PORT ROYAL — Danny Dietrich turned around a rough start to the 2026 racing season with a win on Opening Day Saturday afternoon at Port Royal Speedway.

Dietrich’s second career Opening Day win was worth $6,000 driving the Gary Kauffman No. 48, and also came in the first race of the new PA Posse Sprint Car Series. “This is pretty special,” Dietrich said. “It was pretty rough. We’ve been working on these Penske Shocks. We haven’t been very good the first part of the year here, but we’ve better than we’re showing. We went back to the drawing board and pulled everything apart.” “This car was fast,” Dietrich said. “Thanks to my guys for sticking with me. It was fun. Port Royal was different here. It has some diversity in it. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it’s Opening Day, that’s what you expect. To be racing in mid-March and getting wins is pretty phenomenal.” “We’re here to win races and put on a show for the fans,” Dietrich said. “You guys worry about the points, and I’ll worry about winning races. Thanks to all the tracks and all the supporters. It’s going to be huge. If we can walk away with a big check at the end of the year, that would be great.” Dietrich, of Gettysburg, started on the pole of the 25-lap sprint car feature, and grabbed the lead. Chase Dietz passed Matt Campbell for second spot in the first turn. Lance Dewease was quickly up to fifth from the ninth starting spot. A hard crash in turns one and two stopped the race with five laps completed. Dylan Cisney and Nash Ely were involved. Drivers were reported to be okay. Dietz ducked under Dietrich in turn one on the restart, but Dietrich’s momentum off the second corner kept him out front. Dewease passed Kody Hartlaub for fourth. Dietrich had a 2-second lead when he started lapping slower cars. Dietrich maintained his lead as they raced through traffic, but with five laps to go, Dietz closed the gap.

After Dietz got over the cushion in turn four, Dietrich held on to the win by .783 over Dietz with Campbell third. Dewease and TJ Stutts completed the top five. “He struggled at times and I did, too,” Dietz said. “I was having trouble on exit to get a good run and I was trying to adjust my line enough to get there. He was good out front. It was another good run for us. I’m glad we could be in position. I felt really good all day. I feel we’re in good shape.” Aaron Bollinger, Hartlaub, Buddy Schweibinz, Brock Zearfoss and Freddie Rahmer rounded out the top 10. Heat races for the 38 sprint cars went to Chase Dietz, Buddy Schweibinz, Lance Dewease and Freddie Rahmer. Logan Wagner won the B-main. Middleburg’s Andrew Yoder led the first seven laps of the late model feature before third starter Trevor Feathers took the lead. Gregg Satterlee was up to third from the eighth starting spot. Lane Snook brought out the yellow with 10 laps to go. Satterlee grabbed second on the restart. Yoder spun in turn four triggering a seven-car pile-up. All drivers were OK. Feathers, of Winchester, Va., held off Satterlee for his third Opening Day win, and $4,000. Dylan Yoder, Hayes Matter and Justin Weaver completed the top five. Andrew Yoder, Dillan Stake, Kody Lyter, Chad Myers and Tristin Neiderer rounded out the top 10. Heat races for the 18 late models went to Andrew Yoder and Lane Snook.