By Steve Inch
SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprint Tour (ESS) will return to Selinsgrove Speedway this Saturday, May 16, for a $3,000-to-win, 25-lap main event for 358-360 sprint cars sponsored by Mach 1 Chassis. Track gates will open at 5 p.m. with racing slated to start at 7 p.m.
Joining the sprint cars on the racing card will be the super late models in a 25-lap feature paying $1,500 to win and the pro stocks in a 15-lap race paying $400 to win.
The qualifying format for the sprint car portion of the show will include an open pill draw to set the starting lineups for the 10-lap heats, a four-lap dash, and a 10-lap B-main to round out the 22-car starting field. The dash will be sponsored by Dave Franek Auto Sales of New Jersey. This year’s main event start money has been increased to $400 and 358 sprint cars will be permitted to compete with the 360 sprint cars (ASCS gasket must be installed).
In 360 sprint car racing at Selinsgrove Speedway this season, five races have produced three different winners. Defending champion and current points leader Mark Smith of Sunbury has made three trips to Victory Lane, while Davie Franek of Wantage, N.J., and most recently Eric Tomacek of Abbottstown have also claimed checkered flags.
This Saturday’s race at Selinsgrove will mark ESS’s 2015 opener for the 32-year-old traveling racing club based out of New York. The first three events on the club’s schedule were cancelled due to inclement weather. Steve Poirier of Quebec, Canada, is the defending ESS champion.
There will be no racing on the speedway’s half-mile track Saturday, May 23. The speedway will be in action Sunday, May 24, over the Memorial Day Holiday weekend with Ray Tilley Classic for 410 sprint cars plus super sportsman and 305 sprint cars at 7 p.m.
Selinsgrove Raceway Park will hold a regular go kart racing program at 7 p.m. this Friday, May 15, and the second Burris Money Series event of the season at the track at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 17.
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.
25-Lap Empire Super Sprint Tour A-Main Purse for May 16, 2015: 1) $3,000 2) $1,500 3) $1,000 4) $700 5) $550 6) $500 7) $475 8) $460 9) $455 10) $450 11) $445 12) $440 13) $435 14) $430 15) $425 16) $420 17) $415 18) $410 19) $405 20) $400 21) $400 22) $400
Admission for May 16, 2015: Adults $15; Students (12-17) $8; Kids 11 & Under FREE; Pit Passes $30