MECHANICSBURG — Anthony Macri made a triumph return behind the wheel by winning the Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek opener Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg.

Marci, 27, of Dillsburg, broke his back in a crash at the Grove on April 3. Friday night was his first race back, and he didn’t miss a beat.

His 15th career Grove win, and 10th overall in Speedweek competition, was worth $10,000. He’s won the last three Speedweek championships.

“There was definitely some rust to knock off, but not a bad way to start Speedweek,” Marci said.

As big of a win as it was for Macri, it was just as big of a heartbreak for 19-year-old Logan Rumsey, who led from the pole and had the race under control.

Rumsey led while Macri quickly moved into second over Chad Trout. Macri challenged him early, but Rumsey stayed in front as Justin Whittall took third. Whittall challenged Macri for second. However, with eight laps to go, Rumsey slowed with a mechanical issue ending his chances and handing the lead to Macri.

“He was doing a great job,” Macri said about Rumsey. “I was hoping to get to lapped traffic and get him in dirty air. When you’re in clean air, you can do what you want.”

It was all Macri after the restart as he streaked away to the win. Whittall, Lance Dewease, Australian Ryan Newton and Troy Wagaman completed the top five. Freddie Rahmer, Cam Smith, Australian James McFadden, Brock Zearfoss, and Brady Bacon rounded out the top 10.

Chase Dietz had the fastest lap in qualifying time trials at 16.921. That was the highlight of his night. A fuel line broke as he was lining up for his heat race. He started on the pole of the B-main and was leading when he jumped the fourth turn cushion and spun out. He restarted at the rear, but didn’t qualify.

Heat races for the 37 cars went to Trout, Newton, Whittall and Wagaman. J.J. Loss won the B-main.

DIETZ REBOUNDS WITH SPEEDWEEK WIN AT LINCOLN

Dietz rebounded from his disappointing start to Speedweek with a win Saturday night in the Kevin Gobrecht Memorial at Lincoln Speedway. He started on the pole and led all 30 laps for the $10,000 score, his seventh at Lincoln and nation-leading 12th of the season. It was his second career win in Speedweek competition.

“There’s nothing you can do about it,” Dietz said. “Once it happens, it’s over. That’s how quickly this sport can humble you. Tonight shows how good of a team we are to bounce back from that.”

Macri, McFadden, Smith, and Dewease completed the top five. Bacon, Danny Dietrich, Rumsey, Zearfoss and Preston Lattomus rounded out the top 10.

Dietz was also fastest in qualifying with a lap of 13.360.

Speedweek continued Sunday night at BAPS Motor Speedway. Tonight, the series returns to Lincoln for the Steve Smith Tribute Race and a hefty $50,019 winner’s share. Grandview Speedway, near Pottstown, hosts the series Tuesday night.

Port Royal hosts its first Speedweek race of the series Wednesday night, along with the 360 sprint cars. Racing starts at 7 with gates opening at 4. Macri has four career Port Royal Speedweek wins, including the last two Wednesday night races. The series returns to Port Royal Saturday for the Greg Hodnett Classic where Dewease is the defending race winner and $15,000 awaits the winner.

Port Royal has completed 36 Speedweek races. Dewease owns five career Speedweek wins at Port Royal, Keith Kauffman has four. Greg Hodnett and Lucas Wolfe have three Port Royal Speedweek wins each. Kyle Larson and Brent Marks have two each.

Jeff Shepard, Donnie Kreitz, Mark Smith, Todd Shaffer, Fred Rahmer, Cody Darrah, Justin Henderson, Tyler Walker, Blane Heimbach, Steve Buckwalter and Logan Wagner have single wins over the years.