Renninger Memorial takes on weather forecast at Port Royal

September 2, 2017

Weather could impact holiday weekend racing in Central Pennsylvania. In the event racing does take place, here’s a guide to local action. The 14th annual Butch Renninger Memorial race is slated for tonight at Port Royal Speedway. The traveling UFO Late Model Series visits the track. Gregg Satterlee is the defending race champion. Satterlee also won the program in 2012. The winners list is full of talent including two Mifflin County drivers. Tim Wilson of McClure won the 2009 program. A year later Lewistown’s Waylon Wagner hit paydirt. One Juniata County driver, Mitch Hack, ...

Area race tracks enter home stretch

August 26, 2017

Midstate racing is entering the home stretch for another season. The Juniata County Fair will be upon us in two weeks. This weekend’s racing serves as a tune up for what should be one of Port Royal Speedway’s finest moments. The Juniata County fairgrounds are humming with fair preparations. Work continues around the half mile oval. I visited the facility twice this week and found the final touches being placed on the new truck and tractor pulling strip located in the old infield sprint car pit area. More than a foot of new dirt was placed on that strip, ensuring plenty of grip ...

Classic worked well the first time, so let’s try it again

August 21, 2017

Who said Bowman Field was a pitchers’ park? Josh Bell and Jedd Gyorko didn’t seem to think so with their home runs in the first two innings. Who said Bowman Field couldn’t host a Major League Baseball game? Plenty, and there was reason to be skeptical that a 91-year old minor-league ballpark in a low lying area near the Susquehanna River and Route 15 was a good idea. Who said it worked so well it should be done again? Since MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred didn’t explicitly say that, let me do it for him. And let me do it on behalf of those holding the 500 tickets MLB ...

Outlaw late models in Port Royal

August 19, 2017

Port Royal Speedway returns to action this evening with a big night of racing planned. The World of Outlaws late models return to the Juniata County oval after a lengthy absence. The Outlaw late model series is one of the top traveling series in the country. National star Rick Eckert of York and the top invaders are expected tonight. The program includes a $10,000 prize to the winner. What makes the program unique is the 410 sprint cars are also on the card. It should be a great night of racing. Port Royal officials are in the process of finishing a tent area for camping for ...

Local speedway stays quiet with regulars in Iowa

August 12, 2017

The Knoxville, Iowa Sprint Car Nationals conclude this evening, and because of such, Port Royal Speedway will remain dark tonight. Several speedway regulars are at the Nationals attempting to make the finals. Greg Hodnett finished third during opening night feature racing. NASCAR star Kyle Larson won the opener and may run in tonights A-Main. More on that in a minute. Locally, Selinsgrove Speedway is in action this evening featuring URC 360 sprint cars. Selinsgrove Ford is sponsoring a race car parade down the main street from their dealership to the track. The parade starts at 4 p.m. ...

Dream Race offers big payday, honors driver Mike Wagner

July 29, 2017

The 11th Living Legends Dream race is set for tonight at Port Royal Speedway. The format and payoff have changed over the years. Sean Michael drove the No. 6 Jim Nace-prepared Schnee Chassis under the checkered flag in the inaugural event. The $30,000 victory allowed Nace to compete at the Knoxville, Iowa, Sprint Car Nationals that season. Today the total purse is around $55,000. The winner’s share is smaller but money and contingency prizes are spread out through the field. Race promoter Steve O’Neal continues to tweak the race format improving the program. Tonight’s event ...