Saturday was a big day for the "over 50 racers" at Lincoln and Silver Spring Speedway.

     Keith Kauffman, at the wheel of the Middleswarth Potato Chips #7, became the first two-time winner of the season claiming the 25-lap super sprint feature at Lincoln Speedway on Saturday evening.

     The veteran driver, over 50, showed how it's done. He started in 10th on the first night of handicapping (starting according to point standings), and chased early-race leader Greg Hodnett for several laps before passing the Memphis, TN racer on the backstretch of the 17th lap. He then held off a hard-charging Todd Shaffer with the final three-laps being a "dash for cash" to the checkered flag. It was Kauffman's 12th career win at the Pigeon Hills oval.

     In victory lane Kauffman said, "I think I got a couple more wins left in me. It was a pretty good night. I wasn't sure if it was Todd or Fred (Rahmer) back there....all I knew it was an 88. There were a lot of good race cars here tonight. That Apple car and driver is good, and Lee (Stauffer) is a great mechanic, but we were just a little bit

better tonight."

     Second spot went to Shaffer. Hodnett was third followed by Fred Rahmer, who came from 12th starting spot. Jeff Shepard, who spent last year on the Pennzoil World of Outlaws circuit and soon will be heading for the All Star Circuit of Champions Series, finished fifth.

     In the 358 sprint feature, first of the season, Chad Trout got the victory while Abbottstown's Duane Watson won the 20-lap Thundercar feature race.

     This Saturday, March 30, Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, PA plays host to the super sprint cars and thundercars along with Vintage Stock Cars. Gates open at 4 p.m. with the first getting the green at 6 p.m. The Annual Easter Egg Hunt for the kids will begin at 5:15 p.m.

     Opening day at Silver Spring Speedway in Mechanicsburg, PA had Rich Eichelberger, 51 years old, winning the Cindy Rowe Auto Glass Super Sportsman feature race, a 25-lap event. The York Springs, PA racer had not been to victory lane since 1998 when his win also came at Silver Spring Speedway.

     "It was a great race and to win it like that means a lot to us. When you get older, you keep wondering if you're still going to be able to do it and if you're going to get another win," said Eichelberger.

     It was Eichelberger's 35th career super sportsman win.

     He compared the win to one of the best of his career.

     Second spot went to Frankie Herr followed by Bill Schoffstall, Craig Morrow and Dave Neuman. There were 56 super sportsman cars on hand with only 26 making the feature race.

     Silver Spring Speedway returns to action this Saturday at 2 p.m. with another super sportsman-only program with late models and street stocks being invited to practice. Easter eggs will be handed out to all kids in attendance this Saturday, March 30.

     PORT ROYAL SPEEDWAY got their season off to a strong start with a Bug Day Practice session. Scott Haus, one of the very top talents in late model competition, was on hand to test some tires along with Kenny Dickson. Haus was the fastest car in Late Models.

     A number of sprint car racers were on hand and the Pro Stock division was well represented.

     On Saturday, March 30, the Juniata County racing oval will feature the sprints and pro stocks in a 2 p.m. show with gates open at 11 a.m.

     An Easter Egg hunt will be held for youngsters up to the age of twelve and that will happen in the speedway infield starting at 12:30 p.m.

     Saturday afternoon racing will continue on Saturdays April 6 and 13th. The high powered late models will be added to both of those shows.

     The first Saturday night race gets the green on April 20th.

     On April 7th, we are told, there will be an Open House held for Bob Hockenberry, former Late Model driver and flagman for 23 years at Port Royal Speedway. The gathering will celebrate Hockenberry's 70th birthday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Port Royal Lions Club Park. For information telephone Oscar Baney at 717.463.2733.

     TRAIL-WAY SPEEDWAY played host to what they call winged sprint car racing. Actually it is winged micro sprint racing.

     Terry Schaeffer won the Saturday afternoon 250cc winged micro sprint feature and the talented racer has announced that he will be a regular at Trail-Way Speedway when action switches back to Friday nights.

     Eric Hollenbach got the 4-Cylinder Stock Car feature and it was Lyle Stroman who won the 600cc winged micro sprint feature. Tim Dietz finished second and then headed off, quickly, to Lincoln Speedway where he ran in the super sprint events that evening.

     Trail-Way Speedway will include the 600cc winged micro sprints on Saturday, March 30th at 1 p.m.  In addition the 4- cylinder stocks, modified lites and something called front- wheel drive scramble cars will be included. The 250cc winged micro sprints return to action when Friday night racing gets the green on Friday, April 12.

    BRIDGEPORT, NJ SPEEDWAY opened the 2002 modified stock car racing season in New Jersey on Saturday. Billy Pauch took the win, his 47th at the 5/8th mile clay oval. Pauch will return to his regular home track as soon as it opens but will be at Bridgeport until then.

    There were 115 cars on hand for the tripleheader show.

    Jimmy Horton got second to Pauch with Doug Hoffman third followed by Wade Hendrickson and Duane Howard.

    Dom Buffalino was tops in the sportsman feature, 20 laps. And Jeff Foote won the Bridgeport limited sprint feature.

    This Friday, March 29, there will be a practice session on the new quarter mile clay oval. Micro sprints and four cylinders will be in action.

    On Saturday, 4 p.m., big block modifieds will be in action along with sportsman and Bridgeport Limited Sprints. And there will be Enduro Stock car racing. They are hoping for much warmer weather.

    AT WILLIAMS GROVE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON "over 50" Keith Kauffman won his second sprint car feature of the weekend.

And it was Chad Layton taking the win in the 20-lap feature for 358 sprint cars.

    Williams Grove goes to Friday night racing on March 29. The Early Bird Championship for sprint cars will be presented with $6000 going to the winner. Racing starts at 8 p.m.

    MARVIN WINTERS won the late model feature at Hagerstown MD Speedway on Sunday while Keith Hirthler was tops in the small block modified show. The DIRT Big Block Modified run on Saturday night at 6 p.m. with the late models as the second attraction.

     GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY in Bechtelsville, PA., 10 miles north

of Pottstown on Route 100, opens their 40th consecutive season of professional stock car racing on Saturday, March 30th at 12 noon. A five-hour free-to-the-public practice session featuring the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge Modifieds and Late Models along with sprints, midgets and other divisions of competition will be the attraction.

     On Saturday, April 6, 6 p.m. Trevdan Building Supply, five locations including one in Sellersville and one in Chester Springs, PA, will sponsor the official season opener. The NASCAR Modifieds and Late Models will be featured in at least 12 events of racing competition.

     Again this year fans will have the opportunity to win a ride in the two-seat modified. Two rides given away each Saturday.

     Craig VonDohren is back trying for his sixth modified title while John Durling will be looking for his second in a row.

   

     Have a wonderful Easter Weekend.

 

    You can reach Ernie Saxton at  erniesaxton@compuserve.com.