3/16/2014
IRA Interstate Racing Association
The Return of the Roar at Angell Park and Seymour
THE RETURN OF THE ROAR
Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints Set to Revisit Angell Park and Seymour Speedways!
March 15, 2014; Appleton, WI. – It’s that sound. A sound felt as much as heard. It happens when a full field of 22 drivers step on the “go pedal” as a green flag drops during a 410 sprint main event. It’s audio bliss, and, sadly it’s a sound that can’t be heard at every racetrack.
For two raceways joining the 2014 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint schedule their fans will have a chance to discover first hand the roar of the Winged 410 Sprints doing battle at their home track as drivers turn loose the 900 horsepower engines.
After an absence of nearly three decades, 29 years to be exact, the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints will return to Angell Park Speedway located in Sun Prairie, WI. The third mile clay oval is hallowed ground to open-wheeled fans as the track had long been the home to the longest running weekly midget program in the history of the sport.
During the 1985 season the 410 Sprints appeared on three occasions, running a total of four feature events, as the final race held on August 7, 1985 would showcase a twin feature format. Four drivers that season had opportunity to visit victory lane with wins claimed by Dave Hanna, Rick Lemanski, Darrell Dodd and Joe Fote.
In addition to his A-main win in the first feature on that final race day, Dodd collected two of the three fast qualifying efforts, establishing the all-time track record of 13.742 seconds.
When looking at the drivers who competed during that 1985 season, Dodd is among three drivers who could be on hand for this year’s revival event as the three-time IRA champion still actively competes in the series. Likewise, Dennis Spitz, who took fifth in the last feature held is likely to be on hand for this seasons contests. Lemanski, was the July race winner in 1985, has since retired from driving but is crew chief for two-time series titlist Scotty Neitzel, who should be a threat to score a win almost 30 seasons after his car owner.
There will be two trips to Angell Park Speedway in 2014, both on Sunday evenings. The first visit will occur on June 1st with a return engagement on July 20th.
For fans of racing at the Seymour Speedway the wait for the roar of 410 sprints hasn’t been quite so long. The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints have twice visited the track since its reshaping to an oval in 2005. The last series event held at the track was during the 2008 racing season. Australian National champion, Brooke Tatnell, was victorious in the contest six seasons ago on August 31st, as he held off former IRA champion, Donny Goeden. Goeden was the evening’s fastest qualifier with a lap of 13.023 seconds.
As fast as that lap was on the banked third-mile oval, the current all-time track record belongs to two-time IRA champ Travis Whitney when he blistered the track in 12.672 seconds on September 2, 2007.
That contest was captured by Mike Reinke. The event ran green to checkered with the 30 laps clicking off in just a tick under eight minutes. Track record holder, Whitney, was second in that contest. Those two races mark the only two appearances for sprint cars at the Seymour Speedway since the track reconfiguration from a tri-oval.
Seymour fans will again “feel the roar” as the series revisits the banked third-mile clay oval on Sunday Night August 17th.
IRA proudly moves into 2014 backed by its long time supporting series partners led by title sponsor Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers and associate series partners Osborn & Son Trucking, TW Metals, Hoosier Tire, Cummins Onan, and Carriage Auto Body.
The 2014 season is currently scheduled to get underway on Saturday Night, April 19th at the Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway marking the first of 30 shows to be held this season at 15 different area tracks.
For more information on the IRA Outlaw Sprints check out the tour website at www.irasprints.com or logging onto the series Facebook page at www.facebook.com/irasprints
Article Credit: Jeffrey Sachse
Submitted By: Jeffrey Sachse
