DRIVERS AND FANS SOUND OFF
Story By:JUSTIN SNYDER / RACERSGUIDE.COM STAFF WRITER Photos By: Dan DEMARCO/RACERSGUIDE.COM
York Haven, PA June 8, 2016- Central Pennsylvania racing is full of tradition. Some of the greatest drivers to ever strap into a 410 Sprint Car have run at the various speedways spread throughout the Keystone state.
Whether it’s taking on the World of Outlaws or Tony Stewart’s All Star Circuit of Champions or a regular point’s show at any of the local tracks, you can bet that the grandstands will be packed by loyal fans cheering on the drivers.
One of the biggest traditions and events that fans look forward to yearly is Pennsylvania Speedweek.
This year is the 25th Anniversary of the event and it features 9 races spread across 10 days at 7 different tracks from June, 24- July 3, 2016.
Williams Grove Speedway and Port Royal Speedway both will have 2 speedweek shows with single dates slotted for Lincoln Speedway, Path Valley, Grandview, Hagerstown and Selinsgrove.
With increased sponsorship and support, this year’s spectacle will offer the largest point fund in series history of $25,000, with $10,000 of that going to the series champion. A total of $250,000.00 will be given out in prize money throughout the 10 days.
However, with all the excitement building for the anniversary year event, one track is absent from the schedule and dominating headlines with a recent announcement.
Susquehanna Speedway, one of the pioneer tracks from the inaugural 1991 PA Speedweek series won by Steve Smith, was not included on the 2016 schedule.
As a result of sponsor commitments with BAPS and being left out, they decided to schedule a two-division 410 and 305 Sprint Car event June 23, that fans have dubbed the unofficial PA Speedweek opener due to it taking place the one day before the official kickoff.
Once considered a staple on the schedule, Susquehanna has not been a part of PA Speedweek since it last hosted an event in 2005.
However with new ownership by Scott Gobrecht and a complete new promotion team making huge improvements to the facility, many expected them to be a shoe-in for this year’s event.
“It’s awesome to see a track that’s putting money back into the speedway and you can see that it’s paying off by not only the car counts, but the amount of fans that are in the stands,” said Ryan Taylor, 410 sprint car driver of the No.20 Accelerated Surface Finishing, Evans Heat Treating. “I think it be awesome if they had a Speedweek date.”
Duane Marriot, a fan who has been visiting the track since the 80’s, agreed with Taylor and believes that the fans and drivers are missing out with the exclusion.
“Some things never change and Susquehanna is the raciest track in Pennsylvania in my opinion,” exclaimed Marriot. “The history of the place alone should reserve a Speedweek spot in itself.”
If it’s history that we are talking about, you can look no farther than local racing legend and recent Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee Don Kreitz Jr. for support.
Kreitz, who retired from competition last year after dealing with concussion-like symptoms, has been one of the most successful drivers in the history of Susquehanna Speedway.
He appreciates the hard work the track team has put in and would like to see them once again be rewarded as part of Speedweek in an official status.
“With the improvements they made there, I think they deserve a spot in Speedweek,” said Kreitz, who scored PA Speedweek victories at Susquehanna Speedway in 1992, 1998 and 2001. “Plus it’s not a far tow for us.”
Travelling distance is important as he is now a car owner for fellow Central PA racing legend, Lance Dewease.
Dewease, who picked up Speedweek wins at the track in 1994 and 1997 and is among the most successful drivers in PA Speedweek history with 19 career wins and 3 Speedweek championships, agrees with his car owner. “They have been a part of Central PA sprint car racing for 30 plus years and with what the new owners have done with the place, it just makes sense. They should be able to have a Speedweek show.”
When fans heard of the announcement, many wondered why with Williams Grove and Port Royal getting two dates, that one of those extra nights could not have gone to accommodate Susquehanna.
“The fact that there are tracks with two races during that week means there is definitely a day for them,” said Karen Lavigna, a local fan. “Tracks only need one day. Hopefully this will happen and we’ll be there (in support).”
Brent Marks, driver of the M&M Painting & Construction, BAPS Auto Paint & Supply, No.19M, would also like to see Susquehanna included in Speedweek festivities and less tracks with multiple dates.
As a young driver gaining experience, he has opened up his schedule to include many different tracks throughout the country in the past few years. As a result, he believes it would only add to the challenge of competing in the series and make it more enjoyable for the fans and drivers.
“First off, I’m not a fan of the tracks getting multiple races,” said Marks, who will be searching for his first PA Speedweek victory in 2016. “I’d like to race a different track every night. I think it would be more fun and more challenging.”
“Even if it was on the Monday that we have off, the car count and the fan support is there for this race track. It’s a win-win for everyone,” Marks added.
With owner, driver and fan support, you can bet that Susquehanna Speedway will be in discussions for future Speedweek events at the track. Until then, you can support the track by attending the Thursday Night Thunder event June 23.
