Gene Bowers Sr. Street Stock 100 This Saturday at Mahoning Valley Speedway

(LEHIGHTON, Pa. 5-19-15) Race engines went quite for the first time last weekend at Mahoning Valley Speedway when rain forced the night’s program to be cancelled. The track now swings back into action this coming Saturday evening, May 23 with a six division show that is to be headlined by the by the Gene Bowers Sr., Memorial 100 for Street Stocks.

The annual Memorial Day weekend race has become a very popular event on the yearly calendar. The race, which pays tribute to the late Gene Bowers Sr., a former driver and car owner, is worth $1200 to win plus lap money that usually pushes the winner’s share to well over $2000, making it one of the richest Street Stock races in the northeast region.

Modifieds, Late Models, Dirt Mods, Pro 4s and Hobby Stocks are also in action plus free tickets to the upcoming Pocono ARCA 200 at Pocono Raceway on June 6will be given away to the first 300 adult guests in the grandstands and there will also be Sunday, June 7 tickets for the AXALTA “WE PAINT WINNERS” 400 given out to select lucky fans. Pocono Raceway mascot Tricky Fox will also be making an appearance and the Pocono Pace Car will be on display as well.

Since 2011 The Gene Bowers Sr., Memorial 100 has been run and for drivers of the Street Stock class it has become a lucrative affair as not only is there the $1200 first place prize money but thanks to a the Bowers family there is plenty of lap money to go around.

When Kevin Smith won the inaugural race, at the time it was the highest payday for a Street Stock driver, $2200. Steven Steigerwalt, Zach Graver and Chip Wanamaker have been winners.

The race is also the second leg of the American Rental Street Stock Gamblers Series. Jonathan Tracey took the first of the special six race series on April 25 and heads into Saturday’s event holding an Ace card.

All race teams can take advantage of early paid practice which takes place from 12:30 to 3:00. Fee is $25 per car. Regular warm-ups will then get underway shortly after 4:00 pm. The first heat will begin at 6:00 pm.

Grandstands open at 4:00. Adult admission is $18, there is a $2 off discount for students, seniors 65+ and active military. Must have ID. Children 10 years old and under are free.

There will also be Kids Big Wheel races at intermission sponsored by Gene Bowers Jr.

The Car Cruise that was to have taken place on May 3 has been rescheduled for Saturday, May 30. There is also a Small Car Enduro that will be held after the regular slate of feature races.

Additional news can be found on the track’s official site at www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com or on Facebook at Mahoning Valley Speedway and on Twitter at twitter.com/MahoningSpeed. You can also call the track hotline on race day at 570-386-4900. Mahoning Valley Speedway is adjacent to the Mahoning Valley Farmers Market on PA Route 443 just a few miles west of Lehighton.