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I would say the IRA is close but I would say the cash payout was a higher with KWS. The IRA did give away two Maxim cars, two sets of heads, and countless other contengincies. Rookie of the year took over $3k with the IRA. I believe 20 drivers qualified for the point fund and everyone took a minimum of $2000 home is what I heard.
BALOG TOPS HONOREES AT IRA BANQUET 11/12
Fond du Lac, WI Bill Balog was honored with his 4th consecutive Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Car Championship as he and 19 other eligible drivers/teams celebrated their 2011 accomplishments in front of a large gathering at the Holiday Inn here in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Balog who had the highest winning percentage in all of winged 410 racing, captured 12 of the 23 completed events on the tour which traveled to 15 different venues within a 4 state region. Show points were awarded at 2 partially completed events, while a record 9 others fell to weather.
Balog led the series in nearly every performance catagory. So in addition to receiving the $10,000 championship check, Balog who piloted the Buesser Concrete / Hoeft Builders #17b Maxim, picked up the TW Metals Fast Timer Award bonus for accumulating the most qualifying points throughout the season, and Osborn & Son Trucking Heat Race Award for capturing the most Heat race wins (8).
Mike Reinke finished in the runner-up position and despite only winning 1 feature event, was a title contender til the very end providing fans with several outstanding and consistant performances.
3rd place points finisher Scotty Neitzel had a big evening as he was the recipient of the prestigeous Rick Schmidt Memorial IRA Member of the Year Award. Neitzel also picked up the Behling Racing Equipment Award for winning the most B-mains throughout the year, and the Midwest Safety Team Perseverance Award presented for team founder Gil Radtke.
Radtke who is being forced to miss what would be his 40th year in heading up the highly respected Midewest Speedway's Safety Team (due to impending double knee replacement surgery) was then honored, a long with his wife Donna, with a special IRA Appreciation Award for their Excellence & Dedication to the series.
TJ Luedke was honored as the R & H Enterprises Rookie of the Year. Luedke who was a past MSA 360 Champion made the transisition to the 410 ranks a successful one finishing 17th in points and collecting a top 5 finish at LaSalle. Luedke took home over $3000 for his efforts plus a complete front-end assembly and numerous contingencies. Fellow rookie Micael Decker was co-recipent of the Behling award for accumulating the most B-main points hroughout the season.
Veteran Owner/Driver Bill Warren who came home a very solid 4th in points was honored as the Mechanix Wear Mechanic of the Year. Warren also builds his own engines and does the bulk of the wrench turning on his #95 Maxim.
The #1m of Phillip Mock was recognized as IRA's Best Appearing Car.
Matt Vandervere who ran within the Top 10 in points before dropping to 11th due to some mechanical issues at the end was named Most Improved Driver.
Recently retired long time series competitor Joe Symoens was honored with the IRA Dedication Award.
Mike Kertscher, Reinke, and Neitzel shared the Carriage Auto Body loot as being the top 3 in IRA's Wilmot Raceway mini-series.
Bill Wirth and Brandon Thone were big winners in the popular IRA Product Drawing's, each winning new 2012 Maxim chassis. Vandervere (All-Pro), and John Haeni (Brodix) each picked up a pair of cylinder head castings. 18 owners were eligible to particpate in the product drawing with each going home with several hundred dollars worth of actual product, while all 20 drivers received multiple gift certificates each.
Over $65,000 in cash awards were distributed. Additionally a multitude of product awards and contingency certificates were provided to every team. All 20 eligible teams were on hand as over 230 attended to celebrate their accomplishments. Special thanks to the numerous companies who provided product and certificates.
Justin Zoch emceed the gals event while series President Steve Sinclair shared the microphone.
IRA is supported by Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers, Osborn & Son Trucking, Goodyear, DNA Energy Drink & Snacks, TW Metals, Big Game Treestands, MPT Industries, Ultra-Lube, Cummins Onan, Polaris DEFENSE is the official ATV provider.
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