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By Brad Strawser
The annual event features the Weikert’s Livestock 410 Sprint Cars and Penske Racing Shocks Super Late Models, while three individuals who have left an undeniable mark on the history of the sport, especially at Port Royal Speedway, Davey Brown Sr., Don Kreitz Jr. and Tom Peck will be honored as the Speedway's 2026 Living Legends.
The Living Legends Dream Race has become one of Port Royal Speedway's signature events featuring a top-paying purse without a sanctioning body attached in an effort to support the local drivers who compete in the area on a weekly basis.
Also, thanks to the Port Royal Speedway Ministries, fans can look forward to the track’s 2nd annual Back to School Night to take place in the Fan Zone. 250 bags filled with school supplies will be given away to young fans thanks to the support of Kish Bank and Central PA Home Improvements.
Three Legends, Three Remarkable Racing Legacies
While many of sprint car racing's legends made their names behind the wheel, Davey Brown Sr. built his legacy from the pit area.
A 2001 National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee, Brown is regarded as one of the most accomplished mechanics in the history of sprint car racing. During a career spanning more than seven decades, Brown prepared race cars for an incredible list of drivers, including Johnny Mackinson, Dick Tobias, Mitch Smith, Kramer Williamson, Lynn Paxton, Paul Pitzer, Doug Wolfgang, Kenny Jacobs, Cris Eash, Billy Pauch Sr., Lance Dewease, Daryn Pittman, Logan Wagner and Ryan Smith.
Brown-prepared race cars have won virtually every major event imaginable, including the Knoxville Nationals, Tuscarora 50s and Bob Weikert Memorials, along with countless other marquee races and championships.
Fittingly, many of those accomplishments came alongside another member of the 2026 Living Legends class: Don Kreitz Jr.
Known throughout the sport as the "Sheriff of the Pennsylvania Posse," Kreitz built one of the most decorated résumés in Pennsylvania sprint car racing history during more than four decades of competition.
A 2015 National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee, Kreitz amassed more than 200 career victories while regularly defending Pennsylvania Posse territory against the best drivers in the country.
His accomplishments at Port Royal Speedway include three Tuscarora 50 victories, five Labor Day Classic wins, victories over the World of Outlaws and Outlaws II, and two wins against the All Star Circuit of Champions.
Kreitz's success at Port Royal continued as a car owner with the iconic No. 69K. With drivers including Lance Dewease, Logan Wagner, Ryan Smith and others behind the wheel, the Kreitz Racing team has added three more Tuscarora 50 victories, three Tuscarora 50 preliminary night wins, six Keith Kauffman Classic victories, a Living Legends Dream Race triumph, Bob Weikert Memorial preliminary night victories and a Bob Weikert Memorial championship.
While Brown and Kreitz are synonymous with sprint car racing, Tom Peck built his Port Royal legacy in the Super Late Model ranks.
Peck recorded 24 career Super Late Model victories at Port Royal Speedway and captured the 1973 Port Royal Speedway Track Championship, establishing himself as one of the finest Late Model competitors in track history.
His success eventually carried him to NASCAR, where Peck competed in the Busch Grand National Series and became one of the select drivers from Port Royal Speedway's history to compete on the national stage.
Fans can look forward to not only seeing these legends be honored at the track but also hear from them directly during the Living Legends Pre-Race show taking place in the center of the Juniata County Fairgrounds inside the commercial building. Fans can hear stories from the legends themselves and potentially grab an autograph before the race festivities for the night begin.
Back to School Night Adds to Saturday's Festivities
Along with celebrating three racing legends, Port Royal Speedway Ministries will help local students get ready for the upcoming school year as part of Back to School Night.
A total of 250 bags loaded with school supplies will be distributed thanks to Kish Bank and Central PA Home Improvements.
The giveaway continues Port Royal Speedway Ministries' tradition of making race nights about more than what happens on the track and providing activities and opportunities for young race fans and families throughout the season.
Saturday Night Event Information
The Living Legends Dream Race presented by J&S Classics will feature 410 Sprint Cars utilizing time trials along with the Super Late Models utilizing group time trials.
The 410 sprint car portion of the program is also apart of the J&S Classics Pa. Posse 410 Sprint Car Series presented by Hoseheads.com.
Admission:
General Admission - $30
Students ages 13-17 - $20
Children ages 12 and under - FREE
Pits - $40
Event Times:
Pits Open - 4 p.m.
General Admission Gates Open - 4:30 p.m.
Hot Laps - 6 p.m.
Racing - 7 p.m.
From honoring the accomplishments of Davey Brown Sr., Don Kreitz Jr. and Tom Peck, to the Back to School Night festivities and a full night of 410 Sprint Car and Super Late Model competition, Saturday's Living Legends Dream Race will bring together the history, community and competition that have defined Port Royal Speedway for generations.
Join us Saturday, Aug. 22, at "The Speed Palace" as Port Royal Speedway celebrates three remarkable racing careers and adds another chapter to the history of the Living Legends Dream Race.