By Steve Inch
SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Selinsgrove Speedway will mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America with a special tribute as part of this Saturday’s four division racing program on United States Army Night. Track gates will open at 5 p.m., with racing slated to begin at 7 p.m.
The A&A Auto Stores 358 sprint cars, Jeff’s Auto Body & Recycling Center late models, Salem RV Center/Byers Built Engines pro stocks, and Collier Paving & Construction roadrunners will compete in respective heat races and feature events.
Local US Army personnel, future soldiers, and members of the Color Guard will be on hand to participate in the 9/11 tribute tentatively scheduled for intermission. Max Media radio stations B98.3 and Y106.5 have also produced an eight-minute audio presentation that will be played on the track’s public address system as part of Saturday night’s ceremony.
With two point shows remaining, three-time winner Blane Heimbach of Selinsgrove holds a 170-point lead over one-time winner TJ Stutts of Liverpool in the 358 sprint car division. Heimbach is seeking his third career track title, while Stutts is gunning for his first career. Defending champion and five-time winner Pat Cannon of Etters trails Heimbach by 315 points in the third position.
Defending champion and eight-time winner Jeff Rine of Danville holds a slim 15-point lead over one-time winner Jim Yoder of Selinsgrove in the late model standings. With three point shows remaining, Rine is seeking his fifth straight and seventh career Selinsgrove track championship.
AJ Hoffman of Richfield, who is also an eight-time winner and defending champion, leads the pro stock standings over three-time winner Jason Smith of Williamsport. There are two point races to go for the pro stock division.
In the roadrunner division, four-time winner Bob Bussey of Northumberland leads the point chase by 210 over defending champion and three-time winner Ricky Bender of Jolliet. Bussey, who is racing to clinch his first career championship, has to hold off Bender for two more point races.
The following week, the Jim Nace Memorial 29th Annual National Open for 410 sprint cars, the speedway’s crown jewel event, will be run on Saturday, Sept. 17. Also on the racing card will be the late models. The rain date, if needed, will be 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, for sprint cars only.
The final point race for the speedway’s weekly four divisions will be Saturday, Sept. 24. The track will also be participating in the 33rd Annual Market Street Festival on Sept. 24 in downtown Selinsgrove. Race teams interested in having their race car on display are asked to contact speedway communications director Steve Inch prior to the event.
Track officials will make a third attempt to run the 13th Annual Late Model Open on Saturday, Oct. 8, paying $5,000 to win. Joining the late models for the stock car showdown program will be the pro stocks and roadrunners. The starting time on Oct. 8 will be announced.
Tickets for the 11th Annual Selinsgrove Speedway & Raceway Park awards banquet scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel are on sale in the track office on race nights.
For the latest news, results, and race status, visit selinsgrovespeedway.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. The speedway office can also be reached at 570.374.2999.
Sept. 10, 2011 Admission Prices: Adults $10; Students (12-17) $8; Kids 11 & Under Free; Pit Passes $20