4/18/2014
IRA Interstate Racing Association
FROM ROOKIE OF THE YEAR TO SENSATIONAL SOPHOMORE – JEREMY SCHULTZ LOOKS AHEAD TO 2014 SEASON
King of the Sherm Nation Back in Action With the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints!
April 16, 2014; Appleton, WI. – Looking back over the past several seasons, the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series had has an insurgence of new talent into the series. The 2013 Rookie of the Year chase saw Jeremy Schultz emerge from a talented rookie pool into one of the series front runners and title contender in the course of a single season.
While this success seemed to happen overnight it was a path which began a good number of years ago.
A second generation racer, Jeremy, grew up around the sport watching his father Jerry compete in Eastern Wisconsin Supermodifieds at Plymouth and later in the Bandit 360 sprints at Beaver Dam. With the itch to get more involved in the sport growing with each passing season Jeremy soon found himself working on the pit crew of fellow Beaver Dam native Scotty Neitzel.
“Neitzel’s had been a friend of my family for years, probably before I was even born. My dad worked with those guys for a long time”, noted Schultz. “Growing up saw the race cars my dad and Scotty had and I knew one day I wanted to do it for myself. I finally got my hands dirty helping Scotty when I was 16”, claimed Schultz.
Working on Neitzel’s crew would garner the experience needed to prepare a sprint car and the knowledge gained would be an invaluable asset when he later started his own racing career.
“I learned pretty much everything I know about sprint cars from working with him (Scotty Neitzel), Rick Lemanski, and Harry working out at R&H Enterprises. Scotty taught me to be meticulous in the building of the race cars and that good equipment is key to being successful in this sport”, noted Schultz who was quick to point out that it was the time helping Neitzel that laid the groundwork for his success. “I've said it before and I'll say it again, I wouldn't be where I am today without him. In the years I helped him we put together two championship seasons and a ton of great racing memories traveling with the IRA”, exclaimed Schultz.
Jeremy would make the transition from crew member to driver in 2007 running a limited schedule behind the wheel of a 360 sprint at area tracks before diving headlong into the fray in 2008, running a 40 race schedule. Schultz would narrowly miss the MSA 360 rookie of the year honor but he would earn the rookie title at the Plymouth Dirt Track.
The groundwork had been laid for an even more successful 2009 campaign where he captured “Most Improved Driver Honors” with MSA earning a fifth place point finish. During that time Schultz’s dedicated crew began to take form.
“I'm so grateful to have a team that stands behind me like my guys do. From Jay Zamzow, who has been with me in my racing career from day one to my brother, Jason Schultz, and my father Jerry Schultz, to Dan Nesper and Eric Fhlug, who I met 360 racing and he decided to join my team a couple years ago. Then there's Reggie Hummelmeier and Kyle Peters that come and help at the track as well. I'm pretty lucky to have such a dedicated group of guys working to make us fast.”, declared Schultz. “My parents I cannot thank enough for all the support they have given me through the past six years encouraging me to do the best I can!”
With a solid crew in place Schultz would climb to the top of area 360 sprint racing. In 2011, he would earn five A-main victories enroute to a third place point finish in MSA before ascending to the top of the ladder in 2012 collecting the championship in MSA and at Plymouth as well.
It was during the 2012 season Schultz began to toy with the idea of running with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw 410 Sprints. “Having the opportunity to race with guys like Mike Reinke, Bill Balog, Tommy Sexton, BK, Lance Fassbender, Mike Kertscher, Steve Meyer, Scotty Neitzel, and every other great driver in the IRA is a privilege and a dream come true for a kid who all he wanted to do is race a sprint car.”, exclaimed Schultz.
His initial foray into the 410 sprints proved successful as he notched three top five runs in his six appearances he made during the 2012 season including an impressive podium finish in his debut race held at the tight quarter-mile bullring, the 141 speedway.
This set the stage for what many consider one of the most impressive rookie seasons in IRA history. Schultz came into 2013 having to compete for rookie honors against his friend and former 360 champion, Lance Fassbender, as well as midget standout, Bryon Walters.
“Last year was pretty amazing for me and my team. Going into the season my only thoughts were to try and be competitive and I really wanted to be the rookie of the year. I knew Lance and Bryon Walters were gonna be running for it also. Knowing Lance for a very long time and racing with him previously in the 360 cars I was excited to be able to race with him at the 410 level”, noted Schultz.
Walters would be plagued with mechanical troubles dropping him from the rookie chase while Fassbender kept the pressure on until well past mid-season. It was then that Fassbender suffered a mechanical failure at Beaver Dam Raceway which resulted in a season ending injury.
“Lance is one hell of a competitor and it sucked to see him get hurt last year mid-season and not be able to finish what he started. I would have been disappointed to finish behind him last season had it turned out that way, but I would have been happy for him if he would have got it because of the respect and friendship we have”, said Schultz.
It was during the final two months of the 2013 racing season that Schultz would earn his first taste of victory in the Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprints. On August 16th at Wilmot Raceway during the running of the Kenosha County Fair he would outrun six-time series champion Bill Balog taking an emotional victory.
Bowing down on one knee with his trophy Schultz acknowledged a frenzied crowd after the win.
“If you told me that I would have had the success we did, I don't think I would have believed you. It's amazing looking back that we were able to win one, much less two features last year along with the Wilmot track championship. I'm very blessed to have a great group of people who stand behind me.”, concluded Schultz.
Along the way, Schultz, who goes by the nickname Sherm, has gathered a very vocal and supportive fan base. One any given night his fans, known as the “Sherm nation”, are among the loudest of the cheering sections.
“My nickname ‘Sherm’ I have had forever. Harry made sure it was always on my car and it just grew from there. ‘Sherm nation’ took off in my Plymouth and Manitowoc days”, stated Schultz. Track announcers began to notice his large cheering section. “IRA Series announcer Ray Underwood, really pushed it last year and came up with “The King of the Sherm Nation” thing and it seems more popular now than ever,” Schultz said.
Schultz is dedicated to competing in the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints again in 2014 as he tries to go from Rookie of the Year to Sophomore Sensation.
“I'm looking forward to the start of a new season. Looking forward to trying some new tracks and competition. To giving the IRA tour another shot. I think it will be great to have other 360 guys coming up and racing with them again. It's tough, I'm not gonna lie. The competition in this group is stiff and you have to be on your “A” game every night. My goals for the year are to have fun and try and win some more races, the points will fall in place if we can accomplish those goals”, concluded Schultz.
However, the 2014 season turns out with the support and dedication of a loyal crew and fans base the future looks bright in sprint car racing for the King of the Sherm Nation.
Schultz’s racing efforts are supported by generous sponsorship from Crawford Oil and Propane, Jerry's Automotive, R&H Enterprises, LeRoy Meats and Catering, Weld Specialty, Schaeffer Oil, Maxim Chassis, Braun Maguire Jewlers, Port Yamaha, Veloicty Wings, Eilbes Trucking, Schultz Auto Body, AFCO, Schultz Auto Body, RC Custom Design, Competition Specialists, and Sander Engineering.
Schultz has a new website for the 2014 season at /www.jeremyschultzmotorsports.com and is also on Facebook and Twitter which can be reached through his website.
The 2014 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series season will consist of 30 shows to be held this at 15 different area tracks.
The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints are a featured member of Racetext.net a website dedicated to bringing fans the best possible coverage of local racing.
IRA proudly 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.
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 and on twitter at #IRA_sprints.
Submitted By: Jeffrey Sachse
