Hartmann experiences highs, lows in IRA northwestern jaunt
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) September 11, 2024 – Austin Hartmann and the members of the 87A Hartmann Racing crew traversed the twists and turns of life on the road with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series to the broadest extent with a shimmering start and a disheartening finish in a two-race tour of northern and western Wisconsin at Gondik Law Speedway in Superior on Friday, Sept. 6 and Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond on Saturday, Sept. 7.
The weekend opened at the four-tenths-mile high-banked Gondik Law Speedway in Superior for the annual Northern Nationals on Friday, Sept. 6 where Hartmann began the night with the 13thfastest qualifying time in the 25-car field with a lap of 15.531 seconds.
The Plymouth, Wis. driver then started and finished fifth in the first eight-lap IRA heat race to earn the 13th starting position in the 25-lap main event. Hartmann survived an attrition-filled main event, which saw just 12 competitors cross the finish line, with a solid sixth place effort behind race winner Danny Sams III.
It was Hartmann’s eighth top 10 A-main finish of the 2024 season and fourth straight IRA main event in which he improved positions from the start to the finish of the race.
The 87A Hartmann Racing Team traveled to three-eighths-mile high-banked Cedar Lake Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 7 for the prestigious 24th annual Jerry Richert Memorial with a $7,000 first-place prize on the line.
On the way to the track, the 87A Hartmann Racing Team encountered misfortune when the team’s transport rig collided with horses gathered on the road. While the collision caused damage to the team’s truck and trailer, all team members escaped injury.
Once on track at Cedar Lake, the 2020 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Award winner qualified 20th in the 32-car field with a lap of 11.568 seconds before placing sixth after starting fifth in the fourth eight-lap heat race.
Hartmann then advanced to the 24-car Jerry Richert Memorial main event with a second place showing in the 12-lap IRA B main after starting the pole.
After starting 22nd, the fifth-year Sprint Car competitor moved up seven spots and was running in 15th position when the motor in his 87A machine expired on lap 28. He was credited with a 17th place finish in the 30-lap event, which went to Danny Sams III.
“Friday at Gondik Law didn’t start the greatest with a bad qualifying performance, but we were able to pass some cars in the feature and come out with a good finish,” Hartmann said. “On the way to Cedar Lake, we got into a road accident, which was not a good experience. I’m glad everyone walked away alright and nobody was hurt. We blew up a motor in the A main at Cedar Lake on Saturday night. We will get things figured out for Saturday at 141.”
Austin Hartmann and the members of the 87A Hartmann Racing Team are scheduled to compete with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, Wis. on Saturday, Sept. 14. Following a rain out on May 26, the event is set to be the lone scheduled IRA appearance at 141 Speedway in 2024.
The IRA Lightning Sprints, IMCA Sport Mods and Pro Legends are also on the card with spectator gates opening at 3 p.m. and racing slated to begin at 6 p.m.
All Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series events can be viewed via live streaming at Floracing.com.
The sponsorship partners for the 2024 87A Hartmann Racing team include Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Feldmann Sales & Service, Holler n Hills, Quasius Construction Inc., TheD8Dispensary, AF Inc., Metalcraft, Rich’s Truck and Auto Repair, Fastenal of Plymouth, Waldo Oil, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Maxim Chassis, Berryman Racing Shocks and My Race Pass.
The 2024 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Eric Bergschultz, Ian Schultz, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham and Kristine Hartmann.
Additional information on the 87A Hartmann Racing team can be found by visiting the team’s website www.team87a.com and Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/87Ahartmannracing.
87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase– Holler n Hills Bar & Grill
The Austin Hartmann – 87A Hartmann Racing team is pleased to welcome back Holler n Hills Bar & Grill as a sponsorship partner for the 2024 season.
Located at 5837 South Business Drive in Sheboygan, Wis., Holler n Hills Bar & Grill 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
2024 Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, September 14 – 141 Speedway, Francis Creek, Wis. (IRA)
Friday, September 27 – Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, September 28 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis. (IRA)
Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2024 Statistics
Total Events – 27
IRA Events – 20
World of Outlaws Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 1
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 8
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 14
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 18
Heat Race Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 6
Dash Victories – 1
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0