By Steve Williams
The Midgets of the American Racing Drivers Club head to the Port Royal Fairgrounds this Saturday evening for their first of three visits in 2011 as part of ladies night.
ARDC joins a card that includes Ports 410 Sprint Cars, Late Models and Ladies Powder Puffs.
Looking to three-peat will be the East Coast’s hottest driver and returning club champion, Steve Buckwalter. Buckwalter, who is coming off a career weekend last week when he won both the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car race as well as the Midget feature at The Williams Grove Speedway then followed it up with a sixth place finish in the prestigious Bob Weikert Memorial, already owns a Port Royal victory this season.
Looking to knock Buckwalter from the top position will be Drew Heistand. Heistand, who spent all last summer in the thick of the points race drove to a second place finish last weekend at the Grove after making extensive repairs following a hard crash.
Brett Arndt will make the short drive across Route 78 from his Topton, PA base of operations looking to improve on last weeks third place finish. Arndt will be behind the wheel of his dad’s Essay Racing, E. Schneider and Sons 46.
“The Matawan Madman” Andrew Hannula and Mohnton, PA wheelman Dave Shirk have had two of the fastest cars in the early season. Hannula looked to be on the way to his first Midget win last weekend before being passed by Buckwalter.
Shirk’s mount, which is sponsored by RAACE Foundation and Schannauer Plumbing is not only one of the best looking cars but has been running at or near the front all season.
Adding some local flavor to the grid will be Steve Lenig from Selinsgrove, PA. Lenig spent many afternoons in a drag car at the nearby Beaver Springs Dragway before moving to Micros and eventually into the Midgets.
The last time the Midgets raced at Port Royal in 1999, Ray Bull was victorious. Bull, who is in semi-retirement will not be in action but his nephew, Steve Bull will be in attendance. In his second year in Midget racing Bull has shown he loves the big fast half miles after almost pulling the upset of the year last year at Williams Grove leading all but the last lap after running short on fuel.
Another local racer, Eric Heydenreich of Bloomsburg was looking forward the “Mighty Midgets” return to the Port Royal Fairgrounds but may sit out while recovering from a vicious flip on the front straight, last week, at Williams Grove.
ARDC’s next visit will be Saturday June 4th for an exciting night of wingless open wheel racing along with the USAC Sprint Cars.
Racing for the four division card gets underway at 7:00pm.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Susquehanna Speedway Park
Steve Buckwalter
Friday, April 29, 2011
Williams Grove Speedway
Steve Buckwalter
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Port Royal Speedway
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Bridgeport Speedway (1/4 Mile)
Friday, May 27, 2011
Penn Can Speedway
Monday, May 30, 2011
Big Diamond Speedway
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Grandview Speedway (w/USAC Sprints)
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Port Royal Speedway (w/USAC Sprints)
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Bridgeport Speedway (1/4 Mile)
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Susquehanna Speedway Park
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway (PPMS)
Friday, July 22, 2011
Big Diamond Speedway
Friday, July 29, 2011
Clinton County (Full show & Makeup Feature)
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Mercer Raceway Park
Friday, August 05, 2011
Southern Swing – Dixieland Speedway
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Southern Swing – County Line Raceway
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Winchester Speedway
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
New Egypt Speedway
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Port Royal Speedway
Saturday, September 03, 2011
Bridgeport Speedway (1/4 Mile)
Friday, September 16, 2011
Williams Grove Speedway
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Grandview Speedway (ToTH)
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Susquehanna Speedway Park
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Susquehanna Speedway Park (rain date)
CURRENT POINT STANDINGS
POS
DRIVER
POINTS
1
Steve Buckwalter
272
2
Brett Arndt
239
3
Dave Shirk
207
4
Ryan Smith
186
5
Keith McIntyre, Jr.
183
6
Nick Wean
174
7
Tim Buckwalter
170
8
Steve Lenig
166
9
Drew Heistand
165
10
Bruce Buckwalter, Jr.
164
11
Alex Bright
163
12
Steve Craig
161
13
Steven Bull
154
14
Andrew Hannula
150
15
Mike Miller
149
16
Greg Fitzpatrick
141
17
Mark Gilmore
135
18
Brenden Bright
133
19
Eric Heydenreich
…