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Offseason activities continue at area speedways.
Selinsgrove Speedway will again host a race car show at the Susquehanna Valley Mall from Feb. 21-27. There is no charge to participate. Teams seeking to register a car for the show should e-mail the track at publicrelations@selinsgrovespeedway.com.
Selinsgrove Speedway is scheduled to open March 19 with the big block modified Race of Champions.The A-Main is 40 laps in distance worth $4,000 to the winner. Race time is 2 p.m. The following day will be utilized, if necessary, for inclement weather. This is the 12th time the event will be held at Selinsgrove. The last three have been impacted by weather.
Selinsgrove also will host a “Friday Night Lights” racing program for 410 sprints on June 10. The first Friday night 410 sprint car race at the track in 10 years will be highlighted by a 25-lap main event.
Making that possible is Williams Grove Speedway’s announcement that the United States Auto Club Silver Crown Champ Cars are appearing at the Grove that night.
Selinsgrove will also host the finale of the Appalachian Mountain Late Model Speedweek Series that weekend.
Bedford Speedway’s annual awards banquet will be held Jan. 30 at the Bedford Elks Club Ball Room. Tickets are on sale now. Bedford officials state they will present a car show and bug day on April 4. The first race is April 10. The schedule includes 26 races including two All Star Circuit of Champions sprint car programs. Track promoter Joe Padula Jr. increased purses in all divisions for next season. Long term plans include continuing to strengthen the track’s modified stock car division.
The World of Outlaws have addressed several sprint car safety issues for 2016-17. They include the use of a magnetic steel front axle, solid frames with no tubing inserted inside – which previously allowed the frame to flex – a removable 2-inch wicker bill on the top wing and a wider 18-inch tire. The wing and tire change are in hope drivers will be better able to use the whole racetrack when it becomes slick. Currently most driver choose to hug the bottom guard rail or ride the top side of the speedway. There’s a change in the type and number of fasteners used to hold wheel covers on tire assemblies and, a new Penske shock absorber has also been approved.
There’s some news regarding the Kevin Ward/Tony Stewart lawsuit this week. Stewart’s liability insurance carrier, Axis Insurance Co., has stated in U.S. District Court for Northern District of New York it should not be held responsible for damages, meaning Stewart might have to pay the Ward family if he loses the court case. The company states clauses in the policy preclude it from paying.
Stewart has counter-sued the insurance company stating various clauses in the policy show Axis should be responsible. I’m sure Stewart will be glad when the whole ordeal is finished.
NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton announced he will leave NASCAR at the end of the year. No word where Pemberton is going. Pemberton will be replaced by his assistant, Scott Miller. Pemberton oversaw the development and rules of the last two car designs, ethanol fuel conversion and fuel injection now utilized by NASCAR.
Have a great week end. Until next time please drive safely!
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.