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JULY BRINGS EXCITEMENT FOR ALL AGES TO HAGERSTOWN SPEEDWAY. The month of July kicked off with a big bang on Saturday night, July 3rd. The Independence Day tradition continued at the Hagerstown Speedway with the 39th running of the Johnny Roberts Memorial for the late models and the Zambelli Family’s famous fireworks. Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, PA worked his way through the field to take the lead on the 37th lap and ran to victory in the 50-lap Johnny Roberts Memorial Late Model Classic.

In other action, Mike Warrenfeltz of Hagerstown continued his winning ways with his seventh win of the season in the 15-lap Ernie’s Salvage Yard pure stock feature and the 20-lap Hoosier Tires Mid-Atlantic late model sportsman main event was postponed until July 10th because of curfew.

This week, Saturday, July 10th , it will be the 9th Annual Cornett Memorial for the Ernie’s Salvage Yard pure stocks. Joining the pure stocks in their most prestigious race of the year will be the late models and the late model sportsman. The pure stocks will go 20 laps in their double-point special event. Added to the program is the Mid-Summer Demolition Derby Championship and the late model sportsman left from last Saturday.

The Monster Truck Nationals, a fan favorite, will take over the speedway for three dates on Friday and Saturday nights, July 16th and 17th and a special Sunday afternoon show on July 18th. Show time is 8 P.M. each night and 2 P.M. Sunday afternoon. Advanced tickets are now on sale at the speedway office.

On Saturday, July 24th, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series invades the Hagerstown Speedway for the Conococheague 50. The 50-lap late model feature will pay $10,000-to-win. It will be the second and final visit of the year for the new late model series. Joining the WOO late models in the double header show will be the pure stock summer championship.

Two wheel excitement rounds out the month on Saturday, July 31st. The AMA Progressive Flat Track Championship Series comes to Hagerstown for the 24th Annual Hub-City Classic. The AMA Grand National Motorcycles and 883 Series sponsored by Twigg Cycles will be in action. For additional information, contact the speedway office at (301) 582-0640. The Hagerstown Speedway is located on U.S. Route 40, six miles west of Hagerstown, MD,

IT WAS LIKE OLD TIMES AT LINCOLN SPEEDWAY. There was a Dietrich in victory lane. The family patriarch, Dan Dietrich, started on the pole and led the first 15 laps of the 20-lap 358 sprint feature. But it was his son, second generation racer Billy Dietrich, who stole the show.

Charging through the field from his 11th starting position into second by the 15th lap, Billy set his sights on his father for a dramatic family showdown over the final five laps.

But in just as dramatic fashion, the elder Dietrich’s sprinter suddenly slowed in the third and fourth turns of the 16th lap, bringing out the caution and handing the lead and the win to his son.

“My titanium driveshaft broke,” quipped Dan when he came to congratulate Billy in Victory Lane on Central Maryland Pools Night. Both Dietrichs were disqualified after finishing one-two in the KARS race at Port Royal Speedway last weekend when it was discovered that they were both using titanium driveshafts. Officials were careful to make sure that the Dietrichs were using all the legal parts on Saturday night.

Aaron Long grabbed second while Mike Lehman earned third. The 358 sprints were the main division of competition at Lincoln on Saturday night as the 410 sprints were off.

Bob Gutshall won the 20-lap “305” sprint car feature and it was Jim Martz Jr. getting his first career win in the 20-lap thundercar feature.

It will be Kids Night at Lincoln Speedway on July 10th with 410 sprints and Thundercars at 7:30 p.m.

BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY had Keith Hoffman returning to victory lane in the 25-lap NASCAR Modified stock car feature race on Friday night. Craig VonDohren was second and Keith’s older brother Doug finished in third spot.

The 358 sprint feature was won by Jimmy Layton and the two Roadrunner features were won by Kevin Hollarnd and Dean Ulsh.

Weaknecht Sporting Goods sponsored the night of racing on Friday, July 9th with the NASCAR Modifieds, Sportsman-Modifieds (two features) and Roadrunners in action starting at 8 p.m.

United Racing Club sprint cars will be in action with the Modifieds and Roadrunners on Friday, July 16th at 8 p.m.

SINCE WINNING THREE SUPER SPORTSMAN FEATURES IN A ROW during April, Carmen Perigo Jr. has been shut our of victory lane at Silver Spring Speedway. And it was no better time to change his luck than winning the Firecracker 40 worth $2,000 on Saturday night.

“I thought it was going to go straight through (there was a late race caution for a blown engine),’ said Perigo. “I was glad to see the yellow come out because the lapped cars weren’t cooperating with me. I had to rub a couple of them to let them (other competitors) know the leader was coming by.”

“We began the season on American Racers (tires) and we were one of the few to stick with them when the other guys switched to Hoosiers. I knew it was going to bite me until we got them figured out.”

Howie Locke came on strong to finish second.

Bud Witmer got the win in the Late Model feature while the Street Stock features (two of them) were won by Kory Sites and Paul Morgan.

This Saturday night, July 10th, 7 p.m. it is Family Fun Night featuring the Super Sportsman along with Late Models and Street Stocks. Activities for Family Fun Night include a Moon Bounce for kids, a dunk tank with drivers insider, a balloon toss with drivers and fans, a portable bowling alley from Red Crown Bowling Center and more.

SCOTT HAUS WON THE SIXTH ANNUAL Salem RV Center Late Model Open Championship at Selinsgrove Speedway on Saturday night. The win, Haus’s first in the Open following three previous second place finishes was worth $2,000.

Jake Radebaugh became the 11th different winner in the 358 sprint cars. It was the first win of his career.

Troy Miller took his third win of the season the Pro Stock feature whle the two 12 lap roadrunner features were won by Keith Bissinger and Brad Mitch.

Action at Selinsgrove Speedway on Saturday, July 10th includes the sprint cars, late models, pro stocks and roadrunners sponsored by Foss Jewelers. The Williams Grove Oldtimers organization will also be on hand. Racing starts at 7 p.m.

FRED RAHMER continued to be the hottest talent on the Central Pennsy 410 sprint car circuit as he took home $10,000 on Friday night winning the 30-lap Mitch Smith Memorial at Williams Grove Speedway. Seventeen year old Lucas Wolfe tried to give Rahmer a run for his money and stayed within striking distance, challenging for the lead, on the 21st lap. However after that Rahmer was able to run away and hide from the field.

This was the third time that Rahmer won the Mitch Smith Classic. This was the third win of the season at Rahmer at the Grove and his 57th career win and that ties him with Lance Dewease as the all time leading winner at Williams Grove.

This Friday, July 9th, the 358 sprint cars and 410 sprints will be the attraction starting at 8 pm.

World of Outlaw sprint cars return to Williams Grove Speedway at the end of the month for another two night show of action. Check with the speedway for ticket information.

ALAN COLE won his third of the season in the sprint car feature race at Clinton County Speedway on Friday night. Jake Shady won the Late Model feature becoming the first driver to visit victory lane on more than one occasion after having seven different winners. Other winners were Adam Steppe in the Pro Stocks and Brian Shook in the Enduro main event.

Sprint cars, 358 Late Models, Pro Stocks and Enduros will be back in action on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

AT PORT ROYAL SPEEDWAY veteran Keith Kauffman won the PA Sprint Speedweek 30-lap 410 sprint car feature race topping Lance Dewease. Tim Krape won the 15-lap feature for the Pro Stocks.

Saturday night July 10th will be Kids Night with racing at 7 p.m. Sprints, Late Models, Pro Stocks and 4 Cylinder Stock Cars will be in action.

FOR THE FOURTH TIME THIS SEASON defending track champion Jeff Strunk was able to charge to the front of the pack and win the 30-lap feature for the NASCAR Modfieds at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night. In the Firecracker 40 for Late Model stock cars run in memory of Jerry Glase the victory went to Chuck Schutz for his first win of the season. Mike Kellner, a 16 year old rookie, finished second in an outstanding effort and four time Late Model champion Dean Stoudt finished third.

Auto Locator Magazine posted cash awards for qualifying event winners and others during the course of the evening with many fans receiving free shirts and hats compliments of Auto Locator.

Racing returns to the Berks County oval on Saturday, July 10th at 7:30 p.m. The NASCAR Modifieds and Late Models will be featured in at least 13 events of stock car racing as part of Dodge Motorsports Night.

GREG HODNETT closed out the Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek Sunday night at Selinsgrove Speedway with a victory but it was Fred Rahmer who took the Series title….his 8th PA Speedweek Championship. Hodnett won three races during the Sprint Series with victories at Big Diamond Raceway and Susquehanna in addition to the Selinsgrove win.

BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY had a special Fourth of July Georgie Stevenson Memorial show on Sunday. Two features were scheduled for each division but rain wiped out each of the second features. Craig VonDohren won the 20-lapper for the NASCAR Modifieds, Mario Dinatale was tops in the Sportsman Modified feature and it was Kevin Holland winning the Roadrunner feature. No word on when the rained out events will be rescheduled.

Hope you all had a great Fourth of July Holiday and we look forward to seeing all of you at a local short track racing program soon.

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