By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) October 2, 2019 – Josh Walter and the Torque Racing team wrapped up a rollercoaster 2019 season with an eventful evening of Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series action, during the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Walter was among 31 IRA 410 Sprint Car Series drivers to check in for the final race of the 2019 season at the team’s hometown track. The 14th-year Sprint Car driver was scheduled to start second in the third 10-lap IRA heat race. However, two false starts moved Walter and polesitter Ben Schmidt back a row on the initial start.
After beginning the race from the fourth starting spot, Walter dropped back to fifth when Kris Spitz snuck past in turn two. Walter maintained the fifth spot throughout the remainder of the 10-lap event to earn a transfer spot to the 30-lap IRA A-main event.
Walter rolled off from the 17th starting spot in the IRA A-main and turned in a strong effort in the first half of the event to move into 14th place by passing Wayne Modjeski. After the second of fifth caution flags on lap 14, Walter found the going to be a little more challenging as he slid back to 17th in the running order.
After the lead two cars of Lynton Jeffrey and Austin McCarl collided while racing for the lead along the backstretch on lap 28, Walter restarted the race 15th. However, disaster struck on the next circuit as Walter flipped his 12W machine along the treacherous cushion in turn four on lap 29.
He emerged from the car uninjured, but he was done for the night and scored 19th in the final running order in a race won by Jeremy Schultz.
After originally intending to run the complete Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car schedule in 2019, Walter ended up splitting his time between the MSA 360 division and the Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Sprint Car Series in 2019.
Walter notched a pair of A-main victories, four top-five and seven top-10 A-main finishes to go along with three heat race victories and one B-main triumph in 14 MSA 360 Sprint Car events.
In late July, Walter and the Torque Racing team turned their attention to the IRA 410 Sprint Car ranks and he ended up making seven 410 starts with one top-10 A-main showing and one heat race victory to his credit.
Walter ended up 22nd in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car point standings, 24th in the final MSA 360 Sprint Car point standings and 28th in the IRA 410 Sprint Car Series point standings during the 2019 season.
Looking ahead to the 2020 season, Walter says the team will be sticking with the 410 engine package and most likely run a pick-and-choose type of schedule in and out of the state of Wisconsin.
“With a job, a family and young kids who are active in various things, it is hard for us to commit to running a set schedule of races with a series, so we are planning to run the races and tracks that we enjoy, make sense to us and fit into our personal schedule next year,” Walter said. “We will be running several races around the area and we are also hoping to do some travelling out of the state as well to some tracks that we’ve always wanted to race at. It should be a fun season.”
Torque Racing sponsors for the 2019 season include JDV Lawncare, Brittany’s School of Dance, Sheboygan by Owner, Plymouth Tap, Doug’s Quality Beef, Tiffany’s Wildtree, Cow Pies, Full Throttle Ink, Lakehouse Bar & Grill, Home Transitions, Oostburg Concrete, Kombucha Brothers, Platinum Restoration Services, Ruh Custom Woodworking, RC Custom Design and Pedal Down Promotions.
Torque Racing Sponsor Showcase – Platinum Restoration Services
Josh Walter and the Torque Racing team is pleased to have Platinum Restoration Services, located at 5225 West Electric Ave. in West Allis, Wis., on board as a sponsor for the 2019 season.
Platinum Restoration Services began 10 years ago as a one-man operation founded by owner Jeremy Roth. Over time, the business grew and it built a reputation for high-quality service and careful attention to detail.
“Our services are in such high demand that we have three trucks/crews going now,” Roth said. “From its humble beginnings, the company has grown to expand the services to all of Southeastern Wisconsin with another office in West Allis/Milwaukee. This growth was a natural part of the company’s evolution and the reflects the focus we’ve always placed on people and relationships.”
Platinum Restoration Services offers a wide array of services including carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, synthetic and oriental rug cleaning, air duct cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, water damage restoration, mold remediation, fire and smoke damage restoration and power washing.
Roth says the foundation of the business is centered around a dedication to top-notch customer service and high-quality restoration work.
“At Platinum Restoration Services, each member of our staff is an expert in his or her field-whether handling customer service or restoring a disaster in your home,” Roth said. “All of our people are fully-trained professionals, who have worked hard to make our company what it is today. We believe in forgoing ongoing relationships through quality workmanship and outstanding customer service.
As a race fan, Roth is thrilled to be involved with Josh Walter the Torque Racing team.
“I grew up in Plymouth and been going to the dirt track races in Plymouth for almost 20 years now,” Roth said. “I’ve always had a huge passion for racing. I started out going to drag races, radar runs, snowmobile races, jet ski racing and mountain bike racing. I took some time off to grow my business, but now I’m getting more involved with racing again. I wanted to sponsor Torque Racing because Josh has been a longtime friend and wanted to support his passion for racing.”
To contact Platinum Restoration Services, call 262-228-6166. For more information, visit www.platinumrestorationservice.com.
Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.
For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.
2019 Josh Walter-Torque Racing By The Numbers
Total Events – 21
MSA events – 14
IRA events – 7
A-Main Victories – 2
B-Main Victories – 1
Top Five A-Main Finishes – 4
Top 10 A-Main Finishes – 8
Heat Race Victories – 4