(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) June 26, 2024 – There were highs, there were lows and a little bit of everything in between as Austin Hartmann and the members of the 87A Hartmann Racing team tackled an ultra-challenging four-race ‘Maverick Mayhem’ weekend of 410 Sprint Car racing action co-sanctioned by the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association and Honest Abe Roofing Maverick Winged Sprint Car Series contested at four different Indiana speed plants on four consecutive nights running Thursday, June 20 through Sunday, June 23.
The “Maverick Mayhem” festivities kicked off at Lincoln Park Speedway nestled in the city of Putnamville, Ind. with a voluminous field of 55 410 Sprint Cars packing the pit area for the highly anticipated event on the 5/16th-mile banked dirt oval on Thursday, June 20.
In his Lincoln Park Speedway debut, Hartmann opened the night by qualifying 21st overall in the 55-car field with a lap of 11.812. The third-year 410 Winged Sprint Car competitor started and finished sixth in the third eight-lap IRA-Maverick heat race before opening ninth and placing seventh in the first 12-lap B main to miss transferring to the A-main by four spots.
The 87A Hartmann Racing crew then packed up and headed to another first-time track for the team, Bloomington Speedway in Bloomington, Ind., for the Kevin Huntley Memorial on Friday, June 21.
Hartmann turned in the 28th fastest overall qualifying lap in the stout 47-car field with a 10.982-second tour of the quarter-mile high-banked red clay oval. After starting fifth in the fourth 10-lap IRA-Maverick heat race, Hartmann fell back five spots to place 10th on the rapidly slicked-off racing surface.
The 2020 Midwest Sprint Car Association and Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Award winner then started 10th and moved up one position to come home ninth in the second 12-lap IRA-Maverick B-main to bring his night to a close.
Night No. 3 of “Maverick Mayhem” found the members of the 87A Hartmann Racing team pulling into the Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind. for another night of IRA-Maverick competition on the venerable and tricky quarter-mile high-banked clay oval on Saturday, June 22.
Hartmann adapted nicely to the third new track for the team in three straight nights by ripping off a lap of 12.541 seconds to place 14th overall in the stellar 51-car field.
After starting on outside of the front row in the third eight-lap IRA-Maverick heat race, Hartmann got a big jump on the start and was battling for the lead heading into turn three of the opening lap when a monstrous wheel stand exiting turn four vaulted his 87A machine into the front stretch wall to bring what appeared to have the makings of a promising night to an abrupt conclusion.
The 87A Hartmann Racing crew swiftly placed the Tri-State event in the rearview and turned their focus to preparing the team’s backup car to compete in the fourth and final installment of the four-racing “Maverick Mayhem” swing at the high-speed, half-mile Terre Haute Action Track in Terre Haute, Ind. on Sunday, June 23.
With 37 cars on hand, Hartmann registered the 12th fastest overall qualifying lap in 17.802 seconds. After launching from the third starting spot in the second eight-lap IRA-Maverick heat race, Hartmann came home fourth to secure a transfer spot into his first “Maverick Mayhem” A-main of the humblingly difficult four-race stretch.
Hartmann lined up 15th in the 24-car field and dipped four spots to place 19th in the 20-lap A-main to bring the grueling “Maverick Mayhem” mini-series to a close.
“That was a tough weekend,” Hartmann said. “We struggled during the first couple of nights and had some bad luck. We found speed at Tri-State before disaster struck in the heat race.
“The team worked hard on Sunday morning and got us ready for Terre Haute,” he said. “I knew we had to pull out a feature start to close out the weekend. We missed the setup for the A-main, but we were happy to end the night with the car in one piece. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we’re ready to get back to racing around home this weekend at Outagamie and Beaver Dam. I’m so proud of this team for never quitting all week. They give it their all!”
All Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series events can be viewed via live streaming at Floracing.com.
The sponsorship partners for the 2024 87A Hartmann Racing team include Kristine Hartmann of Pleasant View Realty, Shufflebotham Tree Service, Competition Specialists, Feldmann Sales & Service, Holler n Hills, Quasius Construction Inc., TheD8Dispensary, AF Inc., Metalcraft, Rich’s Truck and Auto Repair, Fastenal of Plymouth, Waldo Oil, RC Custom Design, Hepfner Racing Products, Maxim Chassis, Berryman Racing Shocks and My Race Pass.
The 2024 87A Hartmann Racing team consists of Eric Bergschultz, Ian Schultz, Karlee Hartmann, Andrew Shufflebotham and Kristine Hartmann.
Additional information on the 87A Hartmann Racing team can be found by visiting the team’s website www.team87a.com and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/87Ahartmannracing.
87A Hartmann Racing Sponsor Showcase –
Rich’s Truck and Auto Repair
The Austin Hartmann-87A Hartmann Racing team is pleased to have Rich’s Truck and Auto Repair on board as a sponsorship partner for the 2024 racing season.
Located at W4544 Lakepark Drive in Fond du Lac, Wis., Rich’s Truck and Auto Repair has provided quality auto repair and service to Fond du Lac, Taycheedah, St. Peter, Malone, Lake Winnebago, North Fond du Lac and East Central Wisconsin for over 60 years with a special emphasis on diesel truck and engine repair.
The current owners have worked hard to maintain the reputation Rich worked hard to establish before his passing by servicing all vehicle makes and models, including diesel vehicles and sprinter vans.
Rich’s Truck and Auto Repair’s ASE-certified technicians are committed to the best interest of customers and will complete auto and truck repairs promptly to get vehicle owners back on the road as quickly as possible. In addition, the front-of-house team is professional, friendly and committed to making the experiences of customers pleasant and comforting.
A brand new building has helped the staff of Rich’s Truck and Auto Repair take care of customers with grace and superior service while allowing auto mechanics to do car machining when they are unable to replace a part.
Other service offerings include free bumper-to-bumper comprehensive courtesy inspection with every auto repair service, a 3-year/36,000-mile nationwide warranty through NAPA, loaner vehicles, shuttle service and financing through two trusted sources.
To contact Rich’s Truck and Auto Repair, call 920-922-7171, email richstruckandautorepair@gmail.com or visit www.richstruckandauto.com.
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Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2024 Upcoming Schedule
Friday, June 28 – Outagamie Speedway, Seymour, Wis. (IRA)
Friday, June 29 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis. (IRA)
Austin Hartmann 87A Hartmann Racing
2024 Statistics
Total Events – 15
IRA Events – 12
World of Outlaws Events – 2
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 0
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 4
Top 15 A Main Finishes – 6
Top 20 A Main Finishes – 8
Heat Race Victories – 0
Dash Appearances – 3
Dash Victories – 0
Fast Qualifier Awards – 0