Trending
The Charlie Paige era of Selinsgrove Speedway promotion will conclude tonight with the 33rd running of the Jim Nace Memorial National Open for sprint cars.
Fred Rahmer won five National Opens prior to retiring. Greg Hodnett and Todd Shaffer are four-time winners. Lance Dewease and Pat Cannon own three victories apiece. The 35-lap A-main pays the winner $10,000. Last place receives $400.
This is the sixth year the race honors Nace, who passed away in November 2009 after a lengthy bout with cancer. Nace was liked and respected at all area speedways but exceled at Selinsgrove, where he is the only driver to win five sprint car track championships.
Hodnett is the defending race champion. The Spring Grove driver has won 16 races this season. Hodnett struggled last week at Port Royal and will be looking to rebound tonight. The 410 sprint cars have appeared at Selinsgrove two other times this season. Hodnett won both of those events.
The super late models are also in action at Selinsgrove Speedway tonight. They compete in a $2,000 to win feature event.
At Port Royal Speedway Lucas Wolfe is the sprint car titlist, edging out Dylan Cisney by 165 points. Mike Wagner finished in third, 330 points behind Wolfe. Mike Lupfer is the super late model champion. Middleburg driver Andrew Yoder won the econo late model championship.
Season point titles were wrapped up last week at Selinsgrove and Port Royal speedways. T.J. Stutts won the 360 title at Selinsgrove. Jeff Rine took top honors in late model action. Mifflintown’s Andrew Shoop is the pro stock champion. The roadrunner title was won by John Fowler.
Brad Doty will be the Grand Marshal of the Williams Grove National Open. The program has been expanded to a three-day format this year. Doty will be on hand October 2-3 signing autographs at the World of Outlaws souvenir trailer.
While on the subject of the National Open, Donnie Kreitz Jr. announced recently that Justin Henderson will drive the Kreitz No. 69 in this year’s program. Henderson is a 10-time winner this season in Midwestern sprint car action. Kreitz continues to suffer with an undiagnosed illness that is causing short-term memory problems. Doctors apparently have ruled out a concussion.
Williams Grove Speedway announced it is stopping the Saturday night racing series next season in favor of Susquehana Speedway, which was recently sold. The popular super sportsman, 358 late model and street stock format will move to the York County oval. That’s good news for the sportsman racers as their cars are better suited for a smaller race track.
Tyler Walker returned to World of Outlaws competition last weekend in California. The first two attempts Walker failed to qualify for the A-main. Walker fared better the third time starting eleventh and finishing third. It’s a matter of time before Walker returns to the Outlaws winners circle.
Car owner Scott Dietz announced he will close the doors of his race shop at season’s end. Lance Dewease will be searching for a new ride for 2016.
It was nice to see Todd Shaffer back behind the wheel of a sprint car last weekend. Shaffer won a B-main and started in the Tuscarora 50. Shaffer completed 21 laps and was scored 18th.
Brent Marks struggled all season but made up for it during fair week at Port Royal. Marks swept three programs including the Tuscarora 50. Marks left Juniata County with week-long earnings of $21,625.
Dylan Yoder won the UFO Port Royal Renninger Memorial program.
In NASCAR Sprint Cup action the stage is set for this year’s championship chase. The 16 drivers that made the cut include Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, Jammie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Paul Menard and Clint Bowyer.
Finally, Aaron’s Furniture Rental Store announced they are leaving NASCAR race team sponsorship at the end of the season. The company was a longtime supporter of Michael Waltrip Racing, which is going out of business at season’s end.
Have a great racing weekend.
***
Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.