The Port Royal Speedway is back in action this evening fresh off a successful Living Legends Dream Race last weekend. Tonight the track gives you the race fan a break on general admission tickets. Adults will be admitted for just $10. That's the best deal in area racing.
What do you get for 10 bucks? A four-division show of 305 and 410 sprint cars, late models and pro stocks. Action gets under way at 7 p.m.
At Selinsgrove Speedway, the 358/URC 360 sprint car challenge will be run along with late models, pro stocks, and roadrunner cars. Racing gets under way at 7:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Speedway pays tribute to the late Weldon Sterner, who was a longtime car owner. Sterner's most notable driver was Van May who came to Pennsylvania from El Paso, Texas. The pair enjoyed success. And along the way, May was involved in some horrific crashes. Sterner stuck with his driver and they won their fair share of races. Starting time is 7:30 p.m.
Susquehanna Speedway leads with the 358 late models. William's Grove Speedway presents another Saturday night program of super sportsman cars and support classes.
Hagersrtown Speedway has a regular show headlined by the super late models.
The World of Outlaws and All-Star Circuit of Champions are in Knoxville, Iowa for the Nationals, which finish up tonight. The All-Stars race Monday at Husets, S.D. Speedway. The Outlaws go to Junction, N.E. Motor Speedway Tuesday. The All-Stars are back in action Wednesday at Red River Valley Speedway in North Dakota.
Let's see what else is going on in the world of racing. The Port Royal Speedway, Smitty's Sports Bar and the Pa. Sports Network have combined to promote local auto racing today.
Jed Donahue will broadcast his radio show this morning starting at 8:06 a.m. from Smitty's in Gardenview, Reedsville, beside the Best Western Motel. Port Royal Speedway and drivers will be on hand with race cars and signing autographs. The 11 a.m.-noon segment will be completely devoted to racing and other drivers will be phoning in to talk.
Scheduled to appear on behalf of the speedway are current late model point leader Tim Wilson of McClure, Lewistown sprint car drivers Daryl Stimeling (410) and Ron Aurand (305). Also from Lewistown are pro stock drivers John Heane and Jason Schmidt. They will be on hand as well.
Condolences go out to Port Royal Promoter Steve Oneal and his wife who have lost a loved one and will not be attending today's promotional event.
In the world of NASCAR, Dodge announced they are pulling out of racing at the end of the season. The Sprint Cup cars go road racing this weekend at Watkins Glen, N.Y. Marcos Ambrose is the defending race champion. Ambrose scored his first Cup win in last years event.
Jeff Gordon won at Pocono last week. It was Gordon's first win of the season and 86th overall. The day was marred by the death of a fan who was struck by lightning. A total of nine were injured.
By now many of you know that Tony Stewart went dirt track racing last week and visited Port Royal Speedway. Stewart left a favorable impression in many ways on race fans. Make no mistake about it. Stewart is a good dirt racer. He won the second twin 16-lap feature while dominating the event. Stewart finished fourth in the 30-lap A Main. Had the race not been slowed by a caution flag with 13 laps remaining, any one of the top five cars could have won the event. Stewart kept a low profile and was there to have fun. I'm sure he enjoyed himself and other than a few folks at the start of the night, most fans were respectful and kept their distance. That's a good thing because the drivers and crew need to have space to think and prepare to ensure they keep themselves as safe as possible.
Another NASCAR driver in attendance was David Stremme, who was in town with his wife to visit with family. I think every one had an enjoyable time.
One observation made during last week's Port Royal event was that Kasey Kahne has not been racing sprint cars lately. Sources told myself and others that his current car owner, Rick Hendricks, was not pleased that Kahne flipped a sprint car at an area speedway and told him no sprint car racing for awhile. That would make sense because you don't see Jeff Gordon running on dirt either. Gordon was an excellent open wheel racer.
Greg Hodnett continues as the point leader at William's Grove Speedway. He is also quietly moving up the list at Port Royal where he is now second behind Chad Layton.
So what is the latest on the Goodyear tire situation in local sprint car racing? After this week, it is safe to assume that there will not be Goodyear sprint car tires in 2013. Goodyear and the 410 tracks have a three-year option they can take at the end of the season. Goodyear has stated they will raise prices significantly next year and stop their sponsorship package if they do make tires. Its pricing is already higher than its competitors, so it's safe to assume this is the end. Drivers experimented with tires last weekend at William's Grove and Port Royal.
I'll be back next week with more news and opinion. Until then, please remember that speed is for the speedway and not the highway!
