Plymouth Dirt Track opens

With the customary Wisconsin spring evening chill in the air, the 62nd consecutive season of racing at the Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds opened with plenty of heated action during the opener on Saturday.

Defending PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls capitalized on a late-race incident between former champions Ben Schmidt of Plymouth and Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh to earn the 25-lap Kristine Hartmann Pleasantview Realty 360 Sprint Car main event victory.

Contact between Arenz’s and Schmidt’s cars on lap 17 sent Schmidt flipping and left McMullen’s car damaged. Schmidt was done for the night and McMullen went to the pit for repairs.

Arenz began at the back of the field for the restart, but quickly pulled out to the lead before Justin Miller of Plymouth spun in turn three, bringing out a yellow flag.

Arenz took a commanding lead and won his 11th PDTR 360 Sprint Car race.

Tim Haddy of Waupun outdueled Lance Fassbender of Burnett for second place after exchanging slide jobs in the final seven laps. Dave Wondra of Oakfield was fourth and Chris Clayton of Waldo was fifth.

Jim Schmidt of Cleveland outdueled his son, Justin, to capture the season opening- Sheboygan County’s B93.7 25-lap Late Model A-main. Justin Ritchie of New London finished third, followed by Charlie Schmidt of Oostburg and Kevin Baldry of Omro.

Luke Scholten of Oostburg rolled to victory in the 25-lap Oostburg Automotive Grand National A main. Tyler Kulow of Plymouth was second, followed by Tyler Kulow of Plymouth, Steve Ruh of Elkhart Lake, Matt Yancey of Sheboygan and Donny Kulow of Elkhart Lake.

Jonathan Hitsman of Sheboygan used a late-race pass to secure the 25-lap Next Step Insurance B Mod A-main triumph.

Hitsman passed Shane Long of Sheboygan on lap 23 and hung on. Jonathan Baumann of Sheboygan was second, followed by Andy Welter of Hartford and Spencer Long of Sheboygan.

Tony Wondra of Campbellsport won the 15-lap PDTR 360 Sprint B main.

Races resume on Saturday, May 14, with the Fire, Police and Emergency Medical Services Night. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. with hot laps at 4:30 and racing at 5 p.m.

Slinger hosts SODA racers

In the Short-Course Off-Road Drivers Association (SODA) asphalt vs. dirt events last Friday and Saturday at Slinger Speedway, several winners were crowned.

They included: Bennett Nerison, class 170; Dannon Tessmer, class 1600; Dustin Rogaczewski/Cody Shebuski, class 6100; Joe Jorgensen, class 11; Rober Degreet/Rich Devroy, class 250; Kaitlyn Anderson, class 4; Tanner DeGroot/Trevor Sova, class 6; Milan Mazanec, class 14; Riley Bartline, class 450; Matt Oreskovish, class 7; Kyle Sharkley, class 1900; Kevin Galdman, class 9; C.J. Greaves, turbo UTV; and Joey Maciosek, class 8.

On Sunday, May 15, races start at 2 p.m. Gates open at noon. Racing includes pro late models, Super Beez, Slinger Bees, Great North Legends, Bandoleros, sportsman and figure 8s.