4/25/2024
Austin Hartmann
Hartmann mounts plus-10 A-main rally in 2024 IRA curtain-raiser
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) April 24, 2024 – Following three consecutive race cancellations due to uncooperative spring weather conditions, Austin Hartmann and the members of the 87A Hartmann Racing Team finally got the 2024 Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series season off the ground in front of a chilled contingent of hearty fans for the inaugural Wisconsin Triple Crown event at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. on Saturday, April 20.
With air temperatures hovering in the mid-30s, Hartmann fired up his third full season of IRA competition by qualifying 16th in the 30-car field with a lap of 14.469 seconds around the high-banked third-mile clay oval.
After lining up sixth in the first eight-lap IRA heat race, the Plymouth, Wis. driver lost one spot to place seventh and just miss gaining an automatic A-main transfer position.
Hartmann then started second and came home fourth in the 10-lap B main to nail down the 22nd starting position in the 30-lap Wisconsin Triple Crown IRA main event.
The 2020 Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Rookie of the Year Award recipient utilized a smooth, patient and consistent driving approach to negotiate a tricky track surface and push his 87A machine forward 10 spots to secure a 12th-place A-main finish in a race won by first-time IRA victor Tim Estenson.
“I put our team behind the 8 ball during qualifying,” Hartmann said. “I didn’t want to make any excuses, so we had to work a little bit harder after that. During the feature, we planned to get the car balanced enough so I could run anywhere on the track. We hit the setup good for the first 15-20 laps and we were able to pass some cars. The car got tighter during the end of the race, making it hard to hold the bottom. Luckily, there was enough moisture throughout the middle of the track, which allowed me to pass through traffic. Overall, we pulled out of a hole and managed to save the night with a decent finish.”
The team was slated to open the 2024 IRA campaign at Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wis. on Friday, April 19. However, cold and wet weather forced the event to be postponed and rescheduled for Friday, Sept. 27.
The 87A Hartmann Racing Team is scheduled to take the upcoming weekend off before resuming the 2024 Bumper to Bumper IRA schedule with the series’ debut appearance at Ogilvie Speedway in Ogilvie, Minn. on Friday, May 3, which will feature support from the WISSOTA Midwest Mods and WISSOTA Mod Four divisions.
On Saturday, May 4, the team will head to Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. for the Sprint Open Wheel Spectacular, which will also include UMSS Traditional Sprint Car and UMSS Limited Winged Sprint Car divisions.
Hot laps will begin at 5:30 p.m. with racing listed as starting at 6 p.m.
All Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association events will be streamed live on FloRacing during the 2024 season.
The sponsorship partners for the 2024 87A Hartmann Racing team include Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Competition Specialists, 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 page https://www.facebook.com/87Ahartmannracing.
87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase – Shufflebotham Tree Service
Located in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, Shufflebotham Tree Service specializes in tree trimming, tree removal, brush chipping, lot clearing, stump grinding and snow removal with fully insured service and free estimates.
Contact Andrew Shufflebotham and his highly skilled team, which has accumulated over 20 years of experience in the field, for your next tree trimming, removal or clean-up project by calling 920-627-3849 or checking out the Shufflebotham Tree Service Facebook page.
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Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2024 Upcoming Schedule
Friday, May 3 – Ogilvie Raceway, Ogilvie, Minn. (IRA)
Saturday, May 4 – Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond, Wis. (IRA)
Saturday, May 11 – Sycamore Speedway, Sycamore, Ill. (IRA)
Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2024 Statistics
Total Events – 3
IRA Events – 1
World of Outlaws Events – 1
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 0
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 1
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 2
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 2
Heat Race Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 0
Dash Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0
Article Credit: Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions
Submitted By: Jeff Pederson