While race fans and racers were prepared for a full weekend of racing action, Mother Nature had other plans.
Article by Rick Rarer
Despite any efforts by local tracks, all the area’s action was washed out by rain and wet weather over the weekend. The good news is there is plenty on the schedule this weekend along with the rescheduling of the big season opener that was lost to rain Sunday at Tri-City Raceway.
The original plan for Tri-City was to sit idle this Sunday on Mother’s Day, but with all the hype and excitement surrounding the season opener; new owners Josh and Kyrsten Shiffer have decided to reschedule the rained out Fast on Dirt race for this Sunday.
Along with the FAST on Dirt sprint car series, which should bring a strong sprint car field to the Venango County oval, the other three regular classes will also be in action.
Joining the sprint cars will be the 358 modifieds, pro stocks, and the mini stocks.
Mothers will receive free ice cream while the kids will receive free popcorn this Sunday. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. with racing slated for 6:00 p.m. and general admission is still just $15 for Sunday’s event.
For late model fans, the place to be this Friday is Lernerville Speedway where the Jay's Automotive ULMS late model series will be part of the Fab 4 racing program.
Some of the region’s top late model drivers will join the Lernerville regulars in a battle for the $4,500 top prize plus lap money. Sprint cars, big block modifieds, and pro stocks will round out the Fab 4 show.
On Saturday, the ULMS late model series moves east to Latrobe Speedway for the Dave Kittey Memorial. This event will pay $4,000 to the winner while honoring the late Mr. Kittey. Fastrak late models, pure stocks, and four cylinders will also be part of the program at Latrobe.
Sharon Speedway just across the border in Hartford, Ohio will open their 2024 season this Saturday evening with their first Steel City Thunder program featuring the 410 sprint cars. Joining them will be the Pro Stocks, RUSH Sportsman Modifieds, and Econo Mods.
Over the offseason, Sharon Speedway announced that all Hovis Auto & Truck Supply 410 sprint car events in 2024 will pay a minimum of $4,000 to the winner and $400 to start the feature thanks to marketing partner Bala Management of Masury, Ohio.
Sharon is set to open their season at 7:00pm this Saturday and if you can’t make it to the track, all the action is streaming on DIRTVision.
A week later, on Saturday, May 18, the World of Outlaws sprint cars will invade Sharon Speedway for the area’s first visit of the season. Point leader David Gravel, along with fan favorite Sheldon Haudenschild, 10-time champ Donny Schatz, and Carson Macedo of California will lead the charge against the local drivers and Ohio invaders.
Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway is also scheduled to be back in action this Saturday night. It’s Nostalgia Night at the Monster Half Mile featuring the PA Thunder on the Dirt Vintage Modified Series.
RUSH late models, pro stocks, hobby stocks, four cylinders, and young guns will round out the card.
Hummingbird Speedway will try again to get their 60th anniversary season opener in the books this Saturday night.
Highlighting the card this Saturday will be the RUSH wingless sprint cars joining the regular weekly classes along with powder puff races for Mother’s Day.
Rick’s Racing Roundup is brought to you by:
Gatesman Auto Body
Zacherl Motors
Kerle Tire Company
Bauer Truck Repair
