The All Star Circuit of Champions take center stage this weekend at Port Royal Speedway.
Tonight the All Stars run a preliminary event for tomorrow's 8th annual Bob Weikert Memorial race. The top two finishers are locked into that race. The Sidewinder Class makes its first appearance this evening.
The All Stars enter this weekend fresh off a two-day run at Williams Grove and Lincoln speedways. Both races were a success with one exception: The All Star drivers got beat by the PA Posse. That's great for our guys but not a situation tour president Guy Webb is happy about.
Webb wants his car to win here and it is tough. Port Royal president Tom Little is predicting the All Stars will get beat again here. Nothing like a good rivalry to get drivers and fans fired up.
Selinsgrove Speedway presents a late model spring championship tonight. Also in action are the 358 sprint cars, pro stocks and roadrunners. Lincoln Speedway hosts 410 and 358 sprint action along with thunder cars. Williams Grove Speedway hosts the super sportsman, ARDC midgets and support classes.
The World of Outlaw sprint cars are in the middle of a two day program at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.
After a couple of cancellations, Hesston Speedway is scheduled to open tonight with limited late models and crate late models scheduled. McVeytown driver Roger Laughlin will run in the crate class.
Bedford Speedway has a regular five-division show scheduled for May 21. The World of Outlaws late models visit the track on May 28.
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Tomorrow's event honors the late Bob Weikert. I can't believe Weikert's been gone that long. He was one of my favorite people in racing because he was so colorful. Weikert knew how to work a crowd and keep excitement in our sport. That is something we desperately need in today's racing.
Weikert was voted America's best-known car owner, beating out Richard Childress when he had Dale Earnhardt Sr. as a driver. Weikert's red, white and blue No. 29 cars barnstormed the country with some of the era's best drivers behind the wheel. Doug Wolfgang had three incredible years with Davey Brown Sr. and Jr., and Fred Grenoble turning wrenches.
Keith Kauffman did very well. Kenny Weld and Paul Pitzer were tough. Randy Wolfe and Bobby Davis Jr. drove the car. I could go on and on - the list of names that raced for Weikert is a who's who of sprint car racing. One thing for sure, the car won races and Weikert loved to win.
He and Al Hamilton had a rivalry that was legendary. They were also friends, but sometimes let folks think otherwise because they knew it made good publicity for the sport. Weikert also was a good friend to Port Royal Speedway. It was his favorite track and he established a friendship with longtime president Jerry Clark, whom he respected. Weikert referred to Clark as Mr. Clark to every one he spoke to.
Weikert also told you when he was upset, a fact that Little and I learned firsthand when one of his drivers complained about the race track after flipping in turn four. Weikert was not at the track that day and he called Little to tell him about the track conditions. We tried to deal with him that to no avail. Later we talked, things got straightened out and we laughed about it.
That was Bob Weikert. He was a cattle broker from Gettysburg who loved roast beef dinners and ice cream. This weekend we honor him. He is one of the all time greats that I will never forget.
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If you missed the racing at Port Royal last week you missed a great show. Greg Hodnett won the sprint car feature after Ryan Taylor experienced engine problems. Waylon Wagner and Derek Byler put on a whale of a show during late model action. Wagner won the event. If Byler continues running like last week, he will hit the winner's circle soon. Terry Naugle and Tim Krape had an exciting battle in pro stock action. Naugle came out the winner.
Backing up to Waylon Wagner for a second, I have to comment on the Strodes Mills gang. I have mentioned them in the past. There have been a lot of good racers come from that area over the years. Wagner is one of them. He and Nick Dickson both won late model features last Saturday night. Dickson scored a win at Thunder Valley Speedway. Way to go guys.
Tim Wilson is on top of the late model points at Port Royal. Hopefully he will hit the winner's circle soon. Wilson and Scotty Haus had a good battle last week before Wilson finished fourth. Wilson is from McClure.
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Do you realize that Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s winless streak is now 67 races? It's hard to follow in the foot steps of a famous father. Kyle Petty is another example of that.
Darlington hosts Cup action this weekend. Fox has TV coverage tonight. David Pearson is the all time Cup winner at the track with 10.
Until next time, please drive safely!
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel. He is associated with Port Royal Speedway.
