By Steve Inch
SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Selinsgrove Speedway will return to racing action at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, June 28, with the 13th Annual United Racing Company (URC)/Middleswarth Potato Chips Firecracker 30 for 358-360 sprint cars plus super late models and pro stocks. Track gates will open at 5 p.m.
The Firecracker 30-lap main event for the 358-360 sprint cars will pay $2,500 to win and $200 to start out of a purse totaling $11,360. Time trials, heats, and a B-main will be the format for qualifying for the sprint car special. This Saturday’s race will be the third of six events sanctioned by URC at the track in 2014.
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); Heimbach (2012); and defending winner Jason Shultz of Carlisle also took checkered flags in the race as a 30-lap event.
In 358-360 sprint car competition to date, nine races have produced five different winners. Standings leaders Mark Smith of Sunbury and TJ Stutts of Liverpool each have three wins at the track this season. Single wins belong to Davie Franek of Wantage, N.J.; Aaron Ott of East Berlin; and Brock Zearfoss of Jonestown.
The super late models will compete in a 25-lap main event paying $1,500 to win, while the pro stocks will race in a 15-lap feature offering $400 to win.
Selinsgrove Raceway Park will present a complete program of go kart and micro sprint car racing at 7 p.m. this Friday, June 27.
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 2014 Firecracker 30 for 358-360 Sprint Cars (June 28): 1) $2,500 2) $1,200 3) $900 4) $700 5) $600 6) $520 7) $470 8) $450 9) $425 10) $420 11) $300 12) $290 13) $280 14) $255 15) 250 16-24) $200
Admission for June 28, 2014: Adults: $15; Students (12-17): $10; Kids 11 & Under: Free; Pit Passes: $25