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Whitney Celebrates IRA's Return to Shawano in Victory Lane
Shawano, WI (May 16, 2008): The last visit by the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series to the Shawano Raceway (Shawano, WI) saw gas prices inching towards $1.75 per gallon. That was back in September of 2001. On Friday night, May 16, 2008, the talk of diesel fuel prices hitting $5.00 per gallon was the pre-race banter and when the dust settled after the IRA's 25 lap A-Main event, Travis Whitney marked the series return as the feature winner.
Cameron Wisconsin pilot Billy Balog set the night's quick time as the first car out to qualify of the 25 cars on hand, claiming the $200 bonus from Osborn & Son Trucking. Qualifying heat races were claimed by Steve Meyer, Scott Biertzer and Todd King. Impending weather forced the decision to skip the B-Main and line the field up based on heat race finishes and times, a decision that would pay off as rain hit the track just minutes after the checkered flag flew on the A-Main.
Meyer began the 25-lap feature from the pole position as a result of the re-draw, and wasted no time asserting himself as the one to beat, jumping out to an early lead with Donny Goeden challenging Ryan Irwin for the runner up spot early on. The caution flew on lap #4 for an incident involving the #02 of Mike Reinke and #9A of Andy Hunt between turns one and two. Both cars sustained substantial damage and retired for the remainder of the event. Neither driver was hurt. During the caution period, Irwin also ducked to the infield, a victim of a broken rear end.
On the restart, Meyer got a great jump on the field, which did a masterful job of averting John Haeni whose #21J stumbled on the drop of the green in mid-pack. Haeni would subsequently retire to watch the remainder of the race from the infield as well. Meyer would continue his domination of the race with Travis Whitney searching for a comfortable line for his #9 as he mounted his charge on Goeden. Whitney would find the bottom to his liking as he squeezed under Goeden's #11 and set his sights on Meyer. Meanwhile, Scotty Neitzel found the cushion to his liking and mounted a run of his own.
A lap #16 restart saw Whitney take advantage and pass Meyer entering turn one. The next circuit however, spelled the beginning of the end for Meyer as smoke began to show from the powerplant of the #85M. One lap later, Meyer was forced to the infield as his motor finally gave up. The final five laps saw Billy Balog's #17 come to life as he, Goeden and Neitzel waged a 3-way battle as Whitney checked out. Balog would charge to second at the finsh while Neitzle narrowly edged out Goeden for third. Kurt Davis, Brian Kristan, Todd King, Scott Biertzer, Scott Uttech and Billy Hafemann rounded out the top ten finish.
The series continues it's weekend with the Wayne Daun Memorial at the Wilmot Speedway on Saturday evening, May 17th.
Bumper to Bumper A-Main Official Finish (25 laps): Travis Whitney, Billy Balog, Scotty Neitzel, Donny Goeden, Kurt Davis, Brian Kristan, Todd King, Scott Biertzer, Scott Uttech, Billy Hafemann, Jason Johnson, Scott Young, Russel Borland, Joe Symoens, Dave Uttech, Bill Wirth, Charley Osborn, Steve Meyer, Cainen Riemann, Ryan Irwin, John Haeni, Andy Hunt, Mike Reinke, Billy Warren, Kim Mock
IRA is an ASA affiliated series.
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