Melis tops PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main, Boden rules Micro Sprints

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 5, 2017 – Over the past month of the Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car season, no driver has been hotter than Sheboygan racer Scotty Thiel.

Considering his performance in the 21^st annual Frank Filskov Memorial A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds Saturday, Aug. 5, it doesn’t appear that Thiel will be cooling off anytime soon.

Thiel, who came into the event second in the IRA point standings behind seven-time series champ Bill Balog of Hartland, claimed a wire-to-wire victory in the 27-lap Sprint Car A-main.

In the 27-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main, Jim Melis of Glenbleulah claimed the A-main win, while Zach Boden of Cambridge notched the PDTR Micro Sprint A-main win.

Thiel bolted out to the lead of the IRA A-main from his outside front row starting spot on the opening lap, while polesitter Dave Uttech of Kenosha settled into second in the early going.

Meanwhile, the evening’s fast qualifier Bill Balog worked his way into third from his fifth starting spot on lap 2. At the front of the field, Thiel quickly stretched out a half straightaway cushion over Uttech before he encountered lapped traffic starting on lap 5.

On the same lap, Balog bolted past Uttech to assume the runner-up spot on lap 5. As the leaders worked through dense lapped traffic, Balog closed the gap on Thiel on lap 11 along the low groove.

However, Balog was briefly bottled up behind two lapped cars racing side by side, which allowed Thiel to build up a half-straightaway cushion by lap 18. Thiel’s advantage was erased on lap 18 when two-time IRA champion Scotty Neitzel of Beaver Dam spun to a stop between turns three and four.

With Balog on his rear bumper, Thiel flexed his muscle on the restart to fend off Balog’s attempt to duck low and wrestle away the lead. By lap 21, Thiel had carved out a half-straightaway lead over Balog, who is the winningest driver in IRA history.

In the final six laps, Balog came to life pushing his Rhine Auto machine the limit to reel in Thiel along the treacherous outside groove. Using a big run on the final lap, Balog dove low to pull nearly even with Thiel heading to the checkered flag. However, Thiel was just too strong as he held off Balog by just over a car length at the finish line.

The A-main victory was Thiel’s fourth IRA main event win of the season and eighth overall in his IRA career. Thiel has now won four the last seven IRA A-main events, including three of the last four.

Balog had to settle for second, third starter Wayne Modjeski of Oak Creek placed third, Blake Nimee of Oswego, Ill. placed fourth after starting ninth and Uttech rounded out the top five.

“The track was really different than what it normally is here,” Thiel said. “Usually it slicks off and has a curb. My crew guys worked their tails off to give me a great car tonight. “We’ve been on a hot streak lately and I just want to keep riding it as long as we can.”

Balog, who came into the event with a 104-point lead over Thiel in the IRA point standings, put together a solid night to remain in control of the IRA point lead.

“We were fast all night on a very fast track,” Balog said. “I was trying to go for the win in the last few laps, but I couldn’t quite get to him.”

Modjeski was pleased after posting his best A-main finish of the IRA season.

“It felt good to have a good car all night,” Modjeski said. “I can’t say enough about everyone that helps me out. They have done an incredible job to help me get out here with these guys in the top three tonight.”

In the 27-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main, 40-year veteran Al Schlafer of Sussex grabbed the lead on the opening lap from the pole. On lap 2, 2010 PDTR Sprint Car champ Kurt Davis drove low to pass outside front row starter Tim Haddy of Waupun for second.

Davis quickly moved in to challenge Schlafer and on lap 11 the Midwest Sprint Car Association career A-main victory leader swept past Schlafer to assume the top spot. Two laps later, Davis spun in turn two as Slinger’s Dannon Tessmer suffered a steering malfunction directly in front of him in turn two on lap 13.

After Davis restarted at the rear of the field, Schlafer inherited the lead back with fourth starter Will Gerrits of Waupun second and seventh starter Jim Melis running third.

On lap 16, a four-car incident in turn one sent the cars of Doug Wondra of Oakfield and 2008 PDTR Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett flipping. Wayne Modjeski and Anthony Knierim of Franksville were also involved in the melee. Both Wondra’s and Fassbender’s cars were heavily damaged and both drivers were done for the night.

On the restart, Melis worked his way into second and wasted no time closing in on Schlafer for the lead. On lap 21, Melis used the low line to power past Schlafer in turn three. Four laps later, 12^th starter Justin Miller of Plymouth worked past Schlafer to gain the runner-up spot.

Out in front, Melis cruised over the final six laps to notch his second A-main victory of the season, 16^th career PDTR A-main win and 19^th overall Midwest Sprint Car Association main event triumph.

Miller was second, Schlafer took third, Gerrits claimed fourth and point leader and 10^th starter Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh posted a fifth-place showing after his team executed an engine change between his heat race and the A main.

Rookie Preston Ruh of Elkhart Lake led the first seven laps of the 20-lap PDTR Micro Sprint A main from the fourth starting spot. On lap 8, 2016 PDTR Micro Sprint champ Zach Boden, who started sixth, used the low groove to pass Ruh for the lead.

From there, Boden pulled out to a half lap victory over the final 12 laps en route to his fifth career PDTR Micro Sprint A-main triumph. 10^th starter Dave Collins of Madison was second, fifth starter Jack Vanderboom of Dousman placed third, Ruh wound up fourth and third starter Tyler Davis of South Milwaukee claimed fifth.

B main victories went to Bill Wirth of Cudahy (IRA 410 Sprint Car) and Lance Fassbender (PDTR 360 Sprint Car).

The racing program, which honored longtime IRA competitor Frank Filskov, who died in a racing accident in October 1996, was delayed for over any hour by rain. After quick work by the track crew, the night went on as scheduled on a lightning fast track surface, which yielded track record times in heat race action.

The evening was sponsored by JDL Automotive. The next Plymouth Dirt Track racing program on Saturday, Aug. 12 will honor all past champions at the Plymouth track. Racing will begin at 6 p.m.

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.pedaldownpromotions.com or call 920-323-7970.

Block claims first PDTR B Mod A-main triumph

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTINS) July 31, 2017 – Jimmy Mars of Menomonie lived up to his “Iceman” moniker in the inaugural Dirt Kings Late Model 50-lap main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track Monday, July 31.

While his nearest competitors put their cars to the ultimate test working the high groove feverishly throughout the non-stop event, the cagey veteran multi-time Dirt Late Model crown jewel race winner bided his time along the inside lane, saving his tires wisely for the stretch run on the way to his first Dirt Kings Late Model A-main victory worth a cool $4,000.

The special weeknight race drew a stellar field of 34 local, regional and national level drivers to kick off a weeklong series of high-dollar Dirt Late Model races in Wisconsin featuring the national-touring World of Outlaws Late Model series.

After claiming the top qualifying time of the night, Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill. led the field to the green flag from the pole with Plymouth Dirt Track Racing regular Jim Schmidt of Cleveland on the outside of the front row.

After a flurry of action on the opening lap, which saw Shirley and Schmidt trade the lead, inside second row starter Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill. ducked low to pace the opening circuit.

The next 12 laps saw Feger ride the high groove exclusively with Shirley sticking to the low to middle line on the smooth multi-groove racing surface. The two longtime Midwestern rivals dueled side by side until lap 13 when heavy lapped traffic bottled up the track and forced the leaders to scramble for a way through the logjam.

On lap 16, Jim Letizia of Milwaukee got sideway in front of Shirley along the low groove, which forced Shirley to check up and opened the door for Jimmy Mars, who started fourth, to assume the runner-up spot.

Two laps later, Mars inched past Feger to take the lead briefly before Feger battled back to gain the top spot on lap 21. In dense lapped traffic, Mars slipped past Feger on the bottom of the track to take the lead on lap 25, but again Feger powered to the front along the high groove on lap 29, as Shirley rebounded to rejoin the highly entertaining battle for the lead.

As Feger and Shirley continued to pound the cushion and occasionally venture to the middle and low grooves to negotiate past slower cars, Mars stayed tuck down low and eventually assumed the top spot for good on lap 34 while Shirley following into second.

By lap 39, Mars had built up a half straight advantage with Shirley and Feger left to duel it out for second. Lapped traffic again made things interesting in the final seven laps as Shirley and Feger closed to within striking distance.

However, Mars was not to be denied as he went on to post his third victory of the 2017 season by a three-car length margin over Shirley. Feger came home third with Dirt Kings point leader Nick Anvelink of Navarino, who started ninth, following in in fourth. World of Outlaws series regular Tyler Erb of New Waverly, Texas, capped off an impressive charge from the 15^th starting spot to finish fifth.

Rounding out the top 10 were Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark. (sixth), Brent Larson of Lake Elmo, Minn. (seventh), Justin Hirt of Tigerton (eighth), Jared Siefert of Luxemburg (ninth) and Waukesha’s Mitch McGrath (10^th).

“Jason and Brian both ran a good race and I just tried to keep a nice pace in lapped traffic and run a good line when those guys got to racing hard up on the top,” Mars said. “It was a chess match in traffic and luckily it worked in our favor. We’ve been close to getting wins all year and tonight luck went our way.”

In the 25-lap PDTR B Mod A main, Wyatt Block of Marion got the jump on the start with outside front row starter Travis Arenz of Sheboygan following in second and Chilton’s Travis Hansen, who started fourth, third.

Block, Arenz and Hansen stayed glued to the bottom of the track throughout the non-stop race with Arenz unable to close to within striking distance until the leader encountered lapped cars on lap 20.

Although Arenz was able to close up to Block’s bumper in the closing laps, he was unable to mount a challenge for the lead as Block held strong to post his first PDTR B Mod A-main triumph in his first appearance at Plymouth.

Arenz finished second, Hansen was third, Green Bay’s Hunter Parsons, who started fifth, placed fourth and ninth starter Joel Seegert of Sheboygan rounded out the top five.

Both A-main events were contested caution free, which accounted for 75 total laps of non-stop racing.

Chris Engels of Green Bay won the Dirt Kings Late Model C main, while Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha captured the Dirt Kings Late Model B main. Brandon Berth of Plymouth was victorious in the PDTR B Mod B main.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track racing program on Saturday, Aug. 5 will feature the second appearance of the season of the Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series. PDTR 360 Sprint Cars and Micro Sprints will also be on the all-open-wheel card. The trophy sponsor will be JDL Automotive and Detailing. Hot laps will begin at 6 p.m. with IRA qualifying and racing to follow.

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.pedaldownpromotions.com or call 920-323-7970.

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 29, 2017 – On a picture-perfect evening for racing, Plymouth Dirt Track Racing competitors, crews, staff and fans gathered to share in a program which provided a little bit of everything – from the joy of first-time A-main winners, to the spectacle of thrilling finishes, to the heartbreak of mechanical misfortune, to the excitement of the popular Kids’ Backpack Night giveaway at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth Saturday, July 29.

It was certainly a night West Bend’s Kevin Karnitz will never forget as he picked up his first career PDTR Sprint Car A main victory. Three-time PDTR Late Model champion and current point leader Brad Mueller of Random lake notched his second A-main win of the season, while Dan Sorce of West Allis registered his third Grand National A-main triumph of the season. Point leader Justin Green of Sheboygan Falls continued his stranglehold on the competition by notching his fifth PDTR B Mod A-main victory of the 2017 campaign and Dave Collins of Madison notched his first career PDTR Micro Sprint main event win.

Polesitter Tim Haddy of Waupun and outside front row starter Dick Kaiser of Milwaukee led the 22-car Sprint Car field to the green flag in the 25-lap A-main with Haddy grabbing the early lead.

Two-time PDTR Sprint Car champ Danny Schlafer of Sussex used the outside line to power his way from his eighth starting spot to third on the opening lap. On lap 3, fourth starter Kevin Karnitz worked his way past Haddy into the lead.

While Karnitz gradually built up a solid eight-car advantage, Haddy and Schlafer battled back and forth for the runner-up spot as the two veteran racers exchanged slide jobs over the span of several laps.

On lap 8, Karnitz began to encounter lapped traffic and shortly after Schlafer cleared Haddy for second and quickly closed in on Karnitz for the lead. By lap 11, Schlafer worked both the high and low grooves to pressure Karnitz for the top spot.

Two laps later, Schlafer swept past Karnitz with a big slide job. However, a caution flag shortly after negated the both and kept Karnitz in the lead.

Karnitz pulled out to a solid lead on the ensuing restart as Schlafer found himself again engaged with Haddy in a battle for second. Shortly after, Schlafer and Haddy collided in turn one and collected 2008 PDTR Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett to trigger a caution period.

Schlafer managed to make repairs in the work area and return to the rear of the field, but Haddy and Fassbender were done for the night.

When the race resumed, Karnitz remained entrenched in the lead with fifth starter Doug Wondra of Oakfield second and Paul Pokorski of West Bend, who started sixth, in third and seventh starter Justin Miller of Plymouth fourth.

Pokorski and Miller each showed their strength in the closing laps to challenge Karnitz for the top spot. However, Karnitz was not to be denied as he hung on to post his first career PDTR Sprint Car A-main victory in his eighth season wheeling a Sprint Car.

Pokorski placed second, Miller was third, PDTR Sprint Car point leader Brandon McMullen charged with up the 15^th starting spot to finish fourth and Kenjay Fiedler of Sheboygan Falls moved all the way up from 19^th at the start to place fifth.

Former PDTR Late Model champion Billy Rezutek of Big Bend outpowered polesitter Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha along the high line to take the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 25-lap Late Model A main.

On lap 2, Union Grove’s Chris Carlson, who started third, snuck under Rezutek to grab the lead. However, Rezutek used the cushion to reclaim the lead on lap 7. Behind Rezutek and Carlson, fifth starter Brad Mueller and Cleveland’s Justin Schmidt, who started sixth, mounted their own side-by-side duel for third.

As the laps wound down, Rezutek found himself approaching lapped traffic on lap 19 with Mueller and Schmidt still mounting an epic duel for third close behind Carlson.

With the top four cars bunched tightly in slower traffic, Mueller dove to the bottom of the track on lap 22 to clear a lapped car in the middle of the track, as well as Rezutek, who was running the extremely high. The thrilling move gave Mueller the lead, which he maintained over the final three laps en route to his 18^th career Late Model A main victory.

Carlson was second, Rezutek finished third, Schmidt took fourth and defending PDTR Late Model champion Tim Buhler of Glenbeulah placed fifth after starting ninth.

In the 25-lap Grand National A main, 2008 PDTR Grand National champion Matt Yancey of Sheboygan held the early lead before former PDTR Late Model champ Dan Sorce, who started fourth, used a strong outside move to seize the lead in turn four on lap 7.

Sorce endured a pair of caution periods over the final 18 laps to post his seventh career PDTR Grand National A main victory. Outside front row starter Matt Loehr of Dotyville placed second, followed by sixth starter Tyler Kulow of New Holstein in third, 2011 PDTR Grand National champion Mark Fieber of Cascade, who charged from the 14^th starting spot to place fourth, and Yancey, who wound up fifth.

Polesitter Brandon Knepprath of Kewaskum, who won his first career heat race earlier in the evening, and Mark Hoeppner lead the 25-lap B Mod A main to the green flag from the front row.

Hoeppner gained the early advantage over 2016 PDTR B Mod champ Brandon Berth of Plymouth, who started fourth in second. Meanwhile, Justin Green was the man on the move as he worked his way into the top five from his 11^th starting spot on lap 3.

Point leader Justin Green, who started 11^th, entered the top five by lap three and wasted little time in challenging for the lead. After a pair of caution periods, Green swept past Hoeppner into the lead following a restart on lap 6.

Green would not be headed the rest of the way as he bolted away to notch his fifth B Mod A main victory of the season and his career. Travis Hansen of Chilton of charged from the 17^th starting spot to finish second, Berth was third, third starter Rick Kretschmann of Sheboygan Falls finished fourth and seventh starter Brian Konitzer of Sheboygan placed fifth.

Fourth starter Dave Collins picked up his first career PDTR Micro Sprint A main victory in the 15-lap main event, followed by Tory Strauss of Waterloo (second), Preston Ruh of Elkhart Lake (third), Emily Portschy of Plymouth (fourth) and Tyler Davis of South Milwaukee (fifth).

B main victories went to Tony Wondra of Campbellsport (Sprint Car) and Travis Hansen (B Mod).

Over 75 youngsters received special backpacks from a driver as part of the second annual PDTR Kids Backpack Night giveaway and Buffalo Wild Wings served as the evening’s trophy sponsor.

Former Plymouth flagman and track prep worker Bob Mertes who passed away earlier in the day, was remembered for his contributions to racing at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds track before the start of the Sprint Car A-main.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track racings program on Saturday, Aug. 5 will feature the second appearance of the season of the Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series. PDTR 360 Sprint Cars and Micro Sprints will also be on the all-open-wheel card. The trophy sponsor will be JDL Automotive and Detailing. Hot laps will begin at 6 p.m. with IRA qualifying and racing to follow.

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

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.pedaldownpromotions.com or call 920-323-7970.

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 22, 2017  – On a night which showcased numerous hotly contested battles on the track and provided an ample opportunity for young autograph seekers to get up close and personal with their favorite drivers in the pit area, three seasoned veterans, a top candidate for breakthrough driver of the year and one of the youngest competitors in the pit area captured A-main event victories Saturday, July 22, in Plymouth Dirt Track Racing action at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds.

One of the most accomplished veterans at PDTR, Jim Melis of Glenbeulah, held off a late charge from point leader Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh to claim his first Sprint Car A-main victory of 2017. Jim Schmidt Cleveland notched his second Late Model A-main triumph the season, while B Mod point leader Justin Green of Sheboygan Falls posted his fourth A-main triumph of the year. Veteran Sprint Car driver Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee earned his first career Grand National triumph and 13-year-old Jack Vanderboom posted his second A-main triumph of 2017 in the Micro Sprint division.

Outside front row starter Kenjay Fiedler of Sheboygan Falls outpowered polesitter Jim Melis to grab the lead in the first corner of the opening lap of the 25-lap Sprint Car event. The first caution of the race appeared on lap 3 when Doug Wondra of Lomira, Nick Melis of Plymouth and Ryan Mayr of New Holstein collided in turn 3 sending Wondra flipping. The resulting damage forced Wondra and Melis to retire from the race, while Mayr was able to continue.

After the restart, Melis used the low groove to slip past Fiedler on lap 4. On the next lap, sixth starter Tyler Brabant of Waupun charged up to seize second on lap 5 and pressure Melis for the lead along the low line.

However, the cagey veteran switched his line and moved to the bottom of the track, which helped to turn back Brabant’s march to the front. Three laps later PDTR Sprint Car point leader Brandon McMullen, who started fourth, slipped past Brabant to assume second on lap 11 and quickly began to close the gap on Melis.

As the leaders encountered lapped traffic on lap 16, McMullen cut the gap even further. On the final lap, McMullen dove under Melis and two skilled racers dueled side by side to the finish line with Melis nipping McMullen by just .06 of a second to claim the 15^th career PDTR Sprint Car A main victory and 18^th Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main triumph of his career.

McMullen finished second, Brabant recorded a career-best third place showing, fifth starter Kurt Davis paced fourth and eighth starter Lance Fassbender of Burnett rounded out the top five.

Polesitter Charlie Schmidt of Cedar Grove led the first nine circuits of the 25-lap PDTR Late Model A main until Jim Schmidt powered up from his sixth starting position to pressure for the top spot.

On lap 10, Jim Schmidt bolted past Charlie Schmidt to gain the lead with a strong move along the outside groove. The second of two caution periods for debris bunched the field on lap 12.

On the restart, Jim Schmidt checked out to build up a half-lap lead over Charlie Schmidt. After dueling with Charlie Schmidt for numerous laps, three-time PDTR Late Model champ and current point leader Brad Mueller of Random Lake moved into second from his seventh starting position on lap 13 and one lap later, Luxemburg’s Jared Siefert seized third after starting 10^th.

However, it was all Jim Schmidt out front as he cruised over the final 11 laps to seal to his second PDTR Late Model A-main victory of the 2017 season and his 11^th career PDTR Late Model A-main win.

Mueller finished second, Siefert was third, Charlie Schmidt wound up fourth and Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha rounded out the top five after starting eighth.

Kurt Davis pulled off a huge move in the first turn of the race to lead the opening lap of 25-lap Grand National A main from the inside second row starting spot.

Polesitter Jeff Lammers of Plymouth refused to let Davis run away and hide as he moved in to challenge for the lead on lap 4. The lone caution of the race appeared on lap 9 when Dan Sorce of West Allis collided with Jacob Muehlbauer along the frontstretch.

When the race resumed, Davis again showed his strength with Lammers in tow. The two drivers remained 1-2 in the runner order over the final 13 laps as Davis recorded his first career PDTR Grand National A main victory.

Lammers finished second, fourth starter Tyler Kulow of New Holstein placed third, J.J. Pagel raced up from the ninth starting position to finish fourth and Will Sorce of West Allis, who claimed his first career PDTR Grand National A-main victory last week, finished fifth after starting 11^th.

Polesitter J.J. Walvoord took the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 25-lap B Mod A main with third starter and current point leader Justin Green of Sheboygan Falls trailing in second.

Green grabbed the top spot on lap 3 before Walvoord battled back to regain the lead along the outside groove on lap 4. The first of three caution periods came out on lap 4 for a six-car incident in turn 2. On the restart, Green continued to pressure Walvoord for the lead until he finally seized the top spot for good in turn three on lap 7.

Green proceeded to build up a big full straightaway lead over Tim Warner of Fond du Lac, who started fourth. As Green locked down command of the race, several drivers jockeyed for spots in the top five. A flurry of inspired passes and close battles ensued in the final five laps of the race between Walvoord, Gary Glander of Sheboygan Falls, who started sixth, Warner and 11^th starter Chad Vetting of Valders.

Green cruised to his fourth career A-main victory and fourth triumph of the 2017 season. A spirited late rally vaulted Vetting to a second-place finish, Glander was third, Walvoord wound up fourth and Warner completed the top five.

After starting fifth, Jack Vanderboom of Dousman grabbed the lead on lap 3 and cruised the rest of the way to notch his second A-main victory of the season ahead of Chad Bogar of Sun Prairie in second.

Tory Strauss of Waterloo took third, polesitter Preston Ruh of Elkhart Lake placed fourth and Josh Rehberg of Franklin completed the top five.

The PDTR Autograph Night program was presented by Hopf Farms, which distributed checkered flags to all kids, as well as several other handouts and raffle giveaways throughout the evening, while also serving as the nights trophy sponsor.

Next Saturday, July 29 will feature the second annual PDTR Kids Backpack Night with Buffalo Wild Wings serving as the evening’s trophy sponsor. Racing starts at 6 p.m.

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

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.pedaldownpromotions.com or call 920-323-7970.

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 15, 2017 – Plymouth Dirt Track Racing honored those that keep the sport of auto racing alive on Fan Appreciation Night Saturday, July 15 at the Sheboygan County Fair Grounds third-mile clay oval and considering the high level of entertainment on the track, the bulk of the healthy crowd on hand left appreciative of what they saw.

In the Sprint Car ranks, Danny Schlafer of Sussex claimed his second PDTR A-main victory of the season. Likewise, Mitch McGrath notched victory number two in the Late Model main event. First-time 2017 headline race winners were Will Sorce of Franklin (Grand National), Brad Lubach of Kiel (B Mod) and Tyler Davis of South Milwaukee (Micro Sprint).

Polesitter Paul Pokorski of West Bend jumped out to the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap Sprint Car A main. The 25-year veteran held the top spot through the first eight laps before 2010 PDTR Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee, who started third, moved in to challenge as the leaders encountered lapped traffic.

On lap 9, Davis dove underneath the high-riding Pokorski in turn one to assume the top spot, while Schlafer, who started seventh, used the outside groove to take over third.

The next lap produced a five-car incident extending from turn three and the way through the frontstretch, involving Anthony Knierim of Franksville, Justin Miller of Plymouth, Eagle’s Scott Conger, Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum and Davis, who collided with Miller, who had spun exiting turn four.

The damage forced Davis to exit the race, giving the lead back to Pokorski. Of the five cars involved in the incident, only Conger was able to continue.

On the restart, Schlafer pulled off a slide job entering turn three. However, Pokorski turned back under him to lead lap 11. However, Schlafer was not to be denied as he again slid past Pokorski in turn three on lap 12 and made the move stick.

Schlafer road the ragged edge along the high line, jumping the cushion on a few occasions, but still managed to hold off Pokorski over the final 13 laps to notch his 18^th career PDTR Sprint Car victory and the 46^th overall main event triumph in Midwest Sprint Car Association competition.

Pokorski placed second, followed by 18^th starter Tim Haddy of Waupun in third, Lance Fassbender of Burnett, who started 11^th, fourth and fourth starter Al Schlafer of Sussex, who rounded out the top five.

Joel Bennett led the first six laps of the 25-lap Late Model A-main from the outside front row starting spot. On lap 7, after a caution flag for the stalled car of defending PDTR Late Model champion Tim Buhler of Glenbeulah in turn one, 2014 PDTR Late Model champion Mitch McGrath, who started fifth got past Bennett in turn one.

McGrath proceeded to build up a solid lead while ninth starter Justin Hirt of Tigerton and seventh starter Chris Carlson of Union Grove dueled side by side for second for several laps before Hirt claimed the spot for good.

Hirt, who was making his first PDTR appearance of the season, used a late charge to close in on McGrath in the final laps. However, McGrath held Hirt off to collect his ninth career PDTR Late Model A main victory by a five-car-length margin.

Hirt was second, sixth starter Jim Schmidt of Cleveland placed third, three-time PDTR Late Model champ and current point leader Brad Mueller of Random Lake took fourth from the 13^th starting position and polesitter Randy Markwardt of Sheboygan took fifth.

After a special driver introduction ceremony, the extended 30-lap Grand National A main saw outside front row starter Justin Erickson of Plymouth grab the initial lead.

Erickson encountered lapped traffic on lap 9, which allowed third starter Jeff Lammers of Plymouth to close the gap on lap 13. Despite losing a hood pin, which left his hood flapping in the freeze, Lammers made several attempts to wrestle the lead away from Erickson before the first caution flag of the race appeared on lap 21 when Jim Rychtik of Port Washington collided with Kurt Davis and Tyler Kulow of New Holstein in turn one.

When the race resumed Lammers felt pressure from 2010 PDTR Grand National champ Brian Gilles of Plymouth, who started on the pole. However, both Gilles and Lammers left the track with mechanical issues when the second caution of the race came out on lap 23.

On the next restart, it was two-time PDTR Grand National champion Don Sorce Jr., who was driving as the No. 14 car for Dan Sorce, moved in to challenge from the 13^th starting spot.

Using the high groove Sorce Jr. claimed the top spot in turn two on lap 24, as 78-year-old Dick Hed of Plymouth , who started fifth, moved into the runner-up spot.

Sorce Jr. appeared to have the race in hand, but Will Sorce, who started 15^th, had other things in mind. With Sorce. Jr. running low, Sorce ventured up high to pass Hed and steal the lead away from Sorce Jr. in turn four with two laps to go.

Sorce went on to record his first PDTR Grand National A main victory of the 2017 season. Sorce Jr. was second, Hed placed third, Matt Loehr of Dotyville came from the ninth starting spot to take fourth and Erickson completed the top five.

Outside front row starter Mark Hoeppner of Hartford led the first two laps of the 25-lap B Mod A main before sixth starter J.J. Walvoord assumed the top spot on lap 3.

After the first of two caution flags for the stalled car of Tim Thrun of Horicon, three-time PDTR Grand National champion Brad Lubach, who started eighth, moved into challenge Hoeppner for second.

Driving the car normally steered by Chad Vetting, Lubach took control of second on lap 7. Two laps later, Lubach used the high groove to bolt past Walvoord into the lead in turn one.

Walvoord rallied over the final six laps to mount some pressure for the lead. However, Lubach, who holds the all-time lead with 24 PDTR Grand National A-main victories, went on to post his first career PDTR B Mod A-main triumph.

Walvoord was second, point leader Justin Green of Sheboygan Falls placed third after starting 11^th, Glen Blanke of Sheboygan Falls, who started ninth, finished fourth and fourth starter Cody Eickberg of Plymouth placed fifth.

Tyler Davis of South Milwaukee won his first career PDTR Micro Sprint A main. Preston Ruh was second, followed by Dave Collins in third.

Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum won the Sprint Car B main.

The program attracted 25 Sprint Cars, 23 Grand Nationals, 23 B Mods, 13 Late Models and three Micro Sprints.

The trophy sponsor for the evening was A-1 Appliance and Repair. The next PDTR program on Saturday, July 22 will be Autograph Night. All kids in attendance will receive checkered flags courtesy of the evening’s sponsor Hopf Farms. Racing will begin at 6 p.m.

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

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.pedaldownpromotions.com or call 920-323-7970.

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 14, 2017 – The stars of the Dirt Modified world turned out to headline a special Friday night racing Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program Friday, July 14, at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds.

The evening featured The Plymouth Dirt Track debut of the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) and inaugural Cow Bell Street Stock Tour, as well as the PDTR Grand National division for a non-points event.

In the 40-lap USMTS main event, Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa took home the checkered flag. Jeff Jungwirth of Oshkosh notched the A-main victory in the non-stop Cow Bell Street Stock Tour event, while Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis notched his second straight PDTR Grand National A-main victory.

Polesitter Cory Mahder of Eau Claire jumped out to the early lead in the USMTS A-main over outside front row starter Jake Timm of Winona, Minn. On lap 3, Gustin, who started fourth, made his presence felt as he dove underneath Timm to take over the runner-up spot.

Mahder ran the high groove and Gustin choose to stay low in the early going as the leaders set a quick pace in the opening laps. Meanwhile USMTS Northern Series point leader Zack VanderBeek of New Sharon, Iowa, who came into the night having won the three previous USMTS races this week at Luxembug Speedway, 141 Speedway in Francis Creek and the Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway, stormed up from his 12^th starting spot to secure fifth place on lap 8.

After a caution for debris on lap 10 and another on lap 12 for a two-car spin in turn four, Gustin continued to track down Mahder before pulling into the lead coming off of turn four on lap 13.

VanderBeek followed Gustin to the front taking second place from Mahder on lap 14 and wasting no time challenging for the lead. Gustin used a primarily outside line to maintain the lead over the hard-charging VanderBeek, who dedicated himself to running a low line.

VanderBeek ducked under Gustin on lap 15 as the two top USMTS competitors dueled side by side until Gustin was able to separate himself two laps later. The leaders caught up to lapped traffic on lap 24, which proved to be just what Gustin needed.

The veteran Modified and Late Model racer sliced his way skillfully through dense lapped traffic to build up a full straight advantage over VanderBeek, who had to deal with a challenge from eighth starter Cade Dillard of Robeline, La. in the closing laps.

Gustin went on to post his 84th career USMTS main event win and second USMTS Northern Region A-main victory of the season by nearly a half-lap margin over VanderBeeck, who saw his three-race winning streak come to an end. However, VanderBeeck was able to secure the 2017 USMTS Northern Region points title.

Dillard finished third, Mahder was fourth and 11^th starter Lucas Schott of Chatfield, Minn. rounded out the top five.

Polesitter Jeff Jungwirth grabbed the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 30-lap Cow Bell Street Stock Tour A main. On lap 4, third starter Kyle Genett of Rangeline moved up to second and immediately set sail to reel in Jungwirth.

Lapped traffic made things very interesting for the leaders in the caution-free race beginning on lap 12. With 11 laps to go, Jungwirth found himself bottled up behind a lapped car, which allowed Genett to close drastically.

With lapped traffic still baffling Jungwirth, Genett used the high groove to bolt into the lead in turn three on lap 26. However, Jungwirth was not to be denied as he battled back to regain the lead on the following lap.

Jungwirth and Genett continued to duel side by side over the final two laps before Jungwirth surged ahead to notch a five-car-length victory over Genett, who had to settled for second. Fourth starter Cody Potter of Pell Lake placed third, Alex Crapser finished fourth and Frank Knaus of Rosendale finished fifth after starting sixth.

Paul Diefenthaler of Manitowoc and Rice Lake’s Jim Randall finished in a tie for the first ever Cow Bell Street Stock tour title with 141 points each.

The 30-lap PDTR Grand National A main turned into the Don Sorce Jr. show. The two-time PDTR Grand National champion started on the outside of the front row and outpowered polesitter Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee to take the lead on the opening lap.

By lap 7, Sorce Jr. had built a comfortable half-straightaway lead over Davis. The first of two caution flags was displayed on lap 9 for debris in turn one. On the restart, Matt Loehr of Dotyville used a low move to slip past fifth starter Tyler Kulow of Plymouth to gain third.

On lap 18, Loehr dove under Davis to assume second in turn four. Loehr managed to stay within striking distance of Sorce Jr. over the final 12 laps, but he was never able to mount a serious challenge.

Sorce Jr. went on to post his 10^th career PDTR Grand National A-main victory and second straight triumph at Plymouth this year. Loehr finished second, Davis ended up third, Kulow as fourth and eighth starter Justin Erickson of Plymouth wound up fifth.

B main victories went to Curt Myers of Cameron (USMTS Modifieds) and Charlie Sancinati of West Allis (Grand National).

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

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.pedaldownpromotions.com or call 920-323-7970.