Cody Darrah made a remarkable comeback at Hagerstown Speedway last weekend. Darrah decided to race and won the 50-lap feature worth $10,000. It was Darrah's first start since February when he was injured in a street accident during Florida Speedweek. Darrah was full of emotion following the race and thanked car owner Kasey Kahne for sticking with him and getting him to the right doctors to help him.
I knew it was coming and All Star Circuit of Champions president Guy Webb confirmed it this week. There will be three point funds paid out to the sprint car group next season. The East, Midwest and Great Plains will all have separate funda. The East and Midwest will each receive $20,000 to win with the top 10 spots being paid. The Great Plains winner gets $10,000 dollars and an overall champ will be crowned based on total money won. I like the idea because it gives the teams more money when they need it - during the season. And they have an incentive to run all races in a certain area. If they don't want to go to the Midwest, they can still support shows closer to home.
The All Star banquet is Jan. 23 in Waldo, Ohio. The sprint car champion is Tim Shaffer. Robbie Blair will be honored as late model champion.
The World Finals are going on this weekend at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The World of Outlaws sprint cars and late models are joined by the DIRT big block modifieds. Some of the area sprint drivers planning to attend are Greg Hodnett, Lance Dewease, Chad Layton, Cody Darrah, Lucas Wolfe, Mark Smith, Ed Lynch Jr. and possibly Tyler Walker.
Look for Lucas Wolfe to do some 360 sprint car racing later this month in Arizona and Nevada. Cody Darrah is heading to Australia soon to race before returning home in time for Speedweeks in February.
Selinsgrove Speedway is set to receive another load of new clay. Approximately 75 truckloads are reported to be coming and will be spread in time for the 2011 season.
Goodyear is set to return as tire supplier to Williams Grove Speedway for 2011. Goodyear sponsors the 410 sprint car class.
Cody Darrah and second place finisher Lance Dewease had a Hoosier right rear tire on their car last week at Hagerstown Speedway.
Greg Hodnett has clinched the season long Speed Dawg point standings. One race remains in the chase. Lance Dewease finished second followed by Brian Montieth, and Alan Krimes. The final point show is Nov. 13 at Susquehanna Speedway.
Paul Boyer, scoreboard operator at Port Royal Speedway, recently started kidney dialysis after finding out his blood pressure medicine has caused permanent damage. Boyer is 80. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
This week is an important one for the future of Port Royal Speedway. The annual members meeting is scheduled for next Thursday night at the fairgrounds. Five members are up for re-election to the board and it is likely to be an interesting meeting. Area Auto Racing News, an industry trade paper, reported this week that some board members are discussing a lease deal with an undisclosed party. More on this story as it develops.
Bruce Buckwalter defeated cousin Steve during last week's ARDC Midget feature at Susquehanna Speedway.
Williams Grove Speedway will host its awards banquet Nov. 12 at the Radisson Penn Harris Convention Center. Tickets are may be obtained by calling 697-5000. Driver Greg Hodnett and car owners Jim and Sandy Kline will take home $20,000 for winning the Grove sprint car championship.
Here's the latest on the Richard Petty Motorsports situation: Budweiser has informed the team it will not pay the final installment of its sponsorship contract because of Kasey Kahne's early departure form the team. Kahne left with five races remaining. Owner George Gillette defaulted on a $90 million loan from Wachiova Bank last February and the bank is mulling over its options, which include liquidation. The bank reportedly will settle for selling the remaining assets of the team for about $5 million. Turns out they don't even own the building they are working out of. Richard Petty is trying to put a group of investors together to purchase the company that bears his name. The company is on a cash basis with most of its creditors.
The Sprint cup cars race at Texas Motor Speedway tomorrow starting at 3 p.m.. ESPN has TV coverage; the race is available on radio on WJUN-92.5 FM. Kurt Busch is the defending race champion.
Clint Boyer edged out teammate Kevin Harvick to win last week's event at Talladega. There were a 87 lead changes during the race, the second most in NASCAR history. Jimmie Johnson enters weekend action with a 14-point lead over Denny Hamlin; Harvick is third.
Don't forget the Port Royal Speedway Flea Market is Nov. 20 starting at 7 a.m. The event will be held in the pit area.
Have a great week. Until next time, please drive safely!
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel. He is associated with Port Royal Speedway.
