News

2022 marks this club’s 32nd year of racing lightning sprints (mini sprints) across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. While the club has operated under different leadership and different names during this span (WIMSA, WIMS, and currently ILS), our existence today and the longevity of the club is due to select people throughout those eras. We felt there was no better time than now to recognize this and so under the leadership of ILS board member Larry Neau, we have created the IRA Lightning...more

The 2023 ILS banquet is scheduled for Saturday, December 2nd at 1175 Sports Park & Eatery on the corners of Hwy 11 and Hwy 75 in Kansasville, WI at 6:30pm. The cost will stay the same as the last 2 years at $33 per person. Please respond to ira.lightning.sprints@gmail.com with how many in your party and mail a check written to IRA for the total amount and mail it to Mike Neau at the following address. We need a final tally on everyone coming and money received by Wednesday November...more

On Saturday, December 2nd 2023, the IRA Lightning Sprints officially closed out the 2023 season at 1175 Sports Park and Eatery in Kansasville, WI. We distributed the point fund to eligible drivers and honored the top 5 in points plus the Rookie of the Year with trophies. Special award plaques were also handed out to a few individuals, and the 2nd hall of fame class was inducted. This year we saw Mark Heinert driving for Dream Chaser Racing finally get that elusive series championship after 13...more

ILS added 4 more inductees to its Hall of Fame this past season. After receiving the nominations, the voting panel which consists of current HoF members along with the club historian and 2 board members agreed to elect Romy Baus, Nick Sheridan, Mike Neau, and Larry Neau to the ILS Hall of Fame – class of 2023. Jeff Wesell was gracious enough to act as emcee for the HoF induction ceremonies. Below are write-ups for the new inductees... Romy Baus: While current and past Inductees certainly have...more

16 cars signed in to the 2024 season opener at Sycamore Speedway in support of the IRA Sprint Cars and the Badger Midgets. 2 rookies, Chad Stouthamer and Nate Kirchner made their series debut as they will battle for Rookie of the Year honors along a few others who weren’t in attendance for the season opener. Quick time was set by the #18 machine of Nick Petska who is returning full time in 2024 for Dream Chaser Racing. In heat race action, Petska was able to drive from 4th and capture...more

After opening night rained out earlier this month, the IRA Lightning Sprints returned to Wilmot Raceway with a healthy field of 23 cars along with the Wisconsin wingless and IRA 410 sprints. In an effort to speed the show up the ILS ran only two heat races as opposed to a three heat format per our rules for 21-30 cars. Josh Rehberg was victorious in Allstar Performance Heat 1 and Nick Petska would capture Rod End Supply Heat 2. The feature invert would put previous feature winner Brian...more

18 cars signed in to the Plymouth Dirt Track for race #3 of the 2024 season. Quick time honors were captured by the #16 of Mike Neau. In heat race action, Max Brannam held of an early charge from Neau and brought home the victory in Allstar Performance Heat #1. Josh Rehberg, after returning from a nasty last lap wreck in the previous outing at Wilmot Raceway, was able to lead early but could not hold off the blue and orange machine of Nick Petska as Petska would claim Rod End Supply Heat #3...more

19 cars came to tackle the small track at Sycamore speedway for the first time since 2021. Jeff Schmidt edged out Mike Neau for quick time honors while Mark Heinert picked up All Star Performance Heat 1 and Tim Brannam snagged Rod End Supply Heat 2. Heinert would lead the feature to green and protect the bottom on a slick racing surface, however 10th starting Brian Strane Jr. used the extreme top of 1-2 to power to the front unchallenged and inherit the lead on lap 15 and never look back. ...more

22 cars signed in at Wilmot Raceway and it was series point leader Brian Strane Jr capturing his first ever Quick Time award. Strane would then go on to win Allstar Performance Heat 1 from the 4th starting spot. Nick Petska would capture Rod End Supply heat 2 – also from the 4th starting spot and then Mark Heinert would grab Weld Racing Heat 3 – again from the 4th starting spot. The number 3 pill was drawn for the feature invert putting the K9 of Andrew Kiedroski on the pole. After some...more

15 cars signed in to the Plymouth Dirt Track for race #6 of the 2024 season. Quick time honors were captured by the #16 of Mike Neau. In heat race action, Mark Heinert and Mike Neau pulled away for a 2 car battle but then tangled on the last lap. Both were able to drive away and maintain their 1-2 running spots but the yellow was thrown and they were both moved to the tail for a GWC finish. In the end, 3rd starting Tim Brannam brought home the victory in Allstar Performance Heat #1. Nick...more