 6. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson, Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 9, 2022 – For the second week in a row, Alex Pokorski steered his No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team machine to a 13th-place showing in Plymouth Dirt Track Racing A-main competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 6.

With 30 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars checked in for the inaugural Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2022 Induction Night racing program, Pokorski timed in 24th overall with a lap of 13.907 seconds in 360 Sprint group qualifying.

The West Bend, Wis. driver then lined up seventh in the second 10-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car heat race. After a false start, the initial start was negated when Mike Yurmanovich flipped hard into the front stretch wall on the drop of the green flag to bring out a red flag.

After moving up to fifth in the starting lineup, Pokorski fell back to sixth in the running order on the opening lap. On lap 7, the third-year 360 Sprint Car driver dove underneath Justin Erickson to move into fifth, which is where he finished the race.

Pokorski started the 25-lap 360 Sprint Car A main from the 14th spot before falling back to 18th in the early going. After a yellow flag on lap 12 and a red flag on the ensuing restart for a flip involving Tyler Brabant, Pokorski restarted 15th.

When the race resumed, Pokorski dueled with Jason Johnson along the outside groove before moving into 13th on with a high move on lap 16. As Pokorski worked primarily the high groove of the fast, but treacherous track surface, Bill Taylor ducked underneath Pokorski in the final stages of the race to move him back to 14th.

As the leaders took the checkered flag, Tim Haddy spun along the backstretch, which ended the race with Pokorski scored 13th for the second straight main event in a race won by Brandon McMullen. The 13th-place finish marked Pokorski’s fourth top-15 finish in nine 2022 main events.

“I think qualifying could’ve been a bit better, if I could have been able to get a solid lap in,” Pokorski said. “The group I was with got a bit congested, but sometimes that happens.

“The track was fun at feature time and I think things went okay,” he said. “I’d like to have moved up into the top 10, but I needed to be sharper on the initial start and restarts. I think that could’ve made the difference. It’s something for me to work on this coming week.”

This Saturday, Aug. 13 is Kids Fan Appreciation Night sponsored by JDL Automotive and Detailing with several special prizes, giveaways and activities for kids 15 and under.

Spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with PDTR 360 Sprint Car group qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

Sponsors and supporters for Alex Pokorski and the 2022 Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Novak’s Service Center, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor ShowcaseAkright Auto

Located at 106 North Bluebird Lane in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Akright Auto has served as a reliable source for auto parts since 1940.

With a highly trained staff of auto parts professionals, Akright Auto is well prepared to assist customers with vehicle repair needs with a wide assortment of affordable, high-quality auto parts available on site. If a part is not available, Akright Auto offers next-day delivery services.

In addition, Akright Auto provides full auto salvage services, along with a 90-day standard warranty on all parts purchases.

Contact Akright Auto by phone at 920-467-4201, toll free at 800-400-4201, via email at dakright12@gmail.com or visit www.akrightauto.com.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor ShowcaseGoeden Auto Body

Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team are pleased to have Goeden Auto Body as a sponsor for the 2022 racing season.

Located at 2417 Highway 28 East in Kewaskum, Wis., Goeden Auto Body has been in business since 1971. In 2015, David “Dusty” Goeden took over ownership of the family-owned business.

Goeden Auto Body specializes in quality, top-notch auto body repair, with a focus on collision work. Goeden also offers classic vehicle restoration and rust repair. In addition, it will work with all insurance companies. Goeden Auto Body uses PPG paints and clear coats, offers towing services and a locked fenced storage area. Continuing the Goeden Auto Body tradition, free loaner cars are also available.

“At Goeden Auto Body, we were born to perform,” Dave “Dusty” Goeden, Goeden Auto Body owner said. “With over 50 years of doing business and our racing involvement on and off the track, we know how to treat our customers like winners. With every job, we push ourselves to improve our performance and deliver a winning product. We work with all insurance companies, provide free computerized estimates and loaner vehicles while we repair your vehicle. Give us a call when you need a tow or some auto body work. Remember you, not your insurance company, have the right to choose where to take your vehicle for repairs.”

For more information on Goeden Auto Body, call 262-334-2759 or e-mail goedenauto@gmail.com or visit https://goedenauto.com.

For more information on Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook at https://facebook.com/pokorskimotorsports or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 10
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 4
Heat Race Victories – 0

Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A/Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2
Heat Race Victories – 0

Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Upcoming Races

Saturday, August 13 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, August 20 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Friday, Aug. 26 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, Aug. 27 – Wilmot Speedway, Wilmot, Wis.

McMullen, Ritchie, Scholten, Schmidt add to PDTR A-main triumph tallies, inaugural Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2022 honored

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh moved into a tie for first place on the all-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main win list by notching his 25th career 25-lap main event triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 6. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 6, 2022 – A fast, yet intricate racing surface drew the cream of the crop to the top as four distinguished Plymouth Dirt Track Racing veterans paid visits to victory lane in A-main competition, during the inaugural Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Induction Night and Autograph Night program at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 6.

In the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty 360 Sprint Car A main, two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh went flag to flag to notch his first main event triumph of the 2022 campaign.

Justin Ritchie of New London claimed his second 25-lap PDTR Sheboygan’s Country B93.7 Late Model A-main victory of the 2022 season.

Current PDTR Grand National point leader Luke Scholten of Oostburg notched his second 2022 25-lap Oostburg Automotive A-main triumph.

Travis Schmidt of Waldo used a late-race pass to collect his second 25-lap PDTR Next Step Insurance B Mod A-main victory of 2022.

After starting on the outside of the front row, Brandon McMullen outpowered polesitter Tony Wondra of Campbellsport to lead the opening lap of the 25-lap 360 Sprint A main as third starter Tyler Brabant of Waupun ducked underneath Wondra to take second, followed by 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who started fifth, in third.

On lap 8, McMullen caught the rear of the field on the lightning fast and tricky third-mile clay oval track surface. Two laps later, Schmidt worked his way past Brabant to assume second in the running order.

The first of three caution periods appeared on lap 12 when Tyler Davis of Franklin spun in turn four. On the restart, Brabant got caught along the treacherous cushion and flipped his machine in turn two to bring out a red flag.

Following the restart, McMullen bolted away from the field with Schmidt chasing in second and fourth starter Brandon Berth of Cascade following in third. On lap 14, the third and final caution flag appeared when Doug Wondra of Oakfield bicycled on the cushion and came to a stop in turn two.

McMullen again controlled the final restart as defending PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion and current points leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan, who started 13th, moved into fifth on lap 19.

On lap 20, the leaders began to work their way through slower traffic, which allowed Schmidt to cut the gap on McMullen. However, McMullen held strong over the final five laps to fend off Schmidt’s advances in thick lapped traffic en route to his 25th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory, which moved him into a tie for first place on the all-time main event win list with two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee. The race also marked McMullen’s 35th career Midwest Sprint Car Association main event victory, which ranks him third on the all-time MSA A-main victory list.

Schmidt had to settle for second, Berth placed third, 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett placed fourth after starting seventh and Arenz wound up fifth.

Four-time PDTR Late Model champion Brad Mueller of Random Lake outdueled polesitter Turk Letizia of Milwaukee to lead the opening lap of the 25-lap Late Model main event.

Justin Ritchie of New London earned his sixth career 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 6. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

On lap 2, fourth starter Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha used a low move to take over second before the first of six caution flags appeared on lap 3 after Letizia turned sideways in turn two to trigger a four-car pile-up.

On lap 9, Scheffler used the high groove to close the gap on the low-riding Mueller before the second caution was displayed when Jim Schmidt of Cleveland slowed in turn two on lap 11.

On the restart, Scheffler hounded Mueller for the lead, while Justin Ritchie, who started 12th, worked his way into third. After Mueller drifted high in turn two on lap 13, Scheffler pulled off a slide job to briefly sweep past Mueller and into the lead before spinning in turn four to bring out the third caution of the race.

When the race resumed, Mueller felt pressure from Ritchie, who worked the low groove, while Mueller moved up to the cushion, while four-time defending PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland, who started seventh, moved into third.

On lap 15, the fourth caution flag appeared when Charlie Schmidt of Oostburg spun in turn four before first-time Plymouth Dirt Track visitor Bobby Gash of Tinley Park, Ill. brought out the fifth caution period after spinning in turn four.

Ritchie flexed his muscle on the restart to duck underneath Mueller and into the lead in turn four on lap 17 just before Mueller exited the race with a rear-end failure, which gave second place to Justin Schmidt, who was racing with a broken left ankle suffered in an accident at The Plymouth Dirt Track on July 16.

After Turk Letizia brought out the sixth and final caution following a spin in turn two on lap 21, Ritchie held on over the final four laps to collect his sixth career PDTR Late Model A-main win.

Justin Schmidt placed second, PDTR Late Model rookie Bill Edler of Howards Grove, who started second, placed third, eighth starter Joe Bongiorno of Milwaukee finished fourth and Sawyer Specht of Sheboygan Falls, who started ninth, placed fifth.

In the 25-lap Grand National main event, 2019 PDTR Grand National champ Tyler Kulow of Plymouth, who started third, outpowered polesitter Steven Weber of Plymouth to lead the opening lap.

After the first of four caution flags was displayed on lap 7 when Vince Bartolotta of West Allis spun in turn three, Weber spun in turn two while running second to bring out the second caution flag of the race,

Luke Scholten of Oostburg notched his 17th career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 6. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

Following the restart, Scholten used the high line to power his way around Weber to take over the top spot in turn two. After Vince Bartolotta and Scott Kafka of Kiel spun in turn three to bring out the third caution, Scholten pulled away from Kulow to build up a full straightaway lead on lap 20.

The fourth and final caution appeared on lap 22 when 2010 PDTR Grand National champion Brian Gilles of Plymouth made contact with the turn two wall.

Following a single-file restart, Scholten bolted away to notch his 17th career PDTR Grand National A-main triumph. Weber worked his way past Kulow with a low move on the final lap to secure second. Kulow placed third, second starter Donny Kulow of Elkhart Lake finished fourth and Kafka rounded out the top five.

After an incident on the initial start involving Spencer Long of Sheboygan Falls, Andy Welter of Hartford and Jonathon Baumann of Sheboygan in turn one, polesitter Brian Konitzer of Sheboygan grabbed the lead on the opening lap with outside front row starter Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls trailing in second.

On lap 5, two-time PDTR B Mod champion Tim Warner of Malone, who started sixth, steered Jonathan Hitsman’s 7H car to third just before Brandon Knepprath of Boltonville spun in turn four. On the restart, Warner used the high groove to power around Long into second before moving in to challenge Konitzer for the lead on lap 8.

After the caution flag appeared on lap 11 for debris in turn two, fourth starter Travis Schmidt, who started fourth, worked his way in third on lap 12. Three laps later, Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls spun on turn two to bring out the third caution of the race.

Travis Schmidt of Waldo racked his seventh career 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 6. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

When the race resumed Schmidt and Warner waged a side-by-side duel before Schmidt surged into second and quickly closed in on Konitzer. On lap 19, Schmidt swept past Konitzer and into the top spot.

The fourth and final caution period came on lap 20, but Schmidt was not to be denied as he cruised over the final five laps on the way to his seventh career PDTR B Mod A-main victory.

Warner placed second, Konitzer finished third, Jonathon Baumann, who started 13th, placed fourth and current PDTR B Mod points leader Andy Welter, who started 11th, finished fifth.

2018 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Justin Miller of Plymouth won the 12-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main.

Ben Schmidt earned PDTR 360 Sprint Car overall fast qualifier honors with a lap of   12.883 seconds.

The 10th full PDTR racing program of the 2022 season drew 63 cars, including 30 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, 13 Late Models, seven Grand Nationals and 13 B Mods.

A total of 18 drivers, track workers and racing families were inducted into the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame as part of the inaugural Class of 2022, during the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program Saturday, Aug. 6 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – Pedal Down Promotions photo

The Autograph Night program was sponsored by Hopf Farms and the inaugural Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2022 induction ceremony took place at intermission with drivers Dick Berth, Etchie Biertzer, Buck Carman, Willie Goeden, Wayne Goetsch, Dick Hed, Carl Kulow, Bill Johnson II, Ken Markwardt and Ken Steffen, track workers (dedication to racing) Eddie Foy, Bill Hoftiezer, Happy Laack, Karen and Donny Ruh and the Goetsch, Laack and Schulz racing families earning inaugural induction accolades.

PDTR action resumes next Saturday, Aug. 13 with Kids Fan Appreciation Night, featuring special prizes, giveaways and activities for kids and competition in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car, Late Model, Grand National and B Mod divisions with the program sponsored by JDL Automotive and Detailing.

Spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with 360 Sprint Car hot laps/group qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing to begin at 6 p.m.

The new book “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” by Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan, George Baumann of Waupun and Verla Peichl of Sheboygan Falls will be available for purchase at every race during the 2022 PDTR season, as well as at the Sheboygan County Fair office during regular business hours and online at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds is located at 229 Fairview Drive in Plymouth, Wis. For more information, visit www.plymouthdtr.com or check out Plymouth Dirt Track Racing on Facebook.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANT VIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Ben Schmidt 12.883 2, Will Gerrits 13.033 3, Jason Johnson 13.227 4, Tyler Davis 13.351 5, Shane Wenninger 13.356 6, Chris Larson 13.368 7, Brandon Berth 13.422 8, Tyler Brabant 13.433 9, Doug Wondra 13.487 10, Justin Miller 13.489 11, Blake Wondra 13.569 12, Donny Goeden 13.571 13, Katelyn Krebsbach 13.719 14, Chris Clayton 13.723 15, J.J. Pagel 13.726 16, Bill Taylor 13.799 17, Brandon McMullen 13.819 18, Tony Wondra 13.838 19, Tim Haddy 13.842 20, Lance Fassbender 13.848 21, Justin Erickson 13.867 22, Dylan Winkel 13.882 23, Mike Yurmanovich 13.890 24, Alex Pokorski 13.907 25, Kurt Davis 13.938 26, Travis Arenz 14.001 27, Anthony Knierim 14.125 28, Cole Possi 14.188 29, Kevin Seidler 14.299 30, Randy Post 14.746.

HEAT 1

1, Lance Fassbender 2, Brandon McMullen 3, Kurt Davis 4, Travis Arenz 5, Bill Taylor 6, Anthony Knierim 7, Cole Possi 8, Kevin Seidler.

HEAT 2

1, Tim Haddy 2, Tony Wondra 3, Dylan Winkel 4, Katelyn Krebsbach 5, Alex Pokorski 6, Justin Erickson 7, Randy Post 8, Mike Yurmanovich.

HEAT 3

1, Brandon Berth 2, Ben Schmidt 3, Jason Johnson 4, Tyler Davis 5, Doug Wondra 6, J.J. Pagel 7, Chris Clayton.

HEAT 4

1, Tyler Brabant 2, Will Gerrits 3, Shane Wenninger 4, Donny Goeden 5, Justin Miller 6, Chris Larson 7, Blake Wondra.

B MAIN

1, Justin Miller 2, Doug Wondra 3, Tyler Davis 4, Bill Taylor 5, Anthony Knierim 6, Justin Erickson 7, Cole Possi 8, Blake Wondra 9, Chris Larson 10, Kevin Seidler 11, Randy Post 12, J.J. Pagel 13, Chris Clayton (DNS) 14, Mike Yurmanovich (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Ben Schmidt 3, Brandon Berth 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Travis Arenz 6, Will Gerrits 7, Kurt Davis 8, Donny Goeden 9, Shane Wenninger 10, Tony Wondra 11, Dylan Winkel 12, Bill Taylor 13, Alex Pokorski 14, Jason Johnson 15, Anthony Knierim 16, Justin Erickson 17, Justin Miller 18, Tim Haddy 19, Tyler Davis 20, Katelyn Krebsbach 21, Doug Wondra 22, Tyler Brabant.

SHEBOYGAN’S COUNTRY B93.7 LATE MODELS

HEAT 1

1, Charlie Schmidt 2, Jim Schmidt 3, Justin Schmidt 4, Turk Letizia 5, Sawyer Specht 6, Justin Ritchie 7, Chad Ludwigson.

HEAT 2

1, Brad Mueller 2, Taylor Scheffler 3, Bill Edler 4, Joe Bongiorno 5, Eric Michaels 6, Bobby Gash.

A MAIN

1, Justin Ritchie 2, Justin Schmidt 3, Bill Edler 4, Joe Bongiorno 5, Sawyer Specht 6, Charlie Schmidt 7, Turk Letizia 8, Eric Michaels 9, Bobby Gash 10, Brad Mueller 11, Taylor Scheffler 12, Jim Schmidt 13, Chad Ludwigson.

OOSTBURG AUTOMOTIVE GRAND NATIONALS

HEAT

1, Brian Gilles 2, Tyler Kulow 3, Steven Weber 4, Donny Kulow 5, Vince Bartolotta, 6, Scott Kafka 7, Luke Scholten.

A MAIN

1, Luke Scholten 2, Steven Weber 3, Tyler Kulow 4, Donny Kulow 5, Scott Kafka 6, Brian Gilles, Vince Bartolotta.

NEXT STEP INSURANCE B MODS

HEAT 1

1, James Rautmann 2, Tim Warner 3, Shane Long 4, Spencer Long 5, Rory Welch 6, Jonathon Baumann 7, Parker Glander.

HEAT 2

1, Travis Schmidt 2, Steve Lorier 3, Brian Konitzer 4, Brandon Knepprath 5, Andy Welter 6, Patrick Hanson.

A MAIN

1, Travis Schmidt 2, Tim Warner 3, Brian Konitzer 4, Jonathon Baumann 5, Andy Welter 6, Steve Lorier 7, Spencer Long 8, James Rautmann 9, Rory Welch 10, Shane Long 11, Patrick Hanson 12, Brandon Knepprath 13, Parker Glander.

Austin Hartmann earns hard charger honors, two top-15 showings in IRA Antigo-Plymouth doubleheader

Austin Hartmann steered his 87A 410 Sprint Car to a 12th-place showing in the 30-lap Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 30. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 3, 2022 – The gradual building process continued to take shape for 410 Winged Sprint Car rookie Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team with a pair of steady performances in Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series competition at Langlade County Speedway in Antigo, Wis. on Friday, July 29 and at the Plymouth, Wis.-based team’s home track at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 30.

The IRA doubleheader weekend opened with the team’s first trip north to the big, wide, half-mile Langlade County Speedway facility in Antigo, Wis., during the Langlade County Fair on Friday, July 29. Hartmann opened the night by timing in 15th in the 21-car field with a lap of 19.571 seconds.

After lining up fifth in the third eight-lap IRA heat race, Hartmann held down the fifth position in the running order until the final lap when he suffered a rear-end failure heading down the backstretch, which relegated him to a seventh-place finish and sent the 87A Hartmann Racing team into scramble mode to put the car back together for the A-main.

Some quick and efficient crew work got Hartmann back on the track for the 25-lap A main, where he officially started 19th. A strong start vaulted Hartmann past several cars in the opening laps, as he worked his way around Al Schlafer, Hunter Custer, Tyler Tischendorf, Kris Spitz and Jack Vanderboom, during the course of the race on the way to a 14th-place finish in the non-stop event, which was won by Danny Schlafer.

Hartmann’s third top-15 A-main finish of the IRA season also netted him hard charger honors, after moving up five spots in the main event.

“It was our first time racing at Antigo and qualifying went the best it could really, as the track faded quickly,” Hartmann said. “In the heat race, we were running fifth until the rear axle snapped. Luckily, it happened going down the backstretch and not in the corner.

“The crew, along with Ozzie and Mikey from Team 73, got the car back together for the A main,” he said. “The car felt great in the feature and we were able to run up to 14th to turn a night that didn’t start out very well into a good night for us.”

The following night saw the team travel back home for its third appearance of the season at The Plymouth Dirt Track. With 22 IRA 410 Sprint Cars on hand, Hartmann turned in his best qualifying effort of the 2022 season, as he timed in third with a lap of 11.769 seconds around the third-mile clay oval.

Austin Hartmann currently sits ninth in the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series point standings with 10 races remaining in his rookie season on the IRA trail. – RC Custom Design photo

After lining up fourth in the third eight-lap heat race, Hartmann finished fourth to advance to his second IRA dash of the 2022 campaign. The third-year Sprint Car racer started and finished fifth in the second four-lap IRA dash to secure the 10th starting spot in the 30-lap main event.

Hartmann worked primarily the low groove during the majority of the A-main en route to a strong 12th-place main event showing in a race won by Kyle Schuett.

The finish marked Hartmann’s fourth top-15 and ninth top-20 A-main showing in the first 14 IRA events of the 2022 season.

“Saturday started great with a good run in qualifying,” Hartmann said. “I honestly didn’t feel the greatest with my laps, but I guess that’s sometimes when you end up being faster. In the heat race, the plan was to make it into the dash, which we did before I pulled a terrible pill.

“Going into the feature was a little tricky for me, as we were battling small issues with the car’s handling all night, so we put something new into the car and it was okay, but just not enough to go forward,” he said.

After the event at The Plymouth Dirt Track on July 30, Hartmann moved up to ninth place in the Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Car Series point standings with 10 races remaining in the 2022 IRA season.

With no IRA races scheduled during the next two weekends, the 87A Hartmann Racing team will return to action with an IRA doubleheader weekend starting Saturday, Aug. 20 at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. and concluding Sunday, Aug. 21 at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. during the annual Corn Fest celebration.

Those unable to make it to track can follow all of the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series action throughout the 2022 campaign via FloRacing by visiting https://www.floracing.com.

Additional information on the 87A Hartmann Racing team can be found by visiting the team’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/87Ahartmannracing.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team has assembled a strong group of partners in support of the team’s maiden voyage with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Series, including Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Call Girls Motorsports, Pallet Works LLC, AF Inc., Bennett Transport Inc., SCA Inc., Gretchen Tillman New American Funding, Classic Title Services, CP Services, Cobblestone Landscaping, Jensen Sales & Services, Lee’s Color Studio, Dave’s Fabrication, Racer’s Hall Sports Bar and Grill, Feldmann Sales & Service, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Pit Road Apparel, the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Sage Fruit.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Hunter Annis, Eric Bergschultz, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham, Jarrett Neese, Caitlin Shaw and Kristine Hartmann.

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor ShowcaseRC Custom Design

Since opening in 1999, RC Custom Design has grown over the past 23 years into a full-service graphic design, vinyl graphics and photography business under the direction of owner Rob Eisentraut with a strong foundation in the motorsports field.

“RC Custom Design started as a small side project and has grown into a full shop and a semi full-time business,” Eisentraut said. “Our main product lines have always been, but not limited to, the vinyl graphics and photography with a special emphasis on local and national motorsports. We also service local business and customers with vinyl graphic needs, logo design services, apparel design, personal and product photography and product design layouts.”

To contact or learn more about RC Custom Design, contact Rob Eisentraut by phone at 262-323-1046, email rcdesign74@yahoo.com or through the RC Custom Design Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rccustomdesign.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 16
IRA Events – 14
World of Outlaws Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 4
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 9
Heat Race Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 2
Dash Victories – 0

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
Upcoming 2022 Schedule

Saturday, Aug. 20 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis. (IRA)
Sunday, Aug. 21 – Angell Park Speedway, Angell Park, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, Aug. 27 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis. (IRA)

Alex Pokorski gets back on track with season-best 360 Sprint Car showing at Plymouth

Alex Pokorski notched a season-best 13th-place finish in the 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 30. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 2, 2022 – Two weeks after missing a scheduled Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association event following a harrowing flip into the turn four catch fence while running second in a Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A main on Saturday, July 16, Alex Pokorski returned to the driver’s seat of the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team machine to post a season-best 13th-place finish in main event competition, during the Badger State Open Wheel special event Saturday, July 30 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

With the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Badger Midgets joining the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Cars for the special all-open wheel program, Pokorski opened the night by turning in the 19th fastest overall qualifying lap in the 27-car 360 Sprint Car field with a time of 12.880 seconds around the third-mile clay oval.

The West Bend, Wis. driver then lined up sixth in the second 10-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car heat race and settled into sixth in the running order on the opening lap. On lap 6, Pokorski worked the inside lane to power underneath Tony Wondra and take over fifth, which is where he finished the race.

By improving one position in his heat race, Pokorski was able to earn a direct transfer into the 25-lap 360 Sprint Car A main where he rolled off from the 12th starting spot.

The third-year 360 Sprint Car driver fell back to 14th place by lap 5 of the main event as he stuck to the inside lane throughout the majority of the event. On lap 22 maneuvered his way past Jason Johnson to move into 13th place. Pokorski held on over the final three laps to post a season-best 13th-place A-main showing in a race won by Travis Arenz.

Alex Pokorski (left) and Paul Pokorski (right) discuss race strategy during a break in the action at The Plymouth Dirt Track at The Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 30. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

After heavy damage to the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team car sustained in a hard flip at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, July 16 forced the team to miss an Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association event at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, July 17, Pokorski was thankful to tuck a solid night under his belt in his return to competition.

“It felt good to be racing again and the car handled well throughout the night,” Pokorski said. “I would’ve liked to move up a few more spots in the A main, but I was happy to keep the car in one piece and be able to focus on improving next week.”

This Saturday, Aug. 6 is the rescheduled inaugural Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Induction Night with the new Wall of Fame display formally slated to debut underneath the grandstands and the Class of 2022 inductees recognized during intermission.

It is also Kids Autograph Night with backpack and checkered flag giveaways courtesy of Hopf Farms.

Spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with PDTR 360 Sprint Car group qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

Sponsors and supporters for Alex Pokorski and the 2022 Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Novak’s Service Center, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor ShowcaseAkright Auto

Located at 106 North Bluebird Lane in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Akright Auto has served as a reliable source for auto parts since 1940.

With a highly trained staff of auto parts professionals, Akright Auto is well prepared to assist customers with vehicle repair needs with a wide assortment of affordable, high-quality auto parts available on site. If a part is not available, Akright Auto offers next-day delivery services.

In addition, Akright Auto provides full auto salvage services, along with a 90-day standard warranty on all parts purchases.

Contact Akright Auto by phone at 920-467-4201, toll free at 800-400-4201, via email at dakright12@gmail.com or visit www.akrightauto.com.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor ShowcaseGoeden Auto Body

Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team are pleased to have Goeden Auto Body as a sponsor for the 2022 racing season.

Located at 2417 Highway 28 East in Kewaskum, Wis., Goeden Auto Body has been in business since 1971. In 2015, David “Dusty” Goeden took over ownership of the family-owned business.

Goeden Auto Body specializes in quality, top-notch auto body repair, with a focus on collision work. Goeden also offers classic vehicle restoration and rust repair. In addition, it will work with all insurance companies. Goeden Auto Body uses PPG paints and clear coats, offers towing services and a locked fenced storage area. Continuing the Goeden Auto Body tradition, free loaner cars are also available.

“At Goeden Auto Body, we were born to perform,” Dave “Dusty” Goeden, Goeden Auto Body owner said. “With over 50 years of doing business and our racing involvement on and off the track, we know how to treat our customers like winners. With every job, we push ourselves to improve our performance and deliver a winning product. We work with all insurance companies, provide free computerized estimates and loaner vehicles while we repair your vehicle. Give us a call when you need a tow or some auto body work. Remember you, not your insurance company, have the right to choose where to take your vehicle for repairs.”

For more information on Goeden Auto Body, call 262-334-2759 or e-mail goedenauto@gmail.com.

For more information on Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook at https://facebook.com/pokorskimotorsports or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

 
Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Season
By The Numbers

 Total Events – 9
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 3
Heat Race Victories – 0

Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A/Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Season
By The Numbers

 Total Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2
Heat Race Victories – 0

Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Upcoming Races

Saturday, August 6 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, August 13 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, August 20 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Schuett, Arenz, Boden stand tall as Plymouth Badger State Open Wheel masters

Kyle Schuett earned his first career Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 30. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 30, 2022 – It was a Wisconsin open wheel race fans paradise as the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars and Badger Midgets converged on The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. for the Badger State Open Wheel special three-division racing program Saturday, July 30.

Kyle Schuett of Philo, Ill. notched his first career IRA 410 Sprint Car Series A-main victory in flag-to-flag fashion in the 30-lap main event.

Defending PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion and current points leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan executed a late-race pass to secure his sixth 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph of the 2022 campaign.

Zach Boden of Cambridge made it two-for-two on the season at The Plymouth Dirt Track as he notched his second Badger Midget A-main victory of the season in the 25-lap main event.

Kyle Schuett, who started on the pole, outpowered two-time IRA champion Scotty Neitzel of Beaver Dam, who started second, to take the lead on the opening lap of the 30-lap IRA A main.

Kyle Schuett led flag-to-flag en route to his first career Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 30. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By lap 5, Schuett rode the cushion to build up a full straightaway cushion over IRA rookie Tyler Tischendorf, who started third. Schuett caught the back of the 22-car field on lap six before the red flag appeared on lap 7 when two-time IRA champion and current points leader Jake Blackhurst of Hanna City, Ill. flipped in turn two.

Following the restart, Neitzel ducked low to power past Tischendorf to take over the runner-up spot exiting turn four on lap 8. Two laps later, Jordan Goldesberry, who started fourth, followed Neitzel into third in the running order.

Schuett began to encounter lapped traffic on lap 13, which allowed Neitzel to close in on lap 18. As the leaders continued to weave their way through heavy lapped traffic, eighth starter Danny Schlafer of Sussex moved in to slip past Neitzel in turn four on lap 28.

On the final lap, Schlafer dove low to briefly pull alongside the high groove hugging Schuett. However, Schuett used the momentum of the outside line to power away from Schlafer down the backstretch and through the final two turns en route to his initial IRA A-main triumph.

Schlafer had to settle for second, Neitzel placed third, Goldesberry took fourth and 2016 IRA champion Jeremy Schultz of Beaver Dam rounded out the top five, after starting seventh.

Polesitter Lance Fassbender of Burnett took the lead on the opening lap of the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main as outside front row starter Bill Taylor of Boltonville slipped into second.

Travis Arenz collected his sixth Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2022 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 30. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Fassbender, who captured the 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car championship, held tight to the low groove with Taylor following closely in his tire tracks through the opening laps of the race. On lap 8, Travis Arenz, who started eighth, worked his way into fourth before using a high move to seize third on lap 10.

As the leader encountered lapped traffic, Arenz capitalized by bolting past Taylor into second in turn one on lap 18. Meanwhile, Fassbender was finding the going challenging at the front of the field as he tried in vain to work around a lapped car, which allowed the stalking Arenz to pounce.

When Fassbender drifted high, Arenz dove low to seize the top spot entering turn one on lap 20. Arenz then pulled away to notch his sixth PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2022 season in nine attempts, 16th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car main event win and 28th career Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main triumph in the caution-free race.

Travis Arenz notched his 16th career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 30. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Fassbender finished second, Taylor was third, Robbie Pribnow of Lomira, who started fourth, steered the No. 47 car normally driven by Blake Wondra to fourth and ninth starter Tim Haddy of Waupun placed fifth.

The initial start of the 25-lap Badger Midgets A main was aborted when Jordan Nelson of Colgate flipped in turn two.

2016 PDTR Micro Sprint champion Zach Boden, who lined up fifth on the original start, used a huge run along the low groove to seize the lead in turn four on the opening lap as Daltyn England of Springfield, Ill., who started second, settled into second.

On lap 3, seventh starter Jack Routson of Waterman, Ill. worked his way underneath England to move into second and quickly set his sights on Boden. Routson was closing in on the lead when a caution flag was displayed on lap 9 after Trey Weishoff of Sun Prairie stopped along the backstretch.

Zach Boden notched his second Badger Midgets A-main victory of the 2022 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 30. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

When the race resumed, Routson was hustling his car to keep pace with Boden at the front of the field when he jumped the cushion and spun in turn two on lap 13 to bring out the third yellow/red flag of the race.

After another yellow flag on the restart for an incident involving Dave Collins of Lake Mills and Cody Weisensel of Sun Prairie in turn two on lap 13, Boden again pulled away while 16th starter Jake Neuman worked the high line to move into third on lap 16 and second on lap 17.

On lap 23, the red flag was displayed when Charles Rufi of New Glarus flipped in turn two to set up a green-white-checked flag finish. Boden held strong on the restart to hold off the hard-charging Neuman on the way to his second main event victory of the 2022 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track and his third career Badger Midgets A-main win.

Zach Boden (51) and Jake Neuman (57A) duel for the lead in the Badger Midgets A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 30. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Neuman was second, England placed third, sixth starter Kyle Stark of Marshall took fourth and Kevin Douglas of Madison, who starter ninth, wound up fifth.

Jordan Goldesberry was the IRA 410 Sprint Car fast qualifier with a lap of 11.750 seconds.

In his first start of the 2022 season, Jason Johnson of Campbellsport was the fastest PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car overall qualifier with a lap of 12.366 seconds.

Jake Neuman earned the Badger Midgets fast qualifier award with a lap of 13.749 seconds.

Tony Wondra of Campbellsport won the 12-lap 360 Sprint Car B main.

Jake Neuman won the 10-lap Badger Midgets B Main.

The ninth full PDTR program of the 2022 campaign, which was sponsored by Jensen Sales and Service, drew a total field of 76 cars, including 22 IRA 410 Sprint Cars, 27 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars and 27 Badger Midgets.

The next PDTR racing program on Saturday, Aug. 6 will feature the inaugural Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2022 induction with 10 drivers, four track workers and three racing families honored for their contributions to the racing program at Plymouth since its inception in 1950.

In addition, the Aug. 6 PDTR program is Kids Autograph Night with backpack and checkered flag giveaways courtesy of Hopf Farms.

Spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with 360 Sprint Car hot laps/group qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing to begin at 6 p.m.

The new book “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” by Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan, George Baumann of Waupun and Verla Peichl of Sheboygan Falls will be available for purchase at every race during the 2022 PDTR season, as well as at the Sheboygan County Fair office during regular business hours and online at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds is located at 229 Fairview Drive in Plymouth, Wis. For more information, visit www.plymouthdtr.com or check out Plymouth Dirt Track Racing on Facebook.

BUMPER TO BUMPER INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION 410 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Jordan Goldesberry 11.750 2, Kyle Schuett 11.767 3, Austin Hartmann 11.769 4, Danny Schlafer 11.785 5, Scotty Neitzel 11.841 6, Jereme Schroeder 11.926 7, Todd Daun 11.937 8, Tyler Tischendorf 11.968 9, Jake Blackhurst 11.972 10, Jeremy Schultz 11.990 11, Russel Borland 11.990 12, Hunter Custer 12.020 13, Steve Meyer 12.026 14, Jake Neuman 12.070 15, Blake Nimee 12.107 16, Dave Uttech 12.112 17, Jack Vanderboom 12.174 18, Preston Ruh 12.388 19, Kris Spitz 12.415 20, Scott Conger 12.622 21, Kevin Karnitz 12.691 22, Jake Routson (no time).

HEAT 1

1, Jeremy Schultz 2, Danny Schlafer 3, Jordan Goldesberry 4, Todd Daun 5, Steve Meyer 6, Kris Spitz 7, Dave Uttech 8, Jack Routson (DNS).

HEAT 2

1, Tyler Tischendorf 2, Russel Borland 3, Scotty Neitzel 4, Jake Neuman 5, Kyle Schuett 6, Jack Vanderboom 7, Scott Conger.

HEAT 3

1, Jake Blackhurst 2, Blake Nimee 3, Hunter Custer 4, Austin Hartmann 5, Jeremy Schroeder 6, Preston Ruh 7, Kevin Karnitz.

DASH 1

1, Kyle Schuett 2, Tyler Tischendorf 3, Todd Daun 4, Jeremy Schultz 5, Jereme Schroeder.

DASH 2

1, Scotty Neitzel 2, Jordan Goldesberry 3, Jake Blackhurst 4, Danny Schlafer 5, Austin Hartmann.

A MAIN

1, Kyle Schuett 2, Danny Schlafer 3, Scotty Neitzel 4, Jordan Goldesberry 5, Jeremy Schultz 6, Blake Nimee 7, Steve Meyer 8, Jake Neuman 9, Tyler Tischendorf 10, Russel Borland 11, Todd Daun 12, Austin Hartmann 13, Kris Spitz 14, Preston Ruh 15, Jereme Schroeder 16, Scott Conger 17, Jack Vanderboom 18, Hunter Custer 19, Dave Uttech 20, Kevin Karnitz 21, Jake Blackhurst 22, Jack Routson (DNS).

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANT VIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Jason Johnson 12.366 2, Lance Fassbender 12.453 3, Anthony Knierim 12.473 4, Nick Daywalt 12.496 5, Travis Arenz 12.503 6, Donny Goeden 12.547 7, Tyler Brabant 12.568 8, Dylan Winkel 12.651 9, Shane Wenninger 12.668 10, Bill Taylor 12.686 11, Robbie Pribnow 12.722 12, Kurt Davis 12.759 13, Mike Yurmanovich 12.759 14, Tony Wondra 12.788 15, Will Gerrits 12.788 16, Brandon Berth 12.814 17, Justin Miller 12.862 18, Katelyn Krebsbach 12.865 19, Alex Pokorski 12.880 20, Justin Erickson 12.895 21, J.J. Pagel 13.065 22, Chris Clayton 13.086 23, Tyler Davis 13.094 24, Kevin Seidler 13.387 25, Doug Wondra 3.537 26, Randy Post 14.867 27, Tim Haddy no time.

HEAT 1

1, Travis Arenz 2, Nick Daywalt 3, Lance Fassbender 4, Jason Johnson 5, Ben Schmidt 6, Justin Miller 7, Dylan Winkel 8, Tyler Davis 9, Katelyn Krebsbach.

HEAT 2

1, Kurt Davis 2, Robbie Pribnow 3, Bill Taylor 4, Tim Haddy 5, Alex Pokorski 6, Tony Wondra 7, J.J. Pagel 8, Kevin Seidler 9, Tyler Brabant.

HEAT 3

1, Will Gerrits 2, Brandon Berth 3, Anthony Knierim 4, Mike Yurmanovich 5, Justin Erickson 6, Shane Wenninger 7, Chris Clayton 8, Doug Wondra 9, Randy Post (DNS).

B MAIN

1, Tony Wondra 2, Shane Wenninger 3, Tyler Davis 4, Katelyn Krebsbach 5, Tyler Brabant 6, Doug Wondra 7, Chris Clayton 8, Dylan Winkel 9, Kevin Seidler 10, J.J. Pagel 11, Randy Post (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Travis Arenz 2, Lance Fassbender 3, Bill Taylor 4, Robbie Pribnow 5, Tim Haddy 6, Anthony Knierim 7, Donny Goeden 8, Nick Daywalt 9, Will Gerrits 10, Kurt Davis 11, Brandon Berth 12, Justin Erickson 13, Alex Pokorski 14, Shane Wenninger 15, Jason Johnson 16, Justin Miller 17, Tyler Davis 18, Tyler Brabant 19, Tony Wondra 20, Mike Yurmanovich 21, Katelyn Krebsbach 22, Doug Wondra.

BADGER MIDGETS

QUALIFYING

1, Jake Neuman 13.749 2, Jack Routson 13.767 3, Kyle Stark 13.811 4, Zach Boden 13.857 5, Tyler Baran 13.952 6, Jace Sparks 14.011 7, Aaron Muhle 14.193 8, Mike Stroik 14.201 9, Daltyn England 14.214 10, Jack Vanderboom 14.226 11, R.J. Corson 14.399 12, Kevin Douglas 14.409 13, Cody Weisensel 14.490 14, Charles Rufi 14.672 15, Dave Collins Jr. 14.745 16, Jordan Nelson 14.748 17, Jeremy Douglas 14.750 18, Charlie Spoonmore 14.905 19, Jake Goeglein 14.992 20, Trey Weishoff 15.017 21, Charles Kunz 15.021 22, Jim Fuerst 15.172 23, Kyle Koch 15.356 24, Harrison Kleven 15.387 25, Miles Quandt 16.107 26, Dwight Stefan 18.179 27, Bryon Walters 18.179.

NON- QUALIFIER RACE

1, Harrison Klevin 2, Kyle Koch 3, Miles Quandt 4, Dwight Stefan 5, Bryon Walters 6, Jim Fuerst.

HEAT 1

1, Daltyn England 2, Kyle Stark 3, Dave Collins Jr. 4, Charles Kunz 5, Kevin Douglas 6, Jace Sparks 7, Charlie Spoonmore.

HEAT 2

1, Jack Routson 2, R.J. Corson 3, Jeremy Douglas 4, Mike Stroik 5, Trey Weishoff 6, Charles Rufi 7, Tyler Baran.

HEAT 3

1, Zach Boden 2, Cody Weisensel 3, Jack Vanderboom 4, Aaron Muhle 5, Jordan Nelson 6, Jake Goeglein 7, Jake Neuman (DNS).

B MAIN

1, Jake Neuman 2, Jake Goeglein 3, Tyler Baran 4, Charles Rufi 5, Harrison Kleven 6, Jace Sparks 7, Kyle Koch 8, Jim Fuerst 9, Charlie Spoonmore 10, Miles Quandt 11, Dwight Stefan 12, Bryon Walters (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Zach Boden 2, Jake Neuman 3, Daltyn England 4, Kyle Stark 5, Kevin Douglas 6, Aaron Muhle 7, R.J. Corson 8, Jack Routson 9, Jeremy Douglas 10, Tyler Baran 11, Jack Vanderboom 12, Charles Kunz 13, Jace Sparks 14, Kyle Koch 15. Trey Weishoff 16, Charles Rufi 17, Dave Collins Jr. 18, Cody Weisensel 19, Jake Goeglein 20, Harrison Kleven 21, Mike Stroik 22, Jordan Nelson.

‘Sixty Years of 141 Speedway’ traces history of colorful Wisconsin racetrack

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 27, 2022 – Nestled along rolling farmland in the Manitowoc County village of Francis Creek, Wis., the story of the 141 Speedway quarter-mile bullring is 60-plus years in the making and had been ripe to be chronicled in book form, until now.

After releasing “70 Years of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Covering the 1950 through 2020 Seasons” in 2021 and “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” in 2022, Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan, Wis. has teamed up with former racer and racing photo archivist Bob Diener of Sheboygan, Wis. to tell the tale of 141 Speedway with the new book publication “Sixty Years of 141 Speedway – 1960 through 2020.”

Published by Pedal Down Promotions of Manitowoc, Wis., “Sixty Years of 141 Speedway – 1960 through 2020” features 212 pages of year-by-year recaps, point standings and newspaper stories, along with over 182 pages filled with black and white and color photos covering every era and incarnation of the former quarter-mile asphalt oval turned third-mile dirt track racing facility.

“Several avid fans of the track contributed to this unique auto racing book,” Darovich said. “Racing historian Bill Mueller wrote the foreword to ‘Sixty Years of 141 Speedway,’ while Bob Diener, a past driver in the track’s Sportsman division, provided many of the photographs in the book.

“The rich history of the 141 Speedway facility is detailed through numerous articles, driver point standings and advertisements from Midwest Racing News,” he said. “Photographs from 141 Speedway photographers are also featured throughout the book, including Mike Schneider, Dick Jepson, Weber Brothers, Al Fortner, Dan Lewis, Chuck Look, Lee Lawrence, Mark Olson, J&D Photo, Zena Lodi and Trevor Frank.  Additional photos were contributed by John Surges [VMSC], Greg Martell and Bob Bergeron. Racing fans and historians will find ‘Sixty Years of 141 Speedway’ enlightening, fascinating and hard to put down.”

In addition to being on sale for $25 during upcoming 2022 racing events at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, Wis. “Sixty Years of 141 Speedway – 1960 through 2020” is also available in e-book and paperback formats on barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com.

Additional information on 141 Speedway and the 2022 141 Speedway racing season can be found at www.141speedway.com.

For more information, contact Pedal Down Promotions via email at pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, by phone at 920-323-7970 or by visiting www.pedaldownpromo.com.


Austin Hartmann tallies Outagamie top-20, eyes Antigo-Plymouth IRA twinbill

Austin Hartmann (87A) duels with Hunter Custer (29), during a Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series event at Outagamie Speedway in Seymour, Wis. on Friday, July 22. – Dan Lewis Photography

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions 

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 27, 2022 – With a large Outagamie County Fair crowd filling the grandstands and the lighted carnival rides in the background accentuating the picturesque scene, Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team made their first journey to Outagamie Speedway in Seymour, Wis. with a 410-cubic-inch powerplant under the hood Friday, July 22, coming away with a top-20 A-main showing with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series.

Hartmann opened the night by turning in the 12th fastest qualifying lap in the 24-car IRA field with a time of 12.439 seconds around the third-mile banked oval.

After lining up on the pole of the first eight-lap IRA heat race, outside front row starter Jeremy Schultz got the jump as Hartmann settled into second on the fast and tacky racing surface. Hartmann held tight to the cushion and held off Russel Borland over the duration of the race to secure a second-place finish.

The third-year Sprint Car driver started 11th in the 30-lap IRA main event and found the going difficult as he struggled with a power steering issue on a track surface which had slicked off since the completion of the preliminary events.

By lap 7, Hartmann had settled into the 17th spot before the first of three caution/red flags appeared on lap 14 when the car of Jack Routson slowed along the backstretch.

On the restart, a red flag appeared when Jake Blackhurst flipped into the turn three wall. When the race resumed, Hartmann was running 14th before the third and final caution flag was displayed on lap 18 for an infield tire, which had been pushed onto the track.

Hartmann slipped back to 17th on lap 23 and held onto the spot over the final seven laps en route to his seventh top-20 A-main finish of the 2022 IRA season in nine IRA A-main appearances in a race won by Danny Schlafer.

“The car was great and fun to drive in qualifying and the heat race,” Hartmann said. “The feature was not so fun, as I lost all my fluid for power steering, which also runs the wing slider. Running with no power steering for 28 or so laps was not so easy.’

A scheduled IRA event at Wilmot Speedway in Wilmot, Wis. was cancelled on Saturday, July 23 due to severe weather in the area.

Austin Hartmann currently stands 10th in the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series point standings with 12 races remaining in the 2022 season. – RC Custom Design photo

This weekend Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team are set to compete in an IRA doubleheader starting Friday, July 29 at Langlade County Speedway in Antigo, Wis., followed by a return visit to The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 30.

“I’m excited coming into this upcoming weekend, as we feel more and more confident with the car,” Hartmann said. “We have been trying some new things that have been working lately, so I’m eager to see how this weekend goes.”

Those unable to make it to track can follow all of the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series action throughout the 2022 campaign via FloRacing by visiting https://www.floracing.com.

Additional information on the 87A Hartmann Racing team can be found by visiting the team’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/87Ahartmannracing.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team has assembled a strong group of partners in support of the team’s maiden voyage with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Series, including Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Call Girls Motorsports, Pallet Works LLC, AF Inc., Bennett Transport Inc., SCA Inc., Gretchen Tillman New American Funding, Classic Title Services, CP Services, Cobblestone Landscaping, Jensen Sales & Services, Lee’s Color Studio, Dave’s Fabrication, Racer’s Hall Sports Bar and Grill, Feldmann Sales & Service, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Pit Road Apparel, the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Sage Fruit.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Hunter Annis, Eric Bergschultz, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham, Jarrett Neese, Caitlin Shaw and Kristine Hartmann.

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor ShowcaseRacer’s Hall Sports Bar & Grill

Located at W4408 County Road C in Plymouth, Wis., Racer’s Hall Sports Bar & Grill offers casual dining with a full menu and daily specials, along with a great racing, sports-themed atmosphere, including five big-screen TVs, along with indoor and outdoor dining areas.

The banquet hall and pavilion areas can be reserved for parties, banquets, weddings and business meetings covering a wide range of sizes.

Former championship-winning Sportsman and Limited Late Model racer Jim Pitzen purchased the former Kerm’s Hall in September 2000. Over the past 22 years, Jim and Sarah Pitzen have made several improvements and renovations, including adding a kitchen and dining room, as well as remodeling all of the bathrooms and adding two outdoor decks.

Outdoor activities include horseshoe pits and garden tractor pull area, which hosts the Creekside Garden Tractor Pullers Association on a regular basis from June through October.

In addition, Racer’s Hall hosts summer and fall horseshoe leagues and a winter bean bag league, while serving as the site of several benefits and fundraisers throughout the course of the year.

Racer’s Hall Sports Bar is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. The Racer’s Hall Grill serves food on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. An appetizer-only menu is featured on Sunday. Reservations are required for groups of eight or more.

To contact or learn more about Racer’s Hall, call 920-892-6900, email spitzen@racershall.com or visit www.racershall.com.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 14
IRA Events – 12
World of Outlaws Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 7
Heat Race Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 1
Dash Victories – 0

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
Upcoming 2022 Schedule

Friday, July 29 – Langlade County Speedway, Antigo, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, July 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, Aug. 20 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis. (IRA)
Sunday, Aug. 21 – Angell Park Speedway, Angell Park, Wis. (IRA)

Austin Hartmann completes successful IRA North Dakota road trip to River Cities Speedway

Austin Hartmann qualified for both Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association and Buffalo Wild Wings Northern Outlaw Sprint Association 410 Sprint Car main events Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. – JW’s Car and Raccing photos

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 20, 2022 – Austin Hartmann and the members of the Plymouth, Wis.-based 87A Hartmann Racing team made the most of their 640-mile trek to River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. for a Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association (IRA) versus Buffalo Wild Wings Northern Outlaw Sprint Association (NOSA) King of the Wings doubleheader weekend of action by gaining valuable A-main experience in both Winged 410 Sprint Car events on Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16.

The weekend IRA-NOSA Sprint Car spectacular opened on Friday, July 15 with a stout field of 35 Winged 410 Sprint Cars checked into the pit area for the event, which also featured an appearance by the Morton Buildings World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

Hartmann came out firing by ripping off the eighth fastest qualifying time with a lap of 10.420 seconds around the quarter-mile clay oval bullring.

As the track transformed quickly from fast and tacky in qualifying to dry and slick in the heat races, Hartmann found the going challenging in the fourth eight-lap heat race as he dropped back to eighth after starting third.

Hartmann then lined up on the pole of the 12-lap B main needing to finish in the top four to advance to the 30-lap main event. The IRA rookie contender settled into second behind outside front row starter Tom Egeland on the opening lap.

As Hartmann stuck to the low line, Shane Roemeling used the high groove to sweep around the Plymouth, Wis. driver to move into second and drop Hartmann to third. Fellow IRA competitor Russel Borland then worked past Hartmann on lap 9. However, Hartmann held strong in the fourth-place position to earn the final A-main transfer spot as the checkered flag fell in the B main.

Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team will continue their rookie season with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series with a doubleheader weekend of action starting Friday, July 22 at Outagamie Speedway in Seymour, Wis. and wrapping up Saturday, July 23 at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. – Dave Olson Studio 360 photo

After starting 24th in the 30-lap IRA-NOSA main event, Hartmann endured three caution flags in the first 20 laps before he spun along the front stretch to bring out another caution flag on lap 22. Hartmann recovered to close out the race strong, while passing fellow IRA racer Jack Routson on lap 29 to secure a 19th-place finish in a race won by Grand Forks, N.D. driver Austin Pierce.

“The first impressions of River Cities Speedway were as to be expected,” Hartmann said. “It’s a pretty cool little high-banked track with no walls. Friday night started off great as the track was heavy and hammer down. I knew I had to capitalize on the good pill draw I had. Once the track slicked off, it was a battle to find speed for the rest of the night.”

With dry and slick track conditions greeting the assembled 33-car IRA-NOSA competitors on Saturday, July 16, Hartmann qualified 26th with a lap of 12.004 seconds.

Hartmann started and finished seventh in the second IRA-NOSA heat race, which left him to start sixth in the 12-lap B main needing to finish fourth or better to advance to the 30-lap main event.

The third-year Sprint Car racer put together an impressive performance in the B main, advancing to fifth on the opening lap and then tracking down the fourth-place car late in the event. Taking advantage of slower traffic ahead of the fourth-place machine, Hartmann pulled off a perfectly-timed slide job on the final lap to steal fourth place and a gain spot in the evening’s main event.

After starting 24th, the 30-lap A main proved to be relatively uneventful for Hartmann as he stayed out of trouble en route to a 23rd-place finish in a race won by defending IRA champion Jake Blackhurst.

“Saturday didn’t start off too strong with a track that got slick super quick,” Hartmann said. “We were behind right away starting in the back of a solid heat race with a one-lane track. Starting sixth in the B main, I knew I couldn’t hesitate on making moves and got to fifth immediately.

“As the laps counted down, I didn’t think I’d have a chance to make it, even though I was catching the fourth-place car,” he said. “When a lapped car held up the fourth-place car on the last lap, I threw a ‘Hail Mary’ slide job and got the transfer spot. In the feature, I lost my tires and just stayed low avoiding the leading cars.”

Overall, Hartmann was pleased with the team’s performance during its first high-mileage, out-of-state, multi-event road trip of the 2022 season.

“All in all, it was definitely a great time and an awesome track,” Hartmann said. “I can’t thank my continued sponsors enough for their support and for them believing in myself, as well as this team. Also, a special ‘thank you’ goes to Eric Bergschultz, who was my crew chief for the weekend. He busted ass and always had a positive mindset even when I didn’t. I’m excited to have him aboard.

“Finally, this weekend wouldn’t have been possible without Gibbsville Cheese, Ozzie Weisner and Fran O’Brien,” he said. “I am beyond appreciative for their help in lending us an engine to run.”

This weekend Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team will continue their rookie IRA campaign with a pair of closer-to-home events. The IRA weekend doubleheader opens with a trip to Outagamie Speedway in Seymour, Wis. on Friday, July 22 and concludes with another scheduled IRA event at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, July 23.

Those unable to make it to track can follow all of the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series action throughout the 2022 campaign via FloRacing by visiting https://www.floracing.com.

Additional information on the 87A Hartmann Racing team can be found by visiting the team’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/87Ahartmannracing.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team has assembled a strong group of partners in support of the team’s maiden voyage with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Series, including Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Call Girls Motorsports, Pallet Works LLC, AF Inc., Bennett Transport Inc., SCA Inc., Gretchen Tillman New American Funding, Classic Title Services, CP Services, Cobblestone Landscaping, Jensen Sales & Services, Lee’s Color Studio, Dave’s Fabrication, Racer’s Hall Sports Bar and Grill, Feldmann Sales & Service, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Pit Road Apparel, the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Sage Fruit.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Hunter Annis, Eric Bergschultz, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham, Jarrett Neese, Caitlin Shaw and Kristine Hartmann.

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor ShowcaseGibbsville Cheese

Located at W2663 County Road OO in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., Gibbsville Cheese has been producing top-quality cheese products since 1933.

Gibbsville Cheese products are Wisconsin-made with only the finest in local ingredients. Gibbsville Cheese makes a large variety of cheeses and cheese-made products on-site for sale at its factory store, which opened in the early 1970s and was enlarged in 1979.

Currently, the fourth generation of the Van Tatenhove family operates Gibbsville Cheese, continuing its reputation as a fine producer of cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack and the famous Gibbsville two-tone cheese.

Customers can find fresh cheese curds most Wednesdays after 2 p.m. in the Gibbsville Cheese factory store.

The Gibbsville Cheese Factory Store is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed on Sunday and all major holidays.

To contact or learn more about Gibbsville Cheese, call 920-564-3242, email sales@gibbsvillecheese.com or visit www.gibbsvillecheese.com.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 13
IRA Events – 11
World of Outlaws Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 6
Heat Race Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 1
Dash Victories – 0

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
Upcoming 2022 Schedule

Friday, July 22 – Outagamie Speedway, Seymour, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, July 23 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis. (IRA)
Friday, July 29 – Langlade County Speedway, Antigo, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, July 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA)

Alex Pokorski, Akright Auto Racing Team look to bounce back after rough ride at Plymouth

Alex Pokorski posted a 21st place finish in the 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A main, after flipping into the turn four fence while running second on lap 5 Saturday, July 16 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 19, 2022 – The Cambridge Dictionary defines a race car driver as “a person who drives a car in a competition to see who can be the fastest and finish first.”

Alex Pokorski was carrying out that very definition behind the wheel of the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team 360 Sprint Car in the opening laps of the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car 25-lap A-main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 16.

While running second in the 22-car main event field, Pokorski had his sights set firmly on tracking down the leading car of Travis Arenz when on lap 5 his car launched into a wild series of flips, cartwheels and pirouettes, which included hard contact with the turn four fence.

While the hard crash left his No. 4 machine heavily crumpled with a garden variety of damage on multiple sections of the car, Pokorski emerged from the melee uninjured.

“The car was fast all night,” Pokorski said. “The track was fast as well and had a big cushion that I caught just wrong. Fortunately, I’m doing well. It was amazing to watch the video of the accident, after walking away with barely a bruise.”

With a strong field of 32 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars on hand, the night got off to a promising start as Pokorski turned the second-fastest qualifying time in the first heat race grouping and the 17th fastest overall qualifying lap with a time of 12.816 seconds.

After starting third in the first 10-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car heat race, Pokorski slipped underneath outside front row starter Tim Haddy to take over second in turn one of the opening lap. Pokorski kept up a quick pace on the lightning fast and tacky track surface throughout the race to finish second and earn an automatic transfer to the A main.

Pokorski lined up on the outside of the front row of the 25-lap main event beside polesitter Travis Arenz and settled into second in the running order in turn two of the opening lap.

The third-year 360 Sprint Car driver tested the treacherous cushion during the first few laps of the main event in an effort to close the gap on the leader. However, the undulating cushion jumped up and bit Pokorski on lap 5 to end his night and relegate him to a 21st place finish.

Alex Pokorski (4), pictured during the four-wide parade lap, started on the outside of the front row of the 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A-main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 16. – RC Custom Design photo

“We are going to take everything apart and hopefully get it back together for this coming Saturday at Plymouth,” Pokorski said. “I’m thankful for my car owner, Spyder Akright, my parents, crew and sponsors for supporting me this year. It’s been a bit rough, but hopefully we can get some good luck and finishes going forward.”

Saturday’s accident at The Plymouth Dirt Track forced the team to skip the Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association event at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, July 17.

Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team are aiming to return to competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. this Saturday, July 23.

This Saturday is the inaugural Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Induction Night with the new Wall of Fame display set to debut underneath the grandstands and the Class of 2022 inductees recognized during intermission.

Spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with PDTR 360 Sprint Car group qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

Sponsors and supporters for Alex Pokorski and the 2022 Akright Auto Racing Team include Akright Auto, Petersen Septic Systems, Goeden Auto Body, Novak’s Service Center, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor ShowcaseAkright Auto

Located at 106 North Bluebird Lane in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Akright Auto has served as a reliable source for auto parts since 1940.

With a highly trained staff of auto parts professionals, Akright Auto is well prepared to assist customers with vehicle repair needs with a wide assortment of affordable, high-quality auto parts available on site. If a part is not available, Akright Auto offers next-day delivery services.

In addition, Akright Auto provides full auto salvage services, along with a 90-day standard warranty on all parts purchases.

Contact Akright Auto by phone at 920-467-4201, toll free at 800-400-4201, via email at dakright12@gmail.com or visit www.akrightauto.com.

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor ShowcasePetersen Septic Systems

Alex Pokorski and the Akright Auto Racing Team are pleased to have Petersen Septic Systems as a sponsor for the 2022 racing season as it celebrates 10 years in business.

Since opening its doors in Valders, Wis. in 2012, Petersen Septic Systems LLC has provided premier septic tank service and the most reliable septic system installation and repair in Manitowoc and Two Rivers and the surrounding Lakeshore area.

“We offer our services to industrial, institutional, residential, new construction, commercial and municipal accounts,” Petersen Septic Systems Owner David Petersen said. “Customer service is our utmost priority. We do every job as it was in our own homes. Our experience is second to none in the area. Prior to opening the business, I worked for Tuschl Septic Systems from 2004 until owner Chuck Tuschl retired.”

The list of regular services Petersen Septic Systems offers includes septic pump repairs, test drilling/test boring, sewage treatment systems, septic tank removal, septic tank installation, water line repair, oil testing and perc testing.

“We provide all of these services in Manitowoc County and the surrounding areas,” Petersen said. “We are OSHA certified and are licensed MPRS/CST966051.”

Petersen Septic Systems is located at 7334 Nagel Road in Valders, Wis. For more information, call 920-323-2640, email petersenseptic@gmail.com or visit www.petersensepticsystems.com.

For more information on Alex Pokorski and the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook at https://facebook.com/pokorskimotorsports or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Season
By The Numbers

 Total Events – 8
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2
Heat Race Victories – 0

Paul Pokorski
Akright Auto 53A/Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Season
By The Numbers

 Total Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2
Heat Race Victories – 0

Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Upcoming Races

Saturday, July 23 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, July 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, August 6 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.

Haddy outduels Gerrits to secure MSA Angell Park Speedway triumph

Tim Haddy of Waupun collected his 20th career Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main victory in the 25-lap main event at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Saturday, July 17.

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 17, 2022 – Thirty-year veteran Tim Haddy of Waupun reached into his sizable bag of tricks to fend off a late-race challenge from Will Gerrits of Waupun and secure his first Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main victory of the 2022 season Sunday, July 17 at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis.

Haddy, who has been a regular competitor with the MSA series since its inception in 1999, grabbed the initial lead of the 25-lap MSA main event from the pole position as Will Gerrits, who started on the outside of the front row, tucked into second.

By lap five, Haddy had built up a full straightaway advantage over Gerrits on the fast and tricky third-mile clay oval racing surface. Haddy caught the rear of the field on lap nine, which allowed Gerrits to cut into the lead.

Gerrits pulled to within striking distance as Haddy attempted to move past a slower car along the undulating cushion before the lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 15 for a spin involving Tyler Davis of Franklin in turn two.

Following the restart, Haddy again powered away to a sizable lead as defending MSA champion and current point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan, who started 11th, catapulted his way into fourth on lap 16.

As Haddy closed in on slower traffic, Gerrits cut the gap once again as the laps wound down. After following in Haddy’s tire tracks for the majority of the race, Gerrits dove low to inch ahead of Haddy in turn two on the final circuit of the race.

However, Haddy battled back to regain the lead entering turn three and successfully turned back Gerrits’ spirited challenge to notch his 20th career MSA A-main victory and first MSA main event triumph since Aug. 1, 2021 at Angell Park Speedway.

Gerrits finished a close second, 2005 MSA champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett, who started fourth, finished third, Arenz placed fourth and 2011 MSA champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who started seventh, wound up fifth.

“I saw him [Will Gerrits] down there on the final lap and I knew I had to do everything I could to hold him off,” Haddy said. “Luckily, I was able to do just enough to get the win tonight.”

MSA 10-lap heat race victories went to five-time MSA champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee and Lance Fassbender.

The 10th full MSA 360 Sprint Car Series racing event of the 2022 campaign drew a field of 16 entrants to the historic Angell Park Speedway third-mile clay oval.

The MSA is set to return to The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 23 for the inaugural Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Night program.

Spectator gates open at 4:30 p.m. with MSA qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

For more information on the 2022 Midwest Sprint Car Association season, visit www.msasprints.com or check out the Midwest Sprint Car Association Facebook page.

Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through a diverse array of promotional strategies and methods, including press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.

 

Midwest Sprint Car Association
Angell Park Speedway
Sun Prairie, Wis.
July 17, 2022

HEAT 1

1, Kurt Davis 2, Will Gerrits 3, Tyler Davis 4, Tyler Brabant 5, Travis Arenz 6, Mike Yurmanovich 7, Blake Wondra 8, Tommy Colburn.

HEAT 2

1, Lance Fassbender 2, Tim Haddy 3, Ben Schmidt 4, Tony Wondra 5, Bill Taylor 6, Katelyn Krebsbach 7, Kevin Seidler 8, J.J. Pagel.

A MAIN

1, Tim Haddy 2, Will Gerrits 3, Lance Fassbender 4, Travis Arenz 5, Ben Schmidt 6, Tyler Brabant 7, Kurt Davis 8, Bill Taylor 9, Tony Wondra 10, Katelyn Krebsbach 11, Tyler Davis 12, Blake Wondra 13, Mike Yurmanovich 14, J.J. Pagel 15, Kevin Seidler (DNS) 16, Tommy Colburn (DNS).