9/4/2019
Balog Shines in Hopf Bullring Finale
To cap off a huge three day weekend, 24 of the Interstate Racing Association's best drivers entered 141 speedway to compete on the final night of the Hopf Farms Bullring Showdown.
Preliminary action saw Joey Moughan set fast time in the Oz Motorsports 73AF. Heat races were won by Ben Schmidt, Jake Blackhurst and Scotty Thiel.
At the onset of the A main Scotty Thiel took the lead in his Schartner Stone 64 car ahead of Jake Blackhurst and Russel Borland. Balog quickly got to the back door of Russel Borland for third. A caution flag flew for Ben Schmidt who spun his 14AJX car around. The field went green and got one more lap complete before Joey Moughan clipped the front stretch wall, causing a chain reaction ending up in Jordan Goldesberry getting upside down in turn one. After the red flag was lifted Scotty Thiel once again jumped out in front. Jake Blackhurst kept his Oz Motorsports 73 car right on Thiel as they entered lapped traffic. Blackhurst trailed Thiel as the duo worked their way around the back of the pack.
On lap 20 Blackhurst was able to work his way past the Scott Thiel Builders 64 and take the lead. Bill Balog also got to Thiel's tail tank, and on lap 22 worked around him and into second. Balog quickly caught the Black 73 piloted by Blackhurst and set his sights on the lead. With three laps remaining Balog was able to slide his Rhine Auto 17B in front of Blackhurst and took the lead. Blackhurst didn’t give up though, he worked back along side of Balog, taking the lead into turn three but Balog crossed back around him and maintained his lead at the flag stand. On the final lap, Blackhurst once again entered turn three with the lead, Blackhurst drove his car to the bottom of the speedway, while Bill Balog took one last shot around the top side. As the pair exited turn four it was Bill Balog who crossed the line first, claiming the win as well as the 2019 Hopf Farms Bullring Championship. Jake Blackhurst settles for second while Scotty Thiel was relegated to third. Joey Moughan brought his 73AF car home in 4th followed by Mike Reinke.
Bill Balog’s win secured him the Hopf Farms Bullring Championship, over Mike Reinke and Russel Borland. Hunter Custer and Scotty Neitzel also received extra money from Dean and Stacy Hopf for supporting all five races in the Showdown championship.
The IRA would like to thank Dean and Stacy Hopf for everything they do for the IRA and sprint car racing!!! We truly appreciate it all.
Article Credit: Gared Tennyson
