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This weekend can be termed a tuneup for area race teams.
The World of Outlaws invade Central Pennsylvania next week and local racers’ preparations are underway. Williams Grove Speedway’s race Friday was run with an Outlaw-type format.
Lincoln Speedway is in action this evening preparing for next Wednesday night’s Outlaws visit. The midweek program is a sprint car-only event and carries a Thursday night rain date. Williams Grove hosts the travelers next Friday and Saturday nights.
Port Royal Speedway will be dark next Saturday. The Juniata County oval plans to make up for that lay off in a big way Memorial Day weekend. More on those plans in a minute.
Tonight Port Royal Speedway has a full plate of 410 and 305 sprint cars, super late models, and econo lates. The 305 cars have a makeup race in addition to a regular show. The track is offering free admission to youth in baseball and softball team uniforms. Check the track’s website for more information.
At Selinsgrove Speedway the pro stocks race for a $1,000 top prize. This has been a popular program with pro stock drivers and fans. Local racers have fared well. Gary Beward of Thompsontown and A.J. Hoffman of Richfield are three time winners. Brad Mitch of McClure and A.J. Stroup of Evandale have scored one win each. Stroup is the defending race champion. In addition to pro stocks, 360 sprint cars, super late models and roadrunners compete. The late models have two feature events to run. The York County Racing Club will make its annual visit to the Snyder County oval tonight.
Hesston Speedway is dark this evening after a successful late model program held there last Saturday. The track’s back in action next week with a five-division show that includes 305 sprint cars. They are looking forward to a May 28 super late model program that pays the winner $3,000.
Lance Dewease made his second start aboard the Donnie Kreitz Jr.-owned, Davey Brown prepared No. 69k, and it paid off in a big way last Sunday night at Susquehanna Speedway. Kreitz ran down and passed Greg Hodnett on lap 22 to capture his first win with the team. Dewease also won his heat race.
The sprint cars were ultra fast last week at Susquehanna. Fast time was recorded at 14.208 seconds.
Here’s revised information concerning the three-day Bob Weikert Memorial weekend at Port Royal: Saturday night features 410 sprint cars and super late models. Sunday is the top money day for the 410 sprint cars. They’ll be joined by the URC sprinters. Fireworks will be presented after the races. Monday’s show has been pushed back to an early evening start featuring 410 sprint cars, Central PA legend cars and mini stocks. A corn hole tournament is scheduled during the daytime. An overall Weikert Memorial weekend champion will be crowned with a separate point fund. Camping for the weekend is just $10. All the details can be obtained on the track’s website.
Last week Dave Blaney escaped injury after a vicious sprint car accident at Eldora Speedway. Blaney’s car is believed to have suffered a stuck throttle during qualifying and hit the wall between turns one and two. Blaney flipped multiple times and was extracted from his car. Blaney was fortunate as no injuries were found. Blaney was released from a local hospital several hours later.
Kevin Swindell is making progress from what began as a paralyzing sprint car accident last year at Knoxville Raceway. Swindell walked 370 feet on crutches earlier this week. The 15-minute journey is remarkable accomplishment on Swindell’s road to recovery. Prior to crutches, Swindell was using a walker and continues to improve.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup machines are at Dover tomorrow. Fox Sports 1 has TV coverage at 1.
As I expected, I’ve already heard rumbling from area race fans about NASCAR’s decision to move next year’s Dover and Pocono spring races to consecutive weekends. That is going to be tough on some area fans. I urge fans make their opinions known while it’s still early.
Beaver Springs Dragway is looking great as crews continue to repave and restripe portions of the facility. The track expects to be back in action this weekend.
Let’s hope for good weather. Support your favorite speedway. Remember speed is for the speedway, not the highway.
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.