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Local racing news is plentyful this holiday weekend.
Lincoln Speedway hosts the region’s first major sprint car event of 2016 tonight at 6, a 30-lap championship event for 410 sprints that pays the winner $5,000. Look for the area’s top-tier drivers to compete at the Pigeon Hills oval tonight. This evening’s Lincoln program also opens the 358 sprint car season in the midstate. Gates open at 4.
Port Royal Speedway has an all around good show for race fans this evening when 410 sprint cars battle for a $3,000 top prize. The UFO late models open their 2016 season tour in a $3,000 championship event. Parents should bring their children to the Easter activities held during the night. Race time is 7.
Selinsgrove Speedway is dark this evening and will start its regular season April 9 with 360 sprint cars, late models and pro stocks.
The top three major NASCAR series also are idle for the Easter holiday.
Can any late model driver currently beat Andy Haus at Port Royal Speedway? Haus has six career Port Royal late model wins. Two came in the first two weeks of action this year. Invaders Gregg Satterlee and Kyle Hardy have tried to score a win at the Juniata County oval. Both failed.
Last week’s Port Royal late model feature found Rick Singleton and Tim Wilson in the field. Singleton finished fifth in the A-main. Wilson was sixth. Look for good things from both these drivers this season.
Another driver that figures to be tough is Lewistown driver Waylon Wagner. Wagner has a top car and engine at his disposal for the new year. Wagner plans to travel to some shows outside the region.
Several drivers stand out in area sprint car racing this season. Greg Hodnett has won two of five feature events in which he appeared. Hodnett could have won last Friday’s Williams Grove Speedway season opener but was forced from competition due to mechanical problems. Hats off to little guy Rick Lafferty who won the Grove opener.
Dylan Cisney of Port Royal has secured two top-five finishes this season at Port Royal. Brent Marks chased down Cisney late during last week’s Port Royal main.
Marks has won four of the last six Port Royal programs he entered at the Juniata County oval. Marks dominated the field during last fall’s fair week programs.
Danny Dietrich is the other driver I feel has started well in the state. Look for these drivers plus Lucas Wolfe, Freddie Rahmer and Lance Dewease to be strong early on.
What do retired car owners do to enjoy new challenges? Jim And Sandy Kline are involved in thoroughbred horse racing. The Klines have a equine facility near Penn National. Will they return to auto racing? Doubtful. Sources tell me Sandy could be receptive to auto racing. Jim, not so much.
Trackside Restaurant hosted a celebrity bartender night this past Thursday in efforts to continue childrens activities at Port Royal Speedway. Drivers participating include Tyler Bear, Dylan Cisney, Patrick Bryney, Tim Wilson, Waylon Wagner, Trent Brenneman and Todd Snook. A thank you goes out to all.
I had the chance to discuss fire safety with a number of racers the past two weeks. My conversations took place as a followup to the horrible fire two weeks ago at Port Royal Speedway. Doug Esh, Mike Erdley and Marks crashed in turn four with a fire developing. Esh pulled Erdley from the blaze. Erdley’s fire suit was destroyed. Esh’s suit was scorched and likely will need replaced. How much protection is enough?
Most professional drivers are currently wearing a three-layer fire suit with flame retardant long underwear underneath. They cost about $1,500 to buy. That’s a cheap price compared to burns and pain. Something for all area drivers to consider.
Happy Easter to all! I’ll return next week with more news and opinions.
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.