5/25/2022
Austin Hartmann
Austin Hartmann returns to familiar surroundings of hometown track during All Stars-IRA weekend
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) May 25, 2022 – During his rookie campaign with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series, Austin Hartmann’s ability to adapt to unfamiliar territory will certainly be put to the test with several tracks that are new to the 87A Hartmann Racing team dotting the 2022 IRA schedule.
However, that was not the case on Saturday, May 21, as Hartmann returned to the friendly confines of his hometown track – The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. – for the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions – Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Shootout.
With a host of extra local supporters on hand to wish him well during the third race of his rookie IRA season, Hartmann was among 36 All Stars-IRA competitors to check in for the event.
Hartmann, who was a regular competitor at The Plymouth Dirt Track over the past two seasons with the Plymouth Dirt Tracking Racing 360 Sprint Cars, opened the night by turning in the 28th fastest qualifying time with a lap of 11.560 seconds around the third-mile clay oval.
After lining up eighth in the third 10-lap All Stars-IRA heat race, Hartmann dropped to ninth place as Dave Uttech moved past in the early going. The 2020 Midwest Sprint Car Association and PDTR 360 Sprint Car rookie of the year, went on to finish ninth in the race.
Hartmann then lined up 14th in the All Stars-IRA B main and used a strong start to shoot past Kris Spitz into 13th in the early going. However, Spitz battled back along the outside groove to regain the position on lap 2.
On lap 3, Hartmann moved back into 14th when fellow rookie IRA competitor Tyler Tischendorf dropped out of the race with apparent mechanical issues.
Hartmann moved to within striking distance of another IRA rookie, Scott Conger, over the final laps of the race before crossing the finish line 14th to complete his first outing at The Plymouth Dirt Track in the seat of a 410 Sprint Car.
“Plymouth was a good night for our team, as it is our home track and we were able to find some good speed,” Hartmann said. “I’m still learning to get comfortable in the car, but it was a good night for sure battling with some other competitors in the B main.”
Hartmann and the 87A Racing team entered the third scheduled All Stars-IRA co-sanctioned event of the planned tripleheader weekend at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. on Sunday, May 22 hoping to get more experience behind the wheel of his 410 Sprint Car machine at the historic third-mile clay oval.
However, mechanical issues hounded the team throughout the night as Hartmann was unable to get up to speed to register a qualifying time or compete in heat race or B main action.
“Angell Park turned out to be a wash for us,” Hartmann said. “We battled all night trying to find the issue in the engine. It ended up being a magneto cap. It was a problem that caused many headaches for us throughout the night. It was very frustrating.”
The first night of the scheduled All Stars-IRA tripleheader weekend was cancelled on Friday, May 20 at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis., after steady rain washed out the event following the completion of hot laps.
“With the rain, Friday night at Wilmot was pretty much a scratch, but not completely,” Hartman said. “I was able to get up to speed around that place in a 410 during the two hot lap sessions that we got, so we will take what we can get!”
Hartmann and the 87A Hartmann Racing team will take part in a Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association doubleheader weekend starting at Rice Lake Speedway in Rice Lake, Wis. on Saturday May 28 and wrapping up at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, Wis. on Sunday, May 29.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to get more seat time during a doubleheader weekend with the IRA at Rice Lake, which is a new track for us, and 141 Speedway, which is a track that is relatively close to home,” Hartmann said.
Those unable to make it to track can follow all of the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series action throughout the 2022 campaign via FloRacing by visiting https://www.floracing.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 87A Hartmann Racing team has assembled a strong group of partners in support of the team's maiden voyage with the Bumper to Bumper IRA Series, including Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Call Girls Motorsports, Pallet Works LLC, AF Inc., Bennett Transport Inc., SCA Inc., Gretchen Tillman New American Funding, Classic Title Services, CP Services, Cobblestone Landscaping, Jensen Sales & Services, Lee’s Color Studio, Dave’s Fabrication, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Pit Road Apparel, the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series and Sage Fruit.
The 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Hunter Annis, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham, Caitlin Shaw, Jarrett Neese and Kristine Hartmann.
87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase –
Gretchen Tillman New American Funding
With many years of experience in the mortgage banking industry, and extensive practice in originating home loans for both purchase and refinance, Gretchen Tillman of New American Funding is a firm believer in excellent customer service and offering the most competitive pricing as a home loan and financing consultant.
Gretchen and New American Funding offer professional advice and support in making home financing decisions, a full spectrum of loan products from which to choose, consistent communication and follow up throughout the loan process from Gretchen and New American Funding's in-house operations team and industry leading close times.
For more information on New American Funding, located at 529 Ontario Ave. in Sheboygan, contact by phone Gretchen Tillman at 262-836-3042 (direct) or 302-423-0738 (mobile) or via email at Gretchen.tillman@Nafinc.com.
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Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2022 Season
By The Numbers
Total Events – 4
IRA Events – 4
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 0
Top 20 A Main Finishes - 2
Heat Race Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 0
Dash Victories – 0
Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
Upcoming 2022 Schedule
Saturday, May 28 – Rice Lake Speedway, Rice Lake, Wis.
Sunday, May 29 – 141 Speedway, Francis Creek, Wis.
Saturday, June 4 – Wilmot Raceway, Wilmot, Wis.
Saturday, June 11 – Fairbury American Legion Speedway, Fairbury, Ill.
Sunday, June 12 – Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wis.
Article Credit: Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions
Submitted By: Jeff Pederson