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Saturday, November 21, 2015

Dietrich Wins $10,000 at the 6th Annual Final Showdown at SSP on Saturday

Newberrytown, PA (November 14, 2015) – The 6th Annual Final Showdown for the 410 Sprint Cars at the Susquehanna Speedway Park on Saturday afternoon, November 14 went to Danny Dietrich of Thomasville.  York’s Chase Dietz took the 358 Sprint Car portion as well claiming the 20-lap feature event.

By virtue of qualifying sixth in time trials, Lance Dewease started in the pole position of the 30-lap 410 Sprint Car feature event.  At the green, outside polesitter Gerard McIntyre Jr. grabbed the early lead.  Just after the midway point of the race on lap 17, Danny Dietrich made his way by McIntyre to take the lead.  As the laps wound down and Dietrich entered lapped traffic, Justin Henderson began making a late race charge for the lead.  Henderson ran out of laps as Dietrich took the victory over Henderson.  Dewease finished third, followed by Greg Hodnett and Brian Montieth in fourth and fifth places respectively.     

Heat race wins went to Brent Marks, Justin Henderson and Steve Buckwalter.  Kyle Moody won the consolation event. Greg Hodnett was the fast qualifier in time trials with a time of 14.397 seconds (existing one-lap track record is 14.256 seconds set by Ryan Smith at the same event last season).

In the 20-lap 358 Sprint Car feature, Kyle Denmyer took the lead from the pole position.  Sixth place starter Chase Dietz immediately challenged Denmyer and took the top spot on lap 13.  Dietz went on to take the victory for the second year in a row at this event over Doug Haammaker who also got around Denmyer on lap 13.   Denmyer came across the finish line in third, followed by Chris Frank in fourth.  Jake Eldreth rounded out the top five.  Qualifying heat race winners were Tyler Walton and Doug Hammaker.   

The Susquehanna Speedway Park is located midway between Harrisburg and York off I-83 to exit 32, then 1.4 miles NW on SR382 to York Road, then 1.3 miles south.  For more information, contact the speedway offices at (717) 292-1696 or visit online at sspracing.net.  On raceday, use the track phone at (717) 938-9170 for up-to-date information.

Susquehanna Speedway Park Race Results from Saturday, November 14, 2015

410 Sprint Cars (30 laps): 1. Danny Dietrich; 2. Justin Henderson; 3. Lance Dewease; 4. Greg Hodnett; 5. Brian Montieth; 6. Aaron Ott; 7. Ryan Smith; 8. Gerard McIntyre Jr.; 9. Brent Marks; 10. Brock Zearfoss; 11. Steve Buckwalter; 12. Mark Smith; 13. Justin Barger; 14. Jacob Allen; 15. Steve Owings; 16. Kyle Moody; 17. Dylan Cisney; 18. Chase Dietz; 19. Glenndon Forsythe; 20. Tim Glatfelter; 21. Mike Bittinger; 22. Joe Kata III; 23. Austin Hogue; 24. Anthony Macri; DNS – Logan Schuchart; DNQ – Bradley Howard; Wayne Dadetto; Jevon Ahner; William Eggimann; Kevin Albert; Tyler Ross; Anthony Fiore; Colby Womer; Ryan Wilson; Kyle Reinhardt; Chuck Hebring.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: McIntyre Jr. (1-16); Dietrich (17-30).
HEAT RACE WINNERS: Marks, Henderson and Buckwalter.
CONSOLATION RACE WINNER: Moody.
FAST QUALIFIER (Time Trials): Greg Hodnett – 14.397

358 Sprint Cars (20 laps): 1. Chase Dietz; 2. Doug Hammaker; 3. Kyle Denmyer; 4. Chris Frank; 5. Jake Eldreth; 6. Tyler Walton; 7. Lucas Montgomery; 8. Brie Hershey; 9. John Braim; 10. Todd Reed; 11. Trey Hivner; 12. Scott Fisher; 13. Rick Horn; 14. Tim Stallings; 15. Dwight Leppo; DNS – Todd Gracey; Adam Lyman.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Denmyer (1-12); Dietz (13-20).
HEAT RACE WINNERS: Walton and Hammaker.

Previous Winners of The Final Showdown:
2010: Chad Layton (410 Sprint Cars); Aaron Ott (358 Sprint Cars).
2011: Don Kreitz Jr. (410 Sprint Cars); Pat Cannon (358 Sprint Cars).
2012: Don Kreitz Jr. (410 Sprint Cars); Pat Cannon (358 Sprint Cars).
2013: Derek Sell (410 Sprint Cars); Josh Beard (358 Sprint Cars).
2014: Greg Hodnett (410 Sprint Cars); Chase Dietz (358 Sprint Cars).
2015: Danny Dietrich (410 Sprint Cars); Chase Dietz (358 Sprint Cars).



Tuesday, November 03, 2015

8 Years and still counting.....

Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long year
Stole many a man's soul to waste

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game

Heard this song last night at work and it made me do some thinking, which from time to time can get me into trouble, but makes for some great writing don't you think?

After hearing this tonight I got to thinking about the site and how long I have actually been doing this. Some of you might know me from doing the Central PA 358 Point Series presented by Capitol Renegade; but I have actually been writing on here for just as long. I started this site back on November 4th 2007, that's 8 years of hard work and being told by countless people that I was nothing more then a blow hard who knows absolutely nothing about this sport in which this site is dedicated to and still is today. I started it to get away from message boards which were becoming way to PC for my liking and I was looking for a place were I could share my feelings without people getting all up and arms; but to this day still continues to happen I might add. I loved talking racing with with people and started to interview different personalities in our great sport and my first ever interview was with Ross Fronk who had started the NSCBBA HERE. I then had the pleasure of talking with people ranging from Mike Root the man who started the original Beer Hill Gang HERE  to drivers ranging from a young Gerard McIntyre HERE, to Chad Criswell HERE, and even guys like Nathen Burwager and Kyle Pruitt.

I got a call from the website I was helping out PAPosseracing.com and was asked to start writing for them as they liked what I was doing. After writing for them for a bit we decided to start up Central PA Live which was the prototype to what so many people are doing now, including shows like Winged Nation and Penn Live podcast hosted by Jeremy Elliot. We would invite drivers down to Pancho's Racing Products near Hanover and just sit around and shoot the bull about racing. It was nothing to serious, as my original idea for the show was for myself, my co host Todd Zinn and Jason Bly to just shoot the shit with drivers like we did at the race track or at a race shop on a Tuesday night over a few beers. Over the course of 3 years we hosted drivers like Doug Esh, Jeff Rohrbaugh, Todd Shaffer, Greg Hodnett, and Tyler Walker. And what made the show special for me was we didn't just interview the top names like certain shows do now, we had drivers from all over Central PA on the show. We hosted drivers like Teddy Thomas and Adam Wilt but also gave drivers like Logan Schuchart, and a young 358 driver named Danny Dietrich, and a rookie 410 driver named Brent Marks their first national exposure. Long before shows like Winged Nation would ask who Lucas Shofield was (yeah I'm still waiting for him to make his triumphant return to central PA btw), we were hosting drivers and letting the fans see exactly who these young drivers were in an informal atmosphere where they could just be themselves.

Around this same time I got the idea to start up the 358 point series, taking a cue from guys like Mike Root, Ross Fronk, the Butcher, and a gentleman by the name of Ron Judd, 4 guys who I looked up to in the area who gave a lot back to our heroes in different ways. Without those 4 guys there would have never been a 358 point series, as I was just taking their ideas and looking for another way to help a group of drivers and race teams out any way I could. Now you guys might be asking yourselves, who the hell are these guys....Well I already introduced you two of them to you all several paragraphs ago so go back and look, but The Butcher was a fan in the area who sponsored some sprint car teams and drivers just because he liked them and he could. Guys like Alan Cole and Donnie Krietz Jr had the famous The Butcher stickers on their front wings. Butcher along with Ron Judd would also start something called the NOCO. The National Open Chili Cookoff and with their leadership would raise a shit load of money for our race teams. So much so that race tracks started putting a limit on how much they could give to the non qualifiers of the Natty Open. Those guys showed me that anyone could find a way to help out our race teams in the area and I just took what I had learned watching them and transferred it to the 358 division. Now some 8 years later with the help of all my awesome sponsors over the years we are closing in on $100,000 given out to the 358 race teams, all without taking away from the people who actually matter, the race teams (unlike some others in the area who try and help out the sport but like to be the center of attention). 

After all of that was running I decided two years ago to restart this site and actually put some blood and sweat into making this a place where I could voice my opinions and share them with you. While my grammar is not good and my spelling is atrocious, I tend to think I spark conversations in the area between race fans. Good or bad; I try to keep people talking and give you all a different view of the sport we all love.

Now that brings me back to the present and 2015. This year I hooked up with Kristina Chambers and a little radio show called Slicks N Sticks which can be heard every Thursday night HERE....Since starting to work with her we have been able to do exactly what I started with Central PA Live back in 2009, and that's bring you new and interesting interviews with all the drivers in Central PA. We were both tired of the same four drivers from our area being shared by every other podcast or radio show devoted to sprint car racing and we made the decision to not only interview the "Big Names" like Dietrich,Hodnett and Dewease, but also guys who we think deserve just as much credit for all their hard work and sacrifices they make week to entertain us fans. We have been fortunate to interview 410 drivers like Dylan Cisney, Steve Buckwalter, and Brock Zearfoss, but also guys like Mike Bittinger, Robbie Kendell in the 410 division, but also we have brought you the drivers who make up the 358 division who deserve just as much recognition as the 410 guys. We brought you the first national interview of Doug Hammaker, 2015 Trail Way Speedway Track Champion Isaac Sneeringer, and every driver in between. The show has also hosted 360 driver and 2015 Selinsgrove Speedway Track Champion TJ Stutts just as he was getting hot in the area. We also looked for new and interesting people in our sport like Darren Kauffman (a micro driver who is in a wheel chair), and you fans have been pouring out of the norm to support the show. Since I became the executive producer of the show, we have more then tripled our audience and that is simply amazing. A major and heartfelt Thank You to each and every person who has taken the time out of their busy schedules and listened in to the show. We truly do this for all of you. All the hard work and headaches are worth it trust me.

All in all it has been a great and fun ride. Between Central PA Live, the 358 point series, Slicks N Sticks radio show, and this site Central PA Racing Scene I hope you all enjoy what we bring to you the fans. Not everything I say will be popular with everyone, trust me I know that first hand. You have no idea how many times I have had a guy or gal stop me or message me telling me how I know absolutely nothing about racing and all I am is just a blow hard, to those exact people messaging me three months later thanking me for something I said on here. But without all of you none of this is possible, so here is to another 8 years of random musings on Central PA Racing Scene, another boat load of cash flow for the 358 race teams, and more awesome interviews on Slicks N Sticks radio show.

Trust me folks we are all just getting warmed up.

© 2015 William A McIntyre & Central PA Racing Scene.com

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Sweet, Pittman And Schatz Score Outlaws Sweep At To End Port Royal Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/24/15

Port Royal – Brad Sweet of Grass Valley, CA., led early and late to win the World of Outlaws sprint car feature at Port Royal Speedway on Saturday night to close the oval’s 2015 season. 

Sweet’s victory, a first career Port Royal win, came with a sweep of the podium positions by the traveling outlaws band over the local Pennsylvania Posse.

The 30-lap win was worth $10,000 for the driver of Kasey Kahne’s No. 49.

Dan Davies won the Mid Atlantic Modified feature over David Stremme to complete the first-ever show in the mid-state for the burgeoning stock car class.

The 2015 Port Royal champion, Lucas Wolfe earned the pole for the World of Outlaws feature by claiming the win in the dash.  Shane Stewart started the race in second with Danny Dietrich third and Sweet in fourth. 

Only one lap of the main was put in the books when Logan Wagner forced the first caution flag by sitting backwards, against traffic on the frontchute.

Wolfe chose the inside lane for the double file restart and got away from Stewart at the new green with tenth starter Brent Marks already up to third.

With five away Marks was doing his best to hold off Sweet and Daryn Pittman for the spot.

Wolfe entered the backmarkers on the tenth tour with Stewart and now Sweet and Pittman in pursuit as Marks slid backwards.

Sweet motored by Stewart for second with 11 away and then began his track down of the leader.

Sweet was clearly gaining speed as the leader tried to navigate through heavy traffic and he blistered by Wolfe for the lead in the first and second turns of the 14th tour.

In fact, Pittman came along for the ride when Sweet made the pass, relegating Wolfe to a sudden third.

At the halfway point the front trio had Stewart and seventh starter Donny Schatz now up to fifth.

The cream on this night clearly rose to the top during the mid stages of the race with Schatz getting around Wolfe for third to complete the outlaws assault on the front spots with 14 laps to go. 

However what had been a flawless performance by Sweet through traffic at the front turned a bit messy with about 10 laps to go and with Pittman hot on his trail and Schatz nearly as close to him, a missed entry in the third corner allowed Pittman to zip by on the inside to take control with eight laps to go.

Pittman then threatened to get away with the win but a final caution flag, again for Logan Wagner, this time with six laps to go, changed the outcome.

Prior to the caution period, Danny Dietrich who had faded from the front early, was motoring forward, threatening to catch the top three by surprise after blasting into fourth to be lined up directly behind them.

But the slowing of the pace also halted his momentum.

Pittman selected to restart on the pole of the double file new line up with Sweet to his outside.

And the restart was exactly what Sweet wanted and needed to get back out in front.

He chased Pittman through the first and second turns before sailing to his outside through the third and fourth turns to reclaim the point with five laps remaining.

Sweet then went on to post a .455 second triumph over Pittman with Schatz 1.8 seconds behind in third.

Dietrich was fourth with Marks finishing fifth.

Sixth through 10th went to 23rd starter Dale Blaney, Greg Wilson, Stewart, Greg Hodnett and Logan Schuchart.

Sweet became the 182nd different driver to win a sprint car feature in the history of Port Royal Speedway.

The entire sprint car program was completed in some 2 hours and 50 minutes. 

Fast time over the 47-car field went to Schatz with a lap of 16.199 seconds.

Heats went to Stewart, Sweet, Wolfe and Schuchart.

Wolfe won the dash while Ryan Smith took the C Main and Justin Barger claimed the B Main.

The 20-lap modified main had several caution flag periods.

Denny Perigo led the first five circuits before eighth starter Dan Davies took over to hold on for the win.

Seventh starter David Stremme took second on the seventh tour and despite a pair of restarts giving him a clear shot at the lead he was unable to get control.

Chris Arnold was third followed by Gary Long and Denny Perigo.

Twin heats went to Davies and Stremme with 17 cars in action.



Feature finishes:
10/24/15

World of Outlaws 410 sprints, 30 laps: 1. Brad Sweet, 2. Daryn Pittman, 3. Donny Schatz, 4. Danny Dietrich. 5. Brent Marks, 6. Dale Blaney, 7. Greg Wilson, 8. Shane Stewart, 9. Greg Hodnet, 10. Logan Schuchart, 11. Lucas Wolfe, 12. Cody Darrah, 13. Paul McMahan, 14. Doug Esh, 15. Todd Shaffer, 16. Kerry Madsen, 17. Ryan Taylor, 18. Pat Cannon, 19. Dylan Cisney, 20. Justin Barger, 21. Joey Saldana, 22. Jacob Allen, 23. David Gravel, 24. Jason Sides, 25. Michael Wagner, 26. Jason Johnson, 27. Jac Haudenschild, 28. Logan Wagner

DNQ: Joey Hershey, Trenton Shaeffer, Kyle Reinhardt, Steve Buckwalter, Tim Glatfelter, Jevon Ahner, Paige Polyak, Anthony Fiore, Mike Kuemper, Wayne Dadetto, TJ Stutts, Aaron Ott, Logan Forler, Cody Darrah, Mark Smith, Curt Stroup, Lance Dewease, Brock Zearfoss, Dustin Baney

Mid Atlantic Modifieds, 20 laps: 1. Dan Davies, 2. David Stremme, 3. Chris Arnold, 4. Gary Long, 5. Denny Perigo, 6. Brandon LaSalle, 7. Craig Ramich, 8. Adam Daniels, 9. Andy Swope, 10. Derek Deusenberry, 11. Tim Schulte, 12. Justin Milburn, 13. Mark Jones, 14. Ray McClure, 15. Rodney Morgan, 16. Alyssa Rowe

DNS: Jared Spaulding

Friday, October 16, 2015

2015 Central PA Racing Scene Award Winners

2015 410 Driver of the year Danny Dietrich


2015 358 Driver of the year Doug Hammaker
2015 360 Driver of the year Mark Smith
2015 305 Driver of the Year Tyler Reeser

2015 410 Most Improved Driver Aaron Ott
2015 358 Most Improved Driver Jeff Halligan

2015 Best Looking Sprint Car Brock Zearfoss
2015 Track of the Year Port Royal Speedway

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Central PA Racing Scene 2015 410 Driver of the Year.


Brent Marks - 3 wins at Port Royal Speedway. Won the Tuscarora 50. 25 top 5's, 17 top 10's and 18 heat wins. 

Stevie Smith - 10 wins including his 3rd career Williams Grove National Open. Won the Summer Nationals at Williams Grove Speedway in July. 2015 Pennsylvania Speed Week Champion. 5 top 5's and 6 top 10's. Won races at Williams Grove, Lincoln, Selinsgrove, Grandview, Hagerstown, Path Valley.
Greg Hodnett - Williams Grove Speedway Track Champion, leader of the Speedway Motors 410 series. 16 wins, 27 top 5's, 16 top 10's and 19 heat wins. Has wins at Lincoln (Outlaw), Williams Grove, Lincoln, Susquehanna, Port Royal, Grandview, New Egypt, Selinsgrove, Bedford,

Danny Dietrich - 15 wins in 2015. Winner at Lincoln, Williams Grove, Susquehanna, Selinsgrove and Grandview Speedway's. 28 top 5's and 11 top 10's with 11 heat wins. 2nd in points at Williams Grove Speedway and the
Speedway Motors 410 series.

Brian Montieth - 2015 Lincoln Speedway track champion. 9 wins, 23 top 5's, 11 top 10's and 11 heat wins. Winner of the 2nd annual Dirt Classic at Lincoln Speedway. Owned the month of May with 5 wins.

Lucas Wolfe - 2015 Port Royal Speedway Track Champion. 4 wins 24 top 5's, 18 top 10's along with 16 heat wins. Won races at Port Royal and Williams Grove Speedway's.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Central PA Racing Scene 2015 358 Driver of the Year

Doug Hammaker - Central PA 358 Point Series presented by Capitol Renegade Champion. Lincoln Speedway Track Champion. Nouse Signs and Graphics 358 Summer Series Champion. Lincoln/Trail Way Shoot Out winner. 6 wins , 20 top 5's and 5 top 10's. 10 heat race wins.

Matt Campbell - 3 wins in 2015. 13 top 5's and 12 top 10's and 7 heat wins. Finished 2nd in points at Lincoln Speedway, 3rd at Williams Grove Speedway, and 3rd in the Central PA 358 Point Series presented by Capitol Renegade.

Chase Dietz - Williams Grove Speedway Track Champion. 4 wins , 5 top 5's and 1 top 10. 5 heat wins all at Williams Grove Speedway.

Isaac Sneeringer - Trail Way Speedway Track Champion. 5 wins 12 top 5's,  3 top 10's and 10 heat wins. Finished 4th in the Central PA 358 Point Series presented by Capitol Renegade point standings.

Brad McClelland - 8 wins in 2015 most in the 358 division. 10 top 5's , 3 top 10's and 8 heat wins. Finished 2nd in points at Trail Way Speedway and 2nd in the Central PA 358 Point Series presented by Capitol Renegade.

Jeff Halligan - 3 wins, 10 top 5's, 3 top 10's and 4 heat wins. Winner at Trail Way Speedway and Lincoln Speedway.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Central PA Racing Scene Most Improved 410 driver of 2015.

Dylan Cisney
Aaron Ott

Steve Buckwalter
Freddie Rahmer
Tim Gladfelter

Brock Zearfoss

Monday, October 12, 2015

My Thoughts on the Racing Weekend Gone By

Hello and welcome back to another edition of a racing weekend gone by. This past weekend Mother Nature screwed us out of the last race of the season at Williams Grove Speedway, but blessed us with beautiful but chilly weather on Saturday for the last race of the season at Lincoln Speedway and the big 305 Blue Collar Classic Race at Port Royal Speedway.

Saturday night was the Hank Gentzler Memorial at Lincoln Speedway. Hank was instrumental in making Manufacturers Appreciation Night at Lincoln Speedway such a great night for the 410 teams who race here in Central PA. His wife Dennise has kept the race alive in his honor with the help of Lincoln Speedway. It's always a good thing to see race teams get free stuff and the race teams show their support by packing the pits 35 strong.

Saturday night we saw Gerard McIntyre Jr. finally found victory lane in 2015. It was G-Mac's 1st feature win since April of 2014 which came at Lincoln Speedway as well. McIntyre has struggled this season big time, but finally started to show some promise towards the last part of 2015 starting the weekend of Knoxville. He was slated to start on the front row at Lincoln that night but experienced engine trouble and had to scratch from the feature. He made the feature for the National Open last Sunday at Williams Grove Speedway and would finish a respectable 13th beating some of the very best sprint car drivers in the country in the process. Seeing a small budget one car operation get a win is a great thing to watch and to see it happen to family makes it even better. Congrats G-Mac from all of us at Central Pa Racing Scene.

Saturday also saw a few surprises in the feature event at Lincoln Speedway.

One time feature winner in 2015 at Lincoln Speedway, JJ Grasso would finish 3rd for his 4th top 5 finish of the season.
Adam Wilt who has struggled all season long finished 4th giving him his 4th top 5 finish in 2015.
Tyler Ross who is in his 2nd season in the 410 division would come home 5th giving him his 5th top 5 of the year.

All three drivers race a family owned and on a small budget so it's especially great to see them get good finishes at the end of the season. Looking at the top 10 from Saturday night saw a good mix of racing budgets in the mix. Greg Hodnett would finish 2nd, Arron Ott would finish 6th, Alan Krimes 7th, Mike Bittinger , Steve Owings and Jim Seigel would round out the top 10. Owings and Bittinger especially nice to see get some good finishes to end the season.


In the 358 division Saturday night Lincoln Speedway and Central PA 358 Point Series presented by Capitol Renegade champion Doug Hammaker would put a stamp on his 2015 racing season by winning his 6th feature event of the season. Hammaker who won everything but the Williams Grove track championship in 2015 (Hey his momma taught him how to share with people) had a breakout season in 2015. To think the son of "The GodFather" and brother to Nate didn't win his first career feature event until July of last season. So in the span of a season and a half Doug has not only won 8 career feature wins (tying him with Matt Campbell,Rick Hench,Danny Jones, Frankie Herr and Glenndon Forsythe) on the all time win list, but also won a track championship and the 358 series championship. What have I been saying for a while now? The future of our sport is where folks?

Great run for Adrian Shaffer who came home 2nd Saturday night. Really would have liked to see what Adrian could have done if he would not have had so much bad luck the mid part of the season. He started out very hot with 2 wins, then just ran into every bad thing you could think of, only to bounce back with another win and a string of top 5's late in the season. Just for future reference....a youngster made his 1st ever start Saturday night at Lincoln Speedway in the 358 division. Trey Hivner, just keep that in the back of your head......just saying.....

Now, let's head over to Port Royal Speedway where we saw... 49 yes that would be right 49 305 sprint cars load up and fill the pits for their biggest race of the year, the Blue Collar Classic and mind you the track saw a total of 120 race cars line the pits and part of the infield on the chilly night of racing. Jeff Miller Jr, whom has dominated Port Royal Speedway won the track title that night and made a bit of history in the process. The 2013 event champion, Jake Waters led the first four laps of the Blue Collar Classic before Tyler Reeser took over in an effort to record his second win of the season at the track. But....Tyler Reeser found some tough competition when Jeff Miller Jr, a two time Port Royal Track Champion, found the preferred line and passed Reeser for the lead. 

Now...back to that making history thing with Jeff Miller Jr. The 305s have made a home at Port Royal Speedway for some time now and a long time veteran Tyler Bear had housed the most wins seen at the speedway until Saturday night. Jeff Miller Jr tied Tyler's wins and took back to back championships in the series at the Speed Palace as well...looks like the kid has the Speed Palace figured out.

Need to go back to last weekend and give a huge shout out to Stevie Smith for picking up his 3rd career Williams Grove National Open Sunday night at Williams Grove Speedway. Rain forced me to miss my 4th consecutive Natty Open (after seeing 18 straight) but it's always great to wake up for work and see your favorite driver won the biggest paying race of the season in Central PA. I might be wrong on this, but I'm pretty sure Stevie was the last driver to win a 75 lap Natty Open, and won his 2nd race the year before I started my 18 yrs of going. I have seen him look good some years, and struggle others, but as a huge fan of Stevie as I am, I don't hide the fact that I scream like a woman who sees a mouse in the kitchen whenever he wins a feature event, let alone the National Open. I would still love to see just how dominant Steve and the whole 51s team could be if they actually ran for points in Central PA, but we all know that would never happen.

Well folks our season is almost over. But next weekend we do have our last 2 night race week. Saturday night the 410's are joined by the United Racing Club for a special winged double header. I plan on making the trip up north to catch it, as I do most of you. You will find no better a ride then heading up north to Port Royal Speedway in mid October. It will be beautiful with fall starting to take hold.

Sunday we will see the Scott Gobrecht era officially begin at Susquehanna Speedway when the 410's get their last chance to tune up for their big $10,000 to win feature in November. The IMCA Sprint Series (yeah I have no clue either) will be on hand as well, while Fred Rahmer productions will host their final race of 2015 at Path Valley Speedway. It is Armed Forces Appreciation Night – offering half-priced general admission tickets to U.S. Military personnel in uniform. The race will pay $6,600 to the winner.

Think its bad for Central PA to see them reschedule the race against Susquehanna Speedway next Sunday. I happen to agree with Todd Heitzelman in AARN when he said they should have found a different date for this race. It does absolutely no good to split up fans and race teams this late in the season. Funny thing is if this was any other promoter pulling this, the fans would be up in arms about it. Hell fans go ape shit when Lincoln doesn't give the 410's a night off so all the teams can go to Port Royal  that night yet not much outrage over this. I wonder how how many teams will skip out on Susquehanna and go to Path as well. Everyone wanted changes at Susky, and I bet most won't show up to show their support Sunday, and that's a shame if you ask me.

Well that's it for this week. Look for me trying to stay warm on Saturday night at Port Royal. Until then I hope everyone's work week goes extra fast, your weather stays warm, and if your beverage of choice stays ice cold, or warm in my case lol. See everyone Saturday night.

©William McIntyre & Central PA Racing Scene 2015

Central PA Racing Scene Most Improved 358 driver of 2015.

Here are the nominees for the Most Improved driver in the 358 division in 2015.

Jeff Haligan - 3 time winner in 2015 with 2 wins at Lincoln Speedway and 1 win at Trail Way Speedway. Finished 10th in the CPA358PS standings improving from 16th in 2014.

Adrian Shaffer - Had 3 wins this season 2 at Williams Grove and 1 at Lincoln Speedway. Improved on his 14th place finish in the CPA358PS standings to finish 6th in 2015.

Matt Findley - Finished 18th in the CPA358PS standings. Improved 14 spots from his 32nd spot in 2014.

Cody Fletcher - Won his first 2 career 358 feature at Trail Way Speedway in 2015. Fletcher would finish 5th in the CPA358PS Standings.

Zach Euculano - Finished 16th in the CPA358PS improving 10 spots from 2015.

Kody Lehman - Won 2 features in 2015. Won at Both Williams Grove Speedway and Lincoln Speedway. Finished 15th in the CPA358PS standings in 2015 improving 8 spots from 2014.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Miller Caps His Port Royal Season With Blue Collar RaceSaver Win & Track Title

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/4/15

Port Royal – Some 120 race cars packed the Port Royal Speedway pit area Saturday night to contest the 4th annual Blue Collar Classic including the Keystone RaceSaver Challenge for 305 sprint cars.

Huntingdon’s Jeff Miller put an exclamation mark on his 2015 season at the track by claiming the 25-lap Keystone RaceSaver Challenge while also taking the season point title at the oval for the 305 sprint cars.

DJ Myers scored the 20-lap limited late model main over a stellar field of limiteds while Andrew Shoop scored the xtreme stock feature event and Wayne Brenize won the four cylinder feature. 

The Founder’s Cup non-qualifiers race for the 305 sprints was taken by Jordan Thomas. 

The 2013 event champion, Mifflintown’s Jake Waters led the first four laps of the Keystone RaceSaver Challenge for the 305 sprints before Orwigsburg’s Tyler Reeser took over in an effort to record his second win of the season at the track. 

Point leader Jeff Miller started third in the field and took second from Waters on the eighth tour to begin driving down the distance Reeser had opened up. 

The leaders entered the rear of the field with 15 laps to go and Miller then made his first bid for control. 

He drove around Reeser for the lead in the first corner but Reeser used the outside to reclaim the spot as the pair raced down the backchute. 

And just after the pair completed the 11th loop, a caution flag bunched the field and slowed the pace. 

Another caution regrouped the field just a lap later and again with 11 laps to go but on all the restarts Reeser was able to get away from Miller.

While Miller’s advances seemed to stabilized during those mid-stage laps, they picked back up again during the last seven laps as he began cutting into Reeser’s lead.

And then with four laps to go Miller motored around Reeser for the lead and win, which was the sixth of his career at the track. 

It was his first win in the marquee event for the division held at the oval and in Pennsylvania each year since beginning in 2012. 

Reeser settled for second followed by 11th starter Dave Brown Jr. of Aston, Waters and Tim Tanner of Doylestown.

Sixth through 10th went to Scott Frack, Erin Statler, Nathan Gramley, Derrick Bowersox and Colby Dice.

Six heats for the 49 cars in action went to Brown Jr., Waters, Joe Kay, Miller, Statler and Reeser,

Twin consolation races went to Gramley and Scott Ellerman. 

Overall fast time was set by Karl Freyer with a lap of 18.393 seconds.

Ryan Stillwaggon led the first six laps of the 15-lap Founder’s Cup non-qualifiers race for the 305 sprints before Harding’s Jordan Thomas took over for the win, earning himself a guaranteed starting spot in next year’s main event.

John Martin rode home second followed by Stillwaggon, Dalton Hetrick and George Riden.

Travis Stickley led only the first three laps of the limited late model main before fourth starter DJ Myers took over to begin driving away from the field.

After starting eighth, Rick Singleton worked his way through the field to pull into second with nine laps left in the 20-lapper.

Singleton did run down the better part of Myer’s advantage before the finish but Myers still took the victory by 1.992 seconds.

Kyle Lee was third followed by Rance Garlock and Stickley.

Heats for the 34-car field went to Singleton, Randy Christine Jr., Troy Miller and Lee with the consolation going to Jake Jones.

Multiple caution flags hampered the pace in the 20-lap xtreme stock feature but at the helm the entire way was Andrew Shoop who started fourth.

Shoop was chased nearly the entire way by 2015 Port Royal champion Jason Zook but although Zook was able to pull alongside at one point for control, he was never able to fully get command.

Shoop was followed across the line by Zook, Bob Bussey, Walt Peters and Keith Bissinger.

Twin heats went to Jason Davis and Corey Kepner. 

Wayne Brenize won the 15-lap four cylinder main event over Lee Zook, Eric Boozel, Jeff Foster and Tim Osheehan. 

Twin heats went to Ryan Peer and Jeff Foster.

Feature finishes:
10/10/15


305 sprints, 25 laps: 1. Jeff Miller, 2. Tyler Reeser, 3. Dave Brown Jr., 4. Jake Waters, 5. Tim Tanner, 6. Scott Frack, 7. Erin Statler, 8. Nathan Gramley, 9. Derrick Bowersox, 10. Colby Dice, 11. Joe Kay, 12. Karl Freyer, 13. Ken Duke Jr., 14. Zach Newlin, 15. Darren Miller, 16. Drew Ritchie, 17. Scott Ellerman, 18. Samantha Lieberman, 19. Steve Kennawell, 20. Zack Burd, 21. Jeff Geiges, 22. Mike Esposito, 23. Mike Schuckers, 24. Jon Haegele

DNQ: Jordan Thomas, Dalton Hetrick, Stephanie Dodson, George Riden, Alan Kumpf, Daren Bolac, John Barnett, Randy Sterling, Dave Guss Jr., Justin Zap, Vince Snyder, John Bordlemay, Cale Reigle, Ryan Stillwaggon, John Martin, Tom Worrick, Jason Bergstresser, Ryan Lynn, Cody Hackenberry, Tyler Lebo, Nicole Walker, Mike Alleman, Tyler Bear, Eddie Strada, Adam Carberry


Limited late models 20 laps: 1. DJ Myers, 2. Rick Singleton, 3. Kyle Lee, 4. Rance Garlock, 5. Travis Stickley, 6. Troy Swindell, 7. Todd Snook, 8. Andrew Yoder, 9. Randy Christine Jr., 10. Chad Julius, 11. Eric Irvin, 12. Dan Zechman, 13. Nathan Lasalle, 14. Rodney Walls, 15. Jake Jones, 16. Travis Mease, 17. Mike Smith, 18. Larry Neiderer, 19. Kevin Palmer, 20. Garrett Gray, 21. Chase Bowsman, 22. Bernie Beard, 23. Gene Knaub, 24. Troy Miller, 24. Kenny Yoder

DNQ: Jed Latshaw, Dillan Stake, Bruce Kane, John Myers, Brad Myers, Cody Buterbaugh, Brent Adams, Lincoln Ritchey, Sanny Sollers

Xtreme stocks, 20 laps: 1. Andrew Shoop, 2. Jason Zook, 3. Bob Bussey, 4. Walt Peters, 5. Keith Bissinger, 6. Deron Henry, 7. Greg Deihl, 8. Pete Leister, 9. Jared Fulkroad, 10. Pat McClane, 11. Kris Ney, 12. Justin Palm, 13. Johnny Palm, 14. Craig Dodson, 15. Charlie Bryner, 16. Corey Kepner, 17. Joe Hower, 18. Chris Heller, 19. Rob Trego, 20. Jason Davis, 21. Daren Rice, 22. Curtis Lawton

Four cylinders, 15 laps: 1. Wayne Brenize, 2. Lee Zook, 3. Eric Boozel, 4. Jeff Foster, 5. Tim Osheehan, 6. Zach Moist, 7. Andrew Moist, 8. Nick Myers, 9. Sam Creveling, 10. Adam Morgan, 11. Noah Myers, 12. Larry Beachel, 13. Mike Hepler, 14. Ryan Peer, 15. Tyler Gastley