From Selinsgrove Speedway
Selinsgrove, PA — (July 2, 2013) — Selinsgrove Speedway will present a big weekend of sprint car racing with the rescheduled Middlewarth Potato Chips Firecracker 30 for 358 sprint cars this Saturday, July 6, and the PA Speedweek Finale/Jan Opperman Memorial for 410 sprint cars this Sunday, July 7. Track gates will open at 5 p.m. and race time is 7:30 p.m. both nights.
The Firecracker 30 for the 358 sprint cars, which was rained out last Saturday, will pay $2,000 to win and $225 to start out of a purse totaling $10,495. Time trials, heats, and a B-main will be the format for qualifying for the 358 sprint car special.
Joining the 358 sprint cars on Saturday night’s racing card will be the late models in a $1,500-to-win feature, pro stocks in a $500-to-win summer championship, and roadrunners. The track will also host the second Camera & Autograph Night, which will give fans pre-race access to the pit area from 5-6:30 p.m. to visit with the race teams and drivers.
Past winners of the Firecracker race as a 40-lap contest include the late Jim Nace of Thompsontown (2002), Bob Beidleman of Walnutport (2003), Dave Calaman of Carlisle (2004), Nate Snyder of Halifax (2005), and Blane Heimbach of Selinsgrove (2006). In 2007, the race was abbreviated to 30 laps and was won by Calaman. Scott Flammer of West Milford, N.J., (2008) Pat Cannon of Etters (2009), Snyder (2010), Logan Schuchart of Hanover (2011), and Heimbach (2012) are also past winners of the 30-lap event.
In 358-360 sprint car competition at the track this season 12 races have produced seven different feature winners. Pat Cannon of Etters is on top of the season win list with five victories to date. Jason Shultz of Carlisle is the only other repeat winner with two victories. Mark Smith of Sunbury; Tony Stewart of Rushville, Ind.; Eric Tomecek of Abbottstown; JJ Grass of Pedricktown, N.J., and TJ Stutts of Liverpool have taken single wins this year.
Selinsgrove Speedway will swing back into action Sunday evening with the third appearance of the season by the 410 sprint cars in the 23rd annual PA Speedweek Finale/Jan Opperman Memorial presented by Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic. The 30-lap feature will pay $5,000 to win and $400 to start out of a purse totaling $24,000.
Time trials, heats, and a B-main will also be the format for qualifying for Sunday’s 410 sprint car finale. Lance Dewease of Fayetteville is the defending winner of the race. The super sportsman will also be in competition for the second time this season at the track to round out the open wheel doubleheader.
Selinsgrove’s 410 sprint car races this season have been won by Greg Hodnett of Thomasville (March 10) and Brent Marks of Myerstown (May 26).
Selinsgrove Speedway will take a summer hiatus Saturday, July 13, and return on Saturday, July 20, with the popular Jeff’s Auto Body & Recycling Center Driver & Fan Appreciation Night featuring 358 sprint cars, late models, pro stocks, and roadrunners.
Selinsgrove Raceway Park will present the Middleswarth Potato Chips Firecracker Special for go karts at 7 p.m. this Wednesday, July 3, and the Snyder County Showdown for go karts at 7 p.m. this Friday, July 5. The next race for the micro sprint cars will be Friday, July 19.
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.
Purse for 2013 Firecracker 30 for 358 Sprint Cars (July 6): 1) $2,000 2) $1,100 3) $800 4) $650 5) $500 6) $450 7) $425 8) $400 9) $375 10) $325 11) $300 12) $290 13) $280 14) $270 15) 260 16) $250 17) $240 18) $230 19-25) $225
Admission for July 6: Adults: $15; Students (12-17): $12; Kids 11 & Under: Free; Pit Passes:
$25
Purse for 2013 PA Speedweek/Opperman Memorial for 410 Sprint Cars (July 7): 1) $5,000 2) $2,000 3) $1,700 4) $1,500 5) $1,400 6) $1,300 7) $1,200 8) $1,100 9) $1,050 10) $1,000 11) $900 12) $750 13) $600 14) $500 15) $450 16) $425 17-24) $400
Admission for July 7: Adults: $20; Students (12-17): $15; Kids 11 & Under: Free; Pit Passes: $30