7/30/2016
IRA Interstate Racing Association
MEYER MASTERS LANGLADE COUNTY SPEEDWAY, ENDS VICTORY DROUGHT IN BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA SPRINTS!
MEYER FINDS REDEMPTION IN ANTIGO, OUTRUNS SHULTZ FOR VICTORY ON WISCONSIN’S FASTEST CLAY OVAL!
July 29, 2016; Antigo, WI – To say Steve Meyer enjoys racing at the Langlade County Speedway may actually be an understatement. More so after Friday nights racing program as he stood in victory lane and he celebrated a win on the ultra fast half-mile clay oval with his family.
The win ended a dry spell that goes back to a victory in Brainerd, MN during the 2007 racing season. Since that time Meyer had been stymied in spite of the fact on a good number of occasions he had been the fastest car on track.
At Langlade County Speedway Meyer was within striking distance of a win on several occasions. In fact when the series returned to the track in 2013 Meyer paced all but the final circuit finishing in the runner-up spot to seven–time series champion Bill Balog. In 2014 Meyer again came within laps the victory only to have to settle for bridesmaid honors.
This year Meyer was not to be denied. After powering past race leader Blake Nimee on a restart, Meyer then was able to fend off championship contender Jeremy Schultz to earn the win. Schultz had closed within a car length when the leaders approached lapped traffic, but a daring three-wide pass by Meyer on a pair of back markers down the front stretch in the closing laps all but sealed up the victory as Schultz was unable to perform the same feat.
Meyer found himself with a 12-car length advantage as he crossed the finish line ahead of Schultz. Two-time series champ Scotty Neitzel made his way to the finish line in the third spot.
Fans had cheered loudly after Meyer accepted the checked flag, many of which may have witnessed his close calls with victory in the past.
“A lot of the people hollering who have been here have probably seen how disappointing a couple years ago was. Two years in a row I had led all but one lap. This is good redemption!”, Meyer exclaimed as he was hugged by his family in victory lane.
“It’s been a long time since we have been here”, said Meyer said of his victory. “This place has always been a favorite of mine, as far as I’m concerned we could come here four or five times a year!” Meyer went on to recall how 24 years ago he had come to the track to put on an exhibition event for a promoter prior to the first ever IRA race at the track.
While he was at the track his wife gave birth to his daughter at home as he gave insight to another reason the track is full of fond memories.
For runner-up Schultz, the evening was both rewarding and frustrating. Rewarding in the fact his finish had placed him in the thick of the title chase.
Schultz explained his performance after the event. “It’s was pretty good, I have to say congratulations to Steve and his whole team. I couldn’t get through traffic quite as good as he (Meyer ) did there at the end,” noting how Meyer broke away during the final circuits. “We gave him a hell of a run. Thanks to the fans for coming out and supporting us. Hopefully, we’ll see you next year”, said Schultz who surely wants another shot at a victory at the track.
20 drivers had been scheduled to start the 25 lap main event but an expired engine for Bill Wirth reduced the starting grid to 19.
Pole sitter Blake Nimee launched into the lead at the drop of the green flag leaving fellow front row starter Wayne Modjeski in his wake. Modjeski quickly faded and would soon drop from the contest with mechanical ills.
By the end of the first circuit, Nimee had established himself in the lead spot with Meyer filtering into second. Current point leader Scotty Thiel had placed himself into the third position and he set out after the lead duo.
By the eighth lap, the leaders began to encounter lapped traffic with Nimee leading the chain through the back markers. Nimee’s lead was precarious as Meyer, Thiel, Schultz and Scotty Neitzel all were within striking distance.
The only slowdown of the contest would have major implications in the point battle. Thiel, the series point leader, had been working to catching Meyer for second when he lost grip and spun coming off turn two. The field behind him scattered but sixth running Mike Reinke had nowhere to go and slammed into Thiel’s errant machine. The hard impact necessitated a red flag.
Both drivers were able to walk away uninsured but both were done for the evening.
Crews were allowed to tend to their driver’s machines and refuel the cars under the open red flag. The high-speed track had the 410 cubic inch engines consuming fuel at nearly a gallon per lap and the open red flag period alleviated any chance of fuel mileage playing a factor in the race outcome.
Once the field re-fired Nimee resumed setting the pace. He would come under immediate pressure from Meyer. On lap 14 Meyer made his was past Nimee into the lead and he began to pull away.
Nimee’s ride began to slow and he soon pulled into the infield turning the second spot over to Schultz while Neitzel advanced into the third position.
In the closing laps the leaders again began to encounter lapped traffic. With five laps to go Meyer temporarily got caught behind them and Schultz closed the lead down to less than a car length. On the next circuit Meyer made a daring three-wide pass coming off turn four and diving down to the very inside of the track.
The move proved successful and as Schultz got caught behind the lapped cars Meyer sailed away with the lead.
Over the final circuits, Meyer was able to maintain the gap on Schultz taking the win in convincing fashion.
Schultz earned the second spot a dozen car lengths behind repelling the challenges of Neitzel who claimed the final podium spot with his third place finish.
Todd King turned in his best effort of the 2016 season earning the fourth spot staying inside the top five almost the entire distance.
Russel Borland also turned in his best run of the year cracking the top five after earlier securing a heat race win.
Scott Uttech charged from his 18th place starting spot all the way up to sixth improving the most positions of any driver in the field this evening. 2015 Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint series rookie of the year Kyle Marten earned the seventh spot as he also made a big charge after starting 17th.
Matt Vandervere claimed eighth followed by Dennis Spitz and Ken Jay Fiedler who completed the top ten finishers.
Earlier in the night the heat races also had their drama.
In the first heat, Ben Schmidt who is now driving for Brandon Thone started the evening looking for success. Schmidt had turned in the fastest qualifying lap and had been challenging for the lead when his engine failed. The team then switched motors but Schmidt was one of the first cars to drop out of the main event. The heat was won by Borland who had outran Schultz for the victory.
In heat two Bill Wirth seemingly had the event in hand when he too suffered an engine failure. Thiel would take the win.
In heat three ageless veteran Dennis Spitz laid claim to top honors. The most senior driver in IRA competition Spitz indicated his was his first ever heat race win on a half-mile.
The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints has an action packed schedule next week with a sharp contrast in the two events planned for next weekend. It begins on Friday evening August 5th at the Dodge County Fairgrounds located just east of Beaver Dam. The wide open half-mile track will feature the 900 horsepower cars exceeding 130mph. Then on Saturday, August 6th it will be a return trip to the Sheboygan County Fairpark in Plymouth, WI for a battle on the tight third-mile bullring.
For more information on the IRA Outlaw Sprints check out the tour website at www.irasprints.com or by logging onto the series Facebook page at www.facebook.com/irasprints the series is also on twitter at #IRA_sprints.
The IRA Sprints are presented by its long time supporting series partners. The series support is led by title sponsor Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers, and associate series partners Hoosier Tire, Osborn & Son Trucking, TW Metals, Cummins Onan, and Twin Lakes Marine.
Upcoming 2016 Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series Events:
8/5/2016 – Dodge County Fairgrounds – Beaver Dam, WI
8/6/2016 – Plymouth Dirt Track – Plymouth, WI
8/19/2016 – Wilmot Raceway – Wilmot, WI
8/20/2016 – Wilmot Raceway – Wilmot, WI
8/21/2016 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, WI
8/27/2016 – LaSalle Speedway, LaSalle, IL
Article Credit: Jeffrey Sachse
Submitted By: Jeffrey Sachse
