7/25/2024
Austin Hartmann
Career-best A-main showing drives Hartmann through Minnesota, North Dakota swing
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 24, 2024 - Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing crew made a long 621-mile one-way trek for a challenging three-race swing through Minnesota and North Dakota pay off with a career-best showing at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. on Friday, July 19 to highlight the team’s entry in the third annual Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series - Northern Outlaw Sprint Association. Buffalo Wild Wings King of the Wings Mini Series.
Hartmann opened the weekend by timing in sixth in Flight A and overall in the 36-car field with a lap of 14.097 seconds in the 87A Hartmann Racing team's first appearance at the three-eighths-mile Norman County Raceway in Ada. Minn. on Thursday, July 18.
After starting and finishing second in the second IRA-NOSA eight-lap heat race, Hartmann was involved in an unusual incident before the start of the 25-lap main event, which resulted in contact with the car of Laela Eisenschenk, which had spun out on the four-wide parade lap.
Following a trip to the work area to change a right rear tire, Hartmann started the event at the rear of the field in the 23rd position. The third-year IRA competitor drove a consistent and level-headed race while negotiating four more caution periods to come home 14th in a race won by Mark Dobmeier.
One night later, the team traveled to Grand Forks, N.D. for the first half of back-to-back weekend events at the high-banked quarter-mile River Cities Speedway on Friday, July 19.
Hartmann qualified second in Flight B and seventh overall in the 40-car field with a lap of 10.416 seconds before starting fourth and finishing fifth in the fourth eight-lap IRA-NOSA heat race.
After lining up on the pole of the first four-lap IRA-NOSA dash, Hartmann posted his first career dash victory and the initial pole position of his Sprint Car career for the evening’s 30-lap main event.
Following two false starts, Hartmann accelerated into the lead on the opening lap to pace an A-main race for the first time in his five-year Sprint Car career. The Plymouth, Wis. racer remained at the point for the first 11 laps before eventual race winner Mark Dobmeier maneuvered around Hartmann to gain the top spot on lap 12.
After Scotty Thiel and Andy Pake slipped past the 87A machine during the final three laps, Hartmann recorded his initial top-five main event finish by coming home with a career-best fourth place A-main finish.
In the final event of the team’s three-race western swing at River Cities Speedway on Saturday, July 20, Hartmann qualified 12th in Flight B and 20th overall in the 42-car field with a lap of 10.644 seconds. He then started sixth and finished sixth in the third IRA-NOSA heat race.
Hartmann qualified for the A-main by placing third in the 12-lap IRA-NOSA B-main from the fourth starting spot.
The 2020 Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Award winner rolled off 23rd and moved up seven spots to place 16th in the 30-lap IRA-NOSA main event, which was won by Mark Dobmeier.
“Man, it felt good for our team to finally put together a solid night at River Cities on Friday night,” Hartmann said. “I would’ve liked to have been a couple of spots better, but a solid fourth place finish is pretty damn good. We were starting to think we couldn’t even buy luck. The weekend had its ups and downs with me having two weeks out of the seat and getting familiar with a brand-new car.
“I’d say we’re onto something good,” he said. “I’m so proud of this team for how far we have come. We’ve battled with multiple problems throughout the season, but that’s racing. We’re knocking on the door for that first win. I’m excited for a couple of nights of racing back home this weekend.”
The 87A Hartmann Racing Team is set to compete in a doubleheader weekend with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, which kicks off with the annual Harry Neitzel Tribute Race at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Friday, July 26. The Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car Series and IMCA Modifieds will also be in action.
Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with warm-ups at 6 p.m. and hot laps to follow before opening ceremonies at 7:15 p.m.
The team’s doubleheader racing weekend wraps up with a Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series event at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 27. The Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars and Sheboygan Flooring B Mods are also on the card.
Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with “on-track action” scheduled to commence at 5:30 p.m.
All Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series events can be viewed via live streaming at Floracing.com.
The sponsorship partners for the 2024 87A Hartmann Racing team include Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Feldmann Sales & Service, Holler n Hills, Quasius Construction Inc., TheD8Dispensary, AF Inc., Metalcraft, Rich’s Truck and Auto Repair, Fastenal of Plymouth, Waldo Oil, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Maxim Chassis, Berryman Racing Shocks and My Race Pass.
The 2024 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Eric Bergschultz, Ian Schultz, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham and Kristine Hartmann.
Additional information on the 87A Hartmann Racing team can be found by visiting the team’s website www.team87a.com and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/87Ahartmannracing.
87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Hepfner Racing Products (HRP
For well over a decade, Hepfner Racing Products (HRP) has led the racing industry in innovative designs and manufacturing technology.
HRP is directly involved with manufacturing, sales and design in Sprint Cars, Midgets, Modifieds, Late Models, NASCAR, Indy Car, SCCA, NHRA, karting, road racing, off-road and more. HRP’s continued success is led by a strong team of individuals dedicated to delivering top-notch innovation, technology, pricing and customer service.
Hepfner Racing Products (HRP) services as a sister company to Streeter Super Stands, under the parent company of Glenn Hepfner Incorporated. HRP’s products are made in the USA at its 80,000-square-foot facility, located at 2133 Constitution Ave. in Hartford, Wis.
For more information on Hepfner Racing Products (HRP), call 1-262-457-5015, email hrpsales@ghilaser.com or visit http://www.hrpracing.com/.
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Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2024 Upcoming Schedule
Friday, July 26 – Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway, Beaver Dam, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, July 27 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA)
Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2024 Statistics
Total Events – 19
IRA Events – 16
World of Outlaws Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 5
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 8
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 12
Heat Race Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 4
Dash Victories – 1
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
Article Credit: Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions
Submitted By: Jeff Pederson
