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Kertscher Ends 2005 IRA Season In Victory Lane At Filskov Memorial
by Paul Pittman
Plymouth, WI (Oct 1, 2005): Each season, the Frank Filskov Fall
Classic marks the traditional end of he season for the Bumper to Bumper IRA
Sprint Series and in 2005, the end of the season means a much needed time out
to sort through tired equipment and rethink their strategies for 2006.
Not everyone was tired though and Mike Kertscher was up for the challenge as
he now adds one of the crown jewels of the IRA series’ events to his
resume’. The Frank Filskov Memorial Fall Classic!
Some teams found themselves behind the 8-ball early, trying to find the
fastest way around the heavy surface. Scott Biertzer’s night nearly
ended before it started as his #4B did a wild flip during hot laps.
Refusing to give up, the team made repairs in time for Scott’s time trial
run. The track would then claim the #53W of Bill Wirth on his second lap
when Bill’s tire rolled under in turn #4 sending him into a series of
gyrations, heavily damaging the car. The team would rebound with the aid
of several teams in the pit area and repair the car in time for the
B-Main. When time trails were said and done, Chad Blonde would find his
#5B on top of the speed chart with a lap of 11.330 seconds, just a tick off
the track record.
Blonde would have his work cut out for him though as he missed the scales
after racing to a transfer position in his heat race, disqualifying his effort
and forcing him to the B-Mains. Jim Melis, who was racing in his final
race having announced his retirement two weeks earlier, picked up his heat
race win along with Todd Hepfner, Mike Kertscher and Brian Kristan.
9-Time IRA Champion Joe Roe and repeating 2005 IRA Champion Scotty Neitzel
split the twin B-Mains.
The 30-lap Filskov Memorial got off to an in-auspicious start as the #1M of
Kim Mock ended up on his side as the field entered turn one, brining out the
first red flag. The subsequent attempt also saw the red silk displayed
for a flip involving Todd Hepfner. The #28 received heavy damage in the
altercation, but neither Todd or Kim were hurt, although both found their cars
at their trailers before lap #1 was even recorded. The 3rd time was the
charm as Mike Kertscher jumped to the early lead, taking advantage of his
front row starting spot. The caution would slow the pace on lap #8 when
Scott Young, piloting Michael Brecht’s familiar #20 out of Ohio, suffered
front end damage after his left front tire separated from the car. Once
the race resumed, the pace continued quickly and saw Brian Kristan battling
Blonde for the 3rd position at lap ten for several go-rounds. Getting by
Blonde, Kristan set his sights on leader Kertscher, who was working heavy
lapped traffic by lap #16. The caution would slow things down and allow
drivers to breath some on lap #24 for John Haeni’s overheating #21J.
Kristan was able to battle Kertscher on the restart and passed him low for the
lead, only to spin in turn #4 while leading, bringing out the final
caution. Inheriting the lead, Kertscher found himself defending the top
spot now from Travis Whitney, who had moved hi #9 into contention from his 7th
starting spot. The restart saw Kertscher get a jump on Whitney and
on lap #28, Whitney mounted what amounted to the final challenge for the lead,
but Kertscher was up for the challenge and out muscled Whitney exiting turn
four and went on to win his second IRA event of the 2005 season.
Whitney, Blonde, Billy Warren and a smoking Donny Goeden completed the top
five.
OFFICAL RESULTS:
TW Metals/All American Caps & Accessories Time Trials (47 cars):
Chad Blonde (MOTT Enterprises #5B) – 11.330 seconds
WELD Racing Heat: Jim Melis (Sheboygan Chevrolet & Chrysler Centers
#51M)
MPD Race Products Heat: Todd Hepfner (Paul J. Schmidt Trucking
#28)
Lane Automotive Heat: Mike Kertscher (Osborn & Son Trucking
#80K)
VMAC Racing Heat: Brian Kristan (Weiland Racing Enterprises #5)
Behling Race Equipment B-Mains:
1 - Joe Roe (FATTFRO Motorsports/Roe Automotive #61)
2 - Scotty Neitzel (T&D Jewelry/R&H Enterprises #2W)
9th Annual Frank Filskov Fall Classic (30 laps): Mike
Kertscher (Osborn & Son Trucking #80K), Travis Whitney, Chad Blonde,
Billy Warren, Donny Goeden, Joe Roe, Jim Melis, Brian Kristan, Scotty Neitzel,
Steve Meyer, Mike Reinke, Troy Hepfner, Billy Balog, Kurt Davis, Ryan Irwin,
John Haeni, Joe Symoens, Wayne Modjeski, Scott Young, Dave Moulis, Todd
Hepfner, Kim Mock
DMI Hard Charger: Donny Goeden (Waldan/Ptasienski Motorsports) -
Started: 21/Finish: 5 (+16)
2005 Bumper to Bumper IRA Champion: Scotty Neitzel (T&D
Jewelry/R&H Enterprises #2W)
2005 United Trailers/Arizona Race Mart Rookie of the Year: Billy Balog
(Colman-Viltz Brothers Racing #4)
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