Give The Grove A Break

Give The Grove A Break

By Brad Vores March 20, 2008

Maybe a switch to Friday night racing will be a good omen to Williams Grove Speedway.

The track lost three of its four Sunday afternoon events during the early season because of wet grounds and poor track conditions.

The track did manage to sneak one Sunday afternoon race in which was won by Fred Rahmer and came under criticism for racing in adverse conditions.
Everyone has been quick to point fingers at track management.

Okay, get over the fact that they had to cancel the opener on a day which was sunny with temperatures in the 50’s. Circumstances beyond management’s control forced that cancellation, not exactly what they wanted to happen.

The next week it was in the 40’s and blustery. The Grove opened the gates for the first time in 2008. Aside from entering turn one, the race track was in good condition but the infield pit area was no where near ready for the massive haulers used by race teams. They were forced to parked in the back pits and in the back parking lot. But hey, the Grove made an effort and raced. And oh yeah, took a major bath with no crowd and a low car count. But they opened the gates which is just what many fans want no matter the circumstance.

Last week, it was another wet week in the area coupled with a heavy overnight rain in Sunday morning and rain late into the morning with chilly temperatures, Williams Grove was again canceled.

Outrage! Come on people!

It’s a race. It’s March. It’s wet and sometimes still cold. Consider any race a benefit during the early season in Central Pennsylvania.

The infield pits are still very wet and this week’s wet weather hasn’t helped matters either. The track will be up against more wet conditions and most likely large car counts when the gates open Friday night, should Mother Nature cooperate.

Williams Grove management doesn’t want to cancel a race any more than race fans and drivers want to see a race canceled. But it’s a business. Maybe the all-knowing should give the track a call and take over the lease and expenses for a few weeks and see just how easy it is to run a track. Maybe there will be some different ideas then.

Hopefully the weather Gods give the Grove some good fortune on Friday. If not, it’s not the end of the world if they must cancel again. It won’t be the first and it certainly won’t be the last.

WHATS HAPPENING
The 410 Sprints are joined by the 358 Sprints tomorrow night at the Grove. The first heat is slated for 7:30p.m.

Trail-Way Speedway returns for a second week of 1000, 600 and 270 Micro Sprints Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

Lincoln Speedway switches to Saturday night racing with a 6pm start of 410 Sprints, INEX Legends and the Lawrence Chevrolet Spring Thaw for thundercars.
Port Royal Speedway is scheduled to kick off its 2008 racing season on Saturday with a 6pm start featuring 410 Sprints, late models and pro stocks. There will also be an Easter egg hunt for the kids.

Selinsgrove Speedway will host the season opener for the Cindy Rowe Auto Glass 358 Sprints Saturday at 6pm joined by pro stocks and roadrunners.
Hagerstown Speedway also switches to evening racing on Saturday with the Advance Auto Parts DIRT Series on hand joined by the late models. Racing is slated for 6pm.

PIT STOPS
Blane Heimbach and the Jeff and Missy Creasy owned sprint car team are gearing up for the 2008 season. Heimbach missed the final portion of last season after suffering a broken leg but is healed and ready to break some records this season at Selinsgrove. Heimbach needs just four wins to tie Chad Layton for the all time leading winner at the track. Heimbach is also gunning for the championship. The team is tentatively planning to compete on Friday night’s at Clinton County Speedway and will race in the 360 sprint car events at Williams Grove as well. Alexander Family Auto Dealerships has joined the team this season…

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to visit www.ijustwannarace.com and support the candle fundraiser to help with medical expenses for sprint car driver Joey Hershey. Hershey has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease and has no health insurance. All of the information is on the website for you to help out…