KERTSCHER SMASHES TRACK RECORD, WINS 141 IRA GO
Photos by David Hooker
by Joe Verdegan
(Francis Creek, WI) May 27 — Fredonia’s Mike Kertscher smashed the track record in qualifying, then battled his way to win a caution filled 30 lap, Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw sprint car show at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek.
In qualifying, Kertscher wheeled the first sub 11 second lap with an 10.750. The lap beat out the prior track record held by Beaver Dam’s Scotty Neitzel of an 11.001 set in May 2010.
71 cars took part in the three division program, including 33 sprint cars, 20 Tisler Salvage street stocks and 18 sport fours.
The race got off to a rocky start when Beaver Dam’s Billy Warren made contact with another car on the frontstretch at the drop of the green. The contact sent his machine into a series of flips. He escaped unhurt but was done for the night.
On the second attempted start current points leader Balog rocketed into the lead, whisking past polesitter Scott Biertzer on the second lap. On lap four Sheboygan’s Scotty Thiel belted the turn two wall, sending his car on its lid. He emerged unscathed.
When racing resumed Balog kept his lead, with Kertscher keeping Balog in his sights as the leader sifted through lapped cars. Halfway through the race Kertscher pulled ahead of Balog, but Kertscher slapped the wall, and faded back.
A Russell Borland spin on lap 27 brought out a three lap dash to the finish. On the restart, Kertscher slid up the track in turn two and made contact with Balog. Balog’s car rolled and the race was red flagged. Lapped cars went to the tail on the restart, and Kertscher sailed to his first series win of the season. Neitzel hung on for second, with Howards Grove’s Mike Reinke taking the third spot.
Second generation driver Matt Reinke of Reedsville wheeled a 1964 Chevelle to victory lane in the Tisler Salvage street stock 20 lap feature, which went caution free. Reinke dipped inside of leader Ford Malvitz with five laps to go and fought off Kraig Koehler of Francis Creek and rookie Brad Laurent of Manitowoc in the final laps to win. Mike Nehmer of Larson and Malvitz took fourth and fifth, respectively.
Brian Johnson of Oconto Falls won the sport four feature.
Oswego, Illinois rookie Blake Nimee, who a week ago turned 18 and one day ago graduated from Oswego East High school, took a nasty tumble in his heat race in turn one. He escaped unhurt.
Weekly Saturday night racing resumes on June 2. Modifieds, IMCA northern sportmods, Brian Peterson Builders Grand Nationals, Tisler Salvage street stocks, stock cars and sport fours will all compete.For more information please check 141speedway.com. You can also follow us on both Facebook and Twitter. The track phone is (920) 863 3377. For further information call (920) 905 1112. 141 Speedway is located 15 minutes south of Green Bay on County “R” in Francis Creek.
RACE SUMMARY
30 LAP BUMPER TO BUMPER IRA OUTLAW A MAIN — Mike Kertscher, Fredonia; Scotty Neitzel, Beaver Dam; Mike Reinke, Howards Grove; Tommy Sexton, Antioch, IL; Jeremy Schultz, Beaver Dam; Phillip Mock, Pleasant Prairie; Todd King, Sheboygan Falls; Scott Young, Union Grove; Robby Pribnow, Mayville; Darrell Dodd, Beach Park, IL; Brandon Thone, Plymouth; Russell Borland, Kewauskum; Ken Jay Fiedler, Plymouth; Billy Balog, Eau Claire; Scotty Biertzer, West Bend; Brian Kristan, Zion, IL; Scott Uttecht, Kenosha; Billy Wirth, Cudahy; Brian Porschty, Sheboygan Falls; Nick Alden, Salem; Scotty Thiel, Sheboygan; Billy Warren, Beaver Dam
B MAIN–Wirth
HEATS 1) Kertscher; Alden 2) Mock; Balog 3) Sexton; King 4) Warren; Uttecht
Fast Time, Kertscher (10.750 new track record. Old record held by Neitzel 11.001 set in May, 2010)
TISLER SALVAGE STREET STOCKS
FEATURE — Matt Reinke, Reedsville; Kraig Koehler, Francis Creek; Brad Laurent, Manitowoc; Mike Nehmer, Larson; Ford Malvitz, Sturgeon Bay
HEATS 1) Mike Zitzer, Sheboygan Falls; Reinke
2) Malvitz; Nehmer
SPORT FOURS
FEATURE – Brian Johnson, Oconto Falls; Ralph Legios Jr., Oconto; Mike Montie, Oconto; Travis Arenz, Sheboygan Falls; Dan Van Pay, Green Bay
HEATS 1) Montie; Stephen Krecjarek, Manitowoc
2) Legois Jr; Johnson
Posted on May 27th, 2012
