Thrilling Finale Caps Triumphant Season for Dirt Track Racing Champions

The 2024 season at the Plymouth Dirt Track in Wisconsin came to a thrilling conclusion on September 28th, as drivers from across the Midwest battled it out for coveted championships and season-ending victories. From the high-powered 410 Sprint Cars of the Interstate Racing Association to the nimble 360 Sprint Cars and wingless wonders, the action-packed event showcased the best of dirt track racing.

Crowning Moments of Triumph and Triumph

Ben Schmidt Seals Second PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car Title

Ben Schmidt of Plymouth capped off a dominant Akright Auto Plymouth Dirt Track Racing and Midwest Sprint Car Association 360 Sprint Car campaign by parking his No. 35 machine in victory lane at the seventh annual Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships. The win, his fourth of the season, secured Schmidt's second career PDTR and MSA 360 Sprint Car championship, a feat he first accomplished 13 years ago in 2011.After starting on the outside of the front row, Schmidt emerged from a side-by-side battle with polesitter Shane Wenninger to take the lead on lap 2. Despite several caution flags and heavy lapped traffic, Schmidt expertly navigated the well-manicured track surface to secure the victory and the championship. T.J. Smith, Billy Kreutz, Alex Pokorski, and Kevin Karnitz rounded out the top-five finishers."Winning a championship is a great accomplishment for the guys on my crew," Schmidt said. "I have to thank them, my family, and my sponsors for everything they do to help make this happen. This is awesome."

Scotty Thiel Clinches First IRA 410 Sprint Car Title

Scotty Thiel of Sheboygan rolled to victory in the annual IRA Rick Schmidt Memorial Race, sealing his first career IRA 410 Sprint Car Series championship in the process. Thiel used a strong restart on lap 17 to slip underneath early leader Blake Nimee and take control of the race, eventually pulling away for his fourth A-main triumph of the season and 29th career IRA victory.Nimee held on for second, with Brenham Crouch, Travis Arenz, and Danny Schlafer rounding out the top-five. Thiel's championship-clinching performance capped off a consistent season that saw him finish in the top-five in 11 of the 14 IRA events.

John Fahl Earns First Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car Victory

John Fahl of Brown Deer used some late-race heroics to secure his first Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Car A-main victory of the 2024 season. Fahl, a two-time PDTR Super Modified champion, made a decisive pass for the lead on lap 19, powering his No. 0 machine around Jimmy Sivia to take the top spot.Fahl then held off the challenges of Sivia and a hard-charging Bryce Andrews to claim the checkered flag. The victory was Fahl's second career Wisconsin wingLESS Series triumph.

Mike Neau Dominates IRA Lightning Sprints

Mike Neau of Pleasant Prairie secured the 20-lap IRA Lightning Sprints A-main victory, cruising to the win after taking the lead on lap 15. Neau's victory capped off a strong season for the IRA Lightning Sprints division, which saw Mark Heinert crowned as the 2024 series champion.

Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Future

In a touching tribute, the Portschy family contributed $50 to the fifth-place finisher in the PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Car A-main in memory of the late Brian Portschy, a beloved 360-410 Sprint Car and Winged Super Modified driver who passed away 11 years ago.The 14th and final event of the 2024 PDTR campaign saw a season-high car count of 95 entries, including 33 IRA 410 Sprint Cars, 25 PDTR-MSA 360 Sprint Cars, 22 Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Cars, and 15 IRA Lightning Sprints.The 2024 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Awards Ceremony, scheduled for October 12th, will honor the top-three points finishers in each division, as well as the rookie of the year and most improved award winners. Fans can stay up-to-date on off-season news and information about the 2025 season by following the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing's social media channels and website.As the curtain falls on another thrilling season at the Plymouth Dirt Track, the stage is set for an even more electrifying 2025 campaign, where the next generation of dirt track racing champions will continue to etch their names in the history books.