By Jeff Pederson
Pedal Down Promotions
(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) June 5, 2020 – Over the past several seasons Howards Grove racer Ben Schmidt has spent the majority of his time during the summer months crisscrossing the Midwest as one of the top competitors on the regional Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series tour.
When the long-awaited 2020 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing season kicks off this Saturday, June 6 at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds, Schmidt will be back at his old stomping grounds, not as a visitor with a touring series, but as a regular at the track where he launched his career 20 years ago.
The 2011 Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car and Midwest Sprint Car Association champion is probably best known to most racing fans for his exploits in the high-powered open-wheeled 360 and 410 Sprint Car ranks. However, his racing resume includes plenty of experience and success in a wide range of divisions.
“I got started racing in 1997 when I did the Sippel Racing School with my high school graduation money,” Schmidt said. “Since I couldn’t afford to race Sprint Cars back then, I turned to pitting for guys like Frank Geiger and Freddy Clatt.”
“My first race was an enduro at the old Chilton Fairgrounds Speedway,” he said. From there the itch grew. I started my career in a Super Stock in 2000 with a car I bought from Dennis Bauer. That progressed into a Grand National before a short gig in a Late Model and eventually into a 360 Sprint Car.”
Once he found his comfort zone in the 360 Sprint Car division, Schmidt emerged as a dominant force in both the PDTR and MSA ranks. To date, Schmidt has racked up nine PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victories and a grand total of 25 A-main triumphs in MSA competition to stand tied for third on the series’ all-time main event wins list.
“We won 16 features and four championships between 2011 and 2012,” Schmidt said. “I’ve lost track of how many total feature wins over the years, although it’s probably close to 50. We had a lot of those wins at the old Chilton and Manitowoc tracks. Those two along with 141 Speedway have to be my favorite tracks.”
After enjoying plenty of success with the regional touring IRA 410 Sprint Car Series in recent years, including three A-main victories and a string of top finishes in the point standings, Schmidt is focusing his full-time racing efforts on PDTR and MSA 360 Sprint Car competition in 2020.
“The decision to come back to Plymouth this year was simply family,” Schmidt said. “It allows for more time with my son, Brayden, while still being able to race weekly and work my full-time job as a metal fabricator.
“The MSA 360 group is ultra-competitive,” he said. “The engine and chassis rules set forth allow 15-20 guys a chance to win the A main instead of four or five like other divisions.”
Indicating that he has not lost any of his competitive desire, Schmidt says his sights set are firmly set on adding another PDTR and MSA title to his trophy case in 2020.
“The goal like every year is to be consistent and bring home the championship,” Schmidt said. “My crew is a great family-oriented crew who consists of my son Brayden, Dusty Goeden, Tony Tracy, Tim Winscher, Chris Winscher, Tim Winscher Sr., Noel Winscher, Allan VanEgtern, Greg VanEgtern, Rob Barber and Justin Kimme. I also would like to give special thanks to my girlfriend, Tiffany, for all the support.”
Schmidt’s 2020 sponsors include D&D Fence, Gibbsville Cheese, Goeden’s Auto Body, Winscher’s Family Cattle, Advantage Whitetail, Odyssey Fun Center, Pit Stop Pizza, Adell Auto Center, Whoa Nellie’s, Schwanz Auto Repair, Vandervart Concrete Products, Mike Koenig Construction, Ruh Woodworking and RC Custom Design.
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The 2020 season-opening Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program on Saturday, June 6 at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds will feature limited attendance. Tickets will be available at the track up to the grandstand capacity limit established through the Sheboygan County Safe Restart guidelines in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health emergency.
Due to the attendance restrictions, those purchasing a pit pass will not be allowed to enter the grandstand area. In addition, spectators in the grandstand area will not be permitted to enter the pit area at the conclusion of the racing program.
Fans can purchase advance general admission grandstand tickets in person at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds office through 4 p.m. on Friday, June 5. The remaining tickets will be available prior to the races on Saturday.
Pit Stop Pizza is the presenting trophy sponsor for the 2020 PDTR season opener.
Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.
The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds is located at 229 Fairview Drive in Plymouth, Wis. For more information, visit www.plymouthdtr.com or check out Plymouth Dirt Track Racing on Facebook.
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For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromotions.com or call 920-323-7970.
