This, That and the other in Motorsports...

Exclusive for Auto Locator by Ernie Saxton

As printed in Issue Dated 5-7-2004

    

  NASCAR Superstars Ready To Invade New Egypt . Visiting national celebrity drivers Ward Burton, Ken Schrader and Mike Wallace will all be in the house on Wednesday, May 5, as New Egypt,NJ Speedway kicks off its eagerly-awaited Superstars of Stock Car Racing Series(tm), an ambitious program of 11 Wednesday blockbuster specials featuring autograph sessions, mega-money Modified races, stars in
cars and out, fabulous fan prizes, and just about the biggest buzz electrifying regional motorsports in many a moon.
            "I'm looking forward to hanging out at New Egypt with all the local fans, who don't necessarily get out to a live Cup race," said Burton, a former Daytona 500 champion who drives the NetZero Chevrolet on the tough NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit. "I'm a regular Joe, just like them."
            Along with Ward Burton, Ken Schrader, a multi-time Daytona 500 polesitter who steers the Schwan's Home Service Dodge on NASCAR Sundays, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck and Busch Series driver Mike Wallace will be meeting fans and signing autographs for charity starting at 6 pm on May 5, with proceeds benefiting the drivers' favorite charities. Raffles to benefit the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation will award some spectacular prizes to fans, including gift certificates to the Dale Jarrett Driving Adventure at track of winner's choice, and a pair of pit passes to the 2005 Daytona 500, including breakfast the morning of the 500 with Ward Burton. There'll
also be great giveaway packages from the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. In addition, Dover Downs International Speedway, Sunoco Racing Fuel and Coca-Cola will have ticket giveaways to major events.
            The racing program is a Modified driver's dream: Fifty laps for a $30,000+ purse, with an eye-popping $10,000 on top, and a huge $50,000 point fund tying the package together.
            And don't think that the big-name drivers are going to sit back for the ride. Schrader and Wallace -- who'll be driving identically prepared Bicknell-built Modifieds the track has purchased just for this series, powered by Burnett big-block engines, cooled by Art's Radiator and shod with American Racer tires -- have already served
notice that they're dead-on serious about racing the locals for that $10,000 top prize.
            "I'm there to race. I'm looking forward to taking home that $10,000," said Schrader, who's driven a dirt Modified in years past on many of the Northeast tracks, including Syracuse.
            Gates will open at 4 pm Call (609) 758-1900 to order tickets. For more information, log on to www.newegyptspeedway.net.

             THE RUNNING OF THE THIRD ANNUAL Middleswarth Potato Chips Jan Opperman Memorial at Selinsgrove Speedway on May 2 includes many special promotions as part of the prestigious event.
            The speedway will remember one of the sports all-time greats when it presents an extensive pictorial and statistical biographical display during the Opperman Memorial. The presentation will focus on his entire career.
            Former promoter Jack Gunn brought California’s Opperman to Selinsgrove
Speedway in April 1970. Gunn partnered with Etters’s businessman Harold Hank
to put Opperman behind the wheel and driving the Hank’s Auto Parts No. 4, Opperman drove to six wins in the area in ‘70, two of which came at Selinsgrove. In his first appearance at the track, Opperman drove to a runnerup finish behind Mitch Smith.
            Opperman’s No. 4 has been restored by Eastern Museum of Motor Racing president Larry Stoner of Carlisle and Stoner will trek north with the car for the memorial. Also on display will be the Al Hamilton No. 77 as currently driven by Lance Dewease. Opperman piloted the Hamilton Special intermittently between 1974 and 1976 while recording four victories. In addition, the restored Gary Wasson owned No. 5 sprinter driven by Mitch Smith when he trounced USAC in 1971 will be on display.

Also on the agenda will be an offering of "Living Where The Thunder Hides, Jan Opperman’s Life Story and Ministry." Limited quantities will be available at the speedway and can be purchased from representatives of the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing who will also be offering 8 x 10 photos of Opperman. All proceeds from EMMR sales will go entirely to the EMMR.
            The 3rd Annual Opperman Memorial includes the pro stocks and carries a raindate of June 6. It will be part of a huge weekend at Selinsgrove as the speedway hosts its 4th Annual Pack The Track Night on May 1, featuring free general admission to fans. Gates for the Opperman tribute will open at 4 p.m. with hot laps slated for 5:30 followed by time trials at 6 PM.
           

  WILLIAMS GROVE RAINED OUT. Rain forced cancellation of the sprint and limited (358 c.i.) sprint car races Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway. This was the second rainout in the past four weeks at Williams Grove and the third weather-related cancellation of 2004. The Grove will be back in action twice next week with sprint and super sportsman cars on Friday night, April 30, at 8 p.m. and then there will be a 200-lap Enduro on Sunday May 2, 6 p.m. The limited sprints will return to Williams Grove along with the sprint cars on Friday, May 21.

            SPEAKING OF ENDUROS. The season's first Enduro 200 is scheduled for Sunday evening, May 2, at Williams Grove Speedway. This will be the second night of racing on the weekend that closes April and begins May since Williams Grove will host a sprint/super sportsman double header on Friday night, April 30, at 8:00. Sunday's Enduro will begin at 6:00.  Gates will open at 3:00. Enduro racing has been a popular attraction at Williams Grove for many years and the division has five scheduled dates at the speedway this season. This relatively inexpensive form of the sport has allowed hundreds of hobby racers to compete at the nationally known speedway over the years. The cars are basically stock with `70's and `80's Monte Carlos among the most popular. Any car that complies with the rules and passes inspection will be permitted to start the Enduro.  There are no qualifying races. In the past at Williams Grove, Enduros have attracted approximately 75-85 entries per meet. The cars are lined up 4-abreast for the start of the 200-lap event. Caution laps are counted although caution flags are displayed only for major incidents or if the safety of a driver is in question.
            BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY had their Friday night show rained out. They will try again this Friday, 7:30 p.m. with NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modifieds, Sportsman-Modifieds and Roadrunners.

            GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY has two nights of racing this weekend. On Saturday, May 1st, 7:30 p.m. the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modifieds are featured along with the ShorTrack Late Models. At least 13 events of stock car racing. And on Sunday at 6 p.m. the DIRT Motorsports Southeast Tour Series Big Block Modifieds are in action. Many of the local talents are expected to do battle with some of the visitors from New York State in big block racing action that is topped by a 40-lap feature race. Meme DeSantis won by inches over Todd Marburger in the 30-lap NASCAR Modified feature on Saturday night while point leader Randy Stoudt got his first win of the season in the 20-lapper for NASCAR Late Models on Saturday night.

            CLINTON COUNTY SPEEDWAY in Lock Haven, PA opens their season this Friday, April 30th, 7:30 p.m. There will be weekly racing for the Sprint Cars, 358 Late Models, Pro Stocks and Four Cylinder Enduros.

            PORT ROYAL SPEEDWAY had Mark Smith winning his second sprint feature of the season. Scotty Haus took honors in the Late Models and Bill Powell was tops in the Pro Stocks. Terry Goshorn won the 4-Cylinder Stock feature. Sprints, Late Models, Pro Stocks and Enduro Cars perform on Saturday at 5 p.m.

            LANCE DEWEASE got his second sprint car feature win of the season at Lincoln Speedway on Saturday night. Jim Wentz was the top performer in the 305 sprint feature and Mike Walls won the Thundercar feature. The ARDC Midgets will perform in two features on Saturday night, winged and wingless, along with the 410 sprints and Thundercars. Racing starts at 7 p.m.

            SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY had Kevin Nouse as the winner in the 25-lap sprint feature. And Eric Hons took top honors in the Late Model feature while Keith Bissinger won the Roadrunner feature. Lloyd Hockenberry won the Vintage car feature. Admission is free on Saturday night as part of the Cindy Rowe Auto Glass Night featuring the sprints, late models, pro stocks and roadrunners starting at 7 p.m. YES I DID SAY FREE ADMISSION.

            RICK ECKERT won the World of Outlaws Late Model race at Hagerstown, MD Speedway on Saturday night.

            BOB FANNASY won the Super Sportsman feature at Silver Spring Speedway while Carl Billet beat his brother Mark in the Late Model main event. The super sportsman, street stocks and vintage cars are in action on Saturday at 7 p.m.

            Ernie Saxton can be reached at Esaxton144@aol.com.