From Rich Vleck
Rochester, N.Y. — (July 23, 2013) — The last time the Patriot Sprint Tour was in competition in America, it was June 1. A tight battle for the point lead remains, but has a great chance of altering after a pair of $2,500-to-win shows this weekend on two bullrings.
This Friday Night, the Patriot Sprint Tour America Series will head for the only time this season to Vern Wasson’s Clinton County Raceway in Mackeyville, Pennsylvania. After a successful trip to the tight 1/3-mile oval back in 2010, events planned the last two seasons have been cancelled. The following night, the series will travel up the road to the highbanks of the Woodhull Raceway for the second stop there of the season.
Clinton County is greatly an unknown as some of the same names are back from the 2010 event, but many of the drivers will be invading the Fairgrounds for the first time. Current PST America point leader Scott Kreutter did not compete in the race three years ago. Jared Zimbardi, who sits second in the standings, attempted to compete in the event but did not qualify. It is Justin Barger, the driver third in points, who has the most notable appearance in Mackevyille, winning there in 2008.
Clinton County is where 2004 PST Champion George Suprick won a pair of championships. Suprick, who sits fourth in PST America points, will unfortunately have to miss this event as he continues to recover from him heart attack in June. It is possible that Suprick’s No. 87 will have a hired gun in the car this weekend though.
Another driver to keep an eye on this weekend will be Kyle Drum. The two-time PST winner is currently second in the 305 sprint point standings at the track and will once again chauffeur his own No. 47 this weekend. Other drivers with notable experience there include former track regulars Clint Ide and Jamie Bodo, along Steve Collins.
On Saturday Night, the Woodhull Raceway will hold one of their biggest events of the season. Back in May, an epic race was contested with Bryan Howland holding off Shawn Donath and Justin Barger for his second win at the track.
While championship contenders like Kreutter, Zimbardi and Tommy Wickham look for their first win on the highbanks, drivers like Chuck Hebing will look to use the 1/3-mile oval to score his first win of 2013.
Back in May, Geoff Quackenbush finished eighth at Woodhull, and looks to better that while improving his position in the standings this weekend. Drivers such as Brad Knab, Bruce DeWick and Dave Wickham have similar goals as they scramble for positions inside the top 10 of the standings.
The rookie of the year battle will also rage on this weekend with Scott Just and Tyler Graves engaged in a tight point race. Scott’s father Dave is also in the Insinger Rookie of the Year discussion.
Steven Hutchinson Jr., the defending rookie of the year, is also expected to return to PST action this weekend, as is former outstanding newcomer Brandan Warner. Other drivers that are likely to invade include Dave Ely and Jordan Thomas.
Clinton County Raceway is located just North of I-80 in at exit 178 and will start heats at 7:30 P.M. Friday. Woodhull is located on County Route 102 just north of State Route 417. Racing will start at 6:45 P.M. For more information, visit www.PatriotSprintTour.com.