By Steve Inch
SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Selinsgrove Speedway returns to racing action at 6 p.m.
this Saturday, April 3, with the rescheduled 2009 National Open for 358
sprint cars that was rained out last fall. The 30-lap main event for the
track’s weekly headline open wheel division will pay $3,000 to win out of a
total purse of $13,405.
Time trials, heat races, and a B-main will be the format for qualifying for
the sprint car main event, which will guarantee a driver $235 to start.
Joining the sprint cars will be the roadrunners in a complete series of
heat races and a 12-lap main event paying $200 to win. The late model
division will also have practice sessions during Saturday’s racing card.
Track gates will open at 4 p.m.
TJ Stutts of Liverpool, who won last weekend’s sprint car season opener at
Selinsgrove Speedway for the third time in his career, will be seeking his
third career victory in the 358 sprint car Open, having won the 2001 and
2003 events. Stutts was also the winner of the last race of the 2009 season
at Selinsgrove on September 5.
Pat Cannon of Etters, last year’s leading feature winner with seven
victories, is the two-time defending champion of the 358 sprint car Open.
Adrian Shaffer of York was the 358 Open champion in 2002. Defending track
champion Nate Snyder of Halifax won the 2004 race. Blane Heimbach of
Selinsgrove, with one win already this season at Williams Grove Speedway
and a second-place finish in Selinsgrove’s season opener last weekend, won
the event in 2005. Phil Walter of McClure, celebrating his 25th season in
auto racing this year, took home the trophy in 2006.
The speedway’s first four division show of the season featuring the 358
sprint cars, late models, pro stocks, and roadrunners is slated for 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 10. For the latest news and race status, visit
selinsgrovespeedway.com or call (570) 374-2999.
358 Sprint Car Open Purse for April 3:
1) $3,000 2) $1,500 3) $1,200 4) $900 5) $800 6) $650 7) $550 8) $450 9)
$425 10) $400 11) $350 12) $300 13) $275 14) $250 15) $240 16-24) $235
Admission Prices for April 3:
Adults: $15; Students (12-17): $12; Kids Under 12: Free; Pit Passes: $25