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Area speedways continue to prepare for the coming race season. Lincoln and Williams Grove have released their 2016 schedules, with changes at both.
Lincoln Speedway kicks off the northeast outdoor race season Feb. 27. Current plans are to race during daylight the first three weeks using Sundays as rain dates. Other highlights of the Lincoln schedule include a World of Outlaws visit May 18, USAC sprint cars June 8, Dirt Classic Qualifier June 11, Kevin Gobrecht Memorial June 25, USAC/ARDC midgets Aug. 18, UNOH All Star Sprint Cars Aug. 20, Keystone 50 for super sportsmen Sept. 17 and Dirt Classic Sept. 24. The season ends Oct. 8.
Williams Grove decided to return to its roots dropping the Saturday night series to concentrate on Friday night racing. Opening night is March 18. Additional emphasis is being placed on programs once popular with fans. Gone are the twin 20 sprint car specials. USAC is visiting with sprint cars and the Silver Crown dirt championship cars. The “big cars” make their return to the Cumberland County oval June 10 for the first time since 1974 in the Ted Horn/Bill Schlinder Memorial race. The race was first held in 1939. Several Indy 500 winners have competed in this 100-lap event. Other special events include Super Dirt Modifieds and seven World of Outlaws programs. The late Gary Beam will be honored Sept. 2. The 33 scheduled race dates conclude with a special “Run What You Brung” sprint car show Oct. 7.
Williams Grove season ticket renewals are due by Jan. 8.
Selinsgrove Speedway recently added two key personnel to its race staff for 2016. Rob Trego of Mifflinburg was hired as head tech inspector. Trego is a mechanic by trade. Mike Batz has been hired as co-race announcer. Batz is a full-time school teacher who announces for his parents, owners of Linda’s Speedway near Jonestown. Batz has also been active in the Action Track USA programs held Wednesday nights at the Kutztown Fairgrounds. Batz is a contributing motorsports writer for the Lebanon Daily News.
Port Royal Speedway continues work on the speedway grounds leveling soil in preparation of new seating. The Juniata County oval is also replacing light poles in turns three and four with plans for additional lighting.
Hagerstown Speedway set its opening day for practice March 5.
Hesston Speedway will hold a practice session April 9. An enduro race will follow on the 10th. The super late models kick off their season in a $1,500 to win program April 30.
Susquehanna Speedway will host the Short Track Super Series for modified stock cars July 31. The last time the series raced there was in 2006. Speedway management continues with track improvements such as removal of all trees lining the back stretch of the speedway.
Former All Star sprint car champion Greg Wilson announced he will compete full time with the World of Outlaws in 2016. The Benton Ridge, Ohio, driver scored nine wins last season en route to a fourth-place finish in All Star points.
Lance Dewease will team with Donnie Kreitz Jr. and Davey Brown Sr. to campaign the famous No. 69K car at Williams Grove Speedway and other special events during 2016 with 20-30 races planned.
Dave Blaney and Dan Motter have joined forces and will enter approximately 50 races during 2016. The team is based in Charlotte, N.C., and will compete with the Outlaws, All Stars, National Sprint League and PA Posse. They will enter the Knoxville Nationals.
Blaney holds 71 World of Outlaws victories. Other past accomplishments include the USAC Silver Crown Championship in 1984, the Chili Bowl in ’93, Knoxville National winner in ’97, and two time Kings Royal winner at Eldora Speedway. The teams first race is at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida in February.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. recently defeated Bryan Clauson in a 50-lap indoor USAC midget race at Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin. Stenhouse earned $3,000 for the win. Stenhouse was a USAC star before heading to NASCAR.
The new sprint car season starts Jan. 1 in Yuma, Ariz., at Cocopah Speedway where five nights of racing will be held. Several Pennsylvania drivers will participate in the second annual Winter Heat. Greg Hodnett, Ryan Smith, Logan Schuchart and Jacob Allen are making the trip. Hodnett shipped a Heffner Racing machine west, reportedly by rail car. Rider engines are being transported by truck. Hodnett will drive for California car owner Jon Von Schriltz in all events. NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson will be in action along with Rico Abreu and Christopher Bell. Abreu and Bell ran 1-2 in two nights last year.
In a final note, since the weather has been warmer than usual, Limerock, N.Y., Speedway took advantage of the fact and actually raced Dec. 26. The track features go carts and micros.
Until next time please drive safely!
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.