(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 31, 2023 – Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team strung together a pair of rock solid top-15 A-main performances in Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series Memorial Day weekend doubleheader action at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis. on Saturday, May 27 and 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, Wis. on Sunday, May 28.
With 34 IRA Sprint Car competitors checked in at Wilmot Raceway to kick off the IRA weekend double dip, Hartmann opened up strong by qualifying fourth overall with a lap of 13.068 seconds on the three-eighths mile semi-banked oval.
After starting third in the second eight-lap IRA heat race, Hartmann fell back to forth on the start when Mike Reinke snuck past. On lap 2, Hartmann used the outside line to power past Ion Stear to regain third.
During the final two laps, Hartmann felt pressure from Kurt Davis. However, he held off the veteran driver’s challenge to secure an A-main transfer spot with a third place showing.
The Plymouth, Wis. driver started the 30-lap IRA A main 11th and dropped to 12th by lap 3. Hartmann stayed smooth and consistent along the low line of the tricky racing surface to steer clear of any trouble for the remainder of the race on the way to a 12th place showing in a race won by Blake Nimee.
“Wilmot went alright I’d say,” Hartmann said. “The track was pretty good in qualifying, but it was split qualifying, so that kind of put us behind in the heat races for not being at least third quick. I got a bad start and hung up behind another car in the heat race, but managed a third place finish.
“I don’t believe we really learned anything for future races at Wilmot, as the track wasn’t the best at feature time,” he said.
The 2020 Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Award winner qualified 12th in the 26-car field at 141 Speedway with a lap of 11.680 seconds on the third-mile semi-banked egg-shaped clay oval on Sunday, May 28.
After lining up on the pole of the first eight-lap IRA heat race, Hartmann fell back to second when outside front row starter Travis Arenz powered into the lead in turn one of the opening lap. Following a caution flag on lap 3, Jordan Goldesberry moved in to move Hartmann back to third three laps later, which is where he finished to earn an A-main transfer spot.
Hartmann started the 30-lap IRA A main 11th and used a strong start along the low groove to vault his way up to eighth on lap 5. After Brenham Crouch and Danny Schlafer moved past, Hartmann settled into the 10th spot on lap 15.
Over the second half of the race, Hartmann got shuffled back three more spots as the dominant groove moved to the top line of the track. Hartmann held on in the closing laps to finish 13th in a race won by Jordan Goldesberry.
“Sunday at 141 was kind of the same thing in qualifying,” Hartmann said. “The track progressed better as more cars hit it. We managed 12th quick in qualifying, which meant we had to win our heat race to make the dash. The car was good, I just made a few driver mistakes, resulting in a third place finish.
“The feature went great,” he said. “We’re getting better for features. Now we need to focus on having the car better later on in the race.”
Austin Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing Team will return to action with a doubleheader weekend of action kicking off this Friday, June 2 at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. for the first annual Gib Wiser Classic Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions - Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series co-sanctioned 410 Sprint Car challenge event, which will pay $8,000 to the winner.
Pit gates open at 3 p.m., spectator gates are set to open at 5 p.m. with warm ups at 6 p.m. and hot laps, qualifying and racing to follow with opening ceremonies slated for 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday, June 3, the 87A Hartmann Racing team will head to The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis. for the $26,000-to-win Rayce Rudeen Foundation Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions - Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series co-sanctioned event.
Pit gates open at 2 p.m., followed by spectator gates at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and qualifying and racing to follow.
The Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Cars will also be in competition for both all-Sprint Car events at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway and The Plymouth Dirt Track.
“I’m very excited for this weekend,” Hartmann said. “I hope we can put on a great show for the fans and come up with some good results.”
The 87A Hartmann Racing team recently debuted a new website, which can be accessed at https://www.team87a.com.
Additional information on the 87A Hartmann Racing team can be found by visiting the team’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/87Ahartmannracing.
The sponsorship partners for the 2023 87A Hartmann Racing team include Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Competition Specialists, Schmidt’s Landscaping, Feldmann Sales & Service, Holler n Hills, Steinpreis Trucking, KSI Supply Inc., Quasius Construction, SwitchGear Brewing LLC, TheD8Dispensary, AF Inc., Hopf Farms, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Berryman Racing Shocks and Maxim Chassis.
The 2023 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Hunter Annis, Eric Bergschultz, Parker Annis, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham and Kristine Hartmann.
87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Holler n Hills Bar & Grill
The Austin Hartmann – 87A Hartmann Racing team is pleased to welcome Holler n Hills Bar & Grill as a sponsorship partner for the 2023 season.
Located at 5837 South Business Drive in Sheboygan, Wis., offers a variety of sandwiches, entrees, appetizers and drink options. In addition, Holler n Hills features live music, karaoke and special events on selected evenings.
To contact Holler n Hills, call (920) 783-8005, email hollernhills3@gmail.com or visit the Holler n Hills Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/hollernhills/.
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Austin Hartmann - 87A Hartmann Racing
2023 Upcoming Schedule
Friday, June 2 – Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway, Beaver Dam, Wis. (IRA-All Stars)
Saturday, June 3 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA-All Stars)
Saturday, June 10 – Sycamore Speedway, Maple Park, Ill. (IRA)
Saturday, June 11 – Angell Park, Sun Prairie, Wis. (IRA)
Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2023 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 10
IRA Events – 8
World of Outlaws Events – 0
All Star Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 2
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 4
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 6
Heat Race Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 2
Dash Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0