Hello again race fans. Late model speedweek has come and gone. Overall, it's been a great week.
Local racing tonight finds Port Royal Speedway hosting a triple-header open wheel show of 410, 358 and 305 sprint cars. Action starts at 7 p.m.
Selinsgrove Speedway has 358 sprint cars, late models, pro stocks and roadrunners. Race time also is set for 7.
Hagerstown Speedway has a regular program of late models and support classes. Lincoln Speedway hosts the All Star Circuit of Champions sprint cars.
Speaking of Guy Webb's traveling show, Lance Dewease won Clinton County Speedway's All Star show held last Sunday night. Following Dewease to the checkered flag were Justin Henderson, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Greg Hodnett and Mark Smith. Dewease trails Dale Blaney by 19 points in the All Star eastern point chase. The winner earns a cool $20,000.
When you think of rain this season, one thinks of Port Royal Speedway - the weatherman has been brutal to the Juniata County oval. Last week's USAC sprint car show was washed out. That was a shame, as a lot of folks were looking forward to that program.
Brent Marks looked good at Lincoln Speedway, where he finished sixth against the traveling wingless warriors.
I'm told Port Royal Speedway hopes to add some much needed clay to the track by the end of this month. Hopefully, weather will cooperate and that can happen. Once new clay is put on and has been run on a few times, conditions should improve.
Austin Hubbard is on a roll, having recently won the late model feature races at Bedford and Lincoln speedways. The 19-year-old from Laurel, Del., is racing full time with the World of Outlaws late models. Hubbard and York star Rick Eckert have been racing on Friday nights at Bedford Speedway when their schedule permits. They are a definite plus to the program. The last couple weeks' Bedford Speedways late model features have been outstanding. Promoter J.R. Keiffer and sidekick Timmy Swindell have been grooming the track to perfection. By feature time the drivers have been able to use the whole track and the competition been great. It will be interesting to see how the sprint cars get around there during PA Sprint Car Speedweek.
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Don't get me wrong for what I'm about to say, but the best news of the week to me was Richard Childress punching Kyle Busch after the truck race at Kansas. Childress was fined $150.000, which is a bunch, but probably worth every penny if you are Richard Childress. It didn't break him a bit. I don't normally condone fighting and I'm really not doing so now.
It reminds me of the Cale Yarborough, Donnie and Bobby Allison fight that put NASCAR on the map in the 1970s. The sport is suffering through mediocre TV ratings and ticket sales and a little excitement is just what is needed. People got excited after hearing about the Childress/Busch incident and are still talking about it. It will be interesting to see what happens next.
The Sprint Cup cars are in our state at Pocono Raceway this weekend. Denny Hamlin is the defending race champion. TNT has TV coverage starting Sunday at noon. Race time is 1 p.m.
Brad Keselowski won at Kansas for Penske Racing last week.
I predict Dale Earnhardt Jr. is going to win a race soon. His team is getting close and they are running well. The Jr. Nation will go wild when the streak is over.
Let's hope for some good weather so we have more to talk about next week. Until then, please drive safely!
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.
