358 Sprint Teams Have A Lot To Race For In 2010

Aside from one track in Central Pennsylvania, the 358 Sprint cars are a support division for the 410 Sprint cars in this area.

But with the hard work of Bill McIntyre, the 358 Sprint drivers will be rewarded a little more this season.

Last season, McIntyre started the Central PA 358 Sprint Point Series as Jeff Rohrbaugh was the overall point champion while 2009 Selinsgrove Speedway track champion Nate Snyder won the Most Popular 358 Sprint car driver after receiving the most votes on the series website. Rohrbaugh’s prize was a $250 gift certificate from Delco Signs.

This year, the drivers in the series have much more to look forward to thanks to McIntyre’s bringing on board of many sponsors for the 2010 season. And this is exactly how he envisioned it.

“It’s pretty cool to help out the 358 teams with this deal because I love the racing the division has,” he said. “I leave most 358 races thinking they put on a better race then the 410 sprints and they are also some of the best people I have ever been around. I have yet to have a driver blow me off when I go up to them and introduce myself and talk about the point series. They have all been very supportive of it and if it weren’t for all of these teams that spend all this money to entertain me on Friday and Saturday nights, none of this could be possible.”

PAPosseracing.com and Hoseheads.com have come on board as the main sponsors to the point fund this season. Pancho’s Racing Products has also contributed to the point fund as well as have donated a long list of prizes for the drivers. Pancho will also give a front wing to the second place finisher and $25 gift cards to the top 10 finishing drivers.

Wings Unlimited has also contributed to the point fund along with gift certificates to the winner for money off a top and front wing set as well as three more $75 gift certificates for other drivers.

Aero Wings, Ken’s Jewelry and Coin, Bill Burkholder, Ken Othoff, Wrtspeedwerx.com, Delco Signs, Bill Burkholder and Zeigler’s Kitchens are also 2010 season sponsors. The Most Popular driver trophy will again be donated by Gus Radle and Military Collector Shop.

Right now, drivers will be racing for a minimum of $1,750 in cash along with many great product prizes. The overall winner will take home $1,000 cash, $500 to second place and $250 for third place.

“The schedule for the 2010 season will consist of 80 races at six different tracks,” McIntyre stated. “All normal 358 races are included but the only races not included will be the 358/360 Challenges at Williams Grove and Selinsgrove and the Billy Kimmel Memorial at Williams Grove because the top 10 in points are already locked into the feature.”

McIntyre said 97 different drivers scored at least one point during the 2009 racing season and looks for the same kind of number this season in one of the most competitive divisions in the area.

The first race on the schedule will be Saturday, March 13 at Lincoln Speedway.

ITS FLORIDA TIME
The 410 Sprints will be hitting the speedway for the first time this weekend as the All Star Circuit of Champions series invades Ocala Speedway in Florida for a Friday and Saturday night doubleheader.

A large field of race cars is expected as all teams will be using Goodyear tires for the first time in competitive action.

The All Stars head to Volusia Speedway Park next Wednesday and Thursday for two nights of action followed by three straight nights of World of Outlaws action at VSP.

Rounding out 410 Sprint car action in Florida will be the All Stars return to East Bay Raceway Park for February 11-13 action.

Fans interested in listening or viewing action at VSP can do so at www.dirtvision.com.

SSP HONORS
Shermansdale’s Jake Jones was honored last weekend as the 2009 Late Model champion the Night of Honor for Susquehanna Speedway Park. It was Jones’ first career track title.

Other champions for 2009 include Scott Thunberg (street stocks), Sam Rial (Xtreme Stocks), Jim Jacobs (Road Warriors), Bill Wise, Jr. (Mini Vans), Matt Wallace (Classic Cars), Jason Rochelle (Legends-Pro), Randy Kissinger (Legends-Masters), Lucas Montgomery (Legends-Semi Pro), Fred Krickbaum, Jr. (PENNMAR-Modified), John McGreevy (PENNMAR-Sportsman) and Vicky Anderson (Women on Wheels).

SSP has increased the late model and street stock payouts for 2010 and will have a new handicapping system. The track is also offering free pit passes for any driver that starts a qualifying heat race and fails to qualify for the feature. That driver will receive a free pit pass for the following week. The driver must be a SSP member and includes the late models, street stocks, Xtreme Stocks, Legends, mini vans and Road warriors.

SSP has a big opening weekend planning for April 10-11.

On opening day, the PA Sprint Series (305 Sprints) join the late models, street stocks, Xtreme stocks and XSC Elite and then the following day, on Sunday, April 11, the 410 Sprints make their only appearance of the season joined by the wingless ARDC Midgets.