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Balog Best In Front Of Hometown Crowd!
Rice Lake, WI, August 23rd 2008: Post card perfect weather awaited a stout field of 31 winged outlaw sprinters as they converged at the rice lake speedway Saturday night. Drivers from 4 states and 2 countries each took a shot at lowering the track record on an immaculately groomed racing surface. With a mere 1.6 seconds separating the 31 cars, Jerry Richert Jr. established the time to beat at 12.351 seconds late in time trials to pick up his second fast time of the season. Travis Whitney, John Haeni and Billy Balog each claimed the heat race wins while Steve Meyer took the B main after swapping engines during the heat races. Troy Manteulmel suffered the night's most serious crash after jumping the cushion in turn 1 at the start of his heat race and making hard impact with the concrete retaining wall. Manteulmel was not hurt but his #K9 sprinter suffered considerable damage, ending his night.
AS the crowd prepared for the 30 lap A main event, they were treated to the traditional 4-abreast parade lap with fireworks setting the tone for things to come. Pole sitter Scott Winters wasted little time setting a blistering pace at the drop of the green. Behind him points leader Billy Balog and Scott Biertzer were racing hard for second, with neither giving an inch. Balog would get by Biertzer by lap 5 and proceeded to set his sights on Winters. A yellow flag on lap 9 erased all of Winters advantage. On the restart, Biertzer found himself in contention for the lead once again. As the three cars challenged each other for the top spot, Balog and Biertzer split by Winters exiting turn 2 in a move that would make a seasoned veteran shutter. AS the trio entered turn 3, Balog found himself on the point, with Biertzer in tow. Heavy lapped traffic allowed Winters to re-gain second spot, however Balog was able to maneuver through traffic when a caution waved again on lap 18. At the restart, saw Balog able to get a good jump on Winters, and throughout the remaining 12 laps of the feature, Balog never looked back as he sailed to victory in front of a home town crowd. Winters was able to salvage second, while Travis Whitney won his own battle beating out Brook Tatnell for third, while Scott Neitzel crossed the line 5th from the 16th starting position.
During intermission, drivers entered the Rice Lake grandstands in support of Jeff Sheppard's recovery. Showing their true support of sprint car racing, $1600 was donated by the generous fans of the Rice Lake Speedway. The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint series returns to the Dodge County Fairgrounds, Friday August 29th as part of the Sue Thiel Memorial. The series then returns to Seymour WI on Sunday, August 31 after a very successful visit in 2007. For more information, contact the individual tracks, or visit www.irasprints.com. IRA is an ASA affiliated series and wishes to thank the continued support of all of their sponsors.
Official Results - Rice Lake Speedway - Aug 23, 2008:
Osborn and Son Trucking Time Trials (31 cars):
Jerry Richert Jr. (Frattalone Excavating #63) 12.351seconds
MPD Heat Race: Travis Whitney (Powdercoating Technologies #9)
Weld Racing Heat Race: John Haeni (Jims Welding and Repair #21J)
Lane Automotive Heat Race: Billy Balog (Beusser Concrete #17B)
Behlings Race Equipment B Main: Steve Meyer (KW Electric #85M)
A Main (30 laps): Billy Balog, Scott Winters, Travis Whitney, Brook Tatnell, Scott Neitzel, Jerry Richert Jr., Mike Reinke, Brian Kristan, Steve Meyer, Scott Biertzer, Billy Warren, Donny Goeden, John Haeni, Billy Hafemann, John Sernett, Joseph Kouba, Brad Barickman, Kim Mock, Scott Uttech, Phillip Mock, Dave Uttech, Bill Worth
DMI Hard Charger: Scott Neitzel (started 16th, finished 5th, +11)
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