By Steve Inch
SELINSGROVE, Pa. – A new era in Selinsgrove Speedway’s storied history will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 5, when the 360 sprint cars join the 358 sprint cars on a weekly basis at the historic half-mile oval. The season’s first four division show will also feature the super late models, pro stocks, and roadrunners. Track gates will open at 4 p.m.
The speedway welcomes Mach 1 Chassis of Mechanicsburg, joining A&A Auto Stores, as the open wheel division’s title sponsors for 2014. Jeff’s Auto Body & Recycling Center of Paxinos is also returning as the primary sponsor of the late model division.
A regular 25-lap feature for the 358-360 sprint cars will pay $2,000 to win and $200 to start out of a $10,045 purse. The super late models this season will race for $1,500 to win and $200 to start out of a $9,020 purse.
Drivers in all four divisions will draw pills to determine their starting positions in qualifying for the first two regular events of the year.
The 2014 sprint car and late model track champions will each earn a $3,000 bonus plus a gold championship ring sponsored by Foss Jewelers of Selinsgrove. The point fund for all four divisions is also sponsored in part by Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic.
Mark Smith of Sunbury, who is the chief fabricator at Mach 1 Chassis, is the defending 358 sprint car opening day winner. Dylan Yoder of Selinsgrove took the opening day win for the late models last year, while Brad Mitch of McClure and Brian Johnson of Ashland scored openers for the pro stock and roadrunner divisions, respectively.
Selinsgrove Speedway opened the 2014 season on March 23 with a program of 410 sprint car racing. Winning his first-ever season opener and 410 sprint car race at the track was Blane Heimbach of Selinsgrove. Heimbach is a former three-time 358 sprint car track champion and now owns 37 career victories in 358, 360, and 410 sprint car competition at Selinsgrove.
Selinsgrove Raceway Park, the one-fifth mile track located inside of Selinsgrove’s half-mile speedway, will open its 14th season with a complete program of go kart and micro sprint car racing at 7 p.m. Friday, April 4.
Tyler Snook of Beavertown is the two-time defending micro sprint car champion.
For the complete schedule, 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.