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The eyes of 410 sprint car racing are on Knoxville, Iowa, where the Knoxville Nationals conclude this evening. $150,000 awaits the winner of tonight’s event. Shane Stewart won last Sunday’s Capitani Classic, also held at the track, and Wednesday nights program. Stewart recently won four major events starting with the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway, earning more than $80,000 in those events.
At least six Pennsylvania racers have entered this years contest: Brent Marks, Stevie Smith, Greg Hodnett, Danny Dietrich, Lucas Wolfe and Tim Shaffer. Donny Schatz would be the first choice as the man to beat considering he has won the finale eight of the last nine times. Shane Stewart’s hot streak could dampen Schatz’s chances. Danny Lasoski is also very good at Knoxville and has won the program four times. Smith, Shaffer and Hodnett are Central Pa.’s best chances at scoring the win.
Selinsgrove Speedway presents the 360 National Open for sprint cars tonight. The race was originally scheduled June 30 when rain forced postponement. The event is one of the top paying races for the 360 class – $10,000 awaits the winner. The race started in 2001 when the track chose to feature 358 engines. Aaron Ott of East Berlin is the defending race champion.
Port Royal Speedway returns to action after a successful Living Legends Dream Race. Greg Hodnett became the first repeat winner of the program having previously won in 2008. Hodnett banked $10,820 from the night’s work. This evening the Juniata County oval hosts camera/autograph night. Fans will be admitted to the pit area prior to the action.
Lincoln Speedway has 410 sprint cars tonight and the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing exhibit will be on display. Lincoln is going to be busy the rest of the month. Lincoln hosts the USAC/ARDC midget cars next Wednesday night. The track will also host the Fred Rahmer promotion, Legends of Pennsylvania event, Aug. 26. Retired stars competing in that program include Kenny Adams, Cris Eash, Keith Kauffman, Billy Pauch, Steve Siegel, Todd Shaffer, Jeff Shepard, Steve Smith Sr., Steve Stambaugh, Bobby Weaver and Doug Wolfgang.
Hesston Speedway is dark tonight. Hagerstown Speedway hosts back to school night. Susquehanna and Williams Grove offer their normal weekly program.
When the USAC midgets invade next week they will compete at three area speedways. Path Valley hosts action Tuesday night. Lincoln races Wednesday and Susquehanna closes things out Thursday. There’s a lot of excitement in the air as USAC upcoming star Rico Abreu will make his first racing starts in the Keystone State. Abreu will also make a start in his own sprint car next Saturday night at Port Royal Speedway.
Congratulations to Logan Wagner on winning his first career 410 sprint car race last Saturday at Port Royal Speedway. Wagner is a second-generation driver and son of Mike and Ellen Wagner.
Dave Hahn flipped violently last Saturday night at Port Royal Speedway. Hahn landed near the fence at the pond outside turn four. Hahn reportedly experienced concussion like symptoms this week. Hahn hopes to return to action tonight and recently announced this will be his final year of competition.
One driver that reportedly was all smiles last Saturday night was Keith Kauffman. Port Royal officials said Kauffman looked fast in his replica No. 77 car during warmups. Kauffman hot lapped with the 410 drivers in preparation for the Legends of Pennsylvania race being held later this month at Lincoln Speedway.
The talk of racing this week has centered around the family of Kevin Ward filing suit for wrongful death against Tony Stewart. Most drivers seem surprised the Ward family elected to take this action considering the coroner’s autopsy ruling Ward was under the influence of marijuana at the time of death. Many drivers are openly stating they support drug testing in the sport.
And finally a long time racing program is undergoing change. The final broadcast of WJUN-FM 92.5 Racing Roundup will air next Saturday. The Juniata County station has been sold. Originally hosted by the late Harold “Cowboy Tean” Little, and sons Tommy and Dean Little, the show has aired more than 30 years. The program may return on WJUN-AM 1220, which was not sold.
Have a great racing week end. I’ll close with Cowboy Tean Little’s regular closing statement. “Remember, speed is for the speedway and not the highway!”
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.