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Racing is in high gear in Central Pa.
Tonight, Port Royal Speedway features 410 sprint cars, late models, econo lates and American outlaw cars. The Juniata County oval opened successfully last week despite cool weather. Aaron Ott outran Nate Snyder to record opening night sprint car honors. It was Ott’s first career win at Port Royal. Mike Lupfer won the late model feature and Lewistown’s Nate Gramley claimed the 305 sprint victory. Brent Marks is expected to race at Port Royal tonight.
Port Royal Speedway is gearing up for the April 25 Bob Weikert Memorial All Star Circuit of Champions feature, which pays the winner $15,000. The total purse for the program exceeds $43,000. There’s an additional $5,000 in contingency prizes.
Lincoln Speedway races tonight with 410 sprint cars, super sportsman and 358 late models. The Auto Racing Club of Hagerstown, Maryland, will be on hand for its annual fan club night. Brian Montieth is hot at the Pigeon Hills oval, having won the last two 410 feature events. Last year Montieth failed to win a main event until May 31.
If you can’t get enough weekend racing there’s good news. The next three weeks bring Sunday night sprint car racing at area speedways. Susquehanna Speedway kicks things off tomorrow at 6 p.m. with 410 and 358 sprints headlining the sixth annual Spring Classic. The York County oval is also racing tonight with 358 late models and 305 sprint cars as top classes. York County Racing Club will present plaques to the winners.
Path Valley and Bedford also have Sunday shows planned. More on those tracks next week.
Car counts last week at area tracks were: Port Royal 23, Lincoln 25, Selinsgrove (360 sprints) 14.
Ryan Smith won last Saturday’s All Star race at Attica Raceway Park in Ohio. The Kunklestown driver is on a roll, having defeated the World of Outlaws last fall at Port Royal Speedway. Smith will tour with the All Stars through the first Pennsylvania swing and reevaluate from there.
There’s some bad news this week after two Outlaw drivers were injured at Placerville, Calif., Speedway Wednesday night. Jason Johnson suffered a compression fracture of the back and was air lifted from the track. Fortunately there is no paralysis and Johnson will race again after a lengthy recovery. Daryn Pittman broke his collar bone and will also be out for an undetermined period.
Dale Blaney’s ride problem lasted only two days. Janet Holbrook has become the new car owner of Blaney’s race team allowing he and mechanic George Fisher to remain teammates. Tod Quiring, Big Game Tree Stands owner, will fund the team.
The vote is in and the top 10 raceways in America have been named. Would you believe only one NASCAR Sprint Cup track made the list? Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway has been rated the favorite track in an annual fan poll conducted by Speed Sport Magazine. Virginia International Raceway is second followed by Knoxville, Iowa, Speedway. Williams Grove Speedway is tied for seventh.
There is a movie about the life of retired NASCAR star Bobby Allison in pre production now. Posse Films LLC is producing the feature, which includes story line on the entire Bobby Allison family. No release date has been announced yet.
I have more information on Jeff Gordon’s visit to Penn State University Tuesday. Gordon will take a lap around the campus at about 4:25 p.m., finishing at the Berkey Creamery, where he will be met by the Blue Band, cheerleaders and Nittany Lion mascot for a pep rally. Fans are invited to come to the creamery around 4 p.m. for events preceding the drive.
The Duck Commander 500 is tonight at Texas Motor Speedway. Joey Logano is the defending race champion. Fox Network has TV coverage. 45 entries were received for 43 starting spots.
There’s a new Facebook fan page on Richard “Pete” Swarmer. The page honors the late, six-time Port Royal champion and was set up by son Steve and his wife.
Look for Ronnie Aurand to have his 305 sprint car repaired and back in action for next weeks show at Port Royal. Aurand’s new car was damaged last week during the Port Royal opener.
Selinsgrove Speedway promoter Charlie Paige announced this will be his final season operating the Snyder County oval. Paige made the announcement at last Saturday’s season opener during the drivers meeting. Sources tell me Paige is spending more time with family, and may be retiring from both the speedway and electric business he owns by year’s end. Paige assured racers there will be a full season of racing.
Until next week, please drive safely!
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.