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Scotty Neitzel: IRA Champ, FINALLY!
McHenry, IL (Nov 12, 2004): Scotty Neitzel has been a fixture on the Bumper to
Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints circuit for over ten years, though he has come close
to crown several times in recent years including running a very close second
to perennial IRA king Joe Roe just last year, 2004 proved to be his
championship season, and a very well deserved one at that.
Neitzel dominated most of the 2004 IRA stat categories, most notably most
total A-main points earned, tying for most heat wins, and most total passing
points. (While IRA does qualify they also award passing points which are added
to finishing points in both heat and A-main races). Scotty started the year
off strong picking up a second place in the series opener and following it up
with a win the following event, both races being held on Scotty's favorite
track, the Dodge County Fairgrounds half-mile which is located just minutes
from his Beaver Dam, Wisconsin home. (Neitzel is fortunate to have the luxury
of having both Dodge Co. and the popular Raceway @ Powercom Park both
operating in his hometown). Neitzel led the points from opening night and
never looked back as his consistent runs led to a comfortable winning
margin.
Neitzel steers a car from his family shop, R & H Enterprises, a Hoosier
shod Maxim with power supplied by both Competition Specialists and Charlie
Fisher. The team is wrenched by former driver Rick Lemanski.
"Scotty is an IRA staple", says IRA President Steve Sinclair,
"I think since my ten years as President, Scotty has only missed one IRA
point race, that was back in 1997 I think when they blew the motor in the
hauler on the way down to Lawrenceburg, but he was with us at Kokomo the next
night with a borrowed rig. Scotty shares similar traits to other IRA champions
such as Roe and Kim Mock, they are so dedicated and determined to
succeed."
When you look at 2004 IRA winners list, it's like a who’s who of sprint car
racing. The blue collar upper midwestern winged 410 series competed in five
states with the win list being led by past World of Outlaw regular Brooke
Tatnell steering Guy Forbrook's entry, and Mike Reinke who split his time in
Scott Cowman's 02 between IRA and Knoxville, each picked up four wins. Terry
McCarl grabbed three including a pair at Knoxville, while Roe, and Travis
Whitney each visited victory lane twice. Neitzel, Wayne Johnson, Jeff Mitrisin,
Craig Dollansky, Steve Meyer, Jason Johnson (LA), Mike Kertscher, and Kerry
Madsen scored lone victories. In addition IRA teams supported World of Outlaw
events locally, Powercom Park WI, Sheboygan Co. Fair Park WI, and Princeton
MN. Roe picked up an impressive sixth at Sheboygan while Whitney came
home seventh at Powercom, both TV events.
The competition this year at IRA events was at an all-time high, with faces
changing more from race to race than ever before, combining serious full-time
outside contenders with IRA's always solid loyal working class contingent. The
series was hit was with ten rainouts, all but three came after spending time
and money on the track. It was a grueling year, though through it all Scotty
Neitzel stood tall, consistancy paying dividends.
On IRA's final race of the year, the traditional Frank Filskov Memorial at
Sheboygan, Neitzel came from mid-pack to challenge Tatnell for the win in one
of IRA's most traditional and prestigious event. While Neitzel fell just short
in his victory quest, he made sure Tatnell knew he was there, and Neitzel
parked his car on the front straight knowing he belonged, he was finally IRA
Champion.
Adding to the fortunes of Neitzel's championship was that of good friend Andy
Hunt, as Hunt claimed Rookie of the Year honors, competing the entire IRA
campaign. Mike Kertscher and Kurt Davis, two of IRA's newer stars came home
second and third in points respectively, with Kim Mock rebounding to a solid
fourth, while veteran campaigner Steve Meyer completing the top five. Third
generation driver, and possibly IRA's most improved, Scott Biertzer came home
sixth in the points chase, followed by Scott Uttech's best effort in seventh,
2002 IRA champ John Haeni eighth, Whitney ninth, and Billy Warren tenth.
Twenty-one teams competed in at least 75% of the series dates making
themselves eligible for post season awards. (Steve Sinclair/IRA President)
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