Tale of two tracks as local racers battle elements over weekend
Track conditions varied greatly this weekend for sprint car races Saturday and Sunday.
The two local races that made it into the record books last weekend couldn’t have been more different. The surfaces at the two tracks played a significant role in the outcome of both races. That wasn't really through any fault of the tracks, but because of weather conditions.
Saturday’s race at Lincoln was held after rain for much of the days leading up to the event. It actually rained enough that Lincoln was the only track to attempt racing on either Friday or Saturday. Needless to say, the racing surface at Lincoln was wet and tacky.
In times long past, it would have been a perfect race track, but not anymore. With the race cars of today being so equal, a wet, tacky surface makes it very hard for cars to pass one another. York’s Chase Dietz started from the pole position and led every lap of the race, with Zane Rudisill close behind the whole way.
In the early stages, a number of cars crashed trying to get everything they could at the start of the race. In fact, it took six tries to get the race started. Finally, officials decided to start the race single-file instead of two abreast. After that, I believe there was only one caution flag in the race.
Sunday’s show at BAPS Motor Speedway, meanwhile, got a great day for racing. It was bright and sunny and there was a pretty good breeze blowing. With a starting time of 4 p.m., much of BAPS' show was run in the daylight. They also had a great field of cars, with 32 410 sprints and 30 358 sprints. A full day of racing on a daytime surface, of course, was hard on the track surface, and it became dry and slick. It was also wearing out tires, so much so that in the closing stages of the race a number of top-10 cars fell victim to flat tires.
In the end, with five laps still remaining, officials shortened the race by three laps so that those still running could make it to the end with their tires. The top three drivers at the time of the decision remained the top three until the end, but there were still a few more flat tires.
One point of interest here are the new tires that Hoosier is making for sprint cars. The Outlaw race at Lincoln a week before was the first time the tires were used anywhere. The tires will be required everywhere in a few weeks. Local tracks have decreed that for their races there will be a few weeks to use up the old-style tire before the new ones are mandated. Most have given four races. Saturday was the last race for the old tires at Lincoln, while Port Royal still has three to go and Williams Grove all four.
For right now, teams can choose to use either tire at those tracks. That was also the case at Lincoln last Saturday and at BAPS Sunday. Interestingly, most teams elected to use the older style tires both days. However — and this is where it gets interesting — the top three finishers at BAPS on Sunday, those whose tires made it to the end, were all on the new tire. They were Anthony Macri, Kyle Moody, and Freddie Rahmer.
The new tire has a slightly different construction, and is also slightly harder than the old tires.
COMING UP
This weekend will see a lot more action in the local area if the weather will co operate. Williams Grove will try once again to open its season with a Friday evening show this week. The Grove slate for this week includes the sprint cars and the 358 modifieds that race at Grandview and Big Diamond.
Saturday is a busy day on the local circuit. Lincoln will offer up its sixth show of the young season. The sprint cars will again highlight the program, but this time, Lincoln’s second regular class of racing, the 358 sprint cars, will join in for the first time this year.
Port Royal also races on Saturday evening with the sprint cars as the main card. Since they were rained out last week at the Port, the ULMS super late models are also on the card, along with the limited late models.
BAPS Motor Speedway will be back in action on Saturday evening with the super sportsman racers in the spotlight. Also on the slate at BAPS will be the limited late models, the 602 crate modifieds and the classic cars.
Selinsgrove returns to action Saturday with a racing program that includes the PASS 305 sprint cars, the limited late models and the roadrunners.
Path Valley opens on Saturday with the wingless super sportsmen headlining the card.
Bedford is set for practice on Saturday with opening day on Sunday. The super late models headline at Bedford.
The track in Bridgeport, N.J., has a two-day weekend planned with sprint cars in the spotlight. On Saturday, the USAC East Coast wingless 360 sprints and the MASS 305 sprints draw headlines. On Sunday, the 410 sprints return to join Bridgeport’s modifieds.
2023 J & S CLASSICS CENTRAL PA SPRINT CAR SERIES presented by HOSEHEADS
Listing: position, car number, driver, points, series wins
After 3/26
1. 8/51 Freddie Rahmer 158 2
2. 13 Justin Peck 145 1
3. 48 Danny Dietrich 133
4. 39M Anthony Macri 116 1
5. 23 Devon Borden 113
6. 99M Kyle Moody 65
6. 19 Brent Marks 65
8. 2D Chase Dietz 50 1
8. 24 Rico Abreu 50 1
8. 5 Dylan Cisney 50 1
8. 44 Dylan Norris 50
12. 16 Matt Campbell 46
13. 45 Jeff Halligan 45
13. 4 Zane Rudisill 45
15. 5e Brandon Rahmer 42
16. 5w Lucas Wolfe 41
17. 49 Brad Sweet 35
17 9P Parker PriceMiller 35
19. 27S Alan Krimes 30
20. 67 Justin Whittall 28
21. 39T Cameron Smith 26
22. 41 Carson Macedo 25
22. 11P Tim Wagaman II 25
24. 39 Troy Wagaman Jr 22
25. 91 Kyle Reinhardt 20
25. 75 Tyler Ross 20
25. 1x Chad Trout 20