As everyone begins the countdown until the opening of the local racing season, all tracks have released their schedules for the new season.

From year to year, most schedules at each track resemble the year before but this season, perhaps the two most talked about and anticipated events will be held at Lincoln Speedway in May and at Path Valley Speedway in July.

For the first time since the 1998 season, the World Of Outlaw Sprint cars will invade the Pigeon Hills to take on the best of Lincoln Speedway and the Pennsylvania Posse. This event will take place on Wednesday night, May 9 and it’s a good suggestion to start lining up for tickets for this race a few days before.

It’s no secret that Lincoln produces some of the best and most exciting racing anywhere in the country and with the Outlaws back in town, the place is sure to be standing room only for this event.

A few months later, the tiny village of Spring Run will be invaded by a frenzy of 410 sprint car fanatics as Path Valley Speedway will be presenting a $5,000 to win 410 Sprint car event on the tight quarter mile speedway.

It’s been years since the high powered cars have raced at Path Valley and a lot has changed since the last time the sprints have been on hand so it will be interesting to see how this track plans to house a capacity crowd and a possible high car count in such tight quarters.

However, it won’t be a sprints only show as four other divisions are scheduled that night including the Micro Sprints, SpeedSTRs, Slingshots and an Enduro.  The event is slated for Sunday night, July 29.

Path Valley will also present a 358 sprint car event on Sunday May 27 beginning at 1pm.

PORT HONORS CHAMPS
Port Royal Speedway honored its top drivers at its banquet Saturday night.

Harrisonville’s Mike Wagner claimed the $5,000 to win 410 Sprint car track title, his second career. He won his first back in 1991. Wagner finished 15 points ahead of Ryan Taylor for the title.

Taylor was named Most Improved Driver, Cliff Brian won the Sportsmanship and Davey Sammons won the Rookie of the year award.

Scott Haus was honored as an eight time late model track champion after another dominating season that saw him best runner-up Mitch Hack by 310 points.

Terry Naugle was Most Improved, Patrick Bryner won Rookie of the Year and Tim Wilson won the Sportsmanship award.

Brian Towsey won the 2011 pro stock title while Jenn Powell was the enduro dash champion.

Port Royal opens on March 17 with 410 Sprints and 358 Sprints at 6pm.

PIT STOPS

Lincoln Speedway is set to open in just four weeks as the Icebreaker for 410 Sprints is slated for February 25 at 2pm.

Many Central PA 410 teams will be heading to Georgia next week and then onto Florida for the start of the 2012 racing season. Screvens Motor Speedway will host the University of Northern Ohio All Star Sprints next Friday and Saturday and then the All Stars head to Florida for action at Volusia Speedway Park and Bubba Raceway Park. The WoO Sprints will also begin the season in Florida at VSP in mid February.

Lawrence Chevrolet is gearing up for its annual race car show to be held March 9-10 at the car dealership located along the Carlisle Pike in Mechanicsburg. Not only will race fans get to check out some race cars but they will also be able to get a look at the remodeled dealership. Lawrence sponsors the sprint car point funds at Williams Grove and Lincoln.