by Jeff Pederson
Armed with a diverse schedule of events designed to appeal to a broad range of dirt track racing enthusiasts, Plymouth Dirt Track Racing is set to fire up its 18th season of PDTR sanctioned competition and the 62nd overall year of continuous racing action at the historic one-third mile Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, May 7.
The planned 18-date 2022 PDTR campaign is set to run through Saturday, Sept. 24.
In addition to the regular weekly program, which features 360 Sprint Cars, Late Models, Grand Nationals and B Mods, the 2021 PDTR season is currently scheduled to feature a return appearance by the national touring Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Car Series in conjunction with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association (IRA) Series on Saturday, May 21.
Another major highlight is a special weeknight IRA 410 Sprint Car Series event held in conjunction with the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at nearby Road America in Elkhart Lake on Thursday, June 30.
Both all-Sprint Car special events will also feature the PDTR 360 Sprint Cars.
PDTR is also slated to welcome three additional appearances from the Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series on Saturday, July 30, Saturday, Sept. 3 and Saturday, Sept. 24, as well as a Dirt Kings Late Model Series event on Friday, Aug. 26.
The Badger Midget Auto Racing Association will also be featured on Saturday, July 30.
The INEX Legends cars will make a very rare appearance, along with the regular four PDTR divisions, on Saturday, June 4.
Vintage Modifieds are set to join the regular PDTR divisions on Saturday, July 9.
No racing will take place at PDTR on Saturday, June 25, Saturday, July 2, Saturday, Aug. 27, Saturday, Sept. 10 and Saturday, Sept. 17.
“We have a nice variety with our regular divisions and the different touring series coming in during the course of the season,” PDTR Marketing and Promotions Director Bill Weinaug said. “The All-Star Sprint Car Series is coming back on May 21st, which is at the top of the list of special events for us. The IRA Sprint Car Series event on Thursday, June 30 leading into the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Road America is also a big event, which drew one of our largest crowds of the season last year. NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe, who was with us for the race last year, is set to come back, and All Star Series regular and former IRA Series champion Bill Balog has indicated that he will also join us on that night as the defending race winner.
“We also have the Dirt Kings Late Models, IRA 410 Sprint Cars, INEX Legends and Badger Midgets, as well the Vintage Modifieds joining us in 2022,” he said.
Weinaug expects the competition to be typically fierce in the PDTR 360 Sprint Car, Late Model, Grand National and B Mod ranks during the 2022 season.
2021 PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Travis Arenz of Sheboygan Falls will be in action again in the 360 division in 2022. However, Arenz is not prioritizing another run at a Plymouth 360 Sprint Car points title, as he eyes competing in several 410 Sprint Cars events this season.
“My plan for the 2022 season is to race as much as we can and to go have fun,” Arenz said. “We don’t plan on chasing anything this season in any series. If one of my 360 motors sells, I plan on buying another 410 motor.
“I’m extremely excited to be able to compete with the 410s this season in all my own equipment,” he said. “To be able to put one together myself is a huge accomplishment and shows the hard work to make it happen. We have roughly 10 races planned once I get the motor back from being rebuilt. It could possibly be more. I plan on racing all the Plymouth and all other local 410 shows this season. The biggest thing keeping us from running a complete 410 schedule is another motor right now. With having two 360 motors and a ton of awesome local sponsors, I wanted to race as many local 360 shows, but still get my feet wet with the 410. There definitely will be a few additional challenges along the way with going back and forth between the two cars. They both are Sprint Cars, but the speed difference and setting the two up will be a lot to get used to. The biggest benefit to running both is getting as much seat time behind us as possible.”
Two-time PDTR 360 Sprint Car champion Brandon McMullen of Oshkosh will also be in action again at Plymouth in 2022.
After finishing a close runner-up to Arenz in the 2021 PDTR 360 Sprint Car points race, much like Arenz, McMullen is not placing a significant emphasis on mounting another title run in 2022.
“We weren’t planning to run for points last year, but found ourselves in contention as the season went on and caught a break with a rain out,” McMullen said. “Unfortunately, we had a couple rough weeks at the end of the season as we struggled with a variety of issues and couldn’t finish it off with a championship.
“This year we’ve got a couple family weddings again that we will be at, so we won’t be focusing on points,” he said. “Having done this for so long already, our primary goals have shifted away from getting a certain amount of wins. We’re just focusing on getting back to having fun and trying to finish every race. If we do that, everything else will hopefully fall into place.”
Four-time defending PDTR Late Model champion Justin Schmidt of Cleveland will be shooting for a Plymouth Dirt Track record fifth consecutive division title.
“Right now, we are ready to go,” Schmidt said. “Last year, we were waiting on pistons for our motor, but because it was finished a few weeks into the season, and we missed a bunch of races because of it, we decided to run a fairly limited schedule. Therefore, we didn’t need to have the motor freshened for this season.
“Other than it taking a few days extra waiting for some parts, we really didn’t run into any issues getting the equipment ready this spring,” he said. “The plan for the season right now is basically the same as usual for my team, We will be at Plymouth every night and then we’ll hopefully run with the Dirt Kings Tour as much as possible. At least we plan to do all the closer Dirt Kings races, hopefully.”
Entering the 2022 PDTR Late Model season, Schmidt is placing the majority of his focus on making as many trips to victory lane as possible.
“I have a small crew and this is our 11th season,” Schmidt said. “We still enjoy the racing part of it as much as our first season, but we’re starting to become less and less interested in the traveling.
“A fifth PDTR track championship is not really our goal, he said. “Championships in general aren’t really ever a main focus. It’s nice to have the title, I suppose, but unfortunately they don’t really pay anything. Even though Chad Marquardt and Greg Wester did a real nice job of securing a little bit of a point fund for the Late Models at PDTR this year, the main focus is business as usual – feature wins.”
2021 PDTR B Mod champ Trevor Frank of Sheboygan has indicated that he will compete on a limited basis at Plymouth this season, while running a smorgasbord of events at other tracks in the surrounding area in 2022.
The PDTR Grand National division is expected to draw some additional competitors in 2022 as The Plymouth Dirt is one of four area tracks utilizing the 2022 Wisconsin Unified Grand Nationals rules package.
In addition, newly formed Dirt Grand Nationals of Wisconsin is offering an additional points and contingency fund in 2022, designed to help reinvigorate interest and participation in the Grand National division.
Veteran Don Sorce Jr. of West Allis captured his third PDTR Grand National title in 2021.
Weinaug admits that the nationwide labor and supply chain shortages, as well as rising prices have provided additional challenges for PDTR heading in the 2022 season.
“Unfortunately, there’s not a lot we can do about it, as we’re affected by the same things everyone else is,” Weinaug said. “Fuel prices are a real killer. We rely on diesel fuel for most of our equipment and that price is way up. Food prices have gone up too, which has an impact on us.”
Next Step Insurance will be the new sponsor for the PDTR B Mod Division in 2022. Kristine Hartmann Pleasantview Realty (360 Sprint Cars), B-93 FM Radio (Late Models) and Oostburg Automotive (Grand Nationals) each return as 2022 division sponsors.
The winner’s circle sponsor for the 2022 season is Kunes Country RV.
Several fan engagement activities and giveaways are planned during the course of the 2022 season.
“We will hand out American flags for Military Night on May 28th and Kids Backpack Night will be on August 6th,” Weinaug said. “We’ll have a glow stick night too, as well as other special giveaways and events for fans throughout the season. The details for those are still in the works.”
Weinaug believes PDTR’s unique blend of weekly racing divisions and wide variety of touring series appearances help it to stand apart from other dirt track racing venues in the region.
“I think we have a great mix of classes for our weekly shows and then add in the outside touring groups that come in, it gives a good variety of shows for race fans throughout the season,” Weinaug said. “Having two premier classes with the 360 Sprint Cars and Late Models on a regular basis is something no other track in the region offers.
“When you add that together with our great track food, you’re set for a night of fun,” he said.
Starting times for the first two racing programs of the season will move up one hour with pit gates opening at 2 p.m., grandstand gates opening at 3:30 p.m. with hot laps at 4:30 p.m. and racing to begin at 5 p.m.
On normal race nights beginning on May 28, pit gates will open at 3 p.m., grandstand gates will open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing to follow at 6 p.m.
For more information about Plymouth Dirt Track Racing, call Bill Weinaug at 627-1217, send an email to bweinaug@shebcofair.com or visit www.plymouthdtr.com.
2022
PLYMOUTH DIRT TRACK RACING
SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 7 – Opening Night Weekly Program featuring 360 Sprint Cars, Late Models, Grand Nationals, B Mods, 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 14 – Weekly Program, 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 21 – All Star Circuit of Champions-Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars, PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 28 – Military Night Weekly Program with American flag giveaway, 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 4 – Weekly Program with INEX Legends, 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 11 – Weekly Program, 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 18 – Weekly Program, 6 p.m.
Friday, June 25 –No Racing.
Thursday, June 30 – Special NASCAR Weekend Road America Dirt Challenge Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars, PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, start time TBA.
Saturday, July 2 – No Racing.
Saturday, July 9 – Weekly Program with Vintage Modifieds, 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 16 – Weekly Program, 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 23 – Weekly Program, 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 30 – Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars, Badger Midgets, PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 6 – Kids Backpack Night Weekly Program, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 13 – Weekly Program, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 20 – Weekly Program championship night for Late Model, Grand National and B Mod divisions, 6 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 26 – Dirt Kings Late Model Series with all weekly divisions, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 3– Sheboygan County Fair Race featuring Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars and PDTR 360 Sprint Cars, start time TBA.
Saturday, Sept. 24 – Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Cars, 360 Sprint Cars, Wisconsin Wingless Sprint Cars, Lightning Sprints championship night, 5 p.m.
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