Hello race fans. The Port Royal Speedway is quiet tonight as PA Sprint Car Speedweek gets underway. The Lincoln Speedway hosts the Kevin Gobrecht Memorial this evening along with legend cars. Big Diamond Speedway races tomorrow. Action moves on to Grandview Tuesday night and Hagerstown Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday Williams Grove have the show. Port Royal races next Saturday and Selinsgrove Sunday.
In other action, the Selinsgrove Speedway offers a 358 sprint car championship race tonight along with late models, pro stock and roadrunners. The All-Star Circuit of Champions race at Fremont, Ohio tonight.
Susquehanna Speedway will hold a Tuesday night program for 358 sprint cars next week. As you can tell, it's going to be a hectic week of racing.
The Sprint Cup racers are at Kentucky Speedway. TNT has television coverage this evening starting at 6:30.
Matt Kenseth has announced he will leave Roush Fenway Racing at the close of the season. Nationwide driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is expected to join Joe Gibbs Racing to possibly add a fourth team.
Let's return to Speedweek action for a minute and discuss who will be in the area. Danny Lasoski will drive the Zemco Speed Equipment No. 1. Lasoski is the 2001 World of Outlaws champion. Tyler Walker is back in the area and another newcomer by the name of Kyle Larson will be on hand. Larson is from Elk Grove, Ca. and recently captured back-to-back All Star wins in Ohio Speedweek. Stevie Smith won his 200th career race during Ohio Speedweeks. One team making changes is Nicole Bower who has parted ways with crew chief Rob Peters. The team split on good terms after moving their race shop.
Greg Hodnett has been on a hot streak and has been the dominant car at Port Royal Speedway. Hodnett's scored six wins this season. Look for him or Fred Rahmer to win the speedweek title.
Chad Layton is on top of Port Royal's points standings. Tim Wilson continues to lead the late model points. Greg Hodnett is the Williams Grove point leader. Danny Dietrich is on top at Lincoln.
The Port Royal Speedway has been enjoying the premier field of sprint cars this season. Wooster, Ohio youngster Sheldon Haudenschild has looked good and he should become a driver the caliber of his father Jac. With Tyler Walker in the area for limited shows the field has got even tougher. Several name drivers have struggled to qualify each week.
Have a great holiday racing week and remember to drive safely. I'll be back next week with more news and opinions.
Craig Rutherford covers motorsports for The Sentinel
