Williams Grove and Selinsgrove Speedway’s honored its top drivers this
past weekend with annual banquets.
Todd Shaffer and the Gary and Patty Beam owned sprint car team were
honored as Cindy Rowe Auto Glass point champions. The title was their
second career title and was worth $15,000.
Jim Russell, crew chief on the Beam machine was named Mechanic of the
Year.
Special sprint car awards went to Carlisle’s Chris Meleason as Most
Improved Driver, Steve Clabaugh as Rookie of the Year and Niki Young,
Sportsmanship.
Pat Cannon and the Zane and Vicki Highlands owned team were honored as
358 sprint car champions while Carlisle’s Frankie Herr was honored as a
two time Super Sportsman champion.
Seventeen year old Tyler Hershey was the 358 late model champ while
Kory Sites took the street stock honors at the banquet.
Cindy Rowe Auto Glass will return as the point fund sponsor once again
in 2008 when the speedway opens on Sunday, February 24.
The 410 Sprints have 37 dates on the 2008 calendar while the Super
Sportsman see action 22 times. The 358 Sprints are in competition 15
times while the 358 late models and street stocks return for an expanded
Saturday Night Series.
The super late models, 4 cylinders, URC Sprints, USAC, ARDC Midgets and
600 Micro Sprints are also on the schedule next season.
The World of Outlaws Summer Nationals has been scaled back to a two
night show in July and the Diakon Adoption Night has been moved to the
first Friday night race in August.
The first annual Billy Kimmel Memorial is on the schedule for August 31
and for the first time in recent memory, the points will end after the
National Open with a Friday, October 3 Champions Night for 410 and 358
Sprints.
New aluminum bleachers and Musco Lighting will be front stretch
highlights for 08.
Carlisle’s Dave Calaman and the Godfrey Motorsports team were honored
Saturday at the Selinsgrove Speedway banquet.
It was the team’s first ever championship at the track. He won five
times in 2007.
Special 358 sprint awards went to Larry Kelleher (Most Improved), Phil
Walter (Sportsmanship), Matt Miller (Rookie) and Phil Walter (Hard
Charger).
Jeff Rine was honored as a three time Selinsgrove late model champion
at the banquet on the heels of his eight win season.
Special late model awards were presented to Mike Bingaman (Most
Improved), Chris Wilkinson (Sportsmanship), Coleby Frye (Rookie) and
Rine (Hard Charger).
Gary Beward repeated as pro stock champion and Donnie Murphy was the
roadrunner champion.
Selinsgrove Raceway Park also honored its champions at the banquet.
Selinsgrove opens for action on Friday, March 14 with 410 Sprints
followed by a DIRT Modified race the following day.
PIT STOPS
Mike Goodwin brought a close to Susquehanna Speedway’s racing season
with a win in the Pumpkin 200 for Xtreme Stocks last weekend…
Chad Layton has been hired to return to the seat of the Pete Postupack
owned No. 25 sprint car next season in Central Pennsylvania. Layton took
over the driving chores after Postupack split with Lance Dewease in late
August…
It’s not too far off in the distance and never too early to start
preparing but Motorsports 2008 presented by VP Racing Fuels is scheduled
for January 18-20 in Atlantic City’s Convention Center. That weekend
also serves as the Gambler’s Classic Indoor Race at Boardwalk Hall…
The Sidewinder 1000 micro sprint series presented awards following its
first year which include Donnie Hendershot winning the overall
championship. Kerry Schanz won Best Appearing Car, Hendershot won the
Sportsmanship award, Rohan Beasley won the Most Improved Award and Sean
Campbell won the Hard Luck award. The series will return to area
speedway’s again in 2008...
