News

19 cars signed in on Saturday 9-3-22 for Wilmot Raceway’s Championship Night where the track would crown 5 season champions across their core divisions. The special night utilized a special format where the ILS would run a 25 lap feature only. The feature was lined up by Wilmot Raceway season points, with the point leader drawing the invert pill. Point leader Mike Neau drew the #2 pill which would put him starting the feature 4th and his Dream Chaser Racing teammate, Mark Heinert starting...more

17 cars made the trip to the Plymouth Dirt Track in support of the Wisconsin Sprint Car Championships where nearly 100 sprint cars across 4 divisions raced to decide who would be crowned champions for 2022. This year the stakes were even higher thanks to A Main Apparel and the IRA for organizing bonus money for all the classes. The ILS saw at least $650 extra dollars added to the purse which included lap leader bonuses for the feature, bonuses for quick time, heat race wins, hard charger,...more

On Saturday, December 3rd, the IRA Lightning Sprints officially closed out the 2022 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. This year, there was an added surprise and even deeper level of recognition handed out... 2022 marks this clubs 32nd year of racing lightning sprints (mini...more

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

Today we are pleased to announce 1175 Sports Park and Eatery has signed on to be the new Series title sponsor of the IRA Lightning Sprints in a multi-year agreement. The series will be known as the IRA Lightning Sprints presented by 1175 Sports Park & Eatery.. The 1000cc winged series has a 17 race slate will be contested at 4 venues throughout southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois. The series will compete at Wilmot Raceway (9), Plymouth Dirt Track (3), Sycamore Speedway (3), and 141...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