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Mothers and racing – the two go hand in hand.
In my youth, some moms were embarrassed their husbands and sons associated with those motorheads. Funny thing is, they ended up supporting them and came out to watch them compete. Many a family grew up every weekend at a speedway. The fans wore their dress clothes to the track, which I never quite understood.
Along the way the tradition honoring mothers began. It continues this weekend as area speedways host Mother’s Day and family specials.
Port Royal Speedway has camera and autograph night. The racing action features sprint cars, late models, econo lates and xtreme stocks.
Selinsgrove Speedway is promoting a ” pack the track” family night special with $5 general admission; 360 sprint cars, late models, pro stock and roadrunners compete.
Lincoln Speedway races 410 and 358 sprint cars plus legend cars. The program is the final tuneup for next Wednesday night’s World of Outlaws Gettysburg Clash race. The Outlaw show carries a Thursday rain date.
Susquehanna and Williams Grove offer Saturday night specials. The Grove has a $6 general admission ticket with super sportsman and 358 late models the headline.
The man that made Mother’s Day a big deal in local racing is “Beaver Bob” McCardle. His Mother’s Day Sunday afternoon show has been a hit for 11 years. Any lady, amateur or professional, who wants to compete may do so free. The top pro and amateur mom at day’s end receives a beautiful diamond necklace valued at more than $1,000. Ladies, if you want to try your hand at drag racing head to Beaver Springs D ragway tomorrow.
NASCAR racing is tonight at Kansas Motor Speedway. The Spongebob Squarepants 400 is on Fox Sports 1. Green flag flies at7:30 p.m. Jeff Gordon is the defending race champion. Overall, look for the Hendricks Motor Sports and Stewart-Haas teams to be near the front. Jimmie Johnson has the highest driver rating at the track. Kurt Busch has enjoyed success there also.
Last week’s sprint car and late model winners at Port Royal were Steve Buckwalter and Lewistown’s Jason Schmidt. For Schmidt it was his first late model victory. I’m pleased for Schmidt, one of three Mifflin County late model drivers that have struggled early. Sources tell me Schmidt was receiving a lot of advice which wasn’t all working. He decided to go with his gut and came home a winner.
Tim Wilson and Waylon Wagner have struggled. So have several of the Masterbilt chassis racing teams in the region. I’m wondering if a trend is developing there.
Hesston Speedway in Huntingdon County reopened last week to a huge crowd. Rick Singleton, of Hesston, went home the 358 late model winner.
Next Saturday night the Port Royal Speedway will be dark due to the World of Outlaws two-day show at Williams Grove. Lincoln Speedway also will remain dark.
Is the NASCAR schedule stagnant? Kevin Harvick addressed that subject in a press conference earlier this week. Harvick feels that way and suggests a couple tracks losing a date and addition of some other tracks. I don’t completely agree with Harvick’s opinions but some are correct. There’s a strong argument for North Wilkesboro, N.C., being brought back. A Save the Speedway group is working toward the goal of getting it back in business.
The main problem I think is there’s not as much fun taking place at the race track. Cost is another. One place there apparently is fun is Talladega. A group of Lewistown residents attended last week’s race and gave me a report. The campground and infield remain old school race party zones with entertainment and open fires, grills, golf carts, etc. Prices were reasonable. There’s a dirt track at the facility which operated Friday and Saturday night with late model racing. They felt welcome and felt no political correctness observed at some other facilities. It reminds me of attending the Daytona 500 30 years ago. It’s time to get back to our racing roots and lighten up a little. As always, just my opinion.
NASCAR’s response to Harvick’s comments? They are satified with their schedule at this time.
Enjoy the weekend. Consider attending a race track near you. And a happy Mother’s Day to all moms!
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.