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Austin Hartmann treasures lessons learned, progress made during rookie IRA 410 Sprint Car Series season

Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing Team completed their rookie season of 410 Sprint Car competition with a 10th place finish in the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association Series point standings. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) November 15, 2022 – With just two seasons of prior Sprint Car racing experience under their collective belts coming into the 2022 campaign, Austin Hartmann and the members of the Plymouth, Wis.-based 87A Hartmann Racing Team put their talents to the test in a big way during their rookie campaign traveling to 410 Sprint Car races throughout the Midwest with the regional touring Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series.

A five-and-a-half-month 2022 journey competing against many of the nation’s top 410 Sprint Car drivers at 13 different tracks in three states produced a garden variety of on-track results, along with a host of valuable learning experiences, will-testing challenges and thrilling highlights.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team launched its new racing adventure at the Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Sprint Car Series 2022 season opener at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, April 23.

Utilizing a calm, cool and collected approach in negotiating a lightning fast and tricky track surface, Hartmann brought his Bennett Transport Inc.-sponsored 87A Hartmann Racing machine home to an 18^th place finish after starting 25^th in the first 30-lap A main of his rookie season with the Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Sprint Car Series.

Hartmann’s first trek to Sycamore Speedway in Maple Park, Ill. on Saturday, May 7 resulted in his second straight 18^thplace A-main showing, as he turned in another smooth and consistent run after rolling off 21^st in the 30-lap IRA main event.

Hartmann returned to the friendly confines of his hometown track – The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – for the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions – Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Shootout on Saturday, May 21.

With a large contingent of extra local supporters on hand to wish him well during the third race of his rookie IRA 410 Sprint Car Series season, Hartmann finished the night with a 14^th place showing in the All Stars-IRA B Main among a stellar field of 36 All Stars-IRA competitors.

Austin Hartmann qualified for his first career NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series A-main event Saturday, June 18 at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. – Mech Photography photo

Hartmann’s scheduled appearance with the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions and Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Cars at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, May 22 was hounded by mechanical maladies as the 87A car failed to get up to speed to register a qualifying time or compete in heat race or B Main competition due to a magneto issue.

On Saturday, May 28, Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team made the long trek to Northwest Wisconsin for the IRA’s return to the third-mile semi-banked Rice Lake Speedway for the first time in several years.

Hartmann opened the night by qualifying 12^th in the 20-car field with a lap of 14.181 seconds. After lining up the pole of the third eight-lap IRA heat race, Hartmann placed fourth in the race to earn the 12^th starting spot in the 30-lap main event. The third-year Plymouth, Wis. Sprint Car driver drove a steady race in just his third IRA A main in a 410 Sprint Car en route to an IRA career-best 13^th place showing.

On Sunday, May 29 at one of Hartmann’s favorite tracks – 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, Wis. – the 2020 Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Award winner was quick out of the box as he turned in the 11^th fastest qualifying lap in the 27-car field with a lap of 11.318 seconds. After lining up on the pole of the second eight-lap IRA heat race, Hartmann placed fourth to earn a direct transfer spot to the A main and his first-career berth in the IRA dash field. After drawing the pole for the second four-lap IRA dash, Hartmann placed fourth to gain the eighth starting spot in the 30-lap IRA main event, during which he came home 24^th.

On Saturday, June 11, Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team made the haul south of the Wisconsin-Illinois border to Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Ill. for the 12^th annual $6,000-to-win co-sanctioned IRA-Midwest Open Wheel Association (MOWA) Bill Waite Jr. Memorial Classic, which attracted a stout field of 36 entries.

After starting fourth in the 12-lap B main, Hartmann was running seventh when a two-car spin brought out the yellow flag on lap 10. With the top-four finishers earning spots in the A main, Hartmann restarted fifth and pressured the fourth-place car of Dave Uttech for the final transfer position over the final two laps before settling for fifth to fall just short of advancing to the A-main event.

With fast and uneven track conditions providing an extra challenge in the team’s second appearance of the 2022 season at Angell Park Speedway, Hartmann drove a steady race to advance from his 15^th starting position to come home with an IRA career-best 11^th place finish in the 30-lap A-main event on Sunday, June 12.

In his NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Series debut on Friday, June 17, Hartmann qualified 22^nd in the 33-car field with a lap of 11.528 seconds on the lightning-fast, high-banked, third-mile Beaver Dam Raceway clay oval.

After lining up sixth in the second World of Outlaws heat race, Hartmann’s maiden voyage with the WoO was short-lived as contact with J.J. Hickle as the green flag dropped resulted in heavy damage to his Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty-sponsored machine, which forced the team to retire from the race and scratch for the remainder of the event.

Thanks to some late-night repair work from Scotty Neitzel and Rick Lemanski of R&H Enterprises, Hartmann returned to action for the second half of the World of Outlaws doubleheader weekend at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday, June 18.

After starting and finishing eighth in the first eight-lap WoO heat race, Hartmann rolled off fifth in the 12-lap Last Chance Showdown needing to finish in the top six to advance to the 40-lap main event. Hartmann ran fifth in the opening laps of the Last Chance Showdown before Josh Schneiderman slipped past to shuffle him back to sixth. He then ran smooth and consistent laps over the second half of the race to hold off Matt Vandevere and secure a starting berth in his first career World of Outlaws A main. With the big picture of completing the remainder of his rookie 410 Sprint Car season in mind, Hartmann pulled off early in the 40-lap main event and was credited with a 22^nd place finish.

With the NASCAR Cup Series set to visit Road America just at nearby Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, The Plymouth Dirt Track was buzzing for a special weeknight all-Sprint Car spectacular with a full house of fans packing the grandstand and a solid field of 28 IRA Sprint Cars checked in to battle for the $5,000-to-win Road America Challenge top prize on Thursday, June 30.

After starting 24^th in the 24-car IRA A-main lineup, Hartmann ran a smooth and consistent race as he managed to dodge several mishaps, which produced a lengthy event filled with six caution/red flag periods and ensuing restarts. In the closing stages of the race, Hartmann engaged in a duel with fellow IRA rookie competitor Tyler Tischendorf before finishing 19^th in the event.

On Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16, Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team made the 640-mile trek to River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, North Dakota for an IRA-NOSA co-sanctioned doubleheader weekend. With strong fields of over 30 cars on hand both nights, Hartmann qualified for both main events, placing 19^th in the A main on Friday, July 15 and 23^rd in the main event on Saturday, July 16.

On Friday, July 22 at Outagamie Speedway in Seymour, Wis., Hartmann fought a power-steering issue to notch a 17^th place finish in the 30-lap IRA A main.

The Hartmann 87A team then made their first trip to the big, wide half-mile Langlade County Speedway in Antigo, Wis. on Friday, July 29 where Hartmann suffered a rear-end failure in the heat race before rallying to earn hard-charger honors with a 19^th to 14^th place run in the caution-free A main.

The following night saw the team travel back home for its third appearance of the season at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, July 30. With 22 IRA 410 Sprint Cars on hand, Hartmann turned in his best qualifying effort of the 2022 season, as he timed in third with a lap of 11.769 seconds around the third-mile clay oval.

After lining up fourth in the third eight-lap heat race, Hartmann finished fourth to advance to his second IRA dash of the 2022 campaign. The third-year Sprint Car racer started and finished fifth in the second four-lap IRA dash to secure the 10^th starting spot in the 30-lap main event. Hartmann worked primarily the low groove during the majority of the A-main en route to a strong 12^th place main event showing.

Following two weekends off from competition, Hartmann returned to action with the IRA 410 Sprint Car Series for the Roger Iles Tribute event at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 20 where he finished 20^th after starting 14^th in the 36-lap A main.

After qualifying seventh and earning his third IRA dash appearance of the 2022 campaign, Hartmann started ninth and tallied a 15^th place finish in the 30-lap IRA Corn Fest A main at Angell Park Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 21.

Austin Hartmann posted a Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association Sprint Car Series career-best sixth place finish in the Scott Semmelmann Memorial A main at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 17. – Framed Dirt Photography photo

The Founders Night IRA event at Wilmot Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 27 saw Hartmann qualify 11^th in the 27-car field and earn his first career IRA heat race victory to lock himself into his fourth IRA dash of the 2022 season. After rolling off 10^th in the 25-lap main event, Hartmann was running seventh in the early going when he spun in turn two after racing in close quarters with Jeremy Schultz. Hartmann rebounded after restarting 20^th to earn a 16^th place showing.

Hartmann opened a tripleheader IRA weekend with a 12^th place A-main finish after starting 16^th in the 20-lap Harry Neitzel Tribute Race at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 2.

One night later, Hartmann racked up his first-career IRA fast qualifier award as he topped the 31-car field with a lap of 11.461 seconds around his hometown track. After making his fifth IRA dash appearance of the 2022 season, Hartmann started fifth in the 30-lap A main. Hartmann was running eighth when contact with Kyle Schuett shortly after a lap 23 restart, sent him flipping wildly into the turn one fence. Although Hartmann emerged from his battered machine uninjured, the 87A machine suffered extensive damage as he was scored with a 22^nd place finish.

One night later, Hartmann entered the final event of the three-race IRA weekend behind the wheel of Al Schlafer’s 360 Sprint Car at 141 Speedway where he posted a 19^th place finish in the 30-lap A main.

On Saturday, Sept. 10, Hartmann ventured west to make his first appearance at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. for the IRA’s prestigious $6,000-to-win Jerry Richert Memorial, which drew a stellar field of 30 competitors. Hartmann earned his first career IRA B Main victory to claim the 19^th starting spot in the 30-lap A main where he placed 21^st.

Austin Hartmann is gearing up for his second season of action with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series in 2023. – Dave Olson Studio 360 Photography Photo

Hartmann put together his best overall performance of the 2022 season at the IRA Scott Semmelmann Memorial at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday, Sept. 17. After qualifying 10^th, Hartmann advanced to his sixth IRA dash of the 2022 campaign to nail down the eighth starting spot in the 30-lap main event where he held strong on the lightning-fast track surface to secure an IRA career-best sixth place A-main finish.

Hartmann turned in a 14^th place A-main finish in the 20-lap IRA Checkered Flag Classic at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 23.

The Hartmann 87A team then capped off the 2022 IRA season with the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, Sept. 24.

With 24 IRA 410 Sprint Cars on hand, Hartmann began the night by qualifying 11^th with a lap of 11.718 seconds around the ultra-fast and tacky third-mile clay oval. Hartmann lined up on the pole position of the second eight-lap IRA heat race. However, a jumbled start was waived off by track officials before Hartmann spun in turn two while trying to slow down his machine. The spin resulted in contact with another car and front-end damage to his 87A car, which caused him to retire from the race with an eighth place showing. After making the necessary repairs, Hartmann started 21^st in the 30-lap IRA main event, staying out of trouble throughout en route to a 19^th place finish.

Hartmann capped his rookie season of Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Sprint Car Series competition 10^th in the final point standings.

In 26 events, including 24 IRA races, Hartmann tallied one top-10, eight top-15 and 17 top-20 A-main showings in 22 A-main appearances. In addition, Hartmann posted one heat race victory, one B-main triumph, one fast qualifier award and six dash appearances during his rookie IRA campaign.

“I would like to thank all of our sponsors and supporters who made it possible for me to race a 410 Sprint Car with the IRA Series during the 2022 season, especially Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty and Andrew Shufflebotham of Shufflebotham Tree Service,” Hartmann said. “I would also like to thank all of the members of our pit crew, who did so much to help out and keep us racing all season long.

“As far as the racing goes, we definitely learned a lot during the course of the season that will help us during the 2023 season,” he said.

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

The 87A Hartmann Racing team assembled a strong group of partners in support of the team’s 2022 maiden voyage with the Bumper to Bumper IRA 40 Sprint Car Series, including Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Call Girls Motorsports, PalletWorks LLC, AF Inc., Bennett Transport Inc., SCA Inc., Gretchen Tillman New American Funding, Classic Title Services, CP Services, Cobblestone Landscaping, Jensen Sales & Services, Lee’s Color Studio, Dave’s Fabrication, Racer’s Hall Sports Bar and Grill, Feldmann Sales & Service, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Pit Road Apparel, the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Sage Fruit.

The 2022 87A Hartmann Racing team consisted of Hunter Annis, Eric Bergschultz, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham, Jarrett Neese, Caitlin Shaw and Kristine Hartmann.

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Bennett Transport Inc.

Based in Manitowoc, Wis., Bennett Transport Inc. provides truck load and LTL service throughout Eastern Wisconsin, Northern Illinois and the Chicagoland area.

For more information on Bennett Transport Inc., call 920-860-0962, email beau@benntransinc.com or check out @Bennett Transport Inc on Facebook.

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
Final 2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 26
IRA Events – 24
World of Outlaws Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 8
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 17
Heat Race Victories – 1
Dash Appearances – 6
Dash Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 1
A Main Appearances – 22
Final Interstate Racing Association Points Finish – 10^th

November 15, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Travis Arenz Motorsports doubles up on MSA-PDTR 360 Sprint Car titles, 2023 plans await

Travis Arenz (right) accepts the Checkered Classic trophy from Lance Fassbender (left) in memory of his late father Fuzzy Fassbender, after winning the 20-lap Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 23. – Kulas Jr. Racing Images

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) October 5, 2022 – After putting together an outstanding 2021 season, which resulted in earning both the Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car titles, Travis Arenz and the Travis Arenz Motorsports team delivered a stirring encore performance during the 2022 campaign to claim both the MSA and PDTR championships for the second consecutive season.

The 16^th-year Sheboygan Falls, Wis. racer entered championship weekend with a slim 17-point lead over Ben Schmidt in the MSA point standings needing smooth, consistent and incident-free runs at the “horsepower half mile” Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 23 and at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24 in order to secure the title.

With 18 MSA 360 Sprint Cars signed in at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway for the Checkered Classic run in honor of Al Schmidt, Fuzzy Fassbender and Dick Witt, Arenz opened the program by qualifying second overall with a lap of 19.119 seconds around the half-mile clay oval.

After lining up fourth in the second eight-lap heat race, Arenz came home second to Schmidt to earn the eighth starting spot in the 20-lap MSA Checkered Classic main event. On lap 2, Arenz worked his way past Bill Taylor into second and quickly set his sets on the lead car of polesitter Tyler Brabant.

Arenz caught Brabant on lap 4 and the two drivers engaged in a two-lap duel before Arenz surged into the lead with a low move in turn two on lap 6. From there, Arenz survived two yellow flag periods on lap 13 to pull away to his eighth MSA A-main victory of the 2022 season and 30^th career MSA 360 Sprint Car main event triumph.

“I enjoy racing at Dodge County because of the fast pace and it usually has a wide racing surface, which makes it more enjoyable,” Arenz said. “It was great to start off the MSA championship weekend with a win.”

Travis Arenz (25T) duels with Ben Schmidt (35) during the 2022 Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car season finale at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24. – RC Custom Design photo

Holding a 19-point cushion over Schmidt, Arenz moved on to the familiar confines of his “home track” The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24 for the 2022 MSA season finale as part of the fifth annual Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships.

With 24 MSA-PDTR 360 Sprint Cars signed in for the 2022 curtain closer, Arenz registered the seventh-fastest overall MSA qualifying lap in a time of 12.494 seconds.

Arenz then lined up on the pole of the first 10-lap heat race and pulled away to notch his fifth MSA heat race victory of the 2022 season. Needing a solid finish in the top half of the field to secure his second consecutive MSA and PDTR 360 Sprint Car titles, Arenz started fourth in the 25-lap MSA-PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main and ran a smart, smooth and consistent race, while negotiating through two red flags and two caution periods to secure a fourth-place finish.

Although Schmidt won the main event, Arenz’s fourth-place showing was good enough to nail down the 2022 MSA championship by nine points over Schmidt.

“My approach to the last night of the season at Plymouth was a little different than normal,” Arenz said. “We had to make sure we were fast and aggressive, but also extremely cautious in traffic and to not have any mishaps.

“It means a lot to win the MSA and PDTR championships because of all the hard work, determination, pride, time and money that goes into it,” Arenz said. “The PDTR championship is very special to me with it being my home track and growing up there.”

Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls captured his second consecutive Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car championships with a fourth-place finish in the 2022 season finale A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24. – RC Custom Design photo

During the 2022 MSA-PDTR 360 Sprint Car season, Arenz racked up eight A-main victories, 17 top-five and 18-top-10 A-main showings, five heat race wins and two fast qualifier awards en route to the MSA and PDTR championships.

Arenz also competed in seven 410 Sprint Car events with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association in 2022, earning one top-five, three top-10 main and four top-15 A-main showings, three dash appearances and one dash victory to finish 25^th in the final 2022 IRA point standings.

The highlight of Arenz’s 2022 410 Sprint Car campaign was an IRA career-best second-place A-main finish at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 27.

Looking ahead to the 2023 season, Arenz is still working on finalizing his plans.

“Our plans for the 2023 season have not been solidified,” Arenz said. “We are going to run a couple races in a Dirt Late Model with Jake Van Engen Racing. We would like to run full-time with the IRA Sprint Car Series in 2023, but our options are open. We are interested in partnering up with someone for the 410 program. What we do during the 2023 season will depend on how the off-season goes.”

Members of the Travis Arenz Motorsports team are pictured after winning the Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car Harry Neitzel Tribute Race at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 2. – Travis Arenz Motorsports photo

The 2022 Travis Arenz Motorsports sponsorship partners include Professional Plating Inc., Service One Transportation, Inc, Don and Lynn Kiel, Oostburg Concrete, Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Schoen’s Wildlife Removal, Premier Insurance Solutions-Craig Ladwig, Pallet Works, Retro Tire, DW Fence, Little Bears Tree Service LLC, Lake Auto Glass and Service, Myhre Construction LLC, Roth’s Auto Restoration, Hair Fellers Barbershop, Fastenal of Plymouth, Jensen Sales and Service, In The Bag, Amy Bruechert Reality, Cornwell Tools-Paul Epping, Advanced Engine Concepts, Inc., Duehring’s Tax Service, Everhope Show Cattle, HRP Wings and Behling Racing Equipment.

The 2022 Travis Arenz Motorsports team consists of pit crew members Greg Piedot, Jerrod Gamb, Emily Stadler, Cameron Fritz, Alex Wesenburg, Curtiss Humphrey, Taylor McAdams, Tony Fox and Trevor Hittman.

Additional information on the Travis Arenz Motorsports team can be found by visiting the team’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Travis Arenz Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Service One Transportation

Located at N5761 County Road M in Plymouth, Wis., Service One Transportation has been a proud supporter of Travis Arenz Motorsports since the team moved into the 360 Sprint Car division in 2018.

Service One Transportation opened its doors in 1997 when Dan Flagstad, Sr. decided to venture out on his own, following a distinguished career in transportation sales. Starting with a single driver and truck, Dan grew the business by providing unsurpassed service to the customers and living by the creed of “doing whatever it takes to get the job done for the customer.”

The customer-first philosophy continues today with current President and Owner Dan Flagstad, Jr., along with his partner, Mike Myszewski, who serves as vice president of operations and logistics. Under Dan’s leadership, Service One Transportation has experienced the innovation of a new generation, while retaining the customer and family-first philosophy started by Dan Sr.

Today, Service One has grown into a full-service logistics and transportation company with a large portfolio of services, including 53-foot dry van, dry bulk with rail car transport, blanket wrap transport and warehousing. Service One can handle all truckload, volume LTL and expedited shipments to 48 states and all Canadian provinces.

For a personalized transportation quote, contact Service One Transportation by phone at 1-888-988-3344 or 920-467-4793, email at dispatch@serviceonetrans.com or visit https://www.serviceonetransportation.com/.

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

Travis Arenz Motorsports
360 Sprint Car
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total MSA-PDTR Events – 19
A Main Victories – 8
Top Five A Main Finishes – 17
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 18
Heat Race Victories – 5
Fast Qualifier Awards – 2
Midwest Sprint Car Association Points Finish – 1^st
Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car Points Finish – 1^st

Travis Arenz Motorsports
410 Sprint Car
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total IRA Events – 7
A Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 3
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 4
Heat Race Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 3
Dash Victories – 1
Interstate Racing Association Points Finish – 25^th

Travis Arenz Motorsports
Career Highlights
2007-2022

Total A Main Victories – 70
4-cylinder Outlaw Compact A Main Victories – 20
IMCA Northern Sport Mod/B Mod A Main Victories – 20
MSA/PDTR 360 Sprint Car A Main Victories – 30
2013 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 4-Cylinder Outlaw Compact Champion
2016 141 Speedway Northern Sport Mod Champion
2021 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car Champion
2021 Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car Champion
2022 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car Champion
2022 Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car Champion

October 4, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Sheboygan South High School to host fifth annual AAUW Girls STEM Day Conference

Participants in the 2021 Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Girls STEM Day Conference utilize ingredients for fingerprint identification, during the forensic science session. The 2022 AAUW Girls STEM Day Conference is set to take place Saturday, Nov. 5 at Sheboygan South High School from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

SHEBOYGAN, WIS. (October 3, 2022) – The Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is preparing to present the fifth annual Girls STEM Day Conference Saturday, Nov. 5, at Sheboygan South High School, located at 1240 Washington Ave. in Sheboygan, Wis.

Since its inception in 2017, the popular event has strived to connect sixth through ninth-grade girls with the vast wonders of STEM by highlighting the core fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

The conference, which runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting with check-in from 8 a.m to 8:30 a.m., features 11 different STEM-inspiring sessions, along with a presentation from keynote speaker Kathryn Clouse, Kohler Co. Kitchen and Bath Products Innovation Program director, from 8:30-9 a.m.

“Our goal with the Girls STEM Day Conference is to encourage young girls to discover, explore and learn from STEM field experts in a wide range of specialty areas related to careers in science, technology, engineering and math,” Sheboygan Branch AAUW member and Girls STEM Day Co-Chair Dolcye Johnson said. “Since 2006, AAUW has taken on an initiative to empower girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. This initiative has taken several forms on a national level. Here in Sheboygan County, we are doing it through this conference.

“Last year, the event drew 65 girls and our goal for this year is 100,” she said.

The conference includes a diverse list of STEM field experts, including Clouse, who runs the Innovation Program for Kitchen and Bath Products at Kohler Co. In her position, Clouse helps ensure Kohler Kitchen and Bath products stay up to date with developing technology and innovative strategies in the field.

Kohler Co. Kitchen and Bath Products Innovation Program Director Kathryn Clouse will serve as the keynote speaker at the fifth annual Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Girls STEM Day Conference Saturday, Nov. 5 at Sheboygan South High School.

Clouse, who holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering mechanics from UW-Madison and a Master of Business Administration degree from UW-Oshkosh, advocates for women’s and girls’ topics often as the president of the Kohler Co. Kitchen and Bath Women’s Group and founder of the female-centered innovation focus within the women’s groups.

Conference participants will have the opportunity to choose three of 11 available 45-minute STEM sessions running between 9:15 a.m. and noon.

The STEM sessions over a diverse range of topics including architectural design (Architecture – Designed Awareness presented by Kurt Davis, Anne Blanke, Taylor Kranzusch, Sydney Goetsch, Sam Krakow of Abacus Architects), graphic design (Beginner’s Graphic Design presented by Deb Sevens of Designs by Deb Sevens), robotics (Robotic Surgery presented by Dr. Jessica Leszcynski of Prevea Health), veterinary science (A Look Inside the Bovine Hide presented by Dr. Ellen Hooker, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture veterinarian), forensic science (Crime Scene Investigation presented by Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department Detective Tyler Wuestenhagen), applied chemistry (Chem Demons presented by UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan County Professor James Kabrhel and Sheboygan Falls Middle School teacher Pam Salm), food science (Sensory of Slices presented by Claire Collins of Sartori Cheese), the science of color and appearance (The Science of Color presented by Kohler Co. staff members Jennifer Tarplee, Rachel Feldmann, Kate Revelis and Stephanie Soendker), hydroponic gardens (Hydroponics presented by Plymouth High School agriscience teachers Tracy Heinbuch and Katelyn Sibley), binary number systems (Beaded Binary Bracelet Boutique presented by UW-Green Bay Senior Math Lecturer Synde Kraus) and the science of scents and fragrances (Flowers and Fragrances presented by MilliporeSigma senior scientists).

“We have a wonderful group of expert presenters, who are working in these STEM fields with many years of experience,” Sheboygan Branch AAUW member and Girls STEM Day Co-Chair Allyson Olivier said. “We have middle school and high school teachers, professors, police officers, veterinarians, engineers, product managers and developers and business owners that will be leading the STEM sessions.

The Science of Color is one of the returning sessions set to be featured at the 2022 Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Girls STEM Day Conference Saturday, Nov. 5 at Sheboygan South High School.

“The presenters are genuinely happy to teach these sessions and the girls are so eager to learn,” she said. “It is fun to witness all the excitement that these sessions generate. The best thing is that they are all hands-on too. The girls actually get to experience what it is like to do these types of careers. Seven of the 11 sessions – Robotic Surgery, Beaded Binary Bracelet Boutique, Beginner’s Graphic Design, Flowers and Fragrances, Sensory of Slices, Crime Scene Investigation and Architecture-Designed Awareness – are new for this year.”

The registration fee is $10 per student, which includes instruction and supplies. The deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 28.

Sponsors for this year’s event include F.K. Bemis Family Foundation, Frank G. & Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation, Feingold Family Foundation, Grover Family Foundation, Benninghaus Family Foundation and Masters Gallery Foods.

In-kind donors are Betty Humke, City Bakery, Dolcye Johnson, Judy Hangartner, Laura Lienau, Marianne Comstock and Richard Linde, Masters Gallery Foods, Old Wisconsin Sausage Co. and Z Spot Expresso & Coffee.

“We would like to thank the Sheboygan Recreation Department and Sheboygan South High School for being so great to work with last year and again this year,” Johnson said. “We are looking forward to having the Girls STEM Day event return to Sheboygan South High School on November 5^th.”

Founded in 1881, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity by empowering women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.

The Sheboygan Branch of AAUW grants scholarships each year to non-traditional women students.

To register or for more information on the Girls STEM Day Conference, visit http://urezsignup.com/event/register.php?event_id=491122 or call Sheboygan Branch AAUW member and Girls STEM Day Conference Co-Chair Dolcye Johnson at 920-458-5819.

October 3, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Austin Hartmann closes book on rookie campaign with IRA 410 Sprint Car Series

Austin Hartmann closed out his rookie season with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Saturday, Sept. 24 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 28, 2022 – A five-and-a-half-month journey competing against many of the nation’s top 410 Sprint Car drivers at 13 different tracks in three states came to close for Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing Team with a pair of Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association events at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 23 and The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24.

With 21 IRA Sprint Cars assembled for the annual Checkered Classic honoring the memory of Al Schmidt, Fuzzy Fassbender and Dick Whitt, at the “horsepower half mile” Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 23, Hartmann turned in the 13^th fastest qualifying time with a lap of 17.193 seconds.

Hartmann started fifth in the first eight-lap IRA heat race and held the spot throughout en route to a fifth-place showing.

The third-year Sprint Car competitor started 13^th in the 20-lap IRA Checkered Classic main event and dropped back to 14^th in the opening laps. On lap 7, Hartmann drove past Dave Uttech to take over 13^th in the running order. On lap 17, Jeremy Schultz got around Hartmann to move the IRA rookie competitor back to 14^th.

The Plymouth, Wis. driver held on over the final three circuits to earn a 14^th-place finish in a caution-free race won by Dylan Cisney.

“Overall, the night went very well at Dodge County,” Hartmann said. “I’d say I got some good notes for next year.”

The following night Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team returned to The Plymouth Dirt Track in their hometown of Plymouth, Wis. to complete the team’s rookie season of full-time IRA competition.

Austin Hartmann (87A) races next to Shelby Bosie (3B) in the 2022 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series season finale at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24. – RC Custom Design photo

With 24 IRA 410 Sprint Cars on hand, Hartmann began the night by qualifying 11^th with a lap of 11.718 seconds around the ultra-fast and tacky third-mile clay oval.

Hartmann lined up on the pole position of the second eight-lap IRA heat race. However, a jumbled start was waived off by track officials before Hartmann spun in turn two while trying to slow down his machine. The spin resulted in contact with another car and front-end damage to his 87A car, which caused him to retire from the race with an eighth place showing.

After making the necessary repairs, Hartmann started 21^st in the 30-lap IRA main event, staying out of trouble throughout en route to a 19^th-place finish in a race won by Jake Neuman.

“Our night at Plymouth started rough when I missed my line in qualifying, which put us on the pole in the heat race,” Hartmann said. “I made some mistakes at the start of the heat, resulting in a DNF [did not finish], which is not what we wanted as a team.

“In the feature, I was pretty open-minded and tried a new set up, which turned out to be alright,” he said. “It just needs a little fine-tuning, and we should be pretty good with it for next year.”

Hartmann capped his rookie season of IRA competition 10^th in the final point standings.

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

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

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

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Bennett Transport Inc.

Based in Manitowoc, Wis., Bennett Transport Inc. provides truck load and LTL service throughout Eastern Wisconsin, Northern Illinois and the Chicagoland area.

For more information on Bennett Transport Inc., call 920-860-0962, email beau@benntransinc.com or check out @Bennett Transport Inc on Facebook.

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

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 26
IRA Events – 24
World of Outlaws Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 8
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 17
Heat Race Victories – 1
Dash Appearances – 6
Dash Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 1
A Main Appearances – 22
Interstate Racing Association Points Finish – 10^th

September 28, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Alex Pokorski closes out 2022 MSA season with top-10 run at Plymouth Dirt Track

Alex Pokorski (4) duels with Chris Larson (51) on the way to a 10th-place finish in the 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main, during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 27, 2022 – An up-and-down third season behind the wheel of a 360 Sprint Car came to a close for Alex Pokorski with a solid 10^th place finish in the seat of the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team car in the 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association main event, during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24.

With 24 PDTR-MSA Sprint Cars signed in for the 2022 season finale, Pokorski qualified 23^rd with a lap of 13.179 seconds.

After starting eighth in the second 10-lap 360 Sprint Car heat race, Pokorski moved up a spot when Chris Clayton stopped in turn two on the opening lap of the race to bring out a caution flag. Pokorski held on to post a seventh-place finish on the lightning-fast track surface.

The West Bend driver rolled off 18^th in the 25-lap main event and steered clear of a red flag on the initial start for a flip involving Katelyn Krebsbach and a caution flag on lap 8 for the stalled car of Brandon Berth in turn one to move up to 15^th.

Pokorski held strong over the next 14 laps to maintain his position in the running order before Brandon Berth flipped in turn three to bring out another red flag on lap 22.

After restarting 13^th, Anthony Knierim stopped on the backstretch to bring out another caution flag shortly after the ensuing restart. Pokorski restarted 12^th and mounted a late charge to move past Bill Taylor and Doug Wondra into ninth on lap 23. However, Pokorski got sideways exiting turn two on lap 24 and nearly brushed the wall, which allowed Wondra to shoot past.

Pokorski went on to notch an 10^th place finish to cap off the 2022 season with a season-best A-main showing at The Plymouth Dirt Track and his second top-10 showing of the 2022 MSA campaign in a race won by Ben Schmidt.

“I had a bad qualifying run which put us behind and we had to chase the night after that,” Pokorski said. “I was happy to get a few passing points in the heat race to give us a better starting spot for the feature. The feature went well, and it felt good to move up eight spots and close out the season with a top-10 finish.

“A big ‘thank you’ goes out to the crew and sponsors for all the help and support they gave me during the 2022 season,” he said.

Pokorski completed his first full-time campaign with the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars 14^th in the final 2022 PDTR 360 Sprint Car point standings. He also finished 15^th in the 2022 MSA point standings, competing in 17 of the series’ 19 events.

Pokorski’s 2022 MSA campaign featured one top-five, two top-10 and six top-15 A-main showings to go along with one heat race victory and one B-main triumph. The highlight of the 2022 season was a career-best-equaling fourth place A-main finish in an Akright Auto MSA 360 Sprint Car event at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 27.

With his first season in the seat of the No. 4 Akright Auto Racing Team car now under his belt, Pokorski is looking forward to continuing the partnership in 2023.

“I am very excited and grateful to be back racing with Akright Auto and Spyder Akright for the 2023 season,” Pokorski said. “I’m looking forward to improving next season with what we learned this year.”

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

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Akright Auto

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

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

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

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

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Novak Service Center

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Total Events – 16
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 2
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 6
Heat Race Victories – 1
Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car Points Finish – 14^th
Midwest Sprint Car Association Points Finish – 15th

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

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

September 27, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Neuman, Schmidt, Zielski, Heinert claim Plymouth Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships A-main triumphs

Jake Neuman (3N) of New Berlin, Ill. claimed his first career Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series A-main victory in the 30-lap Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships headliner at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Arenz secures second PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car title

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 24, 2022 – Sprint Cars reigned supreme as a healthy contingent of open-wheel racers and teams converged on The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. for the fifth annual Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships to cap off the 2022 racing season at the venerable third-mile clay speed plant on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Jake Neuman of New Berlin, Ill. secured the 2022 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Rookie of the Year Award by nailing down his first career IRA A-main victory in flag-to-flag fashion in the 30-lap headliner.

In the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasantview Realty Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main, 2022 PDTR and MSA champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth used a late pass to notch his second main event triumph of the 2022 campaign.

Ryan Zielski of Oconomowoc claimed the victory in the 20-lap Wisconsin wingless Sprint Car A-main event, while Mark Heinert of Oak Creek was victorious in the 20-lap Interstate Racing Association Lightning Sprints A main.

Jordan Goldesberry of Springfield, Ill. secured his first career Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series championship.

Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls wrapped up his second straight double championship season in both the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car divisions.

Jordan Goldesberry (65) of Springfield, Ill. secured his first career Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series championship, as the 2022 IRA season wrapped up with the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24. – Dave Olson Studio 360 photo

Clayton Rossmann of Wadsworth, Ill. and Tim Cox of Park City, Ill. were named 2022 Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car Series co-champion, after finishing in a tie for first place in the final point standings.

Mike Neau of Pleasant Prairie completed a championship season in the Interstate Racing Association Lightning Sprints division.

In the 30-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car Series main event, Jake Neuman outpowered polesitter Josh Schneiderman of West Burlington, Iowa to grab the initial lead along the high groove of the lightning fast, hammer-down track surface.

On lap five, Neuman caught the back of the field with Schneiderman chasing in second and fifth-starting Danny Schlafer of Sussex in third. As the leaders wound their way through dense lapped traffic, Schneiderman began to chip away at the lead gap to close in on Neuman.

The lone caution flag flew on lap 16 when Jordan Paulsen of Trevor stopped near the turn one wall. When the race resumed, Neuman again maintained control of the lead, while Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan, who started ninth, worked his way past visiting Port Royal, Pa. driver Dylan Cisney into fourth.

With time running out as the laps clicked off, Schneiderman mounted one final charge to briefly pull even with Neuman in turn two on lap 29. However, Neuman fended off Schneiderman’s advances en route to his first career IRA 410 A-main victory.

“It’s awesome to get a win here tonight,” Neuman said in victory lane. “We were close to getting our first IRA win earlier this year here, but [Bill] Balog got us and he’s tough to beat here. It was a great year earning the IRA Rookie of the Year Award. We will see what we can do for next year.”

Schneiderman placed second, Schlafer finished third, Thiel was fourth and Cisney, who started eighth, rounded out the top five.

2011 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car champ Ben Schmidt (35) of Plymouth earned his 15th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory in the 25-lap Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

The 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main got off to a rocky start when a red flag appeared on lap one when Katelyn Krebsbach of Cascade flipped hard along the front stretch.

Following a complete restart, two-time PDTR and four-time MSA 360 Sprint Car champ Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh, who started second, bolted past polesitter Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum to take the lead on the opening lap.

By lap five, McMullen caught the rear of the field with Wenninger in pursuit and 2021 PDTR and MSA champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls following in third, after starting fourth.

The caution was displayed on lap 8 when Brandon Berth of Cascade stopped in turn one. On the restart, Ben Schmidt powered in from his sixth starting spot to bolt past Arenz into third.

Schmidt then reeled in Wenninger to take over second on lap 22 just before the red flag appeared on lap 22 from a flip involving Brandon Berth in turn three. Another caution flag was displayed when Anthony Knierim of Caledonia stopped along the back stretch on the ensuing restart.

Travis Arenz (25T) of Sheboygan Falls wrapped up his second career Plymouth Dirt Track and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car championships at the 2022 Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24. – Victory Imagery Media Group photo

Following a single-file restart, Schmidt moved to steal the lead away from McMullen with a well-executed low move in turn three on lap 24. Schmidt then held on to wrap up his 15^th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory, 32^nd career Midwest Sprint Car Association triumph and second 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2022 season.

Schmidt, who came into the night trailing Travis Arenz by 19 points in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car title chase, stated in victory lane that he went into the final A main of the season with a winning mindset.

“We really had nothing to lose tonight, so that was kind of my approach sitting second in points with one night left,” Schmidt said. “Running second to Travis [Arenz] two races in a row at Dodge County frustrated me a bit, so that also lit a fire under me. This race was kind of a replay of opening night with Brandon [McMullen] and I going for the lead in turn three. That incident on opening night proved to be the difference in the points race as I had my only DNF [did not finish] of the season that night. It was almost exactly the same tonight, but I made it through and made the pass this time and it feels great to end the season in victory lane.”

Ryan Zielski (14Z) of Oconomowoc raced to victory in the 20-lap Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car Series main event, during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Polesitter Rusty Egan of Round Lake Heights, Ill. jumped into the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 20-lap Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car Series A main with third starter Ryan Zielski following in second and outside front row starter Allen Hafford of Beach Park, Ill. in third.

On lap 10, Egan caught the back of the field, which allowed Zielski to close in on the lead. Zielski moved in to challenge the low riding Egan along the high line of fast and tacky track surface on lap 18 before sweeping into the lead in turn one on lap 19 in dense lapped traffic.

The first of two caution flags appeared for a two-car incident involving the third-place car of Ryan Marshall of Kansasville and Trinity Uttech of New Berlin in turn four on lap 19 and another caution flag was displayed for the stalled car of Dennis Spitz of Lewisburg, Ky. along the back stretch on the restart.

Clayton Rossmann (left, 09) of Wadsworth, Ill. and Tim Cox (right, 40) of Park City, Ill. finished as co-champions of the 2022 Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car Series at the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24. – Victory Imagery Media Group photo

When the race resumed, Zielski pulled away from Egan en route to the victory.

Egan finished second, newly crowned 2022 Wisconsin wingLESS Series co-champion Clayton Rossman of Wadsworth, Ill., who started fifth, placed third, Hafford wound up fourth and ninth starter Chris Klemko of Bristol placed fifth.

Mark Heinert (55H) of Oak Creek earned the victory in the 20-lap Interstate Racing Association Lightning Sprints A main at the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

After starting third, Mark Heinert used a big push on the start to take the lead on the opening lap of the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints A main.

The yellow flag appeared on lap 3 when Jordan Funderburk of Wadsworth, Ill. stopped along the front stretch. Heinert again controlled the restart and extended his lead at the front of the field before a red flag was displayed on lap 19 when Shawn Steinpas of Brookfield flipped exiting turn four.

Newly crowned 2022 IRA Lightning Sprints champion Mike Neau of Pleasant Prairie, who started fifth, bolted in to challenge Heinert for the top spot on lap 19. However, Heinert held strong on the ensuing restart en route to the victory.

Mike Neau (16) of Pleasant Prairie nailed down the 2022 Interstate Racing Association Lightning Sprints championship at the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Neu placed second, Derek Fortier of Pleasant Prairie took third after starting fourth, sixth starter John Kirk of Johnsburg, Ill was fourth and 11^th starter Tim Brannam of Holiday Hills, Ill.

Dylan Cisney was the IRA 410 Sprint Car Series fast qualifier with a lap of 11.240 seconds.

Ben Schmidt earned PDTR 360 Sprint Car overall fast qualifier honors with a lap of 12.200 seconds.

John Kirk was the fastest IRA Lightning Sprints driver in group qualifying with a fast lap of 13.383 seconds.

Derek Crane of Racine won the 12-lap Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars B main.

The 14^th official and 13^th full PDTR racing program of the 2022 season, which was sponsored by JosFO Electric, drew a total of 97 cars, including 24 IRA 410 Sprint Cars and 24 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 32 Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars and 17 IRA Lightning Sprints.

The 2022 book “Racing Recollections – Plymouth Racetrack Fans & Drivers 1950-2021” by Dennis Darovich of Sheboygan, George Baumann of Waupun and Verla Peichl of Sheboygan Falls, as well as the 2021 book “70 Years of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing” by Dennis Darovich and George Baumann, remain available for purchase at the Sheboygan County Fair office at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. during regular business hours throughout the off season and online at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

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

BUMPER TO BUMPER INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION 410 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Dylan Cisney 11.240 2, Scotty Thiel 11.310 3, Scotty Neitzel 11.357 4, Shelby Bosie 11.466 5, 11.466 6, Danny Schlafer 11.491 7, Dave Uttech 11.496 8, Jordan Goldesberry 11.519 9, Tyler Tischendorf 11.537 10, Steve Meyer 11.568 11, Austin Hartmann 11.718 12, Josh Schneiderman 11.727 13, Jeremy Schultz 11.732 14, Jake Neuman 11.776 15, Kyle Schuett 11.783 16, Preston Ruh 11.859 17, James Broty 11.874 18, Scott Conger 12.029 19, Jett Mann 12.048 20, Blake Nimee 12.051 21, Kris Spitz 12.090 22, Zach Hansen 12.363 23, Jordan Paulsen 12.417 24, Dylan Winkel 12.508.

HEAT 1

1, Steve Meyer 2, Dave Uttech 3, Shelby Bosie 4, Dylan Cisney 5, Preston Ruh 6, Zach Hansen 7, Jett Mann 8, Jeremy Schultz.

HEAT 2

1, Scotty Thiel 2, Jake Neuman 3, James Broty 4, Blake Nimee 5, Jordan Paulsen 6, Jordan Goldesberry 7, Russel Borland 8, Austin Hartmann.

HEAT 3

1, Josh Schneiderman 2, Danny Schlafer 3, Tyler Tischendorf 4, Scotty Thiel 5, Kyle Schuett 6, Kris Spitz 7, Dylan Winkel 8, Scott Conger.

DASH 1

1, Josh Schneiderman 2, Shelby Bosie 3, Danny Schlafer 4, Tyler Tischendorf 5, Scotty Thiel.

DASH 2

1, Jake Neuman 2, Dave Uttech 3, Scotty Neitzel 4, Dylan Cisney 5, Steve Meyer.

A MAIN

1, Jake Neuman 2, Josh Schneiderman 3, Danny Schlafer 4, Scotty Thiel 5, Dylan Cisney 6, Scotty Neitzel 7, Shelby Bosie 8, Jeremy Schultz 9, Blake Nimee 10, Steve Meyer 11, James Broty 12, Tyler Tischendorf 13, Jordan Goldesberry 14, Kyle Schuett 15, Preston Ruh 16, Dave Uttech 17, Kris Spitz 18, Russel Borland 19, Austin Hartmann 20, Dylan Winkel 21, Jordan Paulsen 22, Zach Hansen 23, Scott Conger 24, Jett Mann.

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANT VIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

1, Ben Schmidt 12.200 2, Lance Fassbender 12.216 3, Anthony Knierim 12.344 4, Shane Wenninger 12.384 5, Katelyn Krebsbach 12.397 6, Brandon McMullen 12.424 7, Travis Arenz 12.494 8, Brandon Berth 12.500 9, Justin Erickson 12.518 10, Tony Wondra 12.548 11, Tyler Davis 12.594 12, Chris Larson 12.606 13, Blake Wondra 12.621 14, Will Gerrits 12.623 15, Tim Haddy 12.665 16, J.J. Pagel 12.716 17, Bill Taylor 12.734 18, Doug Wondra 12.835 19, Nick Daywalt 12.896 20, Justin Miller 12.902 21, Chris Clayton 12.911 22, Kevin Seidler 13.163 23, Alex Pokorski 13.179 24, Randy Post 13.328.

HEAT 1

1, Travis Arenz 2, Katelyn Krebsbach 3, Shane Wenninger 4, Lance Fassbender 5, Tyler Davis 6, Bill Taylor 7, Tim Haddy 8, Kevin Seidler.

HEAT 2

1, Brandon Berth 2, Anthony Knierim 3, Brandon McMullen 4, Chris Larson 5, Justin Miller 6, Nick Daywalt 7, Alex Pokorski 8, Chris Clayton.

HEAT 3

1, Tony Wondra 2, Ben Schmidt 3, Blake Wondra 4, Justin Erickson 5, Will Gerrits 6, J.J. Pagel 7, Doug Wondra 8, Randy Post.

A MAIN

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

WISCONSIN WINGLESS SPRINT CARS

QUALIFIER 1

1, Eric Wilke 2, Bryce Andrews 3, C.J. Maleug 4, Greg Alt 5, Jake Kouba 6, William Huck 7, Craig Lager 8, Natalie Klemko 9, Jason Young 10, Tom Eller 11, Mike Burba.

QUALIFIER 2

1, Ralph Johnson 2, Dennis Spitz 3, Josh Davidson 4, Dave Wallace 5, Trinity Uttech 6, Derek Crane 7, Ellie Hensley 8, Seth Johnson 9, Tom Brown 10, Tyler Davis. 11, Preston Ruh.

B MAIN

1, Derek Crane 2, William Huck 3, Ellie Hensley 4, Craig Lager 5, Jason Young 6, Preston Ruh 7, Mike Burba 8, Seth Johnson 9, Tom Eller 10, Tom Brown 11, Natalie Klemko 12, Tyler Davis

A MAIN

1, Ryan Zielski 2, Rusty Egan 3, Clayton Rossmann 4, Allen Hafford 5, Chris Klemko 6, Tim Cox 7, Eric Wilke 8, Derek Crane 9, John Fahl 10, Jake Kouba 11, C.J. Malueg 12, Greg Alt 13, Bryce Andrews 14, Mike Sullivan 15, Ellie Hensley 16, Ralph Johnson 17, Trinity Uttech 18, Dave Wallace 19, Craig Lager 20, William Huck 21, Josh Davidson 22, Jimmy Sivia 23, Ryan Marshall 24, Dennis Spitz.

INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION LIGHTNING SPRINTS

QUALIFYING

1, John Kirk 13.383 2, Mike Neau 13.467 3, Derek Fortier 13.650 4, Mark Heinert 13.675 5, Ron Brannam 13.963 6, Jeff Schmidt 14.008 7, Tim Brannam 14.018 8, Max Brannam 14.153 9, Xander York 14.362 10, Grant Harvey 14.630 11, David Powers 14.724 12, Ron Curasi 14.939 13, Jordan Funderburk 15.510 14, Shawn Steinpas 15.932 15, Carl Sturt 16.310 16, Jacob Sturt 18.676 17, Chris Quillman (no time).

HEAT 1

1, Derek Fortier 2, John Kirk 3, Ron Brannam 4, Xander York 5, Chris Quillman 6, David Powers 7, Jordan Funderburk 8, Carl Sturt 9, Tim Brannam.

HEAT 2

1, Mark Heinert 2, Mike Neau 3, Jeff Schmidt 4, Max Brannam 5, Ron Curasi 6, Shawn Steinpas 7, Grant Harvey 8, Jacob Sturt.

A MAIN

1, Mark Heinert 2, Mike Neau 3, Derek Fortier 4, John Kirk 5, Tim Brannam 6, Jeff Schmidt 7, Max Brannam 8, Ron Brannam 9, Chris Quillman 10, David Powers 11, Xander York 12, Ron Curasi 13, Shawn Steinpas 14, Grant Harvey 15, Jacob Sturt 16, Jordan Funderburk.

September 25, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Arenz powers to eighth 2022 MSA A-main triumph at Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway

Defending Midwest Sprint Car Association champion and current point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls notched his eighth MSA A-main victory of the 2022 season in the 20-lap Checkered Classic main event at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 23. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 23, 2022 – Defending Midwest Sprint Car Association champion and current point leader Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls claimed his eighth Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2022 season, while securing a season sweep of MSA main event action at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. during the Checkered Classic on Friday, Sept. 23.

The annual Checkered Classic held in honor of Fuzzy Fassbender, Rick Schmidt and Dick Witt drew 18 MSA 360 Sprint Cars to the “horsepower half mile” Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway facility for the second-to-last event of the 2022 MSA campaign.

Polesitter Tyler Brabant of Waupun jumped into the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 20-lap main event with outside front row starter Bill Taylor of Boltonville sliding into second on the opening lap.

On lap 2, Travis Arenz bolted up from his eighth starting spot to maneuver around Taylor into second in turn three before quickly setting his sights on the top spot. Two laps later, Arenz moved within striking distance of Brabant before pulling off what proved to be the winning move along the low line in turn two on lap six.

As Arenz proceeded to open up a sizable lead at the head of the pack, 2011 MSA champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who started ninth, worked his way in to challenge third starter Katelyn Krebsbach of Cascade for third in the running order.

Krebsbach and Schmidt waged a heated duel for third with the second-year driver holding off the advances of the 23-year racing veteran over the ensuing five laps before the first of two yellow flags appeared on lap 13 when Tyler Davis of Franklin lost power and rolled his smoking machine to a stop in turn two. During the caution period, Brabant relinquished second place after stopping along the front stretch.

The second and final yellow flag appeared shortly after the restart when 2018 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Justin Miller of Plymouth spun in turn four.

When the race resumed, Arenz firmly established command of the race, while Schmidt dove under Krebsbach to move into second and 11^th starter Chris Clayton of Waldo also slipped past Krebsbach to assume third. Five laps later, Krebsbach answered back by motoring past Clayton to reclaim third place.

Arenz pulled away from Schmidt, who is his closest pursuer in the chase for the 2022 MSA title, over the final two laps en route to his second straight MSA A-main victory at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway, eighth overall MSA main event triumph of the 2022 season and 30^th career MSA A-main win.

“This place is certainly different from any other track we go to,” Arenz said. “Driving the 410 car here a few weeks ago helped to make me faster in the 360. I love it here. This is a great win for everyone that helps out on the team and all of my sponsors.”

Schmidt, who came into the night trailing Arenz by 17 points at the top of the MSA point standings, finished runner-up to Arenz for the second straight MSA race at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway.

“This race was kind of a replay of the last time we were here a few weeks ago,” Schmidt said. “Travis was one spot better than us that night too. We came into the weekend with hopes to pull out the MSA championship, but we need to figure out a way to get a little bit faster to have a shot at that.”

After contact with Bill Taylor in the early stages of the race sent the front end of her car high into the air along the high-speed back stretch, Krebsbach, the 2021 MSA rookie of the year, was overjoyed to earn an MSA career-best third place finish,

“It is a great feeling to be standing here on the front stretch with a podium finish,” Krebsbach said. “We had a bit of a tussle with Bill [Taylor] in the beginning of the race and luckily, I was able to continue on and get this great finish. The car was awesome. I’m so thankful for everyone that helps out with our team and makes all of this possible.”

Clayton finished fourth and 2005 MSA champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett placed fifth after starting seventh.

Arenz heads into the 2022 MSA season finale at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24 with a 19-point lead over Ben Schmidt at the top of the point standings.

MSA heat race victories went to Tony Wondra of Campbellsport and Ben Schmidt.

In MSA group qualifying, Lance Fassbender established a new Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway 360 Sprint Car track record with a lap of 18.798 seconds around the half-time oval.

The MSA 360 Sprint Car Series is scheduled to close out the 2022 season with the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 24 with on-track action slated to begin at 4:45 p.m.

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

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

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

Midwest Sprint Car Association
Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway
Beaver Dam, Wis.
September 23, 2022

QUALIFYING

1, Lance Fassbender 18.798 2, Travis Arenz 19.119 3, Katelyn Krebsbach 19.325 4, Ben Schmidt 19.499 5, Tyler Davis 19.505 6, Kurt Davis 19.548 7, Tyler Brabant 19.564 8, Tony Wondra 19.576 9, Justin Miller 19.602 10, Blake Wondra 19.604 11, Tim Haddy 19.786 12, Bill Taylor 19.883 13, Nick Daywalt 19.883 14, Justin Erickson 19.984 15, Chris Clayton 20.004 16, Chris Larson 20.219 17, Alex Pokorski 20.418 18, J.J. Pagel 20.637.

HEAT 1

1, Tony Wondra 2, Lance Fassbender 3, Justin Miller 4, Blake Wondra 5, Bill Taylor 6, Nick Daywalt 7, Justin Erickson 8, J.J. Pagel 9, Kurt Davis (DNS).

HEAT 2

1, Ben Schmidt 2, Travis Arenz 3, Tyler Davis 4, Katelyn Krebsbach 5, Tyler Brabant 6, Chris Clayton 7, Tim Haddy 8, Chris Larson 9, Alex Pokorski.

A MAIN

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

September 24, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Austin Hartmann secures career-best A-main showing in IRA Scott Semmelmann Memorial

Austin Hartmann turned in a career-best sixth place finish in the annual Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Scott Semmelmann Memorial at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 17. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 21, 2022 – Throughout his rookie season on the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association trail, Austin Hartmann has piled up a number of “firsts” behind the wheel of the 87A Hartmann Racing 410 Winged Sprint Car, and the Scott Semmelmann Memorial Night at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. marked another of these special accomplishments as the Plymouth, Wis. racer notched his first top-10 IRA A-main finish with a career-best sixth place showing in the 30-lap headliner on Saturday, Sept. 17.

With 27 IRA Sprint Cars on hand for the annual Scott Semmelmann Memorial event, Hartmann opened the night by turning in the 10^th fastest lap in IRA qualifying with a tour of 11.913 seconds around the lightning-fast high-banked third-mile clay oval.

After starting on the pole of the first eight-lap IRA heat race, Hartmann came home fifth to gain his sixth IRA dash appearance of the 2022 campaign. The third-year Plymouth, Wis. driver started on the pole of the second four-lap IRA dash before finishing fourth to nail down the eighth starting spot in the 30-lap main event.

On the opening lap of the A-main, Hartmann slipped to ninth before the first of two red flags was displayed to the 25-car field after Jordan Paulsen flipped his machine along the thick cushion in turn two.

When the race resumed, Hartmann took advantage of lapped traffic to power past two-time IRA champion Scotty Neitzel with a nifty low move on lap 15 to move into eighth. Hartmann settled into the eighth spot on the fast and narrow racing surface until the second red flag appeared when race leader Justin Henderson flipped along the backstretch, following contact with a slower car.

After restarting seventh, Hartmann ducked underneath Dave Uttech to take over sixth in the running order in turn two. Hartman then held on over the final 11 laps to earn a career-best sixth-place main-event finish and his first-career top-10 IRA A-main showing in a race won by Danny Schlafer.

“The car was great in qualifying,” Hartmann said. “We made a couple changes over the week trying new things and it felt great. The heat race was interesting. We lost brakes on the first lap and the rear brake hung up, but we still salvaged a fifth-place finish. The dash was good with more laps turned with the best in the area, which will only help me.

“The A main was a patience game,” Hartmann said. “I stayed calm and waited for the opportunities to pass. All in all, it was great to finally put together a solid night. This team has worked so hard to get this car to the front. I’m glad I could put it together for them.”

Heading into the final two races of his rookie season with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, Austin Hartmann stands 10th in the point standings. -JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

With two races remaining in the 2022 Bumper to Bumper IRA season, Hartmann continues to hold down 10^th in the point standings.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team’s rookie 2022 IRA campaign will wrap up with a doubleheader weekend of action at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 23 and at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. for the IRA season-ending Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships on Saturday, Sept. 24.

“The good run at Beaver Dam Raceway has me super excited coming into the final weekend,” Hartmann said.

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

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

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

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

KRISTINE HARTMANN, REALTOR of Pleasant View Realty, better known as “Every Race Fans Realtor,” has 24-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 for the special Racing Rates!

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

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

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

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 24
IRA Events – 22
World of Outlaws Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 7
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 15
Heat Race Victories – 1
Dash Appearances – 6
Dash Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 1

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
Upcoming 2022 Schedule

Friday, September 23 – Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway, Beaver, Dam Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, September 24 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA)

September 21, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Pedal Down Promotions to hold Lakeshore Book Show and Author Signing at Sabbatical Brewing Co.

The first annual Lakeshore Book Show and Author Signing presented by Pedal Down Promotions is set to take place Saturday, Dec. 3 at Sabbatical Brewing Co. in Manitowoc, Wis. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 19, 2022 – After publishing 17 books over the course of the past six years, Pedal Down Promotions is preparing to stage the first annual Lakeshore Book Show and Author Signing event at Sabbatical Brewing Co. in Manitowoc, Wis. on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Set to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the holiday shopping season, the show is set to feature several noted area authors, including Joe Verdegan of Dunbar, Wis., who penned the Amazon No. 1 true crime best seller “The Reformatory – Tales from Green Bay’s Maximum Security Prison” in 2020, and has released six additional books covering the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan auto racing scene.

Other authors scheduled to be on hand with copies of their books for sale are former Fox Valley Lutheran High School Football Coach and Athletic Director Gene Strusz of Appleton, Wis. (“Essays on Coaching Athletes: Advice for Athletic Administrators and Coaches of All Sports” and “Morning Prayers for the Christian School”), Angel Mueller of Mishicot, Wis. (“Wheels Up – Grief to Peace”), Bob Rogler of Kiel, Wis. (“Heart of Light Book One – Madea’s Fate,” “Rendered Soul,” and “Witch’s Valley Book Two – Madea’s Fate) and Lee Trotta of Sheboygan, Wis. (“Florida Cheese,” “Wisconsin Cheese” and “California Cheese”).

Books available for purchase will cover a wide range of genres including true crime, auto racing, youth sports/coaching, Christian/inspirational poetry, medieval fantasy, children’s stories and more.

The Sabbatical Brewing Co. taproom will be open with drinks available for purchase throughout the event.

Previously purchased books can be brought to the show for participating authors to sign.

Authors interested in reserving table space at the first annual Lakeshore Book Show and Author Signing event can contact Jeff Pederson by phone at 920-323-7970 or email at pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com.

Additional and up-to-date information on the first annual Lakeshore Book Show and Author Signing can be found on the Pedal Down Promotions Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media pages.

For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.

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

September 19, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

Austin Hartmann earns first IRA B-main win, Jerry Richert Memorial A-main start in Cedar Lake Speedway debut

Austin Hartmann earned his first-career Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series B-main victory and posted a 21st-place finish in the 22nd annual Jerry Richert Memorial main event at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 10. – RC Custom Design photo

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 14, 2022 – After a week filled with long hours spent putting together the team’s back-up car to close out the 2022 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series campaign, Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team turned in a solid debut appearance at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. during the 22^nd Jerry Richert Memorial on Saturday, Sept. 10.

One week after a hard accident at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. resulted in heavy damage to the team’s primary car, Hartmann returned to action in the 87A Hartmann Racing backup machine to face off against a stout field filled with 30 IRA regulars and top-notch Midwestern competitors at the vaunted high-banked three-eighths-mile Cedar Lake Speedway clay oval.

Hartmann opened the night by clicking off the 18^th fastest qualifying lap in 12.384 seconds. After starting sixth in the third eight-lap IRA heat race, Hartmann finished ninth to move into the B main field needing to finish in the top six to advance to the evening’s 30-lap headliner.

The third-year Sprint Car competitor and 2022 Bumper to Bumper IRA Series rookie lined up on the pole of the 12-lap IRA B main and outdueled Dave Uttech in the opening laps on the way to his first IRA B-main triumph to earn his first-career Jerry Richert Memorial A-main start.

After starting 19^th in the 24-car IRA A-main field, Hartmann drove a steady race to come home 21^st in the 30-lap, $6,000-to-win Jerry Richert Memorial main event, which was won by Aaron Reutzel.

“I have to thank the crew for all the work they put in during the week in getting our XXX chassis back-up car together,” Hartmann said. “Hunter [Annis], Eric [Bergschultz] and Andy [Shufflebotham] spent every night in the shop last week to get the car ready for Cedar Lake. All their efforts are greatly appreciated.

”For our first time at Cedar Lake, racing went pretty well I’d say, after putting together a new car over the week,” he said. “We battled with a couple small gremlins throughout the night, but finished well with a B-main win and a 21st-place feature finish with a bad vibration, which I believe was the u-joint.”

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

With three races remaining in the 2022 Bumper to Bumper IRA season, Hartmann sits 10^th in the point standings.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team’s rookie 2022 IRA campaign continues this Saturday, Sept. 17 at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. for the annual Scott Semmelman Memorial.

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

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

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Shufflebotham Tree Service

Located in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., Shufflebotham Tree Service specializes in tree trimming, tree removal, brush chipping, lot clearing and stump grinding with fully-insured service.

Contact Andrew Shufflebotham and his highly-skilled team for your next tree trimming, removal or clean-up project by calling 920-627-3849 or checking out the Shufflebotham Tree Service Facebook page.

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

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 23
IRA Events – 21
World of Outlaws Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 6
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 14
Heat Race Victories – 1
Dash Appearances – 5
Dash Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 1

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
Upcoming 2022 Schedule

Saturday, September 17 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis. (IRA)
Friday, September 23 – Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver, Dam Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, September 24 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA)

September 14, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

First IRA fast qualifier award highlights Austin Hartmann’s roller coaster tripleheader weekend

Austin Hartmann (87A) duels with Blake Nimee (79) during a Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series event at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 3. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 7, 2022 – For the vast majority of regional Winged 410 Sprint Car racing teams competing with the 2022 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, taking on a stretch of three races at three different tracks over the course of three consecutive days is a taxing undertaking.

Despite enduring a major setback at the mid-way point of the weekend, Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team overcame the requisite difficult nature of the triple dip, along with the additional challenges thrown their way, to finish out each of the scheduled events in the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Labor Day weekend tripleheader.

The weekend trifecta saw team take on the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway “horsepower half-mile” in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 2, come back home for another event at the familiar surroundings of the third-mile The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. during the Sheboygan County Fair on Saturday, Sept. 3 and travel north to the 141 Speedway bullring in Francis Creek, Wis. on Sunday, Sept. 4.

Hartmann opened the weekend by making his first appearance at the sprawling Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway for the fifth annual Harry Neitzel Tribute race on Friday, Sept. 2 with a 410 motor under the hood of his 87A Sprint Car. In qualifying, Hartmann turned in the 13^th fastest time among the 23-car field with a lap of 17.578 seconds.

Austin Hartmann (87A) wages a back-and-forth duel with two-time and defending Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series champion Jake Blackhurst (39), during the 30-lap IRA A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 3. – RC Custom Design photo

In the first eight eight-lap IRA heat race, Hartmann started fifth and fell back one spot to finish sixth.

After lining up 16^th in the 25-lap Harry Neitzel Tribute A-main, Hartmann slid back to 18^th on lap 5. After engaging in a back-and-forth duel with Alan Gilbertson for four laps starting on lap 6, Hartmann found his stride to power past Dave Uttech to take 17^th on lap 12 before the first of four caution flags appeared on lap 14 when Danny Schlafer stopped on the front stretch.

On the restart, Hartmann worked his way around Jack Vanderboom to take over 15^th on lap 16 before the second caution flag waved on lap 20 for Zach Hampton, who stopped in turn four with a flat tire.

After Travis Arenz spun in turn two on lap 22 to bring out the third caution flag, Hartmann restarted 13^th. Another caution was displayed on lap 24 for Chris Martin, who slowed with a flat tire.

Hartmann restarted 12^th and held the position over the final two laps to secure his sixth top-15 A-main showing of the 2022 IRA season in a race won by Scotty Thiel.

”Dodge was a good effort, although it was tough with the smaller engine compared to other cars,” Hartmann said

The annual Sheboygan County Fair IRA race at The Plymouth Dirt Track saw Hartmann rip off his first-career IRA Osborne and Son Trucking fast qualifier award, as he topped the 31-car field with a lap of 11.461 seconds around his hometown track, which earned the 87A Hartmann Racing team an extra $150 courtesy of Lake Home Retreats.

Hartmann then started fourth and placed fifth in the first eight-lap IRA heat race before drawing the third starting spot in the first four-lap IRA dash. On lap 2, Hartmann fell back to fifth in his fifth IRA dash appearance of his rookie 2022 campaign before Jordan Goldesberry and Blake Nimee got together in turn two to bring out a red flag.

Hartmann restarted third and went on to finish third to secure the fifth starting position in the 30-lap IRA A main. After a red flag for a flip involving Jake Neuman on lap 8 and a yellow flag on lap 9 when Kris Spitz lost a right rear tire in turn two, Hartmann restarted seventh.

The third-year Sprint Car competitor then engaged in a heated back-and-forth duel with Jake Blackhurst, during the midway point way point of the race before slipping back to eighth on lap 21.

Following another caution for a spin involving Travis Arenz on lap 23, Hartmann restarted eighth before disaster struck shortly after the ensuing restart when contact with Kyle Schuett’s car along the front stretch sent Hartmann flipping wildly into the turn one catch fence, ending what was shaping up to be a career-best IRA finish.

Austin Hartmann (87A) turned in a 12th-place finish in the 25-lap Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Harry Neitzel Tribute A main at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 2. – Larry Douma Leader Photography

Hartmann, who emerged from the accident uninjured, was credited with a 22^nd-place showing in a race won by Scotty Thiel.

“I thought setting quick time was definitely a possibility at some point this season, as we are usually really good for qualifying,” Hartmann said. “It was great to accomplish that with the IRA at Plymouth.

“The feature was going really well until the incident,” he said. “The car was badly damaged, but fixable. It is down by Maxim now getting repaired. I’m doing well. I only really had shoulder pain from the straps.”

Determined to complete the third leg of the IRA tripleheader at 141 Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 4, Hartmann was able to put a deal together to compete in one of the Schlafer Racing Team’s 360 cars for the night.

Hartmann qualified 25^th in the 28-car field with a lap of 12.908 seconds and finished seventh in the first eight-lap IRA heat race after starting ninth.

The Plymouth, Wis. driver rolled off 22^nd in the 30-lap IRA main event and steered clear of trouble on the dry slick track surface to notch a 19^th-place finish in a race won by Jordan Goldesberry.

”We were able to rent a 360 for 141 from the Schlafers,” Hartmann said. “I would like to thank Al and Danny and the Schlafer team for allowing us that opportunity, so that we could race at 141.”

With four races remaining on the 2022 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series schedule, Hartmann sits 10^th in the IRA point standings.

The 87A Hartmann Racing team is scheduled to continue their rookie 2022 IRA season with their first 410 appearance at the Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. for the prestigious Jerry Richert Memorial this Saturday, Sept. 10.

“Now it’s time to get back in a 410 for this weekend’s race up at Cedar Lake,” Hartmann said. “I’m super excited to race there.”

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

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

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Hepfner Racing Products (HRP)

For well over a decade, Hepfner Racing Products (HRP) has led the racing industry in innovative designs and manufacturing technology.

HRP is directly involved with manufacturing, sales and design in Sprint Cars, Midgets, Modifieds, Late Models, NASCAR, Indy Car, SCCA, NHRA, karting, road racing, off-road and more. HRP’s continued success is led by a strong team of individuals dedicated to delivering top-notch innovation, technology, pricing and customer service.

Hepfner Racing Products (HRP) services as a sister company to Streeter Super Stands, under the parent company of Glenn Hepfner Incorporated. HRP’s products are made in the USA at its 80,000-square-foot facility, located at 2133 Constitution Ave. in Hartford, Wis.

For more information on Hepfner Racing Products (HRP), call 1-262-457-5015, email hrpsales@ghilaser.com or visit http://www.hrpracing.com/.

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

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2022 Season
By The Numbers

Total Events – 22
IRA Events – 20
World of Outlaws Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 6
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 14
Heat Race Victories – 1
Dash Appearances – 5
Dash Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 1

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
Upcoming 2022 Schedule

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

September 7, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

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

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

By Jeff Pederson, Pedal Down Promotions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Akright Auto

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

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

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

Alex Pokorski-Akright Auto Racing Team Sponsor Showcase – Novak Service Center

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alex Pokorski
Akright Auto Racing Team 4
2022 Upcoming Races

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

September 5, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

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

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

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BUMPER TO BUMPER INTERSTATE RACING ASSOCIATION 410 SP11RINT CARS

QUALIFYING

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

HEAT 1

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

HEAT 2

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

HEAT 3

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

DASH 1

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

DASH 2

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

B MAIN

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

A MAIN

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

KRISTINE HARTMANN PLEASANT VIEW REALTY 360 SPRINT CARS

QUALIFYING

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

HEAT 1

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

HEAT 2

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

HEAT 3

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

A MAIN

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

September 4, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

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

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

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

QUALIFYING

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

HEAT 1

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

HEAT 2

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

A MAIN

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

September 3, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

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

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

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – PalletWorks LLC

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

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

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

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

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2022 Season
By The Numbers

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

Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
Upcoming 2022 Schedule

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

August 31, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

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

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

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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