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PA Sprint Car Speedweek is upon us.
Friday was rained out at Williams Grove Speedway. Tonight Lincoln Speedway hosts the series. Racing continues tomorrow when Fred Rahmer presents Path Valley Speedway.
Nine races in a 10-day period is a grind for anyone. Look for Greg Hodnett to be the odds on favorite to capture the Speedweek title. Hodnett is the current class of the sprint car field. The Spring Grove driver added to his season win total by defeating the traveling URC sprint car group Wednesday at Williams Grove. Hodnett enters the week end with 15 wins.
Stevie Smith is the defending Speedweek champion.
With sadness note the passing of longtime racing fabricator Jere Stahl, who manufactured race engine headers for drag racing and sprint cars until his recent retirement. Stahl was based in York. He also fielded drag race machines at times. Stahl was to be the subject of a celebrity roast next month at the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing near Dillsburg. The event will be held instead as a memorial service.
It was 38 years this past Thursday that racers and fans lost Toby Tobias in a USAC sprint car crash at Flemington, New Jersey. Tobias accomplished much during his time in racing and his family continues in the sport to this day. I pause to remember him.
On a happier note, Billy Pauch Sr. was recently elected to the Northeast Dirt Modified Racing Hall of Fame. No date on his induction ceremony has been announced at press time.
Brad Keselowski test drove a Roger Penske owned Indy car this past week at Road America race course in Elkhart, Wisc. Keselowski has an interest in attempting to compete in the open wheel racing series and could try Indy.
Dave Blaney visited Williams Grove Speedway Wednesday night where he recorded a second-place finish in the Super Dirtcar Series Modified program. Matt Sheppard of Waterloo, New York, earned the $6,000 top prize.
Beaver Springs Dragway announced it will host a racers picnic at the Snyder County facility July 2. Teams are asked to bring a covered dish. More information is available on social media.
The PA Sports Network is presenting two motorsports events at Ye Olde Hotel in July and August. The programs will be held outside in the parking lot and are open to all ages.
On July 16 the Patriot Riders Chapter of Abate of PA Motorcycle group will host a bike show to benefit Foster Children of Mifflin and Juniata County. A corn hole tournament and chicken barbecue will be included in the program. The network, hosted by Jed Donahue, will also promote a race car show at the same establishment Aug. 13.
As Speedweek gets underway there’s been a lot of media buzz about 15-year-old Mifflin County High School student Tye Wolfgang who has organized a fundraiser to support Alan Krimes racing during speedweek. Wolfgang is selling decals he had made of Krimes racing for $10 each. Proceeds go to Krimes. Wolfgang is on his second run of stickers. Wolfgang regularly helps 305 sprint car racer Nathan Gramley of Lewistown.
Don’t forget the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing’s annual country fair is currently going on. Today there’s track time for the many restored racers at their facility. There’s plenty of music, food and fun through tomorrow. Check social media for more details.
Have a great racing week end. please drive safely!
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.