McMullen prevails in PDTR 360 Sprint Car action                      

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS, Plymouth, Wis.) September 1, 2018 – Eight-time Interstate Racing Association champion Bill Balog of Hartland and three-time NASCAR Cup Series champ Tony Stewart of Columbus, Ind. have had their share of spirited duels on dirt tracks throughout the Midwest over the years with the Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series event held during 2018 Sheboygan County Fair Night all-Winged Sprint Car program at The Plymouth Dirt Track providing the back drop for another intriguing chapter in this ongoing racing saga on Saturday, Sept. 1.

Reminiscent of their exciting duel at The Plymouth Dirt Track on June 15, 2013, which saw Stewart edge Balog by half a car length, Balog turned the tables this time executing a final corner slide job and holding off Stewart by just .004 of a second at the finish to notch his third IRA Series A-main victory of the 2018 campaign before a capacity crowd at the third-mile Sheboygan County Fairgrounds facility in Plymouth, Wis.

In the companion, Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Richard’s of Dunbar 360 Sprint Car A-main, 2017 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh collected his third Sprint Car A-main triumph of the season at Plymouth.

Stewart drew the pole position for the 30-lap IRA A-main with Cory Eliason of Kingsburg, Calif. in the Thone Motorsports No. 59 entry starting on the outside of the front row.

Stewart got the jump on the drop of the green flag and bolted out to a half-straightaway lead over Eliason in the early going on the wide, smooth and fast racing surface.

Just as Stewart began to catch up to the back of the 24-car field, a red flag was displayed when Todd King of Sheboygan Falls hit the turn four wall and flipped his machine. King was uninjured, but his car was done in the night.

When the race resumed, fifth starter Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove dove low to work his way past Eliason into second while Balog, who started seventh, rode the high groove past IRA point leader Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan, who started fourth, into third place on lap 12.

By lap 9, the leaders began to encounter slower traffic, which Stewart negotiated expertly to build up a half-lap cushion over Schmidt on lap 10. Four laps later, Eliason spun on the frontstretch after contact with Schmidt, which slowed the pace and forced Eliason to restart the race 17^th on lap 14.

Prior to the restart, Schmidt made contact with Stewart in turn four just as the green flag was to be displayed causing him to spin his car. After repairing a flat right rear tire, Schmidt restarted 17^th, while the contact resulted in damage to the top wing of Stewart’s machine.

Another caution appeared on lap 16 when Mike Reinke of Howards Grove dropped off the pace significantly along the backstretch. On the restart, Thiel dove low to attempt a three-wide pass for the lead in turn two. However, Stewart battled back to maintain the lead along the high groove and Balog retained second place.

Balog hounded Stewart on the preferred outside groove through the final half of the race as the leaders had to negotiate heavy lapped traffic beginning on lap 22. On lap 25, Balog pulled even with Stewart in turn two, but Stewart successfully fended off the challenge and pulled away briefly.

With two laps to go, Balog raced back up to within striking distance and on the final circuit the North Pole, Alaska native unleashed an epic slide job entering turn three to sweep past Stewart in turn four. Stewart turned under Balog and the two drag raced to the finish line with Balog notching his third IRA victory of the season by just .004 of a second, which is the closest margin of victory since the IRA incorporated electronic scoring.

After leading 29 laps, Stewart had to settle for second, Thiel was third, eighth starter and fast qualifier Jake Blackhurst of Hanna City, Ill. was fourth and Brandon McMullen placed fifth after starting sixth.

Balog was happy that he had a chance on the final lap, after missing on an opportunity to take the lead a few laps earlier.

“The car was working good all night and I was hoping to be close enough to make a move at the end,” Balog said in victory lane. “I wasn’t sure if it was going to happen because I thought I threw it away when I had a chance a few laps from the end. It was an awesome race. Tony’s one of the best ever and everyone’s gunning for him when he shows up. We were just a little better at the end tonight.”

Despite coming in second, Stewart was upbeat following the race.

“I love coming up here to race,” Stewart said. “This is a really cool part of the country with great fans. Lapped traffic was tough and being the leader, you don’t know what is going on behind you. I was just trying not to make a mistake over the final few laps. Bill is an awesome driver. I love racing with him. It was a fun night and I hope all the fans had a good time.”

Thiel maintained his IRA points lead with a solid third-place run.

“We gave it all we could and we had a run there on one of the restarts,” Thiel said. “I don’t think we were good enough to win tonight. 17 [Balog] drove a really good race. We will take third and try to get a little better for the next race.”

Tony Wondra of Campbellsport lead the opening laps of the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main from the pole with third starter Scott Conger of Eagle trailing in second. On lap 7, two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Danny Schlafer of Sussex, who started fifth, used the high groove to power past Conger into second.

One lap later, Schlafer bolted past the low-riding Wondra into the lead in turn three, while seventh starter Brandon McMullen followed in Schlafer’s tire tracks to assume second on lap 9.

The first of four caution flags appeared on lap 10 for an infield tire that had been moved onto the track in turn four. On the restart, the caution flag flew again when Plymouth’s Justin Miller spun in turn one.

On the restart, McMullen used the low groove to pressure Schlafer for the top spot and the two championship-winning drivers dueled side by side before the third caution was displayed on lap 12 for Chris Larson, who spun in turn two.

The battle between McMullen and Schlafer raged on over the ensuing seven laps with the two drivers exchanging the lead before McMullen surged ahead for good along the low groove in turn one on lap 19.

On lap 22, the fourth caution appeared when Schlafer spun his machine in turn four. McMullen controlled the final three laps en route to his 15^th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and 21^st overall Midwest Sprint Car Association main event triumph.

Josh Walter of Plymouth finished second after starting eighth, Tim Haddy of Waupun used a late charge along the high groove to place third after starting ninth, Conger wound up fourth and second starter Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum rounded out the top five.

Scotty Neitzel of Beaver Dam won the IRA B main. Jake Blackhurst topped the IRA field in qualifying with a fast lap of 12.043.

The all-Winged Sprint Car program included 27 IRA 410 Sprint Car entries and 24 PDTR 360 Sprint Car machines.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, Sept. 8 will feature the final points event of the 2018 season for the B Mod, Grand National and Micro Sprint divisions, as well as a special appearance by the Dirt Kings Late Model Series in addition to the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars. Hot laps begin at 5:30 p.m. with racing at 6 p.m.

Justin Schmidt secures first PDTR Late Model title

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS, Plymouth, Wis.) August 25, 2018 – A pair of veteran racers visited victory lane for the first time in Plymouth Dirt Track Racing A-main competition and another earned his first career PDTR points title, during an action-packed night of competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 25.

Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee racked up his third Richard’s of Dunbar Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2018 season. Mitch McGrath of Waukesha earned his first Gasroots Project Late Model A-main victory of the year. Plymouth’s Steven Weber notched his first career Klips & Tips Grand National A-main win. Cellcom B Mod points leader Tim Sheppard of Beaver Dam padded his advantage by posting his first career PDTR B Mod A-main victory. Dave Collins of Lake Mills collected his second Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty Micro Sprint A-main victory of the 2018 campaign.

After coming into the night third in the PDTR Late Model point standings, eight points out of the lead, Cleveland’s Justin Schmidt secured his first PDTR Late Model points championship on the strength of a heat race victory and a fourth-place showing in the A main. Schmidt, who posted four PDTR Late Model A-main victories this season, edged out his father, Jim, by just two points, in the final 2018 standings.

Two of the most experienced drivers in the pit area lined up on the front row of the 25-lap Sprint Car A main as Jim Melis of Glenbeulah held the pole position with 2010 PDTR Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis lined up on the outside.

Melis got the jump on the drop of the green flag and held down the top spot along the low groove in the early going while Davis worked the high groove of the wide and smooth racing surface.

After hounding Melis along the cushion for several laps, Davis shot into the lead with a bold high move in turn one on lap 5. As 2017 PDTR Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh who started eighth, and Plymouth’s Josh Walter, who started fifth, dueled hard for fifth, the leaders began to encounter slower traffic on lap 10.

With lapped cars in the mix, Melis was able to close the gap on Davis using the high groove, while two-time PDTR Sprint Car champ Danny Schlafer of Sussex, who started third, moved in to make it a three-car battle up front.

Just as it appeared the action was going to get heated in lapped traffic, a red flag appeared on lap 11 when Doug Wondra and Robbie Pribnow collided on the frontstretch, sending Wondra flipping. Both drivers emerged uninjured.

On the restart, Schlafer made an aggressive move to power past Melis in second in turn two, while McMullen slipped past Walter to assume fourth on lap 12.

The final 14 laps clicked off quickly as the majority of the field held tight to the preferred high groove. Schlafer was able to close the gap slightly on Davis in the closing laps, but he was never able to mount a serious threat for the lead.

Davis went on to post his 20^th career PDTR Sprint Car A-main victory and the 57^th overall Midwest Sprint Car Association main event triumph of his long career. Schlafer finished second, Melis was third, McMullen placed fourth and Walter rounded out the top five.

Dan Schlieper of Milwaukee led the field to the green flag in the 25-lap Late Model A main from the pole position. The former Eldora Speedway World 100 winner and Lucas Oil Late Model Series regular held the top spot in the early stages of the race as 2014 PDTR Late Model champion Mitch McGrath made his way to the front from the sixth starting spot utilizing the outside line to secure second on lap 2.

By lap 10, McGrath had closed in to challenge Schlieper for the top spot along the cushion, as title contenders Justin Schmidt, who started eighth, and 2016 PDTR Late Model champ Tim Buhler of Greenbush, who started fifth, dueled for fifth.

On lap 13, Schmidt made what proved to be a championship-sealing move as he split Buhler and fourth-starting Chad Vetting of Valders to pass both drivers in turn three and vault into fourth.

After running the high groove throughout the first half of the race, McGrath dropped down low to challenge Schlieper on lap 18. Over the next six laps, McGrath tried several different lines in an attempt to seize the lead before diving under Schlieper in turn two on the final lap and surging ahead over the final circuit to notch his 10^th career PDTR Late Model A-main victory in the caution-free race.

Schlieper had to settle for second, third-starter Tom Naeyaert of Shawano, finished third in his first appearance of the year at Plymouth, Justin Schmidt finished fourth to secure his first PDTR Late Model championship and Buhler placed fifth.

Justin Schmidt collected 979 points to capture the Late Model title by two points over his father Jim, who finished second with 977 points. Four-time PDTR Late Model champ Brad Mueller of Random Lake finished third with 971 points and Buhler was fourth with 969 points.

Outside front row starter Chad Espen of West Bend led the opening circuit of the 25-lap Grand National A main before polesitter Steven Weber seized the top spot on lap two.

After the first of two caution flags appeared on lap 6 for an infield tire pushed onto the track in turn one, sixth starter Kurt Davis charged in to pull off a three-wide pass for third on lap 8. On lap 11, Davis used the high groove to maneuver around Espen for second before the second caution flag flew on lap 12 for a two-car incident involving Jacob Muehlbauer and Derek Kaat in turn four.

Following the restart, Davis utilized the high groove to briefly surge into the lead in turn two on lap 16. However, Weber held strong along with the low line as the two veteran drivers dueled side by side over the next two laps with Weber regaining the top spot in turn one on lap 18.

Davis regrouped to mount one final challenge on the final lap pulling nearly even with Weber along the outside groove in turn two. However, again Weber fended off Davis’ advances and maintained the top spot en route to his first career PDTR Grand National A-main triumph.

Davis was second, Espen finished third, fourth starter J.J. Pagel of Campbellsport placed fourth and Dick Hed of Plymouth, who started third, wound up fifth.

Polesitter Justin Bauer of Sheboygan Falls assume the lead of the 25-lap B Mod A main at the drop of the green flag with second starter Travis Schmidt of Plymouth and third starter Jeff Steenbergen of Watertown falling into second and third respectively.

On lap 5, points leader Tim Sheppard, who started sixth, began to make his presence felt as he powered around Steenbergen along the high groove in turn two. One lap later, Sheppard moved past Schmidt into second and on lap 7, Sheppard shot around Bauer into the lead in turn one before a spin involving Phil Campanella brought out the first of four caution flags on lap 7.

On the restart, a six-car melee involving Derek Fehling, Nat Jakubowski, Mark Fieber (guest driving for Cody Eickberg), J.J. Walvoord, Steve Lorier and Phil Campanella triggered a lengthy caution period. Only Lorier and Campanella were able to continue.

When the race resumed, Schmidt dove under Sheppard to grab the lead in turn three on lap 8. On lap 9, the third caution appeared when Campanella spun in turn four.

Shortly after the ensuing restart, contact resulted in Schmidt spinning sideways in turn with Sheppard moving into the top spot on lap 11. Schmidt was able to recover to maintain third before the fourth caution flew on lap 21 for an incident involving Justin Bauer and Shane Long in turn four.

During the caution, Steenbergen was penalized two spots for aggressive driving, which placed him behind Schmidt and 13^th starter Marcus Hoeppner of Rubicon on the final restart.

Sheppard pulled away over the final four laps to score his first career PDTR B Mod A-main victory. Schmidt was second, Steenbergen finished third, Lorier placed fourth and Tim Lange of Dousman, who started 10^th, finished fifth.

In the 15-lap Micro Sprint A main, outside front row starter Dave Collins led flag to flag in the non-stop race to post his third career PDTR Micro Sprint A main victory.

Defending PDTR Micro Sprint champion and current points leader Preston Ruh of Elkhart Lake was second, Emily Portschy of Plymouth took third, Jack Vanderboom of Dousman finished fourth and Miles Quandt of Watertown placed fifth.

Tony Wondra of Cambpellsport won the Sprint Car B Main, while J.J. Walvoord of Howards Grove posted the victory in the B Mod B Main.

The PDTR program, which was sponsored by Roger and Dan’s Auto Service, showcased a total of 83 cars, including 26 Sprint Cars, 23 B Mods, 15 Grand Nationals, 13 Late Models and six Micro Sprints.

The next PDTR program featuring the Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and PDTR 360 Sprint Cars will take place on Saturday, Sept. 1, during the Sheboygan County Fair.

NASCAR Legend Tony Stewart will also compete in the IRA portion of the program. On track action is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

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

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

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

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS, Plymouth, Wis.) August 18, 2018 – Three veteran drivers visited victory lane for the first time in 2018, during Plymouth Dirt Track Racing A-main competition as PDTR held its inaugural Ken Markwardt Memorial Night of racing Saturday, Aug. 18 at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

Tony Wondra of Campbellsport racked up his first Richard’s of Dunbar Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2018 season. Jim Schmidt of Cleveland stayed in the thick of the heated Gasroots Project Late Model points chase with just one points night remaining in the season by notching his third A-main victory of the year. 2010 PDTR Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee scored his first Klips & Tips Grand National A-main win of 2018, while 2017 Cellcom B Mod champ Justin Green of Sheboygan Falls also found victory lane for the first time this season. Defending Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty Micro Sprint champion Preston Ruh posted his fourth A-main triumph of 2018 at Plymouth.

Tony Wondra began the 25-lap Sprint Car A main from the pole position with PDTR Sprint Car point leader Justin Miller of Plymouth on the outside of the front row. Wondra jumped out to the lead on the drop of the green flag before Kevin Karnitz of West Bend flipped hard in turn two to bring out a red flag on lap 2. Karnitz emerged from his machine uninjured, but he was done for the night.

On the restart, fourth starter Travis Arenz of Sheboygan, who became the first rookie in the history of the Midwest Sprint Car Association to win an A main last Sunday at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, worked his way up to second while eighth starter Paul Pokorski of West Bend rode the high groove into third on lap 4.

On lap 7, the leaders began to encounter slower traffic on the fast and wide racing surface. As leaders hit dense lapped traffic, Pokorski used a high move to swing past Arenz into the runner-up spot on lap 11.

Five laps later, Wondra, Pokorski and Miller were running in tight nose-to-tail formation at the head of the pack before the second caution flag of the race was displayed on lap 16 for a collision in turn four involving Travis Arenz and Mike Yurmanovich of Cascade.

Another caution flag flew on the ensuing restart when Robbie Pribnow of Lomira, who was making his 2018 season debut, slowed with a flat fire.

Wondra continued to lead on the final restart with Pokorski and Miller in tow. On lap 20, two-time PDTR Sprint Car champion Danny Schlafer slipped past the low-riding Miller along the outside groove to seize third place.

Out in front of the field, Wondra held strong running primarily the high groove as Pokorski attempted to close the gap along the cushion over the final five laps. Wondra maintained a solid lead as the laps wound down en route to his second career PDTR Sprint Car A-main victory and sixth overall Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main triumph.

Pokorski racked up a PDTR season-best second-place showing, Schlafer wound up third, Miller was fourth and third starter Kurt Davis rounded out the top five.

Rookie Zack Kessler of Plymouth lead the first two laps of the 25-lap Late Model A main from the pole before third starter Jim Schmidt moved in to grab the top spot along the low groove on lap 3.

2016 PDTR Late Model champ Tim Buhler of Greenbush, who started fourth, charged in to pressure Schmidt for the top spot on lap four before the lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 6 when 2018 title contender Justin Schmidt of Cleveland, who came into the event four points out of first place, spun in turn one.

Following the ensuing restart, four-time and defending PDTR Late Model champion Brad Mueller of Random Lake utilized the cushion to power his way into third on lap 7.

By lap 9, the top four cars of Jim Schmidt, Buhler, Mueller and 2008 PDTR Late Model champ Billy Rezutek of Big Bend, who started fifth, were running in close proximity at the head of the field.

On lap 10, Mueller jumped the cushion in turn two, which allowed Rezutek to sneak into third place. Eight laps later, the leaders began to encounter slower traffic as Mueller regained third place from Rezutek on lap 19.

Jim Schmidt proved to be too much to handle as he pulled away to notch his 14^th career PDTR A-main victory by a comfortable half-lap margin. Buhler placed second, Mueller was third, Rezutek secured fourth and Kessler held on to finish a solid fifth.

The 25-lap Grand National A main featured plenty of action at the front of the field, including three different leaders and multiple lead changes during the entertaining race.

Jamie Theobald of Sheboygan led the opening five laps of the event from the pole before third starter Donny Kulow of Elkhart Lake seized the top spot with a low move on lap 2.

On the next lap, fourth starter Tyler Kulow of Plymouth worked his way into second place before the first of two caution flags was displayed to the field when an infield tire was pushed onto the track in turn one.

Theobald regrouped to apply pressure to Donny Kulow for the lead along the high groove. After three laps of heated side-by-side action, Theobald surged into the lead on lap 12.

By this time, eighth starter Kurt Davis was making his presence felt in a big way at the front of the field moving into third on lap 10 and using the high line to power his way into second place on lap 14.

On lap 16, Davis pulled even with Theobald for the lead in turn one just before the second and final caution flag appeared on lap 17 for a spin involving Jess Muehlbauer.

Following the restart, Davis again worked the high groove to perfection to surge into the top spot exiting turn four on lap 18. One in the lead, Davis pulled away to a half-straightaway cushion en route to his second career PDTR Grand National A-main victory.

Donny Kulow had to settle for second, Theobald placed third, point leader Matt Loehr of Dotyville move up from the seventh starting spot to finish fourth and Tyler Kulow rounded out the top five.

Polesitter Justin Green grabbed the lead at the drop of the green flag of the 25-lap B Mod A main with outside front row starter Cody Eickberg of Plymouth trailing in second and fourth starter Gary Glander of Sheboygan Falls third.

After a pair of caution flags for spins involving Jess Jakubowski on lap 3 and Mark Hoeppner on lap 7, last week’s B Mod A-main winner Marcus Hoeppner of Rubicon used the high groove to move into second from sixth on lap 7 just before seventh starter and current point leader Tim Sheppard of Beaver Dam seized second on lap 8.

The third and final caution flag appeared on lap 12 when Derek Fehling of Beaver Dam spun in turn three. On the restart, Green again bolted into the lead while 10^th starter Travis Schmidt of Plymouth was putting on a show as he moved into third with a high move in turn three on lap 16.

As the laps wound down, Green had to deal with heavy lapped traffic, which he negotiated with relative ease. On the final circuit, Schmidt moved in to assume second place in turn four in the middle of heavy lapped traffic.

Green posted his seventh career PDTR B Mod A-main triumph followed by Schmidt in second, Sheppard placed third, Marcus Hoeppner was fourth and Glander completed the top five.

Preston Ruh, who is closing in on his second consecutive PDTR Micro Sprint title, led all 10 laps of the Micro Sprint A main en route to his fifth career A-main victory at Plymouth.

Dave Collins of Plymouth was second, followed by Emily Portschy of Plymouth, who finished third.

Al Schlafer of Sussex won the Sprint Car B Main, while Brandon Knepprath of Kewaskum posted the victory in the B Mod B Main.

During Sprint Car heat race action, Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum flipped and made hard contact with the turn four catch fence. He was uninjured, but racing was delayed to make repairs to the fence.

The PDTR program, which was sponsored by Butchie and Blondie Hafemann, featured a total of 94 cars, including 28 Sprint Cars, 23 B Mods, 15 Late Models, 13 Grand Nationals, 11 Wisconsin Badger Land Vintage Modifieds and four Micro Sprints.

Prior to the races, the family of Ken Markwardt, who passed away last October, gathered to honor his memory. Markwardt won a total of 97 main events and seven track titles during his outstanding career. Markwardt was inducted into the Southeastern Wisconsin Short Track Racing Hall of Fame in 2007.

The next PDTR program will take place on Saturday, Aug. 25, featuring the final points race night of the 2018 season for the Late Model division. Hot laps start at 5:30 p.m. with racing to follow at 6 p.m.

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

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

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

 

 

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS, Plymouth, Wis.) August 4, 2018 – On a night when previous track champions were honored for their past title-winning accomplishments, five present-day drivers turned in impressive performances to notch A-main victories in Plymouth Dirt Track Racing competition at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 4.

Former PDTR Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee claimed his second A-main victory of the 2018 season in the 25-lap Richard’s of Dunbar Sprint Car A main. Jim Schmidt of Cleveland earned his second 25-lap Gasroots Project Late Model A-main triumph of the year. Two-time PDTR Grand National champ Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis claimed his second 25-lap Klips & Tips Grand National A-main win of the season. Plymouth’s Travis Schmidt racked up his first career 25-lap Cellcom B Mod A-main triumph and Andy Rein of West Bend notched his first 15-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty A-main win of 2018.

Two-time PDTR Sprint Car champion Danny Schlafer of Sussex led the opening lap of the 25-lap Sprint Car A main from his outside front row starting spot followed closely by Campbellsport’s Jason Johnson, who started on the pole.

On lap 3, fifth starter Justin Miller of Plymouth moved in to challenge Johnson for second along the low groove as the two veterans traded the position several times in the ensuing laps before Johnson secured the position and proceeded to track down Schlafer.

Six laps later, Schlafer encountered slower traffic, which allowed Johnson to cut the gap significantly. Eighth starter Bill Taylor of Boltonville made his presence known starting on lap 16 when he wrestled third place away from Miller and two laps later he worked past Johnson along the extreme inside groove to seize second.

However, on lap 19, Johnson and third starter Kurt Davis powered past Taylor in heavy lapped traffic to work their way into the top three. On lap 20, Davis slipped under Johnson for second and one lap later Davis ducked under Schlafer, who was hung up behind a slower car, to gain the lead exiting turn four.

On the following lap, Schlafer spun his machine in turn two to bring out the lone caution flag of the race and set up a four-lap dash to the finish. As Davis bolted away to a solid lead on the restart, Miller took second from Johnson, while a heated battle brewed just behind the top three cars.

Davis went on to post his 19^th career PDTR Sprint Car A-main victory and Midwest Sprint Car Association leading 55^th overall A-main triumph. Miller secured second, Johnson wound up third, 12^th starter Josh Walter of Plymouth charged up to finish fourth and ninth starter Jim Melis of Glenbeulah rounded out the top five.

The opening lap of the 25-lap Late Model A main saw third starter Jim Schmidt power under front row starters Eric Michaels of Cleveland and Milwaukee’s Jim Letizia to seize the lead in turn two.

Schmidt held the lead throughout the non-stop event with Michaels giving away to Justin Schmidt of Cleveland, who started fifth, for second on lap 2.

By lap 8, Jim Schmidt had built up a full straightaway cushion over his son, Justin. As Jim led Justin by a comfortable margin, four-time PDTR Late Model champion and current point leader Brad Mueller of Random Lake dueled with Michaels for third for several laps until finally securing the position on lap 19.

Jim Schmidt skillfully weaved his way through lapped traffic over the final circuits to collect his 13^th career PDTR Late Model A-main triumph. Justin Schmidt placed second, Mueller was third, Michaels notched a solid fourth-place showing and 2016 PDTR Late Model champion Tim Buhler of Greenbush finished fifth after starting sixth.

Polesitter Don Sorce Jr. outpowered outside front row starter Steven Weber of Plymouth to lead the opening lap of the 25-lap Grand National A main.

Two successive caution flags slowed the pace on lap 8 for an infield tire moved onto the track in turn three and a multi-car spin in turn four on lap 10. Sorce Jr. maintained the top spot after both restarts with Weber in tow.

By lap 13, Sorce Jr. had built up a full straightaway cushion over Weber. In the closing laps, 13^th starter Chad Espen of West Bend charged in to pass seventh starter Justin Erickson of Plymouth for sixth and 2008 PDTR Grand National champ Matt Yancey of Sheboygan, who started third, for fourth on lap 23.

Sorce Jr. cruised to his 12^th career PDTR Grand National A-main triumph, Weber had to settle for second, fifth starter Kurt Davis placed third, Espen was fourth and Yancey completed the top five.

Polesitter Travis Schmidt paced the opening lap of the 25-lap B Mod A main followed by outside front row starter Tim Sheppard of Beaver Dam. As Schmidt held down the top spot along the preferred low groove, third starter Barry Maas of Cascade moved to seize second from Sheppard on lap 12.

As Schmidt encountered dense lapped traffic on lap 14, 2017 PDTR B Mod champion Justin Green of Sheboygan Falls, who started seventh, worked his way into fourth with a nifty move past fourth starter Sawyer Haese on lap 14.

On lap 22, Maas closed in to Schmidt’s rear bumper as the leaders worked through heavy lapped traffic, while Green dove under Sheppard to seize third on lap 24. Although within striking distance, Maas was unable to make a move in the closing laps as Schmidt held on to post his first career PDTR B Mod A-main victory in the caution-free race.

Maas was second, Green placed third, Sheppard wound up fourth and Haese rounded out the top five.

Andy Rein jumped into the lead of the 15-lap Micro Sprint A main from his outside front row starting spot and never looked back. Rein paced the field throughout en route to his third career PDTR B Mod A main triumph in the non-stop event.

Dave Collins of Madison placed second, 2017 PDTR Micro Sprint Champ Preston Ruh of Elkhart Lake was third, Emily Portschy of Plymouth placed fourth and Jake Dohner of Milton finished fifth.

Donny Singer of Waldo won the B Mod B Main. In the third Sprint Car heat race, Plymouth’s Adam Miller made hard contact with the turn four wall before flipping. He emerged uninjured, but his car suffered significant damage and did not to return to competition.

The evening also featured an appearance by the Vintage Modifieds and introduction of many past champions from the rich history of racing at the Plymouth facility during a special intermission program.

The PDTR program, who was sponsored by Pit Stop Pizza, featured 89 cars, including 22 Sprint Cars, 27 B Mods, 22 Grand Nationals, 11 Late Models and seven Micro Sprints.

The next PDTR program will take place on Saturday, Aug. 11 with extra purse money added to the A-main events in each division. Hot laps begin at 5:30 p.m. with racing to follow at 6 p.m.

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

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

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

Erickson and Steenbergen earn second PDTR A-main triumphs of 2018

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS, Plymouth, Wis.) July 30, 2018 – With a large crowd of eager spectators on hand and a pit area filled to the brim with 36 of the best Dirt Late Model drivers in the nation, defending World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series champion Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill. stole the show in the series first-ever visit to The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth on Monday, July 30.

In support division action, Plymouth’s Justin Erickson notched his second PDTR Grand National A-main victory of the season, while Jeff Steenbergen of Watertown rolled to his second PDTR B Mod A-main triumph of 2018.

Tyler Erb of New Waverly, Texas and Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn. led the 26-car field to the green flag in the 50-lap World of Outlaws Craftsman Series A-main presented by Wisconsin Refrigerated Express of Sheboygan.

Erb rode the high groove into the lead as he slid past Owens in turn four to pace the opening lap. Brandon Sheppard, who started third followed Erb to the outside line to steal second place away from Owens in turn four on lap 4 before first of seven caution flags flew on lap 4 when 2015 World of Outlaws Series champion Shane Clanton of Zebulon, Ga. stalled in turn four with a broken driveshaft.

When the race resumed, Sheppard dove low to pressure the high-riding Erb for the top spot. After running side by side with Erb for nearly two laps, Sheppard surged ahead in turn four on lap 5 to seize the top spot.

Two laps later, seventh starter Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill. used the high groove to assume fourth on lap 7. After a pair of cautions for the stalled car of Brent Larson of Lake Elmo, Minn., fifth starter Devin Moran of Dresden, Ohio ducked under Erb to challenge for second place beginning on lap 9. Three laps later, Sheppard had built up a full straightaway cushion over Moran.

Sheppard encountered his first dose of lapped traffic on lap 15, which allowed Moran to cut the gap by lap 17. Four laps later, the pace slowed for the fifth time when debris was detected in turn two.

Following the restart, sixth starter Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C. slipped past Shirley to gain third place on lap 22. The sixth caution of the event was displayed on lap 23 when former PDTR Late Model champion Mitch McGrath of Waukesha spun in turn two.

Running the low groove, Sheppard controlled the ensuing restart and another restart following the seventh caution flag of the race for debris on lap 33 before action really began to heat up for second as Moran, Madden and Erb dueled high and low on the extremely wide and smooth racing surface.

By lap 41, Sheppard found himself mired in slower traffic, which allowed Moran to cut the gap significantly in the closing laps. As Sheppard got hung up attempting to pass a slower car, Moran pulled in to nearly touch the leader’s rear bumper.

After Sheppard finally cleared the lapped car on lap 48, Moran ventured up to the high groove over the final circuit in an attempt to pry the lead away at the finish line. However, Moran’s late rally fell a car length car as Sheppard posted his ninth World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series victory of the 2018 campaign and 33^rd overall A-main victory of his World of Outlaws career.

Moran had to settle for second, Erb, who was one of the few drivers to stay glued to the high groove just inches from the wall throughout the entire race, came home third, Madden placed fourth and Shirley rounded out the top five.

Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha was the top local finisher with a 13^th-place showing. Four-time PDTR Late Model champion Brad Mueller posted a 19^th-place finish after taking a provisional to start the main event.

Five other local drivers competed in the main event, including Shawano’s Brett Swedberg (16^th), Nick Anvelink of Navarino (17^th), Paul Parker of Kaukauna (18^th), Mitch McGrath (22^nd) and Justin Reed of Camp Point, Ill. (24^th).

Polesitter Steven Weber of Plymouth led the 23-car field to the green flag in the 25-lap PDTR Grand National main event before outside front row starter Donny Kulow of Elkhart Lake and inside second row starter Justin Erickson of Plymouth pulled up to make it three wide for the lead heading into turn three on the opening circuit.

Erickson finally surged ahead to claim the top spot in turn one on lap 2 before the first of five caution flags slowed the pace. Following the restart, Erickson bolted away from Kulow and eighth starter Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee, who had worked his way up to challenge for second along the outside groove.

Following another caution flag on lap 12, Davis wrestled second place away from Kulow and point leader Matt Loehr of Dotyville worked his way into third from the 12^th starting spot.

Just as Davis began to close the gap on Erickson a trio of consecutive caution flags for spins appeared on lap 16, 17 and 19. When green flag action finally got under way again Erickson again pulled out to a solid lead while Davis and Loehr dueled hard for second.

On lap 23, Loehr surged past Davis along the high line to secure the runner-up spot behind Erickson, who posted his second PDTR Grand National triumph of the 2018 season and his third career Grand National A-main victory at Plymouth.

Loehr placed second, Davis was third, Derek Schrauth of Omro took fourth after starting fourth and Kulow wound up fifth.

Polesitter Mark Hoeppner led the opening six laps of the 25-lap PDTR B Mod A main before sixth starter Jeff Steenbergen of Watertown moved in to take over the top spot with a low move in turn three on lap 9.

One later, Malone’s Tim Warner raced in to snag the runner-up position. Warner slowly reeled in Steenbergen by staying in his tire tracks around the third-mile clay oval for the better part of 10 laps.

On lap 20, Warner executed a low move on Steenbergen in turn one to assume the top spot. However, Steenbergen battled back to nearly regain the lead on lap 23 in turn one, but Warner successfully fended off the move.

As Warner attempted to negotiate a lapped car on the final circuit, Steenbergen made another bid for the lead in turn three, which worked to vault the veteran driver into the top spot, while Warner lost control and spun in turn three.

Steenbergen went on to rack up his second career PDTR B Mod A-main victory.     RW Aschenbrenner of Oneida was second, Mark Hoeppner held on to place third, Warner recovered from his spin to finish fourth and Rick Kretschmann of Sheboygan Falls, who started eighth, placed fifth.

Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill. and Jared Siefert of Luxemburg each captured World of Outlaws Late Models Last Chance Showdown victories, while Devin Moran claimed the World of Outlaws Late Models Series fast qualifier award with a new Late Model record lap of 13.783 seconds.

The special Monday evening program PDTR featured 78 cars, including 36 World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Models, 24 Grand Nationals and 18 B Mods.

The next PDTR program will take place on Saturday, Aug. 4, featuring Past Championships Night, during which all former champions at the Plymouth track will be honored at intermission. Hot laps begin at 5:30 p.m. with racing to follow at 6 p.m.

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

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

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

 World of Outlaws Sears Craftsman Feature (50 Laps): 1. 1-Brandon Sheppard [3][$10,000]; 2. 9-Devin Moran [5][$5,000]; 3. 91-Tyler Erb [1][$3,000]; 4. 44-Chris Madden [6][$2,500]; 5. 3s-Brian Shirley [7][$2,000]; 6. 5-Don O’Neal [4][$1,700]; 7. 7-Rick Eckert [15][$1,400]; 8. 157-Mike Marlar [11][$1,300]; 9. 99jr-Frank Heckenast [14][$1,200]; 10. 16-Tyler Bruening [23][$1,100]; 11. 25F-Jason Feger [17][$1,050]; 12. 18c-Chase Junghans [20][$1,000]; 13. 15s-Taylor Scheffler [10][$950]; 14. 54-David Breazeale [9][$900]; 15. 28e-Dennis Erb [16][$850]; 16. 3-Brett Swedberg [19][$800]; 17. 15-Nick Anvelink [25][$770]; 18. 10-Paul Parker [21][$750]; 19. 89-Brad Mueller [26][$730]; 20. 51-Joey Moriarty [24][$700]; 21. 20-Jimmy Owens [2][$700]; 22. 74-Mitch McGrath [12][$700]; 23. 25j-Jared Siefert [18][$700]; 24. 11-Justin Reed [13][$700]; 25. B1-Brent Larson [22][$700]; 26. 25-Shane Clanton [8][$700]

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(Plymouth, Wis.) July 21, 2018 – Rain showers and wet grounds forced Plymouth Dirt Track Racing officials to cancel the PDTR race program featuring the 22^nd annual Frank Filskov Memorial Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series event on Saturday, July 21, at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

It is the sixth PDTR program of the 2018 season to be adversely impacted by weather conditions.

PDTR will hold its popular Backpack Night program on Saturday, July 28, beginning at 6 p.m. with A-main trophies sponsored by Cellcom. The evening will feature all five regular PDTR divisions, including 360 Sprint Cars, Late Models, Grand Nationals, B Mods and Micro Sprints.

On Monday, July 30, PDTR will welcome many of the top Dirt Late Model competitors in the nation as the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series makes its debut appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track for a $10,000-to-win, 50-lap A-main event presented by Wisconsin Refrigerated Express of Sheboygan. Also on the card will be the PDTR Grand Nationals and PDTR B Mods.

Reserve seat tickets are available for the World of Outlaws Late Models Series event on July 30 by calling 920-893-5751. Additional information can be found at www.plymouthdtr.com.

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

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

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

 

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS, Plymouth, Wis.) July 7, 2018 – A thrilling last lap pass and a pair of first-time A-main winners highlighted the evening as Plymouth Dirt Track Racing staged its annual Mid-Season Championship Night of racing at The Plymouth Dirt Track on the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 7.

In the extended 30-lap Richard’s of Dunbar 360 Sprint Car A main, Plymouth’s Justin Miller stole the lead from Sprint Car rookie Travis Arenz of Sheboygan on the final lap to post an exciting victory. Gasroots Project Late Model rookie Kevin Baldry of Omro notched his first career PDTR Late Model A-main victory in the 30-lap main event. Luke Scholten of Oostburg claimed the 30-lap Klips & Tips Grand National A-main victory in the Bender Racing entry, while Gary Glander of Sheboygan Falls collected his first career Cellcom B Mod A-main triumph. Defending Micro Sprint champion Preston Ruh of Elkhart Lake was victorious in the 15-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasant View Realty Micro Sprint A main.

The Sprint Car A-main headliner began with Tyler Brabant of Waupun and Tony Wondra of Campbellsport lined up on the front row. Despite dry and slick track conditions, the race featured three different leaders and plenty of jockeying for position throughout the field.

Wondra got the jump on the drop of the green flag from his outside front row starting spot as point leader Josh Walter of Plymouth used the outside groove to jump from fourth at the start into second on the opening lap.

The first of two caution flags appeared on lap 5 when Scott Conger of Eagle spun in turn three. On the restart, Wondra continued to lead while Travis Arenz, who started third, bolted past Brabant and Walter to secure second on lap 8.

The second caution flag slowed the pace on lap 10 when two-time PDTR Sprint Car champion Danny Schlafer of Sussex spun in turn three and was collected by Chris Clayton of Waldo.

On the restart, Arenz flexed his muscle utilizing the extreme low groove to gain ground on Wondra, while Justin Miller, who started 10^th, charged into third on lap 11.

After hounding Wondra for several laps, Arenz made his move on lap 16, taking the lead in turn one. Justin Miller followed suit in getting past Wondra to set up an exciting duel to the finish.

On lap 18, Arenz encountered slower traffic, which allowed Miller to close the gap considerably. The two dueled side-by-side briefly on lap 20 before Arenz pulled away after clearing the lapped car.

Miller worked the low line to perfection in the final five circuits to close within striking range. On the final lap, Miller shot underneath Arenz in turn one to seize the top spot. Miller then held on to claim his second career PDTR Sprint Car and fourth overall Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main triumph.

Arenz, who captured the 2013 PDTR Outlaw Compact championship, posted a career-best runner-up finish in his first season behind the wheel of a Sprint Car. Walter was third, Brabant finished fourth and Wondra rounded out the top five.

Kevin Baldry grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 30-lap Late Model A main from the pole position with four-time PDTR Late Model champion and current point leader Brad Mueller of Random Lake, who started second, sliding into the runner-up spot.

Just as Mueller closed the gap along the prevailing inside groove on lap 9 the first of four caution flags appeared for an infield tire on the track surface. On the restart, seventh starter Charlie Schmidt of Cedar Grove moved past 2016 PDTR Late Model champ Tim Buhler of Greenbush, who started third, to assume third.

After two more caution periods for spins involving Eric Michaels of Cleveland and Jim Letizia of Milwaukee, fourth starter Justin Schmidt of Cleveland showed some strength, moving into third place and pressuring Mueller for second.

The final caution flag appeared on lap 17 when Late Model rookie Chad Vetting of Valders, Charlie Schmidt and Eric Michaels collided in turn one.

Over the final 13 laps, Baldry clung tight to the inside lane to successfully hold off Mueller and Justin Schmidt en route to his first career PDTR Late Model A-main triumph. Mueller was second, Justin Schmidt finished third, Buhler took fourth and sixth starter Jim Schmidt of Cleveland rounded out the top five.

Polesitter Chad Espen of West Bend jumped into the lead of the 30-lap Grand National A main followed by third starter Steven Weber of Plymouth. Four caution flags over the first two laps ground the race to a halt in the early going.

When the race returned to green flag action, Luke Scholten, who was behind the wheel of the Bender Racing No. 89 machine, moved into third on lap 3 after starting ninth. After the fifth and final caution flag of the race appeared on lap 12 for an infield tire in turn four, Espen continued to lead with Scholten hot on his heels.

On lap 19, Espen lost control of his car and spun into the infield in turn four. Espen’s misfortune turned the lead over to Scholten, who held off fifth starter Tyler Kulow of Plymouth over the final 11 circuits to claim his 10^th career PDTR Grand National A-main victory.

Kulow was second, fourth starter Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee recovered from a trip to the pits to repair a flat tire on lap 1 to finish third, Espen battled back from his spin to place fourth and 10^th starter Donny Kulow of Elkhart Lake placed fifth.

Outside front row starter Gary Glander outpowered polesitter Patrick Hanson of Sheboygan Falls to gain the lead of the 30-lap B Mod A main on the opening circuit with third starter Rick Kretschmann of Sheboygan Falls and seventh starter Tim Warner of Malone in tow.

On lap 9, Travis Schmidt of Plymouth, who started ninth, worked his way into third and three laps later Schmidt passed Kretschmann in turn one to assume second.

After a pair of caution flags for spins, Schmidt continued to pressure Glander for the top spot, pulling even with Glander on a few occasions with some contact made between the two on lap 26.

After the fourth and final caution flag appeared on lap 27 for a spin involving Jesse Cullen of Chilton, Glander closed out the race in impressive fashion to post his first career PDTR B Mod A-main victory.

A slight bobble from Schmidt on the final lap allowed 2016 PDTR B Mod champion Brandon Berth of Cascade to steak into second after starting sixth, Schmidt wound up third, Derek Fehling of Beaver Dam charged up from the 17^th starting spot to finish fourth and 16^th starter J.J. Walvoord of Oostburg placed fifth.

Polesitter Jake Dohner of Milton paced the first five laps of the 15-lap Micro Sprint A main before fourth starter Preston Ruh assumed the top spot on lap 6.

Dave Collins of Madison, who started second, closed the gap on Ruh on lap 10 before fifth starter Jack Vanderboom of Dousman slipped past Collins to gain the runner-up spot.

After two caution flags on lap 13 and lap 14 for spins, Ruh maintained the top spot over the final two laps to collect his fourth career PDTR Micro Sprint A main victory. Vanderboom was second, Collins took third and Dohner placed fourth.

The Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program, which was sponsored by Dale’s Pale Ale and Oskar Blues Brewery, featured 81 cars, including 28 B Mods, 20 Sprint Cars, 11 Late Models, 16 Grand Nationals and six Micro Sprints.

The next PDTR program will take place on Saturday, July 14, topped off by autograph night following the races. The racing program, which begins at 6 p.m., will be sponsored by Hopf Farms.

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

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

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

Miller posts first career PDTR Sprint Car A-main win

By Jeff Pederson, Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 9, 2017 – On a night when four of the five regular Plymouth Dirt Track Racing divisions crowned 2017 champions at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds third-mile clay oval, one of the biggest turnouts of cars and fans of the season gathered to join in the festivities Saturday, Sept. 9.

In the Late Model division, 30-year veteran Brad Mueller of Random Lake claimed his third A-main victory of the 2017 campaign and his fourth career PDTR Late Model title. Cascade’s Mark Fieber racked up his second career title in the Grand National division. Justin Green of Sheboygan Falls collected his first career B Mod championship and rookie Preston Ruh of Elkhart Lake secured the Micro Sprint crown.

In main event action, Plymouth’s Justin Miller held off a hard charge from two-time PDTR Sprint Car champion Danny Schlafer of Sussex to earn his first career 25-lap Sprint Car A-main victory at Plymouth. Tyler Kulow of Plymouth notched his first PDTR Grand National A-main victory of the 2017 season in the 25-lap A main. Jared Siefert of Luxemburg raced to his first PDTR B Mod triumph of the season, while Zach Boden of Cambridge captured his third 15-lap Micro Sprint A-main victory of the 20017 PDTR campaign.

Polesitter Justin Miller grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap Sprint Car A main with 2010 PDTR Sprint Car champ Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee, who started on the outside of the front row, following in second.

On lap 4, Davis closed in to challenge Miller along the high groove. Two laps later, 2008 PDTR Sprint Car champ Lance Fassbender spun in turn two while running third, which brought out the first caution flag of the race.

With Miller running the high groove, Davis worked the middle to low lanes in an attempt to oust the lead from Miller when green flag action resumed. On lap 12, Davis attempted to slide past Miller in turn two, but Miller held strong to retain the lead.

The action really heated up two laps later when seventh starter Danny Schlafer joined the duel for the lead. With Miller sticking to the top, Davis running the middle and Schlafer working the low line, the three drivers raced three-wide on lap 17 with Miller holding the slightest of advantages over the two most successful drivers in the history of the Midwest Sprint Car Association.

On lap 18, Davis worked past Miller exiting turn two to seize the lead. However, Davis got very high in turn three and clipped the wall in turn four to bring out the second caution of the race and end his chance at victory.

Miller regained the lead on the restart with Schlafer trailing in second. Miller got a good job on the restart to pull out to a quarter straightaway cushion before Schlafer battled back to mount a late charge. The hard-charging Schlafer slipped past Miller along the inside lane to seize the lead on lap 24.

However, Miller pulled off a big power move on the cushion in turns one and two to regain the lead on the final lap and nip Schlafer by one car length at the finish line to register his first career PDTR Sprint Car main event victory and his second overall MSA A-main triumph.

Schlafer had to settle for second, eighth starter Jim Melis of Glenbeulah finished third, fifth starter Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove placed fourth and Kevin Karnitz of West Bend, who started sixth, placed fifth.

With extra money added to the Late Model A-main purse for the evening, courtesy of an effort led by Late Model supporters Chad Marquardt and Greg Wester, a strong field of 28 Late Models checked into the pit area with 22 lining up for the main event.

Outside front row starter Billy Rezutek of Big Bend grabbed the lead on the drop of the green flag ahead of polesitter Joe Reuter of Green Bay. On lap 3, Brad Mueller, who started fourth, worked around Reuter to take over second while sixth starter Chris Carlson of Union Grove gained third on lap 5.

With Rezutek running the extreme high groove, Mueller found grip in the middle of the wide, slick track surface to pull even with Rezutek on lap 8. After a brief side-by-side duel, Mueller assumed the top spot on lap 9.

Carlson then moved in to battle Rezutek for second place on lap 14 before taking over the runner-up position one lap later. However, Mueller was not to be denied at the head of the field as he rolled to his third A-main victory of the season and 19^th career PDTR Late Model A-main triumph by five car lengths over Carlson to secure his fourth career PDTR Late Model championship.

Carlson was second, Reuter placed third, third starter Jared Siefert of Luxemburg placed fourth and eighth starter Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha rounded out the top five in the caution-free race.

Polesitter Tyler Kulow assumed the lead on the drop of the green flag in the Grand National main event with 2008 PDTR Grand National champ Matt Yancey trailing in second. The first of four caution flags appeared on lap 2 for a spin involving Matt Jackson of Sheboygan in turn two.

On lap 3, fourth starter Mark Fieber moved past Yancey into second with Dotyville’s Matt Loehr, who started fifth, following into third. With the top three cars running in nose-to-tail fashion along the low groove, Loehr began to apply heavy pressure to Fieber on lap 15 before diving under Fieber to take second on lap 18.

Three consecutive caution periods slowed the race starting on lap 21. When the race resumed, Fieber outpowered Loehr to regain second on lap 22, while seventh starter Jeff Lammers of Plymouth slipped past Loehr to take third.

Meanwhile, Kulow pulled away to claim his second career PDTR Grand National A-main triumph. Fieber secured his second Grand National title by placing second, Lammers was third, Loehr took fourth and Kurt Davis came up for his 10^th starting spot to finish fifth.

After two aborted starts, Jared Siefert gained the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap B Mod A main from his outside front row starting position. On lap 4, third starter Chad Vetting of Valders worked past polesitter Gary Glander of Sheboygan Falls to take over second, while Travis Schmidt of Plymouth moved up from the fifth starting position to take over third on lap 8.

Siefert was strong out front as he built up a full straightaway lead over Vetting by lap 12. The third and final caution flag of the event was displayed on lap 18 when John Singer spun in turn four.

Four laps later Schmidt used the high groove to work past Vetting into second place. However, it was all Siefert at the head of the field en route to his first career PDTR B Mod A-main victory.

Schmidt placed second, Vetting was third, Randy Lemieux placed fourth after starting 10^th and Glander rounded out the top five.

Chad Bogar of Sun Prairie took the lead in the early going of the 15-lap Micro Sprint A main from the third starting spot. On lap 8, Zach Boden, who started sixth, moved into to challenge Bogar for the lead.

On lap later, Boden executive a low move in turn one to take the lead for good. The 2016 PDTR Micro Sprint champion cruised the rest of the way to a full straightaway victory over Bogar. Jack Vanderboom of Dousman placed third after starting seventh, fifth starting Dave Collins of Madison was fourth and second starter Preston Ruh wrapped up the 2017 PDTR Micro Sprint title with a fifth place showing.

Prior to the racing program, Randy Markwardt of Sheboygan was presented with the PDTR Dedication to Dirt Award for his efforts during a long and successful racing career, which began with Eastern Wisconsin Stock Cars at Plymouth in 1977.

During his career, Markwardt racked up two track championships at Plymouth in the Sportsman (1993) and Limited Late Model (1999) divisions and was one of the most popular drivers with fans. Markwardt, who was inducted into the Southeastern Wisconsin Short Track Racing Hall of Fame in 2014, announced his retirement from racing earlier this year with Saturday’s PDTR program serving as his final race.

Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum won the Sprint Car B main, Dave Fieber of Neenah captured the Late Model B main and Steve Lorier of Sheboygan won the B Mod B main.

A total of 111 cars check into the pit area for the evening, including 29 Sprint Cars, 28 Late Models, 24 B Mods, 22 Grand Nationals and 8 Micro Sprints.

After two weekends off, the final race of the season at The Plymouth Dirt Track is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 30. The program will feature the final points night for the PDTR 360 Sprint Car division, along with the Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car, Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Cars and Wisconsin-Illinois Mini Sprints.

Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. with IRA qualifying and racing to follow.

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

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