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The month of money continues.
Williams Grove Speedway hosted the first day of the World of Outlaws Summer Nationals Friday. Tonight’s feature winner receives at least $20,000. Look for Stevie Smith, Greg Hodnett or Danny Dietrich to have the best shot to defeat the traveling stars led by Donny Schatz, who has already claimed 20 Outlaw A-Mains this season.
Port Royal and Lincoln are dark this evening because of the Summer National program at Williams Grove. Port Royal returns to action next weekend with 410 sprint cars, late models, 305 sprint cars and Xtreme stocks. The Juniata County oval is gearing up for the Aug. 8 racing program, the Living Legends Dream Race. Scotty Haus and Ed Powell are this year’s Living Legend honorees.
Selinsgrove Speedway was rained out last Saturday, forcing its annual fan appreciation night to be rescheduled. Fans will be admitted tonight for $5 to see 360 sprint cars and late models compete for a $2,500 top prize. Pro stock drivers have a $1,000 to win, 20-lap program. The roadrunners close out the show.
Lernerville Speedway hosted the Don Martin Silver Cup event Tuesday. Cody Darrah joined Dale Blaney as winners of feature events. Each earned $10,000 for their victories. Blaney won the Silver Cup trophy by amassing the most points during the night’s program, worth an additional $ 5,000. An eighth-place finish in feature No. 2 pushed his total earnings to $17,100. Blaney’s redemption was earned after a dismal performance during last weekend’s Kings Royal program at Eldora Speedway.
It’s Christmas in July for race fans tonight at Susquehanna Speedway. Santa Claus will bear gifts. Super sportsman and 358 late models are the headline divisions.
Late model racers have plenty of options this evening that pay well. In addition to Selinsgrove, Hesston Speedway offers a 40-lap, $4,000 to win event; 358 late models also are in action competing for a top prize of $1,000. The program carries two rain dates if needed, each of the next two Sundays. Hagerstown Speedway holds its annual 44-lap Conococheague championship named for the river which runs behind the speedway. The feature winner goes home with $ 4,400.
Bedford Speedway was dark Friday preparing for next week’s annual fair racing program. The Dick Koontz/Paul Beamer Memorial race for late models is one of the best values in racing with a reasonable pay one price admission that includes the fair, rides and races.
Christopher Bell experienced many emotions the past week at Eldora Speedway. Bell had a good run going in last Saturday night’s Kings Royal sprint car race until he suffered a flat tire, which ruined his night. Bell made up for that Wednesday when he defeated the NASCAR Camping World regulars by winning the Mud Summer Classic truck race in only his third start. I predict Bell is another dirt driver heading up NASCAR’s ladder quickly.
There’s midweek racing Tuesday at Grandview Speedway, where the 410 sprint cars are joined by the 358 modified cars. Thursday night will be utilized as a rain date if necessary.
Shane Stewart shocked most people by sweeping last weekend’s two-day Kings Royal program at Eldora. The program endured a more than four hour rain delay. Victory Lane festivities ended around 5 a.m. Who was there still talking to racers and fans? Tony Stewart – who had to race later at New Hampshire.
While on the subject of Tony Stewart, it’s apparent his efforts at Eldora Speedway are a labor of love. Stewart returned to the track Monday morning where he personally helped with track preparation for the Mud Summer Classic truck race. Stewart’s track is fan friendly with the lowest speedway concession prices I’ve seen in a long time.
Steve Kinser suffered injuries last weekend which will keep him out of the race car this week. No word on what those injuries exactly are. More information to follow.
Local radio station WKVA 920 am announced this week they have joined up with MRN Radio and will be presenting the remainder of the season’s Sprint Cup schedule. It will be nice to have racing available locally again on the airwaves.
The Sprint Cup cars compete tomorrow at Indianapolis Motor Speedway where the Your Hero’s Name Here 400 will be run. Jeff Gordon is the defending race champion. NBC Sports Network has TV coverage starting at 3:30 p.m.
The latest Sprint Cup rumors include a possible swap of race team manufacturers. Furniture Row Racing is courting Toyota. Michael Waltrip Racing could be heading to Chevrolet aligning with either Chip Ganassi Racing or Richard Childress Racing.
Until next week. please drive safely!
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.