Bill Balog (17B) of Hartland held off a spirited challenge from Scotty Thiel (64) of Sheboygan to capture his 12th Bumper to Bumper interstate Racing Association A-main victory of the 2020 season and wrap up his record 10th career IRA championship, during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26. – RC Custom Design photo

McMullen wraps up second PDTR 360 Sprint Car crown

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 26, 2020 – On a night when Sprint Cars were king, four champions were crowned in five different open wheel touring series during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26.

In the headlining Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, Bill Balog of Hartland captured his 12^th IRA A-main victory of the year in the 30-lap main event en route to nailing down his record 10^th IRA title.

Will Gerrits of Waupun led flag to flag to earn his first Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car main event victory of the 2020 season.

In addition, Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh secured his second Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car championship, while also claiming his fourth Midwest Sprint Car Association crown.

Tim Cox of Park City, Ill. notched his first A-main victory of the season in the 20-lap Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Car Series main event, while Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harbor, Ill. earned his first career AutoMeter Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Car championship.

C.J. Malueg of Johnsburg, Ill. earned the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints A-main victory in a photo finish on the way to the 2020 IRA Lightning Sprints title.

The initial start of the 30-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car Series A main was aborted when Todd Daun of Pleasant Prairie stopped near the turn two wall to bring out the first of six caution flags.

Following a complete restart, Bill Balog jumped out to the lead from the pole position  with third starter Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan surging into second along the low groove.

The second caution was displayed on lap 2 when Hunter Custer of Chippewa Falls stopped in turn four. Following the restart, Balog held strong at the front of the field with Thiel in tow before the lead duo hit lapped traffic on lap 5, which provided Thiel with an opportunity to pounce.

On lap 6, Thiel ducked low to pull even with Balog. The two Sprint Car standouts dueled side by side over the next two circuits before Thiel surged into the lead in turn four on lap 8.

The third caution flag appeared on lap 11 when Robbie Pribnow of Lomira stopped along the frontstretch. Thiel pulled away from Balog on the restart before traffic again made things interesting beginning on lap 15.

One lap later, Balog used the outside groove to power around Thiel into the lead on lap 16. On the next circuit, Jordan Goldesberrry of Springfield, Ill. spun in turn one before collecting Kris Spitz of Salem.

Balog controlled the ensuing restart before the fifth caution flew on lap 22 when Blake Nimee of Oswego, Ill. stopped in turn three on lap 22. On the ensuing restart, Balog again powered away to a full-straightaway advantage on lap 25.

As Balog hit lapped traffic one final time, Balog closed the gap dramatically on lap 28. With Thiel gaining quickly on Balog entering the final two turns, Scott Biertzer of West Bend slowed in turn three, which caused Kris Spitz to spin just in front of Thiel, who was collected in the incident to bring out the sixth caution of the race.

Thiel was able to continue in the race at the rear of the field in a green-white-checkered flag finish. Balog powered away from former IRA champion Jake Blackburst of Hanna City, Ill. on the restart and held onto post is 12^th IRA A-main victory of the season, record a season sweep of the three 2020 IRA A-main events at Plymouth and rack up his 125^th career IRA A-main triumph.

“We had a great battle with Scotty [Thiel] for a while there,” Balog said. “Then the spin happened on the last lap with Scotty. After that, I think Jake [Blackhurst] was behind us. I didn’t know how close Blackhurst was during the lap few laps. I was a little worried because I bobbled and jumped the cushion at the end.”

Blackhurst, who started fourth, came home a strong second.

“It’s great to have this car turned around and consistently running toward the front now,” Blackhurst said. “Congratulations to Bill and his team on the victory and championship. Man, he is good.”

Mike Reinke of Howards Grove finished third in the Bob Hood 10W entry, after starting sixth.

“It looked like we were going to be a fourth or fifth-place car tonight,” Reinke said. “We were not as fast as the top three guys in open air then some things happened near the end that ended up putting us on the podium. I’m happy with a podium finish to close out the year. This will help in building some momentum into the offseason and into 2021.”

Outside front row starter Joey Moughan of Springfield, Ill. finished fourth and former IRA champion Jeremy Schultz of Beaver Dam placed fifth after starting 11^th.

Will Gerrits of Waupun secured his second career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main victory, during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26. – RC Custom Design photo

Outside front row starter Will Gerrits grabbed the lead of the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main with polesitter Chris Clayton of Waldo sliding into second. By lap 5, Gerrits had bolted out to a full straightaway lead over Clayton.

On lap 10, 2011 PDTR and MSA champion Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove moved in from his sixth starting spot to work around Clayton for second on lap 10.

The leaders hit lapped traffic on lap 13 before Travis Arenz of Sheboygan used a slide job to clear Schmidt and take second in turn two on lap 14. Schmidt battled back to regain second lap 16. However, Arenz regained the spot in turn three on lap 17.

Arenz was closing rapidly on Gerrits for the lead in dense lapped traffic before the lone caution flag of the race was displayed on lap 17 when 2018 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Justin Miller of Plymouth spun in turn two.

Following the restart, Gerrits again opened up a sizable gap when Arenz and Schmidt dueled back and forth for second with Arenz eventually maintaining the spot on lap 18.

Arenz worked the high groove throughout the majority of the final seven circuits, but was unable to reel in Gerrits, who secured his first A-main victory of the 2020 season and his second career PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main victory.

“This certainly makes up for the god-awful year we’ve had,” Gerrits said. “I have to thank everyone in the pits that helps out on this car.”

Arenz finished second, Schmidt placed third, third starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend ended up fourth and Clayton rounded out the top five.

Tim Cox of Park City, Ill. earned his first AutoMeter Wisconsin Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2020 season, during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 26. – Bruce Palla Mindz I Photography photo

Vince Bartolotta of Muskego grabbed the lead of the 20-lap Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Car A main from the pole with outside front row starter Tim Cox settling into second.

On lap 6, Ryan Marshall of Kansasville, who started fifth, moved in to challenge the high-riding Cox along the high groove, but Cox prevailed before moving in to pressure Bartolotta for the top spot on lap 8.

One lap later, Cox powered around Bartolotta along the outside groove to seize the top spot. On lap 11, Marshall slipped underneath Bartolotta to take over second before the first of two caution flags was displayed on lap 16 when Chris Klemko of Bristol, who entered the race with a 10-point lead over Jimmy Sivia in the chase for the 2020 Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Car Series title, had nowhere to go and was collected after Jake Kouba of Minneapolis, Minn. spun along the frontstretch.

The incident effectively dashed Klemko’s championship hopes as he was forced to restart the race at the rear of the field.

On lap 18, Marshall moved in to pressure Cox for the lead along the inside groove before 11^th starter Nathan Crane of Waukegan assumed third from Marshall on lap 19.

The second caution of the race was then displayed on lap 19 when Brian Strane of Paris spun in turn two. On the restart, third starter Derek Crane of Waukegan, Ill. moved in to assume second as Cox cruised to his first Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Car Series A-main victory of the 2020 season.

Derek Crane finished second, Nathan Crane was third, Marshall wound up fourth and Rusty Egan of Burlington finished fifth after starting 12^th.

“It took us the whole summer to get here,” Cox said. “We crashed badly and missed a few races. I turned 60 this year and it is great to get a win. I want to say ‘congratulations’ to Jimmy Sivia on the championship.”

Sivia was delighted to earn his first career AutoMeter Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Car Series title under the IRA banner.

“I’m feeling a lot of emotions right now,” Sivia said. “I have grown up traveling around with the IRA and now it feels great that now I can call myself an IRA champion.”

In the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints A main, Mark Heinert of Oak Creek took the lead from the outside front row starting position. The first of three cautions was displayed on lap 8 when Chris Quillman of Delevan stopped near the turn three pit exit.

C.J. Malueg of Park City, Ill. claimed an A-main victory and wrapped up the IRA Lightning Sprints 2020 title, during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – Bruce Palla Mindz I Photography photo

Following the restart, the fourth starting C.J. Malueg moved into second from his third starting spot.

After two more caution flags, the table was set for a thrilling finish. On lap 18, Malueg powered in to challenge Heinert.

On the final circuit, Malueg used a huge run of off turn four to pull even with Heinert as the two drivers dueled to the checkered flag with Malueg prevailing at the finish line by four one-thousands of a second.

Heinert placed second, Ron Brannam of Barrington, Ill. finished third after starting fifth, 10^th starter Nick Petska of Spring Grove, Ill. took fourth and polesitter Jeff Schmidt of Slinger placed fifth.

Jake Blackhurst turned the fastest IRA 410 Sprint Car Series qualifying lap of the evening by touring the third-mile clay oval in 11.932 seconds.

The IRA B main went to Blake Ninmee. Blake Wondra of Fond du Lac won the MSA B main. Jim Wehrman of Kansasville captured the Wisconsin Wingless B main.

The all-Sprint Car program, which featured a total of 105 cars, included 29 IRA 410 Sprint Cars and 31 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 28 Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Cars and 17 IRA Lightning Sprints.

Collins State Bank and RC Custom Design were the trophy sponsors for the evening.

Plymouth Dirt Track Racing will honor 2020 division champions Brandon McMullen (360 Sprint Car), Justin Schmidt (Late Model), Aaron Stolp (Grand National) and Tim Warner (B Mod), while also giving out special recognition, during the annual PDTR Awards Presentation at Racers Hall in Plymouth on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.

There is no charge to attend the event and those that attend may order food off the menu if they desire.

Awards include trophies for the top three in points in each division, rookie of year, most improved and the Dedication to Dirt Award.

BUMPER TO BUMPER INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION 410 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Jake Blackhurst 11.932 2, Scotty Thiel 11.944 3, Scott Biertzer 11.984 4, Bill Balog 12.029 5, Mike Reinke 12.061 6, Scotty Neitzel 12.063 7, Joey Moughan 12.087 8, Austin Deblauw 12.095 9, Jeremy Schultz 12.135 10, Kyle Schuett 12.146 11, Dave Uttech 12.156 12, Josh Walter 12.176 13, Sean Rayhall 12.190 14, Danny Schlafer 12.237 15, Russel Borland 12.258 16, Hunter Custer 12.262 17, Blake Nimee 12.261 18, Todd King 12.278 19, Jordan Goldesberry 12.278 20, John Fahl 12.349 21, Robbie Pribnow 12.358 22, Kurt Davis 12.361 23, Todd Daun 12.389 24, Jack Routson 12.406 25, Jereme Schroeder 12.485 26, Scott Uttech 12.529 27, Kris Spitz 12.530 28, Bailey Goldesberry 12.582 29, Travis Arenz 12.716.

HEAT 1

1, Bill Balog 2, Kyle Schuett 3, Joey Moughan 4, Jake Blackhurst 5, Sean Rayhall 6, Jordan Goldesberry 7, Blake Nimee 8, Jereme Schroeder 9, Kurt Davis 10, Baily Goldesberry.

HEAT 2

1, Dave Uttech 2, Mike Reinke 3, Scotty Thiel 4, Danny Schlafer 5, Austin Deblauw 6, Travis Arenz 7, John Fahl 8, Scott Uttech 9, Hunter Custer 10, Todd Daun.

HEAT 3

1, Josh Walter 2, Jeremy Schultz 3, Scotty Neitzel 4, Russel Borland 5, Scott Biertzer 6, Robbie Pribnow 7, Jack Routson 8, Kris Spitz 9, Todd King

DASH 1

1, Bill Balog 2, Scotty Thiel 3, Josh Walter 4, Dave Uttech 5, Scott Biertzer.

DASH 2

1, Joey Moughan 2, Jake Blackhurst 3, Mike Reinke 4, Scotty Neitzel 5, Austin Deblauw.

B MAIN

1, Blake Nimee 2, Hunter Custer 3, John Fahl 4, Jack Routson 5, Todd Daun 6, Kris Spitz 7, Jereme Schroeder 8, Kurt Davis 9, Scott Uttech 10, Todd King 11, Bailey Goldesberry.

A MAIN

1, Bill Balog 2, Jake Blackhurst 3, Mike Reinke 4, Joey Moughan 5, Jeremy Schultz 6, Scotty Neitzel 7, Travis Arenz 8, Josh Walter 9, Russel Borland 10, Austin Deblauw 11, John Fahl 12, Robbie Pribnow 13, Jordan Goldesberry 14, Kyle Schuett 15, Sean Rayhall 16, Scotty Thiel 17, Kris Spitz 18, Dave Uttech 19, Jereme Schroeder 20, Hunter Custer 21, Scott Biertzer 22, Blake Nimee 23, Jack Routson 24, Todd Daun.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANTVIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Scott Conger 2, Kurt Davis 3, Tyler Brabant 4, Blake Wondra 5, Justin Erickson 6, Paul Pokorski 7, Bill Taylor 8, Chris Larson.

HEAT 2

1, Ben Schmidt 2, Kevin Karnitz 3, Brandon Berth 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Tyler Davis 6, Shane Wenninger 7, Tony Wondra 8, Brady Portschy.

HEAT 3

1, Justin Miller 2, Travis Arenz 3, Anthony Knierim 4, Brandon McMullen 5, Tim Haddy 6, Preston Ruh 7, Josh Teunissen 8, Ken Schmick.

HEAT 4

1, Jack Vanderboom 2, Chris Clayton 3, Alex Pokorski 4, Will Gerrits 5, Doug Wondra 6, Tyler Tischendorf 7, Austin Hartmann.

B MAIN

1, Blake Wondra 2, Shane Wenninger 3, Doug Wondra 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Tyler Davis 6, Paul Pokorski 7, Preston Ruh 8, Tony Wondra 9, Josh Teunissen 10, Austin Hartmann 11, Chris Larson 12, Ken Schmick 13, Brady Portschy 14, Bill Taylor 15, Tyler Tischendorf.

A MAIN

1, Will Gerrits 2, Travis Arenz 3, Ben Schmidt 4, Kevin Karnitz 5, Chris Clayton 6, Scott Conger 7, Tim Haddy 8, Lance Fassbender 9, Jack Vanderboom 10, Brandon Berth 11, Brandon McMullen 12, Justin Erickson 13, Anthony Knierim 14, Doug Wondra 15, Paul Pokorski 16, Justin Miller 17, Shane Wenninger 18, Tyler Brabant 19, Blake Wondra 20, Alex Pokorski 21, Tyler Davis 22, Kurt Davis.

AUTOMETER WISCONSIN WINGLESS SPRINT CAR SERIES

HEAT 1

1, Nathan Crane 2, Zach Hansen 3, Jake Kouba 4, Dennis Spitz 5, Tommy Colburn 6, Jim Wehrman 7, Shawn Swim 8, Paul Shaffer 9, George Gaertner III.

HEAT 2

1, Rusty Egan 2, Chris Dodd 3, T.J. Smith 4, William Huck 5, Tom Eller 6, Seth Johnson 7, Clayton Rossmann 8, George Gaertner Jr. 9, Daniel Walldan.

B MAIN

1, Jim Wehrman 2, George Gaertner Jr. 3, Georg Gaertner III 4, Seth Johnson 5, Shawn Swim 6, Paul Shaffer 7, Clayton Rossman 8, Daniel Walldan.

A MAIN

1, Tim Cox 2, Derek Crane 3, Nathan Crane 4, Ryan Marshall 5, Rusty Egan 6, Chris Dodd 7, Allen Hafford 8, Vince Bartolotta 9, T.J. Smith 10, Jimmy Sivia 11, Natalie Klemko 12, Dennis Spitz 13, Tommy Colburn 14, Jordan Paulsen 15, Zach Hansen 16, George Gaertner Jr. 17, Jim Wehrman 18, Chris Klemko 19, William Huck 20, Seth Johnson 21, Tom Eller 22, Brian Strane 23, Jake Kouba 24, George Gaertner III.

INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION LIGHTNING SPRINTS

QUALIFYING

1, Ion Stear 14.020 2, Ron Brannam 14,077 3, C.J. Malueg 14.155 4, Mike Neau 14.173 5, Mike Heinert 14.289 6, Jeff Schmidt 14.362 7, Nick Petska 14.426 8, Josh Rehberg 14.597 9, Shawn McGill 14.727 10, Bob Jeziorski 14.882 11, Mike Unger 14.887 12, Jonathan Smith 15.070 13, 15.080 14, Phil Brannam 15.126 15, Chris Quillman 15.415 16, Andrew Kiedrowski 15.503 17, Carl Sturt.

HEAT 1

1, Nick Petska 2, Mark Heinert 3, C.J. Malueg 4, Ion Stear 5, Shawn McGill 6, Mike Unger 7, Max Brannam, 8, Chris Quillman 9, Carl Sturt.

HEAT 2

1, Jeff Schmidt 2, Josh Rehberg 3, Ron Brannam 4, Mike Neau 5, Bob Jeziorski 6, Andrew Kiedrowski 7, Jonathan Smith 8, Phil Brannam.

A MAIN

1, C.J. Malueg 2, Mark Heinert 3, Ron Brannam 4, Mike Neau 5, Nick Petska 6, Jeff Schmidt 7, Bob Jeziorski 8, Mike Unger 9, Shawn McGill 10, Max Brannam 11, Andrew Kiedrowski 12, Jonathan Smith 13, Car; Sturt 14, Ion Stear 15, Chris Quillman 16, Josh Rehberg – Phil Brannam (DNS).

Nine-time Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series champion Bill Balog of Hartland captured his 10th IRA A-main victory of the 2020 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 5. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 5, 2020 – As multiple-time champions and the clear-cut favorites to add another title to their resumes in their respective divisions in 2020, nine-time Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association champion Bill Balog of Hartland and 2017 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and three-time Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh put their considerable driving prowess on full display by picking up A-main victories, during an all-Sprint Car program at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 5.

In the 30-lap IRA 410 Sprint Series headliner, Balog outdueled Josh Schneiderman of West Burlington, Iowa in the closing laps to claim his 10^th IRA A-main victory of the 2020 season.

McMullen snuck past early race leader Will Gerrits of Waupun at the mid-way point to claim his third PDTR A-main victory of the 2020 campaign and sixth overall MSA main event win of the 2020 campaign.

Balog started on the pole of the 30-lap IRA main event and quickly outpowered outside front row starter Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan to lead the opening circuit. On lap 3, Joey Moughan of Springfield, Ill., who started fifth, dipped under the high-riding Thiel to take second.

On lap 6, Balog began to negotiate heavy lapped traffic on the multi-groove track surface, which allowed Moughan to close the gap slightly. On lap 8, Schneiderman, who started seventh, dove low to take third from Thiel before passing Moughan for second on lap 12.

Two laps later, 11^th starter Travis Arenz of Sheboygan, who was making his 410 Sprint Car debut driving for Ozzie Motorsports, flipped in turn four after clipping an infield tire. Arenz was uninjured, but unable to return to the race.

On the restart, Balog pulled away from Schneiderman before Moughan got sideways in turn four and collected Thiel, which resulted in both drivers flipping their machines hard on lap 15. Both drivers were uninjured, but done for the night.

Balog felt pressure from Schneiderman following the ensuing restart with Schneiderman closing the gap along the low groove, while Balog rode the cushion.

The race was slowed for the third time on lap 19 when a yellow flag was displayed for former IRA champion Jack Blackhurst of Hanna City, Ill., who stopped in turn four.

On the restart, Schneiderman stayed dedicated to the inside line, while Balog moved up high. On lap 23, Schneiderman used a big run along the low groove to wrestle the lead away from Balog exiting turn four.

Schneiderman maintained the top spot over the next six laps when lapped traffic became a factor. On lap 29, Balog dove low in turn three to sneak past Schneiderman in dense lapped traffic.

Sixth starter Scott Biertzer of West Bend followed Balog into second on lap 29 with Schneiderman dropping to third.

Balog then cruised over the final lap en route to his 10^th IRA victory of the 2020 season, second IRA triumph of the season at The Plymouth Dirt Track and 123^rd career IRA A-main victory.

Biertzer recorded a strong second-place finish, Schneiderman placed third, 15^th starter Jordan Goldesberry of Springfield, Ill. finished fourth and Mike Reinke of Howards Grove, who started fourth, placed fifth.

In victory lane, Balog was thankful to have the opportunity to regain the lead, after losing the top spot to Schneiderman with just seven laps to go.

“I think I went upstairs too early, but I felt I was slowing down on the bottom too long,’ Balog said. “The track was good and you really had to drive your car to find the right groove. I’m happy to get this win because for a while there it looked like we were going to get beat.”

Biertzer was thrilled with his second-place run.

“It feels awesome to be here with a second-place result tonight,” Biertzer said. “I have to thank my crew for giving me a good car as well as all my sponsors for their support. We couldn’t be here without them.”

Knoxville Raceway regular Schneiderman, who was making his first career appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track, was dejected in victory lane, after falling from first to third in the span of two laps.

“I’m pretty disgusted with the result,” Schneiderman said. “I’m upset at myself. Bill is a great race car driver, but we came here to win. My crew worked hard to give us the chance to win after we encountered motor problems last night at Dodge County.”

In the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car headliner, polesitter Will Gerrits of Waupun jumped into the lead on the drop of the green flag, while third starter Brandon McMullen snuck under 2018 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Justin Miller of Plymouth, who started on the outside of the front row.

Former Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh racked up his third A-main victory of the 2020 campaign at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 5. -RC Custom Design photo

The first of two cautions came out on lap 3 when Blake Wondra of Fond du Lac spun in turn four. Gerrits bolted away from McMullen on the restart and held a solid cushion until lap 7 when Plymouth’s Adam Miller flipped in turn four.

Gerrits commanded the ensuing restart as the leaders began to work their way through lapped traffic on lap 10. Two laps later, McMullen dove low to slip past Gerrits for the top spot in turn four on lap 12.

McMullen held his own along the preferred inside lane around the increasingly one-groove racing surface. On lap 24, Justin Miller worked past Gerrits to take over second with two laps to go.

McMullen pulled away in the waning laps to notch his 20th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main triumph and his 29^th career MSA A main victory.

Justin Miller placed second, Gerrits wound up third, 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender, who started fourth, finished fourth and Jack Vanderboom of Dousman charged up from the 11^th starting spot to place fifth.

Ryan Ruhl of Coldwater, Mich. was the fastest IRA qualifier with a lap of 11.767 seconds around the third-mile clay oval. Sean Rayhall of Woodstock, Ga. won the 15-lap IRA B main.

Kevin Karnitz of West Bend claimed the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main.

The all-Sprint Car program, which featured a total of 59 cars, included 30 IRA 410 Sprint Cars and 29 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars. Cupcake Wonders was the trophy sponsor for the evening.

The next event at The Plymouth Dirt Track will take place next Saturday, Sept. 12 with the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals and B Mods, along with a special appearance from the Badger Midgets. The Sept. 12 event will be the final points event of the season for the PDTR Grand National and B Mod divisions.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

For all remaining 2020 PDTR races, Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan will have his new book “RPM – The Golden Era of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing” for sale under the grandstand for $10.

A portion of the money collected from the sale of the book will be donated to Plymouth Dirt Track Racing.

BUMPER TO BUMPER INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION

QUALIFYING

1, Ryan Ruhl 11.767, 2, Joey Moughan 11.777, 3, Bill Balog 11.813, 4, Mike Reinke 11.991, 5, Scotty Thiel 12.018, 6, Scott Biertzer 12.095, 7, Kyle Schuett 12.146, 8, Jake Blackhurst 12.151, 9, Scotty Neitzel 12.195, 10, Travis Arenz 12.216, 11, Danny Schlafer 12.236, 12, Josh Schneiderman, 12.257 13, Russel Borland 12.299, 14, Scott Uttech 12.317, 15, Jeremy Schultz 12.343, 16, Jordan Goldesberry 12.356, 17, Robbie Pribnow 12.372, 18, Dave Uttech 12.398,19, Sean Rayhall, 20, Johnny Fahl 12.486, 21, Jereme Schroeder 12.577, 22, Kris Spitz 12.609, 23, Hunter Custer 12.630, 24, Dan McCarron 12.660, 25, Bailey Goldesberry 12.667, 26, Jack Routson 12.703, 27, Wayne Modjeski 12.811, 28, Bryce Schmitt 13.050, 29, Kevin Seidler 12.314 30, Blake Nimee (DQ).

HEAT 1

1, Kyle Schuett 2, Travis Arenz 3, Mike Reinke 4, Russel Borland 5, Jordan Goldesberry 6, Ryan Ruhl 7, Sean Rayhall 8, Bailey Goldesberry 9, Kris Spitz 10, Bryce Schmitt.

HEAT 2

1, Danny Schlafer 2, Scotty Thiel 3, Jake Blackhurst 4, Joey Moughan 5, Rrobbie Pribnow 6, Jack Routson 7, Johnny Fahl 8, Hunter Custer 9, Scott Uttech 10, Kevin Seidler.

HEAT 3

1, Josh Schneiderman 2, Scott Biertzer 3, Scotty Neitzel 4, Bill Balog 5, Jeremy Schultz 6, Jereme Schroeder 7, Dan McCarron 8, Wayne Modjeski 9, Blake Nimee 10, Dave Uttech.

DASH 1

1, Bill Balog 2, Ryan Ruhl 3, Joey Moughan 4, Josh Schneiderman 5, Kyle Schuett.

DASH 2

1, Scotty Thiel 2, Mike Reinke 3, Scott Biertzer 4, Jake Blackhurst 5, Danny Schlafer (DNS).

B MAIN

1, Sean Rayhall 2, Blake Nimee 3, Dan McCarron 4, Dave Uttech 5, Wayne Modjeski 6, Johnny Fahl 7, Hunter Custer 8, Kris Spitz 9, Bailey Goldesberry 10, Bryce Schmitt 11, Scott Uttech.

A MAIN

1, Bill Balog 2, Scott Biertzer 3, Josh Schneiderman 4, Jordan Goldesberry 5, Mike Reinke 6, Russel Borland 7, Ryan Ruhl 8, Robbie Pribnow 9, Scotty Neitzel 10, Wayne Modjeski 11, Dan McCarron 12, Jack Routson 13, Sean Rayhall 14, Kyle Schuett 15, Dave Uttech 16, Jeremy Schultz 17, Blake Nimee 18, Johnny Fahl 19, Jeremy Schroder 20, Jake Blackhurst 21, Joey Moughan 22, Scotty Thiel 23, Travis Arenz 24, Danny Schlafer.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANTVIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Bill Taylor 2, Lance Fassbender 3, Anthony Knierim 4, Chris Larson 5, Blake Wondra 6, Tim Haddy 7, Scott Conger 8, Brady Portschy.

HEAT 2

1, Justin Miller 2, Ben Schmidt 3, Adam Miller 4, Kurt Davis 5, Doug Wondra 6, Austin Hartmann 7, Mike MacFarlane.

HEAT 3

1, Will Gerrits 2, Brandon McMullen 3, Jack Vanderboom 4, Tyler Davis 5, Nich Melis 6, Preston Ruh 7, Josh Teunissen.

HEAT 4

1, Tyler Brabant 2, Tony Wondra 3, Justin Erickson 4, Brandon Berth 5, Kevin Karnitz 6, Shane Wenninger 7, Paul Pokorski.

B MAIN

1, Kevin Karnitz 2, Tim Haddy 3, Blake Wondra 4, Shane Wenninger 5, Scott Conger 6, Paul Pokorski 7, Josh Teunissen 8, Preston Ruh 9, Austin Hartmann 10, Chris Larson 11, Tyler Davis 12, Brady Portschy 13, Mike MacFarlane.

A MAIN

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Justin Miller 3, Will Gerrits 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Jack Vanderboom 6, Anthony Knierim 7, Bill Taylor 8, Kevin Karnitz 9, Brandon Berth 10, Justin Erickson 11, Tim Haddy 12, Paul Pokorski 13, Tony Wondra 14, Nich Melis 15, Shane Wenninger 16, Blake Wondra 17, Doug Wondra 18, Tyler Brabant 19, Kurt Davis 20, Scott Conger 21, Ben Schmidt 22, Adam Miller.

Jim Schmidt of Cleveland captured the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Russ Scheffler Tribute Night 15-lap B Main before rain washed out the main events Thursday, Aug. 27 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 27, 2020 – After dodging surrounding rain showers throughout the day and early evening, the third annual Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Russ Scheffler Tribute Night program began on a promising note with a season-high total of 101 cars checked into the pit area in four divisions, including a stellar field of 30 Late Models, on Thursday, Aug. 27 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

However, the rain finally hit the third-mile clay oval at the conclusion of the Late Model non-qualifiers race to wash out the remainder of the program, including all four A-main events on an evening honoring the late Russ Scheffler, who stands as the winningest driver in PDTR history with 92 overall race victories, including 45 Late Model A-main triumphs.

The event was considered a complete program as all heat races and two of the three scheduled B main races, as well as the Late Model non-qualifiers race were contested before the rain came.

Russ Scheffler Tribute Night Late Model heat race winners were Tony Peterson of Big Bend, Brett Swedberg of Shawano, Justin Reed of Camp Point, Ill. and Tom Naeyaert of Shawano.

Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty 360 Sprint Car heat race winners were Doug Wondra of Lomira, Scott Conger of Eagle, Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee and Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh.

Klips N Tips Grand National heat race winners included Chad Espen of West Bend and Nick Schumacher of Eagle. Cellcom B Mod heat race winners were Jason Schilling of Greenfield, Will Garceau of Mishicot and Travis Schmidt of Waldo.

Lance Fassbender of Burnett was victorious in the 15-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Russ Scheffler Tribute Night 360 Sprint Car B main before rain cancelled the remainder of the program, including all four main events, Thursday, Aug. 27 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

Jim Schmidt of Cleveland captured the 15-lap Late Model B main and Lance Fassbender of Burnett won the 15-lap 360 Sprint Car B main.

Greg Cantrell of DeKalb, Ill. won the 5-lap Late Model non-qualifiers race.

The 11th PDTR racing program of the 2020 season, which was sponsored by KSI Supply and Cupcake Wonders, drew a total of 101 cars, including 30 Late Models, 29 360 Sprint Cars, 17 Grand Nationals and 25 B Mods.

PDTR action is scheduled to resume on Friday, Aug. 28 with the Dirt Kings Late Model Tour returns for the Mueller Sales and Service 30 presented by Specht Electric and Communications. The evening also includes a full points program for the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, as well as non-points programs for the Grand National and B Mod divisions.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with racing at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Sept. 5, PDTR will host the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, along with the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with racing at 6 p.m.

For all remaining 2020 PDTR races, Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan will have his new book “RPM – The Golden Era of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing” for sale under the grandstand for $10.

A portion of the money collected from the sale of the book will be donated to Plymouth Dirt Track Racing.

RUSS SCHEFFLER TRIBUTE NIGHT LATE MODELS

HEAT 1

1, Tony Peterson 2, Justin Ritchie 3, Aaron Wickersheim 4, Kyle Raddant 5, Chris Engels 6, Adam Janke 7, Jake Van Engen 8, Justin Green.

HEAT 2

1, Brett Swedberg 2, Tim Buhler 3, Brad Mueller 4, Jim Schmidt 5, Derek Janke 6, Billy Rezutek 7, Chad Ludwigson 8, Zack Kessler.

HEAT 3

1, Justin Reed 2, Justin Schmidt 3, Charlie Schmidt 4, Mike Mullen 5, Ron Berna 6, Greg Cantrell 7, Mark Rose.

HEAT 4

1, Tom Naeyeart 2, Nick Anvelink 3, Taylor Scheffler 4, Turk Letizia 5, Joel Bennett 6, Jim Letizia 7, Kevin Baldry.

B MAIN

1, Jim Schmidt 2, Ron Berna 3, Chris Engels 4, Joel Bennett 5, Billy Rezutek 6, Kevin Baldry 7, Greg Cantrell 8, Jim Letizia 9, Adam Janke 10, Chad Ludwigson 11, Zack Kessler 12, Justin Green 13, Jake Van Engen 14, Mark Rose (DNS).

NON-QUALIFIERS RACE

1, Greg Cantrell 2, Kevin Baldry 3, Jim Letizia 4, Adam Janke 5, Zack Kessler 6, Chad Ludwigson 7, Jake Van Engen.

A MAIN

Rained out

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANTVIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Doug Wondra 2, Justin Erickson 3, Bill Taylor 4, Will Gerrits 5, Nich Melis 6, Lance Fassbender 7, Blake Wondra 8, Preston Ruh.

HEAT 2

1, Scott Conger 2, Tyler Davis 3, Kevin Karnitz 4, Adam Miller 5, Paul Pokorski 6, Tony Wondra 7, Austin Hartmann.

HEAT 3

1, Kurt Davis 2, Tyler Brabant 3, Tim Haddy 4, Brandon Berth 5, Ben Schmidt 6, Shane Wenninger 7, Chris Clayton.

HEAT 4

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Tyler Tischendorf 3, Anthony Knierim 4, Justin Miller 5, Travis Arenz 6, Jack Vanderboom 7, Sean Rayhall (DNS).

B MAIN

1, Lance Fassbender 2, Travis Arenz 3, Nich Melis 4, Justin Miller 5, Paul Pokorski 6, Shane Wenninger 7, Tony Wondra 8, Jack Vanderboom 9, Blake Wondra 10, Austin Hartmann 11, Chris Clayton 12, Preston Ruh 13, Sean Rayhall (DNS).

A MAIN

Rained out

KLIPS N TIPS GRAND NATIONAL

HEAT 1

1, Chad Espen 2, Don Sorce Jr. 3, Derek Kaat 4, Dick Hed 5, Tyler Kulow 6, Dylan May 7, Luke Scholten 8, Steven Weber 9, Matt Yancey.

HEAT 2

1, Nick Schumacher 2, Aaron Stolp 3, Steven Wirtz 4, Brett Sievert 5, Paul Todd 6, J.J. Pagel 7, David Holm 8, Donny Kulow.

A MAIN

Rained out

CELLCOM B MOD

HEAT 1

1, Jason Schilling 2, Matthew Roehl 3, Trevor Frank 4, Andy Singer 5, Tim Lange 6, Phil Campanella 7, Conrad Kaufert 8, Barry Maas 9, Jonathan Hitsman.

HEAT 2

1, Will Garceau 2, Elijah Koenig 3, Justin Bauer 4, Brendan Ostrowski 5, Brandon Knepprath 6, Patrick Hanson 7, Ryan Mech 8, Rory Welch.

HEAT 3

1, Travis Schmidt 2, Steve Lorier 3, Jesse Cullen 4, Tim Warner 5, Kyle Odekirk 6, Brady Harshbarger 7, Gary Glander 8, Brian Wieland.

B MAIN

Rained out

A MAIN

Rained out

Former Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove claimed his 10th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 22. – C-Marq Photography

Justin Schmidt secures third straight PDTR Late Model title

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 22, 2020 – The 10^th Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program of the 2020 season featured a little bit of everything on Saturday, Aug. 22 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis, including a newly crowned three-time repeat Late Model champion, a first-time B Mod A-main winner, a photo finish in the Grand National main event and the first A-main victory of the year for a former Sprint Car champion plagued by bad luck for much of the 2020 season.

In the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty 360 Sprint Car A main, 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove got his incident-plagued 2020 season back on track by notching his first A-main victory of the 2020 season. Justin Schmidt of Cleveland tallied his third 25-lap A-main victory of the season to clinch his third straight PDTR Gasroots Project Late Model title by a slim two-point margin over Turk Letizia of Waukesha. PDTR Klips N Tips Grand National point leader Aaron Stolp of Milwaukee pulled off a last lap pass to post his third 25-lap A-main win of the season by just .03 seconds. Brian Wieland of Sheboygan Falls collected his first career PDTR Cellcom B Mod A-main victory in the 25-lap A main.

In the 25-lap 360 Sprint Car A main, Ben Schmidt vaulted into the lead in the first turn of the opening lap from the pole position as outside front row starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend settled into second.

By lap 4, Schmidt had opened up a full straightaway cushion over Karnitz on the slick and smooth track surface. Three laps later, Schmidt began to work his way through heavy lapped traffic, which allowed Karnitz to close the gap.

On lap 13, the first of two caution flags appeared when Waupun’s Tim Haddy spun in turn two. Schmidt again bolted out to a commanding lead on the restart utilizing the preferred outside groove. By lap 21, Schmidt had again built up a full-straightaway lead as point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan, who started 12^th, and 2017 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh, who started seventh, traded slide jobs for fifth on lap 22.

The second and final caution appeared on lap 24 when Anthony Knierim of Franksville spun in turn four to set up a single-file green, white, checkered flag finish. On the restart, Schmidt again charged away from Karnitz, while Arenz made a daring move to sweep past two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee, who started fifth, and Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum, who started fourth, to move from fifth to third on the final lap.

Schmidt, who suffered a series of motor failures and a hard crash at Beaver Dam Raceway early in the season, pulled away to secure his 10^th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and 26^th career Midwest Sprint Car Association main event triumph.

Karnitz finished second, Arenz placed third, Wenninger was fourth and Davis rounded out the top five.

The 25-lap PDTR Late Model points season-ending A-main got off to a rough start when rookie Justin Green of Sheboygan Falls, who started second, spun in turn two on the opening lap to bring out the first of two caution flags.

Following a complete restart, third starter Joe Bongiorno of Milwaukee grabbed the lead in turn one, while fifth starter Charlie Schmidt of Oostburg slipped into second. On lap 4, Schmidt ducked under Bongiorno to take over the top spot in turn three.

Justin Schmidt of Cleveland secured his third straight Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model championship by notching his 13th career PDTR Late Model A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 22. – C-Marq Photography

One lap later, Schmidt spun into the infield in turn two, which gave the lead back to Bongiorno. On lap 6, the battle for the lead really heated up when 2016 PDTR Late Model champion Tim Buhler of Greenbush, who started seventh, fourth starter Justin Ritchie of New London and Justin Schmidt, who started eighth, bolted in to challenge Bongiorno for the top spot.

Using the high groove, Justin Schmidt emerged from a wild four-wide duel to take over the top spot in turn four on lap 6 with Ritchie moving into second. Four laps later, the second and final caution flag appeared on lap 10 when 2008 PDTR Late Model champ Billy Rezutek of Big Bend spun in turn two.

On the restart, Schmidt pulled away from Ritchie while ninth starter Turk Letizia of Waukesha, who came into the race with a four-point lead over Schmidt in the chase for the PDTR Late Model title, moved past four-time PDTR Late Model champion Brad Mueller of Random Lake, who started 10^th, to take fourth on lap 12.

Schmidt cruised over the final 10 laps to secure his 13^th career PDTR Late Model A-main victory and wrap up his third consecutive track title by two points over Letizia. Ritchie placed second, Buhler was third, Letizia placed fourth and Mueller rounded out the top five.

Two-time PDTR Grand National champion Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis took the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap Grand National A main from the pole with second starter Jonathan Otte of Cedar Grove seizing second.

The first of three caution flags appeared on lap 5 when Derek Kaat of Plymouth stopped in turn three. On the restart, Sorce Jr. pulled away, while third starter Dick Hed of Plymouth and fourth starter Luke Scholten of Oostburg dueled side by side for second before Scholten assumed the runner-up spot on lap 7.

Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National point leader Aaron Stolp of Milwaukee pulled off a last-lap pass to claim his third career PDTR Grand National A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 22. – C-Marq Photography

The second caution appeared on lap 8 when Dylan Struve of Plymouth spun in turn two. Following the restart, Aaron Stolp charged in from his seventh starting spot to move into fourth on lap 10 along the cushion. Three laps later Stolp worked around Hed to take third and three laps later, he rode the high groove past Scholten for second.

The third and final caution was displayed on lap 18 when Josh Pierce of Fredonia spun in turn two. On the restart, Stolp worked the high groove to perfection to pressure Sorce Jr. for the top spot. The high-riding Stolp pulled even with the low-riding Sorce Jr. on lap 20 and the two dueled side by side over the final five laps to set up a thrilling finish.

On the final lap, Stolp pounded the cushion and used a huge run off of turn four to nip Sorce. Jr. at the finish line by just .03 seconds en route to his third career PDTR Grand National A-main victory. Sorce. Jr. had to settle for second, Scholten placed third, fifth starter Steven Weber of Plymouth finished fourth and defending PDTR Grand National champ Tyler Kulow of Plymouth placed fifth after starting ninth.

After an incident involving Barry Maas of Cascade, Spencer Long of Sheboygan Falls, Will Garceau of Mishicot and Conrad Kaufert of Random Lake on the initial start, polesitter Brian Wieland grabbed the lead on the drop of the green flag with outside front row starter Steve Lorier of Sheboygan sliding into second.

On lap 2, fourth starter Jesse Cullen of Chilton moved in second while 10^th starter Jason Schilling of Greenfield rode the high groove into fourth on lap 3 before moving into third on lap 4.

By lap 9, Wieland had built up a half-straightaway cushion at the front of the field. Two laps later, the second caution appeared on lap 11 when Rory Welch of Grafton spun against the frontstrech wall.

On the restart, Will Garceau and Jonathan Hitsman of Plymouth spun in turn two. Lorier battled back to take second lap 12, while Waldo’s Travis Schmidt, who started sixth, worked the high line into third on the following lap before taking second from Lorier on lap 13.

Brian Wieland of Sheboygan Falls picked up his first career 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. 22. – C-Marq Photography

On lap 19, rookie Trevor Frank of Sheboygan, who started third, flexed his muscle to work underneath Schmidt into second. Five laps later, defending PDTR B Mod champ and current point leader Tim Warner of Fond du Lac moved up from his 12^th starting spot to take third with a nifty move in turn four.

Wieland remained smooth at the front of the field in the final circuits on the way to his first career PDTR B Mod victory in flag-to-flag fashion. Frank recorded a career-best second-place finish, Warner placed third, Schmidt wound up fourth and Jerry Duggan of Manitowoc worked his way up from his ninth starting spot to take fifth.

Lance Fassbender of Burnett won the 15-lap 360 Sprint Car B main.

The 10th PDTR racing program of the 2020 season, which was sponsored by the city of Sheboygan Falls Fire Department, drew a total of 82 cars, including 28 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, 15 Late Models, 15 Grand Nationals and 24 B Mods.

PDTR action will resume on Thursday, Aug. 27 with the third annual Russ Scheffler Tribute Night event featuring an added purse for the Late Model division, including a full points night for the PDTR 360 Sprint Car, Grand National and B Mod divisions.

On Friday, Aug. 28, PDTR will host the Dirt Kings Late Model Tour for the Mueller Sales and Service 30. The evening also includes a full points program for the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, as well as non-points programs for the Grand National and B Mod divisions.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6:30 p.m. on both nights.

For all remaining 2020 PDTR races, Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan will have his new book “RPM – The Golden Era of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing” for sale under the grandstand.

A portion of the money collected from the sale of the book will be donated to Plymouth Dirt Track Racing.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANTVIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Shane Wenninger 2, Kurt Davis 3, Bill Taylor 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Tyler Davis 6, Austin Hartmann 7, Kevin Seidler.

HEAT 2

1, Justin Erickson 2, Doug Wondra 3, Brandon McMullen 4, Travis Arenz 5, Brandon Berth 6, Scott Conger 7, Tony Wondra.

HEAT 3

1, Kevin Karnitz 2, Chris Clayton 3, Justin Miller 4, Anthony Knierim 5, Preston Ruh 6, Will Gerrits 7, Blake Wondra.

HEAT 4

1, Ben Schmidt 2, Tyler Tischendorf 3, Tim Haddy 4, Tyler Brabant 5, Jack Vanderboom 6, Adam Miller 7, Josh Teunissen.

B MAIN

1, Lance Fassbender 2, Will Gerrits 3, Adam Miller 4, Tyler Davis 5, Tony Wondra 6, Scott Conger 7, Austin Hartmann 8, Blake Wondra 9, Josh Teunissen 10, Kevin Seidler 11, Preston Ruh 12, Brandon Berth.

A MAIN

1, Ben Schmidt 2, Kevin Karnitz 3, Travis Arenz 4, Shane Wenninger 5, Kurt Davis 6, Brandon McMullen 7, Justin Miller 8, Tyler Tischendorf 9, Justin Erickson 10, Doug Wondra 11, Lance Fassbender 12, Will Gerrits 13, Chris Clayton 14, Jack Vanderboom 15, Adam Miller 16, Anthony Knierim 17, Tyler Brabant 18, Scott Conger 19, Bill Taylor 20, Tony Wondra 21, Tim Haddy 22, Tyler Davis.

GASROOT PROJECT LATE MODELS

HEAT 1

1, Tim Buhler 2, Justin Schmidt 3, Justin Ritchie 4, Charlie Schmidt 5, Joe Bongiorno 6, Chad Ludwigson 7, Sawyer Specht 8, Jim Schmidt.

HEAT 2

1, Turk Letizia 2, Brad Mueller 3, Billy Rezutek 4, Justin Green 5, Jim Letizia 6, Donny Singer 7, Eric Michaels.

A MAIN’

1, Justin Schmidt 2, Justin Ritchie 3, Tim Buhler 4, Turk Letizia 5, Brad Mueller 6, Joe Bongiorno 7, Jim Schmidt 8, Charlie Schmidt 9, Billy Rezutek 10, Justin Green 11, Jim Letizia 12, Chad Ludwigson 13, Sawyer Specht 14, Eric Michaels 15, Donny Singer.

KLIPS N TIPS GRAND NATIONAL

HEAT 1

1, Jonathan Otte 2, Matt Yancey 3, Steven Weber 4, Aaron Stolp 5, Darryl Traber 6, Tyler Kulow 7, Donny Kulow 8, Eric Lingford.

HEAT 2

1, Luke Scholten 2, Dick Hed 3, Don Sorce Jr. 4, Josh Pierce 5, Brad Weiss 6, Dylan Struve 7, Derek Kaat.

A MAIN

1, Aaron Stolp 2, Don Sorce Jr. 3, Luke Scholten 4, Steven Weber 5, Tyler Kulow 6, Dick Hed 7, Brad Weiss 8, Matt Yancey 9, Jonathan Otte 10, Darryl Traber 11, Donny Kulow 12, Eric Lingford 13, Dylan Struve 14, Josh Pierce 15, Derek Kaat.

CELLCOM B MOD

HEAT 1

1, Jason Schilling 2, Steve Lorier 3, Spencer Long 4, Gary Glander 5, Rory Welch 6, Matthew Roehl 7, Patrick Hanson 8, Donny Singer.

HEAT 2

1, Travis Schmidt 2, Jesse Cullen 3, Barry Maas 4, Tim Warner 5, Brian Wieland 6, James Rautmann 7, Brandon Knepprath 8, Will Garceau.

HEAT 3

1, Shane Long 2, Trevor Frank 3, Jerry Duggan 4, Jonathan Hitsman 5, Brendan Ostrowski 6, Phil Campanella 7, Conrad Kaufert 8, Jim Fischer.

A MAIN

1, Brian Wieland 2, Trevor Frank 3, Tim Warner 4, Travis Schmidt 5, Jerry Duggan 6, Gary Glander 7, Jason Schilling 8, Steve Lorier 9, Brandon Knepprath 10, James Rautmann 11, Shane Long 12, Brendan Ostrowski 13, Jonathan Hitsman 14, Donny Singer 15, Will Garceau 16, Rory Welch 17, Patrick Hanson 18, Phil Campanella 19, Jesse Cullen 20, Matthew Roehl 21, Jim Fischer 22 Conrad Kaufert 23, Barry Maas 24, Spencer Long.

Point leader Travis Arenz (25T) topped 2017 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh (98) to capture his four career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory Saturday, Aug. 15 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 15, 2020 – The second night of a Plymouth Dirt Track Racing doubleheader weekend saw some familiar faces park their machines in A-main victory lane Saturday, Aug. 15 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

PDTR 360 Sprint Car point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan notched his third 25-lap A-main victory of the 2020 season. Two-time defending PDTR Late Model champ Justin Schmidt of Cleveland notched his second 25-lap main event win of the season. Defending PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth collected his first main event win of 2020, while defending PDTR B Mod champ Tim Warner of Fond du Lac claimed his third A-main triumph of the 2020 campaign.

In the 25-lap PDTR Sprint Car headliner, 28-year veteran Tony Wondra of Campbellsport jumped out to the early lead from the pole position while 2017 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh grabbed second on the opening lap.

On lap 6, McMullen ventured up the high groove of the dry slick racing surface to wrestle the top spot away from Wondra. Two laps later, Arenz who started fifth, dove under Wondra to take second.

As the leaders encountered lapped traffic on lap 14, Arenz rapidly closed the gap on McMullen before pouncing with a low move in turn one on lap 15 to take the top spot from the high-riding McMullen.

Once in front, Arenz extended his lead steadily, while skillfully maneuvering his way through lapped traffic to collect his fourth career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory, 10^th career Midwest Sprint Car Association main event triumph and third A-main win of the 2020 season in the non-stop, caution-free race.

McMullen had to settle for second, outside front row starter Justin Erickson of Plymouth finished third, 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove, who started eighth, placed fourth and Wondra rounded out the top five.

Two-time defending Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland notched his 12th career PDTR Late Model A-main victory on Saturday, Aug. 15 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

PDTR Late Model point leader Turk Letizia of Waukesha grabbed the lead of the 25-lap A main from the pole on the opening circuit with 2016 PDTR Late Model champion and second starter Tim Buhler of Greenbush second and fourth starter Mark Rose of Dorchester in third.

The lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 3 after rookie Sawyer Specht of Sheboygan Falls spun in turn three. On the restart, Justin Schmidt moved up from his third starting spot to challenge Rose for third.

Schmidt secured the third spot on lap 4, while Justin Reed of Camp Point, Ill., who started sixth, followed in fourth on lap 6. As the laps wound down with Letizia still leading, Schmidt hit his stride using the high groove to power around Buhler into second on lap 21 in heavy lapped traffic.

With Letizia boxed in behind the slower car of Ted Dolhun Sr. of Franklin on lap 22, Schmidt worked the high line past Letizia into the lead. Once in the lead, Schmidt continued to deal with dense lapped traffic, which allowed Buhler to close slightly over the final circuits.

However, Schmidt held on to notch his 12^th career PDTR Late Model A-main victory. Buhler placed second, Letizia finished third, Reed wound up fourth and fifth starter Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha was fifth.

Polesitter Tyler Kulow and outside front row starter Brad Weiss of West Bend dueled side-by-side for the lead during the first two laps of the 25-lap PDTR Grand National A main before Kulow finally surged ahead around the inside groove exiting turn four on lap 2.

On lap 5, fourth starter Luke Scholten of Oostburg and two-time PDTR Grand National champion Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis battled for third in close quarters before Sorce Jr. gained the top with a high move in turn two on lap 7.

Defending Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth earned his eighth career PDTR Grand National A-main triumph Saturday, Aug. 15 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

Four laps later, eighth starter Aaron Stolp of Milwaukee slipped into third, while Sorce Jr. cut the lead cap on Kulow on lap 16. On lap 23, Stolp took second and pushed hard for the lead over the final two seconds.

Kulow held on to secure his eighth PDTR Grand National A-main victory by a slim one-car length margin over the hard-charging Stolp, who placed second. Sorce Jr. finished third, third starter Steven Weber of Plymouth placed fourth and 81-year-old Dick Hed of Plymouth, who started sixth, finished fifth in the non-stop race.

Polesitter Brandon Knepprath of Kewaskum led the first four laps of the 25-lap B Mod A main before defending PDTR B mod champion Tim Warner of Fond du Lac moved in from his sixth starting spot to pressure Knepprath from the top spot.

On lap 5, Warner worked the high groove to bolt past the low-riding Knepprath in turn four. With Warner in the lead, the action was hot and heavy behind him as eighth starter Barry Maas of Cascade, Brendon Ostrowski of Milwaukee, who starter second, and Justin Bauer of Sheboygan Falls, who started fourth, waged a three-wide duel for third on lap 8.

Bauer emerged with the third position along the inside line before the first of four caution flags appeared on lap 9 for a spin in turn three involving rookie Trevor Frank of Sheboygan.

On the restart, Bauer vaulted his way into second with the high-riding Maas following into third. The second caution was displayed on lap 15 when rookie Jim Fischer of Oostburg spun in turn four.

Bauer and Maas engaged in a spirited battle for second starting on lap 15, which lasted for most of the remainder of the race with Bauer working the low groove and Maas riding the outside lane.

Defending Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod champ Tim Warner of Fond du Lac posted his sixth career PDTR B Mod main event victory on Saturday, Aug. 15 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – Shawn Mueller Photography

Two more caution flags appeared on lap 18 for a spin involving Phil Campanella of Sheboygan Falls and Rory Welch of Grafton on lap 21.

With less than five laps to go, the final restart the lined up single file per PDTR rules with Bauer surging ahead of Maas for second on lap 21. As the laps wound down, Bauer cut the gap on Warner.  However, Warner proved to be too tough as he cruised to his sixth career PDTR B Mod A-main victory.

Bauer placed second, Maas wound up third, Knepprath took fourth and seventh starter Steve Lorier of Sheboygan placed fifth.

Adam Miller of Plymouth won the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main.

The ninth PDTR racing program of the 2020 season, which was sponsored by Hidden Dreams Livestock, drew a total of 74 cars, including 30 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, 15 Late Models, 14 Grand Nationals and 15 B Mods.

PDTR will resume on Saturday, Aug. 22 with 360 Sprint Car, Late Model, Grand National and B Mod action at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

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

For all remaining 2020 PDTR races, Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan Falls will have his new book “RPM – The Golden Era of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing” for sale under the grandstand.

A portion of the money collected from the sale of the book will be donated to Plymouth Dirt Track Racing.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANTVIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Tyler Tischendorf 2, Tony Wondra 3, Justin Erickson 4, Brandon Berth 5, Josh Teunissen 6, Paul Pokorski 7, Doug Wondra 8, Jordan Paulsen.

HEAT 2

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Kurt Davis 3, Travis Arenz 4, Anthony Knierim 5, Blake Wondra 6, Chris Clayton 7, Scott Conger 8, Andy Glewen.

HEAT 3

1, Jack Vanderboom 2, Nick Daywalt 3, Tyler Brabant 4, Kevin Karnitz 5, Justin Miller 6, Bill Taylor 7, Chris Larson.

HEAT 4

1, Ben Schmidt 2, Tim Haddy 3, Lance Fassbender 4, Adam Miller 5, Preston Ruh 6, Austin Hartmann 7, Mike MacFarlane.

B MAIN

1, Adam Miller 2, Blake Wondra 3, Paul Pokorski 4, Chris Clayton 5, Josh Teunissen 6, Bill Taylor 7, Preston Ruh 8, Scott Conger 9, Jordan Paulsen 10, Chris Larson 11, Doug Wondra 12, Mike MacFarlane 13, Austin Hartmann 14, Andy Glewen.

A MAIN

1, Travis Arenz 2, Brandon McMullen 3, Justin Erickson 4, Ben Schmidt 5, Tony Wondra 6, Tim Haddy 7, Lance Fassbender 8, Kurt Davis 9, Jack Vanderboom 10, Kevin Karnitz 11, Justin Miller 12, Adam Miller 13, Tyler Tischendorf 14, Brandon Berth 15, Anthony Knierim 16, Tyler Brabant 17, Paul Pokorski 18, Nick Daywalt 19, Blake Wondra 20, Bill Taylor 21, Chris Clayton 22, Josh Teunissen.

GASROOT PROJECT LATE MODELS

HEAT 1

1, Justin Reed 2, Tim Buhler 3, Justin Schmidt 4, Charlie Schmidt 5, Eric Michaels 6, Jim Schmidt 7, Donny Singer 8, Sawyer Specht.

HEAT 2

1, Taylor Scheffler 2, Turk Letizia 3, Mark Rose 4, Jim Letizia 5, Ted Dolhun Sr. 6, Justin Green 7, Chad Ludwigson.

A MAIN’

1, Justin Schmidt 2, Tim Buhler 3, Turk Letizia 4, Justin Reed 5, Taylor Scheffler 6, Mark Rose 7, Jim Schmidt 8, Charlie Schmidt, 9, Justin Green 10, Jim Letizia 11, Eric Michaels 12, Ted Dolhun Sr. 13, Chad Ludwigson 14, Sawyer Specht 15, Donny Singer

KLIPS N TIPS GRAND NATIONAL

HEAT 1

1, Aaron Stolp 2, Luke Scholten 3, Tyler Kulow 4, Brad Weiss 5, Donny Kulow 6, Paul Perronne 7, Derek Kaat.

HEAT 2

1, Don Sorce Jr. 2, Dick Hed 3, Steven Weber 4, Jeff Muehlbauer 5, Eric Lingford 6, Darryl Traber 7, Joe Brenner.

A MAIN

1, Tyler Kulow 2, Aaron Stolp 3, Don Sorce Jr. 4, Steven Weber 5, Dick Hed 6, Luke Scholten 7, Brad Weiss 8, Donny Kulow 9, Darryl Traber 10, Eric Lingford 11, Paul Perronne 12, Jeff Muehlbauer 13, Derek Kaat 15, Joe Brenner.

CELLCOM B MOD

HEAT 1

1, Craig Gessner 2, Barry Maas 3, Justin Bauer 4, Brandon Knepprath 5, Brendan Ostrowski 6, Trevor Fank 7, Jonathan Hitsman 8, Rory Welch.

HEAT 2

1, Tim Warner 2, Steve Lorier 3, Patrick Hanson 4, Jim Fischer 5, Gary Glander 6, Donny Singer 7, Phil Campanella.

A MAIN

1, Tim Warner 2, Justin Bauer 3, Barry Maas 4, Brandon Knepprath 5, Steve Lorier 6, Gary Glander 7, Jonathan Histman 8, Trevor Frank 9, Craig Gessner 10, Donny Singer 11, Jim Fischer 12, Phil Campanella 13, Patrick Hanson 14, Rory Welch 15, Brendon Ostrowski.

Jesse Glenz of Fall Creek earned his first career Dirt Kings Late Model Tour A-main victory and second career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model main event triumph in the Diamond 42 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, Aug. 14.  – Dirt Kings photo

Scholten, Schmidt earn first PDTR A-main wins of 2020

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 14, 2020 – Jesse Glenz of Fall Creek, the hottest Dirt Late Model driver in Western Wisconsin, made the long trek to the eastern side of the state pay off to the tune of a $4,200 pay day as he claimed his first Dirt Kings Late Model Tour A-main victory and fifth main event win of the 2020 campaign in an eventful third annual Diamond 42 headliner at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, Aug. 14.

In other non-points PDTR action, Luke Scholten of Oostburg steered the Bender Racing No. 89 car to his first main event victory of the 2020 season in the 25-lap Klips N Tips Grand National A main, while Travis Schmidt of Waldo notched is initial A-main victory of the season in the 25-lap Cellcom B Mod main event.

In a rare appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track, Jesse Glenz, who started second, bolted into the lead of the 42-lap Diamond 42 Dirt Kings Late Model Tour A-main event along the high groove on the opening lap, while third starter Mike Mullen of Seymour ducked low to assume second on the initial circuit.

The first of sixth cautions appeared on lap 3 when Zack Kessler of Plymouth spun in turn two. Following the restart, sixth starter Justin Reed of Camp Point, Ill. rode the high groove of the fast and tacky racing surface into third place on lap 4 before the second caution appeared on lap 5 for a spin involving Joe Bongiorno of Milwaukee and Ron Berna of Abrams in turn four.

On the restart, Reed used a high move to power his way past Mullen into second on lap 5 before Mullen battled back to regain the runner-up spot along the low groove on lap 9. Meanwhile, Glenz pulled away to a solid lead before lapped traffic made things very interesting starting on lap 16 when Mullen dove low to pull even with Glenz in heavy lapped traffic.

One lap later, the high-riding Reed joined in to make it a three-way duel for the top spot as moved into second lap 18 and powered around Glenz into the lead on lap 19. On lap 20, Mullen briefly grabbed the top spot down low before Reed battled back to regain the lead on lap 21.

On lap 28, two-time and defending PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland, who started 11^th, worked his way into fourth along the outside groove. On lap 29, 2014 PDTR Late Model champ Mitch McGrath of Waukesha moved into fourth just as Schmidt moved around Glenz into second.

The third caution appeared on lap 30 when McGrath made contact with Glenz, which sent Glenz spinning in turn three. However, Dirt Kings officials ruled the caution to be inadvertent as Glenz did not stop on the track and both drivers maintained their spots in the running order.

On the restart, Glenz regained second, while McGrath moved into third as Schmidt dropped back after hitting the turn two wall. Just as Glenz was trimming the gap on Reed the fourth caution appeared on lap 37 when Dirt Kings point leader Brett Swedberg of Shawano spun in turn four.

Glenz changed his line to work the middle and high groove of the multi-groove track on the restart to work his way around Reed into the lead in turn two on lap 38. Glenz then pulled away from the rest of the pack as McGrath moved into third on lap 39.

One lap later, the fifth caution appeared when Reed spun in turn two after contact with McGrath as the two battled for second. On the restart, the sixth and final caution flag was displayed when four-time PDTR Late Model track champion Brad Mueller of Random Lake spun in turn two.

On the restart, McGrath moved into second, while three-time Dirt Kings Late Model Tour champion Nick Anvelink of Navarino, who started ninth, made his presence felt by moving into third and challenging McGrath for the runner-up spot.

On the final circuit, McGrath and Anvelink collided while dueling for second, which sent Anvelink into the turn two tire barrier, while McGrath was disqualified from the race for rough driving and subsequently issued a suspension from all Dirt Kings Tour events for the remainder of the 2020 season due to his conduct throughout the program.

Glenz pulled away over the final two laps to notch his first career Dirt Kings Late Model Tour victory, second career PDTR Late Model A-main victory, third straight main event triumph and fifth overall A-main win of 2020.

“I’m super stoked to be in victory lane at Plymouth as it has been a few years since our last victory here,” Glenz said. “Justin Reed was kind of hugging the bottom on that restart and I tried rolling through the middle and then worked up to the top to get by him. I’m super happy with this victory.”

Schmidt placed a strong second after starting in the middle of the pack.

“That caution with about 12 to go hurt us,” Schmidt said. “We were really going pretty good before that. I didn’t really know exactly where I was running for a while until I looked at the scoreboard and saw myself second. This was a really good run for us. We’ve kind of struggled over the past few weeks, so it feels good to get a good finish tonight.”

Ritchie worked his way up from his 13^th starting spot to place third.

“It was pretty hairy out there with a lot of guys making some crazy moves,” Ritchie said. “I hope it was a good show for the fans because it was really something to watch from my seat.”

Ron Berna, who started 22^nd, recovered from an early race spin to finish fourth and fourth starter Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha placed fifth in the Diamond 42, which was run in honor of Late Model driver “Diamond” Jim Letizia’s 42^nd year in racing.

Luke Scholten of Oostburg drove the Bender Racing No. 89 car to his 13th career Plymouth Dirt Track Grand National A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth on Friday, Aug. 14 – C-Marq Photography

Defending PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth jumped out to the lead of the 25-lap Grand National A main from the pole as fourth starter Luke Scholten worked the high groove into second on the opening lap.

On lap 7, Scholten closed in to challenge Kulow for the top spot along the low groove. Kulow and Scholten dueled side by side for multiple laps until Scholten finally surged ahead in turn four on lap 14.

The lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 21 when Donny Singer of Waldo and Steven Wirtz of Milwaukee stopped in turn four.

Scholten used a strong restart to pull away from Kulow over the final four laps en route to his 13^th career PDTR Grand National A-main victory to move into a tie for second place on the division’s all-time main event win list with two-time PDTR Grand National champ Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis.

Roger Lee of Wind Lake placed third after starting sixth, seventh starter Donny Kulow of Elkhart Lake finished fourth and 2008 PDTR Grand National champ Matt Yancey of Sheboygan placed fifth after starting fifth.

Tim Lange of Dousman led the opening circuit of the 25-lap B Mod A main from the second starting spot. On lap 4, polesitter Donny Singer of Waldo moved in to challenge Lange for the top spot. Two laps later, Singer assumed the top spot in turn one just as fourth starter Justin Bauer of Sheboygan Falls moved into second and sixth starter Barry Maas of Cascade moved into third.

Travis Schmidt of Waldo claimed his third career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod A-main victory at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth on Friday, Aug. 14. -RC Custom Design photo

On lap 11, Maas powered around Bauer to claim second and moved in to pressure Singer for the top spot on lap 13 before the first of two caution flags appeared on lap 13 when Bauer spun in turn two.

On the restart, eighth starter Travis Schmidt ducked low to work underneath Maas into second on lap 15. Five laps later, Schmidt snuck under Singer for the lead as Maas also got around Singer into second on lap 20.

The final caution flag appeared on lap 22 when Steve Lorier of Sheboygan spun in turn two. On the restart, Schmidt pulled away from Maas to claim his third career PDTR B Mod A-main victory by a three-car length margin over Maas, who finished second. Singer held on to take third, third starter Brandon Knepprath of Kewaskum placed fourth and Bauer recovered from his lap 13 spin to place fifth.

Jim Schmidt of Cleveland won the first 12-lap Dirt Kings Late Model B main, while Joel Bennett won the second 12-lap Dirt Kings Late Model B main.

The event attracted a total of 56 cars, including 34 Dirt Kings/PDTR Late Models, 11 Grand Nationals and 11 B mods.

Main event trophies were sponsored by Recognition Race Products.

For all remaining 2020 PDTR races, Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan Falls will have his new book “RPM – The Golden Era of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing” for sale under the grandstand.

A portion of the money collected from the sale of the book will be donated to Plymouth Dirt Track Racing.

DISCOUNT SHOP TOWELS DIRT KINGS LATE MODEL TOUR DIAMOND 42

PRO POWER RACING ENGINES HEAT 1

1, Jesse Glenz 2, Paul Parker 3, Justin Schmidt 4, Troy Springborn 5, Joe Bongiorno 6, Ron Berna 7, Tim Buhler 8, Brett Swedberg 9, Lukas Postl.

MUELLER’S SALES AND SERVICE HEAT 2

1, Taylor Scheffler 2, Brad Mueller 3, Justin Reed 4, Kevin Eder 5, Chris Engels 6, Justin Green 7, Derek Janke 8, Kyle Raddant 9, Joel Willman.

WEHRS MACHINE AND RACING PRODUCTS HEAT 3

1, Mike Mullen 2, Aaron Wickersheim 3, Zack Kessler 4, Joel Bennett 5, Jim Schmidt 6, Ron Stroika 7, Mitch McGrath 8, Buddy Hanestad.

DISCOUNTSHOPTOWELS.COM HEAT 4

1, Rick Hanestad 2, Nick Anvelink 3, Justin Ritchie 4, Mark Rose 5, Turk Letizia 6, Tom Naeyaert 7, Charlie Schmidt 8, Jim Letizia.

KIRKPATRICK LAW OFFICE B MAIN 1

1, Jim Schmidt 2, Chris Engels 3, Ron Berna 4, Tom Naeyaert 5, Charlie Schmidt 6, Lukas Postl 7, Derek Janke.

KIRKPATRICK LAW OFFICE B MAIN 2

1, Joel Bennett 2, Mitch McGrath 3, Turk Letizia 4, Tim Buhler 5, Brett Swedberg 6, Ron Stroika 7, Jim Letizia 8, Justin Green.

A MAIN

1, Jesse Glenz 2, Justin Schmidt 3, Justin Ritchie 4, Taylor Scheffler 5, Ron Berna 6, Troy Springborn 7, Paul Parker 8, Aaron Wickersheim 9, Jim Schmidt 10, Nick Anvelink 11, Joel Bennett 12, Joe Bongiorno 13, Turk Letizia 14, Justin Reed 15, Brad Mueller 16, Kevin Eder 17, Brett Swedberg 18, Mike Mullen 19, Mark Rose 20, Chris Engels 21, Rick Hanestad 22, Zack Kessler 23, Mitch McGrath.

KLIPS N CLIPS GRAND NATIONAL

Heat 1

1, Luke Scholten 2, Tyler Kulow 3, Matt Yancey 4, Donny Kulow 5, Donny Singer 6, Paul Perronne.

Heat 2

1, Steven Wirtz 2, Daryl Traber 3, Roger Lee 4, Dave Holm 5, Matt Schlehlein.

A Main

1, Luke Scholten 2, Tyler Kulow 3, Roger Lee 4, Donny Kulow 5, Matt Yancey 6, Daryl Traber 7, Steven Wirtz 8, Donny Singer 9, Dave Holm 10, Paul Perronne 11, Matt Schlehlein (DNS).

CELLCOM B MOD

Heat 1

1, Barry Maas 2, Jason Schilling 3, Brandon Knepprath 4, Tim Lange 5, Donny Singer 6, Jim Fischer

Heat 2

1, Travis Schmidt 2, Steve Lorier 3, Justin Bauer 4, Brian Wieland 5, Rory Welch

A Main

1, Travis Schmidt 2, Barry Maas 3, Donny Singer 4, Brandon Knepprath 5, Justin Bauer 6, Jim Fischer 7, Brian Wieland 8, Steve Lorier 9, Tim Lange 10, Jason Schilling 11, Rory Welch.

Former Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh collected his 19th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 8. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 8, 2020 – The second night of a jam-packed seven-race August schedule featured plenty of close competition in producing 2020 repeat winners in three of the four Plymouth Dirt Track Racing A-main events at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 8.

In the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty 360 Sprint Car main event, 2017 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh claimed his second A-main victory of the season at Plymouth. Waukesha’s Taylor Scheffler picked up his second 25-lap Gasroots Project Late Model A main triumph of the 2020 campaign. Two-time PDTR Grand National champion Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis scored his first A-main victory of the 2020 season in the 25-lap Klips N Tips Grand National main event. In the 25-lap Cellcom B Mod A main, defending PDTR B Mod champion Tim Warner of Fond du Lac secured his second main event victory of the 2020 campaign.

In the Sprint Car A main, polesitter Tyler Davis of South Milwaukee jumped out to the lead on lap 1 before a red flag was displayed on lap 2 when outside front row starter Tyler Tischendorf of Waupaca spun in turn two and collected rookie Austin Hartmann of Plymouth, who flipped his machine. The incident forced Hartmann to retire from the event, while Tischendorf was able to continue.

On the ensuing restart attempt, Tim Haddy of Waupun spun in turn two and collected Bill Taylor of Kewaskum and Tischendorf. Both Haddy and Taylor were unable to continue in the race.

When the race resumed, 2018 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Justin Miller of Plymouth worked past Davis to assume the lead in turn two on lap 3. Meanwhile, third starter Brandon McMullen moved past Davis into second on lap 6 and quickly set his sets on the leader.

Three laps later, McMullen rode the high groove to perfection on the lightning fast and tacky track surface to sweep around Miller into the lead. One lap later on lap 10, the third caution flag was displayed when Tyler Davis spun in turn two at the same time as rookie Alex Pokorski of West Bend spun to a stop in turn four.

On the ensuing restart, Miller and current PDTR 360 Sprint Car point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan, who started sixth, collided before Miller stopped in turn one with suspension damage to bring out the fourth caution flag.

The damage was enough to force Miller out of the race while Arenz was sent to the rear of the field for his involvement in the yellow flag incident. Seventh starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend made his presence felt on the restart has he moved into second while 19^th starter Nich Melis of Plymouth worked his way into third on lap 12.

McMullen began to catch the rear of the field on lap 17, which he sliced through expertly to extend his lead over Karnitz. On lap 20, Tyler Davis spun on the frontstretch before Alex Pokorski made hard contact with Davis to bring out a red flag for the fifth and final stoppage of the race. Both drivers emerged from the heavy impact uninjured, but were done for the night.

McMullen again pulled away on the final restart and cruised over the final five laps to his 19^th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and 27^th Midwest Sprint Car Association main event triumph of his career by a full-straightaway margin. Karnitz finished second, 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove finished third after starting 12^th, Melis placed fourth and Arenz rebounded from restarting 17^th following a lap 10 collision with Justin Miller to place fifth.

Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha notched his fifth career 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. 8. – RC Custom Design photo

Outside front row starter Taylor Scheffler, who was steering the 15s car formerly raced by his father, Rick Scheffler, outdueled 2016 PDTR Late Model champ Tim Buhler of Greenbush, who started second, to grab the lead of the 25-lap Late Model A main in turn four of the opening lap.

Scheffler extended his lead over Buhler in the early stages of the race before the first of two caution flags was displayed on lap 8 for debris on the frontstretch from Sheboygan Falls rookie driver Chad Ludwigson’s car.

Two laps later, another caution was displayed when Charlie Schmidt of Cedar Grove spun in turn two. On the restart, Scheffler again pulled away while fifth starter Turk Letizia of Milwaukee and sixth starter Justin Ritchie of New London waged a heated duel for fourth place. Following a six-lap, side-by-side battle, Ritchie finally secured the fourth-place position from Letizia.

Scheffler hit lapped traffic on lap 17, which he negotiated successfully over the final eight laps en route to his fifth career PDTR Late Model A-main victory. Buhler held on for second, fourth starter Jim Schmidt of Cleveland placed third, Ritchie finished fourth and Turk Letizia rounded out the top five.

In the 25-lap Grand National A main, Don Sorce Jr. used the high groove to outduel defending PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth, who started on the pole, to take the top spot in turn two on the opening lap.

As Sorce Jr. held down the top spot, third starter Aaron Stolp of Milwaukee moved into third on lap six before passing Kulow for second four laps later. On lap 14, Stolp bolted in to pressure the low riding Sorce Jr. for the lead along the outside groove.

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National champion Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis claimed his 13th career PDTR Grand National A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 8. -RC Custom Design photo

The lone caution of the race appeared on lap 15 when Darryl Traber spun in turn four. On the restart, Kulow battled back along the outside groove to regain second on lap 16.

Four laps later, sixth starter Steven Weber of Plymouth used a low move to work past Stolp before tracking down Kulow for second on the final lap. At the front of the field, it was all Sorce Jr. has he rolled to his 13^th career PDTR Grand National A-main victory to move into sole possession of second place on the division’s main event win list.

Weber finished second, Stolp placed third, Kulow was fourth and 81-year-old Dick Hed of Plymouth wound up fifth after starting seventh.

Outside front row starter James Rautmann of Howards Grove led the opening two laps of the 25-lap B Mod A main before third starter Kyle Odekirk of Plymouth moved in to take over the top spot on lap 3.

The first of two caution flags was displayed on lap 5 when Brandon Knepprath of Kewaskum, Patrick Hanson of Sheboygan Falls and Kassi Krause of Chilton spun in turn two. Following the restart, sixth starter Brian Wieland of Sheboygan Falls moved in to challenge Odekirk for the top spot along the inside groove.

Two laps later, fifth starter Jason Schilling of Greenfield, 10^th starter Travis Arenz, who was subbing for Cascade’s Barry Maas, and Chilton’s Jesse Cullen, who started 12^th, battled three wide for third place with Arenz securing the position.

On lap 12, Wieland made contact with Odekirk as the two drivers were dueling for the lead. However, Odekirk was able to maintain control of the top spot before the second and final caution flag came out on lap 14 when Justin Bauer of Sheboygan Falls stopped on the frontstretch.

On the restart, Tim Warner moved in from his seventh starting spot to take over second along the high groove. One lap later, Warner pulled even with the low riding Odekirk. After dueling with Odekirk side-by-side for two laps, Warner finally surged ahead in turn four on lap 17.

Defending Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod champion Tim Warner of Fond du Lac picked up his fifth career PDTR B Mod A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 8. – RC Custom Design photo

Once out front, Warner pulled away to notch his fifth career PDTR B Mod A main victory by a half-straightaway margin. Odekirk placed second, Arenz was third, Cullen placed fourth and Wieland rounded out the top five.

Rookie Alex Pokorski claimed his first career 360 Sprint Car race victory in the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main.

The eighth PDTR racing program of the 2020 season, which was sponsored by Cellcom, drew a total of 82 cars, including 30 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, 17 Late Models, 14 Grand Nationals and 21 B Mods.

Next weekend will feature a doubleheader at the Plymouth Dirt Track with the Dirt Kings Late Model Tour Diamond 42 scheduled for Friday, Aug. 14 featuring a first-place payout of $4,200. The PDTR Grand National and B Mod divisions will also run a non-points program with hot laps scheduled at 5:30 p.m. with racing to follow at 6 p.m.

One night later, the PDTR 360 Sprint Car, Late Model, Grand National and B Mod divisions will be in action on Saturday, Aug. 15 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

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

For all remaining 2020 PDTR races, Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan Falls will have his new book “RPM – The Golden Era of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing” for sale under the grandstand.

A portion of the money collected from the sale of the book will be donated to Plymouth Dirt Track Racing.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANTVIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Travis Arenz 2, Justin Miller 3, Nick Daywalt 4, Doug Wondra 5, Alex Pokorski 6, Brandon Berth 7, Scott Armstrong 8, Shane Wenninger.

HEAT 2

1, Tyler Davis 2, Scott Conger 3, Tyler Tischendorf 4, Bill Taylor 5, Preston Ruh 6, Kevin Seidler 7, Tyler Brabant 8, Lance Fassbender.

HEAT 3

1, Kevin Karnitz 2, Austin Hartmann 3, Tony Wondra 4, Will Gerrits 5, Josh Teunissen 6, Justin Erickson 7, Chris Clayton.

HEAT 4

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Kurt Davis 3, Ben Schmidt 4, Tim Haddy 5, Anthony Knierim 6, Nich Melis 7, Blake Wondra.

B MAIN

1, Alex Pokorski 2, Brandon Berth 3, Nich Melis 4, Anthony Knierim 5, Bill Taylor 6, Josh Teunissen 7, Justin Erickson 8, Blake Wondra 9, Tyler Brabant 10, Kevin Seidler 11, Lance Fassbender 12, Chris Clayton 13, Scott Armstrong 14, Shane Wenninger (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Kevin Karnitz 3, Ben Schmidt 4, Nich Melis 5, Travis Arenz 6, Kurt Davis 7, Brandon Berth 8, Nick Daywalt 9, Will Gerrits 10, Anthony Knierim 11, Scott Conger 12, Preston Ruh 13, Tony Wondra 14, Doug Wondra 15, Josh Teunissen 16, Tyler Davis, 17, Alex Pokorski 18, Justin Miller 19, Tyler Tischendorf 20, Austin Hartmann 21, Tim Haddy 22, Bill Taylor.

GASROOT PROJECT LATE MODELS

HEAT 1

1, Jim Schmidt 2, Tony Peterson 3, Brad Mueller 4, Justin Schmidt 5, Taylor Scheffler 6, Joe Bongiorno 7, Justin Green 8, Chad Ludwigson 9, Donny Singer.

HEAT 2

1, Justin Ritchie 2, Turk Letizia 3, Jim Letizia 4, Tim Buhler 5, Charlie Schmidt 6, Jake Van Engen 7, Sawyer Specht 8, Billy Rezutek (DNS).

A MAIN’

1, Taylor Scheffler 2, Tim Buhler 3, Jim Schmidt 4, Justin Ritchie 5, Turk Letizia 6, Brad Muller 7, Justin Schmidt 8, Joe Bongiorno 9, Justin Green 10, Jim Letizia 11, Billy Rezutek 12, Charlie Schmidt 13, Tony Peterson 14, Donny Singer 15, Chad Ludwigson 16, Sawyer Specht 17, Jake Van Engen (DNS).

KLIPS N TIPS GRAND NATIONAL

HEAT 1

1, Dick Hed 2, Derek Kaat 3, Luke Scholten 4, Aaron Stolp 5, Donny Kulow 6, Matt Schlehlein 7, Dylan Struve.

HEAT 2

1, Steven Weber 2, Jeff Muehlbauer 3, Don Sorce Jr. 4, Tyler Kulow 5, Brad Weiss 6, Darryl Traber 7, Paul Perronne.

A MAIN

1, Don Sorce Jr. 2, Steven Weber 3, Aaron Stolp 4, Tyler Kulow 5, Dick Hed 6, Luke Scholten 7, Jeff Muehlbauer 8, Donny Kulow 9, Darryl Traber 10, Brad Weiss 11, Matt Schlehlein 12, Paul Perronne 13, Derek Kaat 14, Dylan Struve (DNS).

CELLCOM B MOD

HEAT 1

1, Craig Gessner 2, Brian Weiland 3, Steve Lorier 4, Donny Singer 5, Trevor Frank 6, Kassi Krause 7, Rory Welch.

HEAT 2

1, Jason Schilling 2, James Rautmann 3, Kyle Odekirk 4, Jesse Cullen 5, Gary Glander 6, Brendan Ostrowski 7, Brandon Knepprath.

HEAT 3

1, Travis Arenz 2, Tim Sheppard 3, Tim Warner 4, Justin Bauer 5, Jonathan Hitsman 6, Patrick Hanson 7, Jim Fischer.

A MAIN

1, Tim Warner 2, Kyle Odekirk 3, Travis Arenz 4, Jesse Cullen 5, Brian Wieland 6, Tim Sheppard 7, Donny Singer 8, Gary Glander 9, Steve Lorier 10, Brendan Ostrowski 11, James Rautmann 12, Rory Welch 13, Kassi Krause 14, Brandon Knepprath 15, Jason Schilling 16, Justin Bauer 17, Craig Gessner 18, Trevor Frank 19, Jonathan Hitsmann 20, Patrick Hanson 21, Jim Fischer (DNS).

Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan claimed his second A-main victory of the 2020 season on Pedal Down Promotions Night at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 1. -RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 1, 2020 – On one of the most pleasant nights for racing of the 2020 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing season, three of the most polished veteran drivers in the pit area, as well as a rising star in the Sprint Car ranks rolled to A-main victories on Pedal Down Promotions Night at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

PDTR 360 Sprint Car point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan racked up his second A-main victory of the 2020 campaign in the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty 360 Sprint Car main event. Milwaukee veteran Turk Letizia noted his first A-main victory in six years in the 25-lap Gasroots Project Late Model A main. Eighteen-year veteran Steven Weber of Plymouth claimed the victory in the 25-lap Klips N Tips Grand National A main and Cascade veteran Barry Maas earned his first career PDTR B Mod main event win in the 25-lap Cellcom B Mod A main.

In the 360 Sprint Car headliner, outside front row starter Tony Wondra of Campbellsport jumped into the lead on the drop of the green flag before Adam Miller of Plymouth flipped in turn four on the opening lap to bring out a red flag.

Following a complete restart, Wondra again grabbed the lead while two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee, who started third, moved into second with the fifth-starting Arenz bolting into third on the opening circuit.

While Wondra led, Arenz moved in to challenge the high-riding Davis along the low line on lap 4. On lap 5, Tyler Davis of South Milwaukee and Anthony Knierim of Franksville collided in turn two to bring out a caution.

On the restart, Jack Vanderboom of Dousman and Doug Wondra of Campbellsport got together in turn three, which sent Vanderboom flipping on lap 5.

Davis pulled off an impressive low move in turn four on lap 6 to wrestle the lead away from Wondra. Meanwhile, 2017 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh was using the high groove to vault into second from his sixth starting spot on lap 7.

McMullen continued to ride the high groove of the lightning fast track surface to pressure Davis for the top spot. On lap 9, McMullen surged ahead of Davis along the outside groove. McMullen maintained a solid cushion as the leaders encountered slower traffic on lap 13.

Two laps later, Arenz moved into second before Tyler Tischendorf of Waupaca spun in turn two on lap 16. On the restart, Arenz ducked underneath McMullen to assume the top spot on lap 17 exiting turn one.

After that, Arenz moved up to the high line and pulled away from McMullen, who worked both the bottom and top of the track in an attempt to reel in the leader over the next nine laps.

Just as the leaders were about to catch the back of the field, the checkered flag flew with Arenz claiming his third career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main victory and ninth overall Midwest Sprint Car Association main event triumph.

McMullen wound up second, Davis was third, 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett took fourth after starting eighth and 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove charged up from his 16^th starting spot to take fifth.

Polesitter Justin Ritchie of New London seized the lead in turn of the opening lap of the 25-lap Late Model A main. On lap 2, Letizia used a big run on the frontstretch to dive under Ritchie for the lead in turn one. As Letizia encountered lapped traffic on lap 8, Ritchie began to close.

Turk Letizia of Milwaukee notched his first Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model A-main victory since the 2014 season on Pedal Down Promotions Night at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 1. – RC Custom Design photo

On lap 12, Ritchie moved to withing striking distance in heavy lapped traffic before making contact with Letizia along the front stretch, which caused Ritchie to spin into the infield and bring out the first of four caution flags.

One lap later, Ted Dolhun Sr. of Franklin spun in turn two to bring out the second caution of the race. On the restart, two-time defending PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland, who started fifth, moved in to challenge Letizia for the top spot along the low line on lap 14.

Meanwhile, the racing behind Letizia and Schmidt was hot and heavy as Mike Mullen of Seymour, who started ninth, and 2016 PDTR Late Model champ Tim Buhler of Greenbush, who started seventh, dueled side by side for third place on lap 21.

The third caution appeared on lap 22 when Mullen spun in turn three. On the restart, Ritchie, Eric Michaels of Cleveland and Charlie Schmidt of Cedar Grove collided exiting turn four to bring out the fourth and final caution.

On the restart, Letizia held strong to pull away from Schmidt over the final four laps en route to his third career PDTR Late Model A-main victory and first main event win at Plymouth since 2014.

Schmidt was second, four-time PDTR Late Model champ Brad Mueller of Random Lake, who started fourth, placed third, Buhler took fourth and 2017 PDTR B Mod champion Justin Green of Sheboygan Falls placed fifth in his first ever night behind the wheel of his father Glen Blanke’s 4B Late Model after starting 15^th.

Outside front row starter Luke Scholten of Oostburg grabbed the lead on lap 1 with Steven Weber, who started on the pole, sliding into second. On lap 3, Weber pulled into challenge Scholten for the top spot before the first of two caution flags was displayed on lap 4 for a spin involving Dylan Struve of Plymouth.

Following the restart, Weber moved in to pressure Scholten for the top spot and he continued to hound the leader for the next 14 laps. After sizing Scholten up patiently lap after lap, Weber finally pounced entering turn one on lap 18 to seize the lead.

Steven Weber of Plymouth collected his second career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National A-main victory on Pedal Down Promotions Night at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 1. – RC Custom Design photo

Two laps later, Weber hit lapped traffic, who allowed Scholten to stay in contention for the win. The second and final caution appeared on lap 20 when Paul Perronne stopped in turn one.

Following a single-file restart with five laps to go, Weber stayed tied to the inside lane of the track and fended off Scholten’s advances to notch his second career PDTR Grand National A-main victory.

Scholten placed second, two-time PDTR Grand National champion Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis finished third after starting sixth, Aaron Stolp of Milwaukee charged up from the 11^th starting spot to place fourth and 2019 PDTR Grand National champ Tyler Kulow of Plymouth finished fifth after starting ninth.

In the 25-lap B Mod A main, rookie outside front row starter Trevor Frank of Sheboygan grabbed the lead from the start. The first of three cautions appeared on lap four when Steve Lorier of Sheboygan stopped in turn three.

On the restart, fourth starter Jesse Cullen of Chilton moved up from his fourth starting spot to take second with a move along the high line before polesitter Brandon Knepprath of Kewaskum battled back to challenge for the runner-up spot.

The second caution appeared on lap 10 when Patrick Hanson of Sheboygan Falls spun in turn four. Two laps later, defending PDTR B Mod champ Tim Warner of Fond du Lac and Cullen made contact, which sent Cullen spinning in turn four to bring out the third caution flag.

On lap 13, Maas, who started sixth, began to make his presence felt as he moved into second along the high groove. One lap later, Maas, who owns one career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory, worked the inside groove to work past Frank for the lead with a nifty low move in turn three.

Former Winged Super Modified and 360 Sprint Car competitor Barry Maas of Cascade rolled to his first career 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. 1. – RC Custom Design photo

Knepprath wasn’t finished though, as he worked around Frank and closed on Maas over the final circuits. On lap 23, Knepprath ducked under Maas and stayed within striking distance all the way to the checkered flag before Maas, a former Winged Super Modified racer at Plymouth, prevailed by a one-car margin to seize his first career PDTR B Mod A main victory.

Knepprath recorded a career-best second-place finish, Warner placed third, Frank equaled his career-best A-main finish by placing fourth and 11^th starter Gary Glander of Sheboygan Falls placed fifth.

Jack Vanderboom won the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main.

The seventh PDTR racing program of the 2020 season drew a total of 80 cars, including 32 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, 16 Late Models, 17 Grand Nationals and 15 B Mods.

The PDTR 360 Sprint Car, Late Model, Grand National and B Mod divisions will next be in action on Saturday, Aug. 8 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

For all remaining 2020 PDTR races, Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan Falls will have his new book “RPM – The Golden Era of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing” for sale under the grandstand.

A portion of the money collected from the sale of the book will be donated to Plymouth Dirt Track Racing.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANTVIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Tony Wondra 2, Lance Fassbender 3, Anthony Knierim 4, Chris Clayton 5, Ben Schmidt 6, Jack Vanderboom 7, Mike Decker 8, Alex Pokorski.

HEAT 2

1, Shane Wenninger 2, Travis Arenz 3, Scott Conger 4, Justin Miller 5, Austin Hartmann 6, Scott Armstrong 7, Will Gerrits 8, Tyler Brabant.

HEAT 3

1, Bill Taylor 2, Kurt Davis 3, Adam Miller 4, Josh Teunissen 5, Tyler Tischendorf 6, Brandon Berth 7, Tim Haddy 8, Blake Wondra.

HEAT 4

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Justin Erickson 3, Doug Wondra 4, Tyler Davis 5, Preston Ruh 6, Kevin Karnitz 7, Kevin Seidler 8, Mike MacFarlane.

B MAIN

1, Jack Vanderboom 2, Kevin Karnitz 3, Brandon Berth 4, Josh Teunissen 5, Tyler Tischendorf 6, Tim Haddy 7, Austin Hartmann 8, Preston Ruh 9, Mike Decker 10, Alex Pokorski 11, Scott Armstrong 12, Blake Wondra 13, Kevin Seidler 14, Mike MacFarlane 15, Will Gerrits (DNS) 16, Tyler Brabant (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Travis Arenz 2, Brandon McMullen 3, Kurt Davis 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Ben Schmidt 6, Tony Wondra 7, Justin Miller 8, Justin Erickson 9, Brandon Berth 10, Kevin Karnitz 11, Bill Taylor 12, Scott Conger 13, Chris Clayton 14, Tim Haddy 15, Josh Teunissen 16, Tyler Tischendorf 17, Shane Wenninger 18, Doug Wondra 19, Tyler Davis 20, Anthony Knierim 21, Jack Vanderboom 22, Adam Miller.

GASROOT PROJECT LATE MODELS

HEAT 1

1, Brad Mueller 2, Joe Bongiorno 3, Justin Schmidt 4, Eric Michaels 5, Ted Dolhun Sr. 6, Sawyer Specht 7, Chad Ludwigson 8, Donny Singer.

HEAT 2

1, Turk Letizia 2, Justin Ritchie 3, Charlie Schmidt 4, Tim Buhler 5, Mike Mullen 6, Jared Siefert 7, Kevin Baldry 8, Justin Green.

A MAIN’

1, Turk Letizia 2, Justin Schmidt 3, Brad Mueller 4, Tim Buhler 5, Justin Green 6, Ted Dolhun Sr. 7, Charlie Schmidt 8, Eric Michaels 9, Eric Michaels, 10, Joe Bongiorno 11, Sawyer Specht 12, Justin Ritchie 13, Kevin Baldry 14, Chad Ludwigson 15, Jared Siefert 16, Mike Mullen.

KLIPS N TIPS GRAND NATIONAL

HEAT 1

1, Don Sorce Jr. 2, Brad Weiss 3, Derek Kaat 4, Jeff Muehlbauer 5, Tyler Kulow 6, Jim Rohrbeck 7, Dave Holm 8, Dick Hed 9, Paul Perronne.

HEAT 2

1, Steven Wirtz 2, Luke Scholten 3, Steven Weber 4, Donny Kulow 5, Aaron Stolp 6, Matt Yancey 7, Dylan Struve 8, Who Racing.

A MAIN

1, Steven Weber 2, Luke Scholten 3, Don Sorce Jr. 4, Aaron Stolp 5, Tyler Kulow 6, Steven Wirtz 7, Jeff Muehlbauer 8, Dick Hed 9, Matt Yancey 10, Donny Kulow 11, Who Racing 12, Dylan Struve 13, Jim Rohrbeck 14, Brad Weiss 15, Paul Perronne 16, Dave Holm 17, Derek Kaat.

CELLCOM B MOD

HEAT 1

1, Jason Schilling 2, Tim Warner 3, James Rautmann 4, Jesse Cullen 5, Trevor Frank 6, Jonathan Hitsman 7, Patrick Hanson 8, Jim Fischer.

HEAT 2

1, Phil Campanella 2, Barry Maas 3, Steve Lorier 4, Rory Welch 5, Brandon Knepprath 6, Gary Glander 7, Donny Singer.

A MAIN

1, Barry Maas 2, Brandon Knepprath 3, Tim Warner 4, Trevor Frank 5, Gary Glander 6, Jason Schilling 7, Jesse Cullen 8, Jonathan Hitsman 9, Donny Singer 10, Rory Welch 11, Patrick Hanson 12, James Rautmann 13, Phil Campanella 14, Steve Lorier 15, Jim Fischer.

Kyle Larson of Elk Grove, Calif. picked up his 11th Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions A-main victory of the 2020 season and 26th overall victory on dirt of the year in the Rayce Rudeen Foundation Race at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Thursday, July 30th. – Ricky Bassman photo

Davis moves to top of all-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main win list

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 30, 2020 – The hottest Sprint Car driver in the world, Kyle Larson of Elk Grove, Calif., paid his first visit to The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. for the second annual Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions-Interstate Racing Association Rayce Rudeen Foundation $26,000-to-win event on Thursday, July 30 and promptly shined over a stellar field to claim his sixth straight A-main victory in All Star Series competition and his 26^th overall triumph on dirt during the 2020 season in the highest-paying Winged Sprint Car race in Wisconsin history.

In the companion, non-points Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty 26-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A main, two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee nipped the hard-charging Travis Arenz of Sheboygan by mere feet to claim his second overall Midwest Sprint Car Association main event victory of the 2020 campaign and first A-main victory of the year at Plymouth.

All eyes were on Larson throughout the night as his has been a dominant force everywhere he has raced this season whether in the 410 Winged Sprint Car ranks with the All Star Circuit of Champions and World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series or with the USAC Midget Series, with victories coming in droves for the 28-year-old racing phenom.

After laying down the fastest qualifying lap of the night with a circuit of 11.459 seconds around the third-mile clay oval, Larson placed fourth in the fourth 10-lap heat race and won the second four-lap dash to start on the outside of the front row for the $26,000-to-win Rayce Rudeen Foundation 35-lap A main.

The race got off to a rough start as Austin McCarl of Altoona, Iowa flipped into the turn two catch fence on the initial start and Tyler Courtney of Indianapolis, Ind. spun in turn four on the second start attempt.

When the race finally got under way, polesitter Gio Scelzi of Fresno, Calif. bolted into the lead with Larson following in second and Gio’s brother Dominic Scelzi of Fresno, Calif., who started third, settling into third in the early going.

With Gio Scelzi running the cushion, Larson worked the low and middle groove to reel in the leader on lap 6. On lap 7, the leaders encountered heavy lapped traffic, which allowed Larson to close even further.

On lap 12, Larson pounced as he pulled off a well-executed slide job in turn four to wrestle the led away from Gio Scelzi. Meanwhile, Kerry Madsen of St. Mary’s, New South Wales, Australia, who started seventh, was marching his way to the front of the pack along the high groove.

On lap 14, Madsen worked his way into fourth before charged past Dominic Scelzi into third on lap 16 and eventually powering around Gio Scelzi for second in thick lapped traffic.

As Larson appeared to be biding his time in getting around the slower car of Tyler Courtney for a number of laps, Madsen closed to within two car lengths of Larson on lap 22. However, once Larson cleared Courtney on lap 24, he quickly pulled away from Madsen to build up a quarter-straightaway cushion on lap 26.

Larson, who has six NASCAR Cup Series victories to his credit, skillfully worked his way through lapped traffic over the final nine laps to score his 20^th career All Star Series victory and his 11^th triumph in 17 All Star starts in 2020 in the third-ever All Star event to be contested at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

“This feels really good,” Larson said in victory lane. “I had to earn it for sure. The track was extremely technical and a lot of fun. The curb was just not going anywhere and it was getting trickier and trickier to run. The lappers were all so even that I couldn’t get by for the longest time, but I was able to follow Sunshine [Tyler Courtney] past a few guys, so that helped.

“I was just making a lot of mistakes, but the track was tough, so I didn’t know how close second was to me,” he said. “Once I got past Tyler though, I felt like I got a good rhythm going again and lapped some pretty decent cars there toward the end. We just had a really good car tonight. It’s not often that you get to chase this kind of money in Sprint Cars, especially this year, so thanks to the Rudeen family and what they’ve done for this race. It’s really cool.”

Madsen, who appeared that he might overtake Larson for the lead in the middle stages of the race, finished a full straightaway behind in second at the finish.

“We had a great race car and we were really running Kyle down for the lead,” Madsen said after the race. “I was trying to be patient and pick my spots, but it just didn’t turn out to be our night.”

Gio Scelzi placed third after a strong run in the early laps of the race.

“I felt pretty good in the early going running the top then Kyle got past me on the bottom, which surprised me because I didn’t think the bottom would be that good,” Gio Scelzi said. “I just have to do a better job in these races. Third is not bad, but we want to win.”

Dominic Scelzi came home fourth and fourth starter Cory Eliason of Visalia, Calif. placed fifth.

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee moved into sole possession of first place on the all-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main win list by capturing his 24th division main event win at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Thursday, July 30. – RC Custom Design photo

In the 26-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main, 2018 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Justin Miller of Plymouth, who started on the pole, second starter Kurt Davis and fourth starter Adam Miller of Plymouth dueled three-wide for the entire first lap before Justin Miller surged ahead in turn one on lap 2.

One lap later, Davis ventured up to the high groove to challenge Miller for the top spot. Miller and Davis battled side by side over the next three circuits before Miller eventually regained control of the lead just as the leaders hit slower traffic on lap 10.

Meanwhile, current PDTR 360 Sprint Car point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan, who started fifth, vaulted into third on lap 15 before surging past Davis into second on lap 18.

One lap later, rookie Alex Pokorski of West Bend spun in turn two to bring out the first of three caution flags. On the restart, Davis bolted back up to the high line to power around Arenz into second before surging past Miller into the lead in turn four on lap 20.

The second caution flag appeared on lap 21 when Adam Miller and Matt Vandevere of Zion, Ill. spun in turn four. One lap later, the third and final caution flag flew when Tyler Davis of South Milwaukee spun in turn two.

On the restart, Arenz charged in to apply heavy pressure along the high line as Davis switched to the inside lane. On the final lap, Arenz pulled even with Davis entering turn one. Davis battled back to regain the top spot going into turn three.

Arenz didn’t back down as he reeled in Davis in the final corner and pulled alongside heading the checkered flag. However, Davis held on to nip Arenz by a half-car length to secure his 24^th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main victory and record 62^nd career MSA main event win. The triumph pushed Davis past Danny Schlafer of Sussex and to sole possession of first place on the all-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main win list.

Arenz placed second, 2017 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh moved up from his sixth starting spot to finish third, Justin Miller finished fourth and seventh starter Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum placed fifth.

The sixth PDTR racing program of the 2020 season drew a total of 68 cars, including 41 All Star Circuit of Champions-Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars and 27 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars.

The PDTR 360 Sprint Car, Late Model, Grand National and B Mod divisions will be in action on Saturday, Aug. 1 with trophies sponsored by Pedal Down Promotions.

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

For all remaining 2020 PDTR races, Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan Falls will have his new book “RPM – The Golden Era of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing” for sale under the grandstand.

A portion of the money collected from the sale of the book will be donated to Plymouth Dirt Track Racing.

ALL STAR CIRCUIT OF CHAMPIONS-INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION 410 SPRINT CARS

 QUALIFYING

1, Kyle Larson 11.450 2, Gio Scelzi 11.575 3, Dominic Scelzi 4, Kerry Madsen 11.682 5, Cory Eliason 11.707 6, Tyler Courtney 11.720 7, Cale Thomas 11.760 8, Aaron Reutzel 11.764 9, Sam Haftertepe Jr. 11.791 10, Scotty Thiel 11.850 11, Parker Price-Miller 11.850 12, Terry McCarl 11.878 13, Jeremy Schultz 11.878 14, Josh Baughman 11.917 15, Hunter Schuerenberg 11.922 16, Zeb Wise 11.941 17, Paul McMahan 11.979 18, Skylar Gee 12.006 19, Austin McCarl 12.012 20, Greg Wilson 12.041 21, Bill Balog 12.087 22, Russel Borland 12.115, 23, Mike Reinke 12.125 24, Dave Uttech 12.149 25, Gerard McIntrye 12.185, 26, Jake Blackhurst 12.246 27, Shane Stewart 12.291 28, Robbie Pribnow 12.445 29, Todd King 12.46 30, Scotty Neitzel 12.520 31, Josh Walter 12.632 32, Sean Rayhall 12.697 33, Matt Vandevere 12.731 34, Danny Schlafer 12.739 35, Kris Spitz 12.739 36, John Fahl 12.778 37, Scott Biertzer 12.956 38, Bryce Schmitt 12.988 39, Hunter Custer 13.198 40, Wayne Modjeski 13.288 41, Paige Polyak no time.

HEAT 1

1, Paul McMahan 2, Josh Baughman 3, Cory Eliason 4, Scotty Thiel 5, Russel Borland 6, Dave Uttech 7, Mike Reinke 8, Shane Stewart 9, John Fahl.

HEAT 2

1, Zeb Wise 2, Hunter Schuerenberg 3, Cale Thomas 4, Gio Scelzi 5, Greg Wilson 6, Gerard McIntyre Jr. 8, Hunter Custer 9, Bryce Schmitt.

HEAT 3

1, Austin McCarl 2, Aaron Reutzel 3, Scotty Neitzel 4, Kerry Madsen 5, Danny Schlafer 6, Scott Biertzer 7, Sean Rayhall 8, Wayne Modjeski.

HEAT 4

1, Jake Blackhurst 2, Parker Price-Miller 3, Dominic Scelzi 4, Kyle Larson 5, Robbie Pribnow 6, Matt Vandevere 7. Josh Walter 8, Paige Polyak (DNS).

HEAT 5

1, Jeremy Schultz 2, Terry McCarl 3, Sam Hafertepe Jr. 4, Skylar Gee 5, Bill Balog 6, Tyler Courtney 7, Todd King 8, Kris Spitz.

C MAIN

1, Mike Reinke 2, Todd King 3, Sean Rayhall 4, Josh Walter 5, Kris Spitz 6, Hunter Custer 7, Wayne Modjeski 8, John Fahl 9, Bryce Schmidt 10, Paige Polyak (DNS), 11, Shane Stewart (DNS).

B MAIN

1, Tyler Courtney 2, Bill Balog, 3, Greg Wilson 4, Danny Schlafer 5 Russel Borland 6, Robbie Pribnow 7, Gerard McIntyre Jr. 8, Dave Uttech 9, Mike Reinke 10, Matt Vandevere 11, Todd King 12, Scott Biertzer.

DASH 1

1, Gio Scelzi 2, Dominic Scelzi 3, Zeb Wise 4, Kerry Madsen 5, Jake Blackhurst 6, Sam Hafertepe Jr.

DASH 2

1, Kyle Larson 2, Cory Eliason 3, Austin McCarl 4, Paul McMahan 5, Cale Thomas 6, Jeremy Schultz.

A MAIN

1, Kyle Larson 2, Kerry Madsen 3, Gio Scelzi 4, Dominic Scelzi 5, Cory Eliason 6, Paul McMahan 7, Zeb Wise 8, Parker Price-Miller 9, Cale Thomas 10, Josh Baughman 11, Aaron Reutzel 12, Sam Hafertepe Jr. 13, Skylar Gee 14, Tyler Courtney 15, Jeremy Schultz 16, Bill Balog 17, Scotty Thiel 18, Scotty Neitzel 19, Greg Wilson 20, Jake Blackhurst 21, Terry McCarl 22, Hunter Schuerenberg 23, Danny Schlafer 24, Austin McCarl.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANT VIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Justin Miller 2, Jack Vanderboom 3, Shane Wenninger 4, Brandon McMullen 5, Will Gerrits 6, Tyler Brabant 7, Doug Wondra 8, Austin Hartmann 9, Kevin Seidler.

HEAT 2

1, Kurt Davis 2, Tony Wondra 3, Kevin Karnitz 4, Travis Arenz 5, Tim Haddy 6, Mike Decker 7, Bill Taylor 8, Alex Pokorski 9, Lance Fassbender.

HEAT 3

1, Ben Schmidt 2, Adam Miller 3, Tyler Davis 4, Nick Daywalt 5, Matt Vandevere 6, Blake Wondra 7, Chris Larson 8, Preston Ruh 9, Scott Armstrong.

A MAIN

1, Kurt Davis 2, Travis Arenz 3, Brandon McMullen 4, Justin Miller 5, Shane Wenninger 6, Ben Schmidt 7, Kevin Karnitz 8, Jack Vanderboom 9, Tony Wondra 10, Nick Daywalt, 11, Bill Taylor 12, Will Gerrits 13, Tyler Brabant 14, Adam Miller 15, Tim Haddy 16, Alex Pokorski 17, Matt Vandevere 18, Blake Wondra 19, Mike Decker 20, Preston Ruh 21, Chris Larson 22, Tyler Davis 23, Austin Hartmann 24, Doug Wondra.

Travis Arenz of Sheboygan claimed his second career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A-main victory Saturday, July 25 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – C-Marq Photography

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 25, 2020 – Another hot and humid evening for racing produced some even steamier action on the track as Plymouth Dirt Track Racing staged its fifth racing program of the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds third-mile clay oval in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 25.

Point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan claimed his first A-main victory of the season in the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty 360 Sprint Car A main, four-time PDTR Late Model track champion Brad Mueller of Random Lake racked up his A-main first victory of the season in the 25-lap Gasroots Project Late Model main event, Aaron Stolp of Milwaukee notched his second straight Klips N Tips 25-lap Grand National A-main triumph and Sheboygan’s Steve Lorier rolled to his initial A-main win of the 2020 campaign in the time limit-shortened 22-lap B Mod A main.

Polesitter Brandon Berth of Cascade of grabbed the lead on the drop of the green flag in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main, while 2018 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Justin Miller of Plymouth worked the low groove to pass outside front row starter Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum for second on lap 2.

Berth held a sold cushion over Miller before the first of two caution flags appeared on lap 5 when Waldo’s Chris Clayton spun in turn three. On the restart, 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove, who started fourth, used the high groove to challenge the low-riding Miller for second on lap 6.

One lap later, Tim Haddy of Waupun spun in turn two to bring out the second and final caution flag of the race. When the race resumed, Schmidt again worked the high groove to pass Miller for second on lap 7, while two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee, who started fifth, also pounded the high line to move into third on lap 8.

By lap 12, Berth had built up a half-straightaway cushion over Schmidt. Two laps later, 11^th starter Travis Arenz used the preferred low line to work underneath Miller into third before quickly setting his sights on the leaders.

Berth began to encounter slower traffic on lap 16, which allowed Schmidt and Arenz to close the gap significantly. On lap 18, Arenz dove under Schmidt for second before using another low move in turn one on lap 19 to wrestle the lead away from Berth in heavy lapped traffic.

Arenz then pulled away over the final six laps to secure his second career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and eighth career Midwest Sprint Car Association main event win by a half-straightaway margin.

After the race, Arenz was penalized for passing below the infield track tires, which resulted in the loss of points and pay. Despite the penalty, Arenz was still credited with the victory.

“I was told by an MSA/PDTR official that I was the race winner, but I am getting third-place pay and points because I advanced a spot earlier in the race with the left front over the tires,” Arenz said. “The reason they gave me the win was because there were a lot of other cars passing below the tires tonight and not just me. It’s not how I want to win. I really wish we had a two-lane track like last week. Unfortunately, the bottom was so fast, it made it difficult to pass.”

Berth came home second to record a career-best 360 Sprint Car A main showing, Schmidt finished third, Miller wound up fourth and 2017 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh worked his way up from the 10^th starting spot to round out the top five.

In his first appearance of the year at the Plymouth Dirt Track, polesitter Tony Peterson of Mukwonago seized the lead on the opening lap, while outside front row starter Brad Mueller slipped into second.

Four-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing champion Brad Mueller of Random Lake earned his 21st career PDTR Late Model A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 25. – C-Marq Photography

The lone caution of the race appeared on lap 2 when Eric Michaels of Cleveland spun to a stop in turn four. On the restart, Mueller began to reel in Peterson along the low line, while 2014 PDTR Late Model champion Mitch McGrath of Waukesha, who started fifth, worked the high groove to secure third on lap 6. After Mueller, Peterson and McGrath went into turn four on lap 6 three wide for the lead, Mueller emerged as the race leader in turn on lap 7 with McGrath sliding into second.

On lap 9, Mark Rose of Dorchester, who started eighth, passed Peterson to assume third. As McGrath continued to stick primarily to the high grove in an attempt to track down the low-riding Mueller, the leaders hit slower traffic starting on lap 19.

With lapped cars racing in the preferred low groove, Mueller had to slow his pace a bit, which allowed McGrath to close in the final five laps. However, Mueller held off McGrath’s advances by three car lengths to secure his 21^st career PDTR Late Model A-main victory.

McGrath had to settle for second, Rose placed third, fourth starter Turk Letizia of Milwaukee finished fourth and New London’s Justin Ritchie charged from his 16^th starting spot to place fifth.

Outside front row starter Aaron Stolp outpowered 2008 PDTR Grand National champ Matt Yancey of Sheboygan, who started on the pole, to pace the opening lap of the 25-lap Grand National main event.

On lap 3, the first of three caution flags appeared when Steven Weber of Plymouth and defending PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth spun in turn two.

On the restart, third starter Derek Kaat of Plymouth, two-time PDTR Grand National champ Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis, who started fifth, and eighth starter Luke Scholten of Oostburg dueled three wide in turn three on lap 4 for third with Scholten taking over the third spot.

Two laps later, the second caution appeared when Jeff Muehlbauer of Elkhart Lake stopped along the frontstretch. On the restart, Scholten when high to seize second on lap 7. Three laps later, Sorce Jr. maneuvered past Yancey to gain third in the running order.

Aaron Stolp of Milwaukee claimed his second consecutive Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 25. -C-Marq Photography

With Stolp in clear command at the front of the field, Sorce Jr. closed on Scholten over the final 10 laps, but he could not pull off the pass.

Stolp went on to secure his second career and second consecutive PDTR Grand National A main victory by a half-straightaway margin over Scholten. Sorce Jr. was third, Yancy placed fourth and Kaat completed the top five.

Polesitter Steve Lorier outpowered outside front row starter Jason Schilling of Greenfield to lead the opening lap of the B Mod A main before fourth starter Jesse Cullen of Chilton seized second on lap 2.

The first of six caution flags appeared on lap 3 when Spencer Long of Sheboygan Falls spun in turn two. Two laps later a red flag appeared when Rory Welch of Grafton, Jesse Jakubowski of Sheboygan Falls, James Rautmann of Howards Grove and David McCutcheon made hard contact near the backstretch wall.

On the restart, Cullen and Schilling waged a heated duel for second before the third caution period on lap 7 when Patrick Hansen of Sheboygan Falls spun in turn three. When the race resumed, sixth starter Elijah Koenig of Beaver Dam made his presence felt as he moved in third on lap 7 and then advanced to second in turn two on lap 8.

One lap later, Koenig was quickly closing on Lorier for the lead, while defending PDTR B Mod champ Tim Warner of Fond du Lac worked up from his fifth starting spot into third on lap 9.

The fourth caution flag appeared on lap 10 when Patrick Hanson spun again in turn four. Following the restart, Warner and Koenig waged a torrid battle for second, which culminated with Koenig seizing control on the runner-up spot on lap 13.

Steve Lorier of Sheboygan raced to his second career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 25. – C-Marq Photography

The fifth caution flag was presented on lap 16 when Gary Glander of Sheboygan Falls spun in turn four. On the restart, Koenig charged in to pressure Lorier for the top spot along the low line. Koenig pulled alongside Lorier for the lead on lap 22 when the sixth caution was displayed for a three-car incident in turn two, which brought the race to an end due to the 25-minute per A-main race time limit.

Lorier secured his second career PDTR B Mod A-main victory with Koenig finishing second and Warner in third. Schilling ended the race in fourth, but was disqualified after failing to meet the minimum weight requirement following the race. Rookie Trevor Frank of Sheboygan, who started third, earned a career-best fourth-place finish and Cullen rounded out the top five.

Preston Ruh of Elkhart Lake won the PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main.

The fifth PDTR racing program of the 2020 season, which was sponsored by Hopf Farms, drew a total of 86 cars, including 31 360 Sprint Cars, 17 Late Models, 15 Grand Nationals and 23 B Mods.

This week will feature two events in three days at The Plymouth Dirt Track as the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions joins with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series for the second annual Rayce Rudeen Foundation event on Thursday, July 30 and the regular PDTR program presented by Pedal Down Promotions is set to take place two nights later on Saturday, Aug. 1.

The July 30 event, which was rescheduled from May 26, will feature the highest-paying Winged 410 Sprint Car race in Wisconsin history as a cool $26,000 will go to the winner. The large purse is expected to attract a stellar field featuring many of the country’s top Sprint Car drivers.

Last season Australian standout James McFadden captured the victory aboard retired NASCAR star Kasey Kahne’s No. 9 machine in the first All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car A-main at the Plymouth facility since 1995. The July 30 all-Sprint Car event will also feature the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars.

Among the drivers expected to compete are retired All Star Series owner and three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart of Columbus, Ohio, who won last year’s Rayce Rudeen event at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa as well as an IRA event at The Plymouth Dirt Track last Aug. 31, two-time defending All Star Series point champ Aaron Reutzel of Clute, Texas, two-time All Star Series champion Greg Wilson of Benton Ridge, Ohio and nine-time IRA champ Bill Balog of Hartland, along with All Star and IRA series regulars Cory Eliason of Visalia, Calif., Jeb Wise of Angola, Ind., Paul McMahan of Nashville, Tenn., two-time IRA champion Scotty Neitzel of Beaver Dam, former IRA champ Jeremy Schultz of Beaver Dam, former IRA champ Jake Blackhurst of Hanna City, Ill. and Russel Borland of Kewaskum.

Grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and qualifying and racing to follow.

The PDTR 360 Sprint Car, Late Model, Grand National and B Mod divisions will be in action on Saturday, Aug. 1 with trophies sponsored by Pedal Down Promotions.

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

For all remaining 2020 PDTR races, Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan Falls will have his new book “RPM – The Golden Era of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing” for sale under the grandstand.

A portion of the money collected from the sale of the book will be donated to Plymouth Dirt Track Racing.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANTVIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Justin Miller 2, Ben Schmidt 3, Travis Arenz 4, Mike Decker 5, Preston Ruh 6, Scott Conger 7, Bill Taylor 8, Nich Melis.

HEAT 2

1, Shane Wenninger 2, Anthony Knierim 3, Kevin Karnitz 4, Chris Clayton 5, Tyler Tischendorf 6, Lance Fassbender 7, Scott Armstrong 8, Blake Wondra

HEAT 3

1, Brandon Berth 2, Tyler Davis 3, Brandon McMullen 4, Tim Haddy 5, Doug Wondra 6, Justin Erickson 7, Nick Daywalt 8, Austin Hartmann.

HEAT 4

1, Kurt Davis 2, Adam Miller 3, Davey Ray 4, Will Gerrits 5, Tony Wondra 6, Tyler Brabant 7, Josh Teunissen (DNS).

B MAIN

1, Preston Ruh 2, Justin Erickson 3, Nick Daywalt 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Tony Wondra 6, Bill Taylor 7, Doug Wondra 8, Tyler Brabant 9, Blake Wondra 10, Scott Armstrong 11, Mike Decker 12, Scott Conger 13, Austin Hartmann 14, Nich Melis (DNS) 15, Josh Teunissen (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Travis Arenz 2, Brandon Berth 3, Ben Schmidt 4, Justin Miller 5, Brandon McMullen 6, Kurt Davis 7, Justin Erickson 8, Tyler Davis 9, Lance Fassbender 10, Will Gerrits 11, Anthony Knierim 12, Davey Ray 13, Nick Daywalt 14, Tyler Tischendorf 15, Kevin Karnitz 16, Tony Wondra 17, Christ Clayton 18, Tim Haddy 19, Bill Taylor 20, Preston Ruh 21, Adam Miller 22, Shane Wenninger.

GASROOTS PROJECT LATE MODELS

HEAT 1

1, Mitch McGrath 2, Jim Schmidt 3, Eric Michaels 4, Ted Dolhun Sr. 5, Sawyer Specht 6, Charlie Schmidt 7, Billy Rezutek 8, Justin Ritchie 9, Joe Bongiorno.

HEAT 2

1, Turk Letizia 2, Brad Mueller 3, Tony Peterson 4, Mark Rose 5, Justin Schmidt 6, Tim Buhler 7, Kevin Baldry 8, Chad Ludwigson.

A MAIN

1, Brad Mueller 2, Mitch McGrath 3, Mark Rose 4, Turk Letizia 5, Justin Ritchie 6, Justin Schmidt 7, Jim Schmidt 8, Charlie Schmidt, 9, Tim Buhler 10, Joe Bongiorno 11, Ted Dolhun Sr. 12, Kevin Baldry 13, Billy Rezutek 14, Tony Peterson 15, Eric Michaels 16, Sawyer Specht 17, Chad Ludwigson.

KLIPS N TIPS GRAND NATIONALS

HEAT 1

1, Luke Scholten 2, Don Sorce Jr. 3, Steven Weber 4, Derek Kaat 5, Brett Wenzel 6, Paul Perronne 7, Eric Lingford 8, Brad Weiss.

HEAT 2

1, Donny Kulow 2, Dick Hed 3, Aaron Stolp 4, Matt Yancey 5, Tyler Kulow 6, Jeff Muehlbauer 7, Ross Rate.

A MAIN

1, Aaron Stolp 2, Luke Scholten 3, Don Sorce Jr. 4, Matt Yancey 5, Derek Kaat 6, Dick Hed 7, Steven Weber 8, Donny Kulow 9, Brett Wenzel 10, Brad Weiss 11, Eric Lingford 12, Paul Perronne 13, Ross Rate 14, Jeff Muehlbauer 15, Tyler Kulow.

CELLCOM B MODS

HEAT 1

1, Steve Lorier 2, Jesse Cullen 3, Tim Thrun 4, Justin Bauer 5, Craig Gessner 6, Andy Welter 7, Jesse Jakubowski 8, Travis Schmidt.

HEAT 2

1, Tim Warner 2, James Rautmann 3, Barry Maas 4, Spencer Long 5, Gary Glander 6, Jim Fischer 7, Rory Welch 8, David McCutcheon.

HEAT 3

1, Elijah Koenig 2, Jason Schilling 3, Trevor Frank 4, Patrick Hanson 5, Phil Campanella 6, Andy Singer 7, Jonathan Hitsman.

A MAIN

1, Steve Lorier 2, Elijah Koenig 3, Tim Warner 4, Trevor Frank 5, Jesse Cullen, 6, Justin Bauer 7, Jonathan Hitsman 8, Tim Thrun 9, Andy Welter 10, Spencer Long 11, Rory Welch 12, David McCutcheon 13, Craig Gessner 14, Andy Singer 15, Gary Glander 16, Jim Fischer 17, Phil Campanella 18, Barry Maas 19, Patrick Hanson 20, James Rautmann 21, Jesse Jakubowski 22, Travis Schmidt (DNS), 23, Jason Schilling (DQ).

Nine-time Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association champion Bill Balog (17B) of Hartland races in close quarters for the lead with Scotty Thiel (64) of Sheboygan in the 30-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car Series A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

McMullen, Stear claim A-main victories

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 18, 2020 – Nine-time Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association champion Bill Balog of Hartland showcased his considerable skill behind the wheel of a 410 Winged Sprint Car by outmaneuvering Sheboygan’s Scotty Thiel in a heart-pumping, back-and-forth battle over the final five circuits on the way to his third IRA A-main victory of the 2020 season in the 30-lap headliner Saturday, July 18 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

Former PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh captured his third A-main victory of the 2020 campaign in the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car main event, while Ion Stear of Hebron, Ill. notched a wire-to-wire victory in the 20-lap Interstate Racing Association Lightning Sprints A main.

In the 30-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car Series headliner, Balog grabbed the lead on the opening lap from the pole position, while Thiel, who started on the outside of the front row, settled into second.

Balog built up a solid half-straightaway lead in the early going before the leaders encountered lapped traffic on lap 8, which allowed Thiel to close the gap drastically.

On lap 11, Balog found himself boxed in behind a pair of slower cars along the inside groove, which allowed Thiel to use the outside line of the well-prepared, multi-groove track surface to power into the lead in turn one on lap 12.

Once out front, Thiel pulled away to a full straightaway cushion over Balog until the first of five caution flags was displayed for a spin in turn two involving IRA rookie Jack Routson of Waterman, Ill. on lap 17. Three laps later, Routson spun again in turn four right in front of Thiel, who had to take evasive action to avoid getting collected.

Thiel again bolted away to a big lead on the ensuing restart and had built up another full straightaway advantage over Balog when a red flag was displayed when Matt Vandevere of Zion, Ill. flipped in turn two on lap 25.

On the restart, Thiel again held the advantage over Balog, while two-time IRA champion Scotty Neitzel of Beaver Dam, who started third, moved low to duel with USAC Sprint Car standout Chase Stockon of Fort Branch, Ind., who started fifth, for third.

The fourth caution period came on lap 26 when Scott Biertzer of West Bend stopped in turn two. Balog pulled off what proved to be the winning move on the restart has he ripped off a well-executed slide job in turn two to wrestle the lead away from Thiel, who battled back in turn four to briefly regain the top spot. However, Balog charged back in turn two on the following lap to take the lead for good.

The final caution flag appeared on lap 27 when Todd Daun of Pleasant Prairie spun in turn two. Thiel tried to execute a slide job of his own in turn two on the ensuing restart. However, Balog held strong along the high groove to maintain the top spot.

Thiel was not done yet as he utilized the low line on the final circuit to nearly pull even with Balog in turn four. However, Balog held on to nip Thiel at the finish line by one car length en route to his 116^th career IRA A-main victory.

“I got stuck in the middle there with the lapped cars twice and got boxed in,” Balog said. “He [Thiel] was able to get around and then he set out on a pretty good pace to build up a big lead. I didn’t think we would get him, honestly. We were just a little too tight for most of the race.

“On that restart, I just pulled the wing back and slid him in turn two and it worked out,” he said. “On the last lap, I actually saw his front wheel coming out of turn four and that was pretty intense. It was a great race. Those kind of races are what we are here to do.”

Despite leading much of the race, Thiel had to settle for second.

“That was probably the most fun I’ve had racing with Bill,” Thiel said. “We really pushed each other to the limits. On that second to last caution, I think he timed out what I had been doing on the previous restarts and pulled off that slider to get the lead. I tried fighting back and continued to push hard, but I also wanted to race clean. We just have to improve a little bit to get one spot better and beat the 17B next time.”

Stockon, who is a non-wing regular on the USAC National Sprint Car tour, turned a solid third-place showing in his first appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

“This a first-time experience for me here at this track,” Stockon said. “We had a good race car tonight. I’m not that used to running with wings and these guys race hard and clean. It was a fun 30 laps.”

Neitzel placed fourth and former IRA champion Jeremy Schultz placed fifth after starting seventh.

Former track champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh claimed his third main event victory of the 2020 season 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 18. – RC Custom Design photo

In the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main, polesitter Tim Haddy of Waupun took the lead on the opening lap with outside front row starter Scott Conger of Eagle slipping into second with fourth starter Brandon McMullen third.

On lap 4, McMullen used the high line to power around Conger into second. Haddy began to encounter slower traffic on lap 10, which allowed McMullen to reel in Haddy considerably.

Three laps later, McMullen dove low to slip underneath the high-riding Haddy for the lead in turn two. The three-time Midwest Sprint Car Association champion wasted no time in building up a solid lead along the middle to low grooves.

Haddy remained within striking distance in the second half of the race and drew within two car lengths of McMullen on the final circuit. However, McMullen held on to secure his 18^th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and 26^th career MSA main event triumph to move into sole possession of third place on the all-time MSA win list and fourth on the all-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main win list in the caution-free, non-stop race.

“Tim was really good in clean air early in the race, but I could tell when we got to the lapped cars that with the air getting taken off the wing, he was getting a little tight,” McMullen said. “I tried to work the middle and through the bottom and it worked out for us tonight.”

Haddy finished second, Travis Arenz of Sheboygan, who started seventh, placed third, third starter Anthony Knierim of Franksville placed fourth and Conger rounded out the top five.

In the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints A main, Ion Stear took the lead on the drop of the green flag from the pole. Starting on lap 6, Stear worked skillfully through lapped traffic to extend his lead.

The first of two red flags appeared on lap 11 when Andrew Kiedrowski of Union Grove flipped in turn one. Following the restart, Mark Heinert of Oak Creek, who started second, moved in to pressure Stear, while fifth starter Nick Petska of Spring Grove, Ill. worked his way into third on lap 15.

On lap 18, Heinert brought out another red flag when he flipped following contact with a slower car in turn two. Following a green-white-checkered flag restart, Stear held strong to secure the victory.

“The car felt real good throughout the race,” Stear said. “This place usually gets dry slick, but it was a really good racing surface tonight.”

Petska placed second, C.J. Malueg of Johnsburg, Ill. finished third after starting sixth, defending IRA Lightning Sprints champ Mike Neau of Pleasant Prairie finished fourth after starting third and Jeff Schmidt of Slinger placed fifth after starting fourth.

Sean Rayhall of Woodstock, Ga. earn the fast qualifier award in IRA 410 Sprint Car Series time trails with a lap of 12.146 seconds. Balog and Thiel won the two IRA four-lap dashes to earn front row starting spots in the A main.

The all-Sprint Car program attracted a total field of 75 cars, including 23 IRA 410 Sprint Cars, 36 PDTR/MSA 360 Sprint Cars and 16 IRA Lightning Sprints.

Next Saturday, July 25 The Plymouth Dirt Track will host its 360 Sprint Car, Late Model, Grand National and B Mod divisions.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing to begin at 6 p.m.

BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA 410 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Sean Rayhall 12.146 2, Scotty Thiel 12.152 3, Joey Moughan 12.193 4, Bill Balog 12.267 5, Chase Stockon 12.273 6, Todd King 12.273 7, Jake Blackhurst 12.292 8, Jeremy Schultz 12.465 9, Jordan Goldesberry 12.511 10, Dave Uttech 12.664 11, Russel Borland 12.734 12, Scotty Neitzel 12.748 13, Scott Biertzer 12.811 14, Matt Vandevere 12.819 15, Jack Routson 12.839 16, Robbie Pribnow 12.927 17, Kris Spitz 13.065 18, Wayne Modjeski 13.072 19, Todd Daun 13.076 20, Josh Walter 13.118 21, Johnny Fahl 13.248 22, Chris Larson 13.742 23, Hunter Custer 15.537.

HEAT 1

1, Jake Blackhurst 2, Bill Balog 3, Dave Uttech 4, Robbie Pribnow 5, Scott Biertzer 6, Sean Rayhall 7, Todd Daun 8, Chris Larson.

HEAT 2

1, Scotty Thiel 2, Chase Stockon 3, Jeremy Schultz 4, Russel Borland 5, Matt Vandevere 6, Kris Spitz 7, Josh Walter 8, Hunter Custer.

HEAT 3

1, Scotty Neitzel 2, Jordan Goldesberry 3, Joey Moughan 4, Jack Routson 5, Todd King 6, Wayne Modjeski 7, Johnny Fahl 8,

DASH 1

1, Bill Balog 2, Scotty Neitzel 3, Chase Stockton 4, Jeremy Schultz 5, Jake Blackhurst.

DASH 2

1, Scotty Thiel 2, Jordan Goldesberry 3, Sean Rayhall 4, Todd King 5, Joey Moughan.

A MAIN

1, Bill Balog 2, Scotty Thiel 3, Chase Stockon 4, Scotty Neitzel 5, Jeremy Schultz 6, Joey Moughan 7, Jordan Goldesberry 8, Jake Blackhurst 9, Todd King 10, Dave Uttech 11, Robbie Pribnow 12, Kris Spitz 13, Wayne Modjeski 14, Johnny Fahl 15, Chris Larson 16, Todd Daun 17, Scott Biertzer 18, Matt Vandevere 19, Hunter Custer 20, Josh Walter 21, Jack Routson 22, Sean Rayhall 23, Russel Borland.

KRISTINE HARTMANN REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

HEAT 1

1, Ben Schmidt 2, Justin Erickson 3, Matt Vandevere 4, Justin Miller 5, Lance Fassbender 6, Nick Daywalt 7, Blake Wondra 8, Preston Ruh 9, Scott Armstrong.

HEAT 2

1, Will Gerrits 2, Brandon McMullen 3, Jack Vanderboom 4, Tony Wondra 5, Scotty Neitzel 6, Bill Taylor 7, Mike Decker 8, Austin Hartmann 9, Adam Miller.

HEAT 3

1, Scott Conger 2, Anthony Knierim 3, Shane Wenninger 4, Brandon Berth 5, Tyler Brabant 6, Nich Melis 7, Alex Pokorski 8, Tyler Davis 9, Kevin Seidler.

HEAT 4

1, Travis Arenz 2, Tim Haddy 3, Kevin Karnitz 4, Tyler Tischendorf 5, Chris Clayton 6, Josh Teunissen 7, Kurt Davis 8, Ken Schmick 9, Doug Wondra.

B MAIN 1

1, Brandon Berth 2, Tyler Tischendorf 3, Preston Ruh 4, Blake Wondra 5, Mike Decker 6, Kevin Seidler 7, Austin Hartmann 8, Doug Wondra 9, Ken Schmick 10, Josh Teunissen (DNS).

B MAIN 2

1, Kurt Davis 2, Nick Daywalt 3, Chris Clayton 4, Tyler Davis 5, Bill Taylor 6, Nich Melis 7, Alex Pokorski 8, Tyler Brabant 9, Scott Armstrong 10, Adam Miller (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Tim Haddy 3, Travis Arenz 4, Anthony Knierim 5, Scott Conger 6, Justin Miller 7, Will Gerrits 8, Ben Schmidt 9, Justin Erickson 10, Kurt Davis 11, Shane Wenninger 12, Scotty Neitzel 13, Lance Fassbender 14, Tony Wondra 15, Tyler Tischendorf 16, Kevin Karnitz 17, Matt Vandevere 18, Brandon Berth 19, Jack Vanderboom 20, Nick Daywalt 21, Chris Clayton 22, Preston Ruh.

IRA LIGHTNING SPRINTS

HEAT 1

1, Ion Stear 2, Mark Heinert 3, C.J. Maleug 4, Jeff Schmidt 5, Shawn McGill 6, Bob Jeziorski 7, Max Brannam

HEAT 2

1, Josh Rehberg 2, Nick Petska 3, Mike Neau 4, Andrew Kiedrowski 5, Kevin Fredericksen 6, Phil Brannam 7, Ron Curasi 8, John Kirk

A MAIN

1, Ion Stear 2, Nick Petska 3, C.J. Malueg 4, Mike Neau 5, Jeff Schmidt 6, Kevin Fredericksen 7, Josh Rehberg 8, Bob Jeriorski 9, Shawn McGill 10, Phil Brannam 11, Max Brannam 12, Ron Curasi 13, Mark Heinert 14, John Kirk 15, Andrew Kiedrowski 16, Ron Brannam.

Stolp, Warner score PDTR A-main triumphs

Two-time and defending Morton Buildings World of Outlaws Late Model Series competitor Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill. earned his eighth series A-main victory of the 2020 season in the 50-lap main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 11. – Jacy Norgaard photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 11, 2020 – Two-time and defending Morton Buildings World of Outlaws Late Model series champion Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill. ran his winnings streak at The Plymouth Dirt Track to three straight as he scored a convincing victory in the 50-lap main event at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 11.

The third appearance of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series at the Plymouth third-mile clay oval drew a strong field of 39 competitors, but its was Sheppard who stood tall above the competition by earning his 35^th career series fast qualifier award, winning the first 10-lap heat race and steering his Valvoline-sponsored blue No. 1 machine to his eighth A-main victory of the 2020 season and 63^rd career main event triumph in World of Outlaws Series competition.

Aaron Stolp of Milwaukee led flag to flag en route to his front career 25-lap PDTR Klips & Tips Grand National A main victory, while defending PDTR Cellcom B Mod track champion Tim Warner of Fond du Lac came from his dead last starting spot to capture the victory in the 25-lap B Mod A main.

Outside front row starter Cade Dillard of Robeline, La. outpowered polesitter Jimmy Mars of Menomonie to seize the lead in turn four of the opening lap, while Sheppard, who started fourth, dove low on lap two to pressure the high-riding Dillard for the top spot in turn two.

By lap 5, the leaders were already approaching lapped traffic, which required Dillard and Sheppard to explore alternative racing lines to maintain their positions. In heavy lapped traffic, Sheppard pulled event with Dillard on lap 11 and the two World of Outlaws Series standouts dueled side by side over the next lap before the first of two caution flags was displayed on lap 12 when Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill. slowed along the frontstrech with a flat tire.

Under caution, Dillard relinquished the lead to Sheppard when he pulled into the pits to change a flat left front tire, he suffered after contact with the lapped car of Brent Larson of Lake Elmo, Minn.

On the restart, Sheppard pulled away along the preferred outside groove, while 2004 World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., who started seventh, moved up to fourth and 16^th starter Ashton Winger of Hampton, Ga. advanced into fifth on lap 12.

On lap 17, Sheppard hit slower traffic again, which allowed Mars to cut the gap substantially. Mars had pulled within striking distance when the second caution flag appeared on lap 30 after Jason Rauen of Farley, Iowa slowed along the frontstretch.

With Sheppard firmly in control out front, Chase Junghans of Manhattan, Kan., who started sixth, hit his stride on the restart to rocket past Bloomquist and eighth starter Ricky Weiss of Headingly, Manitoba, Canada into third with a daring slide job in turn three on lap 33.

Junghans quickly moved in two challenge Mars for second lap 40, while New London’s Justin Ritchie, who started 10th, worked the low groove to perfection to move into fifth on lap 41 before advancing to fourth two laps later and finally into third by slipping underneath the cushion-pounding Junghans on lap 48.

At the head of the pack, it was all Sheppard has he expertly sliced his way through lapped traffic to secure his third consecutive World of Outlaws Late Model Series victory and series leading 10^th career win in the state of Wisconsin by a full straightway margin.

Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill. celebrates his third consecutive Morton Buildings World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 11. – Jacy Norgaard photo

“Our car is so consistent right now,” Sheppard said. “I can run it really anywhere on the race track and feel confident about it right now. The guys work so hard to give me a great car. It is really a pleasure to drive and a thrill to race in front of great race fans on a nice track like this.”

Mars held on to place second to lead a healthy contingent of Wisconsin drivers, who fared well against the World of Outlaws touring pros.

“It was a good night for the local guys with myself in second and Justin Ritchie also doing very well,” Mars said. “It is neat to see the locals doing well when the Outlaws come to town. Brandon was obviously real good the whole race and he was really hard to keep up with once he got out front.”

Ritchie, who is a regular competitor in the PDTR Late Model division, finished third, but was penalized three spots by World of Outlaws officials following a quarter panel height check in post-race inspection, which moved him back to sixth in the official running order. The result was still Ritchie’s best career finish in World of Outlaws Late Model Series competition.

Junghans was credited with third, followed by Weiss in fourth and Bloomquist in fifth.

In the 25-lap, Grand National A main, Aaron Stolp outside his outside front row starting spot to get the jump on polesitter Dave Holm of Cascade and take the lead in turn two of the opening lap.

Action quickly got heated behind Stolp as Holm third starter Dick Hed of Plymouth and fourth starter Jeff Muehlbauer of Elkhart Lake went three wide into turn three on the opening circuit with Hed prevailing to secure second.

Aaron Stolp of Milwaukee claimed his first career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National A-main victory at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 11. – C-Marq Photography

By lap 5, Stolp had built up a half-straightaway cushion over Hed. The first of two caution flags of the race was displayed on lap 10 for a spin involving Derek Kaat of Plymouth in turn two.

Two laps later, another caution flag flew when Paul Perronne of Plymouth, Seth Westimayer and The Who Racing No. 4 car collided in turn four.

On the restart, again Stolp showed his strength as he pulled away to a comfortable full straightaway advantage over the second half of the race to notch his first career PDTR Grand National A-main victory.

Hed was second, fifth starter Luke Scholten of Oostburg finished third, Muehlbauer was fourth and sixth starter Donny Kulow of Elkhart Lake placed fifth.

After an aborted start for a spin involved David McCutcheon on the opening lap, outside front row starter Steve Lorier of Sheboygan led the opening lap of the 25-lap B Mod A main while polesitter Jonathon Baumann of Sheboygan slide into second on the opening circuit.

On lap 3, third starter Gary Glander of Sheboygan Falls moved in to take second with 2018 PDTR B Mod champion Tim Sheppard of Beaver Dam, who started fifth, taking third.

Glander was closing on Lorier when the second caution was displayed on lap 6 for Rory Welch of Grafton, who spun in turn two. On the restart, Sheppard ventured to the outside groove to pass Lorier for second, while seventh starter Jesse Cullen of Chilton charged into challenge Lorier for the top spot along the low line. On lap 8, Cullen grabbed the lead along the extreme inside lane.

After a caution for debris on lap 14, Sheppard powered under Cullen to assume the top spot in turn four as Warner, who started 20^th, followed Cullen’s tire tracks into second.

On the restart, Warner showed his strength by extending the lead while Lorier and Aaron Butterbrodt of Milwaukee, who started 10^th, moved in to duel with Lorier for second on lap 16.

The fifth and final caution was displayed on lap 18 when Baumann spun in turn one. Lorier secured second from Butterbrodt on the restart. Meanwhile, Warner extended his advantage in the closing laps to secure his fourth career PDTR B Mod A-main victory.

Defending Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod champion Tim Warner of Fond du Lac was victorious in the 25-lap A main at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 11. – C-Marq Photography

“I’m really proud of my team,” Warner said. “I have to thank Jeff Steenbergen of Ultimate Race Cars for the great car that his really run to drive. The track was pretty racey tonight. I just picked my spots and tried to do my best.”

Lorier finished second, Butterbrodt was third, seventh starter Brian Wieland of Sheboygan placed fourth and Barry Maas of Cascade, who started ninth, finished fifth.

World of Outlaws last chance qualifier race winners were Brent Larson and two-time and defending PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland.

A total of 78 cars checked into the pit area in three divisions, including 39 Morton Buildings World of Outlaws Series cars, 19 Grand Nationals and 20 B mods.

Next Saturday, July 18 The Plymouth Dirt Track will host the first of four scheduled Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series events of the 2020 season, along with the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars and IRA Lightning Sprints.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and qualifying and racing to follow.

MORTON BUILDINGS WORD OF OUTLAWS LATE MODEL SERIES

Date of the Race

July 11, 2020

A-Main

1. 1-Brandon Sheppard [4][$10,000]; 2. 28m-Jimmy Mars [1][$5,000]; 3. 18-Chase Junghans [6][$3,000]; 4. 7-Ricky Weiss [8][$2,500]; 5. 0-Scott Bloomquist [7][$2,000]; 6. 70-Justin Ritchie [10][$1,700]; 7. 10s-Taylor Scheffler [9][$1,400]; 8. 12-Ashton Winger [16][$1,300]; 9. 29v-Darrell Lanigan [13][$1,200]; 10. 20-Rodney Sanders [12][$1,100]; 11. 99b-Boom Briggs [11][$1,050]; 12. 97-Cade Dillard [2][$1,000]; 13. 97s-Justin Schmidt [18][$950]; 14. 11-Justin Reed [21][$900]; 15. B1-Brent Larson [17][$850]; 16. 28-Dennis Erb Jr. [5][$800]; 17. D1-Turk Letizia [20][$770]; 18. 49-Jake Timm [15][$750]; 19. 74-Mitch McGrath [3][$730]; 20. 98-Jason Rauen [14][$700]; 21. 79-Jim Schmidt [22][$700]; 22. 1m-Mike Mataragas [19][$700]; 23. 89-Brad Mueller [23][$700]; 24. 54-Kevin Baldry [24][$700]. Lap Leader(s):Dillard 1-11; Sheppard 12-50. Hard Charger Award:12-Ashton Winger [+8]

Qualifying Flight A

1. 1-Brandon Sheppard, 14.412; 2. 97-Cade Dillard, 14.447; 3. 7-Ricky Weiss, 14.462; 4. 28-Dennis Erb Jr., 14.48; 5. 10s-Taylor Scheffler, 14.527; 6. 99b-Boom Briggs, 14.605; 7. 29v-Darrell Lanigan, 14.751; 8. 49-Jake Timm, 14.836; 9. B1-Brent Larson, 14.955; 10. 1m-Mike Mataragas, 14.972; 11. 89-Brad Mueller, 15.021; 12. 10-Paul Parker, 15.052; 13. 11-Justin Reed, 15.185; 14. 6m-Jeff Massingill, 15.23; 15. 3m-Dale Markham, 15.402; 16. 7B-Tim Buhler, 15.417; 17. 22-Charlie Schmidt, 15.657; 18. 16-Zack Kessler, 15.799; 19. 4b-Glen Blanke, 16.317; 20. 55-Donny Singer, 16.398

Qualifying Flight B

1. 98-Jason Rauen, 14.723; 2. 20-Rodney Sanders, 14.723; 3. 97s-Justin Schmidt, 14.725; 4. 18-Chase Junghans, 14.804; 5. 74-Mitch McGrath, 14.819; 6. 28m-Jimmy Mars, 14.839; 7. 70-Justin Ritchie, 14.951; 8. 79-Jim Schmidt, 14.995; 9. 0-Scott Bloomquist, 15.221; 10. 3-Brett Swedberg, 15.297; 11. 15-Nick Anvelink, 15.316; 12. D1-Turk Letizia, 15.368; 13. 25-Jared Siefert, 15.372; 14. 12-Ashton Winger, 15.387; 15. 19-Dustin Sorenson, 15.908; 16. 27-Derek Janke, 15.908; 17. D7-Jim Letizia, 16.047; 18. 33s-Ron Stroika, 16.436; 19. 54-Kevin Baldry, 16.549

Drydene Heat 1 Flight (A) (10 Laps) – Top 4 Transfer

1. 1-Brandon Sheppard [1]; 2. 7-Ricky Weiss [2]; 3. 10s-Taylor Scheffler [3]; 4. 29v-Darrell Lanigan [4]; 5. B1-Brent Larson [5]; 6. 89-Brad Mueller [6]; 7. 11-Justin Reed [7]; 8. 22-Charlie Schmidt [9]; 9. 3m-Dale Markham [8]; 10. 4b-Glen Blanke [10]

Drydene Heat 2 – Flight (A) (10 Laps) – Top 4 Transfer

1. 97-Cade Dillard [1]; 2. 28-Dennis Erb Jr. [2]; 3. 99b-Boom Briggs [3]; 4. 49-Jake Timm [4]; 5. 1m-Mike Mataragas [5]; 6. 6m-Jeff Massingill [7]; 7. 10-Paul Parker [6]; 8. 16-Zack Kessler [9]; 9. 55-Donny Singer [10]; 10. 7B-Tim Buhler [8]

Drydene Heat 3 – Flight (B) (10 Laps) – Top 4 Transfer

1. 74-Mitch McGrath [3]; 2. 0-Scott Bloomquist [5]; 3. 70-Justin Ritchie [4]; 4. 98-Jason Rauen [1]; 5. 97s-Justin Schmidt [2]; 6. 25-Jared Siefert [7]; 7. 15-Nick Anvelink [6]; 8. 54-Kevin Baldry [10]; 9. D7-Jim Letizia [9]; 10. 19-Dustin Sorenson [8]

Drydene Heat 4 – Flight (B) (10 Laps) – Top 4 Transfer

1. 28m-Jimmy Mars [3]; 2. 18-Chase Junghans [2]; 3. 20-Rodney Sanders [1]; 4. 12-Ashton Winger [7]; 5. 3-Brett Swedberg [5]; 6. D1-Turk Letizia [6]; 7. 27-Derek Janke [8]; 8. 79-Jim Schmidt [4]; 9. 33s-Ron Stroika [9]

Last Chance Showdown 1 (10 Laps) – Top 3 Transfer

1. B1-Brent Larson [1][-]; 2. 1m-Mike Mataragas [2][-]; 3. 11-Justin Reed [5][-]; 4. 89-Brad Mueller [3][]; 5. 6m-Jeff Massingill [4][$110]; 6. 22-Charlie Schmidt [7][$110]; 7. 10-Paul Parker [6][$110]; 8. 7B-Tim Buhler [12][$110]; 9. 3m-Dale Markham [9][$110]; 10. 4b-Glen Blanke [11][$110]; 11. 16-Zack Kessler [8][$110]; 12. 55-Donny Singer [10]

Last Chance Showdown 2 (10 Laps) – Top 3 Transfer

1. 97s-Justin Schmidt [1][-]; 2. D1-Turk Letizia [4][-]; 3. 79-Jim Schmidt [8][-]; 4. 54-Kevin Baldry [7][]; 5. 19-Dustin Sorenson [11][$110]; 6. 15-Nick Anvelink [5][$110]; 7. 33s-Ron Stroika [10][$110]; 8. D7-Jim Letizia [9][$110]; 9. 27-Derek Janke [6][$110]; 10. 3-Brett Swedberg [2][$110]; 11. 25-Jared Siefert [3][$110]

KLIPS N TIPS GRAND NATIONAL

HEAT 1

1, Steven Weber 2, Luke Scholten 3, Dylan Struve 4, Dave Holm 5, Bruce Troesch 6, Brad Weiss 7, Seth Westimayer,

HEAT 2

1, Donny Kulow 2, Jeff Muehlbauer 3, Dick Hed 4, Will Sorce 5, Who Racing 6, Paul Perronne.

HEAT 3

1, Tyler Kulow 2, Don Sorce Jr. 3, Aaron Stolp 4, Derek Kaat 5, Matt Loehr 6, Jim Rohrbeck.

A MAIN

1, Aaron Stolp 2, Dick Hed 3, Luke Scholten 4, Jeff Muehlbauer 5, Donny Kulow 6, Tyler Kulow 7, Steven Weber 8, Don Sorce Jr. 9, Will Sorce 10, Matt Loehr 11, Dave Holm 12, Dylan Struve 13, Who Racing 14, Derek Kaat 15, Brad Weiss 16, Jim Rohrbeck 17, Bruce Troesch 18, Seth Westimayer 19, Paul Perronne.

CELLCOM B MOD

HEAT 1

1, Justin Bauer 2, Steve Lorier 3, Jonathon Baumann 4, Jonathan Hitsman 5, Patrick Hanson 6, Trevor Frank 7, Tim Warner (DQ).

HEAT 2

1, Brian Wieland 2, Tim Sheppard 3, Rory Welch 4, Brendan Ostrowski 5, Phil Campanella 6, Michael Gilson 7, David McCutcheon

HEAT 3

1, Jesse Cullen 2, Gary Glander 3, Barry Maas 4, Aaron Butterbrodt 5, Donny Singer 6, Dakota Cabunac.

A MAIN

1, Tim Warner 2, Steve Lorier 3, Aaron Butterbrodt 4, Brian Wieland 5, Barry Maas 6, Brendan Ostrowski 7, Donny Singer 8, Rory Welch 9, Tim Sheppard 10, Jonathon Baumann 11, David McCutcheon 12, Michael Gilson 13, Phil Campanella 14, Jesse Cullen 15, Gary Glander 16, Jonathan Hitsman 17, Trevor Frank 18, Patrick Hanson 19, Dakota Cabunac 20, Justin Bauer (DQ).

Adam Miller of Plymouth collected his second career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A-main victory Saturday, June 13 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. -RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) June 13, 2020 – On an unseasonably cool early summer evening, the racing action was hot and heavy as Plymouth Dirt Track Racing staged its second racing program of the 2020 season Saturday, June 13 at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds third-mile oval in Plymouth, Wis.

In A-main action, Adam Miller of Plymouth outdueled Kewaskum’s Shane Wenninger and Sheboygan’s Travis Arenz to claim his second career PDTR Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty 25-lap 360 Sprint Car main event victory. Two-time defending PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland nipped New London’s Justin Ritchie by inches at the finish line to capture a spirited Gasroots Project 25-lap Late Model A main. Donny Kulow of Elkhart Lake racked up his first career 25-lap PDTR Klips N Tips Grand National A-main victory and Jesse Cullen of Chilton was the victor in a hotly contested 25-lap Cellcom B Mod A main.

Polesitter Adam Miller led the 22-car 360 Sprint Car A-main field on the opening lap while outside front row starter Shane Wenninger slid into second place. On lap 4, Wenninger worked the high groove to power around the low riding Miller exiting turn two.

Four laps later, the leaders began to encounter heavy lapped traffic, which allowed Miller, who had moved up to the cushion, to close the gap on Wenninger. On lap 13, Miller moved within striking distance as Wenninger attempted to work through dense lapped traffic.

One lap later, Wenninger moved low to maneuver past a slower car while Miller pounded the treacherous cushion to shoot back into the lead exiting turn four on lap 14. On lap 16, the first of two caution flags appeared when Chris Clayton of Waldo spun in turn two.

Miller, who was involved in a race-ending flip on the opening lap of last week’s A main, maintained the lead over Wenninger on the restart before fifth starter Tim Haddy of Waupun dove low entering turn three on lap 17 and pushed high in turn four before colliding with Wenninger, who made contact with the frontstretch wall and stopped exiting turn four to bring out the second caution of the race.

On the restart, seventh starter Travis Arenz used a daring low move to take over second place on lap 18. At the front of the field, Miller remained in control along the high groove as he moved through slower traffic in the closing laps to earn his second career PDTR and Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main victory by a 10-car length margin over the hard-charging Arenz. Haddy finished third, third starter Bill Taylor of Kewaskum was fourth and fourth starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend rounded out the top five.

“We started the race by running pretty good on the bottom before Shane got by us around the top,” Miller said in victory lane. “We were fortunate to get back around him in traffic and then we survived a few cautions to get the win. I couldn’t have asked for a better bounce back after last week. We’ll take it and move on to next week.”

The action-packed Late Model A main opened with Jim Schmidt of Cleveland taking the lead from the pole, while third starter Justin Ritchie assumed second on the opening circuit. On lap 3, Ritchie used the low groove to duck under Jim Schmidt in turn one.

Two-time defending Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Plymouth earned his 11th career PDTR Late Model A-main victory Saturday, June 13 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. -RC Custom Design photo

One lap later, Justin Schmidt, who started fifth, used the high line to work his way into third place. As the leaders maneuvered through slower traffic, Justin Schmidt moved into second and closed the gap on Ritchie while four-time PDTR Late Model champion Brad Mueller of Random Lake, who started fourth, used the high grove to seize third and move in to pressure the leaders.

The first of five caution flags appeared on lap 11 when rookie Sawyer Specht of Sheboygan Falls and rookie Chad Ludwigson of Sheboygan Falls collided along the backstretch. On the restart, Mueller vaulted past Justin Schmidt along the high groove before the second caution was displayed for rookie Glen Blanke of Sheboygan Falls and Charlie Schmidt of Cedar Grove in turn three on lap 13.

The third caution flag came out on the next attempted restart when Greg Cantrell of DeKalb, Ill. stalled on the backstretch. On the restart, Justin Schmidt again used the high groove to pass Mueller and challenge Ritchie for the top spot. On lap 16, Schmidt surged past Ritchie with a strong run along the cushion.

Three laps later, Justin Schmidt, Ritchie and Mueller were running in close quarters for the lead when Mueller made contact with the lapped car of Chad Ludwigson, which caused Ludwigson to spin while Mueller left the track with a flat tire, which brought out the fourth caution of the race on lap 19.

On the restart, Ritchie stayed precise on the low groove to regain the lead from Justin Schmidt in turn two on lap 19. Two laps later, the fifth and final caution flag appeared for Sawyer Specht in turn two.

Justin Schmidt was not to be denied in the closing laps as he continued to powered through a very challenging and thick cushion to pull even with Ritchie in the closing laps. On the white flag lap, Justin Schmidt used a huge run out of turn four to edge Ritchie at the finish line to claim his 11^th career PDTR Late Model A-main victory. Ritchie finished second, Jim Schmidt held on for third, sixth starter Turk Letizia of Milwaukee finished fourth and 2016 PDTR Late Model champion Tim Buhler of Greenbush finished fifth after starting seventh.

“The track was crazy tonight,” Justin Schmidt said. “Turn four was very treacherous on the cushion. No one is better on the bottom than Justin Ritchie and it was a great race with him. I didn’t know if I had him or not as it was back and forth for a while. On that last lap, it was just all or nothing. I went in hard, held on and it work out.”

Donny Kulow of Elkhart Lake captured his first career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National A-main victory Saturday, June 13 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. -RC Custom Design photo

Former PDTR Grand National champion Matt Yancey of Sheboygan led the opening lap of the main event from the pole with outside front row starter Donny Kulow assuming second.

Yancey controlled the opening seven laps by clinging to the inside lane of the slick track surface before Kulow executed a strong low move in turn one on lap 8 to seize the top spot.

Once in front, Kulow pulled away from the field as third starter Jeff Muelhbauer of Elkhart Lake moved in to pressure Yancey for the runner-up spot. Over the final 10 laps, Kulow remained smooth on the low line en route to his first career PDTR Grand National A-main victory by a half-straightaway margin over Yancey, who finished second. Muehlbauer placed third, fourth starter Luke Scholten of Oostburg claimed fourth and defending PDTR Grand National champ Tyler Kulow of Plymouth finished fifth after starting fifth.

After a caution flag on the opening lap for a two-car incident involving Steve Lorier of Sheboygan and rookie Trevor Frank of Sheboygan, Donny Singer of Random Lake paced the first three laps of the B Mod A main from the pole. On lap 4, rookie Will Garceau of Mishicot worked his way up from the third starting spot to take the lead.

The second of four caution flags was displayed on lap 5 for an incident involving Steve Lorier, Trevor Frank and Christopher Gilson of Elkhart Lake. Another caution appeared on the ensuing restart from Patrick Hanson of Sheboygan Falls and David McCutcheon.

On the restart, fourth starter Justin Bauer of Sheboygan Falls worked the outside groove to take second before fifth starter Jesse Cullen passed Bauer for second on lap 6.

On lap 7, the fourth and final caution flag came out when James Rautmann of Howards Grove stopped in turn three. Cullen continued to show his strength on the restart as he moved in to pressure Garceau for the top spot, along with 2018 PDTR B Mod champion Tim Sheppard of Beaver Dam, who started eighth.

Chilton’s Jesse Cullen picked up his third career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod A-main victory Saturday, June 13 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. -Joe Holz Photography

On lap 8, Cullen used the outside groove to work around Garceau into the lead in turn three. Meanwhile, defending PDTR B Mod champion Tim Warner of Fond du Lac, who started sixth mounted a charge in the late stages of the race to secure second on lap 14.

As Cullen found a distinct groove to his liking utilizing the middle portion of the track, Warner closed on the later in the waning laps. However, Cullen held on to earn his third career PDTR B Mod A-main triumph. Warner was second, Sheppard placed third, Bauer wound up fourth and Garceau rounded out the top five.

“I could feel someone [Tim Warner] back there a few times near the end,” Cullen said. “I feel I had a pretty good groove there on the bottom and the middle, which really seemed to work well in getting me to the front and into victory lane tonight.”

Doug Wondra of Oakfield won the first 360 Sprint Car B main and Justin Erickson of Plymouth captured the second 360 Sprint Car B main.

The event, which was sponsored by Mayer Automotive, drew a total of 88 cars, including 36 360 Sprint Cars, 16 Late Models, 13 Grand Nationals and 23 B Mods.

The next PDTR program at The Plymouth Dirt Track will take place on Saturday, June 20 with gates opening at 4:30 p.m., hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANT VIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CAR

Date of Race: June 13, 2020

HEAT 1

1, Lance Fassbender 2, Kurt Davis 3, Adam Miller 4, Tim Haddy 5, Nick Daywalt 6, Scott Conger 7, Alex Pokorski 8, Tom Kreutz 9, Tyler Brabant (DNS).

HEAT 2

1, Will Gerrits 2, Kevin Karnitz 3, Bill Taylor 4, Anthony Knierim 5, Nick Melis 6, Jack Vanderboom 7, Doug Wondra 8, Josh Teunissen 9, Scott Armstrong.

HEAT 3

1, Travis Arenz 2, Justin Milller 3, Tony Wondra 4, Brandon McMullen 5, Mike Decker 6, Justin Erickson 7, Austin Hartmann, 8, Ben Schmidt (DNS), 9, Tyler Davis (DNS).

HEAT 4

1, Chris Clayton 2, Tyler Tischendorf 3, Shane Wenninger 4, Robby Wirth 5, Brandon Berth 6, Blake Wondra 7, Preston Ruh 8, Mike Mac Farlane 9, Ken Schmick.

B MAIN 1

1, Doug Wondra 2, Preston Ruh 3, Blake Wondra 4, Josh Teunissen 5, Nick Daywalt 6, Alex Pokorski 7, Ken Schmick 8, Austin Hartmann 9, Tyler Davis (DNS) 10, Ben Schmidt (DNS).

B MAIN 2

1, Justin Erickson 2, Robby Wirth 3, Jack Vanderboom 4, Mike Decker 5, Scott Conger 6, Scott Armstrong 7, Tyler Brabant 8, Mike Mac Farlane 9, Anthony Knierim (DNS) 10, Tom Kreutz (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Adam Miller 2, Travis Arenz 3, Tim Haddy 4, Bill Taylor 5, Kevin Karnitz 6, Brandon McMullen 7, Kurt Davis 8, Justin Miller 9, Lance Fassbender 10, Justin Erickson 11, Nich Melis 12, Tyler Tischendorf 13, Will Gerrits 14, Brandon Berth 15, Tony Wondra 16, Preston Ruh 17, Chris Clayton 18, Doug Wondra 19, Robby Wirth 20, Jack Vanderboom 21, Blake Wondra 22, Shane Wenninger.

GASROOTS PROJECT LATE MODEL

HEAT 1

1, Charlie Schmidt 2, Tim Buhler 3, Justin Schmidt 4, Greg Cantrell 5, Kevin Baldry 6, Glen Blanke 7, Adrian Roscelli 8, Sawyer Specht.

HEAT 2

1, Turk Letizia 2, Justin Ritchie 3, Brad Mueller 4, Jim Schmidt 5, Ted Dolhun Sr. 6, Chad Ludwigson 7, Donny Singer 8, Victor Benedetto.

A MAIN

1, Justin Schmidt 2, Justin Ritchie 3, Jim Schmidt 4, Turk Letizia 5, Tim Buhler 6, Ted Dolhun Sr. 7, Kevin Baldry 8, Victor Benedetto 9, Donny Singer 10, Adrian Roscelli 11, Glen Blanke 12, Sawyer Specht 13, Brad Mueller 14, Chad Ludwigson 15, Charlie Schmidt 16, Greg Cantrell.

KLIPS N TIPS GRAND NATIONAL

HEAT 1

1, Donny Kulow 2, Jeff Muehlbauer 3, Tyler Kulow 4, Dick Hed 5, Steven Weber 6, Brad Weiss 7, Paul Perronne.

HEAT 2

1, Matt Yancey 2, Derek Kaat 3, Luke Scholten 4, Aaron Stolp 5, Jonathan Otte 6, Don Sorce Jr.

A MAIN

1, Donny Kulow 2, Matt Yancey 3, Jeff Muehlbauer 4, Luke Scholten 5, Tyler Kulow 6, Aaron Stolp 7, Jonathan Otte 8, Don Sorce Jr. 9, Dick Hed 10, Steven Weber 11, Derek Kaat 12, Bred Weiss 13, Paul Perronne.

CELLCOM B MOD

HEAT 1

1, Justin Bauer 2, Tim Sheppard 3, Brandon Knepprath 4, Phil Campanella 5, Rory Welch 6, Michael Gilson 7, Brandon Goeser 8, Trevor Frank.

HEAT 2

1, Tim Warner 2, James Rautmann 3, Will Garceau 4, Brendan Ostrowski 5, Patrick Hanson 6, David McCutcheon 7, Christopher Gilson 8, Dakota Cabunac.

HEAT 3

1, Kyle Odekirk 2, Donny Singer 3, Jesse Cullen 4, Barry Maas 5, Gary Glander 6, Jim Fischer 7, Steve Lorier.

A MAIN

1, Jesse Cullen 2, Tim Warner 3, Tim Sheppard 4, Justin Bauer 5, Will Garceau 6, Barry Maas 7, Brandon Knepprath 8, Kyle Odekirk 9, Donny Singer 10, Gary Glander 11, Brendan Ostrowski 12, Rory Welch 13, Brandan Goeser 14, Michael Gilson 15, David McCutcheon 16, Jim Fischer 17, Phil Campanella 18, Patrick Hanson 19, Steve Lorier 20, Dakota Cabunac 21, James Rautmann 22, Trevor Frank 23, Christopher Gilson.

Paul Pokorski (4) fends off challenges from Travis Arenz (25T) and Tyler Brabant (99) in the closing laps of the season-opening 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A main at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, June 6. -RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) June 6, 2020 – The COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health emergency may have turned the world upside down over the past three months and delayed the start of the 16^th Plymouth Dirt Track Racing season by six weeks, but when the engines finally fired up for the first time to launch the 60^th overall season of racing at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds one-third mile facility in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, June 6, all was right with the world for every dirt track racing enthusiast in attendance.

With grandstand attendance limited to comply with Sheboygan County Health Department regulations and additional COVID-19 restrictions in place to encourage safety and social distancing throughout the event, the return of live sporting events to Sheboygan County appeared to be greeted with appreciation and respectful compliance.

In season-opening A-main action, 28^th-year driver Paul Pokorski of West Bend broke a three-year main event winless drought while holding off the furious advances of Tyler Brabant of Waupun and Sheboygan’s Travis Arenz to claim the Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty 25-lap 360 Sprint Car main event triumph. Waukesha’s Taylor Scheffler worked the high groove to perfection to notch the Gasroots Project 25-lap Late Model A main victory. Jeff Muelhbauer of Elkhart Lake was victorious in the 25-lap Klips N Tips Grand National A-main and Jeff Steenbergen of Johnson Creek won the caution-free 25-lap Cellcom B Mod A-main.

Pokorski led the field to the green flag of the 360 Sprint Car A main from the pole flanked by Brabant. On the opening circuit, disaster struck, as Brabant and 2017 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh made contact in turn two, which triggered a five-car red flag incident involving Plymouth’s Adam Miller, who flipped his machine, two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee, Will Gerrits of Waupun and West Bend’s Kevin Karnitz.

Paul Pokorski (4) of West Bend claimed his first main event victory since 2017 in the season-opening 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A main at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, June 6. -RC Custom Design photo

Miller was forced to retire from the race, while Davis, McMullen, Karnitz and Gerrits restarted the race from the rear of the field.

Following a complete restart, Pokorski bolted out the lead with Brabant settling into second followed by sixth starter Arenz in third. By lap 6, Pokorski built a half-straightaway cushion over Brabant by sticking to the extreme inside line of the dry slick racing surface.

On lap 8, Brabant began to close and six laps later Brabant dove low in turn one, only to have Pokorski shut the door. However, Brabant battled back to wrestle the lead away from Pokorski with a nifty low move in turn three on lap 17.

Two laps later, Brabant made contact with the slowing car of Josh Teunissen of Waldo, which caused his car to twitch exiting turn four and gave Pokorski an opening to regain the lead in turn one on lap 20.

On lap 22, Arenz worked the outside groove to pull past Brabant and draw even with Pokorski. However, the 2014 Midwest Sprint Car Association Masters Series champion and three-time Winged Super Modified champion held strong to maintain the lead as both Brabant and Arenz continued to dig for the victory.

Pokorski, who is planning to share the driver’s seat of the No. 4 Pokorski Motorsports car with his 21-year-old son Alex this season, stayed precise along the low groove in the closing laps to fend off both challengers en route to his fourth career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph, 11^th overall 360 Sprint Car main event win and 46^th career A-main victory in Sprint Car and Winged Super Modified competition.

Brabant worked back underneath Arenz to take second on the final lap, Arenz wound up third, 2018 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Justin Miller of Plymouth, who started fourth, finished fourth and Davis, who originally started 20^th, rallied from the rear of the field following the first lap accident to round out the top five.

“I really figured they had me there,” Pokorski said. “I’m not a guy that likes to run the bottom, but if your leading on a track like this you kind of have to stay there and make everyone else work the outside to beat you. When Tyler got by me, I was thinking what I needed to do and I had a thought about going up high to try to get back by him at the end. I’m happy I got back by him. Then I saw Travis Arenz on the outside with a couple laps to go, but luckily we were able to hold on. The plan is to have Alex get in the car next week and I will be on the sidelines biting my fingernails watching him. This was definitely a good start to the season and a nice way to end my long run in the seat of this car before I hand the keys over to the rookie.”

Two-time defending PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland got the jump on the drop of the green flag from the pole before a four-car incident in turn one, involving Eric Michaels of Cleveland, Charlie Schmidt of Cedar Grove, New London’s Justin Ritchie and Turk Letizia of Milwaukee, brought out the first of three yellow flags on lap 2.

Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha was victorious in the 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model A main at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, June 6. -RC Custom Design photo

On the restart, Scheffler, who started eighth, bolted up to the high groove to sweep around 2016 PDTR Late Model champion Tim Buhler of Greenbush, who started second, to assume the runner-up spot on lap two.

One lap later, Eric Michaels, Ritchie and Jim Schmidt of Cleveland collided in turn four to bring out the second yellow flag. On the restart, 2014 PDTR Late Model champion Mitch McGrath of Waukesha dove low to challenge Scheffler for second after starting seventh.

On lap 8, Scheffler moved in to within striking distance of Schmidt as the leaders encountered heavy lapped traffic. As Schmidt began to negotiate four slower cars that were racing side by side, Scheffler slipped through along the high line to steal the top spot in turn on lap 11.

Four laps later, Schmidt charged back to pull even with Scheffler along the inside lane before the third and final caution appeared on lap 16 for the spinning car of Chad Ludwigson of Sheboygan Falls in turn four.

Schmidt hung with Scheffler on the restart and made another attempt to seize the lead along the low groove on lap 17 before Scheffler pulled away again. Schmidt refused to give up and made another run in the final two laps. However, Scheffler held on to record his fourth career PDTR Late Model A-main victory.

Schmidt had to settle for second, McGrath was third, Buhler placed fourth and Omro’s Kevin Baldry finished fifth after starting 13^th.

Muehlbauer started the Grand National A main from the pole and led the first two laps over second starter Donny Kulow of Plymouth before the first of four yellow flags was displayed on lap 3 for an incident involving Derek Kaat of Plymouth and Steven Weber of Plymouth.

Jeff Muehlbauer of Elkhart Lake visited victory lane in the season-opening 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand Natinoal A main at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, June 6. -RC Custom Design photo

On the restart, Aaron Stolp of Green Bay charged in from his fifth starting spot to pressure Kulow for second. While Muehlbauer extended his lead at the front of field, the second caution appeared on lap 9 for a spin involving Bruce Troesch of West Bend.

Stolp and two-time PDTR Grand National champion Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis, who started fourth, moved in to challenge Kulow for second with a three-wide duel on lap 9 before Kulow settled into second and Sorce Jr. into third.

By lap 15, Muehlbauer had forged a half-straightaway cushion over Kulow before the third caution flag flew on lap 17 for debris. Muehlbauer stayed strong at the head of the pace, but the battles raged behind him as defending PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth, who started 10^th, took over third on lap 20 just before the fourth and final caution of the race on lap 20 for Jacob Muehlbauer of Elkhart Lake and Kaat in turn two.

Tyler Kulow moved in to pressure Donny Kulow for second on lap 21, but Donny Kulow fended him for the runner-up spot off in the closing laps. Meanwhile, Muehlbauer pulled away to score his third career PDTR Grand National A-main victory.

Donny Kulow placed second, Tyler Kulow finished third, Sorce Jr. wound up fourth and Stolp took fifth.

“It was a fun race,” Muehlbauer said. “The track was black and slippery, which made it a challenge. I kept it on the inside throughout the race to try to hold everyone off and it worked.”

Polesitter Mark Hoeppner of Hartford dueled with outside front row starter Justin Bauer of Sheboygan Falls during the opening two laps of the Grand National main event before Bauer surged ahead on lap 3.

On lap 5, Steenbergen, who started fifth, moved in to pressure Hoeppner for second. One lap later, Steenbergen seized the runner-up spot and set his sights on Bauer. On lap 9, Steenbergen powered underneath Bauer with a low move in turn three to take over the top spot.

Jeff Steenbergen of Watertown came out on top in the season-opening 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod A main at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, June 6. -RC Custom Design photo

From there, Steenbergen pulled away from the rest of field, while weaving his way skillfully through slower traffic. On lap 20, defending PDTR B Mod track champion Tim Warner of Fond du Lac, who started 10^th, used a high move to power around Bauer into second.

Over the final five circuits, Steenbergen cruised to his fourth career PDTR B Mod A-main victory in limited starts at the track in recent years. Warner was second, former PDTR Late Model competitor Kyle Odekirk of Plymouth charged up from his eighth starting spot to place third, Bauer was fourth and Hoeppner completed the top five.

“It feels really good to get this win,” Steenbergen said. “The car was a handful in the heat race and we made wholesale changes for the A main, which paid off.”

Preston Ruh of Elkhart Lake won the first 360 Sprint Car B main and Chris Clayton of Waldo captured the second 360 Sprint Car B main.

Nick Schultz of Beaver Dam was victorious in the B Mod B main.

The season-opening event, which was sponsored by Pit Stop Pizza, drew a total of 100 cars, including 37 360 Sprint Cars, 19 Late Models, 18 Grand Nationals and 26 B Mods.

The next race at The Plymouth Dirt Track will take place on Saturday, June 13 with gates opening at 4:30 p.m., hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANT VIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CAR

Date of Race: June 6, 2020

HEAT 1

1, Justin Miller 2, Brandon Berth 3, Paul Pokorski 4, Sean Rayhall 5, Nick Daywalt 6, Tony Wondra 7, Tim Haddy 8, Tom Kreutz.

HEAT 2

1, Nich Melis 2, Tyler Brabant 3, Preston Ruh 4, Justin Erickson 5, Anthony Knierim 6, Jack Vanderboom 7, Johnny Fahl 8, Blake Wondra.

HEAT 3

1, Scott Conger 2, Will Gerrits 3, Shane Wenninger 4, Mike Decker 5, Scott Armstrong 6, Josh Teunissen 7, Kurt Davis.

HEAT 4

1, Brandon McMullen 2, Travis Arenz 3, Chris Clayton 4, Doug Wondra 5, Tyler Tischendorf 6, Spyder Akright 7, Austin Hartmann

HEAT 5

1, Adam Miller 2, Bill Taylor 3, Lance Fassbender 4, Kevin Karnitz 5, Tyler Davis 6, Mike MacFarlane 7, Ben Schmidt

B MAIN 1

1, Preston Ruh 2, Sean Rayhall 3, Josh Teunissen 4, Jack Vanderboom 5, Tyler Tischendorf 6, Spyder Akright 7, Tom Kreutz 8, Tyler Davis 9, Scott Armstrong 10, Mike MacFarlane 11, Ben Schmidt (DNS).

B MAIN 2

1, Chris Clayton 2, Kurt Davis 3, Tim Haddy 4, Doug Wondra 5, Tony Wondra 6, Blake Wondra 7, Johnny Fahl 8, Nick Daywalt 9, Austin Hartmann 10, Anthony Knierim (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Paul Pokorski 2, Tyler Brabant 3, Travis Arenz 4, Justin Miller 5, Kurt Davis 6, Brandon McMullen 7, Nich Melis 8, Scott Conger 9, Justin Erickson 10, Brandon Berth 11, Lance Fassbender 12, Shane Wenninger 13, Chris Clayton 14, Will Gerrits 15, Tim Haddy 16, Kevin Karnitz 17, Mike Decker 18, Preston Ruh 19, Sean Rayhall 20, Josh Teunissen 21, Bill Taylor 22, Adam Miller.

GASROOTS PROJECT LATE MODEL

HEAT 1

1, Mitch McGrath 2, Taylor Scheffler 3, Jim Schmidt 4, Eric Michaels 5, Greg Cantrell 6, Turk Letizia 7, Sawyer Specht.

HEAT 2

1, Dale Markham 2, Charlie Schmidt 3, Victor Benedetto 4, Glen Blanke 5, Glen Toppel 6, Chad Ludwigson

HEAT 3

1, Justin Ritchie 2, Justin Schmidt 3, Tim Buhler 4, Kevin Baldry 5, Donny Singer 6, Adreau Roscelli.

A MAIN

1, Taylor Scheffler 2, Justin Schmidt 3, Mitch McGrath 4, Tim Buhler 5, Kevin Baldry, Victor Benedetto 7, Greg Cantrell 8, Turk Letizia 9, Charlie Schmidt 10, Jim Schmidt 11, Dale Markham 12, Adreau Roscelli 13, Sawyer Specht 14, Glen Toppel 15, Donny Singer 16, Chad Ludwigson 17, Glen Blanke 18, Eric Michaels 19, Justin Ritchie.

KLIPS N TIPS GRAND NATIONAL

HEAT 1

1, Jonathan Otte 2, Aaron Stolp 3, Jeff Muehlbauer 4, Donny Kulow 5, Tyler Kulow 6, Derek Kaat 7, Dick Hed 8, Brad Weiss 9, Chad Espen.

HEAT 2

1, Steven Weber 2, Matt Yancey 3, Nick Schumacher 4, Don Sorce 5, Luke Scholten 6, Paul Perrone 7, Jacob Muehlbauer 8, Bruce Troesch 9, Who Racing.

A MAIN

1, Jeff Muehlbauer 2, Donny Kulow 3, Tyler Kulow 4, Don Sorce 5, Aaron Stolp 6, Matt Yancey 7, Jonathan Otte 8, Luke Scholten 9, Derek Kaat 10, Brad Weiss 11, Bruce Troesch 12, Nick Schumacher 13, Dick Hed 14, Jacob Muehlbauer 15, Chad Espen 16, Steven Weber 17, Paul Perronne, 18, Who Racing (DNS).

CELLCOM B MOD

HEAT 1

1, Tim Warner 2, Gary Glander 3, Steve Lorier 4, Rory Welch 5, Tim Thrun 6, Michael Gilson 7, Don Marquart 8, Donny Singer 9, Barry Maas (DNS).

HEAT 2

1, Travis Schmidt 2, Jesse Jakubowski 3, Justin Bauer 4, Mark Hoeppner 5, Christopher Gilson 6, Jim Fischer 7, David McCutcheon 8, Patrick Hanson 9, Dakota Cabunac.

HEAT 3

1, Kyle Odekirk 2, Jeff Steenbergen 3, Will Garceau 4, James Rautmann 5, Nick Schultz 6, Phil Campanella 7, Andy Welter 8, Brandon Knepprath.

B MAIN

1, Nick Schultz 2, Andy Welter 3, Brandon Knepprath 4, Barry Maas 5, Patrick Hanson 6, David McCutcheon 7, Dakota Cabunac 8, Phil Campanella 9, James Rautmann 10, Don Marquart.

A MAIN

1, Jeff Steenbergen 2, Tim Warner 3, Kyle Odekirk 4, Justin Bauer 5, Mark Hoeppner 6, Jesse Jakubowski 7, Nick Schultz 8, Steve Lorier 9, Barry Maas 10, Rory Welch 11, Gary Glander 12, Andy Welter 13, Brandon Knepprath 14, Donny Singer 15, Will Garceau 16, Jim Fischer 17, Michael Gilson 18, Christopher Gilson 19, Travis Schmidt 20, Tim Thrun (DNS).