Schmidt outduels Goeden to capture
PDTR 360 Sprint Car season opener
Richards, Zdroik, Zellmer secure A-main wins

Ben Schmidt	Jim Zdriok	Jake Richards

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) April 26, 2025 – Two-time and defending Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth topped five-time track champion Donny Goeden of Kewaskum to fire up the 2025 season in victorious fashion in the 25-lap Akright Auto PDTR-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main on a chilly spring evening at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, April 26.

Jake Richards of Neshkoro won the 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National main event.

Jim Zdroik of Hartford chalked up the win in the 25-lap Sheboygan Flooring B Mod A-main.

Adam Zellmer of Horicon racked up the A-main triumph in the 20-lap Midwest Legends Dirt Series main event.

Polesitter Brandon Berth of Cascade jumped into the lead on the opening circuit of the 360 Sprint Car headliner before back-to-back cautions involving Katelyn Krebsbach of Cascade and Joseph Hintz of Burnett bunched the field on lap 2.

On the restart, three-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Donny Goeden, who started outside the front row, bolted in to challenge Berth from the top spot. The two drivers battled side by side over the ensuing lap before Berth clipped an infield tire sending his car flipping in turn two on lap 3.

Former PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett was also involved in the incident, which forced him to retire from the race on his first night back in his familiar No. 7 car after suffering serious burns last June.

Goeden, who began his racing career in the Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified division at Plymouth in 1985, controlled the restart before Ben Schmidt, who started fourth, maneuvered past fifth starter T.J. Smith of Greenville and dove under Goeden to assume the lead exiting turn four on lap 4.

Schmidt fended off Goeden over the next two laps before the race was slowed for the fourth time for Eric Wilke of Genessee, who spun in turn three on lap 6.

Smith and Goeden exchanged second place on the restart, which helped Schmidt build up a half-straightaway cushion. On lap 11, Schmidt caught the rear of the field, which helped Goeden close in to pull even with the two-time PDTR 360 Sprint champion on lap 13 as the two Sprint Car stalwarts weaved their way through lapped traffic.

Schmidt successfully negotiated the slower traffic to stretch his lead to a full straightaway over the final 10 laps en route to his 26th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and 47th Midwest Sprint Car Association triumph. The victory pulled Schmidt into a tie for second on the all-time PDTR 360 Sprint A-main victory list with Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee.

Goeden, who owns 40 career A-main victories and five total track titles in Winged Super Modified (two) and 360 Sprint Car competition (three) at Plymouth, had to settle for second, sixth starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend placed third, Smith wound up fourth and Clayton Rossmann of Wadsworth, Ill. charged from the 14th starting spot to place fifth.

“We went backward at the start,” Schmidt said. “It took a few laps for us to move forward. Then I was able to get past Donny after an early restart. It’s always good to finish ahead of a great driver like Donny. He’s been doing it really well for a long time here at Plymouth. To me, he’s the G.O.A.T. It feels good to be standing here in victory lane for the sponsors, crew and everyone that supports this team.”

The start of the Grand National main event was delayed by a six-car incident in turn three upon the drop of the original green flag. When the race got underway, polesitter Jake Richards bolted into the lead with fourth starter Jeff Richards of Montello sneaking into second.

After a yellow slowed the race on lap 4 for a spin involving 86-year-old two-time track champion Dick Hed of Plymouth, Jake Richards proved to be the class of the field over the final 21 circuits as he opened up a half-lap gap over Jeff Richards on lap 13 and cruised during the second half of the race to post his second career PDTR Grand National A-main triumph.

Jeff Richards finished second, Dustin Weiss of Iron Ridge drove up from the 13th starting position to place third, Jeff Steenbergen of Johnson Creek advanced 11 spots to take fourth and three-time PDTR Grand National champ Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis placed fifth after starting 16th.

Defending PDTR B Mod track champion Travis Schmidt of Plymouth took the lead of the B Mod main event from the pole with second starter Jim Zdroik of Hartford securing second.

Schmidt opened a solid lead in the first half of the race. However, contact with an infield tire while working through slower traffic forced him out of the race and handed the lead to Zdroik.

Zdroik held tight to the top spot over the final 12 circuits on the way to his first career PDTR B Mod A-main victory.

Geoff Zdroik of Rubicon, who started seventh, finished second, Vince Jung of Iron Ridge moved up from the ninth starting position to place third, 13th starter Cole Thomas of Franklin was fourth and eighth starter Brandon Knepprath of Boltonville wound up fifth.

The 20-lap Midwest Legends Dirt Series main event was hindered by five yellow flags and one red flag in the first 10 laps.

Once the race settled into extended green flag action, polesitter Hayden Schmuhl of Beaver Dam held the lead in the closing laps before Zellmer worked his way up from the fifth starting spot to wrestle the lead away from Schmuhl in lapped traffic on lap 17.

Zellmer held on to secure the victory in the lone scheduled Midwest Legends Dirt Series event at The Plymouth Dirt Track in 2025. Alex Haese of Manitowoc claimed second after starting sixth, Schmuhl wound up third, Ryan Sullivan of Waupun worked his way up 10 spots to secure fourth and Cal Swenson of Hortonville took fifth after starting 11th.

Brandon Berth earned the overall PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car fast qualifier award with a quick lap of 12.926 seconds.

Dustin Weiss won the 12-lap Grand National B Main and Cole Thomas was victorious in the 12-lap B Mod B main.

The first event of the 2025 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Mayer Automotive, produced a packed pit area featuring 111 total entries, including 32 Grand Nationals, 30 B Mods, 26 Legends and 23 360 Sprint Cars.

The next PDTR racing program on Saturday, May 3 will showcase the 2025 Seubert Calf Ranches Super Six Late Model Series opener.  

The PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals and B Mods will also be in action.

Grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. with qualifying at 4:30 p.m. and racing to follow.

Weather information for all Plymouth Dirt Track Racing events will be posted on the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram pages, as well as the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing website – www.plymouthdtr.com.

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Schmidt tops off PDTR 360 Sprint Car title with A-main triumph

Thiel, Fahl, Neau rack up Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships victories

Ben Schmidt	Scotty Thiel	John Fahl

 

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 28, 2024 – Ben Schmidt of Plymouth put a bow on an Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car championship season in fitting fashion by parking his No. 35 machine in victory lane to close out the 2024 campaign during the seventh annual Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, September 28.

In the 30-lap Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series A-main, Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan rolled to victory in the annual IRA Rick Schmidt Memorial Race to seal his first career IRA championship.

John Fahl of Brown Deer used some late-race heroics to rack up a win in the 20-lap Autometer Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car A-main. Zach Raidart of Gurnee, Ill. sealed his first career Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car Series title.
Mike Neau of Pleasant Prairie secured the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints A-main victory and Mark Heinert of Waukesha racked up the 2024 IRA Lightning Sprints title.

After starting on the outside of the front row in the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car main event, Ben Schmidt emerged from a side-by-side duel with polesitter Shane Wenninger of Kewaskum, who was filling in behind the wheel of Bill Taylor's No. 69 car, to seize the lead in turn one on lap 2.

Two laps later, the first of three caution flags was displayed for the slowing car of Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee in turn one. Schmidt controlled the restart and built up a solid cushion over Wenninger by lap 6.

As T.J. Smith of Greenville rocketed into second from the eighth starting spot on lap 11, two-time Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified champion Billy Kreutz of Kiel advanced to third from the fourth starting position.

With Schmidt closing in on the rear of the field, the second caution flag of the race appeared on lap 12 for the stalled car of Chris Larson of Franksville in turn one.

Following the restart, Kreutz springboarded into second and 13th starter Joseph Hintz of Burnett rode the high line of the well-manicured track surface into fifth.
   
The third and final caution of the race came one lap later when Chris Larson stopped again in turn four.

The final restart of the race found Smith battling back to seize the runner-up spot, while Hintz powered up into third. At the head of the pack, Schmidt sliced his way through dense lapped traffic in the final few laps to secure his fourth A-main triumph of the 2024 season, 25th career PDTR A-main victory and 46th career MSA main event win.

The victory helped Schmidt capture his second career PDTR and MSA 360 Sprint Car championship 13 years after winning both titles in 2011.

Smith had to settle for second, Wenninger was third, seventh starter Alex Pokorski of West Bend finished fourth and Kevin Karnitz of West Bend charged up from the 18th starting spot to place fifth.

"We had kind of an odd start to the year with the rainouts and curfew night," Schmidt said. "We picked it up in the second half of the year. Since we put this team together in 2020, we've finished second every year we've run for points. Winning a championship is a great accomplishment for the guys on my crew. I have to thank them, my family and my sponsors for everything they do to help make this happen. This is awesome."

In memory of late 360-410 Sprint Car and Winged Super Modified driver Brian Portschy, who passed away 11 years ago, the Portschy family contributed $50 to the fifth place finisher in the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main, which Kevin Karnitz claimed.

Outside front row starter Blake Nimee of Oswego, Ill. edged out polesitter Scotty Thiel to take the lead exiting turn four of the opening circuit. Nimee opened a significant gap over Thiel until the leaders caught the rear of the field on lap 7, which allowed Thiel to close the gap.

After the leading raced in lockstep formation for the next 10 laps, a red flag appeared on lap 17 when the No. 19 machine of Jett Mann of Goshen, Ind. flipped in turn four. Thiel used a strong restart to slip underneath Nimee and seize the top spot in turn three.

After three more green flag laps were completed, a caution flag was displayed when Joe B. Miller of Millersville, Mo. stopped in turn two on lap 20. Following the restart, Nimee attempted to wrestle the lead away from Thiel with a slide job in turn two. However, Thiel crossed Nimee over heading down the backstretch to maintain the top spot.

Thiel then bolted away from his fellow competitors to seal his initial IRA 410 Sprint Car Series championship with his fourth A-main victory of the 2024 campaign and 29th career IRA main event triumph.

Nimee wound up second, 2023 IRA champion Brenham Crouch of Lubbock, Texas moved up from the eighth starting spot to place third, 2021 and 2022 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls took fourth after starting fifth and two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Danny Schlafer of Sussex placed fifth from the seventh starting position.
 
After the initial start was waved off due to a spin, fifth starter Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harbor, Ill. won a battle with polesitter John Fahl to take the initial lead along the outside groove in turn two on lap 2.

Second starter Allen Hafford of Beach Park, Ill. gained second on lap two before a caution flag was displayed to the field on lap four when Tom Eller of Pleasant Prairie stopped along the front stretch.

When the race resumed, Hafford worked the low line to challenge Sivia for the top spot on lap 11. However, Sivia fended off Hafford's advances to retain the lead. Two laps later, Zach Raidart used the outside groove to secure second place on lap 13.

Raidart quickly moved in to pressure Sivia for the lead just before the two cars made contact in turn three on lap 16, which caused Raidart to spin and bring out the race's third caution flag.

Following the restart on lap 16, Sivia felt pressure from outside second row challenger Tyler Kuxhouse of Antioch, Ill. Mirroring the incident between Raidart and Sivia two laps prior, the two drivers made contact in turn three sending Kuxhouse spinning to produce the fourth and final caution flag of the race on lap 18.

Following the final restart, Fahl unleashed his No. 0 along the cushion and vaulted his way past Sivia into the top spot exiting turn two on lap 19.

Fahl, who captured back-to-back PDTR Super Modified championships at The Plymouth Dirt Track in 2014 and 2015, rode on from there to secure his first Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2024 season and second career Wisconsin wingLess Series A-main win.

Sivia placed second, seventh starter Bryce Andrews of Kenosha placed third, Tim Cox of Park City, Ill. wound up fourth after starting 12th and Ryan Zielski of Oconomowoc moved up from the 13th starting position to round out the top five.

Inside second row starter Jordan Funderburk of Wadsworth, Ill. outpowered second starter Mark Heinert to gain the lead in turn four of the opening lap. Funderburk held the top spot until he spun in turn four, which gave the lead to Heinert on lap 4.

Over the next 10 laps, seventh starter Mike Neau weaved his way through the pack to duel with Heinert for the top spot before seizing the lead in turn four on lap 15.

Neau cruised from there to nail down the A-main victory, eighth starter Chad Stouthamer of Big Bend finished third, newly crowned 2024 IRA Lightning Sprints champ Heinert placed fourth and Funderburk recovered from lap 4 spin to place fifth.

Kris Spitz of Salem won the 10-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car B main and Josh Davidson of Racine racked up the victory in the 10-lap Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car B main.

Joe B. Miller earned the overall fast qualifier award in IRA 410 Sprint Car Series qualifying with a fast lap of 11.711 seconds.

T.J. Smith claimed overall fast time honors in PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car hot-lap-group qualifying in 12.649 seconds.

Chad Stouthamer of Big Bend seized the fast qualifier award in IRA Lightning Sprints qualifying with a lap of 13.389 seconds.

Longtime inspector and track worker Fred DeBlaey accepted the 2024 PDTR Dedication to Dirt Award during a pre-race presentation.

The 14th and final event of the 2024 PDTR campaign, sponsored by Jensen Sales & Service, equaled the season-high car count at The Plymouth Dirt Track with 95 total entries, including 33 IRA 410 Sprint Cars, 25 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 22 Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars and 15 IRA Lightning Sprints.

The 2024 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Awards Ceremony will take place Saturday, Oct. 12 at Racers Hall in Plymouth at 7 p.m. The event honors the top three points finishers, along with the rookie of the year and most improved award winners in the PDTR Late Model, 360 Sprint Car, Grand National and B Mod divisions.

Off-season news and information about the 2025 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing season will be posted on the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram pages, as well as the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing website –  www.plymouthdtr.com

The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds is located at 229 Fairview Drive in Plymouth, Wis.

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Erickson claims commanding PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car win

" Myers Jr. doubles IRA 410 Sprint Car win tally

Justin Erickson	Joel Meyers

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 31, 2024 – Sixth-year 360 Sprint Car competitor Justin Erickson of Plymouth schooled the field in applying the "how to win races" page from the dirt track racing 101 handbook to fend off past Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association champions Kurt Davis and Ben Schmidt on the way to his first 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Caar A-main victory of the 2024 season in front of a large Sheboygan County Fair Night crowd at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 31.

In the 30-lap Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series main event, Joel Myers Jr. of Sebastopol, Calif. collected his second consecutive IRA main event victory of the 2024 campaign at The Plymouth  Dirt Track.

NASCAR stock car and sports car competitor Josh Bilicki of Menominee Falls paced the first three-quarters of the opening lap of the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car main event from the pole before second starter Justin Erickson slipped past Bilicki coming off of turn four to lead lap one.

Erickson pulled away from Bilicki over the next four laps before the first of four race stoppages occurred on lap 5 when Scott Conger of Eagle spun in turn two.

Two laps later, 32nd-year open-wheel veteran Paul Pokorski of West Bend slowed with a flat right rear tire to bring out the second caution flag of the event. The third caution appeared after another two laps were completed when Bilicki spun out of the runner-up spot in turn two to collect Brandon Berth of Cascade, who had been running third.

When the race returned to green flag action for an extended period, Erickson again flexed his muscle to pull out to a half-straightaway cushion on lap 15 as 2011 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car champion and current points leader Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who started ninth, gave chase in second.

Meanwhile, two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion and five-time MSA title winner Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee swept into the third spot from the seventh starting position on lap 20.

One lap later Bill Taylor of Boltonville flipped in turn one following contact with a lapped car to trigger a red flag on lap 21.

Following a single-file restart, the high-riding Davis powered around Schmidt to heist second from inside-dwelling Schmidt on lap 22. However, Erickson was not to be denied as he rocketed away from the field to earn his second career PDTR and MSA 360 Sprint Car main event win, his first A-main triumph since May 21, 2022.

With the victory, Erickson became the seventh different driver to score an Akright Auto PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph in nine 2024 A-main events. His main event win also represented the eighth different main event winner in 12 MSA events during the 2024 campaign.

Davis placed second, Schmidt moved a step closer to wrapping up his second career PDTR and MSA championship by finishing third, 17th starter Eric Wilke of Genesee charged up 13 spots to come home fourth and Chris Clayton of Waldo also advanced 13 positions to round out the top five.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve got a win,” Erickson said. “The crew pours their heart out into this thing. Building our own motors that can compete with some of these guys is great. I love it.”

Schmidt extended his lead in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car points standings to 34 points over Alex Pokorski of West Bend and 48 points over Kevin Karnitz of West Bend with just one event remaining on the 2024 schedule during the annual Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Outside front-row starter Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan powered around polesitter Mike Reinke of Howards Grove to gain the early advantage in the 30-lap IRA main event.

By lap 6, Thiel had built up a solid full straightaway lead over the field working the extreme high side of the track.

However, on lap 12, Thiel spun in turn three after racing in close quarters with a lapped car. Following a trip to the work area, Thiel rejoined the field at the rear of the 24-car field.

Two circuits later the second caution flag was displayed when fourth starter Kyle Schuett of Philo, Ill. jumped the cushion and hit the wall in turn two before two-time IRA champion and sixth starter Jake Blackhurst of Hannah City, Ill. made contact, as the two drivers dueled for second.

When the race resumed, 12th starter Joel Myers Jr., who advanced from fourth to second following the Schuett-Blackhurst incident, powered forward to slide past Reinke and grab the lead exiting turn four on lap 16.

Meanwhile, two-time PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls, who started 11th, slid underneath Reinke into second on lap 18.

The final 12 laps of the race proved to be intense as Arenz hunted Myers Jr. down with a cushion-pounding performance along the extreme high line of the well-manicured multi-groove third-mile clay oval. As the leaders weaved through slower traffic, Arenz dove underneath Myers Jr. to take over the top spot on lap 21.

One lap later, Shelby Bosie of Lincoln, Ill. flipped in turn four after contact with Myers Jr. Arenz controlled the restart at the head of the field, but Myers Jr. stayed focused on the top spot as the two leaders stayed glued to the high line, which extended close to the outside wall.

Myers Jr. stalked Arenz along the cushion until sliding past the three-time Plymouth Dirt Track division champion (2021-2022 PDTR 360 Sprint Car, 2013 Outlaw Compact) to wrestle away the top spot in thick lapped traffic on lap 26. Myers Jr. held on from there to post his second career IRA A-main victory, both of which have come at The Plymouth Dirt Track during the 2024 campaign.

Arenz earned a strong second place showing, 14th starter Blake Nimee of Oswego, Ill. placed third, Thiel stormed back from his lap 12 spin to advance from the rear of the field to take fourth and 2022 IRA champion Jordan Goldesberry of Springfield, Ill. placed fifth after starting 13th.

“Starting 12th, I got a lot of spots early and had luck with Jake [Blackhurst] wrecking out and the 9 [Kyle Schuett] car wrecking,” Myers Jr. said. “Then Travis [Arenz] got me in lapped traffic. I saw he couldn’t run as hard as I could, so I knew if I ran five good laps I could get him and that’s what happened.”      

Kevin Karnitz of West Bend was victorious PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car B-main.

Tylar Rankin of Angola, Ind. captured the win in the 12-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car B-main.

Mike Reinke claimed fast qualifier honors in IRA 410 Sprint Car Series qualifying with a lap of 12.031 seconds.

Katelyn Krebsbach of Cascade captured the overall PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car fast qualifier award with a fast lap of 12.271 seconds.

The 12th event of the 2024 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Hemp Works of Waldo, featured a total of 54 Sprint Cars, including 27 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars and 27 IRA 410 Sprint Cars.

The next event at The Plymouth Dirt Track is the seventh annual Jim “Wildman” Watson Class on Saturday, Sept. 21 featuring the final race of the 2024 WBAM Dirt Kings Late Model Series, Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars IMCA Modifieds and Street Stocks.

Pit gates open at 2 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 4 p.m., qualifying will take place at 5 p.m. with racing to begin at 5:45 p.m.

Special event pricing will be in place. Grandstand admission is $25 for adults, $5 for children ages 7-11 with children ages 6 and under admitted free. Pit passes are $35.

The 2024 campaign will conclude at The Plymouth Dirt Track with the seventh annual Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships, which wraps up the season for four Wisconsin-based Sprint Car divisions – the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, IRA 410 Sprint Cars, Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars, and IRA Lightning Sprints – on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Pit gates open at 2 p.m. with spectator gates opening at 4:30 p.m. and “on-track action” scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Special event pricing will be in effect.

The 2024 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Awards Ceremony is set to take place Saturday, Oct. 12 at Racers Hall in Plymouth at 7 p.m.

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Thiel, Kafka, Brass bank A-main victories
Anvelink rules Plymouth Dirt Kings, season titles go to Sorce, Schmidt

Scotty Thiel	Travis Schmidt
Scott Kafka	Will Sorce
Logan Brass	Nick Anvelink

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 23, 2024 – Two weeks after claiming a 106.5 The Buzz Seubert Calf Ranches Super Six Late Model Series A-main victory with a late-race pass, it was a case of déjà vu as six-time WABAM Dirt Kings Late Model Tour champion and current point leader Nick Anvelink of Bonduel pulled off another winning move in the closing laps en route to victory in the 30-lap 106.5 The Buzz Dirt Kings Tour Late Model A-main at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Friday, Aug. 23.

Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan made a rare appearance behind the wheel of Randy Sippel's 39s car pay off as he rolled to victory in the 25-lap Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car main event.

Scott Kafka of Cleveland led wire to wire en route to his first career 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National A-main victory. Will Sorce of Franklin secured his second career PDTR Grand National season championship with a sixth-place finish.

PDTR rookie Logan Brass of Howards Grove captured his first career 25-lap Sheboygan Falls B Mod A-main win. At the same time, Travis Schmidt of Waldo wrapped up his initial PDTR B Mod season title.       

Outside front row starter Troy Springborn of Shawano used the high groove to outpower six-time PDTR Late Model and two-time Seubert Calf Ranches Super Six Late Model Series champion, who started on the pole, into the lead on the opening lap of the 30-lap Dirt Kings Late Model main event.

The two accomplished veteran drivers dueled side-by-side in the initial laps, while Nick Anvelink, who started fourth, moved into third on lap 3. Anvelink then charged into pressure Mueller for second on lap 6 and quickly closed the gap on Springborn on lap 7 before the first of five caution flags was displayed on lap 8 when five-time PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland slowed in turn one.

Mueller used a strong restart to slip past Anvelink into second on lap 9 before pressuring the high-riding Springborn for the lead along the low groove on lap 10.

Two laps later, 2020 Dirt Kings Tour champion Justin Ritchie of New London spun in turn four to bring out the second caution. After one lap of green flag action, Charlie Schmidt spun in turn four to bring out the third yellow flag of the race.

Another strong restart from Mueller pushed the familiar blue and red No. 89 into the lead along the low groove on lap 14. Three laps later, Anvelink dove past Springborn with a slide job in turn four to advance into second.

The leaders were approaching slower traffic when the fourth and final caution flag was displayed for Shawn Miller of Gillett, who spun in turn four, on lap 26. Two laps later, Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha spun along the front stretch to draw the fifth and final caution flag of the event.

Anvelink hounded Mueller following the final restart and used an outside-in move in turns three and four to cut off Mueller’s inside line and sweep into the top spot on the second to last lap on the way to his 28th career Dirt Kings Late Model Tour A-main victory, fourth career PDTR Late Model A-main win and second consecutive A-main triumph of the 2024 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

After losing the lead twice to Anvelink in the closing laps over the course of the last two Late Model A-mains at The Plymouth Dirt Track, Mueller had to settle for second. 2014 PDTR Late Model champ Mitch McGrath of Waukesha moved up to place fourth and Mike Mullen of Seymour started and finished fifth.

Inside third row starter T.J. Smith of Greenville bolted in to challenge polesitter Scotty Thiel for the lead along the low line on the opening lap of the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main.

Smith had surged into the lead on lap 2 just as a red flag was displayed when Katelyn Krebsbach of Cascade flipped hard along the back stretch. Following the restart, 2011 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth rode the cushion to swing into fifth on lap 3 from his eighth starting position.

The hard-charging Schmidt then bolted around fifth starter Brandon Berth of Cascade and second starter Alex Pokorski of West Bend to assume third on lap 8.

Thiel, who is the current Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series points leader, caught the rear of the field on lap 9, which allowed Smith to cut the lead gap a bit.

A yellow flag appeared on lap 11 when Spyder Akright rolled to a stop in turn four. The ensuing restart saw Schmidt dive low to sneak past Smith into the runner-up spot on lap 12.

Four laps later, the cushion-pounding Thiel was enjoying a half-straightaway advantage when he caught up to the back of the pack again. Brady Portschy then brought out the final caution flag of the event when he slowed in turn four on lap 19.

Thiel commanded the restart and cruised away from Schmidt over the final six laps on the way to his fourth career PDTR 360 Sprint Car main event win and 14th career MSA 360 Sprint A-main victory in his first PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car start of the 2024 season.

With the win, Thiel became the sixth different driver to claim an A-main victory in the eight PDTR-MSA A-mains conducted at The Plymouth Dirt Track in 2024.

Schmidt came home second to maintain his PDTR and MSA points lead, Berth finished third, Pokorski placed fourth, while two-time PDTR and five-time MSA 360 Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee moved up from the seventh starting spot to finish fifth.

Scott Kafka seized the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap Grand National main event from the pole position and third starter Chad Espen of West Bend followed in second.

By lap 6, Kapka held a solid quarter-straightaway lead on Espen before 2022 PDTR Grand National champion Luke Scholten of Oostburg passed second starter Jason Juech of Plymouth to take over third.

On lap 10, Espen cut into Kapka’s gap before the lone caution flag of the race came out on lap 16 when Derek Kaat of Plymouth spun in turn four. Scholten attempted to use the outside lane to pressure Espen for second place following the restart.

However, Espen fended off the challenge, while Scholten dropped back to fourth on lap 18. Kafka continued to hold down the lead over the final seven laps on the way to his first career PDTR Grand National A-main triumph.

Espen finished second, 2018 PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth finished third, after starting seventh, two-time PDTR Grand National champ and seven-time division champion at The Plymouth Dirt Track Brian Gilles of Plymouth placed fourth after starting 10th and Scholten rounded out the top five.

Polesitter Tim Thrun of Horicon surged into the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 25-lap B Mod main event with third starter Ryan Pafford of Kiel in tow. From there, Thrun proceeded to build up an impressive full-straightaway cushion over Pafford by lap 10.

Thrun maintained a stranglehold on the lead, while first-year PDTR B Mod competitor Logan Brass advanced into second lap 17. The first of three caution flags appeared on lap 18 when Barrett Hummelmeier of Beaver Dam spun in turn two.

Sixth starter Geoff Zdroik of Rubicon charged into third before a pair of caution flags were displayed in rapid succession for the spinning cars of Barrett Hummelmeier on lap 18 and Jonathon Baumann on lap 22.  

Brass utilized the ensuing single-file restart to his advantage to duck underneath Thrun and gain the top spot on lap 23. The third and final caution flag came out on lap 24 when Hummelmeier spun in turn two.

Following a single-file green-white-checkered flag, Brass proved to be too much for his closest pursuers as he bolted away to nail down his first career PDTR B Mod main event win.

Geoff Zdroik placed third, Thrun wound up third, seventh starter Spencer Long of Sheboygan Falls finished fourth and eighth starter Brandon Knepprath rounded out the top five.

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

Austin Zdroik of Ashippun collected the victory in the 12-lap B Mod B-main.

Brad Mueller claimed fast qualifier honors in Super Six Late Model Series qualifying with a lap of 13.479 seconds.

Ben Schmidt earned the overall PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car fast qualifier award with a top lap of 12.645 seconds.

The 11th event of the 2024 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Kriete Truck Centers, drew a season-high 94 total entries, including 29 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 26 B Mods, 21 Dirt Kings Late Models and 18 Grand Nationals.

The next PDTR racing program will take place during the 2024 Sheboygan County Fair on Saturday, Aug. 31, featuring the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars, along with the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars.

The event will include an early start time with on-track action commencing at 5 p.m.

The 2024 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Awards Ceremony is set to take place Saturday, Oct. 12 at Racers Hall in Plymouth at 7 p.m.

 

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Anvelink steals A-main triumph, Mueller wears PDTR Super Six Late Model Series crown
Schmidt, Richards, Thomas bag A-main wins

Nick Anvelink	Ben Schmidt                                              Brad Mueller
Cole Thomas	Jake Richards

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 10, 2024 – In his first appearance of the 2024 season at The Plymouth Dirt Track, Nick Anvelink of Bonduel utilized a late-race restart to slip past Random Lake’s Brad Mueller of Random Lake on the way to a $5,000 victory in the 30-lap Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 106.5 The Buzz Seubert Calf Ranches Super Six Late Model Series 2024 season finale A-main at the venerable third-mile clay oval in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 10.

On the strength of a second place finish in the main event, Brad Mueller secured his second consecutive Super Six Late Model Series title and a record sixth Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model championship.

Former PDTR and Midwest Sprint Car Association champion and current point leader Ben Schmidt of Plymouth captured the 25-lap Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main.

Jake Richards of Neshkoro scored a wire-to-wire victory in the 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National main event.

Cole Thomas of Franklin survived an incident-plagued time-shortened 21-lap Sheboygan Flooring B Mod A-main to claim his second A-main victory of the season in PDTR competition.

Outside front-row starter Mike Mullen of Seymour used the high groove to move around polesitter Brad Mueller and secure the initial lead of the 30-lap Super Six Late Model Series main event.

On lap 5, Nick Anvelink, who started third, moved in to challenge the high-riding Mueller for second along the inside lane. The two celebrated veteran competitors exchanged the runner-up spot before Mueller cleared Anvelink to maintain the spot on lap 9.

Meanwhile, Mullen caught up to the rear of the field on lap 9. Five laps later he found himself immersed in dense two-wide lapped traffic, which allowed Mueller and Anvelink to surge in to make it a three-way battle for the top spot.

With Mullen wedged in behind a pair of slower cars, Mueller used a high move in turn two on lap 16 to take over the top spot before the first of two caution flags appeared on lap 17 when Shawn Miller of Gillett spun in turn two.

On the restart, Anvelink dove low to power past Mullen and briefly challenge Mueller for the lead along the inside line of the smooth, slick, and multi-groove racing surface.

However, Mueller fended off Anvelink’s advances to maintain the lead along the cushion. The running order at the head of the pack stayed locked in place until the second caution flag flew on lap 27 when Kurt Moeller of Kaukauna spun along the back stretch.

Following a single-file restart, Anvelink reeled off a perfectly executed low-to-high short slider move to wrestle the top spot away from Mueller exiting turn four. The six-time WABAM Dirt Kings Late Model Tour champion went on to secure his third career PDTR Late Model A-main victory and take home a big $5,000 first-place check in a rare appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

“I saw Brad [Mueller] had his quarter panel ripped off, which probably wasn’t helping him near the end of the race,” Anvelink said. “I was able to get a run on that last restart, which ended up being just what we needed to end up with the win. They’ve done a great job with this series. I wished we would have been able to make it for more of these races this year, but it just didn’t work out for us schedule-wise. I have to thank everyone involved in making this happen. It was a fun race tonight.”

Mueller placed second to nail down back-to-back Super Six Late Model Series titles. In addition, Mueller moves to the top of the list of drivers who have competed in the PDTR Late Model division over the past 20 years by securing his sixth career track championship.

Mullen finished third, 2014 PDTR Late Model champion Mitch McGrath of Waukesha placed fourth after starting seventh and fourth starter Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha rounded out the top five.

The action was equally hot and heavy in the 25-lap 360 Sprint Car main event, as 1998 and 1999 Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified champion Billy Kreutz of Kiel jumped out to the lead from the pole position.

On lap 4, 14-year-old 360 Sprint Car rookie Joseph Hintz of Burnett moved in from this third starting spot to challenge the cushion-pounding Kreutz along the low groove. Meanwhile, 2011 PDTR and MSA champion Ben Schmidt rode the high line from his sixth starting spot into third on lap 6.

Two laps later, Kreutz, Hintz and Schmidt became embroiled in a heated three-car tussle for the point with Hintz surging into the lead on lap 11 as Schmidt pulled off a slide job to roll past Kreutz into second exiting turn four.

On lap 13, Schmidt shot into the lead along the cushion in turn two. One lap later, the lone caution flag appeared following a Josh Bilicki of Menominee Falls spin in turn two.

Schmidt darted away from the field on the ensuing restart while Kreutz battled back to regain second from Hintz on lap 17.

The 25-year racing veteran cruised over the final 10 laps of the race to secure his second PDTR A-main victory and third overall MSA win of the 2024 campaign.

In addition, Schmidt moved into third place on the all-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory list by claiming his 24th main event victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track, while also claiming his 45th career MSA A-main triumph to tie five-time MSA champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh for third on the all-time MSA victory list.

Kreutz notched a PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car career-best second place showing, Hintz was third, fourth starter T.J. Smith of Greenville placed fourth and seventh starter Alex Pokorski of West Bend completed the top five.

Polesitter Jake Richards outdueled outside front-row starter Jake Wiroll of Sheboygan to grab the lead on the first lap of the Grand National main event. By lap nine, Richards had built up a half-straightaway cushion over Wiroll.

On lap 10, fourth starter Scott Kafka of Cleveland was dueling with Wiroll for second when a flat tire on Kafka’s machine brought out the first of three race stoppages.

With sixth starter Nick Schumacher of Eagle his new pursuer, Richards again powered away from the field on the restart as two-time PDTR Grand National champ and seven-time overall track champion at The Plymouth Dirt Track Brian Gilles of Plymouth slowed with a flat tire before Jared Weiss of Fond du Lac made contact with Gilles’ disabled car along the front stretch to produce another caution on lap 11.

A four-car incident, which blocked the backstretch, forced a red flag on lap 13. Following the final restart, Schumacher stayed close to Richards during the second half of the race, as action raged behind them with four drivers racing in close quarters for third place in the closing laps.

Richards went on to post his first career PDTR Grand National A-main victory in very limited appearances at The Plymouth Dirt Track, Schumacher finished second, seventh starter Steven Weber of Plymouth took third, 2019 PDTR Grand National champ Tyler Kulow of Plymouth placed fourth after starting eighth and defending PDTR Grand National-co-champion and current point leader Will Sorce of Franklin moved up from the 13th starting position to finish fifth.

Rookie Zachary Schmidt of West Bend assumed the early lead in the B Mod main event from the pole, while fifth starter Cole Thomas mounted an early charge to the front assuming second on lap 3 and taking over the lead from Schmidt with a low move in turn four.

The first of five caution periods came on lap 6 with a five-car incident on turn two. By lap 9, Thomas had built up a huge half-lap advantage over seventh starter Spencer Long of Sheboygan Falls.

The ensuing 12 laps were interspersed with four more caution flags with Barrett Hummelmeier’s run from the 11th starting spot into second on lap 18 highlighting the green flag action.

The fifth caution flag displayed upon the completion of lap 21 prompted the race to end due to the 25-minute time limit.

Thomas posted his second PDTR B Mod A-main victory of the 2024 season and his career at The Plymouth Dirt Track. Hummelmeier finished second, Long wound up third, Brandon Knepprath of Boltonville moved up from the ninth starting position to place fourth and PDTR B Mod point leader Travis Schmidt of Plymouth advanced from the 12th starting spot to finish fifth.

Hunter Larson of Oshkosh won the B Mod B main.

Brad Mueller claimed fast qualifier honors in Super Six Late Model Series qualifying with a lap of 13.261 seconds.

Brandon Berth of Cascade earned the overall PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car fast qualifier award with a quick lap of 12.608 seconds.

The 10th event of the 2024 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Mayer Automotive, drew 79 total entries, including 23 B Mods, 21 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 20 Late Models and 15 Grand Nationals.

The A-main winners in each division received additional pay from Judy Deicher in memory of her late husband, Dave Deicher, who was a longtime supporter of racing at The Plymouth Dirt Track as a Winged Super Modified and Sportsman driver, as well as a flagman. 

The next PDTR racing program on Saturday, Aug. 17 will include special guest appearances from the Midwest Legends Dirt Series and Street Stock divisions.

The PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals and B Mods will also be in action.

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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Rookie Hintz tops veteran Goeden in PDTR 360 Sprint Car headliner
Schumacher, Lorier, Petska score Plymouth Dirt Track Racing A-main victories

Nick Schumacher	Joseph Hintz
Nick Lorier	Nick Petska

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 3, 2024 – Youth trumped experience as 14-year-old Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car rookie Joseph Hintz of Burnett edged 60-year-old open-wheel racing veteran and five-time track champion Donny Goeden of Kewaskum to claim his first career 25-lap Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Nick Schumacher of Eagle made a rare appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track well worth it with a wire-to-wire win in the 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National main event.

Steve Lorier of Sheboygan notched his first main event triumph of the 2024 campaign in the 25-lap Sheboygan Flooring B Mod A-main.

Nick Petska of Spring Grove, Ill. claimed the victory in the 15-lap 106.5 The Buzz IRA Lightning Sprints main event.

Outside front row starter Justin Erickson of Plymouth outpowered polesitter Hayden Johnson of Campbellsport to grab the lead on the opening lap of the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car main event.

On lap 2, three-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Donny Goeden rode the outside groove to move into second before vaulting past Erickson into the lead one lap later.

Meanwhile, fifth starter Joseph Hintz engaged in a spirited duel with third starter T.J. Smith of Greenville for the third spot on lap 4. Four laps later, Goeden caught the back of the field and sliced his way through slower traffic.

The first of two race stoppages appeared on lap 11 when Bill Taylor of Boltonville spun in turn three. On the restart, Hintz shot into second along the inside groove and quickly moved in to challenge the high-riding Goeden on the smooth, multi-groove racing surface.

The first-year 360 Sprint Car driver reeled in Goeden on lap 15 to mount a challenge for the top spot. Hintz hit his marks along the inside lane with precision to take over the top spot on lap 17 before impressively extending his lead to a full straightaway on lap 21.

With Hintz comfortably leading the pack, a red flag was displayed when Smith flipped in turn two on the white-flag lap. Hintz maintained the top spot along the low groove on the green-white-checkered flag restart and held off a final charge from Goeden along the cushion to secure his first career PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint A-main victory in just his sixth career 360 Sprint Car start.

Goeden, who began his racing career in the Eastern Wisconsin Stock Winged Super Modified division at Plymouth in 1985, had to settle for second, two-time PDTR and five-time MSA champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee placed third after starting seventh, Erickson placed fourth and sixth starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend placed fifth.

With his victory, Hintz became the sixth different driver to claim a win in the nine MSA 360 Sprint Car main events contested during the 2024 campaign.

Nick Schumacher used his pole starting position to seize the lead from the start of the 25-lap Grand National headliner with 2022 PDTR Grand National champion Luke Scholten, who started fourth, sliding into second. On lap 9, Scholten bolted in to briefly challenge Schumacher for the lead on the tacky and smooth track surface.

Nick Schumacher of Eagle picked up his third career 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National main event triumph at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 3. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

However, Schumacher maintained the top spot and was building up a solid lead when the lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 12 after Dustin Weiss of Iron Ridge and 2018 PDTR Grand National champ Tyler Kulow of Plymouth collided in turn four.

On the restart, Schumacher pulled away from Scholten and led the remainder of the event en route to his third career PDTR Grand National A-main victory and his first A-main triumph of the 2024 campaign.

Scholten placed second, Jeff Muehlbauer of Elkhart Lake, who started fifth, placed third, 2023 PDTR Grand National co-champion Will Sorce of Franklin took fourth after starting 11th, and two-time Grand National and six-time Plymouth track champion Brian Gilles of Plymouth charged up from the ninth starting spot to place fifth.

David Paskiewicz of Wind Lake grabbed the lead of the 25-lap B Mod A-main from the pole on the opening lap. On lap 2, third starter Spencer Long of Sheboygan Falls took over the second spot and moved into pressure Paskiewicz for the top spot.

A pair of back-to-back caution flags bunched the field on lap 7, which allowed seventh starter Steve Lorier to move in to hound Long for the lead starting on lap 9. However, Long fended off his advances until lap 20 when a slower car boxed in Long along the low groove, while Lorier rode the top of the track to snatch the lead away from Long in turn two on lap 23.

Steve Lorier of Sheboygan raced to his fifth career 25-lap Sheboygan Flooring B Mod A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 3. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Lorier held on the rest of the way to notch his fifth career and first PDTR B Mod main event of the 2024 season.

Long took second, eighth starter Travis Schmidt of Plymouth placed third, 2022 PDTR B Mod champion Andy Welter of Cedarburg finished fourth after starting fifth and Barrett Hummelmeier of Beaver Dam bounced back after hitting the turn three wall on lap 7 to place fifth.

The start of the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints main event got off to a rough start when polesitter Brian Strane, Jr. of Paris, who came into the event as the series points leader and winner of all five 2024 IRA Lightning Sprints A-main races, hit an infield tire and flipped in turn two on the opening lap.

With Strane Jr. out of the race, Nick Petska moved up from his original third starting spot to the pole position when the race began. Petska then proceeded to open up a full straightaway cushion over Mark Heinert of Waukesha, who started fifth.

The second and final yellow flag appeared on lap two for the spinning car Max Brannam on lap 16 to set up a four-lap dash to the finish following a single-file restart.

Nick Petska of Spring Grove, Ill. rolled to victory in the 20-lap 106.5 The Buzz IRA Lightning Sprints main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 3. – JW’s Car and Raccing Photos

Petska proved to be too strong for his challengers to overcome in the closing laps on the way to his first IRA Lightning Sprint A-main triumph of the 2024 campaign.

Heinert placed second, fourth starter Mike Neau of Pleasant Prairie took third, Tim Brannam of Holiday Hills, Ill, who started second, finished fourth and Ron Brannam of Holiday Hills, Ill. tallied a fifth place showing after starting ninth.

Scott Conger of Eagle claimed the overall PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car fast qualifier award with a quick lap of 13.101 seconds.

Mike Neau was the top qualifier in the IRA Lightning Sprints division with a lap of 13.966 seconds.

The ninth event of the 2024 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Pit Stop Pizza, drew 72 total entries, including 25 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 17 B Mods, 15 Grand Nationals and 15 IRA Lightning Sprints.

The program also included a coin and candy drop sponsored by VanDerVart Concrete and a coloring contest featuring prizes donated by Plymouth Dirt Track Racing, Donna Bader and Pedal Down Promotions.

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Kurt tops Tyler in Davis family 1-2 PDTR 360 Sprint Car finish
Myers Jr., Sandholm earn initial A-main victories

Kurt Davis	Tyler Davis	Mike Sandholm

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 27, 2024 – If you were to describe the eighth Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program of the 2024 season on Saturday, July 27 in one word, “ordinary” most certainly wouldn’t be it.
Whether it was a father-son 1-2 finish, inspired runs from the back to the front of the field, a heaping helping of slide jobs, a pair of A-main leaders meeting misfortune in the same race, a father driving his daughter’s car to an A-main win or two  incidents involving hard impacts with the outer wall and fence, action in the Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars, PDTR B Mods and the visiting Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car divisions provided Plymouth Dirt Track Racing fans with an abundance of wheel-to-wheel entertainment.
Two-time Akright Auto 360 Sprint Car champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee bested a career-best run from his son, Tyler, to capture his first A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in over three years as the Davis’ achieved a rare 1-2 father-son showing in the 25-lap PDTR-MSA main event.
After the first two leaders encountered misfortune, Joel Myers Jr. of Santa Rosa, Calif. nailed down a victory in the 30-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car Series main event.
Mike Sandholm of Oconomowoc made his first start in the car normally wheeled by his daughter, Miranda, a memorable one as he led wire-to-wire en route to victory in the 25-lap PDTR B Mod A-main.
In the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car main event, polesitter Bill Taylor of Boltonville raced into the lead on the drop of the green flag as Kurt Davis, who started fourth, jumped to the high groove of the third-mile clay oval to challenge third starter T.J. Smith of Greenville for second.
The first caution of two cautions appeared on lap 3 when Justin Erickson of Plymouth spun in turn two and collected Clayton Rossmann of Wadsworth, Ill, T.J. Haddy of Waupun and Alex Pokorski of West Bend. All three drivers retreated to the work area before rejoining the race at the rear of the field on the ensuing restart.
Taylor continued to hold down the lead when the race resumed while Kurt Davis stormed into second place along with the cushion on lap 7. Three laps later, the all-time winningest driver in the 25-season history of the Akright Auto Midwest Sprint Car Association powered his way past Taylor to secure the lead on the slick, smooth and multi-groove racing surface.
The second and final caution flag was displayed on lap 13 when Taylor and Brandon Berth of Cascade were involved in an incident in turn two during a four-car duel for second. Both drivers were able to return to the race.
Following the restart, Kurt’s son, Tyler Davis of Franklin, moved up from the sixth starting spot to shoot past Smith into second on lap 14 as ninth starter Robbie Pribnow charged into third along the outside line.
With five laps to go, Kurt Davis caught the rear of the field and had to deal with a swarm of slower cars, which allowed Tyler Davis to reel in his father.
With one lap to go, Tyler pulled to within striking distance his father. However, Kurt Davis proved to be the top Davis family finisher on this occasion as he held on by a car length to capture his first victory in PDTR 360 Sprint Car competition since May 8, 2021, as well as his 26th career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph and MSA A-main leading 65th career A-main win.
In his 39th season of competition, Kurt Davis’ PDTR 360 Sprint Car win moved him to within seven victories of all-time PDTR A-main victory leader Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh, who currently sits at the top of the heap at The Plymouth Dirt Track with 33 wins.
The win also helped Kurt Davis to stretch his lead at the top of the MSA 360 Sprint Car all-time A-main victory list to 13 over current runner-up Danny Schlafer of Sussex, who has 52 MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main victories to his credit. It was Davis’ first MSA win since May 15, 2022 at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis.
“I’ve been going through the year doubting myself – am I too old, did I lose some stuff?” Kurt Davis said. “I may be a little bit more out of shape. I may have lost a bit of timing, but this one’s for the old guys. As for running the number 39 this year, we lost Cole Possi last year. The Possi family have been great friends to me. I’m glad I could at least pay them back for all their years of friendship and support with a victory.”
Tyler Davis claimed a career-best second place showing, Pribnow placed third, Smith wound up fourth and Chris Clayton of Waldo mounted an inspired run from the 20th starting spot to secure a fifth place showing in his first appearance of the 2024 season in PDTR and MSA 360 Sprint Car competition.
The 30-lap IRA A-main proved to overflow with action in various ways. Polesitter and early race leader Danny Schlafer of Sussex took the lead at the start before the red flag appeared when Mike Reinke of Howards Grove made hard contact with the turn four wall and flipped on lap 3.
Schlafer controlled the restart and hit lapped traffic on lap 9 as second starter Jake Neuman of New Berlin, Ill., two-time IRA champion Jake Blackhurst of Hanna City, Ill., who started fourth, fifth starter Blake Nimee of Oswego, Ill. and Joel Myers Jr. who started eighth, waged an epic slide job-laden battle for third.
After leading the first 11 laps of the event, Schlafer made contact with a lapped car on lap 12, which launched his No. 25 car on a series of flips into the turn one fence.
With Schlafer out of the race, second starter Jake Neumann of New Berlin, Ill. assumed the top spot until his 3N machine rolled to a stop in turn three on lap 20 to become the second race leader to drop out of the event over the span of eight laps.
Blackhurst inherited the lead with Myers Jr. and Max Guilford of Aukland, New Zealand, who started 11th, lurking close behind. The fourth and final stoppage of the race occurred with five laps to go when Ryan Zielski of Oconomowoc spun.
The closing laps saw Blackhurst, Myers Jr. and Nimee relentlessly duel for the top spot as the trio reeled off slide job after slide job. Myers Jr. eventually swept into the lead along the high line. At the same time, Nimee ducked under Blackhurst utilizing the low groove as the trio raced three-wide coming out of turn four on lap 27.
Myers Jr. surged ahead of Nimee for good on lap 28 with Guilford charging back into the top three as the checkered flag flew to cap the action-packed race with Myers Jr. collecting his first career IRA A-main triumph.
Nimee finished second, Guilford wound up third, two-time PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls charged up 16 spots from the 20th starting position to place fourth and Blackhurst finished fifth.
Filling in for his daughter, Miranda, Mike Sandholm grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap PDTR B Mod A-main.
Sandholm held down a solid cushion over Brad Buckman of Kiel before the first of three caution flags appeared on lap 7 when Scott Quarnstrom of Lake Villa, Ill. spun in turn four.
Sandholm maintained the top spot on the restart as fifth starter Brandon Knepprath of Boltonville slipped into second place on lap 8 with Hunter Larson of Oshkosh, who started seventh taking over third.
The second caution flag appeared on lap 9 for a six-car incident in turn two. After fending off Larson’s challenge for second, Knepprath set his focus on tracking down Sandholm.
As the leaders hit slower traffic, Knepprath remained highly determined as he remained within striking distance when the third and final caution period occurred on lap 19. When the race resumed Knepprath stayed glued to Sandholm’s bumper and stayed there straight through to the finish.
However, Sandholm proved to have just enough to claim his first career PDTR B Mod main event victory. Knepprath finished a career-best second, Larson wound up third, 11th starter Travis Schmidt of Plymouth charged up from the 11th starting spot to finish fourth and Barrett Hummelmeier of Beaver Dam, advanced from the 12th starting position to place fifth.
Jake Blackhurst was the top qualifier in the IRA 410 Sprint Car ranks with a lap of    11.882 seconds.
Clayton Rossmann claimed fast qualifier honors in PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car group qualifying with a time 13.365 of seconds.
The eighth event of the 2024 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Hopf Farms, featured 72 total entries, including 28 IRA 410 Sprint Cars, 23 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars and 21 B Mods.

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Smith, Sorce, Thompson register A-main triumphs
Scheffler doubles PDTR Super Six Late Model pleasure, Welch bags win No. 1

T J Smith	Rory Welch
Taylor Scheffler	Will Sorce
Charles Thompson HSA

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 20, 2024 – Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha held off the spirited challenges of five-time Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model champion Brad Mueller of Random Lake and Jayden Schmidt of Seymour to rack up his second consecutive 30-lap 106.5 The Buzz Seubert Calf Ranches Super Six Late Model Series A-main victory at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 20.
With rain and curfew plaguing seven of the first 11 racing programs of the 2024 season, the event was the fourth full race night of the 2024 PDTR campaign.
In the 25-lap Akright Auto PDTR – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car main event, T.J. Smith of Greenville registered a flag-to-flag victory.
Defending PDTR Grand National co-champion Will Sorce of Franklin secured his first A-main victory of the 2024 season in the 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National main event.

Plymouth’s Rory Welch pulled off a late pass to rack up his first career Sheboygan Flooring PDTR B Mod A-main victory.
In the High School Racing Association’s first-ever appearance at The Plymouth Track Racing, Hixton resident and Osseo-Fairchild High School student Charles Thompson raced to victory in the 12-lap JDL Automotive and Detailing HSRA main event.
Taylor Scheffler used his outside front row starting spot to dart into the lead on the opening lap of the 30-lap Super Six Late Model Series A main with polesitter Charlie Schmidt of Cedar Grove sliding into second.
As Scheffler bolted away from the field, third starter Jayden Schmidt maneuvered around Charlie Schmidt to take the second spot on lap 5 before the first of six race stoppages occurred when eighth starter Turk Letizia of Milwaukee spun in turn three to bring out a yellow flag on lap 6.
After another caution flag was displayed for a spin involving Charlie Schmidt on the ensuing restart, fourth starter Brad Mueller pulled in to pass Jayden Schmidt for second on lap 7.
The third caution period came on lap 10 when Eric Michael of Cleveland spun in turn four. Mueller used a good restart to duck underneath Scheffler and mount a bid for the top spot on lap 11. The two prodigious Late Model competitors dueled side-by-side before Scheffler retained command on the smooth, slick and multi-groove racing surface.
The race was halted on lap 16 when a fire erupted in Milwaukee driver’s Joe Bongiorno’s machine. The Scheffler-Mueller battle raged on when the race resumed with both drivers swapping between the equally effective high and low grooves of the venerable third-mile clay oval.
Scheffler again stayed ahead before Mueller moved in to wage another bid for the lead on lap 21 until the fifth caution flag was waved on lap 22 when Kevin Baldry of Omro stopped in turn one.
Following the restart, Jayden Schmidt and Mueller re-engaged in a side-by-side jaunt for the runner-up position as Scheffler built up a solid cushion at the front of the field. The sixth and final yellow flag came out on lap 26 when Bill Edler of Howards Grove made contact with the turn four wall.
After the ensuing single-file restart, Scheffler proved to be too strong for his fellow competitors to overcome as he rolled to his second PDTR Super Six Late Model series main event triumph of the 2024 campaign, third career Super Six Late Model win and ninth overall PDTR Late Model victory of his career.
Mueller had to settle for second, Jayden Schmidt placed third, Turk Letizia rallied from his lap 6 spin to secure fourth and fifth starter Justin Ritchie of New London rounded out the top five.
The 2024 Super Six Late Model Series is slated to wrap up on Saturday, Aug. 10 with Brad Mueller holding a four-point lead over Taylor Scheffler and a 14-point cushion over Justin Ritchie heading into the finale.
In the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main, T.J. Smith outdueled polesitter Randy Post of Oostburg to gain the lead in turn two on the opening lap with Post following in second and Alex Pokorski of West Bend moving up from the fourth starting position into third.
Meanwhile, 2011 PDTR and MSA 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth, who started 10th, used the high groove to power his way into the top-five on lap 5 as eighth starter Brandon Berth of Cascade worked the outside line to follow Schmidt into sixth.
Smith caught the rear of the field on lap 10, while Schmidt vaulted his way past Post into second on lap 14 and quickly moved in to challenge Smith for the lead.
With the leaders fully entwined in thick lapped traffic, Berth slipped into third on lap 17 before Schmidt pulled even with Smith at the head of the field. One circuit later, disaster struck as Schmidt made contact with Smith’s right rear tire, which sent his machine hard into the turn three wall before flipping.
On the restart, Berth tried to track down Smith, while third starter Justin Erickson of Plymouth gained third on lap 18. Smith continued his smooth and steady pace at the point over the final seven laps to notch his second career PDTR and MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main triumph.
Berth placed second, Erickson was third, Pokorski claimed fourth and T.J. Haddy of Waupun worked his way up from the ninth starting spot to round out the top five.
On the opening lap of the 25-lap PDTR Grand National main event, octogenarian competitor Dick Hed of Plymouth worked the high line to assume the lead on the first lap as fourth starting Derek Kaat took second from polesitter Jason Juech of Plymouth.
Hed set the pace at the front of the field before the first of two caution periods came on lap 4 for a three-car incident in turn two.
Following the restart, Kaat powered in to challenge Hed for the lead on lap 5 as Will Sorce shot into third from his eighth starting spot. The second and final yellow flag came out on lap 8 when Jack Wiroll of Sheboygan stopped in turn four with a fire under the hood of his car.
The restart allowed Sorce to move up to Hed’s rear bumper and vault his way into the lead on lap 8. Four laps later, ninth starter Dustin Weiss of Iron Ridge worked past Hed to nail down second while seven-time Plymouth track champion and two-time PDTR Grand National champ Brian Gilles of Plymouth bolted in from the 13th starting position to snag third on lap 15.
With Sorce securely in the lead, Gilles slipped past Dustin Weiss to take over second on lap 20. Sorce went on to notch his first A-main victory of 2024 and his ninth career PDTR Grand National main event win.
Gilles placed second, Dustin Weiss was third, 2019 PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Plymouth, who started 10th, finished fourth, while 1966 Plymouth Sportsman and 1969 Modified champion Dick Hed rounded out the top five.
Fresh off of his first career A-main victory in the last PDTR B Mod main event on June 29, Barrett Hummelmeier of Beaver Dam secured the lead on the first circuit of the 25-lap B Mod A-main.
The lone caution flag flew on lap 4 when Brendan Ostrowski of Milwaukee spun in turn third.
When the race resumed, Hummelmeier commanded the top spot while fourth starter Rory Welch moved into second on lap five. After building up a half-straightaway cushion over the field, Hummelmeier’s advantage shrank gradually as Welch chipped away at the lead gap.
On lap 18, Hummelmeier was bound up in slower traffic, which allowed Welch to advance to his rear bumper. After following close behind Hummelmeier over the next six laps, Welch finally made the winning move when he ducked low to shoot into the top spot in turn two on lap 24.
Welch held on to seal his first career PDTR B Mod A-main triumph in stirring fashion. Hummelmeier placed second, Travis Schmidt of Plymouth worked his way up from the eighth starting spot to finish third, seventh starter Steve Lorier of Sheboygan finished fourth and polesitter Ryan Pafford of Kiel placed fifth.
Charles Thompson fended off a spirited effort from Jackson Martindale of Stillman Valley High School in Stillman Valley, Ill. to earn the victory in the first-ever 12-lap High School Racing Association main event at The Plymouth Dirt Track.
Brad Mueller of Random Lake secured Super Six Late Model Series fast qualifier honors with a lap of 13.802 seconds.
Ben Schmidt topped PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car group qualifying with a quick lap of 13.326 seconds.
The seventh event of the 2024 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Butch and Blondie Hafemann, drew 79 total entries, including 23 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 21 B Mods, 19 Grand Nationals, 13 Late Models and three High School Racing Association cars.  
The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, July 27 will feature the third scheduled Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series event of the 2024 campaign at The Plymouth Dirt Track with the Akright Auto PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars and Sheboygan Flooring B Mods rounding out the card.
Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with “on-track action” scheduled to commence at 5:30 p.m.  

 

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2024 Wall of Fame Inducties

Rain hampers PDTR, legends join Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) July 13, 2024 – To say the weather has been unkind to the 2024 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing season would be quite an understatement.
Through the first 10 scheduled events of the 2024 campaign, just three nights have been completed in full, while seven have experienced A-main cancellations due to rain or curfew at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.
The latest PDTR racing program with A-main events falling victim to rain came during the third annual Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Induction Night racing program on Saturday, July 13.
After the completion of all heat races in the Seubert Calf Ranches 106.5 The Buzz Super Six Late Model Series, Akright Auto PDTR-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars, Oostburg Automotive Grand Nationals and Sheboygan Flooring B Mods, along with the visiting Vintage Modifieds, the remainder of the PDTR program was cancelled six laps into the scheduled 30-lap Super Six Late Model Series main event as heavy rain, coupled with lightning brought the night to an early conclusion.
Since all preliminary races (heat races in this case) were completed in each of the five racing divisions, the event went down as an official racing program per PDTR rules. As a result, points and payout were split evenly among the scheduled A-main starters in each of the four PDTR divisions.
A total of 12 names were added to the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame during the third annual Class of 2024 induction ceremony held at intermission.

Fuzzy Fassbender, Donny Goeden, Dave Haag, Steve Hoffmann, Randy Markwardt, Pete Ostrowski, Steve Schad and K.J. Skelton were inducted as drivers. The names of track workers Lee Glomski, John Laack and Bill Krueger were etched on the Wall of Fame in the Dedicated to Racing category. The McMullen racing family joined the six previous Wall of Fame-worthy racing families.
Five-time PDTR Late Model champion Brad Mueller of Random Lake picked up the Super Six Late Model Series fast qualifier award with a lap of 13.535 seconds.
Paul Pokorski of West Bend topped PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car group qualifying with a fast lap of 12.698 seconds.
The sixth event of the 2024 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Butch and Blondie Hafemann, drew 100 total entries, including 25 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 24 B Mods, 19 Grand Nationals, 19 Late Models and 13 Vintage Modifieds.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, July 20 will feature the sixth round of competition in the 106.5 The Buzz Seubert Calf Ranches Super Six Late Model Series, as well as the Akright Auto PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, Oostburg Automotive Grand Nationals, Sheboygan Flooring B Mods, along with the debut of the High School Racing Association at The Plymouth Dirt Track.

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Scheffler cashes in big Super Six Late Model victory
Pribnow, Dustin Weiss, Hummelmeier claim A-main triumphs

Dustin Weiss	Taylor Scheffler
Barret Hummelmeier	Robbie Pribnow

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) June 29, 2024 – Taylor Scheffler of Waukesha survived six caution flags and fended off former Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model champs Mitch McGrath and Brad Mueller to secure the 30-lap Seubert Calf Ranches 96.5 The Buzz Super Six Late Model A-main victory worth $2,500 in the third complete PDTR program of the 2024 season Saturday, June 29 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.
In the 25-lap Akright Auto 360 Sprint Car main event, Robbie Pribnow of Lomira outdueled 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champ Ben Schmidt of Plymouth in the closing laps to capture his first A-main victory of the 2024 season behind the wheel of Blake Wondra’s No. 0 machine.
Dustin Weiss of Iron Ridge rolled up from the 12th starting spot to record his first career 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National main event victory.
Barrett Hummelmeier of Beaver Dam led wire-to-wire en route to the first A-main victory of his career in the 25-lap Sheboygan Flooring B Mod A-main.
Polesitter Taylor Scheffler bolted into the lead on the drop of the green flag in the 30-lap Super Six Late Model Series headliner with 2014 PDTR Late Model champion Mitch McGrath of Waukesha, who started fourth, seizing second on the opening lap.
On lap five, four-time PDTR Late Model champion Brad Mueller of Randon Lake took over third in the running order after starting sixth. The first of six caution flags appeared on lap 8 when Turk Letizia of Milwaukee spun in turn two.
Following another caution flag on lap 9, Scheffler bolted out to a half-straightaway advantage over McGrath on lap 13 before the third caution flag of the event was displayed when Turk Letizia spun in turn two.
Five laps later, Sawyer Specht of Sheboygan Falls and Charlie Schmidt of Cedar Grove collided in turn four to bring out the fourth caution of the race on lap 18.
On the restart, five-time PDTR Late Model champ Justin Schmidt of Cleveland slowed in turn out to draw the fifth caution of the race. Mueller moved in to challenge McGrath for second on lap l9 along the outside groove of the dry and dusty racing surface.
McGrath, who leads the way with three career Super Six Late Model Series A-main victories at Plymouth, retained second on lap 22 and was reeling in Scheffler when Bill Edler of Howards Grove and Jim Schmidt of Cleveland spun along the front stretch to bring out the sixth and final caution flag of race.
Following a single-file restart, McGrath attempted to duck underneath Scheffler. However, Scheffler held on to secure his second-career Super Six Late Model Series A-main victory and eighth overall PDTR Late Model main event win of his career, which earned him a $2,500 first-place check. 
McGrath had to settle for second, Mueller was third, Spencer Diercks of Davenport, Iowa, who started second, placed fourth and Justin Ritchie of New London stormed up from the 14th starting position to round out the top five.
Inside second row starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend used a daring three-wide move to zip past front row starters Bill Taylor Boltonville and Chris Larson of Franksville to grab the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main.
With Karnitz holding a comfortable lead, fifth starter Ben Schmidt used the outside groove to vault his way into the top five on the second circuit before the lone caution flag of the race appeared on lap 5. Following the restart, Schmidt bolted past Larson, Taylor, Robbie Pribnow to secure second and move in to challenge Karnitz for the top spot on lap 6.
Three laps later, Schmidt used the high groove to shoot past Karnitz to secure the top spot in turn one on lap 11. Karnitz attempted to battle back over the ensuing lap along the inside lane. However, Schmidt was too strong as he powered away as he weaved his way through slower traffic starting on lap 13.
Schmidt, who captured seven main event victories at Plymouth during the 2023 campaign and has one A-main win in 2024, continued to hold down the top spot over Karnitz over the ensuing 10 laps.
Meanwhile, fourth starter Robbie Pribnow was mounting a spirited charge to the front utilizing the outside lane of the third-mile clay oval to take over third on lap 16. After disposing of Karnitz on lap 18, Pribnow started to reel in the leader.
On lap 23 Pribnow moved in to challenge Schmidt for the top spot before slipping past the 25-year veteran in turn two on lap 24. Pribnow powered away from Schmidt over the final two circuits to secure his fourth career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory and ninth career Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car main event triumph.
Schmidt placed second, Karnitz placed third, Taylor wound up fourth and rookie Clayton Rossmann of Wadsworth, Ill. rounded out the top five after starting sixth.
Rookie Austin Yancey of Sheboygan, who started on the pole, outbattled second starter Mavrick Ruh of Elkhart Lake to lead the opening lap of the 25-lap Grand National main event with Ruh and third starter Steven Weber of Plymouth securing second and third respectively in the running order.
On lap 6, eighth starter T.J. Smith of Greenville executed a three-wide pass to take over fifth before advancing to third along the high line on lap 8.
One lap later, Ruh briefly took the lead before Smith bolted by to take the top spot on lap 12. Ruh remained close behind Smith before the first caution of the race appeared on lap 16.
Following the restart, Dustin Weiss, who started 12th, flexed his muscle to sweep into second place on lap 16. One lap later, Yancey spun in turn fourth to prompt the second caution flag of the race.
The third and final caution flag of the race was displayed on the ensuing restart when Weber spun in turn two. When the race returned to green flag action, Weiss completed his stirring run to the front by powering past Smith along the outside groove. Once he was out front, Weiss bolted away from the field to post his first-career PDTR Grand National main event win.
Smith held on to place second, Tyler Kulow of Plymouth moved up from the ninth starting position to finish third, 2023 PDTR Grand National co-champion Will Sorce of Franklin placed fourth from his 11th starting spot and seven-time Plymouth track champ Brian Gilles of Plymouth charged up from the 10th starting position to finish fifth.
Outside front row starter Barrett Hummelmeier seized the lead on the drop of the green flag in the 25-lap B Mod A-main with rookie polesitter Parker Glander of Sheboygan Falls sliding into second.
The first of three caution periods occurred on lap two for a four-car incident in turn two. On the restart, Spencer Long of Sheboygan Falls moved up from his sixth starting position to secure second.
The leaders caught the rear of the field on lap 11 as Travis Schmidt of Plymouth advanced from the 10th starting spot to take over third. After two more caution flags on lap 18, Long began to pressure Hummelmeier for the lead on lap 19.
However, Long slipped back a spot when Schmidt wrestled the second position away on lap 24. Meanwhile, Hummelmeier stormed to his first career A-main victory.
Schmidt took home second, Long wound up third, Brian Konitzer of Sheboygan improved seven spots from the 11th starting position to place fourth and 2022 PDTR B Mod champ Andy Welter of Cedarburg started and finished fifth.
Mike Mullen of Seymour picked up the Super Six Late Model Series fast qualifier award with a lap of 13.967 seconds.
Alex Pokorski claimed his second fast time award of the 2024 campaign in PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car hot-lap-group qualifying with a lap of 13.363 seconds.

GoFundMe donations continue to be accepted for 2005 MSA and 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett, who suffered serious burns in a methanol fire during hot lap qualifying at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, June 15. Those wishing to assist Fassbender and his family during his recovery can donate by visiting https://gofundme.com/f/help-lance-and-his-family-during-his-recovery.

The fifth event of the 2024 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Pedal Down Promotions, drew 89 total entries, including 24 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 23 Late Models, 22 B Mods and 20 Grand Nationals.
After taking a weekend off, the next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing event will feature the third annual Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Induction Night Program on Saturday, July 13, during which the names of eight drivers (Fuzzy Fassbender, Donny Goeden, Dave Haag, Steve Hoffmann, Randy Markwardt, Pete Ostrowski, Steve Schad and K.J. Skelton), three track workers (Lee Glomski, John Laack and Bill Krueger) and the McMullen racing family will be added to the track’s Wall of Fame.
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, Weber, Long, Strane Jr. shine as PDTR gets back on track
Fundraiser established to help injured racer Lance Fassbender

Ben Schmidt	Spencer Long
Steven Weber	Lance Fassbender

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) June 15, 2024 – A season that has been reluctant to fully accelerate finally kicked into gear as Plymouth Dirt Track Racing completed its second full racing program of the 2024 campaign out of seven scheduled attempts at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, June 15.

In just the second 25-lap Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing-Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A-main event of the 2024 season, 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth put on a driving clinic en route to the initial main event victory of his 25th season of racing.

Veteran Steven Weber of Plymouth earned a wire-to-wire triumph in the 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National A-main.
Spencer Long of Sheboygan Falls endured eight cautions to capture his first career A-main triumph in the time-shortened Sheboygan Flooring B Mod main event.

In the visiting 20-lap 106.5 The Buzz IRA Lightning Sprints A-main, Brian Strane Jr. of Paris, Wis. continued his stellar 2024 season by capturing another main event triumph in convincing fashion.

Behind the wheel of Nick Daywalt-owned No. 66 machine, three-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Donny Goeden of Kewaskum emerged from semi-retirement to grab the lead on the drop of the green flag of the 25-lap PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car main event from the pole.
Goeden, who was making just his fourth 360 Sprint Car start since his retirement from full-time racing competition after the 2016 season, proceeded to build a solid lead in the early stages of the event as outside front-row starter T.J. Haddy of Waupun gave chase in the runner-up spot.

Things started to get interesting when Goeden caught up to the rear of the field on lap 9. As the leaders bunched up in slower traffic, Ben Schmidt, who started 12th, flexed his muscle by working both the high and low grooves of the fast and smooth racing surface to slip past sixth starter Brandon Berth of Cascade and secure third on lap 11.

One lap later, Schmidt swiped second from Haddy and gradually reeled in Goeden for the top spot. On lap 17, Schmidt pounced to lift the lead from Goeden’s possession after executing what proved to be the winning move in turn two.

Once out front, Schmidt was not to be denied as he stretched out a full straightaway advantage en route to his 23rd career PDTR 360 Sprint Car main event victory and 43rd career Midwest Sprint Car Association A-main win. Schmidt’s triumph moved him into a tie with Danny Schlafer of Sussex for third place on the all-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory list.

Goeden held on to finish second, Alex Pokorski of West Bend stormed up from the eighth starting position to place third, Haddy claimed a career-best fourth-place showing and Berth rounded out the top five in the caution-free, non-stop, green-to-checkered flag race.

Polesitter Steven Weber outpowered octogenarian racer Dick Hed of Plymouth to take the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap Grand National A-main. Hed, who claimed a Sportsman division co-championship in 1966 and the 1969 Modified title at Plymouth, battled back along the high groove to challenge Weber for the top spot on lap 2.

The two veterans dueled side by side until Weber surged ahead on lap 4. With Weber holding down the top spot, 2010 and defending PDTR Grand National co-champion Brian Gilles of Plymouth moved up from his seventh starting spot and 11th starter T.J. Smith of Greenville flew in to battle door to door with Gilles for third on lap 9.

One lap later, eighth starter Scott Kafka of Cleveland spun into the infield in turn two while Smith slowed before retiring to the pits with an apparent mechanical issue.
With Smith out of the picture, Gilles, who owns a grand total of seven Plymouth track championships in the Super Stock and Grand National ranks, moved in to challenge Weber for the top spot starting on lap 17, while 2022 PDTR Grand National champ Luke Scholten of Oostburg seized third after starting ninth.

The lone caution flag of the event was displayed when Mavrick Ruh of Elkhart Lake stopped along the front stretch on lap 20. Weber maintained the lead after the restart and motored away from the field to notch his fifth career PDTR Grand National A-main triumph.
Gilles finished second, Scholten wound up third, 2019 PDTR Grand National champion Tyler Kulow of Sheboygan finished fourth after starting eighth and 2023 PDTR Grand National division co-champion Will Sorce of Franklin charged up from the 16th starting spot to round out the top five.

Seven caution flags prompted the scheduled 25-lap B Mod main event to be shortened to 15 laps upon triggering the race’s 25-minute time limit.

Fourth starter Spencer Long maneuvered past rookie Parker Glander of Sheboygan Falls, who started second, to grab the lead on the opening circuit. Following the first two caution flags of the race, fifth starter Brandon Knepprath of Boltonville advanced to second on lap 3.
Following a flurry of five caution flags reeled off in rapid succession, Cole Thomas of Franklin moved in from his ninth starting spot to duel with fourth starter Rory Welch of Plymouth for the runner-up spot.

Thomas sealed second on lap 14 and was reeling in Long when Welch stopped along the front stretch to bring out the race’s seventh caution flag and invoke the race’s 25-minute time limit.

When the dust settled on an eventful main event, Long guided his No. 59s machine to victory lane for the first time in his career.

Thomas had to settle for second, Colten Van Hierden of Waupun moved up from the 10th starting spot to place third, Knepprath came home fourth and Tony Gates of Chilton moved up six spots from his 11th starting position to round out the top-five finishers.

In the visiting IRA Lightning Sprint main event, Tim Brannam of Holiday Hills, Ill. grabbed the initial lead from his outside front row starting position with fourth starter Jordan Funderburk of Wadsworth, Ill. and polesitter Ron Brannam of Barrington, Ill. giving chase.

By lap 5, Tim Brannam built up a full straightaway lead over Funderburk before Mark Heinert of Waukesha, who started eighth, passed Funderburk for second lap 8.

With the leaders moving through slower traffic, Heinert advanced his way in to challenge Tim Brannam for the lead before seventh starter Brian Strane Jr. bolted in to sweep around both Heinert and Brannam to grab the top spot on lap 12.

Over the final eight laps, Strane Jr. built up a big half-lap lead en route to his third IRA Lightning Sprints A-main victory of the 2024 campaign in three outings.

Heinert finished second, ninth starter Nick Petska of Spring Grove, Ill. placed third, Tim Brannam was fourth and Mike Neau of Pleasant Prairie advanced from the 10th starting position to take fifth.

Two-time PDTR and five-time MSA champion Kurt Davis of South Milwaukee won the 12-lap PDTR-MSA B-main.
Will Sorce won the 12-lap Grand National B-main.

Alex Pokorski claimed the fast time award in PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car hot-lap-group qualifying with a 12.450-second lap.
Mike Neu earned fast qualifier honors in IRA Lightning Sprints qualifying with a lap of 13.515 seconds. 

During PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car qualifying, 2005 MSA and 2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett was transported to an area medical care center after suffering burns in a methanol fire. A Go Fund Me fundraiser has been set up to help Lance and his family during his recovery. Donations can be made by visiting https://gofundme.com/f/help-lance-and-his-family-during-his-recovery.

The fourth event of the 2024 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Josfo Electric, attracted 86 total entries, including 27 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 23 Grand Nationals, 18 B Mods and 18 IRA Lightning Sprints.  

Plymouth Dirt Track Racing action continues on Saturday, June 22 with the lone 2024 appearance of the Badger Midgets, which will serve as the evening’s featured guest division. The PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals and B Mods will also be in action.

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Nimee endures to edge Plymouth IRA field
Curfew claims 360 Sprint Car main, Hensley earns first Wingless win

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 18, 2024 – On a night that resembled more of a marathon than a sprint, an accomplished veteran added another main event triumph to his resume, a young up-and-comer collected his first career A-main victory and curfew cut the final scheduled A main in the Spring Sprintacular all-Sprint Car racing program at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 18.

In the 25-lap Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series A main, Blake Nimee of Oswego, Ill. notched his first main event victory of the 2024 season.

Tate Hensley of Trevor made his maiden victory lane visit in the 15-lap Autometer Wisconsin wingLESS A main.

Following multiple rounds of track work throughout the racing program, both completed main events were shortened by five laps in an attempt to get each of the three A mains in before the city of Plymouth’s 11 p.m. curfew.

However, the Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing – Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car main event fell victim to the city of Plymouth’s 11 p.m. curfew. All points and payout for the 360 Sprint Car portion of the program were distributed evenly through the 25-car field.

The initial start of the time-shortened 25-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car A main was aborted when Tyler Tischendorf of Waupaca drew a red flag after his machine flipped turn one.

When the green flag was displayed to the field, Nimee bolted into the lead from his outside front row starting position while two-time IRA champion Scotty Neitzel of Beaver Dam slipped into second after starting on the pole.

IRA points leader Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan spun turn in two on lap 2 to slow the racing action for the second time. Following back-to-back cautions on lap 3 when 2022 IRA champion Jordan Goldesberry stopped in turn two and IRA rookie competitor Tyler Rankin of Coldwater, Mich. slowed in turn two, Nimee controlled the ensuing restart with Neitzel in tow.

By lap 8, the leaders caught the rear of the field and began to dice their way through slower traffic on the ultra-tacky and undulating track surface.

Two laps later, Neitzel closed the gap on Nimee in lapped traffic, before the fifth caution flag of the race appeared when Scott Bietzer of West Bend stopped in turn two on lap 14.

The final 11 laps were contested at a break-neck pace on the fast and narrow racing surface with Nimee again locking down the lead and Neitzel giving chase, while two-time IRA champ Jake Blackhurst of Hanna City, Ill., who started fourth held down the third position in the running order.

Shortly after the leaders took the checkered flag, the remainder of the final lap was halted when Scotty Thiel, who had worked his way into the top 10 after restarting at the rear of the field on lap 2, flipped in turn four to produce the sixth and final red flag of the A main.

Nimee held on to notch his seventh career IRA 410 Sprint Car Series A-main victory, while Neitzel had to settle for second. Blackhurst placed third, followed by sixth starter Mike Reinke of Howards Grove in fourth and third starter Max Guilford of Auckland, New Zealand rounding out the top five.

The shortened 15-lap Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car Series A main got off to a timid start when Tyler Kuxhouse of Antioch, Ill. stopped in turn three after contact along the back stretch.

On the ensuing restart, a multi-car incident in turn three, which yielded a pair of flips, prompted the first red flag of the race.

With 17 of the scheduled 22 cars still on the track, Hensley, who started on the pole, powered away from third starter John Fahl of Brown Deer when the race took the green flag. Fahl used the inside lane to challenge for the top spot starting on lap 2 and continued to intermittently battle back and forth with Hensley for the lead over the next 12 circuits.

After Hensley and Fahl finished lap 13 in a near-dead heat for the lead, Hensley maintained the top spot before Miles Doherty of Delmar, Iowa spun in turn four on lap 13. Over the final two laps, Hensley secured the lead position with Fahl trailing in second.

Hensley cruised the rest of the way to earn his first Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car A-main victory of his young racing career.

Fahl placed second, Furseth wound up third from the fifth starting spot, sixth starter Ryan Marshall of Kansasville placed fourth and Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harber, Ill. placed fifth after starting ninth.

Todd King of Sheboygan Falls was victorious in the 10-lap IRA 410 Sprint Car Series B main.

Jake Blackhurst notched the overall fast qualifier award in IRA 410 Sprint Car Series qualifying with a fast lap of 11.563 seconds.

T.J. Haddy of Waupun claimed the fast time in PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car hot-lap-group qualifying in 12.557 seconds.

Tyler Kuxhouse earned fast qualifier honors in the Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car hot lap-qualifying session in a Wingless Sprint Car new track record time of 13.719 seconds.

The third event of the 2024 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Jensen Sales & Service, attracted 79 total entries, including 32 IRA 410 Sprint Cars, 25 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars and 22 Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars.

After taking the Memorial Day weekend off, Plymouth Dirt Track Racing action resumes on Saturday, June 1 with the third scheduled Seubert Calf Ranches Super Six Late Model Series event of the 2024 season, 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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McGrath seizes PDTR Super Six Late Model Series opener
Smith, Weiss, Van Hierden tally PDTR A-main wins

T.J. Smith	Colton Van Hierden
Brad Weiss	Mitch McGrath

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 11, 2024 – The first full Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program of the 2024 season produced a little bit of everything with two new faces making their PDTR A-main victory lane debut and two distinguished veterans adding more hardware to their trophy cases on You’re Our Heroes Night at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 11.

The program served as a tip of the cap to the sacrifice and dedication of U.S. military, police, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel by providing free admission to those who have worked to preserve the freedom, safety and health of United States citizens both near and far.

While temperatures dipped into the chilly 40s during the racing program, the racing action furnished on the venerable third-mile clay oval track provided plenty of heated competition to enhance the viewing pleasure of PDTR fans.

In the 30-lap PDTR 106.5 The Buzz, Seubert Calf Ranches Super Six Late Model Series 2024 season opening main event, 2014 PDTR Late Model champion Mitch McGrath of Waukesha put together a strong performance to claim his third career Super Six Late Model Series A-main triumph.

T.J. Smith of Greenville led all but two laps en route to his first career Akright Auto PDTR - Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car A main triumph. Brad Weiss of Cascade and Colten Van Hierden of Waupun each picked up A-main victories in the Oostburg Automotive Grand National and Sheboygan Flooring B Mod divisions respectively.

Polesitter Mike Mullen of Seymour jumped into the lead on the drop of the 30-lap PDTR Super Six Late Model Series main event before outside front row starter Mitch McGrath utilized the outside groove to wrestle the lead away from the low-riding Mullen.

McGrath then proceeded to build up a solid cushion over Mullen, who followed tight in his tracks along the outside groove in the ensuing laps.

The first of two caution flags appeared on lap 3 when Kevin Baldry of Omro spun in turn one. On the restart, Shawano’s Troy Springborn, who started third, slipped into second with Mullen dropping to third on lap 4.

Meanwhile, McGrath stretched his advantage on the field utilizing primarily the outside groove of the third-mile oval. On lap 19, the final yellow flag was displayed when Jayden Schmidt of Seymour rolled to a stop along the back stretch on lap 19.

Again, McGrath controlled the restart and began to pull away from the rest of the field when the race went green for the final time. While McGrath held down a solid cushion at the head of the pack, fifth starter Justin Richie of New London and five-time PDTR Late Model champion Brad Mueller of Random Lake, who started fourth, waged a spirited back-and-forth duel for the third spot.

McGrath went on to post his first PDTR Late Model A-main victory of the 2024 campaign and 16th career PDTR Late Model main event triumph, which was good for a $1,500 payday.

Springborn wound up second, Ritchie placed third, Mueller took fourth and Mullen rounded out the top five.

Outside front-row starter Tony Wondra of Campbellsport outpowered polesitter Bill Taylor of Boltonville to seize the lead at the start of the 25-lap PDTR 360 Sprint Car main event with fourth starter T.J. Smith seizing second on the opening circuit.

On lap 3, Smith reeled off a well-applied slide job entering turn three to pry the lead away from Wondra. Wondra battled back to pull even with Smith entering turn one on lap 4. However, Smith pounded the cushion to nail down the lead for good exiting turn two.

Sticking primarily to the outside line, the second-year PDTR 360 Sprint Car competitor began to encounter lapped traffic on lap 8. Smith, who has acquired nine track and series championships in 10 different racing divisions during his stellar career behind the wheel, expertly sliced his way through dense lapped traffic to build up a half-straightaway lead over Wondra on lap 19.

With two laps to go, sixth starter Kevin Karnitz of West Bend dipped under Wondra to secure second in the running order.

Smith, who has collected over 70 A-main victories in his distinguished racing career, went on to post his first career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victory in the caution-free race.

Karnitz went on to finish second, Wondra was third, 2011 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Ben Schmidt of Plymouth placed fourth after starting ninth and Taylor placed fifth.

After starting on the pole, 85-year-old Dick Hed of Plymouth paced the opening lap of the 25-lap PDTR Grand National main event as third starter Brad Weiss of Cascade slipped into second.

Five laps later, Weiss incorporated the outside line to dart past Hed to take the lead on lap six. Further back in the field, defending PDTR Grand National co-champion Will Sorce of Franklin charged up from the 10th starting position along the high groove to break into the top five.

The lone caution flag of the race came out on lap 9 when Scott Kafka of Cleveland spun. On the restart, 2022 PDTR Grand National champion Luke Scholten of Oostburg, who started ninth, utilized the high line to work his way into third on lap 12.

On lap 14, Scholten powered into second and quickly moved in to battle side-by-side with Weiss for the top spot. Scholten and Weiss dueled in close quarters starting on lap 16 before Weiss finally regained control of the top spot on lap 19.

Weiss maintained the lead in the closing laps, while Scholten made contact with the outside retaining wall in turn four with two laps to go, which dropped him out of the top five, and allowed 2019 PDTR Grand National champ Tyler Kulow of Sheboygan, who started fifth, to move into the runner-up position.

Weiss went on to rack up his first career PDTR Grand National A-main victory.

Kulow placed second, Sorce finished third, 11th starter Dustin Weiss of Iron Ridge finished fourth and T. J. Smith of Greenville placed fifth after starting 12th.  

Polesitter Joe Shelby of Slinger led the 25-lap PDTR B Mod main event over the opening three laps before the first of four caution flags appeared when Steve Lorier of Sheboygan stopped near the turn one wall on lap 4.

After another caution, fifth starter Barrett Hummelmeier of Beaver Dam slipped into second and Colten Van Hierden, who started fourth, rode the outside groove to sweep into second place following the restart.

Shortly after, Van Hierden powered into the top spot with a strong outside move on lap 5. Following two more caution flags, Van Hierden continued to hold down the top spot. However, Hummelmeier moved in to draw even with Van Hierden on lap 21.

Van Hierden maintained the top spot before Hummelmeier spun into the field on lap 24. The veteran competitor cruised to a full straightaway lead en route to his fourth career PDTR B Mod A-main victory.

Travis Schmidt of Plymouth, who started third, placed second, sixth starter Cole Thomas of Franklin placed third, Geoff Zdroik of Rubicon, who started 10th, placed fourth and eighth starter Jim Zdroik of Hartford rounded out the top five.  

2008 PDTR Late Model champion Bill Rezutek of Big Bend won the Late Model B main and Spencer Long of Sheboygan Falls earned the victory in the B Mod B main.

2008 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Lance Fassbender of Burnett registered the overall fastest lap in Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car hot lap-heat race group qualifying in 12.666 seconds.

Mitch McGrath claimed the fast qualifier award in the 106.5 The Buzz Seubert Calf Ranches Super Six Late Model division with a lap of 13.882 seconds.

The second event of the 2024 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by the city of Sheboygan Falls Fire Department, attracted 92 total entries, including 26 B Mods, 24 Late Models, 22 360 Sprint Cars and 20 Grand Nationals.

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, May 18 will feature the first of five 2024 scheduled appearances at The Plymouth Dirt Track for the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series. Also on the card for the all-Sprint Car program are the Akright Auto PDTR 360 Sprint Cars and Autometer Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars.

Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with on-track action starting at 5:30 p.m.

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Smith, Thomas tally triumphs in rain-shortened PDTR season opener

Wet weather washes out Sprint Car main events

T.J Smith	Cole Thomas

(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) April 27, 2024 – On an evening hampered by on-and-off rain showers, Plymouth Dirt Track Racing fired up the 2024 racing season in truncated fashion at a damp Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, April 27.

After pressing through two separate rain delays, the third round of rain coupled with lightning brought the program to an early close with two of the four scheduled A-mains managing to make it to the checkered flag.

T.J. Smith of Greenville skillfully negotiated a slew of slower traffic to become the first Plymouth Dirt Track Racing A-main victor of the 2024 campaign in the 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National main event.
 
In his first career appearance at The Plymouth Dirt Track, PDTR rookie Cole Thomas of Franklin delivered a standout debut performance on the way to victory in the Sheboygan Flooring 25-lap B Mod A main.

The first rain delay came shortly after the completion of the heat race competition in each of the four divisions. After the track was worked back into racing condition for the Grand National main event, the ensuing B Mod A main was halted for another rain shower on lap eight.

Another round of track manicuring during the second rain delay resulted in the completion of the B Mod main event. However, rain hit the track for a third time as the 106.5 The Buzz Autometer Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars pushed off for A-main action, which led to the cancellation of the remainder of the season-opening racing program.

As a result, points and payout were evenly divided among the scheduled A-main starters in the Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car and the Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car divisions.

Outside front row starter T.J. Smith outdueled polesitter Brad Weiss of Cascade to take the lead of the 25-lap PDTR Grand National A main in turn two of the opening lap. Smith promptly built up a solid cushion at the head of the pack in the early going as fourth starter Dustin Weiss of Iron Ridge and Brad Weiss settled into second and third respectively.

On lap four, Smith already found himself negotiating slower traffic while maintaining a quarter-straightaway lead over Dustin Weiss. Four laps later, defending Grand National division co-champion Will Sorce of Franklin, who started third, slipped past Brad Weiss to assume third in the running order.

Smith got held up among a gaggle of slower cars on lap 11, which allowed Dustin Wess and Sorce to move in to challenge for the top spot. After Smith recovered to maintain a solid advantage, another swarm of lapped cars nearly caused the second-year PDTR 360 Sprint Car competitor and infrequent PDTR Grand National racer to surrender the lead as Dustin Weiss charged in to briefly duck underneath Smith in turn two on lap 21.

Once again, Smith rebounded to retain the top spot on the way to his second career PDTR Grand National A-main victory in the caution-free race, which was completed in a swift six minutes and fifty-six seconds.
 
Dustin Weiss had to settle for second, Sorce placed third, 2022 PDTR Grand National champion Luke Scholten of Oostburg, who started 10th, charged up to place fourth and two-time and defending PDTR Grand National champion Brian Gilles of Plymouth moved up from the 12th starting position to finish fifth.

Outside front row starter Cole Thomas got the jump on polesitter Brandon Knepprath of Boltonville to lead the opening lap of the B Mod A main. On lap 3, the first of four caution flags appeared when ninth starter Travis Schmidt of Plymouth spun in turn three.

Thomas controlled the ensuing restart with Knepprath holding down second and third starter Rory Welch of Plymouth running in third. Steve Lorier of Sheboygan, who started sixth, overtook Welch for third before the second caution was displayed for the stalled car of Hunter Larson of Oshkosh along the front stretch wall.

Following the next restart, Lorier moved past Knepprath into the runner-up spot as Thomas bolted away from the field. After two more cautions slowed the pace on lap 7 and lap 8, the first rain delay of the evening took hold.

After the completion of track restoration work, Thomas continued undeterred as he bolted away from the pack while seventh starter Barrett Hummelmeier of Beaver Dam powered past Lorier to take over second on lap nine.

Thomas, who has competed primarily on asphalt during his racing career, built up a big half-lap lead over Hummelmeier by lap 17 and weaved his way through slower traffic over the final five laps on the way to his first career PDTR B Mod A-main victory.

Hummelmeier placed second, Lorier wound up third, Travis Schmidt rebounded from his lap 3 spin to place fourth and Knepprath rounded out the top five.

T.J. Haddy of Waupun turned the overall fastest lap in Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car hot lap-heat race group qualifying in 12.883 seconds.
 
John Fahl of Brown Deer claimed the fast qualifier award in the 106.5 The Buzz Autometer Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car division with a lap of 13.755 seconds. 

The first event of the 2024 PDTR campaign, which was sponsored by Vesta accounting, wealth, and financial advisory firm drew a total of 81 entries, including 23 PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, 23 Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars, 20 Grand Nationals and 15 B Mods. 

The next Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, May 4 will feature the 2024 Seubert Calf Ranches Super Six Late Model Series season opener, along with PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, Grand Nationals and B Mods.

Earlier start times will again be in place with pit gates opening at 2 p.m. grandstand gates opening at 4 p.m. and racing beginning at 5 p.m.
Weather information for all Plymouth Dirt Track Racing events will be posted on the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram pages, as well as the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing website – www.plymouthdtr.com.
 
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 Dirt Track Racing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

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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