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If Cup cars are at Pocono, then it must be time for more rain in area racing

Once again weather may impact area racing. No wonder – it’s NASCAR week at Pocono.

Is it me or does it seem to rain consistently when the Cup cars comes to Pennsylvania? Sometimes I wonder how the tricky triangle has managed to survive and prosper.

Why do fans go to Pocono? The sight lines make visibility difficult. Seating may not be the best. But the track’s improving and area fans continue to make the trip. Locally, Geary Dull leads a group of Mifflin Countians to the speedway each year. They camp in the infield and have a lot of fun. This is why Pocono is still a good trip for area NASCAR fans: The infield and parking lot campgrounds are some of the state’s best tailgate parties. Infield admission is still reasonable for RVs and fans. People seem to enjoy the experience despite weather.

This weekend may be another example of that.

What Pocono accomplishes is to lead the state into a two-week period of national racing series. NASCAR arrives first followed by the United States Auto Club wingless sprint car series touring area dirt tracks. Pocono weekend also attracts national drivers to area dirt tracks either as spectators or participants. Look for sightings at area speedways.

Appalachian Late Model Speedweek started last night at Bedford Speedway. Action shifts to Port Royal this evening where the event is part of the Route 35 late model challenge. Also on the card are 410 sprint cars and xtreme stocks. Path Valley Speedway hosts action tomorrow night.

Next Thursday and Friday nights Hesston Speedway hosts late models followed by Hagerstown Saturday and Selinsgrove on Sunday.

Selinsgrove Speedway has some important race dates coming up. Tonight the URC and 305 sprint cars are joined by the pro stocks for their makeup 20-lap, $1,000 to win program rained out May 14. The Snyder County oval also will be in action June 10 when 410 sprint cars will highlight the rare Friday program there. Williams Grove left the 410 cars off their schedule that evening to present the USAC Silver Crown cars.

Next Sunday night Selinsgrove presents the late model speedweek finale.

Lincoln Speedway is scheduled to operate tonight with a triple card program of 410 and 358 sprint cars plus 358 late models. Lincoln hosts the USAC wingless sprint cars next Wednesday night.

Tony Stewart’s All Star Circuit of champions sprint cars visit Bedford Sunday for the second time this season. The program is a tribute race to late car owner Roy Moral.

We have a new Lewistown super late model team in competition this season at area raceways. Kody Lyter maintains his car from his race shop on West Fifth Street. While working through the normal start up pains of a low buck race team, Lyter is chasing his dream in the top class of dirt late model racing. Welcome and good luck.

An article published recently in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette concerned information about the demise of Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Track owner Miley Motor Sports said reports of the tracks demise have been “greatly exaggerated. We’ve had prior sales agreements in recent years on PPMS acreage, but none of them have turned into a final sale.”

The track will remain open through the 2016 racing season.

Don’t forget next Saturday night is the annual EMMR/Penn Central racing reunion at the Port Royal Speedway. The USAC sprint cars headline the program with 305 sprint cars and econo lates.

Let’s hope for dry weather. Have a good racing weekend and please drive safely!

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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.

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