Rahmer toasts victory in WoO race at Grove
Saturday, May 27, 2006
BY JERRY REIGLE
For The Patriot-News

Drivers have different ways to get stoked for a World of Outlaws race, but Fred Rahmer's may be unique.

"I'll go drink some beer, get up in the morning and go from there," Rahmer said after winning last night's 25-lap WoO race at Williams Grove Speedway.

Few know what Rahmer does for a pre-race ritual, but it works.

With the traveling professionals in town for a two-night stand at the Grove, Rahmer led the Pennsylvania Posse and made a spectacular drive at the end of the race, passing WoO points leader Donny Schatz on lap 23.

Schatz made a last-lap bid to steal the lead only to settle for a second-place finish.

Posse drivers Mark Smith and Doug Esh finished third and fourth, while Daryn Pittman completed the top five. The top four finishers are locked into tonight's 30-lap, $12,000-to-win feature.

The race, which attracted 49 cars, finished at 10:26 p.m.

The win was the second WoO trophy for car owners Jim and Sandy Kline. Jason Johnson won a race last season.

"Fred did a heck of a job," Jim Kline said. "I knew Donny would be tough to beat because he is tough at Williams Grove Speedway."

Schatz, the reigning Williams Grove National Open winner, took the lead from Rahmer in turn 4 on the first lap and never relinquished it until Rahmer stole it late in the race.

At one point, Schatz had a half-straight lead over Rahmer and third-place runner Smith.

Smith slid into the second spot on lap 16, but Rahmer returned to the position a lap later.

Then he started to close on the leader.

Lap by lap, he chiseled into Schatz's lead. When lapped traffic came into play on lap 21, Rahmer knew his opportunity was close.

"Donny got held up by lapped traffic," Rahmer said. "Our weekly racing is harder than this because you have to come through the pack.

"Lapped traffic made the difference. We were lucky to start up near the front, and we could race hard each lap."

Once Rahmer made his slide for the lead, Schatz held back until the final turn.

He cut between the inside guardrail and Rahmer's car coming off turn 4. He couldn't muster enough momentum to steal the lead.

"I expected Donny to make that last-lap run," Rahmer said. "Donny is one of the best WoO drivers here, and he wanted to win this just as bad as I did.

"I am glad to be locked in. More importantly, I am happy to get this win for Jim and Sandy." NOTES: Elizabethville's Mike Erdley withdrew from racing action after an engine valve malfunctioned during practice. ... Mechanicsburg's Lucas Wolfe had planned to be in the area tonight through Monday, but he won't make it since last night's National Sprint Tour race in Attica, Ohio, was postponed to tomorrow night. ... All Star Circuit of Champions driver Danny Smith competed last night but failed to qualify. The ASCoC visits Williams Grove and Lincoln speedways next weekends. ... Sean Michael drove Randy Hannagan's sprint car. Hannagan returned home to San Jose, Calif., to be with his mother, who is battling cancer. ... National Sprint Tour drivers Jason Solwold and Tim Shaffer entered last night's WoO race. Shaffer is substituting for Terry McCarl, who broke his leg last Saturday night at Sharon Speedway. ... Joey Saldana, who is second in WoO points, failed to make the starting field, as did Greg Hodnett, a five-time feature winner this season. ... Dover's Smokey Snellbaker won the 20-lap super sportsman feature at Susquehanna Speedway Park. Jason Fry was second followed by Scott Dellinger, Bobby Hockenberry and David Socks II.

JERRY REIGLE: 255-8206 or jreigle@patriot-news.com

Sprint Cars Feature (25 Laps): 1. Greg Hodnett 2. Chad Layton 3. Lance Dewease 4. Fred Rahmer 5. Mark Smith 6. Blane Heimbach 7. Craig Keel 8. Donnie Kreitz Jr. 9. Glenndon Forsythe 10. Mark Coldren 11. Matt Miller 12. Cody Darrah 13. Billy Kimmel 14. Bob Bennett 15. Darwin Martin 16. Chad Jumper 17. Michael Carber 18. Brian Paulus 19. Cory Haas

DNS: Scott Lutz, Alan Krimes, Bobby Weaver



FEATURE LAP LEADER: Layton 1-16, Hodnett 17-25

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Rahmer and Paulus



Xtreme Stock Cars Feature (25 Laps) 1. Gene Knaub 2. Rick Reinoehl 3. Larry Hughes Jr. 4. Sam Rial 5. Matt Smith 6. Charlie Pensinger 7. Donnie Brodrick 8. Eris Snoke 9. Chris Heller 10. Adam Smith 11. Bill Fulton 12. Jason Failor 13. Travis Horan 14. Jim Gross 15. Mike Goodwin 16. Tommy Slanker 17. John Hiden Jr. 18. Ken Doll DNS: Raymond Repp, Matt Deardorff, Doug Hansen Sr.



FEATURE LAP LEADER: Reinoehl 1-7, Knaub 8-25

BPS Trucking Dash Winner; Knaub



XSC Rookie Rumble Feature (20 Laps) 1. Brent Vogelsanger 2. John Scrivens 3. Ray Brodrick 4. Rich Lomman 5. Adam Almoney 6. Zach Behrens 7. Larry Landis 8. Dick Smith 9. Amanda Gross 10. Trevor Stark 11. Randy Blank 12. Penny Repp 13. Les Scrivens Jr. 14. Randy Gladfelter 15. Doug Hansen Jr. 16. Adam Doll 17. Jed Latshaw 18. Brian Shue 19. Bill Paulus



FEATURE LAP LEADER: J. Scrivens 1-3, Vogelsanger 4-16



Legends Cars Feature (15 Laps) 1. Jason Rochelle 2. Josh Morrow 3. Ronnie Dunstan 4. Geremy Schaeffer 5. Randy Kissinger 6. Steven Nederostek 7. Butch Brough 8. Bill Harris 9. Lawrence Garrison 10. Bob Murray 11. Zach Dieter 12. Shawn Arndt 13. Andy Lupfer 14.Chad Glatfelter 15. Jeff Condron 16. Randy Fetterhoff 17. Robert Sobrieski 18. Daryl Bloom 19. Tyler Bear 20. Scott Spidle 21. Nathan Van Zandt 22. Rick Harring 23. Denny Willey 24. Tim Tomson 25. Amy Staver 26. Greg Burd DNS; Jim Black, Jason Ewing



FEATURE LAP LEADER:Morrow 1-14, Rochelle 15

HEAT WINNERS: Tomson, Nederoski, Kissinger

CONSOLATION WINNER: Fetterhoff

Newberrytown, PA (May 4, 2006) - Fred Rahmer raced to his second Susquehanna Speedway Park win of the season in Thursday night’s 25-lap Sprint Car feature. Gene Knaub won the Xtreme Stock Car feature, while Brent Fogelsanger drove Knaub’s car to victory in the XSC Rookie Rumble. Bill Brown Sr. won the Northeast Classic Car feature event.



Sallfordville's Fred Rahmer, who drives for Grantville's Jim and Sandy Kline, looked as if he was going after his first win rather than his 361st in a sprint car. The win was his 30th career at SSP, placing him five behind all-time feature winner John Mackison Sr. "I didn't even know who has the all-time record here," Rahmer said. "I know I'm just as determined to come here next week and win again. That's how I am. You're only as good as your last race in this game. We have things figured out on this team, so I think you'll be seeing us some more in Victory Lane."


Although Rahmer collected the $3,500 winning prize, he admittedly wasn't the fastest on the track. That honor belonged to Lance Dewease and Chad Layton. Both drivers weaved through traffic, but Dewease fell short and finished third while Layton came from 17th to second when the race ended.


Bobby Weaver led Cody Darrah, a Red Lion sophomore, through most of the early stages. Bob Bennett came to a stop in turn 1 after the second circuit causing a caution period. Darrah grabbed the lead as he exited turn 2 on lap 6. He pulled away by seven-car lengths by lap 10. Dewease moved into fourth on lap 14. He was in the runner-up spot a lap later after he passed Alan Krimes and Weaver stopped on the track with mechanical failure.



Rahmer's power showed on the restart. He blasted by Michael Carber for third and Dewease for second before the field reached turn 2. He tracked down Darrah in turn 2 on lap 18. "He drove a good race," Rahmer said. "That's not a 16-year-old kid in the car. That's an Eckert in there." Rahmer was alluding to Darrah's uncle Rick Eckert, a top World of Outlaws Late Model driver.


"It was an awesome leading the feature," Darrah said. "I knew those big-name guys were charging towards the front, and it was a great knowing they were chasing me." Layton, Dewease and two-time feature winner Greg Hodnett soon went charging by. "Those caution periods hurt me," Darrah said. "I started to get nervous, because I had time to think about those guys racing close to me." Darrah finished eighth.


Layton knew Rahmer had the good car down the stretch. "He drove away from me following the restart," Layton said. "He got the win, because he had the good car." Chad Layton raced forward from the 17th starting spot for second, with Lance Dewease third. Greg Hodnett and Blane Heimbach completed the top five. Rounding out the top ten were Michael Carber, Eric Stambaugh, Darrah, Craig Keel, and Cory Haas. Heats went to Weaver and Darrah.



Gene Knaub had a very eventful evening. After arriving at the speedway, Knaub’s regular ride, the Updegraff number 57 was sold, so Knaub had to take a ride in his own car, which Brent Fogelsanger has been racing in the Rookie Rumble races. Knaub came from the backto win the BPS trucking Elimination Dash, and then came from last in the 17 car field to win the Xtreme Stock feature. Kanub took the lead from Mike Goodwin on the ninth of 25 laps. Goodwin finished second followed by Rick Reinoehl, Charlie Pensinger and Adam Smith. Knaub’s win was his third of the season.



Fogelsanger also drove Knaub’s car to victory in the Rookie Rumble. Fogelsanger’s win was his third of the season as well. John Scrivens, Ken Johns, Brian Shue and Randy Gladfelter completed the top five.



Bill Brown Sr. led all 15 laps to win the first Northeast Classic car feature at SSP this season. AllenCullum, Jim Crocker, Kurt Welsh and Joe Snodgrass completed the top five. Heats went to Brown and Cullum.



The Sprint Cars return to SSP on Thursday night, May 11 with the Xtreme Stock Cars and Women on Wheels Stock Cars. It will also be Mother’s Appreciation Night in which all mothers will receive a special gift.

SSP Results from Thursday, May 4, 2006

Sprint Cars Feature (25 Laps): 1. Fred Rahmer 2. Chad Layton 3. Lance Dewease 4. Greg Hodnett 5. Blane Heimbach 6. Michael Carber 7. Eric Stambaugh 8. Cody Darrah 9. Craig Keel 10. Cory Haas 11. Alan Krimes 12. Scott Lutz 13. Mark Coldren 14, Chad Jumper 15. Matt Miller 16. Daryl Stimeling 17. Bobby Weaver 18. Bob Bennett



FEATURE LAP LEADER: Weaver 1-5, Darrah 6-17, Rahmer 18-25

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Weaver, Darrah





Xtreme Stock Cars Feature (25 Laps) 1. Gene Knaub 2. Mike Goodwin 3. Rick Reinoehl 4. Charlie Pensinger 5. Adam Smith 6. Chris Heller 7. Eric Snoke 8. John Hiden Jr. 9. Nathan Heindel 10. Larry Hughes Jr. 11. Tommy Slanker 12. Travis Horan 13. Matt Smith 14. Ken Doll 15. Sam Rial 16. Matt Wampler 17. Donnie Brodrick DNS; Trevor Stark, Raymond Repp



FEATURE LAP LEADER: Hiden 1-3, Goodwin 4-8, Knaub 9-25

BPS Trucking Dash Winner: Knaub



XSC Rookie Rumble Feature (20 Laps) 1. Brent Fogelsanger 2. John Scrivens 3. Ken Johns 4. Brian Shue 5. Randy Gladfelter 6. Larry Landis 7. Randy Blank 8. Rich Lomman 9. Bill Paulus 10. Les Scrivens Jr. 11. Ray Brodrick 12. Beth Sample 13. Penny Repp 14. Adam Doll 15. Jed Latshaw 16. Brad Hughes



FEATURE LAP LEADER: J. Scrivens 1, Fogelsanger 2-20



Classic Cars Feature (15 Laps) 1. Bill Brown Sr. 2. Allen Cullum 3. Jim Crocker 4. Kurt Welsh 5. Joe Snodgrass 6. Fred Cullum 7. Jamie Lloyd 8. Jack Yingling 9. Glenn Elliott 10. Bill Brown Jr. 11. Pete Neal 12. Allen Daniels 13. Randy Smith 14. Al Daniels DNS Joe Brown



FEATURE LAP LEADER:Brown Sr. 1-15

HEAT WINNERS: A. Cullum, Brown Sr.

SSP News and Notes:

- The ARDC Midgets return to SSP on Friday night, May 5 along with the Late Models, Street Stocks and a Mini Van Construction Race.



Gates will open for both the pit area and grandstand gates at 5:00 p.m. Warmups begin at 7:00 p.m. with racing action beginning at 7:30 p.m. Race fans can continue to expect a fast paced, action packed 2 ½ to 3 hour program each and every night. Regular General Admission Grandstand ticket prices for Friday nights will be Adults (18 & older) $12.00; Teens (13-17) $10.00; Children (12 & under) are free. Pit pass prices are $20.00 with a reduced price of $18.00 for all pit competitor license holders. Prices will be slightly higher for special events.



The Susquehanna Speedway Park is located off I-83 to exit 32, then 1.4 miles NW on SR382 to York Road, then 1.3 miles south. For more information, contact the speedway offices at (717) 292-1696 or visit online at sspracing.net. On raceday, fans are encouraged to call (717) 938-9170 for current weather conditions.

Williams Grove Speedway

April 14, 2006

- HODNETT PUTS THE 77 IN VICTORY LANE ON AL’S 77TH BIRTHDAY

- MECHANICSBURG, PA – Al Hamilton’s family planned a surprise birthday bash for him Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway, but his driver, Greg Hodnett, put the proverbial icing on the cake with a win in the 25-lap sprint car feature.

- It was a special day for Hamilton who turned 77 Friday, matching the car number he made one of the most famous in all of sprint car racing during a career which has spanned nearly 40 years. His family provided 3000 vouchers for free pizza, 150 door prizes and a spectacular fireworks display to honor the patriarch, but it was Hodnett who brought him a chart-topping 88th victory as a car owner at Williams Grove.

- Hodnett lined up 8th on the original start and was up to third by the second lap. He drove by Brook Weibley on lap nine and began to run down early leader Ryan Bohlke.

- Still a few days shy of his 21st birthday, Bohlke, a Grove rookie, kept H.odnett at bay until his car slowed to a stop less than four laps from the finish.

- From that point Hodnett cruised to his 31st career victory at Williams Grove.

- Lance Dewease, who started 12th, nipped Weibley at the line for second place and increased his lead in the Cindy Rowe Auto Glass point race.

- Fred Rahmer charged from the rear of the field to finish fourth and Don Kreitz, Jr. completed the top five.

- Brian Leppo, Brian Montieth, Mike Erdley, T, J, Stutts and Chad Layton finished in positions six through ten respectively.

- Sprint heats were won by Bohlke, Kyle Purks and Weibley. Josh Wells won the consolation race.

In the limited (358 c.i.) sprint feature, defending champion Corry Haas made it two for two this season as he charged from 11th starting position to win the 20-lap event.

- Travis Keeney, Jimmy Layton, Aaron Long, and Nate Snyder completed the top five.

- Limited heats went to Snuyder, Jason Shultz, Kyle Purks and Kevin Nagy. Consolation races were won by Nouse and Chad Trout.

- Sprint cars and late models will be featured on April 21.

-

- Williams Grove Speedway Feature Finishes – April 14, 2006

Sprint Car Feature – 25 laps – 1. Greg Hodnett, 2. Lance Dewease, 3. Brook Weibley, 4. Fred Rahmer, 5. Don Kreitz, Jr., 6. Brian Leppo, 7. Brian Montieth, 8. Mike Erdley, 9. T. J. Stutts, 10. Chad Layton, 11. Niki Young, 12. Mark Coldren, 13. Ken Carberry, 14. Chris Knopp, 15. Josh Wells, 16. Kyle Pruitt, 17. Ryan Bohlke, 18. Chris Meleason, 19. Mark Freeland, 20. Rick Lafferty, 21. Doug Esh, 22. Todd Shaffer, 23. Justin Collett, 24. Craig Keel

Limited (358 c.i.) Sprint Car Feature – 20 laps – 1. Cory Haas, 2. Travis Keeney, 3. Jimmy Layton, 4. Aaron Long, 5. Nate Snyder, 6. Pat Cannon, 7. Kevin Nouse, 8. Adrian Shaffer, 9. Nate Hammaker, 10. Kevin Nagy, 11. Dale Hammaker, 12. Kyle Purks, 13. Billy Johns, 14. Chad Trout, 15. Davie Franek, 16. Frankie Herr, 17. Keith Prutzman, 18. Kyle Pruitt, 19. Matt Boland, 20. John Westbrook, 21. Chad Criswell, 22. Jake Raudabaugh, 23. Jason Shultz, 24. Nathan Berwager (DNS)

Motorcycle Flat Track Racing
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Pit Gates Open At 3 P.M.
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Pit Gates Open At 3 P.M.
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Pit Gates Open At 3 P.M.
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Heat Races Start At 6:30 P.M.
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All Times, Prices, Events, Etc. Subject To Change Without

Unretired Shaffer gets 32nd Grove victory

Veteran sprint ace Todd Shaffer of Millerstown picked up the sprint win at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday night in a makeup feature held over from March 31. Shaffer's win at the Mechanicsburg oval was his 32nd at the track and it tied him with legendary Steve Smith Sr. for 10th on the oval's all-time win list.

Shaffer picked up his first win of the year anywhere at Port Royal Speedway on April 1 for his new car owners, Jim and Laura Allebach of Souderton. After nearly retiring over the winter, Shaffer took the lead Friday from Brian Leppo of Spring Grove with seven laps to go. His last Grove victory was March 25, 2005.

"This 5W is something," said Shaffer of his mount Friday. "I want to thank Jim and Laura for giving me a shot at this. I'm tickled to be here. Right now, I wouldn't quit for a minute. I hope she keeps rolling like this and I can give these guys a run for their money."

Shaffer's mechanic is retired Central Pennsylvania sprint driver Randy Wolfe.

o

With rain forcing both the Port Royal and Lincoln speedways to cancel their Saturday night programs, Selinsgrove Speedway was the only local track to face the spring cold with racing action Saturday night.

Defending sprint champion Blane Heimbach of Selinsgrove drove to his second win in as many races at the track, wiring the field from the pole in the 25-lapper aboard the Jeff Creasy owned No. 12. It was the young sprint star's 13th career win at the track which he took by a whopping 6.16-second margin over Kevin Nouse of Lewisberry. Heimbach is second on the track's 358 win list to Chad Layton, who has 25 checkered flags.

"They said I was pretty good at the end but I didn't feel that good," said Heimbach. "On the restart he (Nouse) put a nose under me and he's a smart racer and I knew he wanted to overhaul me pretty bad."

Jeff Rine of Pillow free-wheeled around the oval to blast around the top of leader Jeff Smith of Blain in the late model feature to take his 30th oval victory. "That was cool but this is cold," quipped Rine of his move for the win and the temperature in which he took the win by 3.38 seconds.

The 15-lap pro stock feature was exciting and packed with controversy as it ended.

Gary Beward of Thompsontown had won all three feature events held to date at the track entering the event and started 11th. He worked his way into second and drove to the outside of defending track champ Troy Miller for the lead on the last lap only to be driven into the fence coming off of the fourth turn for the checkered flag by Miller. Otherwise, Beward would have been four for four.

As Beward cracked the outside wall, turned sideways in front of the storming field and then walloped the inside fence, it appeared at first as if Miller had won. But speedway officials did the right thing in stripping Miller of the victory based on rough driving and awarding it to A.J. Stroup of Evendale. Beward ended up fifth with a badly damaged racer.

After setting lineups by luck of the draw for the first two regular Saturday programs, Selinsgrove will begin using handicapping procedures to set the fields this week.

o

After breaking his collar bone in a violent first-turn crash at Selinsgrove Speedway in March, Tower City sprint driver Mark Smith will visit with doctors early this week and hopes to be back racing the Zemco No. 1 sprinter this weekend.

Zemco mechanic Tommy Karl has been helping out Elizabethville driver Mike Erdley for the last several weeks and Erdley has felt the effects with a stronger machine.

o

In addition to its Friday sprint doubleheader of 410s and 358s, Williams Grove returns to action Saturday night with the first of 13 Saturday shows this year for the displaced Silver Spring Speedway super sportsman, late models and street stocks plus the rained out sportsman feature from April 7.

MAXATAWNY, Pa. -- This week, the "CarQuest Gasoline Alley Gang" kicks off its second season on WALN with a notable night, which includes a pair of young, up-and-coming central Pennsylvania sprint car chauffeurs, who'll talk about their early season success stories.

The guests for this weeks show include T. J. Stutts, who has scored 2 early season victories at the Selinsgrove Speedway aboard the Gary and Patty Beam owned No. 88 410 sprint car. The lad out of Liverpool, PA., will discuss his move full-time to the 410 central Pennsylvania sprints and what he is looking for with the '06 season underway.

We will then talk with another youthful driving talent on the 358 sprint car circuit, Blane Heimbach, as the 24-year-old throttle-jockey out of Selinsgrove, PA., talks about his career to date, his success at Selinsgrove and his '06 opportunities to steer a 410 sprint car, among other topics.

Finally, we will chat with Mark Lowery, a very talented young Afro-American racer, who'll talk about his budding career and the difficulties he's had to face on his climb up the racing ladder towards a goal of NASCAR Nextel Cup racing.

This will be a great show. Make sure to listen in.

The CarQuest Gasoline Alley (TV/Radio/Internet) Show continues with its new programming "live" every Monday night on WALN Cable Radio FM 92.1, “live” every Monday on the Internet (www.polkas.com/waln) and also "live" weekly on Service Electric Digital Cable TV channels 222 and 137. A tape-delayed rebroadcast program can be seen on channel 50 and heard on the Internet, starting at 11 o'clock on Monday evenings.

Monday night, April 10, at 6 P.M., begin your week with the Pados Brothers (Ed and Steve) and Area Auto Racing News weekly columnist Randy Kane with their well-documented, very informative and extremely funny CarQuest Gasoline Alley Racing Show, which runs for a full two-hours and is known, simply, as the fastest racing show on the airwaves.

Joining the “Gang” also is Orange County Fair Speedway big block modified star, Bruce Kline, who gives the listeners a look at racing from inside the cockpit.

Join the fun and excitement each week, as the “Gasoline Alley Team” brings you all the up-to-date racing news and results for the listeners in a totally unique and very refreshing concept for the local and International racing communities.

Should you have any comments or questions, on how to be a part of the program through advertising or appearances, please contact Steve Pados at 610 217 8774 or Ed Pados at 610 739 0391. Randy Kane is available at 610 682-6273 and the WALN studio number is 610 791 1818. You may also e-mail the program anytime directly at racewriter@enter.net or try steveswp@netzero.net with your comments.

April 7, 2006

Passion fuels life back into area speedway
By Shawn Wood
For The Daily Item

MINERSVILLE — When Fritz Roehrig decided to shut down his love of auto racing for the past 34 years, the Big Diamond Raceway, following an Enduro race in late September, seemed like another blow to the economically depressed coal mining region of Central Pennsylvania.

But three businessmen with long standing histories in auto racing, Buddy Biever, Barry Bashore and Dave Dissinger, combined their fervor for the sport and on Dec. 16 gave the racing community an early Christmas present.

The trio announced its group, BDR, LLC, had agreed to terms with Fritz and Krista Roehrig on a multi-year deal to promote racing for the upcoming 35th season on the three-eighth-mile oval.

It was Biever who initiated the call to Roehrig in September to see what interest he had in either leasing or selling the track. Roehrig was interested in leasing, but there was a time in early November when, according to Biever, the deal appeared to be dead.

"Talks resumed around Thanksgiving," he noted, and "everything that is happening at the race track is because of the good weather. A lot of what the fans will see when they come into the track I think will blow their minds. The new structures could not have happened without the great folks from Pioneer Pole Buildings."

Biever would not disclose the actual length of the lease agreement but added, "We're trying to get into the entertainment business so that families will want to come to Big Diamond Raceway and that they will enjoy it. It's clean and it's not the stereotype of what short-track racing has been."

Major improvements include a corporate suite/scoring and announcing tower, a novelty and ice cream stand housed below it, new bathrooms, a new concession stand and a pavilion for families to eat.

There will be new clay added to the track in the corners for 2006 in hopes of creating two- to three-wide grooves of racing.

The group's goal of attracting more fans and having competitive racing is reflective in the 2006 schedule for the weekly divisions of small block modifieds, sportsman modifieds and roadrunners. Thirty-one dates are set from April 2 to Sept. 30, including a race on Easter Sunday, The Georgie Stevenson Memorial on July 7, the Race of Champions Dirt Modified and Sportsman Tour on Tuesday, June 6, and Tuesday, July 25, and the ARDC midgets on June 16 and July 21. One new twist is for the sportsman modified division: when they have car counts of more than 40, they will race two separate features based on odd and even point standings but will have on-track time equivalent to heat races.

The Pioneer Pole Buildings Coalcracker weekend is set for Friday, Sept. 1, with the Sportsman Championship and Sunday, Sept. 3, with the Modified Championship.

The one loss for 2006 will be the annual stop during the Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek tour.

"We would love to have a sprint car race here and if something can happen, we may even try something yet," noted Biever. "Our grandstands are big enough to run the National Sprint Tour or World of Outlaws but that is something we are looking to in the future as to how we can increase our stands.

"We are going to look into some dates for the 410s, but I think next year we will definately go after a Speedweek date again."

Name:Wanikiya David Young
Nicknames:Niki,Indian Outlaw
Birthdate:8/18/76
Hometown:East Berlin,Pa

Marital Status:Married to Kelly
Children:Cole,Chase

Occupation:Utz Quality Foods
Siblings:Brothers Choya,Wovika
and sister Naylin
Parents:Dave and Donna

Favorite Drivers:Jay Drake and Danny Lasoski
Favorite NFL Team:Pittsburgh Steelers

SHAFFER, CAMPBELL, GARMAN & EBY WIN SEASON OPENERS AT PORT ROYAL SPEEDWAY

For Immediate Release:
April 2, 2006

Port Royal, PA, Todd Shaffer left everyone know his short lived retirement is over Saturday night at Port Royal Speedway. The Millerstown, PA speedster won the 2006 season opener and served notice he will be a force to be dealt with in Central PA Auto Racing. Shaffer's win and strong showing by teammate Lucas Wolfe left no one doubting the Allebach Racing stable has their best equipment ever as they begin the new year.

Bill Brian started on the pole and led the first ten laps while Shaffer stayed close at the beginning. Wolfe started tenth and moved into fifth spot on lap one. He advanced to fourth on lap two by passing Shaffer and was third one lap later. " I was riding along and figured I'd be ok", said Shaffer. " When Lucas got by, I figured I had to go if I was gonna get there." The race was under yellow with five laps complete when Kevin Scheaffer of Kittanning, PA stopped his car on the frontstretch. Scheaffer restarted the race and finished 15th. At lap six Wolfe was second and pressing Brian. Brian held the lead until lap ten when Shaffer passed both Brian and Wolfe to take the lead. Wolfe's night hit a sour note when he was forced to the pits with a flat tire on lap 17. Wolfe returned to action and finished 12th. The race resumed and was again under yellow on lap 18. Three cars had problems in turns one and two. Keith Kauffman was forced to the pit area with a flat tire. Kauffman returned to finish 13th. Judi Bates and Clark Simonton were towed to the pits and out for the night. They were scored in 18th and 22nd positions respectively. Shaffer cruised to victory by a comfortable margin over second place finished Mike Wagner of Harrisonville, PA. Wagner started 12th. Lance DeWease of Fayetteville, PA came from 11th spot to finish third. T. J. Stutts of Liverpool was fourth. Alan Cole of Berwick finished fifth. Sixth through tenth were Brian, Rick Lafferty, Dan Shetler, Michael Carber and Cliff Brian. Heats for the 30 car field were won by Mark Freeland, Shaffer and Wolfe. Craig Keel won the consie. " Shaffer thanked mechanic Randy Wolfe and Jim and Laura Allebach for their support following the event.

Nine out of ten times if Scotty Haus of Hamburg, PA were to start on the pole for an opening night Late Model event, most would conclude the race is over before it starts. The tenth time came. Haus led the first 16 laps despite heavy pressure from Thompson, PA driver Dan Stone. Stone went to the top of the speedway to pressure Haus. Defending Champion Steve Campbell stayed close while racing on the bottom through much of the event. Campbell shocked everyone when he drove under Stone for second place on lap 14. He repeated the move in turns one and two to wrestle the lead from Haus on lap 16. Campbell
stayed in front to record the win. Haus finished second with Stone third. Tim Gray and Scott Flickinger completed the top five. Rounding out the top ten were Tim Wilson, Jason Miller, Bobby Stokes, Jere Wierman and Matt Parks. Heats for the 22 car field were won by Haus and Gray. Jeff Bryner received the Service Mart of Mifflin Hard Charger Award for advancing the most spots in the feature. Bryner started 19th and finished 11th.

Derrick Garman won his first ever Pro Stock feature over Jason Davis. Jim Palm finished third with Terry Wagner fourth. Bill Powell was fifth. Sixth through tenth were Steve Stitt, Scott Spahr, Mike Rowles, Jason Schmidt and Terry Naugle. Heat races were won by Powell and Davis. Palm led the first two laps before giving way to Davis on lap three. Garman took the lead on lap 12 to record the win. The youngster thanked his grandfather, Kenny Garman, for helping make the win possible.

Todd Eby won the 30 lap Pizza and Sub Shack Enduro race. Eby just made it to the checked flag. " I wouldn't have made it if we would have had one more lap. I only had 15 lbs. of oil pressure left." Eby's racer was smoking most of the event. Adam Yetter started second and led the first nine laps. Alan Noss led from lap 10-27 and it appeared the race would be settled between Noss and Eby. Disaster nearly struck on lap 19 when Eby who was running second at the time, was nearly wiped out by another racer on the backstretch. Eby dropped from second place to sixth before regaining the second spot on lap 24. Noss's night was done after he was removed from the track for excessive oil smoke which produced near zero visibility. Eby went on to record the win. " This is the best this car has run, " said Eby. " I thought I was done over there on the backstretch and I didn't think we were gonna make it. But with one lap left you gotta try." Yetter was second with Bill Powell third. Craig Imes and Neil Foust followed. Also in the top ten were Steve Harlan, Steve Berry, Jon Chamberlain, Gary Cekovich and Mark Krone.

Up next at Port Royal is a four division show on April 8. Scheduled to compete are the Aumiller & Associate Sprint Cars, Ramsey's Car Wash/AB Auto Glass Late Models, Stong's Auto Parts Pro Stocks and Parson's Auto Salvage/Casner Service 4 Cyl. Stock Cars. Gates open at 5:00 P.M. with racing at 7. More information may be obtained from the speedway office or website, www.portroyalspeedway.com.