Nobody Asked Me But...

Nobody Asked Me But...

By Brad Vores March 27, 2008

Nobody asked me but…

Kudos to Williams Grove and Lincoln Speedway’s for completing scheduled racing programs last weekend despite chilly weather.

Say what you want about why tracks raced last week, but it was profitable for both speedways and certainly added some excitement to the sport which can quickly become ho-hum with the same old thing.

Greg Hodnett’s win at Lincoln came from the sixth starting spot, the same spot Fred Rahmer won a week earlier from. That’s the furtherest back anyone has won a sprint car feature from this season in Central PA.

It didn’t matter that Hodnett won at Lincoln last week because it hasn’t changed the minds of his car owners Jim and Sandy Kline, who are taking their No. 22 to Port Royal Speedway this Saturday night.

There were many boos when it was announced that Kasey Kahne had an option of starting the feature at Lincoln last week. While Kahne declined the spot, was it really that big of a deal for track officials to extend the offer to probably the nicest guy in the NASCAR pit area?

Both tracks were in excellent shape for racing last week with some high speeds all night long. There’s nothing better than night racing.

Speaking of night racing, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see far less daytime shows at some local tracks next season. It would be a good thing in my opinion.

It still amazes me at the car counts for the 358 sprint cars. Forty-eight strong showed up at the Grove.

It’s unfortunate Chris Meleason destroyed his car at the Grove on a wicked front stretch crash. I didn’t see it but many speculated he was aided in the crash. Either way, glad he was okay and he will be back.

It’s interesting to see the Knoxville Nationals will not be shown Live on SPEED this season. Figures, the one year I am not attending and they won’t be on television!

On that same note, how cool is it that the Williams Grove National Open will be a three hour live show on SPEED on Saturday September 27. How great will the new lights look!

Speaking of the new musco lights, it will be at least another two weeks until they are lit. But it will be well worth the wait no doubt about it.

Hopefully Brian Montieth can transfer through his heat races this season and make his job in the feature much easier. He failed at this task last weekend but came forward in the Lincoln feature as always.

It appears Lincoln will be having full fields for the thundercars each week and I know the stock car fans love that.

Gary Stuhler will have a ride for tomorrow night’s late model event at Williams Grove! Stuhler will be piloting a JT Spence back-up No. 91 machine as his regular Ninninger No. 90 is not ready for competition yet. No one is any more exciting than Mr. Stuhler in a late model at the Grove so its great that Spence stepped up to offer the backup car.

Chad Layton continues to turn in good runs for car owner Pete Postupack. Postupack wasn’t happy at Lincoln two weeks ago and expressed his displeasure to track officials about restarts.

So far so good in Fred Rahmer’s guarantee to win the Cindy Rowe Auto Glass championship at Williams Grove. He holds a 60 point lead after two races.

What a run turned in by young Ryan Taylor at Lincoln last week. Taylor, a Fred Rahmer protégé held off Rahmer and Outlaw points leader Craig Dollansky for the final 10 laps to finish third in the feature.

WHAT'S HAPPENING
Path Valley Speedway joins the racing fun this weekend with Micro Sprint and street stock racing Friday night. Races this season at Path Valley have been pushed back a half hour on the starting time to enable fans and race teams to make the Friday night commute.

Of course the late models join the 410 Sprints Friday at Williams Grove.

Saturday has a busy slate of racing with daytime micro sprint racing at Trail-Way at 1 p.m. while Lincoln goes with 410 Sprints, thundercars and street stocks at 6 p.m.

Port Royal will attempt to open Saturday night with Sprints, pro stocks and late models at 6p.m. while Selinsgrove tries again with the 358 sprints, roadrunners and pro stocks at the same time.

The first Saturday Night Series event featuring Super Sportsman, 358 late models, 4-cylinders and an Enduro is on the schedule at Williams Grove at 7pm Saturday.

Hagerstown presents its Grand Opening for its regular divisions Saturday night as well.

Susquehanna Speedway will hold a Practice Day on Saturday beginning at 5 p.m.

SUMMERDALE BLOCK PARTY
The Fry family will be holding a Block party during the Summerdale Community Yard Sale on Saturday, April 26 from 8am-2pm.

The block party will be held to benefit the children of Steve Dollins and Allie Hazzard. Dollins was fatally injured on March 6 in a motorcycle crash and carried no life insurance. The couple have three children-Gage (4 years), Owen (15 months) and Taryn (1 month).

The block party will take place on Wayne Street, between 1st and 2nd streets in Summerdale.

Super sportsman cars of Jason Fry, JR Fry, Duaine Smith and Rocky Magaro will be on display.

Jason Fry has announced that he will donate 10 percent of his race winnings from the entire 2008 season to the children’s fun.

Included in the block party will be a food sale (hot dogs, pizza, pig roast, soda, water and popcorn), bake sale, bike raffles (2 kids bikes), themed basket raffles, donation bucket and a yard sale.

If you are interested in making a donation or contribution for the event, contact Jamie at 717-319-5157. Anyone interested in making a donation directly into the trust fund for the kids may do so at Hazzard/Dollins Children’s Trust Fund, PO Box 403, Summerdale, PA 17093.