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Whitney Doubles Up at Cresco
by Paul Pittman
Cresco, IA (Sept 4, 2005): Travis Whitney logged another very successful
weekend with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series by picking up the
Labor Day win at the Cresco Speedway on Sunday, completing a sweep of the
holiday weekend events.
Mother Nature did her part for the race by providing near perfect conditions
for racing. High clouds and low winds kept the previous day’s rain in
check and provided a track that would maximize the efforts of drivers in time
trials. Scott Young bested a stout field of 35 cars by establishing a
new track record of 13.415 seconds. Heat race winners included Kailey
Gharst, Skip Jackson, Todd Hepfner and Todd King. Dave Uttech would take
the B-Main, which included an incident that claimed the top four cars.
Near the halfway point, leader Tim St.Arnold slid hard in turn four to avoid
hitting a slowing car, which resulted in a flip of the #7W sprinter.
During the fracas, Larry Ball Jr., Jason Johnson and Billy Balog attempted to
take evasive action which resulted in the trio up against the outside
retaining wall. Only Johnson would go on to finish, but out of
contention at that point.
Mike Kertscher took command early in the 25 lap A-Main, and set a blistering
pace that saw him begin lapping cars by lap four. Travis Whitney was
also on the move, up to third in the same amount of time. Action slowed
on lap six when Todd Hepfner spun in turn 3, however four lapped cars between
Kertscher and Whitney would provide a buffer for the leader on the
restart. Whitney would clear the traffic on the restart, however,
Kertscher continued recording lightening fast laps and by lap ten, was in
lapped traffic again. Lap twelve saw the red flag for Hefpner in turn
2. Hepfner was not hurt, but retired the #28 from the event.
Damage to Kertscher’s wing as a result of incidental contact with debris
from Hepfner’s flip, would give hope to his pursuers and by lap fourteen,
Whitney was up to second, setting Kertscher up for a pass for the lead on lap
nineteen. Kertscher would hold on to second while Skip Jackson’s late
race charge from his tenth starting spot would find him crossing the finish
line third.
The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series swings right back into action on
Friday, Sept 9th as part of the Northern Nations at the Superior Speedway in
Superior, WI. The series follows that up on Saturday, Sept 10th with the
annual Jerry Richert Sr. Memorial at the Cedar Lake Speedway. For
complete scheduling information, please visit the IRA’s website at www.irasprints.com.
OFFICAL RESULTS
TW Metals Time Trials: Scott Young (Young Autosports/Espizito’s Bar
#3) 13.415 seconds (NTR)
WELD Racing Heat: Kailey Gharst (Lincoln Auto Auction #44G)
MPD Race Products Heat: Skip Jackson (Acheson Auto Sales #2)
Lane Automotive Heat: Todd Hepfner (Paul J. Schmidt Trucking #28)
Behling Race Equipment B-Main: Todd King (Christie Hartman/Century 21
#97)
United Trailers A-Main (25 laps): Travis Whitney (Whitney Racing #9),
Mike Kertscher, Skip Jackson, Colin Northway, Scotty Neitzel, Scott Young,
Kailey Gharst, K.J. Skelton, Billy Warren, Steve Meyer, Kim Mock, Jim Melis,
Mike Reinke, Dave Uttech, Wayne Modjeski, Kurt Davis, Scott Uttech, Scott
Biertzer, Ty Bartz, Todd Hepfner, Don Droud Jr.
DMI Hard Charger: Scott Neitzel (R&H Enterprises #2W) +12
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