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The week end is here, the weather is cold and Port Royal Speedway canceled both its programs this week. Speedway management has scheduled a practice session Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. Racing begins Saturday at 5 p.m. with 410 and 305 sprint cars plus super late models.
Lincoln Speedway had not canceled today’s program as this was being prepared. On the card are 410 sprint cars, super sportsman and Central PA Legends. Gates open at 2 p.m. with racing at 4.
Winchester Speedway called off racing for today. Hagerstown Speedway is still scheduled to run this evening.
I can now talk about Doug Esh’s new ride. Esh partnered with Mark Coldren for a yet to be determined number of races. Look for Esh to compete in select Williams Grove and Port Royal shows early on. If the pair work well together they may expand their schedule. Coldren will pilot the car in the Susquehanna Speedway races this season. Coldren also will have Steve Buckwalter campaigning a car this summer.
Here’s some pleasant news. Robbie Allison, grandson of Bobby and son of the late Davey Allison, won his first ever street stock feature last week at Kingsport, N.C. The younger Allison just started his racing career at age 21.
The Wood Brothers Racing Museum is in Stuart, Va., which isn’t far from Martinsville Speedway. I haven’t been to the museum but I’ve received good reports on the facility. Richard Petty recently moved his racing museum to his original shops in Randleman, N.C. I’ve also heard good reports on that venue.
In NASCAR news Brian Vickers is sidelined from racing again. Vickers developed blood clots in his lungs and was forced to withdraw from last Sunday’s race at California Motor Speedway. Vickers was placed on blood thinners and will be sidelined at least three months. Vickers’ career could be in jeopardy if he is forced to remain on medication. Brett Moffitt will substitute for Vickers.
The Sprint Cup racers compete at Martinsville today. Fox Sports 1 has TV coverage starting at 1 p.m. Chase Elliott is making his Sprint Cup debut in the event. Elliott is driving a Hendricks Motorsports entry.
Look for the Hendricks cars to be the class of the field. This race team has a bittersweet relationship with Martinsville. While enjoying success, the team endured a tragic plane crash that claimed family and crew some years ago.
A controversy is brewing over hot dogs at Martinsville. Jesse Jones brand hot dogs have been part of the Martinsville tradition most of the track’s history. Topped with chili and priced reasonably, Martinsville hot dogs have been the class of NASCAR. They have been replaced by another brand and fan posts on message boards suggest a boycott may be planned this weekend.
Improvements continue at Daytona International Speedway. Removal of 46,000 backstretch grandstands and tower demolition are underway. The grandstand is being salvaged and made available for sale. Volusia Speedway Park purchased additional seating for its half mile oval from Daytona. The Florida oval hosts the Dirt Car Nationals yearly in February. Daytona International plans to complete renovations by Oct. 30. The track will have 101,000 permanent seats on the home stretch when finished.
Kurt Busch is performing well since returning to NASCAR competition. Busch sat down this week for a media session and indicated he will not try to race both Indy and Charlotte next month. Busch appreciates Carl Haas’ support during his recent legal problems and is completely focused on the 41 car right now. Busch would like to return to Indy next year for the 100th anniversary event.
A.J. Almendinger is interested in the Indy/Charlotte double. Almendinger last raced at Indy in 2013, leading 23 laps and finishing seventh. Almendinger drove for Roger Penske at Indy and said he would only race there again if he could secure a ride capable of winning.
Let’s hope for an improvement in the weather. Until next week, please drive safely!
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.