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Todd Hepfner IRA Powercom Park Winner
IRA Results: Powercom Park May 7, 2006
by Paul Pittman
Beaver Dam, WI - Todd Hepfner claimed his first Bumper to Bumper / United
Trailers IRA Outlaw Sprints win of the year by claiming the 30 lap headliner
on the banked third-mile Raceway @ Powercom Park clay. Hepfner has many a lap
on the speedway co-owned by his family, however after cruising to what
appeared to be a comfortable margin, Hepfner made contact with the infield
tire barrier on the very last corner causing extensive damage to his HRP Race
Products Gaerte/American Racer/Eagle. However Hepfner was able to limp the
damaged racer home just crossing the line ahead of a fast closing Brian
Kristan.
Scott Young and Kristan shared the front row on a very slick surface, however
Kurt Winker got a tremendous start from his second row inside spot as
the trio went three-wide into the first corner. Young and Winker swapped the
lead several times in the early stages before sixth starting Hepfner took the
point and appeared to be in control.
The battle behind the Hepfner was outstanding as Winker, Kristan, Young, 9th
starting Scott Biertzer, and 12th starting Travis Whitney waged war. Third
running Winker would have his inaugural ride for car owner Joe Probst come to
an end with a major fuel leak, though the battle continued on without him.
Young repeatedly tried to make something happen on the high side though he
began to fade allowing Kristan to take control of second. Biertzer and Whitney
ran side by side for numerous laps in a crowd pleasing race for third. Donny
Goeden quietly entered the picture in the races final stages and slipped under
both Biertzer and Whitney to claim third, while Whitney edged Biertzer at the
line for fourth.
Only two minor yellows slowed the action. 17th starting Billy Warren was the
night's hard charger coming home sixth, with Mike Reinke, Steve Meyer, John
Haeni, and Kim Mock completing the top ten. Eighteen of the original
twenty-two car starting field finished, with all but one finishing on
the the lead lap.
Mike Reinke topped the thirty-five car field in qualifying to claim the Osborn
& Son Trucking fast time money, and earning points toward year end
qualifying bonuses put up by TW Metals and Stevie B's Landscaping.
Heat Winners were Winker, Scott Uttech, Kristan, and Young while Whitney
captured a star-studded B-main.
The O'Reilly/Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints travel to the famed Knoxville
Raceway Saturday May 13th, joining the Knoxville's own 410 contingent for the
8th annual IRA/Knoxville 410 Shootout.
Raceway @ Powercom Park A-Main Finish;
1. Todd Hepfner, Brian Kristan, Donny Goeden, Travis Whitney, Scott Biertzer,
Billy Warren, Mike Reinke, Steve Meyer, John Haeni, Kim Mock, Scott Young,
Dave Moulis, Scotty Neitzel, Tim Vandevere, KJ Skelton, Troy Hepfner, Tommy
Sexton, Billy Balog, Dave Uttech, Kurt Winker, Joe Symoens, Scott Uttech
SIDE NOTE; It was really great to see numerous past IRA champions in
the field at Powercom including Neitzel (2), Mock (2), Haeni (1), Goeden
(1), Moulis (1), Dodd (3).
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