Thiel returns to Plymouth 360 Sprint Car roots with A-main victory, McMullen nails down third PDTR 360 Sprint Car crown

Balog, Sivia, Heinert post A-main triumphs in Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships

Brandon McMullen	Scotty Thiel

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 30, 2023 – In one of his infrequent starts behind the wheel of an Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car, Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan outdueled newly crowned three-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh to capture the 25-lap Fuzzy Fassbender Tribute A-main, during the sixth annual Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships Presented by A-Main Apparel at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 30.

Despite falling just short in his A-main victory bid, Brandon McMullen celebrated his third career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car title by wrapping up the 2023 PDTR 360 Sprint Car championship to go along with the titles he captured in 2020 and 2017.

Ten-time Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series champion Bill Balog of Hartland notched a flag-to-flag victory in the 30-lap Rick Schmidt Memorial IRA 410 Sprint Car main event, while rookie Brenham Crouch of Lubbock, Texas closed out his first career IRA 410 Sprint Car Series championship.

Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harbor, Ill. recorded his first career victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in the 20-lap Autometer Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car A main as Clayton Rossmann of Wadsworth, Ill. racked up his second career Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car Series title.

Mark Heinert of Waukesha earned the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints A-main triumph to wrap up his first career IRA Lightning Sprints championship.

On the initial start of the 25-lap Akright Auto PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car main event, contact in turn two resulted in the machine of Brandon Berth of Cascade flipping in turn two.

Following a complete restart, Bill Taylor of Boltonville grabbed the lead from the pole with outside front row starter Alex Pokorski of West Bend following in second. On lap 5, Pokorski made contact with the back stretch wall, which brought out the second caution flag of the event and ended the fourth-year 360 Sprint Car driver’s night.

When the race resumed, Taylor again bolted in the lead, while 2011 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car champ Ben Schmidt of Plymouth moved into second after starting fifth and ninth starter Scotty Thiel vaulted in third on lap 6.

Two laps later, the high riding Thiel bolted around Schmidt to advance into the runner-up spot before the now five-time Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen worked his way past Schmidt to seize third on lap 9.

One lap later, Thiel closed to within striking distance of Taylor for the top spot before surging into the top spot along the high groove in turn one on lap 12.

Thiel, who launched his Sprint Car career by earning the PDTR 360 Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Award in 2008, caught lapped traffic on lap 13, which allowed McMullen to gradually reel in the leader. After following in Thiel’s tire tracks for several laps, McMullen utilizing the inside groove to briefly surge into the top spot exiting turn four on lap 24.

In his first PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car start of the 2023 season, Thiel was not to be denied as he powered Randy Sippel’s 39s car back around McMullen in turn two on the final lap en route to his third career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and 13th career MSA 360 Sprint Car main event triumph. 

With the victory in the 24th and final event of the 2023 MSA season, Thiel became the eighth driver to post an MSA A-main triumph this season.  

“I felt comfortable in the car and I thought we were getting through lapped traffic pretty good,” Thiel said in victory lane. “I was kind of falling out of the seat there near the end of the race, but then I saw [Brandon McMullen] pass me on the second-from-last lap and I had to get up on the wheel. It was a pretty fun night with the 360 Sprint Car. I have to thank Randy Sippel for everything he does to get this 39s 360 car on the track and providing me with a fast car all night.”

McMullen had to settle for second, Schmidt placed third, Taylor wound up fourth and eighth starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend rounded out the top five.

Bill Balog grabbed the lead on the drop of the green flag in the 30-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car Series A-main from the pole, while outside front row starter Austin McCarl of Altoona, Iowa followed in second.

On lap 3, the first of two caution flags appeared when debris was spotted on the track. When the race resumed, sixth starter Scotty Thiel worked past J.J. Hickle of Quilcene, Wash., who started third, to take over third in turn three on lap 4.

Balog caught the rear of the field on lap 7. However, he did not let the traffic slow his momentum as he maintained a strong half-lap lead over McCarl, who had Hickle and Thiel hot on his heels.

On lap 14, the second caution flag appeared when Tyler Tischendorf of Waupaca flipped in turn four following a multi-car incident in turn four, which prompted the second place car of Austin McCarl to retire from the event.

Following the restart, Thiel charged into second and quickly set his sights on the lead. With Balog mired in thick lapped traffic, Thiel reduced the gap on lap 18. However, Balog again worked expertly through a maze of lapped machines to maintain the lead, while Brenham Crouch, who started fifth, slipped past Thiel to grab second on lap 29.

Balog went on to notch his seventh A-main win in his last 11 IRA 410 Sprint Car Series starts at The Plymouth Dirt Track, along with his sixth IRA A-main victory of the 2023 season and series-best 140th overall career IRA main event triumph.

Crouch placed second, Thiel was third, Hickle took fourth and fourth starter Mike Reinke of Howards Grove finished fifth.

Polesitter Rusty Egan of Round Lakes Heights, Ill. took the lead on the opening lap of the 20-lap Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car A main with third starter Chris Klemko of Bristol falling into second. On lap 2, fifth starter Allen Hafford of Beach Park, Ill. moved into third before surrendering the spot to Jimmy Sivia, who started sixth, on lap 5.

One lap later Klemko pulled in to pressure Egan for the top position before the top five cars of Egan, Klemko, Sivia, Hafford and Ryan Zielski of Oconomowoc ran in tight nose-to-tail formation along the low groove starting on lap 12.

Three laps later, Sivia rode the high line into second, before taking advantage of lapped traffic to cut the lead gap on Egan significantly. On lap 18, Egan drifted high in turn one, which allowed Sivia to pounce and grab the lead in turn two.  Meanwhile, fourth starter Ryan Marshall of Kansasville powered into second on the second-to-last circuit of the race.

Sivia went on to claim his first career victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track and fourth A-main triumph of the 2023 Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car season in the caution-free race.

Marshall placed second, Klemko was third, Egan wound up fourth and Hafford rounded out the top five.

In the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints A main, polesitter Mike Neau of Pleasant Prairie took the early lead before newly crowned 2023 IRA Lightning Sprints champion Mark Heinert, who started fourth, slipped past Neu to take the lead on lap 10.

Heinert then pulled away to notch his eighth IRA Lightning Sprints A-main triumph of the 2023 season, while putting a ribbon on the 2023 IRA Lightning Sprints championship.

Neu finished second, Brian Strane Jr., who started sixth, placed third, Nick Petska of Spring Grove, Ill. finished fourth after starting third and Tim Brannam of Holiday Hills, Ill. finished fifth after starting fifth.

Justin Erickson of Plymouth won the 15-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car B main.

Jake Neumann of New Berlin, Ill. captured the 10-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car B Main.

Trinity Uttech of New Berlin won the 10-lap Wisconsin wingLESS B main.

J.J. Hickle earned fast qualifier honors in the Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Sprint Car division with a lap of 11.249 seconds.

Kevin Karnitz of West Bend recorded the fastest lap in the Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car division by touring the third-mile clay oval in 12.194 seconds.

Mark Heinert turned in a lap of 14.517 seconds to claim the IRA Lightning Sprints fast qualifier award.

The 18th and final event of the 2023 campaign at The Plymouth Dirt Track, which was sponsored by Jensen Sales & Service, drew a season-high total of 117 cars, including a season-high 33 Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars, 38 Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Sprint Cars, 28 Autometer Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars and 18 IRA Lightning Sprints.

The 2023 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Awards presentation will take place on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Racers Hall in Plymouth, Wis. starting at 7 p.m. The top three points finishers and special award winners in the 360 Sprint Car, Grand National, B Mod and Late Model divisions will be honored during the event.

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Anvelink sews up Dirt Kings title with Plymouth Wildman Watson Classic triumph

Zielke, Schmidt, Eisel notch Plymouth A-main victories

Nick Anvelink	Jason Eisel

Jayden Schmidt	Ryan Zielski

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 23, 2023 – Nick Anvelink of Bonduel outdueled 2014 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model champion Mitch McGrath of Waukesha to collect the 30-lap Jim Wildman Watson Classic Presented by Galloping Ghost Motorsports and Transportation main event victory and wrap up his sixth career WABAM Dirt Kings Late Model Tour championship at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 23.

Ryan Zielski of Oconomowoc turned back a late challenge from Zach Raidart of Gurnee, Ill. to post a victory in the 20-lap Autometer Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car A main.

Jayden Schmidt of Seymour rode the high groove to victory lane in the 20-lap A Modified main event and Jason Eisel of Rhinelander was victorious in the 20-lap Street Stock A main.

In the sixth annual Jim Wildman Watson Classic Dirt Kings Late Model Tour A main, outside front row starter Mitch McGrath jumped into the lead in turn two on the opening lap with polesitter Sawyer Specht of Sheboygan Falls settling into second.

The first of six caution flags appeared on lap 3 for debris. When the race resumed, third starter Nick Anvelink worked past Specht to take over second with fourth starter Jordan Yaggy of Rochester, Minn. in tow.

The second caution flag was displayed on lap 4 when Paul Niznik of Medford and five-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model champion Brad Mueller of Random Lake spun in turn two. On the restart, Yaggy slipped past Anvelink to assume the runner-up spot on lap 5 before Anvelink battled back to regain second from Yaggy on lap 7.

A two-car incident involving Niznik and Chris Engels of Green Bay in turn three brought out the third caution flag of the race on lap 8. McGrath bolted away from Anvelink on the ensuing restart as he held his 74M machine tight to the inside lane of the smooth, wide and multi-groove third-mile clay oval racing surface. Meanwhile, sixth starter Kyle Raddant of Shawano used the high groove to power around fifth starter Justin Ritchie of New London into fourth on lap 14.

Three laps later, McGrath caught the rear of the field and began to work his way through lapped traffic as Anvelink cut into the lead gap. On lap 23, Raddant spun along the cushion in turn three to bring out the fourth caution flag.

After choosing to restart the race in the outside lane, Anvelink worked the high and middle grooves to pull off what proved to be the winning move as he charged past McGrath coming to the start-finish line to begin lap 24.

The fifth caution flag was displayed on lap 25 for the slowing car of Joel Bennett Hortonville. McGrath restarted in the outside lane and attempted to use the outside groove to challenge Anvelink for the top spot. However, Anvelink pulled away from McGrath along the inside lane before the sixth and final caution period on lap 26 for an incident involving Justin Ritchie and Jayden Schmidt in turn two.

Anvelink controlled the final restart to pull away from McGrath over the final four laps en route to his second career Late Model A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track, which was worth $2,500.

“I knew it was going to be a tough race with Mitch [McGrath] starting in front of us,” Anvelink said. “Mitch was really good on the bottom in the early part of the race. I had a really good restart after finding something in the middle of the track and everything played to our favor to get the lead.”

McGrath had to settle for second, Yaggy took third, Bill Edler of Howards Grove charged from the 19th starting spot to place fourth and 16th starter Brett Swedberg of Shawano rounded out the top five.

In the 20-lap Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car Series A main, Bryce Andrews of Kenosha jumped into the lead from the pole before outside front row starter Ryan Zielski rode the high grove into the lead in turn two on lap 2.

As Zielski bolted out to a commanding lead, eighth starter Zach Raidart worked the high line to move into fourth on lap before pulling off a nifty two-for-one move to sweep past both Andrews and fifth starter Clayton Rossman of Wadsworth, Ill. and take over second in the running order.

On lap 14, Zielski was negotiating his way through dense lapped traffic when the lone caution of race appeared for the stalled car of Greg Alt of Watertown in turn two.

Following the restart, Raidart powered in to challenge Zielski for the top spot along the high groove on lap 15. Two laps later, Raidart pulled even with Zielski exiting turn two before pulling off a slide job entering turn three to take over the lead briefly in turn four.

However, Zielski battled back by turning under Raidart and regained the top spot heading down the front stretch on lap 18. As Zielski again powered away from the rest of the field, seventh starter Ryan Marshall of Kansasville worked his way into third along the high line.

Zielski cruised over the final two circuits to notch his third career Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car main event triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track and fifth A-main victory of the 2023 Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car Series campaign, while collecting the $1,200 first-place prize.

Raidart placed second, Marshall finished third, Rossmann wound up fourth and fourth starter Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harbor, Ill. placed fifth after starting fourth.

Polesitter Joel Seegert of Sheboygan grabbed the lead of the 20-lap A Modified main event before the first of three caution flags appeared before one official lap could be completed when Mike Simons of Genoa City hit the front stretch wall.

Following a complete restart, Seegert again seized the top spot with third starter Jeff Steenbergen of Johnson Creek following in second. On lap 5, the second caution flag of the race was displayed when Steve Mueller of Eagle spun along the backstretch.

When the race resumed, fourth starter Jayden Schmidt used the high groove to move around Steenbergen into second. Two laps later, Schmidt, Steenbergen and Seegert went three wide in turn four with Schmidt emerging on top heading down the front stretch.

After dueling side by side over the next two laps, Steenbergen surged past Seegert into second on lap 10. The third and final caution flag appeared later on lap 10 when Steve Lorier of Sheboygan spun in turn four and Joel Crowbridge of Union Grove stalled in turn two.

Schmidt flexed his muscle following the final restart and pulled away from the field during the second half of the race to pocket $1,100 for his first career A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in the A Modified division.

Steenbergen came home second, Seegert took third, Joe Huenefeld of Freeport, Ill. moved up from the ninth starting spot to place fourth and three-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod champion Tim Warner of Malone rounded out the top five after starting fifth.

Polesitter James Fletcher of Beaver Dam led the opening lap of the 20-lap Street Stock A main before outside front row starter Jason Eisel used the outside line to take over the top spot in turn four on the second circuit.

With Eisel riding comfortably at the front of the field, sixth starter Jon Schultz of Waunakee moved into third place by passing fourth starter Kelly Brown of Beaver Dam on lap 8.

On lap 17, Eisel found himself negotiating voluminous lapped traffic as Schultz worked his way into second in turn three on lap 18 before Fletcher struck back to regain second in turn four on lap 19.

Eisel went on to pocket $700 for his first career Street Stock A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in the caution-free event.

Fletcher placed second, Schultz placed third, fourth starter Kelly Brown of Beaver Dam wound up fourth and Jesse Krahn of Beaver Dam moved up from the seventh starting spot to complete the top five.

Eric Wilke won the 10-lap Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car B main and Brad McGuire of New Berlin earned the victory in the 10-lap A Modified B main.

Mitch McGrath earned top overall WABAM Dirt Kings Late Model Tour qualifying honors with a fast lap of 14.172 seconds.

Chris Klemko claimed the fast qualifier award in the Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car division with a lap of 14.302 seconds.

Jayden Schmidt was the top qualifier in the A Modified division with a lap of 15.480 seconds.

Kelly Brown earned fast qualifier accolades in the Street Stock division with a time of 16.777 seconds.

The 17th event of the 2023 campaign at The Plymouth Dirt Track drew a total of 110 cars, including 23 Dirt Kings Late Model Tour cars, 28 Autometer Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car Series cars, 36 A Modifieds and 23 Street Stocks.  

The 2023 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing season will conclude with the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships on Saturday, Sept. 30 featuring the 2023 season finales for the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars, Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars, Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars and IRA Lightning Sprints.

Pit gates open at 2 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 4:30 p.m. and on-track action at 4:45 p.m., followed by hot laps, qualifying and racing.

The 2023 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing awards presentation will take place on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Racers Hall in Plymouth, Wis. starting at 7 p.m. The top three finishers and special award winners in the 360 Sprint Car, Grand National, B Mod and Late Model divisions will be honored during the event.

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McMullen extends point lead with fourth straight PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main win

Neuman fends off Balog to secure second IRA 410 Sprint Car victory

Brandon McMullen

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 2, 2023 – Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh took a giant step toward securing another title by claiming his fourth straight 25-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A-main victory, during the annual Sheboygan County Fair Night all-Sprint Car racing program at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 2.

In the 30-lap Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car A main, Jake Neuman of New Berlin, Ill. racked up his second career IRA A-main triumph by turning back a late charge from 10-time IRA champion Bill Balog of Hartland.

Alex Pokorski of West Bend grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap PDTR-MSA A main from the pole position as 360 Sprint Car rookie T.J. Smith of Greenville worked the high groove to settle into second, while third starter Matt Vandervere of Zion, Ill. took over the third spot.

On lap 4, Smith rode the extreme high groove, just off the outside retaining wall, to pressure the low riding Pokorski for the top spot on lap 4. Two laps later, Pokorski transitioned from the low groove to the high line, which trimmed back Smith’s momentum.

One lap later Smith slowed along the outside line in turn four to bring out the lone caution flag of the race. On the restart, Brandon McMullen, who started eighth, maneuvered underneath Vandervere to take over second in turn two on lap 8.

On the following circuit, McMullen worked the low line to challenge the high-riding Pokorski for the top spot. Pokorski attempted to move down to the low groove on lap 10. However, McMullen was able to slip underneath to seize the lead in turn two.

From there, the four-time MSA 360 Sprint Car champion quickly pulled away from Pokorski to build up a full straightaway lead on lap 15. McMullen caught up to the rear of the field on lap 16, while 14-year-old rookie Logan Julien of Oconomowoc, who started fourth, took third from Vandevere along the outside groove.

McMullen cruised the rest of the way en route to his division-leading 33rd career PDTR and 45th career MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main win, as well as his fourth straight and sixth overall PDTR and seventh MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main win of the 2023 season.

“I could really go anywhere on the track top or bottom, but I knew the bottom was really tacky,” McMullen said. “Hats off to my team. They’ve been phenomenal all year. They are what makes his program work so well.”

Pokorski placed second, Julien wound up third, Vandervere placed fourth and sixth starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend rounded out the top five.

McMullen will look to seal the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car titles in the 2023 season finale as part of the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, Sept. 30.

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls jumped into the lead on the drop of the green flag in the 30-lap Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprints 410 Sprint Car A main with second starter Jake Neuman following in second.

On lap 5, Neuman worked the high groove in the shadows of The Plymouth Dirt Track wall to sweep into the lead in turn three on lap 5. Two laps later, the leaders encountered lapped traffic before the first of three caution flags appeared on lap 8 when Tyler Brabant of Waupun got out of shape in turn three.

When the race resumed, third starter Bill Balog moved past Arenz to assume second in the running order before the second caution flag appeared on lap 12 when Russel Borland of Kewaskum spun exiting turn four. Two laps later, the third and final caution flag appeared when Dave Uttech of Kenosha spun in turn four.

Following the restart, Balog continued to pound the high cushion in an attempt to track down Neuman. On lap 28, Balog pulled off a slide jump in turn four to lead the lap. However, Neuman battled back to return the favor and regain the top spot from Balog in turn one on lap 29.

Meanwhile, fourth starter Joel Myers Jr. of Santa Rosa, Calif. slipped past Arenz to gain third place on lap 29 as Neuman went on to notch his second career IRA A-main victory, as well as his second career IRA A main triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

“Bill [Balog] stole one from me last year in the last few laps, so I knew what I needed to do and we got it done tonight,” Neuman said.

Balog had to settle for second, Myers Jr. placed third, Arenz was fourth and fifth starter Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan rounded out the top five.

Paul Pokorski of West Bend won the 12-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car B main.

Kris Spitz of Salem captured the 12-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car B main. 

Anthony Knierim of Franksville collected the Akright Auto PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division fast qualifier award with a lap of 12.723 seconds. 

Mike Reinke of Howards Grove earned the fast qualifier award in the IRA 410 Sprint Car division with a lap of 11.539 seconds.

The 16th event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Jensen’s Sales & Service, drew a total of 57 Sprint Cars, including 30 Bumper to Bumper IRA 410 Sprint Cars and 27 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars. 

The Plymouth Dirt Track will host the Wildman Watson Classic 2023 Dirt Kings Late Model Tour season finale on Saturday, Sept. 23.

The event will also include Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars, A Modifieds and Street Stocks.

Pit gates open at 2 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 4 p.m., hot laps at 5 p.m. and racing at 5:45 p.m.

The 2023 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing season will conclude with the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships on Saturday, Sept. 30 featuring the season finales for the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars, Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars, Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars and IRA Lightning Sprints.

Pit gates open at 2 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 4:30 p.m. and on-track action at 5 p.m., followed by hot laps, qualifying and racing.

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Sorce, Gilles crowned PDTR Grand National co-champs, Warner seizes B Mod title

McMullen, Schumacher, Koenig capture PDTR A-main wins

Brian Gilles	Will Source

Tim Warner	Brandon McMullen

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 25, 2023 – After finishing in a season-ending points deadlock, Will Sorce of Franklin and 2010 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National champion Brian Gilles of Plymouth wrapped up the 2023 season as co-champions in the PDTR Grand National division, while two-time PDTR B Mod champion Tim Warner of Malone erased a 20-point deficit in the final points event of the season to add a third division title to his collection, during an eventful 2023 PDTR Grand National and B Mod championship night racing program Friday, Aug. 25 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh nailed down his third straight and fifth overall Akright Auto PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main victory of the 2023 campaign to remain on top of the division point standings by 14 points over 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Ben Schmidt of Plymouth with two events remaining in the season.
In the 20-lap Oostburg Automotive Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National main event, Nick Schumacher of Eagle collected his first A-main victory of the 2023 season.

Elijah Koenig of Fox Lake notched his initial triumph of the 2023 campaign in the Next Step Insurance 20-lap B Mod A-main victory of the 2023 campaign.

The scheduled 30-lap WABAM Dirt Kings Late Model Tour A main was cancelled due to rain.

The initial start of the Akright Auto PDTR – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main was aborted when Katelyn Krebsbach of Cascade spun in turn two. Following a complete restart, outside front row starter Chris Larson of Franksville jumped into the lead in turn two on the opening lap with polesitter Brandon McMullen following in second.

On lap 2, McMullen dove low to secure the top spot exiting turn four. With McMullen in control at the front of the field, Ben Schmidt worked his way up from the seventh starting position to take third from fourth starter Alex Pokorski of West Bend on lap 9.

One lap later, Schmidt shot past Larson to gain the runner-up spot as McMullen began to work his way through slower traffic. Schmidt cut into McMullen’s lead as the laps wound down and was within sight of the top spot when the second and final caution flag of the race was displayed on lap 24 after Chris Clayton of Waldo spun in turn three.

Following a single-file restart, McMullen held off Schmidt’s challenge over the final two laps en route to his division-topping 32nd career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and 44th career MSA 360 Sprint main event triumph, along with his third consecutive and fifth overall PDTR A-main victory of the 2023 season. 

Schmidt had to settle for second, Pokorski pulled off a final corner pass to finish third, Larson earned a career-best fourth place showing and rookie Tristan Koenings of Van Dyne, who started third, claimed a career-best fifth place finish.

Outside front row starter Donny Kulow of Plymouth grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 20-lap PDTR Grand National A Main with 2019 PDTR Grand National champ Tyler Kulow Plymouth, who started fourth, settling into second.

The first of three caution flags appeared on lap 2 when Vince Bartolotta of Muskego spun in turn two. On the restart, Tyler Kulow rode the high groove to sweep into the lead on lap 3 before the second caution flag flew when Seth Westimayer of Horicon
spun in turn two.

Following the restart, Donny Kulow and 2008 PDTR Grand National champion Matt Yancey of Sheboygan, who started on the pole, waged a spirited duel for the top spot.

On lap 5, the third and final caution flag appeared when Bartolotta spun in turn four. When the race resumed Donny Kulow remained in the lead while Yancey, Tyler Kulow and Nick Schumacher, who started 10th, dueled in three-wide fashion for second.

Schumacher emerged in second place on lap 7 and quickly set his sights on the lead. On lap 9, Schumacher ventured up to the high groove to pressure Donny Kulow before taking control of the top spot in turn one on lap 10.

Eighth starter Justin Pearson of Horicon moved into second on lap 11 and worked the high line to cut the gap on Schumacher in the closing laps. Six laps later, Pearson moved in to pressure Schumacher for the lead starting on lap 17.

However, Schumacher successfully fended off Pearson’s challenge on the way to his second career PDTR Grand National A-main victory and first main event win of the 2023 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Pearson wound up second, Will Sorce of Franklin moved up from the ninth starting spot to place third, Donny Kulow finished fourth and Brian Gilles, who started seventh, placed fifth.

Sorce and Gilles closed out the final Grand National points race program of the 2023 PDTR season tied at the top of the point standings with 855 points apiece to end up as division co-champions. It marked the first PDTR Grand National championship of Sorce’s career. Gilles claimed his second PDTR Grand National title and seventh overall Plymouth track championship (five Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Super Stock, two PDTR Grand National) to move into second on the track’s all-time track championship list behind Gary Laack, who has nine Plymouth track titles to his credit.

It is the first time two drivers have secured co-championship honors at The Plymouth Dirt Track since the 1995 season when Rick Hed and Tim Thompson shared the Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Hobby Stock track title.

Outside front row starter Steve Lorier of Sheboygan Falls grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 20-lap PDTR B Mod main event with fourth starter Elijah Koenig trailing in second.

After a spirited duel with Lorier, Koenig used the outside groove to power into the top spot in turn two on lap 5. On lap 8, with his eyes set firmly on securing another B Mod track title, Tim Warner, who started sixth, moved past Lorier into second in turn two on lap 8.

While Warner gradually reeled in Koenig during the second half of the race, seventh starter Travis Schmidt of Plymouth moved in to take third on lap 17. Warner cut the gap significantly on the final lap. However, Koenig held on to rack up his fourth career PDTR B Mod A-main victory and first main event triumph of the 2023 campaign at Plymouth in the caution-free race.

Warner secured his third PDTR B Mod championship with a second place finish, Schmidt placed third, Lorier wound up fourth and eighth starter Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls placed fifth. 

After entering a car in 10 of the 11 PDTR Mod events held during the 2023 campaign, Warner came into the night 20 points behind PDTR B Mod points leader Barry Maas of Cascade. Warner used a heat race victory and a second place finish in the A main to edge Travis Schmidt by two points (863-861) in the chase for the 2023 title. Maas encountered a mechanical issue in heat race action, which prevented him from starting the A main and competing for a B Mod championship.

Brett Swedberg of Shawano was the WABAM Dirt Kings Late Model Tour fast qualifier with a lap of 13.691 seconds.

Brandon McMullen earned the Akright Auto PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division fast qualifier award with a lap of 12.783 seconds.  

The 15th event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Kriete Truck Center, drew a total of 78 cars, including 25 WABAM Dirt Kings Tour Late Models, 21 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 19 Grand Nationals and 13 B Mods.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program will take place during the 2023 Sheboygan County Fair on Saturday, Sept. 2, featuring an all-Sprint Car event with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars.

On-track action is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

 

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Points leader McMullen motors to fourth 2023 PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph

Weber, Warner, Zellmer bag PDTR main event victories

Brandon McMullen	Steven Weber

Tim Warner	Adam Zellmer

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 19, 2023 – Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion and current division points leader Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh kept himself in the driver’s seat for another title by claiming his fourth 25-lap Akright Auto PDTR 360 Sprint Car main event victory of the 2023 season Saturday, Aug. 19 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.

Steven Weber of Plymouth secured his first A-main victory of the 2023 campaign in a hotly contested 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Grand National main event.

Two-time PDTR B Mod champion Tim Warner of Malone notched his fifth Next Step Insurance 25-lap B Mod A-main victory of the 2023 campaign.

Adam Zellmer of Horicon captured his second 20-lap 106.5 The Buzz Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series A main of the 2023 season in the Legends’ third and final 2023 appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Outside front row starter Lance Fassbender of Burnett outpowered polesitter Paul Pokorski of West Bend to grab the lead in turn one of the opening lap of the 25-lap PDTR – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car headliner.

Meanwhile, fourth starter and Plymouth native Brandon McMullen moved past both Justin Erickson of Plymouth and Pokorski to secure second in turn two of the opening lap. On lap 6, Fassbender, who captured the 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car championship, caught the back of the field and began to maneuver his way through lapped traffic.

Three laps later, McMullen moved in to challenge Fassbender for the top spot along the low groove of the fast and challenging track surface. On lap 10, McMullen used the outside line to vault into the lead exiting turn four.

Five laps later, McMullen found himself boxed in behind side-by-side lapped traffic, which allowed Fassbender to reduce the lead gap. On lap 16, the lone caution flag of the race appeared when rookie Tristan Koenings of Van Dyne stopped along the apron of the frontstretch exiting turn four.

Following the restart, 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who started ninth, moved past Pokorski to assume third on lap 17. With McMullen holding down a comfortable lead as the laps wound down, Schmidt moved in to pressure Fassbender for the runner-up spot.

Schmidt then executed a low move to clear Fassbender in turn three on the white flag lap and gain second place, while McMullen notched his all-time division-leading 31st career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and 43rd career Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main triumph, along with his fourth PDTR and fifth MSA main event win of the 2023 season.

Schmidt placed second, Fassbender wound up third, Justin Erickson came home fourth and 10th starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend placed fifth.

“It was pretty tough to pass in turns one and two, but it was pretty good in turns three and four,” McMullen said. “I like tracks like this that have a little bit of character. I have to give props to my guys. The car was really good all night.”

Heading into the final three events of the 2023 PDTR season, McMullen leads Schmidt by nine points in the chase for the PDTR 360 Sprint Car title with Karnitz 89 points behind in third.

Three-time PDTR Grand National champion Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis, who started second, grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap Grand National main event as fourth starter Steven Weber powered into second with Nick Schumacher of Eagle, who started third, settling into third. On lap 7, Schumacher and Weber dueled side by side for second with Weber retaining the spot one lap later.

When Sorce Jr. bobbled slightly on the 11th circuit, Weber pounced as he charged in to seize the top spot from Sorce Jr. in turn three, while Schumacher followed into the runner-up spot. Two laps later, six-time Plymouth Super Stock and Grand National champion Brian Gilles of Plymouth, who started sixth, moved into third.

Schumacher cut the gap significantly on lap 17 as Weber dealt with lapped traffic, while Gilles, eighth starter Will Sorce of Franklin and fifth starter Justin Pearson of Horicon ran in close quarters formation at the front of the field.

While the top five competitors ran with a blanket over them, Weber continued to fend off Schumacher’s challenges, while Sorce ducked under Gilles to take over third on lap 22.

Weber successfully held off the fast train of cars immediately behind him to claim his fourth career PDTR Grand National A-main victory and first main event triumph of the 2023 campaign.

Schumacher placed second, Sorce was third. Gilles wound up fourth and Pearson finished fifth.

Sorce heads into the final points race of the 2023 PDTR Grand National season on Friday, Aug. 25 with a two-point lead over Gilles, who collected the 2010 PDTR Grand National title, and a 35-point cushion over 2019 PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth in the battle for the 2023 championship.

Outside front row starter Barry Maas of Cascade led the opening lap before polesitter Dan Melton of Rhinelander battled back to seize the lead on lap 2 of the 25-lap PDTR B Mod main event.

On lap 3, Tim Warner moved up from the fourth starting spot to slip past Maas into second with a low move in turn four. Two laps later, Warner began to hound Melton for the lead.

Warner stayed patient over the next 10 laps as he worked the high, low and middle grooves before finally diving low to gain the lead in turn three when Melton drifted high in turn two on lap 15.

Over the final 10 laps, Melton, third starter Travis Schmidt of Plymouth, Jonathon Baumann of Sheboygan, who started seventh, and Maas sliced and diced for the remaining top-five spots.

Warner cruised to his division-leading 12th career PDTR B Mod A-main victory and fifth A-main triumph of the 2023 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Melton wound up second, Schmidt was third, Baumann took fourth and Maas rounded out the top five.

Maas holds a 12-point lead over Schmidt with one race remaining in the 2023 PDTR B Mod season on Friday, Aug. 25. Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls stands 14 points behind in third and Warner sits fourth 20 points in back of the leader with one night left in the 2023 PDTR B Mod campaign.

After starting on the outside of the third row, Adam Zellmer flexed his muscle early to emerge from a three-wide duel with second starter Hunter Cardinal of Richfield and fourth starter Dallas Ross of Sussex to commandeer the lead on the opening lap of the 20-lap Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series main event.

Zellmer then pulled away from Ross and maintained a solid lead cushion throughout the remainder of the race. Behind Zellmer and Ross, ninth starter Hayden Schmuhl of Beaver Dam, eighth starter Eric Blumer of Sun Prairie, Cardinal and Ryan Sullivan of Waupun, who started seventh, engaged in a spirited duel for third starting on lap 15.

Fellmer built up a full-straightaway lead over Ross on lap 18 before a red flag appeared on lap 19 when Ryan Sullivan flipped in turn two.

Following the restart, Fellmer held strong to secure his second 2023 Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series A-main at Plymouth.

Ross placed second, Blumer was third, Schmuhl placed fourth and 10th starter Austin Winkel of Sheboygan Falls rounded out the top five.

Alex Pokorski of West Bend claimed his second fast qualifier award of the 2023 season in the Akright Auto PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division with a lap of 12.534 seconds.  

The 14th event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Schwaller’s Painting & Staining, drew a total of 65 cars, including 21 Grand Nationals, 20 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 13 B Mods and 11 Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series cars.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Friday, Aug. 25 will feature the lone WABAM Dirt Kings Late Model Tour appearance of the 2023 racing season at The Plymouth Dirt Track for a $2,000-to-win event presented by Galloping Ghost Motorsports & Transport.

PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars will also be on the card, along with the final points events of the 2023 season for the PDTR Grand Nationals and B Mods with championships crowned in both divisions.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

 

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Anvelink bags Super Six Late Model Series finale, Mueller claims fifth PDTR Late Model title

McMullen, Scholten, Steenbergen rack up
PDTR main events wins

Brandon McMullen	Brad Mueller

Jeff Steebergen

Nick Anvelink	Luke Scholten

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 12, 2023 – For all of his success at tracks throughout the state of Wisconsin, five-time Dirt Kings Late Model tour champion Nick Anvelink of Bonduel had not previously captured a Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model main event victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. until besting a strong field of 25 competitors to claim a $2,000 payday in the 30-lap 106.5 The Buzz Super Six Late Model Series A-main on Saturday, Aug. 12.

At the conclusion of the final event of the 2023 Super Six Late Model Series, Brad Mueller of Random Lake collected his fifth career Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model championship after recording one victory and top-five finishes in each of the five completed A main events.

In the 25-lap Akright Auto PDTR-Midwest Sprint Car Association A main, two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh tallied his third A-main victory of the 2023 PDTR campaign to retain his points lead heading into the final four nights of the season.

Defending PDTR Grand National champion Luke Scholten of Oostburg picked up his first 25-lap Oostburg Automotive main event win of the 2023 season.

Jeff Steenbergen of Johnson Creek notched his first 2023 Next Step Insurance 25-lap B Mod A-main victory in the car normally driven by two-time PDTR B Mod champion Tim Warner of Malone.

Five-time PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland jumped into the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 30-lap Super Six Late Model Series A main from the pole position with third starter Nick Anvelink following in second.

On lap 3, Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha used the low line to work his way into third from the fifth starting position. By lap 5, Schmidt had built up a full straightaway lead over Anvelink before the leaders caught lap traffic three laps later.

With the leaders utilizing the preferred high groove of the well-manicured, multi-groove third-mile clay oval, Anvelink closed to within striking distance of Schmidt on lap 11. As Anvelink began to apply heavy pressure for the lead in dense lapped traffic, Schmidt’s car began to display heavy smoke on lap 14, which prompted him to pull his ailing machine into the infield.

Anvelink, who is the all-time career Shawano Speedway Late Model A-main victory leader, then inherited the lead with Scheffler trailing in second and 2014 PDTR Late Model champion Mitch McGrath of Waukesha, who started sixth, following in third. The lone caption flag of the race was displayed on lap 15 for Schmidt’s smoking car in the infield, which necessitated assistance from the track’s fire crew.

When the race resumed, McGrath powered his way past Scheffler into second with a high move exiting turn four on lap 16. Anvelink continued to work the cushion to perfection over the second half of the race as McGrath gave chase in his tire tracks.

With two-wide lapped traffic to work through in the closing laps, Anvelink adjusted his line to move down to the bottom groove on several occasions, which proved successful in extending his lead over McGrath.

Anvelink went on to notch his first career PDTR Late Model A-main victory and claim the $2,000 first-place prize in the final race of the 2023 PDTR Super Six Late Model Series.

“The track was really top dominant, so I stayed up there most of the race because it was so good,” Anvelink said. “Then I got boxed in behind lapped traffic late in the race and didn’t want to get slid, so I pulled down to the bottom for a few laps and it actually worked well for me. We had a good car. I’m happy. That’s for sure.”

McGrath had to settle for second, Scheffler placed third, Brad Mueller of Random Lake captured the 2023 Super Six Late Model Series title and his fifth overall PDTR Late Model championship by a two-point margin over Taylor Scheffler with a fourth place finish, after starting 10th and Mike Mullen of Seymour worked his way up from the 11th starting spot to place fifth.

In the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main, 2014 MSA Masters Series and three-time Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified champ Paul Pokorski of West Bend took the lead in turn one of the opening lap from the pole behind the wheel of Spyder Akright’s 53A car.

On lap 2, Paul’s son, Alex Pokorski of West Bend, maneuvered his way into second in turn one from the third starting position. Two laps later, Brandon McMullen worked the high groove from his fifth starting spot to assume second from Alex Pokorski in turn two.

McMullen then swept past Paul Pokorski into the lead in turn one on lap six before quickly building up a full straightaway cushion over the rest of the field. On lap 10, 2011 PDTR and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car champ Ben Schmidt of Plymouth moved into third from his sixth starting spot before taking over second along the high groove in turn three on lap 12.

The first of two caution flags was displayed on lap 15 when Justin Erickson of Plymouth spun in turn four. After the restart, outside front row starter T.J. Smith of Greenville and Alex Pokorski exchanged slide jobs before Alex Pokorski maintained fourth place in the running order.

Meanwhile, McMullen had built up a half-straightaway lead over Schmidt at the head of the pack. The leaders caught the rear of the field on lap 20 just before the second and final caution flag came out on lap 21 when T.J. Haddy of Waupun spun in turn two.

With five laps remaining in the race, a single-file restart was incorporated as McMullen used a strong restart to bolt away from Schmidt in the closing laps en route to his third PDTR 360 Sprint A-main victory and fourth MSA 360 Sprint main event win of the 2023 season. It was also the four-time MSA 360 Sprint Car champion’s all-time division leading 30th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph and 42nd overall MSA 360 Sprint A-main win to move into sole possession of third place on the all-time MSA victory list.

Schmidt placed second, Paul Pokorski finished third in just his sixth event of the 2023 season, Alex Pokorski was fourth and T.J. Smith rounded out the top five. 

Second starter Luke Scholten outpowered polesitter Nick Schumacher of Eagle to assume the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap Grand National main event with Schumacher following in second.

On lap 2, third starter Justin Pearson of Horicon moved his way into second before the lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 3 when Dustin Weiss of Iron Ridge stopped along the front stretch, after losing a left front tire in turn four.

Following the restart, Pearson bolted in to pressure Scholten for the lead on lap 11. As the leader weaved their way through lapped traffic, Pearson continued to hound Scholten for the top spot.

Finally, on lap 21, Pearson used the outside groove to swing past Scholten into the lead. Two laps later, Scholten battled back to challenge Pearson for the top spot. However, one lap later Pearson slowed and pulled his car into the infield exiting turn four on lap 24, as the white flag was just about to be displayed to the field.

With Pearson out of the race, Scholten regained the lead and held on through a green-white-checkered flag finish to secure his first PDTR Grand National A-main victory of the 2023 season and 18th career PDTR Grand National A-main triumph to move him six wins behind overall division victories leader Brad Lubach.

Fourth starter Will Sorce of Franklin placed second, 2019 PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth placed third after starting fifth, Seth Westimayer of Horicon finished fourth after starting fourth and six-time Plymouth Dirt Track Super Stock and Grand National champion Brian Gilles of Plymouth finished fifth after starting seventh.

Brandon Knepprath of Kewaskum led the opening lap of the 25-lap B Mod A main from the pole with third starter Mark Hoeppner of Rubicon sliding into second on the opening lap.

On lap 2, Hoeppner began to close in on Knepprath before the first of two caution flags appeared on lap 3 when Joey Krentz of Denmark spun in turn four.

On the restart, Jeff Steenbergen steered the 03W car normally driven by Tim Warner into third in turn four from the sixth starting spot. Steenbergen advanced to second on lap 5 before powering his way into the lead with a high move in turn two on lap 6.

Two laps later, the second and final caution flag appeared when Michael Strean of Sheboygan stalled his car near the frontstretch infield off of turn four.

Steenbergen powered out to a sizeable advantage over Hoeppner on the restart as fourth starter Barry Maas of Cascade moved into third on lap 11. Steenbergen cruised the rest of the way en route to his first PDTR B Mod A-main victory of the 2023 campaign and fifth career PDTR B Mod main event win. It was also the fifth time Tim Warner’s 03W car had parked in victory lane in PDTR B Mod A-main competition this season.

Hoeppner finished second, Maas placed third, Knepprath wound up fourth and ninth starter Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls wound up fifth.

Taylor Scheffler was the top qualifier in the 106.5 The Buzz Super Six Late Model Series and set a new Plymouth Dirt Track Late Model track record in the process with a lap of 13.605 seconds.

Ben Schmidt registered the fast qualifier award in the Akright PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division with a top lap of 12.566 seconds.  

Tom Naeyaert of Shawano collected the victory in the 12-lap Super Six Late Model Series B Main.

Bill Taylor of Boltonville posted a victory in the 12-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main.

Extra money was donated to the top 12 finishes in the Grand National and B Mod A-main fields courtesy of Tom Ott and the family of Dave Deicher.

The 13th event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by JDL Automotive and Detailing, drew a total of 80 cars, including 25 Super Six Series Late Models 24 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 16 Grand Nationals, 15 B Mods.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, Aug. 19 will feature the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals, B Mods and the third and final appearance of the 2023 season from the Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds is located at 229 Fairview Drive in Plymouth, Wis. For more information, visit www.plymouthdtr.com or check out Plymouth

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Schmidt cashes in 2023 PDTR 360 Sprint Car victory No. 7
 Pearson, Warner, Heinert claim PDTR A-main wins

Ben Schmidt	Tim Warner

Justin Pearson	Mark Heinert

 

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 5, 2023 – Twelve years after collecting his first Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car championship, Ben Schmidt of Plymouth continued his quest for a second division crown by racking up his seventh Akright Auto PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2023 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 5.

Justin Pearson of Horicon tallied his second 25-lap Oostburg Auto Grand National A-main triumph of the 2023 campaign.

In the 25-lap Next Step Insurance B Mod main event, Malone’s Tim Warner earned his fourth A-main victory of the 2023 PDTR season.

Mark Heinert of Oak Creek notched his second IRA Lightning Sprints A-main triumph of the 2023 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing season and sixth overall 2023 A-main victory by topping the 20-lap 106.5 The Buzz guest division main event. 

Outside front row starter Brandon Berth of Cascade outpowered rookie polesitter Hayden Johnson of Campbellsport to grab the lead in turn one of the opening lap of the 25-lap PDTR-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main, while sixth starter Ben Schmidt used the extreme outside groove to vault into third in turn two.

On lap 2, T.J. Smith of Greenville spun in turn two to bring out the first of two caution flags. On the restart, Schmidt wasted no time as he blasted his way around Berth in turn two on lap 3 to take over the top spot.

Schmidt built up a solid cushion at the head of the field over the next four laps before catching up to the back of the pack on lap 8, which allowed Berth to reduce the lead gap.

On lap 12, Berth closed to within striking distance of Schmidt, as the leaders weaved their way through thick lapped traffic on the well-manicured, multi-groove track surface. Berth continued to hound Schmidt over the next 12 circuits until the second and final caution flag was displayed on 24 when Chris Flick of Beaver Dam spun to a stop near the turn four wall.

Following a single-file green-white-checkered flag restart, Schmidt bolted away from Berth and the rest of the pack en route to his 22nd career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory, 41st career MSA 360 Sprint Car triumph, seventh A-main win of the 2023 PDTR 360 Sprint Car season and ninth over MSA main event win of his stellar 2023 campaign.

The win moved Schmidt, who captured the 2011 MSA 360 Sprint Car title, into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory list and into a tie for third on the all-time MSA 360 Sprint A-main win list with four-time MSA champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh.  

“Hats off to the track prep crew tonight for giving us a great track to race on,” Schmidt said. “The track was fast and smooth and there was a nice cushion to run tonight.”

Berth wound up second, two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen charged up from the 14th starting spot to finish third, rookie Logan Julien of Oconomowoc placed fourth after starting seventh and fifth starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend rounded out the top five. 

Outside front row starter Chad Espen of West Bend jumped into the lead in the first turn of the opening lap of the 25-lap PDTR Grand National A main. On lap 2, fourth starter Justin Pearson moved up to take over the second spot in turn two.

One lap later, Pearson used a high move to power his way into the lead along the back stretch. On lap 4, third starter Will Sorce of Franklin engaged in a duel with Espen for second before taking over the runner-up spot in turn two on lap five.

As Pearson controlled the lead, Brian Gilles of Plymouth, a six-time Plymouth track champion in the Super Stock and Grand National divisions, moved up from his sixth starting position to work past Espen to secure third on lap 10.

Sorce caught Pearson on lap 13 and the two ran nose to tail along primarily the high line and middle groove of the third-mile clay oval during the second half of the race. The leaders caught lapped traffic on lap 20, which allowed Sorce to duck under Pearson on a couple of occasions.

However, Pearson was up to the challenge as he held off Sorce over the final five laps en route to his second career PDTR Grand National A-main victory in the caution-free race.

Sorce placed second, Gilles finished third, 2022 PDTR Grand National champ Luke Scholten of Oostburg wound up fourth after starting eighth and Espen rounded out the top five.

Steve Lorier of Sheboygan, who started second, bolted into the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap B Mod A main with fourth starter Barry Maas of Cascade taking second.

On the second go around, Tim Warner maneuvered up from the sixth starting spot to take third. One lap later, Maas moved in to challenge the high-riding Lorier for the lead along the low groove.

Over the next four laps, Lorier, Maas and Warner engaged in a heated duel for the top spot before the red flag appeared when the car of Hunter Larson of Oostburg flipped on its side during a three-car incident, which also involved Mark Hoeppner of Rubicon and Jonathan Hitsman of Newton.  

On the restart, Warner used the low groove to take over second from Maas on lap 8. Warner challenged Lorier repeatedly for the top spot by working the high and low grooves during the next 11 laps before finally taking over the lead with a low move in turn two on lap 19 with Maas following in second.

Warner built up a huge lead over the final six laps en route to his division-leading 11th career PDTR B Mod A-main triumph and fourth PDTR B Mod main event victory of the 2023 campaign.

Polesitter Ron Brannam of Holiday Hills, Ill. moved into the lead in turn one of the opening lap of the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints main event with outside front row starter Max Brannam of Holiday Hills, Ill., who started second, taking second.

On lap 3, Mark Heinert, who started third, used a high move to assume second from Max Brannam. After moving in to challenge for the lead on lap 4, Heinert swept his way into the top spot exiting turn four on lap 5.

Once out front, Heinert switched his pace into overdrive, as he built up a solid cushion before the lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 19 when the second place car of Ron Brannam got tangled up with Jordan Funderburk of Wadsworth, Ill. in turn two.

Following a single-file restart green-white-checkered flag restart, Heinert continued to lead, while the second place car of Max Brannam spun in turn four on the final lap.

Heinert, who won the IRA Lightning Sprints A-main at Plymouth on July 1, went on to notch his second IRA Lightning Sprints main event victory of The Plymouth Dirt Track 2023 campaign and sixth overall 2023 IRA Lightning Sprints A-main triumph.

Third starter Brian Strane Jr. of Paris took second, Derek Fortier of Franksville placed third after starting sixth, Jacob Irwin of Genoa City finished fourth after starting eighth and 13th starter John Kirk of Johnsburg, Ill. was fifth.

Justin Erickson of Plymouth turned in the fast qualifier award in the Akright PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division with a top lap of 12.674 seconds.  

Mark Heinert was the top qualifier in the 106.5 The Buzz IRA Lightning Sprints division with a lap of 13.440 seconds.

The 12th event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Racers Hall, drew a total of 68 cars, including 24 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 15 Grand Nationals, 14 B Mods and 15 IRA Lightning Sprints.   

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, Aug. 12 will feature the sixth and final event of the 2023 Super Six Late Model Series, along with the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals and B Mods.

The Super Six Late Model Series A main will pay $2,000 to win and $200 to start. In addition, extra money will be added to the PDTR Grand National and B Mod purses courtesy of Judy Deicher and an anonymous donor.

 

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Schmidt soars to sixth 2023 PDTR 360 Sprint Car triumph

Wilson nips Crouch to claim Road America Challenge
IRA 410 Sprint Car win

Ben Schmidt	Greg Wilson

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 28, 2023 – Former Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth continued his season-long stranglehold over the competition by notching his sixth Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car main event victory of the 2023 campaign during the third annual 25-lap Road America Challenge A-main at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, July 28.

In the 30-lap Road America Challenge Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car main event, two-time All Star Circuit of Champions titlist Greg Wilson of Benton Ridge, Ohio held off points leader Brenham Crouch of Lubbock, Texas in photo-finish fashion to claim his second career Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series A-main victory by 26 one thousands of a second.

In the Akright Auto PDTR-Midwest Sprint Car Association 25-lap Road America Challenge main event, polesitter Kevin Karnitz of West jumped into the lead on the drop of the green flag with rookie T.J. Haddy of Waupun, who started second, and 2011 PDTR and MSA champ Ben Schmidt, who started fourth, following in second and third, respectively.

On lap 3, Schmidt worked his way past Haddy to assume the runner-up spot before Karnitz caught the back of the field on lap 6. Schmidt hounded Karnitz through thick lapped traffic over the next two laps before surging ahead exiting turn four on lap 8.

As Schmidt skillfully sliced his way through lapped traffic on the lightning fast track surface, two-time PDTR and four-time MSA champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh maneuvered his way into third before working past Karnitz to assume second on lap 20.

Two laps later, Devan Myers of Bringhurst, Ind. spun in turn four to bring out the lone caution flag of the race on lap 22. Following the single-file restart, Schmidt pulled away while McMullen moved up to the high line in an attempt to wrestle the lead away from the 24-year racing veteran, who captured the 2011 PDTR and MSA championships.

McMullen’s late bid for the top spot fell short as Schmidt claimed his sixth PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2023 season, fifth main event victory in the last six main PDTR 360 Sprint Car events, 21st career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory, seventh MSA A-main win of 2023 and 39th career MSA main event win.

McMullen had to settle for second, Karnitz was third, fifth starter Chris Clayton of Waldo finished fourth and 10th starter Alex Pokorski of West Bend rounded out the top five.

In his debut appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track, Joel Myers Jr. of Santa Rosa, Calif. bolted into the lead on the opening lap of the 30-lap Road America Challenge IRA A-main with Brenham Crouch, who started third, sliding into second.

On lap 6, Myers began to work his way through lapped traffic, which allowed Crouch to pull to within striking distance over the next three laps before the rookie IRA driver wrestled the lead away from Myers Jr. with a low move in turn four on lap 9.

Meanwhile, 10-time IRA champion Bill Balog of Hartland disposed of Crouch lap 12 to seize second. Balog, who won the previous two additions of the Road America Challenge event in 2021 and 2022, stalked Crouch for the ensuing 16 laps as the leaders wound their way through slower traffic.

On lap 28, Balog made his move as he dove low in turn three to rip off a well-executed slide job and assume the lead. However, Crouch battled back to regain the lead with a slide job in turn four on lap 29 before the caution flag flew when Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan spun in turn two.

The ensuing restart saw former World of Outlaws Series regular competitor Greg Wilson, who started sixth, flex his muscle by diving low in turn two to move from fourth on the restart to take over the top spot on lap 29. Crouch battled back to pull even with Wilson heading to the checkered flag. However, the veteran Wilson edged out the young up-and-coming racer in a drag race to the finish line by just 26 thousands of a second to collect the $5,000 first-place check. 

It was Wilson’s second career IRA A-main victory to go along with 25 career All Star Circuit of Champions main event triumphs and two World of Outlaws Series A-main wins.

“It's been a hell of a few weeks,” Wilson said. “I have my wife and my two girls here helping me tonight with no other crew. It feels great to come to one of my favorite tracks in the county and get a win on the last lap. 

“I knew when that caution came out that the middle would be good, especially if the leaders got to sliding each other and messing around, especially if one one blocked me,” he said. “This is unbelievable. I’m a blessed dude to be able to race cars across the country with my own team at 47 years old.”

Crouch wound up second, Myers Jr. placed third, Balog ended up fourth and two-time PDTR and MSA 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls charged up from the 12th starting spot to finish fifth.

Jack Vanderboom of Dousman won the 10-lap IRA B main.

Tylar Rankin of Coldwater, Mich. earned IRA 410 Sprint Car Series fast qualifier honors with a lap of 13.289 seconds.

Bill Taylor of Boltonville registered top qualifying honors in the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division in 13.567 seconds.

The 11th event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Road America, drew a total of 52 Sprint Cars, including 25 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars and 27 Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprints 410 Sprint Cars.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, Aug. 5 will feature a special appearance from the IRA Lightning Sprints, along with the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals and B Mods.

The event will also feature a kids coin and candy drop provided courtesy of PDTR and VanDerVart Concrete Products.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

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McGrath doubles up on Plymouth Super Six Late Model Series triumphs on Wall of Fame Night
Karnitz, Sorce, Maas score PDTR A-main wins

Doug Drews	Kevin Karnitz	Will Sorce

Barry Maas	Mitch McGrath

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 15, 2023 – With 11 accomplished competitors, five valued contributors and three dedicated racing families representing various eras of the track’s 73-year history in attendance as part of the second annual Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Night induction program, four modern-day racers carved out their own slice of history by notching Plymouth Dirt Track Racing A-main victories at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 15.

In the fourth Super Six Late Model Series main event of the 2023 campaign, 2014 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model champion Mitch McGrath of Waukesha outdueled Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha following a late restart and fended off a a spirited charge from four-time PDTR Late Model champ Brad Mueller of Random Lake in the closing laps to earn his second straight 30-lap 106.5 The Buzz Super Six Late Model Series A-main triumph.

Kevin Karnitz of West Bend survived five caution and red flag restarts to secure his first Akright Auto PDTR-Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main victory of the 2023 season in the incident-plagued time-shortened 19-lap main event.

Will Sorce of Franklin earned his second straight and fourth overall 25-lap Oostburg Automotive PDTR Grand National A-main victory of the 2023 season.

Cascade’s Barry Maas rolled to his first main event victory of the 2023 campaign in the caution-free 25-lap Next Step Insurance PDTR B Mod main event.

The initial start of the Super Six Late Model Series A main was negated when Bill Edler of Howards Grove spun in turn four. After dueling side by side on the opening circuit, outside front row starter Jayme Zidar of Greenfield used the outside groove to outpower polesitter Mitch McGrath and grab the lead on lap 2.

On lap 4, fourth starter Taylor Scheffler used the extreme high groove of the third-mile clay oval, which approached the outside fence, to take second away from McGrath on lap 6. One lap later, Scheffler blasted his way past Zidar into the lead exiting turn four on lap 7.

Scheffler wasted no time in building up a huge lead over Zidar during the next 10 laps before he caught the rear of the field on lap 17. Two laps later, McGrath used the outside lane to surge past Zidar into second on lap 19, while Scheffler continued to enjoy a half-lap lead at the front of the field.

Just as Scheffler appeared to be locked on cruise control, his half-lap cushion evaporated when the lone caution flag was displayed on lap 23 for the slowing car of Sawyer Specht of Sheboygan Falls.

The ensuing restart kicked off a spirited display of slide jobs on the smooth and slick racing surface as Scheffler and McGrath exchanged the lead in turn two and turn four on laps 24 and 25 before McGrath ducked low to beat Scheffler into turn one on lap 26, following a lap 25 turn-four slide job, to secure the top spot for the first time in the race.

Meanwhile, eighth starter Brad Mueller worked the low groove to power his way into third on lap 26. Mueller’s late drive to the front saw him move past Scheffler into second on lap 28 before setting his sights on McGrath for the lead.

Mueller moved to within striking distance of the lead on the final circuit. However, he was unable to unleash a serious challenge for the lead on the white-flag lap as McGrath held on to notch his 15th career PDTR Late Model A-main triumph to move into sole possession of fifth place on the all-time PDTR Late Model main event victory list.

Mueller had to settle for second, Scheffler placed third, Late Model rookie Jayden Schmidt of Seymour moved up from his 11th starting spot to finish fourth and fifth starter Justin Ritchie of New London rounded out the top five.

After battling side by side with polesitter Anthony Knierim of Franksville on the opening lap, fourth starter Brandon Berth of Cascade swept into the lead along the outside line on lap 2.

One lap later, sixth starter used the cushion to move past Berth into the lead in turn two on lap 3. With the smooth, wide and slick track surface receptive to sliders, Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum pulled one off to work past Berth into second lap 9.

As Karnitz ran away to an early half-lead advantage the first of five caution/red flag periods occurred on lap 12 when Alex Pokorski of West Bend brought out a red flag when he flipped his machine on its side in turn two.

On the restart, 2011 PDTR-MSA champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who started ninth and came into the event as the winner of four consecutive PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A mains, ripped off a slider to edge two-time PDTR and five-time MSA champ Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee and gain fourth on lap 13.

Five laps later, Davis charged back to re-engage Schmidt in trading sliders for fourth on lap 18. Just as Karnitz caught the rear of the field, a caution flag was displayed just after the completion of lap 19 when rookie Logan Julien of Oconomowoc, who started third, and Shane Wenninger collided and spun to a stop in turn three in an incident, which also collected two-time PDTR and four-time MSA champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh. All three contenders had to restart at the rear of the field.

The next four attempts to restart the event proved to be fruitless as Bill Taylor of Boltonville stopped on the back stretch to bring out the third caution of the race before Justin Erickson of Plymouth hit the turn two wall and stopped to produce the race’s fourth caution flag.

Following a six-car incident involving Randy Post of Oostburg, Shane Wenninger, Doug Wondra of Oakfield, Logan Julien, rookie T.J. Haddy of Waupun and Robbie Pribnow of Lomira sent Julien and Haddy flipping along the back stretch on the third consecutive restart attempt, the race was determined to be complete at the 19-lap mark due to the 25-minute time limit.

In earning his first main event victory of the 2023 campaign, Karnitz claimed his sixth career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph and eighth career MSA 360 Sprint Car main event win.

“When they sprinkled the top of the track with water at intermission, I knew it would probably be good on the cushion, but I didn’t know how good it would be or for how long,” Karnitz said. “It turned out to be really good for us. I knew Ben [Schmidt] would be coming as the winner of four in a row and trying to get that fifth one. I figured people behind me would be throwing sliders considering the way the track was shaping up in the A main.

“I have to thank Dan Mayer for the opportunity to drive this Mayor Automotive car this year,” he said. “I also want to thank all of the sponsors and people that have been with me for many years now. This is a great win for us and pretty special as the first one for us together as a team.”

Schmidt placed second to fall just short of extending his record four consecutive PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victories, Davis wound up third, Berth placed fourth and PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car rookie T.J. Smith of Greenville moved up from the 16th starting spot to earn a fifth place finish.

After a caution flew when Steven Ruh of New Holstein spun along the front stretch on the start of the 25-lap Grand National A main, outside front row starter Tyler Kulow of Plymouth moved into the lead in turn two on the opening lap.

On lap 2, Will Sorce moved up from the fourth starting spot to take second in turn two before working the outside groove to power around Kulow into the lead in turn four one lap later.

The lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap eighth when Steven Weber of Plymouth stopped in turn one. On the restart, 2010 PDTR Grand National and six-time overall Plymouth Dirt Track division champion Brian Gilles of Plymouth, who started six, worked the cushion to pass fifth starter Donny Kulow of Plymouth and gain third in turn four.

Two laps later, Gilles maneuvered around Tyler Kulow to seize second, while 2022 PDTR Grand National champ Luke Scholten of Oostburg, who started third, followed in Gilles high-riding tire tracks to gain third on lap 14.

Gilles reeled in the low-riding Sorce in the closing laps, but he was unable to mount a serious challenge for the lead as Sorce went on to secure his fourth main event victory of the 2023 season and eighth career PDTR Grand National main event win.

Gilles placed second, Scholten wound up third, 2008 PDTR Grand National champion Matt Yancey of Sheboygan finished fourth after starting on the pole and Tyler Kulow rounded out the top five.

Polesitter Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls grabbed the initial lead of the 25-lap PDTR B Mod main event before outside front row starter Barry Maas worked the high line to initiate a side-by-side duel with Long for the top spot over the next two laps.

Maas finally surged into the lead on lap four and began to stretch out a sizable advantage. As the laps wound down, two-time PDTR B Mod champion Tim Warner of Malone, who started fourth, used the outside groove to sweep past Long into second on lap 23.

Two laps later, Warner used a huge run along the cushion on the white-flag lap to make a final run at Maas for the victory. However, Warner’s impressive final-lap charge fell a half car length short at the checkered flag as Maas notched his first A-main victory of the 2023 campaign and second career PDTR B Mod main event victory.

Warner wound up second, Long finished third, third starter Travis Schmidt of Waldo was fourth and 2022 PDTR B Mod champion Andy Welter of Hartford rounded out the top five after starting sixth.

Doug Drews of Sheboygan Falls won the special Milwaukee Stock Car Association Vintage Modified main event.

T.J. Smith earned his first career PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car race victory in the 12-lap B Main.

Kurt Davis collected the fast qualifier award in the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division with a top lap of 12.817 seconds.  

Turk Letizia of Milwaukee was the fastest qualifier in the Super Six Late Model Series qualifying session with a lap of 14.055 seconds.

NASCAR Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series driver Josh Bilicki of Menominee Falls, Wis. made the first Winged Sprint Car start of his career, earning a ninth place finish in the shortened 19-lap PDTR-MSA A main behind the wheel of Randy Sippel’s No. 38 car.

The 10th event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Butch and Janet Hafemann, drew a total of 88 cars, including 20 Super Six Late Model Series cars, 27 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 17 Grand Nationals, 12 B Mods and 12 Milwaukee Stock Car Association Vintage Modifieds.  

During intermission, drivers Steve Edler, Frankie Heimerl, Woody Klug, Hal Kulow, Gary Laack, Ron Luedtke, John and Rodney Michaels, Ken Painter, Jim Pitzen and Scott Vollbrecht were inducted into the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023.
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Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2023 inductees in the Dedication to Racing category include track workers Donna Bader, Beth and Tom Breyer and Evie Robel, along with car owner and mechanic Glenn Haddy.

In addition, the Akright, Ruh and Wondra families were inducted to the Plymouth Wall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023 in the Racing Families category.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, July 22 will feature the fifth event of the 2023 Super Six Late Model Series, along with the 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals and B Mods.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

 

 

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Schmidt secures record fourth straight PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph
Sorce, Larson, Zellmer claim main event victories

Ben Schmidt	Hunter Larson	Will Sorce

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 8, 2023 – Going where no 360 Sprint Car racer has gone before at The Plymouth Dirt Track, 2011 Plymouth Dirt Track and 360 Sprint car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth stayed flaming hot behind the wheel of his white and orange No. 35 machine by turning in a record fourth straight Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and sixth overall Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main triumph of the 2023 campaign at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 8.In the 25-lap Oostburg Auto PDTR Grand National A-main, Will Sorce of Franklin executed a last-lap pass to rack up his third main event win of the 2023 campaign.

Hunter Larson of Oshkosh collected his first career Next Step Insurance B Mod A-main victory in the 25-lap main event.

Adam Zellmer of Horicon used a final-lap pass to notch his first career 106.5 The Buzz Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series 20-lap A-main win.

Outside front row starter Justin Erickson of Plymouth outpowered polesitter Katelyn Krebsbach of Cascade to grab the lead on the drop of the green flag. On lap 2, Schmidt, who started fourth, moved up into second and quickly began to pressure Erickson for the top spot.

After hounding Erickson for four laps, the 24-year racing veteran worked his way past Erickson entering turn three. One lap later, the 2011 MSA 360 Sprint Car champ caught the rear of the field as Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum, who started sixth, charged past Erickson into second.

As Schmidt found himself bottled up in slower traffic, Wenninger closed the gap considerably on lap 17. Four laps later, Wenninger ducked low to pull even with Schmidt in turn four. On the following circuit, Wenninger attempted to wrestle the lead away from Schmidt using the high line.

However, Schmidt fended off Wenninger’s challenge and pulled away over the final three laps while two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion, four-time MSA champ and current point leader Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh, who started fifth, worked his way into second.

Schmidt went on to notch his fifth PDTR, sixth MSA and record fourth straight PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2023 season in the caution-free race. It was also Schmidt’s 20th career PDTR and 38th career MSA 360 Sprint Car main event triumph.

McMullen placed second, Wenninger wound up third, eighth starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend took fourth and 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion and 2005 MSA champ Lance Fassbender of Burnett placed fifth, after starting third.

Outside front row starter Steven Weber of Plymouth led the opening lap of the 25-lap PDTR Grand National main event before 2022 PDTR Grand National champ Luke Scholten of Oostburg, who started on the pole, took the top spot with a low move in turn four on lap 2.

On lap 5, Weber battled back to challenge Scholten for the lead before the lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 7 when Josh Koslowski of Chilton spun in turn four.

When the race resumed, 2018 PDTR Grand National champion Matt Loehr of Dotyville, who started seventh, moved into third before taking over second on lap 12.

Scholten encountered slower traffic on lap 18, which allowed Loehr to cut into the lead. Four laps later, Will Sorce, who started third, began to flex his muscle as he maneuvered past Loehr, who got boxed in behind a lapped car along the high groove, to take over second.

Sorce quickly tracked down Scholten as the laps wound down before diving low in turn three on the white final lap to pull off the winning move in last-lap fashion en route to his third PDTR Grand National A-main triumph of the 2023 season and seventh career main event win.

Scholten had to settle for second, Loehr placed third, 2010 PDTR Grand National champ Brian Gilles of Plymouth finished fourth, after starting fifth and fifth starter Chad Espen of West Bend rounded out the top five.

Travis Schmidt of Plymouth took the lead at the start of the 25-lap B Mod main event from his outside front row starting spot with fourth starter Hunter Larson moving into second on the opening lap.

Larson worked the high line to pull even with Schmidt on lap 2 as the two drivers dueled side by side on the fast and tricky track surface over the next two laps until Larson surged ahead on lap 4.

The first of two caution flags was displayed on lap 5 when two-time PDTR B Mod champ Tim Warner of Malone and 2018 PDTR B Mod champion Tim Sheppard of Beaver Dam made contact along the backstretch, resulting in Sheppard hitting the backstretch wall before Jim Fischer of Oostburg collided hard with Sheppard’s disabled machine.

When the race resumed, fifth starter Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls moved into second and seventh starter Barry Maas of Cascade took third. Long charged in to briefly challenge Larson for the top spot before the second caution flag came out when Rory Welch of Plymouth and Brandon Knepprath of Kewaskum made contact in turn four.

On the restart, Schmidt moved in to challenge Long for second before seizing the runner-up spot on lap 18. Meanwhile, Larson built up a comfortable full straightaway lead en route to his first career PDTR B Mod A-main triumph.

Schmidt placed second, Long was third, Maas finished fourth and Warner placed fifth, after restarting 12th following the caution on lap 5.

Hunter Cardinal of Richfield, who started on the pole, grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 20-lap Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series A main before Matt Gritt of Plymouth, who started fourth, took over the top spot.

On lap 4, sixth starter Dallas Ross of Sussex charged in to take over second along the high groove before moving in to challenge Gritt for the lead on lap 5.

The first of three caution flags was displayed on lap 5 when Ethan Ross of Waupun stopped in turn two. Following the restart, Ross swept into the lead along the high line in turn one on lap 7 before the second caution flag appeared on lap 8 for the smoking car of Carl Swenson of Hortonville.

When the race resumed ninth starter Adam Zellmer charged in to pressure Gritt for second. Two laps later, the third and final caution period came when Hayden Schmuhl of Beaver Dam stopped in turn one.

Zellmer kicked it into overdrive following the final restart to take control of second on lap 13 and challenge high-riding Ross for the lead along the low line on lap 14.

Zellmer and Ross dueled side by side over the final six laps until Zellmer finally surged into the lead for good in turn one of the final lap and held on to post his first career Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Ross placed second, 13th starter Austin Winkel of Sheboygan Falls moved up to finish third, Ryan Sullivan of Waupun placed fourth after starting 10th and Gritt rounded out the top five.

Alex Pokorski of West Bend earned his first-career fast qualifier award in the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division with a top lap of 12.368 seconds.  

The ninth event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Pedal Down Promotions, drew a total of 62 cars, including 19 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 15 Grand Nationals, 14 B Mods and 14 Legends.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, July 15 will feature the fourth event of the Super Six Late Model Series, along with the 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals, B Mods and a special appearance from the Vintage Modifieds.

In addition, the program will feature the second annual Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Night program, during which 11 drivers, five track workers and car owners/mechanics and three racing families will be honored during intermission.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

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Schmidt scores third straight 360 Sprint Car triumph at Plymouth Dirt Track
 Arenz claims first career IRA 410 Sprint Car main event victory

Ben Schmidt	Travis Arenz	Mark Heinert

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 1, 2023 – Former Plymouth Dirt Track and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint car champion, Ben Schmidt of Plymouth added another stellar entry to his impressive 2023 main event victory tally by turning in his third straight and fifth overall 25-lap Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main victory, during the Scott Semmelmann Memorial Saturday, July 1 at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

In the 30-lap Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car series A main, 2021 and 2022 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls collected his first career IRA and 410 Sprint Car A-main victory in fitting fashion at his home track where he has done the bulk of his racing and winning over the course of his 16-year career.

Mark Heinert of Oak Creek earned his fourth A-main victory of the 2023 campaign in the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints A-main event.

Ben Schmidt, who started second, outpowered rookie polesitter T.J. Haddy of Waupun to grab the lead in turn one of the opening lap of the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main with Haddy and 14-year-old rookie Logan Julien of Oconomowoc, who started fourth, trailing in second and third respectively.

On lap 2, two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh moved past third starter Alex Pokorski of West Bend to assume fourth. The red flag appeared later on lap 2 when rookie Ryan Sawusch of Lake Villa, Ill. flipped and hit the wall in turn two. On the restart, Schmidt again bolted into the lead while Julien worked past Haddy to gain second.

Schmidt, who captured the 2011 PDTR and MSA 360 Sprint Car championships, caught the rear of the field on lap 8 before McMullen swept past Julien to take over second on lap 10. One lap later, the caution flag appeared when Tommy Colburn of New Berlin stopped on the backstretch.

Another caution flag was displayed when Haddy spun in turn one. Following the final restart, Schmidt pulled away from the field before finding himself dealing with lapped traffic again on lap 20.

As the leaders wound their way through dense slower traffic, McMullen worked the inside lane of the lightning fast and undulating track surface to duck under Schmidt briefly on the final lap. However, Schmidt held strong en route to his third straight and fifth overall MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2023 season, 19th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car main event win and 37th overall career MSA 360 Sprint Car triumph.

“We had another fast track tonight and to get another win is just unbelievable,” Schmidt said. “The crew does a great job week after week setting the car up so nice for me to drive.”

McMullen wound up second, Julien earned a PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car career-best third place showing, Robbie Pribnow of Lomira placed fourth after starting fifth and eighth starter Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum rounded out the top five.

After J.J. Hickle spun in turn three shortly after the initial start, outside front row starter Danny Schlafer of Sussex grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 30-lap IRA Scott Semmelmann Memorial 410 Sprint Car A main, followed by polesitter Caden Englehart of Terre Haute, Ind. in second and sixth starter Travis Arenz in third.

On lap 3, Arenz and eighth starter Mike Reinke of Howards Grove engaged in a heated back and forth duel for third in the running order before Arenz rode the low line to finally secure the spot on lap 5.

Schlafer hit lapped traffic on lap 7, which allowed Englehart to cut into the lead on lap 9 as the leaders negotiated a myriad of slower cars. On lap 12, the second caution flag was displayed when Blake Nimee of Oswego, Ill. spun in turn four.

After the restart, Schlafer maintained the top spot with Englehart in pursuit. However, Englehart’s evening came to an abrupt end on lap 16 when he made contact with the turn four wall before stopping on the front stretch to bring out the third caution flag of the event.

When the race resumed, Arenz held tight to the low line while Schlafer continued to ride the cushion. Arenz’s race-long dedication to the bottom of the third-mile clay oval proved to pay dividends when he reeled in the high riding Schlafer and ducked into the lead in turn one on lap 19.

The pace slowed again on lap 19 when Todd Daun of Pleasant Prairie spun in turn three to bring out the fourth caution. On lap 22, two-time IRA champion Scotty Neitzel worked the low line to slip past Schlafer into second on lap 22.

With Arenz setting sail in front of the pack, 12th starter and current IRA point leader Brenham Crouch of Lubbock, Texas entered into a battle with Neitzel for second before the fifth and final caution of the race was displayed on lap 27 when Blake Nimee spun again in turn two.

Arenz again controlled the last restart of the race and pulled away from Neitzel to notch his first career IRA 410 Sprint Car Series A-main victory and 37th overall main event triumph at the 73-year-old Plymouth Dirt Track facility covering four different divisions (Outlaw Compact 4-Cylinder, B Mod, 360 Sprint Car and 410 Sprint Car).

“This win means a lot,” Arenz said. “From 4-Cylinders to Sport Mods to 360s to now 410s, we’ve been able to find success and get to victory lane at Plymouth. When I was growing up, all I ever wanted to do was race at Plymouth. It feels great to get one here in a 410 Sprint Car.”

Crouch finished second, Schlafer wound up third, Reinke placed fourth and ninth starter Russel Borland of Kewaskum rounded out the top five.

Polesitter Max Brannam of Holiday Hills, Ill. grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints A main with fourth starter John Kirk of Johnsburg, Ill. in tow in second.

On lap 4, Kirk used the outside lane to seize the top spot from Brannam. One lap later, Mark Heinert moved in to pressure Brannam for second before gaining the runner-up spot in turn one on lap 7. Heinert gradually reeled in Kirk before pulling off what proved to be the winning move to take the lead in turn one lap 10.

With Heinert commanding the point, seventh starter Mike Neau of Pleasant Prairie moved in to take second in the closing lap. Meanwhile, Heinert went on to secure his fourth IRA Sprints A-main victory of the 2023 campaign in the caution-free race.

Neau placed second, Kirk wound up third, Max Brannam was fourth and third starter Ron Brannam of Barrington, Ill. placed fifth.

Ben Schmidt earned fast qualifier accolades in the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division with a top lap of 12.202 seconds.  

J.J. Hickle of Quilcene, Wash. collected IRA 410 Sprint Car fast qualifier accolades with a lap of 11.458 seconds.

The eighth event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Jensen Sales and Service and included bonus money from Professional Plating for heat race and A main winners in all three divisions, drew a total of 70 cars, including 25 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 28 IRA 410 Sprint Cars and 17 IRA Lightning Sprints.  

The next race program at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, July 8 will feature the second appearance of the 2023 season from the Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series, along with the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals and B Mods.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

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Schmidt, Sorce, Warner, Winkel excel as PDTR honors the late Cole Possi

Family and Friends Remembering Cole Possi

Ben Schmidt	Will Source	Tim Warner

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) June 24, 2023 – On a night dedicated to reflecting on the life of late 360 Sprint driver Cole Possi, three repeat A-main winners returned to victory lane and a new name joined the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing main event victory list Saturday, June 24 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.

Prior to the start of the racing program, the members of the Possi Racing team, including family and friends, who for many years traveled regularly from Upper Michigan to compete in the 360 Sprint Car division at The Plymouth Dirt Track, gathered in front of the grandstand to remember Cole, who passed away in March, with Cole’s Last Lap ceremony. In addition, Cole’s father Earl, who notched six PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victories during his racing career, strapped into the seat of Cole’s No. 39 car to compete in the 360 Sprint Car portion of the racing program in his memory.  

2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth earned his second straight Akright Auto PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2023 season in the 25-lap main event.

In the 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National main event, Will Sorce of Franklin collected his second A-main victory of the 2023 campaign.

Two-time PDTR B Mod champ Tim Warner of Malone executed a thrilling last lap, final corner pass to notch his third PDTR Next Step Insurance B Mod A-main victory of the 2023 campaign in the 25-lap A main.

Austin Winkel of Sheboygan Falls racked up his first career A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in the 25-lap 106.5 The Buzz Wisconsin Racing Legends Dirt Series headliner

In the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main, rookie T.J. Haddy of Waupun used his outside front row starting position to vault past polesitter Alex Pokorski of West Bend and grab the lead on the opening lap.

On lap 2, the first of four caution flags appeared when rookie Ryan Sawusch of Lake Villa, Ill. spun in turn four. Following the restart Ben Schmidt, who started third,  vaulted past Pokorski into second in turn two before using the low groove to seize the top spot from Haddy exiting turn four.

Pokorski ducked low to work his way past Haddy into second in turn one on lap 4 before the caution flag appeared on lap 5 when Haddy spun into the turn four wall to bring out the second caution of the race.

On lap 6, fourth starter Brandon Berth of Cascade used the high line to power past the low riding Pokorski into second. One lap later, the third caution flag was displayed to the field when Chris Larson of Franksville collided with the turn four wall.

The restart saw Pokorski work the high groove to vault his way into second as Schmidt pulled away to build a solid lead cushion. The 24-year veteran was closing in on the rear of the field when the fourth caution flag came out on lap 11 for Sawusch’s second spin of the race in turn three.

Berth used the preferred outer lane to take second from Pokorski in turn two as Schmidt again bolted away from his pursuers. The 2011 Midwest Sprint Car Association champion caught slower traffic on lap 15 and two laps later Pokorski regained second when Berth washed up high along the undulating cushion.

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh, who started ninth, moved into third on lap 18. Pokorski began to reel in Schmidt as the leader wound their way through lapped traffic.

However, the fourth-year driver fell just short at the finish line as Schmidt collected his second straight and third overall PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and fourth MSA main event triumph of the 2023 season, along with his 18th career PDTR and 36th career MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main win. 

“I raced against Earl [Possi] for a lot of years and I raced with Cole [Possi] for several years too,” Schmidt said. “This wins means a lot. I want to thank the Possi Family for coming and doing this event tonight in Cole’s memory, the fans for coming out to support us, the sponsors on this car and my crew for giving me a great car every night.”

Pokorski placed second, McMullen was third, rookie Logan Julien of Oconomowoc, who started fifth, placed fourth and Berth rounded out the top five.

As an extra Cole’s Last Lap event bonus, third place A-main finisher Brandon McMullen and ninth place finisher Justin Erickson of Plymouth each picked up $139 dollars courtesy of Goeden Auto Body. Also, rookie Tristan Koenings of Van Dyne collected $339 courtesy of Shufflebotham Tree Service in Cole Possi’s memory.

In the 25-lap Grand National main event, outside front row starter Donny Kulow of Plymouth grabbed the lead on the opening lap with 2019 PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Sheboygan, who started fourth, moving into second.

Tyler Kulow moved in to challenge Donny Kulow for the lead on lap 3 before seizing the top spot along the high groove in turn two on lap 4. Meanwhile, Will Sorce, who started third, moved past Donny Kulow into second lap 8 and quickly set his sights on the lead.

After racing in close quarters with Tyler Kulow for the top spot for several laps, Sorce swept into the lead with a high move in turn one on lap 12. As Sorce pulled away from Tyler Kulow, the lone caution flag of the event appeared on lap 19 when Don Singer of Waldo and Dick Hed of Plymouth collided and spun in turn four.

Sorce controlled the restart and maintained the top spot over the final six laps en route to his sixth career PDTR Grand National A-main triumph.

Tyler Kulow placed second, fifth starter Steven Weber of Plymouth took third, Donny Kulow wound up fourth and six-time overall Plymouth Dirt Track Super Stock and Grand National champion Brian Gilles of Plymouth placed fifth after starting 12th.

Hunter Larson of Oshkosh jumped into the lead of the 25-lap B Mod A main from the pole position with outside front row starter Jesse Cullen of Chilton in tow. On lap five, Tim Warner, who started fifth, worked the high groove to pass third starter Steve Lorier of Sheboygan for third in turn three.

Three laps later, Cullen closed in to pressure Larson for the lead before Warner worked his way in to make it a three-way battle for the top spot on lap 16. As the leaders encountered lapped traffic, Cullen attempted a high move to pull even with Larson on lap 19. However, Larson fended off the challenge to retain the top spot.

On lap 21, Warner seized second from Cullen before pounding the cushion to challenge Larson on lap 23. During the final lap, Warner unleashed a big run along the outer groove, while Larson was stuck behind slower traffic down low, to steal the victory in turn four and nip Larson at the checkered flag.

The crowd-pleasing final corner victory in the caution-free race was Warner’s division-leading 10th career PDTR B Mod A-main triumph.

Larson had to settle for second, Lorier took third, Cascade’s Barry Maas, who started third, finished fourth and sixth starter Travis Schmidt of Plymouth wound up fifth.

Polesitter Kim Clover of Waupun led the opening lap of the 20-lap Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series before the first of two caution flags came out on lap 2 for a spin involving Hayden Schmuhl of Beaver Dam.

On the restart, Austin Winkel moved into second along the outside line. Winkel quickly closed in on Clover before shooting past Clover into the lead with a low move in turn three on lap 5.

Winkel then built up a half-lap lead over eighth starter Ryan Sullivan of Waupun on lap 12. The second and final caution slowed the pace on lap 14 when Matt Gritt of Plymouth spun in turn four.

Winkel again bolted away from the field on the way to his first career Legends A-main triumph in the second Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series A main to ever be contested at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Sullivan finished second, Dallas Ross of Reeseville, who started third, placed third, Mike Mueller of Waupun took fourth after starting fourth and seventh starter Eric Blumer of Sun Prairie rounded out the top five.

Logan Julien earned fast qualifier accolades in the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division with a top lap of 12.853 seconds.

The seventh event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Mayer Automotive, drew a total of 76 cars, including  22 360 Sprint Cars, 19 B Mods, 19 Wisconsin Dirt Racing Legends Series cars and 16 Grand Nationals.

The next race program at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, July 1 will feature an all-open wheel event, including the third 2023 appearance of the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, along with the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars and IRA Lightning Sprints.  

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m., hot laps are set at 5:30 p.m. with qualifying and racing to follow.

 

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Schmidt, Waelti, Pearson, Warner claim PDTR A-main triumphs

Ben Schmidt	Justin Pearson	Tim Warner	Brandon Waelti

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) June 17, 2023 – Two former track champions joined two first-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing winners in victory lane in  PDTR A-main competition at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, June 17.

Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who claimed the 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car championship, secured his second Akright Auto PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2023 season in the 25-lap main event.

Sun Prairie’s Brandon Waelti racked up his first career A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in the 25-lap 106.5 The Buzz Badger Midget headliner

In the 25-lap Oostburg Automotive 25-lap Grand National main event, Justin Pearson of Horicon posted his first career PDTR A-main triumph.

Two-time PDTR B Mod champ Tim Warner of Malone nailed down his second PDTR Next Step Insurance B Mod A-main victory of the 2023 campaign in the 25-lap A main.

In the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main, outside front row starter Alex Pokorski of West Bend bolted into the lead along the high groove with 2021 and 2022 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls, who started on the pole, settling into second.

The first of four caution flags appeared on lap 2 when rookie Hayden Johnson of Campbellsport stopped in turn four.

On the ensuing restart, the second caution flag flew when Spyder Akright of Sheboygan Falls, Tommy Colburn of New Berlin and Bill Taylor of Boltonville spun in turn two.

Another caution flag was displayed to the field on the next restart when Arenz and Pokorski collided in turn two after Arenz attempted a slide job, which resulted in Arenz’s car spinning to a stop before Campbellsport’s Tony Wondra, who had been running third, was collected in the incident.

After the third restart of the race, Ben Schmidt, who started sixth, pulled off  a slide job to slip past rookie Logan Julien of Oconomowoc, who started fifth, and assumed the runner-up spot as Pokorski held down the lead.

The fourth and final caution flag of the event appeared on lap 5 when Colburn stopped in turn four.

Following a single-file restart, Schmidt wrestled the top spot away from Pokorski with a low move in turn four on lap 6. Meanwhile, Pokorski began to feel pressure from two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen, who started 10th beginning on lap 8.

The cushion-pounding Pokorski and the low-riding McMullen dueled side by side and back and forth over the next 10 laps as the leaders weaved their way through slower traffic.

On lap 18, McMullen finally surged into the runner-up spot along the low groove. Schmidt skillfully worked his way through lapped traffic over the final seven laps to secure his 17th career PDTR,  35th career Midwest Sprint Car Association and third overall MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph of the 2023 season.

“It is awesome to get this win,” Schmidt said. “This car is a dream to drive and I can’t thank my crew enough for what they do.”

McMullen finished second, Pokorski wound up third, Julien took fourth and PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car rookie T.J. Smith of Greenville placed fifth after starting ninth.

Polesitter Eric Blumer of Sun Prairie outpowered Matt Recheck of Beaver Dam to surge into the lead on the drop of the green flag from his outside front row starting spot in the 25-lap Badger Midget A main.

On lap 3, Adam Taylor of Wheatefield, Ind., who started eighth, used the outside groove to take over second. One lap later, Taylor bolted past Blumer into the lead along the front stretch.

As Taylor extended his lead at the front of the field, ninth starter Brandon Waelti of Sun Prairie worked his way into second on lap 9 along the high groove in turn two.

By lap 13, Taylor had built up a full straightaway cushion over Waelti as the leaders maneuvered their way through the rear of the field. The lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 22 when Parker Jones of Blue Mounds stopped in turn four and Jace Sparks of Crystal Lake, Ill. stalled along the back stretch.

Following the restart, Waelti unreeled off a slide job to take over the top spot in turn two before Taylor attempted to regain the lead with a slide job of his own in turn four. However, Waelti was able to execute a crossover move to maintain the lead.

Waelti held on over the final two laps to secure his third Badger Midget A-main victory of the 2023 season and his first career main event triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

“The track was really racy,” Waelti said. “I’ve only been here a couple of times, but it was a lot of fun tonight. Adam Taylor got a really good job and was way ahead, so that caution near the end really helped us. Hopefully, the fans had a great time watching the race tonight.”

Taylor finished second, Todd Kluever of Sun Prairie finished third after starting 10th, 11th starter Cody Weisensel of Sun Prairie placed fourth and Blumer rounded out the top five.

In the 25-lap PDTR Grand National A main, 83-year-old Dick Hed of Plymouth, who started on the pole, grabbed the lead on the opening lap. The first of three caution flags was displayed on lap 4 when Don Singer of Waldo spun in turn two.

On the restart, the second caution flag came out when Noah Wachowiacz of West Allis spun in turn two. Following a single file restart, third starter Dustin Weiss of Iron Ridge ducked under Hed to assume the lead in turn one.

After the third and final caution flag appeared on lap 13 for an incident involving Josh Pierce of Fredonia and Scott Kafka of Cleveland, Weiss maintained the lead while eighth starter Justin Pearson began to mount his charge to the front along the high line.

Two laps after seventh starter Nick Schumacher of Eagle seized second, Pearson powered into third on lap 19 before surging past Schumacher into second on lap 20. Following a brief side-by-side duel with Weiss, Pearson grabbed the lead with a high move in turn two on lap 23.

Pearson went on to post his first career PDTR Grand National A-main victory, Schumacher finished second, Weiss was third, Hed wound up fourth and fourth starter Donny Kulow of Plymouth rounded out the top five.

Polesitter Travis Schmidt of Plymouth grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap B Mod main event before two-time PDTR B Mod champion Tim Warner, who started fourth, moved in second in turn four.

On lap 7, second starter Jonathon Baumann of Sheboygan worked the outside lane to challenge Warner for second. One lap later, Warner charged along the inside groove to power past Schmidt into the lead in turn two with Baumann following into second.

The first of five caution flags appeared on lap 13 when Colten Van Hierden of Waupun spun in turn four. Another caution appeared on the next two restart attempts when Spencer Long of Sheboygan Falls spun in turn two and Hunter Larson of Oshkosh and Jim Fischer collided in turn three.

Following the restart, Warner pulled out to a half-straightaway cushion over Baumann on lap 15. Two laps later, sixth starter Jeff Steenbergen of Johnson Creek inched past Baumann into second.

The fourth caution flag appeared on lap 19 when Rory Welch of Grafton spun in turn two on lap 19. The fifth caution came out two laps later when Spencer Long spun in turn four.

Steenbergen hounded Warner over the final four laps but was unable to unseat Warner from the top spot. Warner went on to claim his second PDTR B Mod A-main victory of the 2023 season, while moving to sole possession of the top spot on the all-time PDTR B Mod main event victory list with his ninth career A main triumph.

Steenbergen finished second, Baumann placed third, third starter Steve Lorier of Sheboygan finished fourth and Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls, who started eighth, placed fifth .

Katelyn Krebsbach of Cascade was the top qualifier in the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division with a fast lap of 12.943 seconds.

Todd Kluever earned Badger Midgets fast qualifier honors with a lap of 13.665 seconds around the third mile semi-banked clay oval.

The sixth event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by JosFo Electric, drew a total of 85 cars, including  25 360 Sprint Cars, 20 Badger Midgets, 20 Grand Nationals and 20 B Mods.

The next race program at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, June 24 will feature the first 2023 appearance from the Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series along with the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals and B Mods.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying set at 5:30 p.m. and racing scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

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McGrath outduels Casey to capture Plymouth Super Six Late Model Series thriller

Wondra captures PDTR 360 Sprint Car main event triumph in 31st season

Mitch McGrath	Tony Wondra

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) June 10, 2023 – With a light mist falling on the multi-groove racing surface, 2014 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model champion Mitch McGrath of Waukesha emerged from a heated duel with Terry Casey of New London to notch his first main event triumph of the 2023 PDTR season in the rain-shortened 25-lap 106.5 The Buzz Super Six Late Model Series A main at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, June 10.

In the non-stop 25-lap Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association main event, 31-year racing veteran Tony Wondra of Campbellsport collected his first A-main victory of the 2023 campaign in flag-to-flag fashion.

The Grand National and B Mod A-main events were cancelled due to rain.

After a spin by Bill Edler of Howards Grove drew a caution flag on the initial start, Terry Casey jumped into the lead on the opening lap of the scheduled 30-lap Super Six Late Model Series headliner with third starter Justin Ritchie of New London moving into second along the inside groove.

On lap three the second caution of the event appeared when five-time defending PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland slowed along the back stretch.

Utilizing the outside lane Mitch McGrath, who started second, moved around Ritchie in turn four on lap 3 to take over second. Five laps later, four-time PDTR Late Model champion Brad Mueller of Random Lake ducked low to work past Ritchie into third, while sixth starter Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha assumed fourth one lap later.

As the high riding Casey approached the rear of the field, McGrath cut the gap along the inside line of the third-mile clay oval. With Casey mired in dense lapped traffic, McGrath used the low groove to pull even for the lead on lap 18.

The two highly successful veteran drivers mounted an intense battle over the next six laps, exchanging lanes multiple times in the closing laps. On lap 23, McGrath used a big run along the back stretch to move ahead of Casey in turn three.

However, Casey battled back to attempt a slide job in turns one and two, which saw him push high on the increasing wet track surface. As Casey moved up the track in turn two, McGrath ducked low to regain the top spot entering the back stretch.

McGrath held the top spot over the next two circuits until the third yellow flag was displayed on lap 26 when Andy Jones of Princeton, Minn. spun on the back stretch.

With the light rain shower making the racing surface too wet to resume the race, the yellow and checkered flags were displayed simultaneously to give McGrath his 14th career PDTR Late Model A-main victory worth $1,500, as he became the third different driver to claim a 2023 Super Six Late Model Series A-main victory in as many races.

Casey had to settle for second, Mueller placed third, Scheffler wound up fourth and seventh starter Jayme Zidar of Hales Corners finished fifth.

With the only Ford engine in the field, Tony Wondra outpowered polesitter Tristan Koenings of Van Dyne to grab the lead on the drop of the green flag in the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car main event as fourth starter Brandon Berth of Cascade moved into second and outside third row starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend used a strong start to catapult into third along the cushion.

On lap 10, Wondra began to work his way through thick lapped traffic, which allowed Berth to cut into the lead. Nine laps later, Berth used the inside groove to briefly go side-by-side with the cushion-riding Wondra.

However, Wondra quickly pulled away to regain a solid lead, while Karnitz charged in to wrestle second place away from Berth with a well-executed slide job in turn four on lap 23 with two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh, who started 10th, taking over third on lap 24.

Wondra, who began his racing career in the Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified division at The Plymouth Dirt Track in 1993, went on to notch his third career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory, eighth overall Midwest Sprint Car Association main event triumph and his first MSA A-main win since Sept. 18, 2021 at Gravity Park Speedway in Chilton, Wis.

Karnitz placed second, McMullen finished third, Berth was fourth and 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who start seventh, rounded out the top five.

Turk Letizia of Milwaukee won the 12-lap Late Model B main.

Brad Mueller earned Late Model fast qualifier honors with a lap of 13.202 seconds around the third mile semi-banked clay oval.

Ben Schmidt was the top qualifier in the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division with a lap of 12.336 seconds.

The fifth event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Pit Stop Pizza, drew a total of 82 cars, including 24 Late Models, 22 Grand Nationals, 19 360 Sprint Cars and 17 B Mods.

The next race program at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, June 17 will feature the second 2023 appearance from the Badger Midgets, along with the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals and B Mods.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with 360 Sprint Car and Badger Midgets qualifying set at 5:30 p.m. and racing scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

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McMullen proves advantageous in securing second 2023  PDTR 360 Sprint Car victory

Abreu collects first All Stars-IRA Rayce Rudeen Foundation
410 Sprint Car race win 

Brandon McMullen	Rico Abreu

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) June 3, 2023 – Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh benefitted from race leader Justin Erickson’s late-race misfortune to earn his second Akright Auto PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2023 season in the 25-lap main event Saturday, June 3 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.

In the fifth annual Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions Presented by Mobile 1 – Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Rayce Ruden Foundation A-main, Rico Abreu of St. Helena, Calif. pocketed the $26,000-to-win first place prize in leading all 35 laps of the richest 410 Sprint Car race in the state of Wisconsin in 2023.

Polesitter Brandon McMullen jumped into the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 25-lap PDTR – Midwest Sprint Car Association main event with outside front row starter Justin Erickson of Plymouth in tow.

On lap 3, Erickson moved in to pressure McMullen for the top spot as the leaders began to catch the rear of the field. Two laps later, Erickson bolted underneath McMullen in heavy lapped traffic to assume the top spot in turn three on lap 5.

Erickson continued to set a torrid pace at the front of the field as he sliced his way through dense lapped traffic over the next 18 laps. On lap 17, fifth starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend moved in to slip past McMullen to take over second along the preferred low groove.

As Karnitz and McMullen engaged in a heated back-and-forth duel for the runner-up spot, Erickson built up a half lap lead on lap 20. One lap later, McMullen regained the runner-up spot with a low move in turn two.

Two laps later, disaster struck for Erickson when contact with a lapped car sent him flipping on the frontstretch, which brought out a red flag on lap 23. Erickson’s misfortune saw McMullen regain the lead on the ensuing single-file restart.

McMullen held tight to the inside line with Karnitz trailing as the field took the white flag. However, a caution flag flew when 360 Sprint Car rookies Tristan Koenig of Van Dyne and T.J. Smith of Greenville made contact in turn four.

After a single-file green-white-checkered flag restart, McMullen maintained the top spot en route to his all-time division-leading 29th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph, 41st career Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car main event victory and second PDTR and third overall MSA 360 Sprint main event win of the 2023 season.

“Justin [Erickson] had a great car tonight,” McMullen said. “He was better than us. I’m not sure what happened to him, but it ended up working to our benefit. It was a challenging night and the feature was a pretty crazy race for us, but we’ll take it.”

Karnitz had to settle for second, Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum charged up from the ninth starting spot to finish third, 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett placed fourth after starting third and Alex Pokorski of West Bend, who started seventh, rounded out the top five.

In the 35-lap All Star-IRA Rayce Rudeen Foundation 410 Sprint Car main event, Rico Abreu jumped into the lead from the pole with outside front row starter Brent Marks of Myerstown, Pa. emerging from an early-race duel with third starter Lachlan McHugh of Gold Coast Queensland, Australia to gain control of second on lap 4.

On lap 6, two-time defending Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions champion Tyler Courtney of Indianapolis, Ind., who started fourth, vaulted into third. Two laps later, the high-riding Abreu caught the back of the field and continued to ride the high groove through lapped traffic.

Abreu pasted his machine primarily to the extremely high cushion, which was just off of the outside retaining wall, over the next 18 laps before a red flag was displayed when 2022 IRA champion Jordan Goldesberry of Springfield, Ill. flipped on the frontstretch, after making contact with J.J. Hickle of Quilcene, Wash.

On the restart, Anthony Macri of Dillsburg, Pa., who started sixth, ducked under Marks to assume second as two of the leading members of the famed Pennsylvania Posse waged an intense battle for second with contact made between the two in turn two on slide job attempts from both drivers on consecutive laps.

Marks eventually emerged with the second spot. In the closing laps, Abreu adjusted his line to run the bottom of the track in turns one and two and the top in turns three and four, which proved to seal the victory as he went on to notch his 12th career Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions A-main triumph, fifth overall victory of the 2023 season and first Rayce Rudeen Foundation event win.

“The track was really technical,” Abreu said in victory lane. “We struggled at the beginning of the night and we just got better as we went. We had a lot of the best drivers in the country racing here tonight, so it was definitely tough. I tried to make consistent laps in the A main. I moved to the bottom a few times in traffic, but the pace was so slow down low that I felt I had to get back up to the top.

“Later on in the race, I went to running low in one and two and high in three and four and I think doing that is what won us the race,” he said. “I have to thank the Rudeen family for putting this event on and everyone for coming out and supporting it. Some of the best race fans in the country are right here in Wisconsin. I always enjoy coming back here to race.”

Marks finished second, former USAC Sprint Car, Midget and Silver Crown champion Chris Windom of Canton, Ill. moved up from the fifth starting spot to finish third, Macri placed fourth and Courtney rounded out the top five.

Jordan Goldesberry won the 12-lap All Star-IRA B main.

Tyler Courtney earned All Star-IRA 410 Sprint Car fast qualifier honors with a lap of 11.660 seconds around the third mile semi-banked clay oval.

Two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee was the fastest qualifier in the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car division with a lap of 12.693 seconds.

The fourth event of the 2023 PDTR campaign drew a total of 66 cars, including 41 All Star-IRA 410 Sprint Cars and 25 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars.

The next race program at The Plymouth Dirt on Saturday, June 10 will feature the third race in the 2023 PDTR Super Six Late Model Series, along with the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals and B Mods.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with Late Model and 360 Sprint Car qualifying set at 5:30 p.m. and racing scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

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Fassbender goes flag to flag to bag PDTR 360 Sprint A main triumph

Goldesberry, Sparks claim open wheel night
A-main victories

Jordan Goldesberry	Lance Fassbender	Jace Sparks

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 20, 2023 – On a night when nothing but open wheel race cars took to The Plymouth Dirt Track third-mile clay oval in Plymouth, Wis., 31-year racing veteran Lance Fassbender of Burnett led all 25 laps on the way to his first Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main victory of the 2023 season Saturday, May 20.

In the 30-lap Frank Filskov Memorial Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series A main, 2022 IRA champion Jordan Goldesberry of Springfield, Ill. emerged from a thrilling late-race duel with 10-time IRA champ Bill Balog of Hartland and two-time IRA champion Jake Blackhurst of Hanna City, Ill. to claim his second IRA A-main victory of the 2023 season.

Jace Sparks of Crystal Lake, Ill. led every lap of the 25-lap main event to notch his first career Badger Midgets A-main victory.

After starting on the pole of the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A main, 2008 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and 2005 Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender jumped into the lead on the drop of the green flag utilizing the preferred low groove, followed by 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who started third, in second.

On lap 3, fifth starter Alex Pokorski of West Bend slipped past the high-riding machine of two-time PDTR and five-time MSA 360 Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee, who started second, to move into third.

As Fassbender built up a solid lead in the early going, the first of third caution flags in the event appeared on lap six when two-time PDTR and MSA 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls spun to a stop in turn two.

Following the restart, Pokorski maneuvered past Schmidt to assume second on lap 7. Fassbender caught the rear of the field on lap 12, which allowed Pokorski to cut the gap. While closing in on Fassbender for the lead, a potential career-best finish for Pokorski was derailed when he was collected after rookie T.J. Haddy of Waupun and Chris Larson of Franksville made contact in turn four.

Fassbender controlled the lead after the ensuing restart and built up a half-straight away cushion over Schmidt by lap 22. As the leaders closed in on slower traffic, the third and final caution flew when Kurt Davis hit the backstretch wall on lap 28.

Fassbender was not to be denied on the final restart as he cruised to his eighth career PDTR 360 Sprint A-main victory and 22nd career MSA 360 Sprint Car main event triumph.

Schmidt placed second, seventh starter Chris Clayton of Waldo finished a strong third, fourth starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend took fourth and two-time PDTR and four-time MSA 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh moved up from the eighth starting spot to round out the top five.

“I was actually glad to see that final caution come out because those lapped cars were going to be really hard to get around at the end,” Fassbender said.

Polesitter Jake Blackhurst raced into the lead on the opening lap of the 30-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car Frank Filskov Memorial A main. On lap five, fourth starter Bill Balog used the outside groove to power into the lead in turn one.

The first of two caution flags appeared on lap six when Josh Schneiderman of West Burlington, Iowa spun in turn four. Following the restart, Jordan Goldesberry, who started fifth, used a low move to slip past Blackhurst into second.

As the cushion-pounding Balog caught lapped traffic on lap 13, Goldesberry closed considerably along the low line. The second and final caution flag of the race then appeared on the following lap as Tyler Tischendorf of Waupaca and Ion Stear of Hebron, Ill. make contact in turn third.

Goldesberry continued to hound Balog for the lead over the next six laps before surging ahead in turn four on lap 19. However, Balog battled back to regain the lead on lap 21 in turn two.

On the next lap, Blackhurst reentered the lead battle as Balog, Goldesberry and Blackhurst went into turn three three-wide with Blackhurst emerging in the lead exiting turn four.

As the leaders weaved their way through slower traffic, Balog regained the top spot in turn two as he continued to stick with the high line. Goldesberry remained patient along the low line to move back into the lead exiting turn four on lap 29.

On the final lap, Balog attempted to make one final bid for the lead, but he spun into the wall along the far outside portion of the track in turn four as Goldesberry crossed the finish line at the head of the pack to secure his ninth career IRA Sprint Car Series A-main victory.

“I didn’t have an idea we were going to be that good in the A main,” Goldesberry said. “As the race went on, I knew lapped traffic would be a problem running down low. I didn’t know if we would be as fast the guys running the top, but luckily it turned out in our favor.”

Russel Borland, who started eighth, charged up to finish a career-best second, IRA rookie Brenham Crouch of Lubbock, Texas, started and finished third, two-time IRA champion Scotty Neitzel of Beaver Dam placed fourth after starting eighth and Blackhurst placed fifth.

Polesitter Jace Sparks assumed the top spot on the opening lap of the 25-lap Badger Midget A main as fifth starter Brandon Waelti of Sun Prairie used a strong start to move into second.

The lone caution of the race appeared on lap five when Tommy Colburn of New Berlin spun in turn four on lap 5. Three laps later, Waelti closed in to challenge the low-riding Sparks along the low line.

The leaders remained in lock-step order along the inside groove until Sparks caught the rear of the field on lap 21. Waelti then drifted out of the preferred low line on lap 22 which allowed the third place car of Cody Weisensel of Sun Prairie, who started fourth, to move into second.

Sparks held on over the final three laps to secure his first career Badger Midgets A-main victory. Weisensel placed second, sixth starter Todd Kluever of Sun Prairie placed third, Daltyn England of Springfield, Ill., who started ninth, placed fourth and seventh starter Kyle Stark of Marshall rounded out the top five.

Travis Arenz (PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars), Anthony Knierim of Franksville (IRA 410 Sprint Cars) and R.J. Corson of Markham, Ill. (Badger Midgets) each claimed B-main victories.  

Ben Schmidt earned top PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car qualifying honors with a lap of 13.331 seconds.

Mike Reinke of Howards Grove was the top IRA 410 Sprint Series qualifier with a fast lap of 11.695 seconds.

Todd Kluever collected Badger Midgets fast qualifier accolades with a lap of 14.017 seconds.

The third event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Hopf Farms, drew a total of 89 cars, including 27 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 31 IRA 410 Sprint Cars and 31 Badger Midgets

After taking the Memorial Day weekend off, The Plymouth Dirt Track will host the Rayce Rudeen Foundation $26,000-to-win Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions-Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series event on Saturday, June 3. The PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars will also be on the card for the all-Sprint Car event.

Pit gates open at 2 p.m., followed by grandstand gates at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m.

Advance tickets for the Rayce Rudeen Foundation event are available on My Race Pass.

 

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Scheffler secures PDTR Super Six
Late Model Series main event victory 

McMullen, Sorce, Sheppard notch A-main triumphs

Brandon McMullen	Taylor Scheffler	Tim Sheppard	Will Sorce

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 13, 2023 – One week after leading all but the final two laps of the inaugural Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Super Six Late Model Series main event, Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha was not to be denied in the second Super Six Late Model Series A main of the 2023 season, as he led all 30 laps en route to victory on Saturday, May 13 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.

Two-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh utilized a start strong and an impressive finish in heavy lapped traffic to claim his first 25-lap Akright Auto 360 Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2023 season.

Will Sorce of Franklin successfully worked the middle and outside groove of the wide, smooth and slick track surface to punch his first ticket to Plymouth Dirt Track Racing main event victory lane in 2023 in the 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National A main.

2018 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing B Mod champion Tim Sheppard of Beaver Dam led flag-to-flag on the way to his initial main event triumph of the 2023 campaign in the 25-lap Next Step Insurance B Mod A main.

For the second week in a row, Taylor Scheffler started on the pole of the 30-lap 106.5 The Buzz Super Six Late Model Series A main and bolted into lead on the drop of the green flag with five-time defending PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland sliding into second from his fourth starting spot on lap 2.

On lap 5, Scheffler caught the rear of the field and began to slice his way through lapped traffic along the outside groove of the historic third-mile clay oval. Five laps later, Scheffler had built up a full straightaway cushion over Schmidt.

On lap 17, Scheffler was briefly slowed by the lapped car of Justin Green of Sheboygan Falls, which allowed Schmidt to cut the gap considerably. After Scheffler slid underneath Green on lap 14, four-time PDTR Late Model champ Brad Mueller of Random Lake moved in from his sixth starting position to pressure third starter Justin Ritchie of New London for third.

Mueller and Ritchie then engaged in three laps of heated back-and-forth dueling for the third spot until the first caution flag was displayed on lap 19 when Charlie Schmidt of Cedar Grove and the second-place machine of Justin Schmidt collided in turn four.

On the restart, Mueller worked past Ritchie into second and attempted to close the gap on the high-riding Scheffler along the outside line. The second caution flag of the race was displayed on lap 24 when Sawyer Specht of Sheboygan Falls spun into the turn four wall.

Following a green-white-checkered single-file restart, Scheffler held off Mueller over the final two laps en route to his seventh career PDTR Late Model A-main victory.

“It felt good to get this win tonight, especially after how the race ended last week,” Scheffler said. “I hit my marks and didn’t mess up tonight.”

Mueller, who edged Scheffler to claim the inaugural Super Six Late Model Series main event victory on May 6, had to settle for second. Ritchie took third, ninth starter Jim Schmidt of Sheboygan Falls took fourth and Bill Edler of Howards Grove, who started second, placed fifth.

In the 25-lap 360 Sprint Car A main, outside front row starter Brandon McMullen got a huge jump on the drop of the green flag from his outside second row starting spot and powered his way into the lead in turn four on the opening lap as 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who started third, took second in turn two on lap two.

One lap later, Chris Clayton of Waldo spun into the infield in turn three to bring out the first of two caution flags. On the restart, Schmidt attempted to slide his way past McMullen entering turn two, but the four-time Midwest Sprint Car Association champion fended off the challenge to maintain the lead.

On lap 4, 10th starter Alex Pokorski of West Bend used the high line to pass sixth starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend to claim fifth in the running order before working around polesitter Tony Wondra of Campbellsport to grab fourth.

Meanwhile, McMullen built up a full straight away lead over Schmidt by lap 7. One lap later, McMullen caught the rear of the field and began to negotiate slower traffic, which allowed Schmidt to cut the gap.

Schmidt worked the high line to reel in McMullen on lap 13 before the second and final caution flag appeared when Chris Larson of Franksville spun into the infield in turn three.

On the restart, 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Lance Fassbender of Burnett, who started seventh, ducked under Schmidt to assume second before Pokorski moved past Schmidt on lap 15 to take over third.

Over the final 10 laps, McMullen weaved his way through dense lapped traffic with Fassbender and Pokorski following close behind as the groove moved to the bottom of the track as rubber built up on the racing surface.

McMullen successfully negotiated the slower cars on the way to his division-leading 28th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car and 39th career Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main triumph.

“We normally don’t start the year too well, so it feels good to get one out of the gate,” McMullen said. “I saw Lance [Fassbender] on the restart and knew I had to get going. The crew always gives me a great car and I couldn’t do this without them.”

McMullen dedicated the victory to late PDTR 360 Sprint Car competitor Cole Possi of Rock, Mich., who passed away in March.

“This win is for Cole Possi,” he said. “It’s terrible what happened to him. I wish he were here tonight racing with us tonight.”

Fassbender placed second, Pokorski finished a career-best third, Tyler Brabant of Waupun placed fourth after starting 12th and eighth starter Will Gerrits of Waupun rounded out the top five.

Polesitter Dustin Weiss of Iron Ridge and second starter Brad Weiss of Cascade waged a heated side-by-side battle with the top spot for the first five laps of the 25-lap Grand National main event.

Dustin Weiss finally surged ahead in turn four on lap six before 2019 PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Sheboygan, who started eighth, sixth starter Will Sorce and Weiss went three wide for second with Sorce grabbing the runner-up spot on lap 10.

Two laps later, Sorce worked the high groove to surge past Weiss into the lead, while seventh starter Justin Pearson of Horicon followed Sorce along the outside lane to take second on lap 13.

As Sorce settled into the middle groove of the third-mile clay oval, Pearson used a slightly higher line to try to reel in the leader. Pearson closed the gap momentarily on lap 20 before Sorce used some nifty moves in lapped traffic to pull away en route to his fifth career PDTR A-main triumph in the caution-free race.

Pearson took second, Donny Kulow of Plymouth, who started third, placed third, Dustin Weiss placed fourth and Brad Weiss completed the top five.

Polesitter Tim Sheppard bolted into the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap B Mod main event as outside front row starter Marcus Hoeppner of Rubicon settled into second.

On lap five, 2022 PDTR B Mod champ Andy Welter of Cedarburg, who started fourth dueled with third starter Shane Long of Sheboygan Falls for third. By lap 8, Sheppard had built up a half-lap lead over Hoeppner.

Sheppard caught the rear of the field on lap 11 as ninth starter Barry Maas of Cascade worked his way into third on lap 14 using the high groove.

Over the final 11 laps, Sheppard continued to pull away from the field on the way to his second career PDTR B Mod A-main victory in the non-stop event.

Hoeppner finished second, seventh starter Travis Schmidt of Plymouth placed third, Long finished fourth and Steve Lorier of Sheboygan worked his way up from the 10th starting spot to finish fifth.

Bill Taylor of Boltonville won the 12-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car B main.

Mitch McGrath of Waukesha was the top qualifier in the Late Model group qualifying session with a lap of 13.596 seconds.   

Brandon McMullen turned the fastest overall lap in 360 Sprint Car group qualifying with a lap of 12.907 seconds.

The second event of the 2023 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by the city of Sheboygan Falls Fire Department, drew a total of 81 cars, including 17 Late Models, 28 360 Sprint Cars, 18 Grand Nationals and 18 B Mods.

The Plymouth Dirt Track will host an all-open wheel event on Saturday, May 20, featuring the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars and Badger Midgets.

 

 

Late heroics propel Mueller to first Super Six Late Model Series A-main triumph in 2023 PDTR lid lifter

Schmidt, Espen, Warner earn opening night main event wins

Brad Mueller	Ben Schmidt	Chad Espen	Tim Warner

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 6, 2023 – While the air temperature was leaning on the cold side, the on-track action was anything but, as Plymouth Dirt Track Racing kicked off the 2023 season with a full slate of hotly contested season-opening A-main events Saturday, May 6 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.

In the debut event of the Super Six Late Model Series, four-time PDTR Late Model champion Brad Mueller of Random Lake outdueled Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha in the closing laps to notch a thrilling season-opening victory in the 30-lap Sheboygan’s Country B93 Late Model headliner.

The PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main featured a heated battle among three former track champions as 2011 champ Ben Schmidt of Plymouth outbattled 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett in the early going and fended off a spirited late charge from two-time track champ Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh on the final lap to secure a hard-earned victory in the 25-lap Akright Auto 360 Sprint Car A main.

In the 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National A main, Chad Espen of West Bend outclassed the field on the way to victory lane, while two-time PDTR B Mod champion Tim Warner of Malone opened the 2023 PDTR campaign on a strong note by claiming victory in the 25-lap Next Step Insurance B Mod main event.

Taylor Scheffler used his pole position starting spot to seize the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 30-lap Super Six Late Model Series main event. By lap 5, Scheffler had built up a half straight away cushion over third starter Justin Ritchie of New London and on lap 10 his lead grew to a full straight away.

One lap later, Scheffler began to negotiate lapped traffic, which allowed Ritchie to gradually reel in the leader. As the laps wound down, Ritchie cut the gap to a quarter straightaway on lap 23.

Scheffler then found himself boxed in behind a lapped car along the low groove starting on lap 25, which allowed Ritchie and fourth starter Brad Mueller to pull in to challenge for the lead. On lap 28, Mueller ventured up to the high groove to bolt past Ritchie into second place before powering past Scheffler for the lead exiting turn four on the white flag lap.

Mueller went on to nail down his 24th career PDTR Late Model A-main victory and claim the $1,500 winner’s check in the non-stop event.

Ritchie snuck past Scheffler on the final lap to take second, Scheffler wound up third, Jim Schmidt of Cleveland, who started seventh, placed fourth and Late Model rookie Jayden Schmidt of Seymour, who started 10th, moved up to finish fifth in his debut appearance in a Late Model at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

“What a way to start the year!” Mueller exclaimed in victory lane. “I tried running the outside a little bit during the race in turns one and two, but the groove was way out there in turns three and four. I wasn’t too sure how it was going to go out there, but I had to try it. I got it to work just enough to get by Taylor at the end. I want to thank the fans for coming out to watch us. I know it’s probably not a lot of fun when it’s this cold, but we appreciate the support.”

Polesitter Lance Fassbender and outside front row starter Ben Schmidt waged an epic side-by-side duel during the first 10 laps of the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A main with Fassbender edging ahead of the high-riding Schmidt along the low groove on lap 2.

The two former PDTR and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car champions dueled back and forth throughout the initial stages of the race until Schmidt ducked low on lap 11 to steal the lead away from Fassbender in turn four.

Three laps later, third starter Brandon McMullen worked his way past Fassbender in thick lapped traffic to take over second and set his sights on the leader. On lap 18, McMullen closed to within striking distance of Schmidt as the leaders weaved their way through heavy lapped traffic on the wide, smooth and slick third-mile clay oval track surface.

On the final circuit, McMullen made a bold move around the outside of Schmidt to briefly surge into the lead in turn three. However, Schmidt battled back to regain the lead exiting turn four en route to his 16th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car and 33rd career MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main victory in the caution-free race.

McMullen had to settle for second, Fassbender was third, fourth starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend wound up fourth and Alex Pokorski of West Bend finished fifth after starting fifth to equal his career-best 360 Sprint Car A-main showing at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

Polesitter Don Singer of Waldo and outside front row starter Chad Espen raced side-by-side for the lead during the opening lap of the 25-lap Grand National A main before Espen rode the high line to take over the top spot in turn four on lap 2.

On lap 5, 2019 PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Sheboygan, who started fifth, moved into third, while Espen built up a half straight away lead over Singer on lap 8.

Two laps later, Kulow continued his charge to the front by moving underneath Singer to assume second in turn three. Espen got caught up behind a lapped car on lap 19, which allowed Kulow to close the gap considerably before the lone caution of the race appeared on lap 22 when Nick Goeman of Rubicon and Seth Westimayer of Horicon collided exiting turn four.

Following the single-file restart, Espen pulled away to notch his second career PDTR Grand National A-main victory. Kulow placed second, eighth starter Justin Pearson of Horicon finished third, Will Sorce of Franklin finished fourth after starting ninth and Singer rounded out the top five.

Polesitter Jonathon Baumann of Sheboygan led the opening circuit of the 25-lap Grand National main event before second starter Mark Hoeppner of Rubicon and fifth starter Tim Warner executed a high-low three-wide move to sweep around the sandwiched car of Baumann with Warner emerging with the lead along the low groove in turn three.

Warner wasted little time building up a solid lead before four consecutive caution flags for multi-car spins and collisions slowed the pace starting on lap 9. When the race finally resumed, fourth starter Barry Maas of Cascade rode the high line to take over second.

By lap 17, Warner held a full straightaway cushion over Maas before Cory Kemkes of Appleton, who started ninth, swept past Maas for second with a high move in turn three on lap 22.

However, Warner would not be headed as he pulled away over the final three laps to post his eighth career PDTR B Mod A main victory and move into a tie with Justin Green of Sheboygan Falls for the top spot on the all-time PDTR B Mod main event victory list.

Kemkes finished second, Maas was third, Baumann finished fourth and 2018 PDTR B Mod champ Tim Sheppard of Beaver Dam placed fifth after starting third.

Steven Weber of Plymouth won the 12-lap Grand National B main.

Brad Mueller was the top qualifier in the Late Model division group qualifying session with a lap of 13.525 seconds.

Lance Fassbender turned the fastest lap in 360 Sprint Car group qualifying with a lap of 12.713 seconds.

The 2023 PDTR season opener drew 90 cars, including 18 Late Models, 22 360 Sprint Cars, 27 Grand Nationals and 23 B Mods.

The second event of the six-race 2023 Super Six Late Model Series is scheduled to headline the next PDTR racing program on Saturday, May 13, along with the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals and B Mods.

The May 13th PDTR racing program will also be You’re Our Heroes Night with all military, police fire and EMS personnel admitted free with valid identification.

Grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. with Late Model and Sprint Car qualifying at 4:30 p.m. and racing at 5 p.m.

 

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Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame to honor
Class of 2023 inductees Saturday, July 15

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) March 13, 2023 – After enshrining 18 drivers, track workers and racing families among the inaugural Class of 2022, the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame will add a new set of 19 names to the list of esteemed honorees as part of the Class of 2023 Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, July 15.

In recognition of the spirit of competition and outstanding achievements taking place at the Plymouth racing facility over the past 73 years, the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Committee is dedicated to recognizing those individuals that have exemplified dirt track racing at the highest level since the track’s inception in 1950.

The Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2023, which includes 11 drivers, five track workers and three families, will be recognized during a short induction ceremony at intermission of the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 15, which will feature 360 Sprint Cars, Late Models, Grand Nationals, B Mods and Vintage Modifieds.

The Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2023 includes the following 11 drivers.

Steve Edler – The Sheboygan, Wis. driver earned three EWSC Sportsman championships in 1973, 1974 and 1976. Edler piled up 12 feature wins and 12 clean sweeps with 19 fast times in 1973. In 1974, Edler captured nine features, seven  fast times, as well as three clean sweeps. In 1976, he had seven feature wins, two clean sweeps and 19 fast times. 

Frankie Heimerl – The West Bend, Wis. driver won six Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Modified features and took five fast times at Plymouth in 1981. Heimerl earned the EWSC Modified championship in 1983 and set a new track record in qualifying on July 9, 1983. He claimed his second EWSC Modified championship in 1990, capturing one feature victory and posting seven fast time honors along the way. Heimerl, who also competed on the Milwaukee Stock Car Club Modified circuit during his career, retired after the 1993 season.

Woody Klug – The Cascade, Wis. driver began racing Modifieds in 1965 and won his first Modified feature that year. Woody placed second in points in 1966 and 1971. Klug was the EWSC Modified champion in 1970, winning a feature at 141 Speedway on June 7 and capturing another feature victory at Plymouth on June 13. Klug, who carried a Woody Woodpecker emblem on his car, notched three feature wins in 1971 before retiring. 

Hal Kulow – A resident of Plymouth, Wis., Kulow set his first EWSC Modified fast time at Plymouth in 1958. In 1959, Kulow won 15 races, including eight features and six fast time honors. Kulow placed second in the EWSC Modified point standings in 1967, while setting three fast times, including a new track record of 14.61 seconds. He retired after the 1967 season.

Gary Laack – Racing out of Glenbeulah, Wis., Laack enjoyed success at the Plymouth track in all three of the original EWSC divisions, posting multiple feature race victories in Modified, Sportsman and Hobby Stock competition and earning a grand title of nine championships. Laack was the 1976 EWSC Hobby Stock champion before claiming eight EWSC Sportsman titles in 1977, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990 and 1992. Laack moved to the EWSC Modified division in 1994, winning one feature race and posting two fast times, while placing ninth in the Modified point standings. He also finished second in the EWSC Modified standings in 1999 and 2004.

Ron Luedtke – A resident of Lomira, Luedtke won his first Modified feature in 1979. Luedtke won the EWSC Modified crown in 1982 by winning six features, including a sweep at 141 Speedway on August 18, to go along with four fast times. He took second in the EWSC Modified point standings in 1983. Luedtke, who was known as the “Flying Farmer,” retired from racing in 1986. 

John and Rodney Michaels – The Michaels Brothers racing team began competing in the EWSC Hobby Stock division in 1971. In 1977 and 1978, John and Rodney earned Hobby Stock championships, while winning seven Hobby Stock features in 1977. The Michaels Brothers won eight Hobby Stock features in 1978 before retiring in 1982.

Ken Painter – Known as a fan-favorite throughout his career, Painter began racing in 1964. He took second in the Modified points race in 1969 before earning the 1971 Modified title aided by three fast times. Painter, who displayed a dinosaur on his cars, retired after the 1971 season. On Aug. 18, 1982, Painter won an Old Timer's Race at 141 Speedway, while driving a Sportsman car. 

Jim Pitzen – The Plymouth, Wis. driver, who was commonly referenced in racing circles as “The Boomer,” began his racing career at Plymouth in 1985 and placed second in the EWSC Sportsman point standings in 1986, 1987 and 1992. Pitzen captured a total of four EWSC Sportsman titles in 1988, 1989, 1994 and 1995. He won four feature races and had nine fast times in 1988, while racking up a total of 32 feature EWSC Sportsman feature race victories during his career. He retired after the 1995 season before returning to compete in the Limited Late Model division at Plymouth in 2003 and 2004.

Scott Vollbrecht – The Sheboygan Falls, Wis. competitor began racing in 1977. Vollbrecht secured EWSC Sportsman championships in 1982 and 1984. In 1982, he recorded five feature victories and had three fast times, while setting a Sportsman track record of 15.63 seconds. In 1984, Vollbrecht captured two feature victories and 11 fast times, along with one clean sweep.

Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2023 inductees in the Dedication to Racing category include track workers Donna Bader, Beth and Tom Breyer and Evie Robel, along with car owner and mechanic Glenn Haddy.

In addition, the Akright, Ruh and Wondra families will be inducted to the Plymouth Wall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023 in the Racing Families category.

The names of each Class of 2023 inductee will be permanently etched on the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame, located underneath the grandstands at The Plymouth Dirt Track racing facility.

The Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Committee intends to honor a new group of inductees on an annual basis, during future racing seasons at The Plymouth Dirt Track facility.

In the event of inclement weather on Saturday, July 15, a make-up date for the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony has been set for Saturday, July 22.

Family members of 2023 Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame inductees are encouraged to attend the induction event at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, July 15. Those wishing to attend are asked to contact Ken Schulz in advance at kenschulz91@gmail.com.

Frankie Heimerl	Gary Laack		Jim Pitzen
Steve Edler	Scott Vollbrecht		Ken Painter
Hal Kulow	Woody Klug		John & Rodney Michaels
Ron Luedtke