By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 12, 2026 – Opening the 2026 season with a doubleheader weekend of 410 Sprint Car racing action in the Sprint Car-laden state of Iowa proved to be a productive learning experience for Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing Team.

First up was the team’s 2026 season opener with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association and career debut at Davenport Speedway in Davenport, Iowa on Friday, May 8.

The Plymouth, Wis. driver opened the night by qualifying 23^rd in the 35-car field with a lap of 13.363 around the quarter mile slightly banked dirt oval.

Hartmann then placed fourth after lining up sixth in the third 8-lap heat race to earn a direct transfer spot into the 25-lap A main. After rolling off 16^th, Hartmann was running 18^th before his 87A machine was involved in an incident in turn one on lap 7, which ended Hartmann’s evening. He was credited with a 24^th-place finish.

One night later, the Hartmann squad made their second-ever appearance at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa. With 33 410 Sprint Cars checked in for the event, Hartmann kicked things off by qualifying 16^th in qualifying flight 2 with a lap of 16.497 seconds on the world-renowned half-mile semi-banked dirt oval.

After starting and finishing eighth in the fourth 8-lap heat race, Hartmann fired off 12^th and moved up two spots to come home 10^th in the 12-lap B main to miss transferring to the A main by six spots.

“For first night out with the new chassis at Davenport, aside from the racetrack not being the greatest, we were able to work on the slick package,” Hartmann said. “I think we clicked on something there on the short track side of our operation.

“That same car at Knoxville did not fare too well,” he said. “It’s easy to get laps at Knoxville but hard to be good. I think we will put a separate car together for half miles and be back better.”

Hartmann is set to head back to his hometown track – The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. – this Saturday, May 16 with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series.

Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps slated to begin at 5:30 p.m.

On Sunday, May 17, the team heads to Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. with spectator gates opening at 4 p.m., hot laps at 5 p.m. and opening ceremonies at 6 p.m.

“I’m excited the season is finally started, and we get to race at home this upcoming weekend,” Hartmann said.

87A Hartmann Racing 2026 sponsorship partners include Kristine Hartmann, Realtor of Pleasantview Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, The Dispensary, Double A Autobody, Quasius Construction, Holler n’ Hills, High Speed TI, Metalcraft, Hepfner Racing Products, Berryman Racing Shocks, and Keizer Racing Wheels.

Additional information on the 87A Hartmann Racing team can be found by visiting the team’s website www.team87a.com and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/87Ahartmannracing.

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – The Dispensary

The Austin Hartmann – 87A Hartmann Racing team is pleased to have The Dispensary back as a sponsorship partner for the 2026 season.

Located at 2113 South Business Drive in Sheboygan, Wis., The Dispensary is a medical cannabis dispensary offering pure Delta-8 THC, Delta-10 THC and THCP products with the largest variety in the surrounding area. TheD8Dispensary features the most compassionate and knowledgeable staff in the industry, which aims to provide assistance and answer questions about the natural benefits of medical cannabis dispensary products.

To contact TheD8Dispensary, call (920) 395-2904 or visit https://www.thed8dispensary.com/sheboygan.

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Kristine Hartmann, Realtor of Pleasant View Realty

KRISTINE HARTMANN, REALTOR OF Pleasant View Realty, better known as “Every Race Fans Realtor,” has 25-plus years of experience selling real estate throughout Wisconsin.

Kristine’s passion for the sport of racing connects with her competitive drive and ambition as a realtor in the community.

Contact Kristine Hartmann with all your real estate needs and ask her about the special racing rates!

You can find her on Facebook @KRISTINE HARTMANN, REALTOR.  Additionally, she can be found at the 87A trailer at any IRA race and would be happy to discuss racing and real estate.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/PVRKRISTINE, call/text 920-980-5542, or email kristine@pleasantviewrealty.com.

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

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

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2026 Upcoming Schedule

Saturday, May 16 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA)
Sunday, May 17 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, May 23 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis. (IRA)
Sunday, May 24 – 141 Speedway, Francis Creek, Wis. (IRA)

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2026 Statistics

Total Events – 2
IRA Events – 1
Knoxville Raceway Events – 1
World of Outlaws Events – 0
High Limit Events – 0
A-Main Victories – 0
Podium Finishes – 0
Top Five A-Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A-Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A-Main Finishes – 0
Top 20 A-Main Finishes – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Heat Race Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 0
Dash Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0