Hello again race fans. Williams Grove Speedway will present the 50th running of its National Open this evening. A large contingent of locals is expected to join the World of Outlaws for this historic event.
Since the first race in 1963 through today, the National Open has been a must attend race for fans around the country. Gordon Johncock, an Indy 500 winner, claimed the inaugural event.
During the early years the race was won by USAC and Western Pennsylvania drivers before the locals took over in the late 1960s. Later, as the Outlaws got sanctioning rights, travelers were winning the show.
It has reverted back to days of old and now the members of the PA Posse have every expectation they can win the event. Preliminary action was scheduled to get under way last night. Tonight's program starts at 7:30.
Look for Nicole Bower to be back in action this week end. Bower was injured on July 27 and suffered a concussion at Williams Grove. Bower is a senior at Delaware State University where she is on a bowling scholarship. Bower is also a good racer.
Look for Jessica Zemken to drive the Charlie and Dawn Sorokach owned sprint car during National Open action. Regular driver Tyler Walker of Los Angeles is out for the season with a broken collarbone. Walker is scheduled to return to the car for 2013.
Kyle Larson will race the Buch No. 13 car this weekend. The car was formerly driven by Paul McMahan, who took over the Chad Clemens No. 51 after Fred Rahmer left the ride.
Speaking of Rahmer, he raced to a fifth-place finish in his first run last Friday night at Williams Grove. Rahmer is driving the Don Ott/Al Hamilton No. 77 after Aaron Ott was injured a couple weeks back. Rahmer is slated to replace Derek Sell in the 20s car next year. The team has been operated by Sell and his father. The youngster will concentrate on his studies at Penn State.
You can tell the silly season of driver changes is starting early. Joey Saldana is out of the Kasey Kahne No. 9 car at season's end. No word on where Saldana will land.
Dover Speedway is the site of this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup race. Sunday's race on the concrete Monster Mile will be televised on ESPN. Race time is 2 p.m. Kurt Busch is the defending race champion.
Denny Hamlin was victorious last week at New Hampshire. It was Hamlin's fourth win of the season, tying him with Brad Keselowski for the season lead. And look who is the series point's leader after two Chase events - Jimmie Johnson made the Chase by the skin of his teeth and now has run well and again is proving he may be the man to beat for the title. Johnson holds a one point lead over Keselowski. Hamlin is third just seven points back. Last year's champ, Tony Stewart, is in fourth, down 10 points and Kasey Kahne and Clint Bowyer are tied for fifth spot down 15 points each. It's early and still any one could win.
There are still several weeks of racing here on the east coast and Charlotte, N.C., will host the World Finals next. I'll be back next time with information. Until then please drive safely!
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Craig Rutherford writes about motorsports for The Sentinel.
