By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

 

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 23, 2019 – A special Friday night edition of Plymouth Dirt Track Racing competition produced a little bit of everything from a thrilling last-lap duel in the 360 Sprint Car A main and a first-time main-event winner in the B Mod division to an onslaught of 17 total caution flags in the evening’s four feature events Friday, Aug. 23 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis.

In the 25-lap Richard’s of Dunbar 360 Sprint Car A main two-time PDTR champion Danny Schlafer of Sussex outdueled 2017 PDTR champ Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh on the final lap to earn his first A-main victory of the 2019 season and vault into a tie for the most career main event wins at Plymouth in the 360 Sprint Car division. Former PDTR Late Model champion Mitch McGrath of Waukesha claimed his first A-main victory of the 2019 in the time-shortened 16-lap Gasroots Project Late Model main event. Jeff Muehlbauer of Elkhart Lake posted his second 25-lap Klips & Tips Grand National A-main triumph of the 2019 campaign. Sheboygan’s Steve Lorier secured his first career Cellcom B Mod A-main victory in the time-shortened 22-lap division headliner.

Brandon McMullen got the jump on the drop of the green flag in the 360 Sprint Car A main to lead the opening lap from the pole position. On lap 6, outside front row starter Jim Melis of Glenbeulah moved in to challenge McMullen along the high line of the smooth and multi-groove racing surface.

McMullen caught the rear of the field on lap 9 and was beginning to work his way through slower traffic when the first and only caution flag of the event appeared on lap 11 when Melis stopped in turn two with an apparent mechanical malfunction.

With two lapped cars placed directly behind him on the restart, McMullen took advantage of the cushion behind himself and the second-place car of fourth starter Danny Schlafer to build a half straightaway lead by lap 16.

Two laps later, McMullen again found himself working through slower traffic, which allowed Schlafer to cut the cap substantially as the laps wound down. As McMullen got boxed in behind several slower cars racing side by side for position, Schlafer ventured to the high groove to apply pressure to McMullen on lap 20.

As McMullen searched for a way past a slower car along the low groove, Schlafer used the high line to pull even with McMullen entering turn one of the white-flag lap.

The 2005 and 2013 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion surged ahead entering turn three and pounded the cushion through the final corner to nip McMullen at the finish line and move into a tie with 2010 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee for the career lead in Plymouth 360 Sprint Car A-main victories with 23.

It was also Schlafer’s 52^nd overall Midwest Sprint Car Association main-event triumph, which ranks him second on the all-time MSA win list behind Davis.

McMullen had to settle for second, Travis Arenz of Sheboygan charged from the 15^th starting position to finish third, 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Howards Grove finished fourth after starting sixth and current PDTR 360 Sprint Car point leader Kurt Davis placed fifth after starting seventh.

“Considering all the bad luck we’ve had this year, I’m going to really enjoy this win,” Schlafer said in victory lane. “It was fun racing like that in traffic. This win goes out to everyone that helps us out on the car each week. It has been a challenge this year, but this one’s for them.”

The opening lap of the Late Model A main saw 2016 PDTR Late Model champion Tim Buhler of Greenbush seize the lead followed by 2014 PDTR Late Model champ Mitch McGrath, who started second.

The first of seven caution flags appeared on lap three when Kevin Baldry of Omro spun in turn two. On the restart, four-time PDTR Late Model champion Brad Mueller of Random Lake used the high groove to vault from his seventh starting spot into third on lap 4 before another caution flag was displayed for a spin involving Kevin Baldry and Eric Michaels of Cleveland in turn two.

Mueller then continued his march to the front by claiming second place on lap 4 and one lap later, he moved in to pressure Buhler for the top spot. On lap 7, the third caution came out when defending Dirt Kings Late Model Tour champion Nick Anvelink of Navarino spun in turn three after he had worked his way up to fifth from the 12^th starting spot.

McGrath, who currently sits second in the Lucas Oil Midwest Latemodel Racing Association (MLRA) point standings as a regular on the tour this year, found the high groove to his liking on the ensuing restart as he bolted past Mueller on lap 7 and then shot past Buhler and into the lead in turn one on lap 8.

Meanwhile, Mueller powered around Buhler to gain second place on lap 9 before the fourth caution was displayed on lap 12 for an infield tire, which had been pushed on the track. Another caution came out on the ensuing restart when Joe Bongiorno of Milwaukee backed hard into the turn one wall.

After just one more lap was completed the sixth caution was displayed when Turk Letizia of Milwaukee spun in turn one while running third. Following what proved to be the final restart, eighth starter Mark Rose of Dorchester vaulted his way into third with ninth starter Brett Swedberg of Shawano following into fourth.

Mueller moved into pressure the high-riding McGrath along the low groove in the closing laps, but he was not able to pull of the pass. On lap 15, Swedberg worked his way around Rose and behind to close in on McGrath and Mueller. However, one lap later, rookie Donny Singer of Waldo spun in turn three to bring out the seventh caution flag of the race and end the event after hitting the 25-minute time limit.

McGrath secured his 12^th career PDTR Late Model A-main victory, which was his first at Plymouth in 2019. Mueller finished second, Swedberg placed third, Rose wound up fourth and Buhler rounded out the top five.

Justin Schmidt of Cleveland, who dropped out of the A-main with a mechanical problem prior to taking the green flag and was scored 20^th in the race, officially secured his second straight PDTR Late Model title over runner-up Tim Buhler.

Jeff Muehlbauer seized the lead on the opening lap of the Grand National A main from the pole. On lap 3, third starter Luke Scholten of Oostburg grabbed second from second starter Donny Kulow of Elkhart Lake on lap 5 and quickly set his sights on the lead.

By lap 10, Scholten had caught Muehlbauer as fourth starter Dick Hed of Plymouth and Kulow rode in close quarters along the low line. Hed ducked low to gain second on lap 15 before the first of four caution flags was displayed for the slowing car of point leader Tyler Kulow of Plymouth, who went to the pits to change a flat tire.

Scholten utilized the high line to regain second on lap 16 as Scholten and Hed dueled side by side for third. The third caution came out on lap 19 when Tyler Kulow and Derek Kaat of Plymouth spun in turn four.

Following the restart, Scholten challenged Muehlbauer along the low line before Derek Kaat spun in turn four on lap 23 to bring out the fourth and final caution flag. Muehlbauer maintained the top spot on the restart as week’s A-main winner Jonathan Otte of Cedar Grove advanced from his 12^th starting spot into third on lap 24.

Muehlbauer successfully fended off the determined Scholten in the closing laps to secure his second PDTR Grand National A-main victory of the 2019 season and his second overall main event win in the division at Plymouth. Scholten placed second, Otte wound up third, Donny Kulow was fourth and ninth starter Josh Pierce of Fredonia finished fifth.

Steve Lorier grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the B Mod A main from the pole with second starter Barry Maas of Cascade and 2018 PDTR B Mod champion Tim Sheppard of Beaver Dam, who started fourth, in third. The first of five caution flags was displayed on lap 4 when Sheppard spun in turn two.

On the restart, things started to get interesting at the front of the field as seventh starter Travis Schmidt of Waldo, point leader Tim Warner of Fond du Lac, who started sixth, and Maas went three-wide for third on lap 5 before Maas gained the position.

Another caution came out on lap 6 when Rory Welch of Grafton and Joshua Mavis spun in turn four. Maas surged into second on lap restart along the high groove and closed quickly on Lorier. Maas was just about to move past Lorier for the lead when a caution flag was displayed for debris in turn three on lap 13.

Following the restart, Maas again moved in to pressure Lorier for the lead. On lap 20, Maas pulled even with Lorier and nearly surged ahead in turn one when the fourth caution flag appeared on lap 21.

Warner got a huge jump on what proved to be the final restart to wrestle second away from Maas. Out in front, Lorier continued to hold strong and when the fifth caution was given to the field for Rory Welch’s spin in turn three on lap 22 the race was declared complete due to the 25-minute time limit.

Lorier earned his first career PDTR B Mod A-main victory in just his second full season in the division. Warner had to settle for second, Maas wound up third, fifth starter Gary Glander of Sheboygan Falls placed fourth and Travis Schmidt rounded out the top five.

“I’ve been trying to win one of these A-main races here all year and we finally did it tonight,” Lorier said in victory lane. “All the cautions actually worked in my favor in that race. I don’t know if I would have had enough to keep those guys behind me without them.”

Shane Wenninger won the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main.

A total of 90 cars turned out the racing program, which was sponsored by Hopf Farms, including 34 360 Sprint Cars, 21 Late Models, 20 B Mods and 15 Grand Nationals.

The next PDTR racing program will take place on Saturday, Aug. 31 during the Sheboygan County Fair featuring the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, along with the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars.

Retired NASCAR Legend Tony Stewart of Columbus, Ind. has confirmed that he will be on hand to compete with the IRA 410 Sprint Car Series in his first appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track of the 2019 season.

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

Three events remain on the 2019 PDTR schedule, which concludes on Saturday, Sept. 28.

 

RICHARD’S OF DUNBAR 360 SPRINT CAR

Date of Race: August 23, 2019

HEAT 1

1, Anthony Knierim 2, Preston Ruh 3, Jack Vanderboom 4, Jim Melis 5, Shane Wenninger 6, Justin Miller 7, Mike Decker 8, Blake Wondra 9, Chris Larson.

HEAT 2

1, Ben Schmidt 2, Paul Pokorski 3, Kevin Karnitz 4, Brandon Berth 5, Wayne Modjeski 6, Chris Clayton 7, Justin Erickson 8, Bob Reichert 9, Tim Haddy (DNS).

HEAT 3

1, Josh Teunissen 2, Will Gerrits 3, Brandon McMullen 4, Travis Arenz 5, Adam Miller 6, Tyler Davis 7, Spyder Akright (DNS) 8, Lance Fassbender (DNS).

HEAT 4

1, Danny Schlafer 2, Tony Wondra 3, Kurt Davis 4, Sean Rayhall 5, Doug Wondra 6, Nick Daywalt 7, Bill Taylor 8, Tyler Brabant (DNS).

B MAIN

1, Shane Wenninger 2, Chris Clayton 3, Wayne Modjeski 4, Adam Miller 5, Lance Fassbender 6, Mike Decker 7, Nick Daywalt 8, Sean Rayhall 9, Justin Erickson 10, Chris Larson 11, Tim Haddy 12, Bob Reichert 13, Blake Wondra 14, Doug Wondra 15, Tyler Davis 16, Tyler Brabant (DNS), 17, Bill Taylor (DNS) 18, Spyder Akright (DNS).

A MAIN

1, Danny Schlafer 2, Brandon McMullen 3, Travis Arenz 4, Ben Schmidt 5, Kurt Davis 6, Kevin Karnitz 7, Paul Pokorski 8, Tony Wondra 9, Will Gerrits 10, Brandon Berth 11, Lance Fassbender 12, Anthony Knierim 13, Shane Wenninger 14, Adam Miller 15, Justin Miller 16, Jack Vanderboom 17, Wayne Modjeski 18, Chris Clayton 19, Josh Teunissen 20, Mike Decker 21, Preston Ruh 22, Jim Melis.

 

GASROOTS PROJECT LATE MODEL

HEAT 1

1, Tim Buhler 2, Brad Mueller 3, Mitch McGrath 4, Charlie Schimdt 5, Joe Bongiorno 6, Donny Singer 7, Zack Kessler.

HEAT 2

1, Jim Schmidt 2, Dave Jaeger 3, Joel Bennett 4, Brett Swedberg 5, Nick Anvelink 6, Eric Michaels 7, Kevin Baldry.

HEAT 3

1, Turk Letizia 2, Mark Rose 3, Justin Schmidt 4, Billy Rezutek 5, Chad Vetting 6, Glen Blanke 7, Chad Ludwigson.

A MAIN

1, Mitch McGrath 2, Brad Mueller 3, Brett Swedberg 4, Mark Rose 5, Tim Buhler 6, Joel Bennett 7, Charlie Schmidt 8, Jim Schmidt 9, Chad Vetting 10, Turk Letizia 11, Eric Michaels 12, Glen Blanke 13, Chad Ludwigson 14, Donny Singer 15, Dave Jaeger 16, Joe Bongiorno 17, Nick Anvelink 18, Kevin Baldry 19, Billy Rezutek 20, Justin Schmidt 21, Zack Kessler (DNS).

 

KLIPS & TIPS GRAND NATIONAL

HEAT 1

1, Jason Juech 2, Dick Hed 3, Matt Yancey 4, Luke Scholten 5, Josh Pierce 6, Chad Espen 7, Jonathan Otte 8, J.J. Pagel.

HEAT 2

1, Tyler Kulow 2, Jeff Muehlbauer 3, Donny Kulow 4, Derek Kaat 5, Bruce Troesch 6, Steve Weber 7, Jacob Muehlbauer.

A MAIN

1, Jeff Muehlbauer 2, Luke Scholton 3, Jonathan Otte 4, Donny Kulow 5, Josh Pierce 6, Matt Yancey 7, Dick Hed 8, Tyler Kulow 9, J.J. Pagel 10, Jason Juech 11, Chad Espen 12, Jacob Muehlbauer 13, Derek Kaat 14, Steven Weber 15, Bruce Troesch (DQ).

 

CELLCOM B MOD

HEAT 1

1, Gary Glander 2, Jesse Jakubowski 3, Steve Lorier 4, Tim Lange 5, Joshua Mavis 6, Jason Schilling 7, Jeff Steenbergen.

HEAT 2

1, Barry Maas 2, Travis Schmidt 3, Brian Wieland 4, Brady Harshbarger 5, Aaron Butterbrodt 6, Phil Campanella 7, Rory Welch.

HEAT 3

1, Tim Sheppard 2, Tim Warner 3, Mark Hoeppner 4, Brandon Knepprath 5, Justin Bauer 6, Patrick Hanson.

A MAIN

1, Steve Lorier 2, Tim Warner 3, Barry Maas 4, Gary Glander 5, Travis Schmidt 6, Jeff Steenbergen 7, Tim Sheppard 8, Brandon Knepprath 9, Justin Bauer 10, Mark Hoeppner 11, Jesse Jakubowski 12, Aaron Butterbrodt 13, Jason Schilling 14, Brady Harsbarger 15, Tim Lange 16, Rory Welch 17, Joshua Mavis 18, Brian Wieland 19, Phil Campanella 20, Patrick Hanson.