MCHENRY, Ill. -- The Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series officially gets underway this coming Saturday night, April 30th, at the Dodge Co. Fairgrounds Speedway. The "Horsepower Half-mile" is the site for the annual Rick Schmidt Memorial and gets the IRA's point season into full swing. Wayne Johnson who won a non-point IRA event at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa April 16th was last year's Schmidt Memorial victor.

A talented field is expected at Beaver Dam Wisconsin's Dodge Co. facility on Saturday including five past and current IRA champions. Current IRA champion Scotty Neitzel who ironically hails from Beaver Dam begins his title defense, while 9-time IRA king Joe Roe aims at number ten. Two-time champ Kim Mock, and 2002 king John Haeni are certainly to be considered title contenders again this year, while Donny Goeden will be on hand too as this event is part of the 99 champs limited 2005 schedule.

A host of others certainly have to be thought of when thinking of the 2005 IRA campaign and a possible visit to Dodge Co's victory lane. Past Dodge winner and track record holder Travis Whitney, 2004 Dodge Co. victors Mike Kertscher and Mike Reinke are certainly solid choices, but when you think of IRA, it's the depth of the series that really impresses. Strong Dodge performances have been turned in by many of the current IRA roster, like Todd Hepfner, Kurt Davis, Steve Meyer, Scott Biertzer, John Sernett, Scott Uttech, and Jim Melis, while numerous others like Billy Warren, Mike Stefka, Dave Uttech, Ty Bartz, Wayne Modjeski, Jason Johnson, Joe Symoens, Kurt Winker, Brian Kristan, and several others seem poised for their first Dodge triumph in the special 23 lap main, saluting long time IRA supporter Schmidt who carried number 23 when he drove.

A field of near 40 winged/410 sprinters is expected, including several 2005 Rookie of the Year candidates. While Andy Hunt captured last years IRA rookie honors, the foursome of Billy Balog, Lloyd Dykstra, Matt Folstad, and KJ Skelton have thrown in their hat for this years honor.

TW Metals will again post fast time awards for 2005, while heat race sponsors will be Weld Racing, Lane Automotive, MPD Race Products, and VMAC Racing. Behling Racing Equipment puts their name to the B-main(s), while Weiland Racing Enterprise, Diversified Machine (DMI), and Hepfner Race Products will also post nightly awards. IRA is proud to announce Arizona Race Mart as an associate sponsor for this years Rookie of the Year Award.

Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts & Service Centers will again be title sponsor for the upper-midwestern traveling series, while United Trailers again takes the supporting role. McCroskey Chevrolet is the official truck supplier while Arctic Cat comes onboard as the official ATV.

Check out the complete 2005 IRA schedule at www.irasprints.com