By Todd Fisher
Newberrytown, PA (January 23, 2011) – The Night of Honor and Awards Banquet for the Susquehanna Speedway Park’s 2010 season last Saturday night, January 22 was filled with an atmosphere of entertainment, enthusiasm and anticipation for the 2011 season. Thirteen track champions were crowned from the popular Stock Car Saturday Night program that began 3½ years ago. The Awards Gala was held once again at the historic Valencia Ballroom in downtown York, Pennsylvania in front of a full house of drivers, teams, sponsors and supporters of the various classes that competed at SSP last season. The banquet placed SSP’s grassroots racers on center stage after celebrating the track’s 56th year of operation.
The Late Model division crowned Larry Baer of Dover as the new reigning track champion in the Late Model division. Baer’s consistency during the season with four wins, fourteen top-five finishes and seventeen top-ten finishes allowed him to claim his second Late Model title over Dover’s Justin Ehrhart. Baer’s last SSP championship came in 2006. Also, Baer has an SSP Thundercar Track Championship on his resume from 1989. Ehrhart finished second in the point battle for the second consecutive season and has made a 100% commitment to seek his first track title in 2011. Manchester’s Randy Christine Jr. finished the season in third place for the second consecutive season as well and will give Ehrhart a run for title that Baer currently holds. Charles Potts finished a strong fourth place with John Moser Jr. rounding out the top five. Finishing sixth through tenth were Kyle Saylor, Bob Minnich, Chris Knopp, Jake Jones and D.J. Groft respectively.
Randy Zechman of Littlestown claimed his first career SSP Street Stock track championship with five feature wins, twelve top-5 finished and eighteen top-10 finishes in 2010. Last year’s champion Scott Thunberg finished second, just eight points behind Zechman. Thunberg has won Street Stock championships in 1998 and 2009. Thunberg will try to win the track title once again in 2011 to become the only driver to win the Street Stock track championship in three different decades at SSP. Veterans Bob Scott Jr. and Jim Palm Jr. finished third and fourth respectively with Brian Hauenstein rounding out the top five.
Donnie Broderick of Lancaster took command of the Xtreme Stock Car point championship early and never looked back to claim his second XSC title in three years. Broderick finished the season with eleven feature wins, sixteen top-five finishes and seventeen top-ten finishes in the nineteen point races that he entered. York’s Tim Hahn finished a career best in second with one win, thirteen top-fives and sixteen top-tens. Also having banner years in the Xtreme Stock Car class was Larry Landis, Stephen Ramsey and Jimmy Jesmer Jr. who finished third through fifth respectively.
Other SSP track champions honored on Saturday night ), Patrick McClane (XSC Elite), Road Warriors (Christopher Holland), Daryl Sipe (Mini Vans), Jim Crocker (Classic Cars), Tim Henry (Legends Cars – Pro), Greg Burd (Legends Cars – Masters), Brent Marquis (Legends Cars – Semi Pro), Paul Bacchus (PENNMAR Vintage Cars – Modified), Willie Brymesser (PENNMAR Vintage Cars – Sportsman), Mark Watkins, PASS Sprint Series, Sherry Kitner (Women on Wheels Mini Vans).
The Clean Technologies Young Guns Shootout is a season long point series featuring all drivers ages 21 and younger (born on or after April 11, 1988) in the Late Model, Street Stock, and Xtreme Stock Car divisions. The points will be calculated from the regular track point series throughout the season. All drivers will be competing together in one points battle. Street Stock driver Brett Pickel took the 2010 title over Jimmy Jesmer Jr. (Xtreme Stock Cars) and Cameron Benyou (Xtreme Stock Cars). Pickel’s fellow competitor in the Street Stocks, Jimmy Slaseman finished fourth with Late Model driver, Calvin Herman rounding out the top five spots.
Before the awards presentation, Todd Fisher, owner/promoter of the Susquehanna Speedway Park, gave his annual “State of the Speedway” address. Fisher began by reflecting on the family atmosphere of SSP throughout the past seven years and looks forward to many more years to come. Fisher reiterated that the Stock Car Saturday Night Program was once again very successful with the support of the families of the various race teams. Fisher also touched on a few topics that would be described in detail in the pre-season letter to all drivers that will be sent in next two weeks. He also announced that 400 tons of new clay were added to the speedway in Late November of last season along with forty tons of new clay being added to the Outback Track as well. The backstretch guardrail will also be moved towards the infield, giving driver more run-off area, similar to the way the frontstretch was widened in 2010.
During the awards presentation, some very special individuals were recognized with awards and special jackets for their support and dedication as reaching the 5-year milestone of being employed at SSP. These individuals include Don Seifert, Samantha Canulli, Stacy Miller and Kailynn Knaub.
Dalton Frye was also recognized as the first graduate of the SSP Outback Track who will be moving to a full-time ride in the Road Warrior class at SSP in 2011 on the big track.
Donations for the drawing for door prizes was overwhelming as every person in attendance went home with a prize. Door Prize donators included Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic; K&K Insurance; Coca Cola; Scott Racing; Lap One Photo, D.J Groft Racing, The Outhouse, AARN and SSP.
The 2010 season opener of Stock Car Saturday Night will be on Saturday, April 9, with the Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars and the PA Sprint Series. All point championships for each class starts on April 9.
SSP will begin its pre-season with four open practice sessions for any type of racecar on Saturday, March 26; Wednesday, March 30; Saturday, April 2; and Wednesday, April 6. The gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with practice sessions rotating for each class from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Susquehanna Speedway Park is located midway between Harrisburg and York 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 race day, use the track phone at (717) 938-9170 for up-to-date information at the “Big Track” and (717) 932-1608 for the “Outback Track.”
2010 SSP Track Champions:
Late Models: Larry Baer
Street Stocks: Randy Zechman
Xtreme Stock Cars: Donnie Broderick
XSC Elite: Patrick McClane
PASS Sprint Cars: Mark Watkins
Legends Cars: Tim Henry (Pro); Greg Burd (Masters); Brent Marquis (Semi Pro)
Classic Cars: Jim Crocker
Road Warrors: Christopher Holland
PENNMAR Vintage Cars: Paul Bacchus (Modified); Willie Brymesser (Sportsman)
Mini Van: Daryl Sipe
Women on Wheels Mini Vans: Sherry Kitner
Clean Technologies Young Guns Shootout: Brett Pickel
SSP Hall of Track Champions
1954: Fred Hurley (Sprint Cars)
1955: Bobby Abel (Sprint Cars)
1956: Johnny Mackison Sr. (Sprint Cars)
1957: Dave Lepo (Sprint Cars)
1958: George Kessler (Sprint Cars)
1959: Bobby Hersh (Sprint Cars)
1960: Roger Sowers (Sprint Cars)
1961: Johnny Mackison Sr. (Sprint Cars), Fred Putney (Sportsman)
1962: Gene Goodling (Sprint Cars), Don Eisenhour (Sportsman)
1963: Gene Goodling (Sprint Cars)
1964: Gene Goodling (Sprint Cars), Charlie Weirman (Late Models)
1965: Ray Tilley (Sprint Cars), Charlie Weirman (Late Models)
1966: Bobby Abel (Sprint Cars), Charlie Weirman (Late Models)
1967: Bobby Gerhart Sr. (Sprint Cars), Charlie Weirman (Late Models)
1968: Ray Tilley (Sprint Cars), Bobby Goodling (Late Models)
1969: Bobby Allen (Sprint Cars), Ronnie Dunstan (Late Models)
1970: Lee Parthemore/Ron Heisey TIE (Sportsman), John Smith (Late Models)
1971: Mitch Smith (Sprint Cars)
1972: Ed Zirkle (Sprint Cars), Gary Wolford (Sportsman), Gary Snelbaker (Late Models)
1973: NO CHAMPIONS DECLARED (7 races held)
1974: NO CHAMPIONS DECLARED
1975: NO CHAMPIONS DECLARED
1976: Bill Clouser (Late Models)
1977: Kenny Weaver (Late Models)
1978: Steve Smith (Sprint Cars), Kenny Weaver (Late Models), Perry Hostetter (Street Stocks)
1979: Bobby Weaver (Sprint Cars), Smokey Frye (Late Models), Bob Clouser (Street Stocks)
1980: Bobby Weaver (Sprint Cars), Larry Hare (Late Models), John Baker (Street Stocks)
1981: Van May (Sprint Cars), Don Comerer (Late Models), Butch Richcreek (Street Stocks)
1982: Roy Kunkel (Modifieds), Jay Jones (Late Models), Butch Richcreek (Street Stocks)
1983: NO CHAMPIONS DECLARED (only one race held)
1984: Keith Kauffman (Sprint Cars), Dwight Leib (Sportsman), Ed Hake / Jim Shuttlesworth “TIE” (Late Models),
Ronnie Grinestaff (Street Stocks)
1985: Steve Siegel (Sprint Cars), Gary Wolford (Sportsman), Charlie Schaffer (Late Models), Ronnie Grinestaff
(Street Stocks)
1986: Steve Smith (Sprint Cars), Larry Jackson (Sportsman), Carl Billet (Late Models), Pat Beard (Street Stocks)
1987: Stevie Smith (Sprint Cars), Larry Jackson (Sportsman), Jeff Leiphart (Late Models), Craig Wagaman
(Street Stocks)
1988: Jim Nace (Sprint Cars), Jeff Leiphart (Late Models), Jeremy Miller (Street Stocks), Kent Drawbaugh \
(Thundercars)
1989: Fred Rahmer (Sprint Cars), Carl Billet (Late Models), Jeremy Miller (Street Stocks), Larry Baer
(Thundercars)
1990: Fred Rahmer (Sprint Cars), Carl Billet (Late Models), Jeff Rohrbaugh (Street Stocks), Scott Richwine
(Thundercars)
1991: Fred Rahmer (Sprint Cars), Mark Billet (Late Models), Pat Beard (Thundercars)
1992: Donnie Kreitz Jr. (Sprint Cars), Pat Beard (Thundercars)
1993: Billy Schinkel (Modifieds), Jeff Berk (Street Stocks), Larry Hughes Jr. (Thundercars)
1994: Jeff Strunk (Modifieds), Jack Zeiner Jr. (Street Stocks), Troy Fisher (Roadrunners)
1995: Jeff Strunk (Modifieds), Lee Miller (Street Stocks), Gene Dively (Roadrunners)
1996: Jeff Strunk (Modifieds), Tom Umbenhauer (Street Stocks), Craig Donmoyer (Roadrunners), Randy Strickler
(Sportsman Mod)
1997: Jeff Strunk (Modifieds), Tom Brennan (Street Stocks), Todd Bashore (Sportsman Mod)
1998: Craig Van Dohren (Modifieds), Scott Thunberg (Street Stocks), Todd Bashore (Sportsman Mod)
1999: Meme Desantis (Modifieds), Ron Adams (Street Stocks), Todd Umbenhauer (Sportsman Mod)
2000: Carl Billet (Late Models); (14 races held – various divisions)
2001: NO CHAMPIONS DECLARED (only two races held)
2002: Jamie Mills (Modified), Darren Williams (Enduro)
2003: Doug Manmiller (Modified), Don Kreitz Jr. (Sprint Cars)
2004: Fred Rahmer (Sprint Cars), Charlie Pensinger (Xtreme Stock Cars), Ronnie Dunstan (Legends Cars), J.R.
Rodriquez (School Buses)
2005: Greg Hodnett (Sprint Cars), Michael Goodwin (Xtreme Stock Cars), Rich Eichelberger (Sportsman), Jim
Shuttlesworth (Late Models), Wes Alleman (Street Stocks), Deanna Frye (Women on Wheels Stock Cars),
Ronnie Dunstan (Legends Cars), Ed Hollenbach (Four Cylinders), Bill Brown Sr. (Classic Cars), J.R.
Rodriguez (School Buses)
2006: Fred Rahmer (Sprint Cars), Larry Hughes Jr. (Xtreme Stock Cars), Donnie Trent (Wingless Midgets), Rich Eichelberger (Sportsman), Larry Baer (Late Models), Brian Hauenstein (Street Stocks), Kendra Knaub (Women on Wheels Stock Cars), Jason Rochelle (Legends Cars), John Stoll Jr. (Four Cylinders), Bill Brown Sr. (Classic Cars), Ben Engle (School Buses)
2007: Carl Billet (Late Models), Paul Morgan (Street Stocks), Michael Goodwin (Xtreme Stock Cars), Tracy
Readinger (Wingless Midgets), Ed Hollenbach (Four Cylinder Stock Cars), Kendra Knaub (Women on Wheels Stock Cars), Jeff Condran (Legends Cars), Bill Brown Sr. (Classic Cars), Van Baker (School Buses), Daryl Sipe (Mini Vans)
2008: Carl Billet (Late Models), Eric Walker (Street Stocks), Donnie Broderick (Xtreme Stock Cars), Randy
Monroe Jr. (Wingless Midgets), John Stoll Jr. (Four Cylinder Stock Cars), Stephen Nederostek (Legends Cars – Pro), Greg Burd (Legends Cars – Masters), Brent Marquis (Legends Cars – Semi Pro), Paul Bacchus (PENNMAR – Modified), Craig Coghill (PENNMAR – Sportsman), Bill Brown Sr. (Classic Cars), Kendra Knaub (Women on Wheels Stock Cars), Daryl Sipe (Mini Vans)
2009: Jake Jones (Late Models), Scott Thunberg (Street Stocks), Sam Rial (Xtreme Stock Cars), Jim Jacobs (Road Warriors), Bill Wise Jr. (Mini Vans), Matt Wallace (Classic Cars), Jason Rochelle (Legends Cars – Pro), Randy Kissinger (Legends Cars – Masters), Lucas Montgomery (Legends Cars – Semi Pro), Fred Krickbaum Jr. (PENNMAR – Modified), John McGarvey (PENNMAR – Sportsman), Vicky Anderson (Women on Wheels Mini Vans)
2010 Larry Baer (Late Models), Randy Zechman (Street Stocks), Donnie Broderick (Xtreme Stock Cars), Patrick McClane (XSC Elite), Road Warriors (Christopher Holland), Daryl Sipe (Mini Vans), Jim Crocker (Classic Cars), Tim Henry (Legends Cars – Pro), Greg Burd (Legends Cars – Masters), Brent Marquis (Legends Cars – Semi Pro), Paul Bacchus (PENNMAR Vintage Cars – Modified), Willie Brymesser (PENNMAR Vintage Cars – Sportsman), Mark Watkins, PASS Sprint Series, Sherry Kitner (Women on Wheels Mini Vans)