May 29, 2012; McHenry, IL - The stars of the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series have a busy week ahead as the series presents it's only triple-header weekend of the 2012 racing season. The series will be racing in two states, at three tracks during a 48 hour period. The weekend could prove pivotal in the series title chase.
The first stop will be the lone appearance for 2012 at Jackson Speedway in Jackson, Minnesota on Friday Night June 1st. The half-mile clay oval is located at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. The event is presented by Big Game Treestands one of the presenting sponsors of the IRA Outlaw Sprints. The event will pay $2,500 to win and $300 to start. In addition to the IRA Sprints, the 5th Annual Spring Sprint Car 360 Nationals will be held during the evening.
Pits will open at 3:00pm, with grandstands opening at 5:00pm and Hot Laps are set to begin at 6:30pm.
Admission prices are $25 for Adults, Students ages 13-17 are admitted for $15 and children 12 and under are admitted free. Additional information can be found on the track website at www.jacksonspeedway.com
The series then packs up and heads back to Wisconsin for the first of two appearances this season for the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints at Cedar Lake Speedway. The Saturday Night June 1st program is the inaugural Triple Crown show, featuring the IRA Outlaw Sprints with a $3,000 to win A-main event. Also on hand during the evening will be NASCAR Late Models and NASCAR Modifieds.
Located near New Richmond, WI the 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval has proven to be a competitor and fan favorite on the series schedule. It's also one of the fastest tracks on the tour this season.
Grandstands open at 5:00; racing begins at 6:00. With racing action set to get underway at 6:00pm. Tickets are $25 for adults, $12 for students age 6-16, 5 & under are free.
Additional information and directions for the Cedar Lake Speedway event can be found on the track website at www.cedarlakespeedway.com
The weekend finale will see the series travel one hour east from the Cedar Lake event. On Sunday evening June 3rd Eagle Valley Speedway in Jim Falls, WI will play host to an event which concludes the three event weekend. The 3/8 mile, high-banked track has hosted a stop on the IRA tour the past several seasons.
Pits open at 4:00pm with the main gates opening at 4:30pm. Racing is scheduled to start at 6:00pm. The track website at www.eaglevalleyspeedway.net has additional information.
Last season four-time and defending series champion Bill Balog won the events at both Cedar Lake Speedway and Eagle Valley Speedway. Balog had opened the 2012 season with three straight victories, but this past weekend suffered two consecutive DNF's. The most recent events were captured by Tommy Sexton at Wilmot Raceway and Mike Kertscher at 141 Speedway. Kertscher is the current IRA series point leader with 688 markers. Mike Reinke has used consistent performances to vault into the runner-up point position with 675 points. Balog, as a result of his recent misfortunes fell to third in the standings with 657 points.
Scott Neitzel finished in the runner-up slot at the most recent race and is fourth in the standings with 615 points. Sexton stands fifth with 609. Currently Bill Warren, Phillip Mock, Russel Borland, Scott Uttech and rookie Robbie Pribnow are in positions six through ten in the standings. Pribnow currently leads 18 year old Blake Nimee in the rookie chase.
The past weekends two races saw the track qualifying mark lowered. At Wilmot Raceway Balog turned in a lap of 12.609 seconds, the previous mark was held by Becca Anderson at 12.703 seconds . At 141 Speedway Kertscher shattered the track record with a lap of 10.750 seconds removing the former standard of 11.001 seconds which was held by Reinke.
Given this past week's performances track records could fall at any of the three events.
For more information on the IRA Outlaw Sprints check out the tour website at www.irasprints.com
The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints can also be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/irasprints and the series is also on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ira_sprints
The IRA Outlaw Sprint Series is proudly supported by Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers, Osborn & Son Trucking, Goodyear, TW Metals, Cummins Onan, DNA Energy Drink & Snacks, MPT Industries, UltraLube, Big Game Treestands, Carriage Auto Body, Otis Gun, Mother's Polishes and Waxes and Polaris DEFENSE. The office of the IRA Sprints can be reached at 815-759-9269 or by e-mail at [email protected]
Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints: Current top 20 in points:
Standings: 1.) #80k Mike Kertscher 688 points; 2.) #02 Mike Reinke, 675pts; 3.) 17b Bill Balog 657 pts; 4.) #2w Scott Neitzel, 615; 5.) #83 Tommy Sexton, 609; 6.) 95 Bill Warren, 552; 7.) Phillip Mock, 550; 8.) Russel Borland, 542; 9.) Scott Uttech, 536; 10.) Robbie Pribnow, 516; 11.) Bill Wirth, 489; 12.) Kris Spitz, 480; 13.) Brandon Thone, 464; 14.) Blake Nimee, 425; 15.) Dave Uttech, 419; 16.) Matt Vandervere, 415; 17.) Scott Young, 384; 18.) Darrell Dodd, 369; 19.) Dennis Spitz, 368; 20.) Michael Decker, 356
