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Port Royal Speedway is showing appreciation to race fans tonight with $10 general admission to see 410 and 305 sprint cars, late models and xtreme stocks in action. The speedway also announced this week advance tickets are on sale for the Oct. 24 World of Outlaws race at the Juniata County oval.
In just two weeks, Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek gets underway. Port Royal will not race June 27. Instead, an Interstate-sanctioned truck and tractor pull will be run at the historic oval.
The 12th annual Joe Whitcomb Memorial race for 360 sprint cars is tonight at Selinsgrove Speedway. Late models, pro stocks and roadrunners fill out the program. Whitcomb was an up-and-coming sprint car driver when he was fatally injured in 2003 at the Snyder County oval. T.J. Stutts of Liverpool is the defending race champion. The Patriot Sprint Car organization is sanctioning the show.
We are in the middle of the All Star Circuit of Champions’ second visit to the region. Williams Grove Speedway was rained out last night. This evening, Lincoln Speedway hosts Tony Stewart’s travelers.
Greg Hodnett defeated the All Stars Sunday night at Bedford. Stewart left the Sprint Cup race at Pocono and flew to Bedford to see the evening’s racing.
It’s another three-peat sprint car weekend as Susquehanna Speedway hosts 410 racing action tomorrow night. The main event pays the winner $3,500.
Hesston Speedway is in action tonight honoring the late Charlie Walters, who was a champion hobby car driver at Bedford and Hesston.
Tyler Walker is back behind the wheel of a sprint car after being cleared to race by law and substance abuse officials in California. Walker ran two nights last weekend with second- and third-place finishes. Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., was Walker’s comeback track. I’ve seen pictures of Walker and I feel he looks well. Walker apologized to racers and fans. Walker stated he is doing this for himself. He is on probation and I’m sure he will be monitored. This guy has as much natural talent as the late Jan Opperman. If he funnels it into something positive the sky’s the limit. It will be interesting to see how he is received if he ventures back to Pa.
Steve Kinser announced this week he will compete in the Sharon Speedway Lou Blaney Memorial race later this season. The Hartford, Ohio, track is owned by the Blaney family and attracts many Western Pa. racers.
Danny Dietrick won the Dirt Classic Qualifier last Saturday night at Lincoln Speedway. Kasey Kahne traveled from Pocono to attend the event. Kahne helped create this new program last year at the Adams County oval.
Lucas Wolfe lowered the track record to a scary low time of 12.719 seconds at 106.140 mph last Saturday at Lincoln Speedway. I’m wondering where the faster speeds are going to end.
Keith Kauffman celebrated a birthday this past Tuesday. The Man from Mifflintown turned 65 years young.
I continue to monitor Sprint Cup TV ratings. The last race to see an increase this year was Richmond. Pocono scored a 2.3 over night rating, down 18 percent from last year.
Sheila Elliott is back in jail after violating a protection from abuse order against Ernie Irvin. Elliott attempted to run her estranged husband over with a vehicle March 18. She was released May 12 and attempted further harm. Ernie Elliott is a Hall of Fame engine builder and brother of Bill Elliott.
Until next week, please drive safely!
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.