By Shawn Brouse
Port Royal – Some of the biggest names in sprint car racing continue to commit to appearances at the upcoming “Living Legends” Dream Race 5 on August 6 at Port Royal Speedway. The race will honor top all time oval sprint car winner Keith Kauffman and iconic sprint owner Walt Dyer.
Last week, a list of Kauffman owners and Dyer drivers planning to attend in honor of the men that reads like a who’s who of sprint car racing was released.
And this week, even more names have been added to the list of appearances, slated to begin with an autograph session behind the grandstand at 5 PM.
Confirming their intentions to be on hand and honor Hall of Fame pilot Kauffman are former KK owners John Trone, Bob Stewart and Leon Wintermyer along with primary sponsor John Groninger. Todd Weikert will also be on hand to represent his father, the late Bob Weikert and the famed Weikert’s Livestock No. 29. And a family member of the late Roy Morral stables will also attend.
Kauffman piloted Stewart’s No. 12 sprinter to the PA Speedweek series title in 1996. The Mifflintown driver had Weikert’s mount on the Port Royal championship podium at the track in 1981. Kauffman took Port titles in Morral’s No. 880 in 1986 and 1988. And Groninger was the name synonymous with Kauffman’s most identifiable early-career mount, the K33.
Owners already signed up last week and announcing their plans to attend included Gary Heckman, Al Hamilton, Dave Middleswarth, Maynard Boop and Rick Woelfling. In addition, Kauffman mentor Lynn Paxton will also be on hand.
For Dyer, both Cliff Brian and Smokey Snellbaker have added their names to the list of famed brickmobile No. 461 pilots that will be attending.
Brian and Snellbaker join a laundry list of 461 wheelers that announced their plans to be on hand last week including John Ebersole, Don Hill, Tom Stimely, Steve Siegel, Jim Sheaffer, Johnny Grum, Scott Tobias, Van May, Joey Gravino, Len Thompson, Mike Wagner, Tommy Beavers and Lance Dewease.
And of course, guests of honor Kauffman and Dyer will be signing autographs as well.
The 2011 “Living Legends” Dream Race 5 will pay at least $12,000 to win and with the Lelands.com Dream Race Challenge in Memory of Marion Ritzman that was just announced, a $12,000 bonus is posted for one of the front row starters if they opt to go to the rear and come back to win, making the possible winner’s share $24,000.
The feature will be 40-laps in distance with time trials, heats and a dash determining staring lineups.
The total one-night payout boasts of at least $50,000 including $300 to wins heats and the dash with fast time now up to being worth at least $900, and a full B Main purse as well.
If the Dream Challenge is claimed, the night will be worth over $60,000 in total.
The Dream Race 5 is sponsored by Brown’s Funeral Home, Mifflintown; First National Bank, Mifflintown; and Lingle’s Distributing, Lewistown.
Additional sponsorship comes from: Tilton Hilton, Ken’s Coins & Jewelry, 21st Century Fireplace, Jack Gaughen Hower & Associates, C. H. Burns Inc., RE Davidson & Sons and the York County Racing Club.
Adult general admission for the event will be $27.00 with students ages 12 – 17 admitted for just $10.00
PRS 2011 – Racing into a new decade with a new attitude!
Port Royal Speedway