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Winter can’t end soon enough for area racers.
Lincoln Speedway postponed its season opener for the second time. The Adams County oval will try again March 7 at 2 p.m.
The season is set to begin in earnest next week. Port Royal Speedway scheduled a practice session for next Saturday. Hagerstown Speedway opens Sunday with a $3,000 to win late model program. Selinsgrove Speedway opens March 14 with big and small block modifieds. Williams Grove Speedway’s opening night is March 27.
Beaver Springs Dragway will host a racer’s meeting March 8 at the Middlecreek Area Community Center in Beaver Springs. The discussion start at 10 a.m. Coffee and donuts will be provided. The event is open to any one interested in the Snyder County drag strip.
Sprint car racer Daryl Stimeling has teamed up with Harry Earnest for the coming season. Three J & J Chassis, a Rider Racing Engine plus a second motor freshened by Kriner Engines are at Stimeling’s disposal. It’s good to see Earnest back in the game. Earnest helped Lance Dewease advance his career many years ago. Stimeling and Earnest live in Lewistown.
Spike TV is airing a feature program titled “I Am Dale Earnhardt” at 10 p.m. March 2. The look back at the elder Earnhardt’s career includes highlights and commentary from Jimmie Johnson, Darrell Waltrip, Rusty Wallace, Jeff Gordon, Richard Childress and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Speedweeks have come and gone with much interest. I wish it was all good but most of us know that wasn’t the case. On the plus side Joey Logano won the Daytona 500, which was huge for Ford – especially with two of their power plants failing during the event. TV ratings were up and the switch from ESPN to Fox Sports 1 for the Xfinity Series is credited with major gains. The 500 itself saw a 44 percent increase in viewership over last year.
In the minus column, most are aware of the Kurt Busch situation, with domestic abuse alleged by a former girlfriend. That case continues to play out and I have a strong opinion I will withhold until more news comes to light.
One thing I will inform every one concerns NASCAR’s handling of this case and how it effects every NASCAR participant from Pocono right down to area small block modified racers at Pennsylvania’s Grandview Speedway. NASCAR announced Thursday that any criminal charges filed on a member, misdemeanor or felony, must be reported to the sanctioning body within 72 hours or before the next scheduled event, which ever is closer. This rule applies to all divisions including local weekly NASCAR sanctioned tracks.
Members are listed as drivers, owners, mechanics, crew members, race officials, etc. Basically, if you purchase a NASCAR pit license at any NASCAR track, you will fall under these rules. Penalties will be handled on an individual basis.
Weather permitting the Sprint Cup racers are at Atlanta Sunday with TV coverage starting at 1 p.m. The green flag flies at 1:16.
Until next time, please drive safely!
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.