Dobmeier Wins IRA Sprint "Checkered Classic/Theil Memorial" - Balog Takes 2011 Title

video by Jeff Fischer
Beaver Dam, WI | Oct 1, 2011 - Mark Dobmeier made the long tow from Grand Forks, North Dakota to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin for his first appearance at the Dodge County Fairgrounds.  The trip paid off as he captured the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series Dick Witt Checkered Classic / Thiel Memorial. Bill Balog would come home fourth and claim his fourth consecutive IRA Championship in the 2011 season finale...

Thirty-one cars signed in and all were treated to a wickedly fast surface as seven prior days of rain combined with cool conditions created a half-mile for only the bravest of heart.
As the twenty-four car A-main went green Brooke Tatnell would lead front-row mate Mike Kertscher. Sixth starting Mike Reinke appeared to initially have a terrible start as he dropped back several positions by the flag stand, however as the field flew out of turn two, Reinke rim-rode himself into third and was able to pass Kertscher down the back chute and would follow Tatnell at the completion of lap one. Just as Reinke was about even with the Australian legend, Scott Biertzer would jump the tricky first turn cushion and contact the concrete and flip to bring out the red. Biertzer entered the night 4th in IRA points but his night was through. Just two laps later Scotty Neitzel (3rd in series points) would do the same thing, ending his night at a track where he typically excels. Tatnell would lead Reinke, Kertscher, Balog, and Dobmeier on the restart.

The front runners would quickly begin the lapping process and as Tatnell continued to lead and Reinke would continue to chase, Reinke came up on a slower car and was squeezed into the 4th turn concrete where he would eventually climb the front chute wall and execute a series of nasty tumbles directly in front of the packed grandstand. Ironically Reinke was 2nd in IRA points, so now 3 of the 4 in IRA points entering the event were all red flag victims in the event's early stages. Tatnell would once again lead the field upon the restart, Dobmeier made quick work of Balog, then after a few laps made his way around Kertscher and set sail for Tatnell. The trio of Tatnell, Dobmeier, and Kertscher threaded lapped traffic and had the large frozen crowd on their feet with bold moves galore. Dobmeier made his winning move on the exit of turn two as he dove beneath a lapped car just as Tatnell was passing the same car on the high side. The three-wide pass made the difference as the Dodge County virgin continued to fly around the "horsepower half-mile" and claim his first career IRA win. Tatnell came home second, Kertscher a very solid third, with Balog, and a fast closing Tommy Sexton completing a very fast top five. Phillip Mock outdueled Todd King, and Scott Young in a great race long battle for sixth, with Scott Uttech, and 20th starting Bill Warren rounding out the top ten.
Dobmeier set Osborn & Son Trucking fast time honors over the 31 car field. Heat wins went to Mock (Weld Wheels), Tatnell (All-Star Performance), and Scott Uttech (King Race Products). Bill Wirth was the Behling B-main winner, Warren the HRP Hard Charger, and Reinke the Saldana Hard Luck recipient.

IRA Dick Witt Checkered Classic / Thiel Memorial A-main RESULTS:
1. Mark Dobmeier, Brooke Tatnell, Mike Kertscher, Bill Balog, Tommy Sexton, Phillip Mock, Todd King, Scott Young, Scott Uttech, Bill Warren, Russel Borland, John Haeni, Bill Wirth, Wayne Modjeski, Dave Uttech, Austin Johnson, Donny Goeden, Andy Hunt, Kris Spitz, Brian Kristan, Mike Reinke, TJ Luedke, Scotty Neitzel, Scott Biertzer

FULL RESULTS

The final IRA season "Top 10" in points finished with Bill Balog on top followed by Reinke, Neitzel, Warren, Biertzer, Wayne Modjeski, Mock, Russel Borland, King, and Wirth. Twenty teams qualified for post season awards. TJ Luedke was IRA's Rookie of the Year.
The IRA is supported by Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers, Osborn & Son Trucking, Goodyear, TW Metals, Cummins Onan, DNA Energy Drink & Snacks, MPT Industries, UltraLube, Big Game Treestands, Carriage Auto Body, Otis Gun, and Polaris DEFENSE.