Beaver Dam, WI 4/18 Hometown racer Scotty Neitzel claimed the annual Rick Schmidt Memorial season opener for the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway. The 23 lap, $2300 to win event, 23 being the car number for Schmidt who was of one of IRA's most influential members over the years. A 37 car field greeted a solid crowd despite the storm clouds and predicted rain. Neitzel piloted the R&H Enterprises, T&D Jewelry, Competition Specialists Maxim to the win on the big half-mile.

Jason Johnson and Brian Kristan led the 24 car ASA affiliated series A-main to the green with Johnson taking control and Neitzel jumping into second from his second row starting position. Steve Meyer, Jake Peters, and Lance Fassbender were victims in separate early incidents, though Johnson who was having a career night was able to keep multi-IRA Dodge County winner Neitzel at bay despite the single file restarts.

Johnson, led Neitzel, Kristan, Scott Biertzer, and Ricky Logan at the half way point, the eyes could see a charging duo of 11th starting Todd Hepfner and 16th starting Mike Reinke moving towards the front.

Neitzel was finally able to work his way past a very fast Johnson for the lead, as Logan moved under Biertzer for fourth. Meanwhile Reinke was up to sixth and really on the charge. Yellows for a slowing Bill Wirth, and then for third place Kristan forced IRA officials to throw a red due to fuel concerns.

Neitzel would lead Johnson, Logan, Biertzer, and Reinke on the restart with 8 laps to go. Neitzel was able to open a decent lead while Logan worked Johnson hard for second. Reinke continued his charge and now began pressuring Logan for third and the trio put on a great high speed battle for second. Just as Neitzel was heading towards the white, Tim Vandervere and Bill Warren got together with both being eliminated, leaving a green, white, checkered, shootout to the finish.

Neitzel again got a good start as Reinke moved in third and immediately began to challenge Johnson for second. At the checkered it was Neitzel was 6 car lengths as Johnson in a career best IRA finish coming home second by a half car over Reinke. Logan would come home fourth over a Hepfner. Biertzer, Mike Kertscher, Billy Hafemann, Scott Young, and defending IRA Champion Billy Balog completed the top ten. All seventeen of the finishing cars were on the lead lap.

Tommy Sexton was the Osborn & Son Trucking Fast Qualifier, though the team discovered a push rod issue after transferring to the A-main with a second place run in the B-main, forcing the nights quick qualifier to scratch adding alternate Wayne Modjeski to the field.

IRA returns to Dodge County Saturday April 25th for the much anticipated Spring Sprintfest featuring the IRA, plus the MSA 360 Sprint Series in all sprint car show.

Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series Rick Schmidt Memorial summary..

A-main.. 1. Scotty Neitzel, Jason Johnson, Mike Reinke, Ricky Logan, Todd Hepfner, Scott Biertzer, Mike Kertscher, Billy Hafemann, Scott Young, Billy Balog, Scott Uttech, Phillip Mock, Todd Daun, John Haeni, Joe Symoens, Wayne Modjeski, Bill Warren, Tim Vandervere, Dave Uttech, Brian Kristan, Bill Wirth, Lance Fassbender, Jake Peters, Steve Meyer.

Osborn & Son Trucking Fast Qualifier: Tommy Sexton
Lane Automotive Heat 1: Scotty Neitzel
VMAC Racing Heat 2: Brian Kristan
Wemar Racing Engines Heat 3: Jason Johnson
DMI Heat Four: Mike Kertscher
Behling B-Main: Scott Young
HRP Hard Charger: Mike Reinke
(note, award eligibility is based upon sponsor compliance)