state region. 12 different drivers picked up an IRA A-main checkered flag. IRA, again, proudly boasted the highest member supported car count per event of ANY sprint car series, period! Welcome to another Mike Kertscher Racing newsletter! The 2005 Racing season is now officially classified as history. Each season, the Frank Filskov Fall Classic marks the traditional end of the 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! This season the IRA once again had some outstanding shows at many premier facilities. The IRA competitors ran 26 point shows at 17 different facilities within a 5 state region. 12 different drivers picked up an IRA A-main checkered flag. IRA, again, proudly boasted the highest member supported car count per event of ANY sprint car series, period!
Race Results:
October 1st--(Sheboygan County Fairgrounds- Plymouth, WI)
With a later qualifying number Mike and his 80K Osborn and Son trucking entry nailed down a solid 11th quickest in timing. The heat race saw some exciting racing action as Mike emerged from his second row starting spot to take the win. The feature was exciting as well. Mike jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as he went on to win his 2nd feature of the year.
September 17th-(Dodge County Fairgrounds-Beaver Dam, WI)
Mike Qualified 10th. Heat race action saw the 80K finishing 4th. The A-main saw Mike Jump out to an early lead. Mike went unchallenged for most of the event however on lap 23 of 25 Mike and his mount encountered problems in turn 3 which sidelined the team for the evening’s events.
September 10th- (Cedar Lake Speedway- New Richmond, WI)
Mike Qualified 17th out of one of the toughest fields of competitors all season long. The heat race action saw Mike jumped from his second starting spot to take the lead in turn one and never looked back earning his fourth heat race win of the season. In the feature Mike started ninth and picked up a solid 6th place finish.
September 9th-(Superior Speedway- Superior, WI)
Mike Qualified 14th for the evening’s events. A solid 4th place finish sent him to the evenings A-main. Mike used his fifth place starting spot to his advantage as he was able to work his way up to finish 3rd in the nights A-feature.
September 4th-(Cresco Speedway- Cresco, WI)
Mike began the night by qualifying 8th. In his heat race he started fifth and Finished 2nd. The A-main began as Mike jumped out to an early lead. With Five laps to go his competitors got what they were hoping for. Mike was an innocent victim in a lapped cars crash. With severe wing damage to the 80K Mike had his hands full, but still managed to finish a solid 2nd place.
September 3rd-(Grant County Fairgrounds- Lancaster, WI)
The 80K set the pace to beat early on as the night’s fastest qualifier. Mike began his heat race in the sixth spot and worked his way up to 4th at the checkers. Mike started the feature in the ninth position and by the midway point had worked his way up to the fifth spot, only to have a flat tire sending him to the back. Mike worked his way back up through the field and came home 14th.
2005 Season Re-cap
Made 96% of IRA A-Mains
Average A-main Finish-10th
A-Main Wins- 2
A-Main Top 5’s- 7
A-Main Top 10’s 12
B-Main Wins 1
Heat Race wins 5
Fast Times 1
Total Cars passed 56
News and Notes:
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