NATIONAL OPEN ENDS GROVE SEASON SATURDAY -- FALL FEST CANCELED
MECHANICSBURG, PA -- The 2008 racing season will come to an end on Saturday night, October 11, with the running of the Morgan Hughes National Open for sprint cars.
The Fall Fest, originally scheduled for October 11, will not be rescheduled.
The National Open will begin with qualifying at 7:00.
Time trials followed by heats and a B-main, will fill the field for the 40-lap National Open, which will pay $12,000 to win.
Only the seats assigned to season ticket holders will be reservevd for the National Open. All other seats will be available.
Tickets are priced at just $20.
The National Open will be run without a sanction for the first time since 1998 and for just the second time since the World of Outlaws became affiliated with this event in 1989.
The East's oldest and most prestigious sprint car race has been run continuously since 1963.
Although no World of Outlaws drivers are expected to compete because of that organization's contractual obligations elsewhere, a strong field is expected for the National Open.
Lance Dewease, one of the most successful drivers in the event's storied history, will be in competition Saturday.
Dewease is a three-time National Open winner with victories in 1996, 2001 and 2002. His triumphs came with three different car owners including Walter Dyer in `96, Joe Harz in `01 and Al Hamilton in `02.
The five-time track champion will attempt to bring a National Open trophy to his current car owner Don Owens on Saturday. Dewease brought Owens his first Williams Grove victory last Friday night, so this team will enter the National with momentum.
Dewease, who holds 68 career Williams Grove victories, spent most of the `08 season on the road and finished second in All Star points. He also scored a nationally televised win over the World of Outlaws at Lowes Motor Speedway in May.
-end-
Williams Grove Speedway
358 sprint cars points
Final
1. Pat Cannon 2880
2. Cory Haas 2590
3. Aaron Ott 2555
4. Scott Geesey 2310
5. Billy Johns 1945
6. Chad Trout 1825
7. John Westbrook 1795
8. Chad Criswell 1775
9. Adrian Shaffer 1750
10. Matt Boland 1730
-end-
SPRINT STARS COULD END NATIONAL OPEN VICTORY DROUGHT OCTOBER 11
MECHANICSBURG, PA -- The Morgan Hughes National Open presented by Cleveland Brothers has been rescheduled for Saturday evening, October 11, at Williams Grove Speedway, and the new date has opened the door for an impressive list of veteran drivers who are still looking for their first victory in the East's oldest and most prestigious sprint car race.
The first National Open was run in 1963 and the victory went to two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Gordon Johncock. Since then, the list of Pennsylvania legends who have tried, but failed to win the race, is nearly as impressive as the list of those who have won it.
Past greats such as Jan Opperman, Mitch Smith, Ray Tilley and Dick Tobias were never able to win the National Open.
Current stars such as Fred Rahmer, Keith Kauffman, Todd Shaffer, Greg Hodnett and Chad Layton are still searching for that elusive National Open victory and with the event being run without World of Outlaws sanction for the first time since 1998, the odds of one of those drivers getting their first this year have increased dramatically.
Rahmer has been close on several occasions with four top-five finishes and runnerup efforts in 1998 and `99.
Kauffman's record is even better with three seconds among his nine top-ten finishes.
Shaffer finished a strong second to Donny Schatz last year.
Hodnettt has eight top-ten National Open finishes to his credit and Layton beat the Outlaws to win the night before the National in 2007.
Another former great, Jim Nace, never won the race as a driver, but could be in the hunt to get there as a car owner this year. The 1986-87 track champion has indicated that Danny Lasoski plans to drive the Fast Tees #6 in the National Open.
Lasoski, of Dover, Missouri, has a tremendous record in this event with ten top-ten finishes including a runnerup effort in 2002. The Dude, a former World of Outlaws champion, earned an unprecedented eighth track title at Iowa's Knoxville Raceway this year.
The National Open will be 40 laps in distance and the winner will earn $12,000.
Tickets are priced at $20.
Qualifying is set to begin at 7:00.
The National Open was rescheduled after rain washed out the weekend of September 26-28. The Fall Fest, originally set for October 11, may be rescheduled at a later date.
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HOUSE OF THUNDER HALLOWEEN PARTY TO CLOSE OUT 2008 AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18. . . . . . .
JEFF STRUNK LANDS A MIDGET RIDE, MANMILLER TO DRIVE A LEGEND CAR, KENNY
ADAMS JOINS URC FIELD AND ED AIKIN EYES MODIFIED RIDE
The 2008 NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series will close out the 2008 racing season at the Grandview Speedway on Saturday night, October 18 with the Annual House of Thunder Halloween Party & the Grandview Thunder 5-25's. In typical Halloween fashion, the five division program will include the Nasty NASCAR Modifieds, the Spooky Sprints of URC, the Mischievous Midgets of ARDC, the Ghostly Legends and the 600cc Monster Modifieds. Each division will compete in a twenty-five lap feature plus an added treat, the ARDC Wingless Midgets will also compete in a twenty lap feature that is a make-up from a June
rain out. And lets not forget, always a favorite of the fans is the return of the Garden State Vintage race cars. Plan to attend the season finale of features only at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night, October 18.
It's the crazy season and you can always expect, the unexpected at this event. Modified champion Jeff Strunk will be an added entry in the ARDC Midget feature driving the Bryan Kobazar owned #49, usually driven by Billy Pauch Jr. This is a dream ride and with the vast experience that Jeff Strunk has at the Grandview Speedway, he is sure to put on quite a show. Doug Manmiller, runner-up in Grandview points will again drive a Modified along with a Rolling Thunder Legend car. In August, Manmiller was the show competing in four of the 5-25's on that program. Kenny Adams a top 360 Sprint driver from Malibar, FL is expected to be in the field driving the Pat Palladino #99. URC top gun Ed Aikin just may be
returning to Grandview on October 18 to compete with his URC sprint car
and perhaps he'll take a seat in one of the top modified cars as well. Anything can happen and I'm sure more will, before the first green flag falls on Saturday night, October 18 at the Grandview Speedway.
Gates will open on race night at 4 PM with the first feature event of the night taking the green flag promptly at 6 PM. General admission prices are $20 for adults, $5 for children 6-11 and children under the age of 6 will be admitted FREE. The pit fee is $25 and a license is not required.
A field of more then one-hundred race cars will compete in the six feature event program, racing for a total payout to exceed $30,000. Only the top drivers from each class will be invited to this event, a program that has become very popular with the race fans.
In true Thunder on the Hill style, there will be plenty of fun for the race fans. They promise plenty of treats and no tricks, just a well run show that will spotlight five divisions of dirt track racing competing in six feature events in one night. The best part of the night, there is no qualifying, just plenty of feature event racing and
the popular Garden State Vintage race cars.
For the race fans, you are encouraged to dress-up for the Halloween Party. For those who come in costume, you are always invited to be part of the joyous victory lane photo with all the nights feature winners. Thunder on the Hill will again offer the Inside/Out Promotion, where fans can watch the warm-ups from the infield. Interested? If so, on race night, just sign up at the Will Call Window by 5 PM.
Saturday, October 18 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES 6 PM
House of Thunder Halloween Party
Tentative Order of Events Starting at 6 PM
25 Lap Ghostly Legends Feature
20 Lap Wingless Mischievous Midget Feature
25 Lap 600cc Monster Modified Feature
Nasty NASCAR Modified Warm-ups
URC Spooky Sprint Warm-ups
Garden State Vintage Car Feature
25 Lap Wingless Mischievous Midget Feature
25 Lap Spooky Sprint Feature
25 Lap Nasty NASCAR Modified Feature
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Williams Grove Speedway
410 sprint car points
Final
1. Fred Rahmer 5970
2. Todd Shaffer 5135
3. Brian Leppo 4875
4. Greg Hodnett 4825
5. Chad Layton 4530
6. Brian Montieth 4490
7. Doug Esh 4335
8. Alan Krimes 4310
9. Mike Erdley 3865
10. Cody Darrah 3850
358 Sprint Car Points ( * )
1. Pat Cannon 2880
2. Cory Haas 2590
3. Aaron Ott 2555
4. Scott Geesey 2310
5. Billy Johns 1945
6. Chad Trout 1825
7. John Westbrook 1795
8. Chad Criswell 1775
9. Adrian Shaffer 1750
10 Matt Boland 1730
*358 points are NOT yet official! Late last night a protest was filed on car #3 and the car was being taken to an impound location by Williams Grove Tech officials. I was told early this afternoon that everything will be examined and a release will be sent out tuesday with the official ruling and points.
DEWEASE WINS 12TH ANNUAL KENNY WELD MEMORIAL
ABBOTTSTOWN, PA , 10/4/08 - After a successful season that included both World of Outlaw and All-Star Circuit of Champions wins and a second-place finish in the All-Star point standings, Lance Dewease says there is still no place like home.
"I've said all along, I'm a Pennsylvania driver racing with the All-Stars," said Dewease after scoring the win in the 40-lap 12th Annual Kenny Weld Memorial for 410 sprint cars Saturday night at Lincoln Speedway, "I'll be a member of the PA Posse my whole life, and that won't ever change no matter what we do." Dewease was a heat win away from a perfect night after setting fast time and winning the 12th Annual Kenny Weld Memorial for 410 sprint cars at Lincoln Speedway Saturday night. Counting the $300 from Don Ott Racing Engines for setting fast time and feature lap money, Dewease's first Lincoln win of the year was worth $6,480.
After a feature win at Williams Grove the night before, Dewease was fast out of the box, becoming the first driver since the 1,375-pound weight rule took effect to break 13 seconds for a lap in the Pigeon Hills.
Alan Krimes also broke the 13-second barrier with second-quick time, and later claimed the $500 bonus from Kenny Weld's wife Mary Etta for being the first car with Weld Tech cylinder heads to cross the finish line.
Dewease drew a "six" pill for the inversion, and started fifth when Doug Esh failed to qualify in his heat. Esh qualified in the B main, but by race rule had to start ninth and dropped out late in the feature.
2008 track champ Brian Montieth started on the pole, but it was outside front row starter Craig Keel who grabbed the lead at the start. Keel and Montieth ran first and second for the first 11 laps before Alan Krimes took second from Montieth in a wild three-car battle for the runner-up spot between those two and Dewease.
Krimes ran second from laps 12 through 15 until Dewease took the spot in heavy lapped traffic on lap 16.
Dewease went to the cushion to drive around Keel for the lead in turns three and four of lap 20. He led the rest of the way, crossing .81-seconds ahead of Montieth for his 31st career Lincoln win.
"We've had a problem finishing races here," said Dewease, "Heck, we couldn't even make it through time trials the one night here. Last time here, we were pretty decent and I messed up for a lap and-a-half at the start and killed it."
"Tonight, we changed a lot of stuff and this is a different car than we've been running all year, continued Dewease, "It's two for two right now, so I can't complain a bit. I want to thank my engine builder Brian Morrison. He builds some really killer motors for us, and we've qualified good all year out on the road, we just didn't race real well. But we're heading the right direction"
Krimes finished third with Keel and Greg Hodnett completing the top five. Rounding out the top ten were Tim Shaffer (driving the J&M Motorsports #55), D&D Septic hard charger award winner Fred Rahmer (who started 16th), Aaron Ott, Cody Darrah, and Josh Wells.
There were only two breaks in the 40-lap event. The first was a red flag for Niki Young, who was uninjured in a flip in turn four of lap 8, and a caution when Chad Layton and Mark Smith got together entering at the end of the back stretch on lap 33.
Heats were won by Rick Lafferty, Stevie Smith, Young, and Cory Haas. Esh won the B-Main.
In time trials, Dewease's fast time over the 40-car field was 12.945-seconds (104.287 MPH).
Lincoln Speedway will take next Saturday night, Oct. 11th off, before running the final race of the 2008 season at the Pigeon Hills oval on Saturday, Oct. 18th.
The final race of the season will feature the 410 Sprinters and Thundercars. The Thundercars will be battling in there final point race of the season as well as the 2008 Thundercar track championship will come down to this final race.
RACE RESULTS
Saturday - October 4, 2008
LINCOLN SPEEDWAY
Abbottstown, PA
410 SPRINTS
12TH ANNUAL KENNY WELD MEMORIAL
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 30C-Lance Dewease ($5,000); 2. 21-Brian Montieth; 3.
87-Alan Krimes; 4. 9-Craig Keel; 5. 22-Greg Hodnett; 6. 55-Tim Shaffer; 7.
51-Fred Rahmer; 8. 25O-Aaron Ott; 9. 89-Cody Darrah; 10. 6W-Josh Wells; 11.
19-Stevie Smith; 12. 11C-Cory Haas; 13. 25-Chad Layton; 14. 71-Brian Leppo;
15. 38N-Nick Schlauch Jr.; 16. 47J-Jeff Busby; 17. 17E-Cris Eash; 18.
71X-Bill Stine; 19. 7M-Mark Smith (DNF); 20. 0-Rick Lafferty (DNF); 21.
30-Doug Esh (DNF); 22. 4-John Rudisill (DNF); 23. 4H-Todd Hestor (DNF); 24.
10N-Niki Young (DNF). No Time
Lap Leaders - Craig Keel (1-19), Lance Dewease (20-40)
Keizer Aluminum Wheels 1st Heat (10 Laps/5 to qualify) - 1. 0-Rick Lafferty;
2. 71X-Bill Stine; 3. 9-Craig Keel; 4. 4-John Rudisill; 5. 30C-Lance
Dewease; 6. 59-Jim Siegel; 7. 47J-Jeff Busby; 8. 65-Johnny Mackison Jr.; 9.
5-Adam Lawrence; 10. 45-AJ Michael (DNF). Time - 2:15.215
York County Racing Club 2nd Heat (10 Laps/5 to qualify) - 1. 19-Stevie
Smith; 2. 89-Cody Darrah; 3. 55-Tim Shaffer; 4. 21-Brian Montieth; 5.
87-Alan Krimes; 6. 12-Mike Bittinger (DNF); 7. 23-Todd Rittenhouse (DNF); 8.
17B-Steve Buckwalter (DNF); 9. 17E-Cris Eash (DNF); 10. 61-Chris Wainwright
(DNF). No Time
Wes Sensenig's Quality Meats 3rd Heat (10 Laps/5 to qualify) - 1. 10N-Niki
Young; 2. 4-John Rudisill; 3. 7M-Mark Smith; 4. 38N-Nick Schlauch Jr.; 5.
25-Chad Layton; 6. 30-Doug Esh; 7. 45L-Scott Geesey; 8. 71-Brian Leppo; 9.
55Z-Mark Zimmerman; 10. 22Z-Justin Henderson (DNF). No Time
In Memory of Kevin Gobrecht 4th Heat (10 Laps/5 to qualify) - 1. 11C-Cory
Haas; 2. 51-Fred Rahmer; 3. 22-Greg Hodnett; 4. 25o-Aaron Ott; 5. 6W-Josh
Wells; 6. 15-Adam Wilt; 7. 3B-Randy Baughman; 8. 26-Pat Cooper; 9. X-Bobby
Weaver (DNF); 10. 8-Steve Petry (DNF). No time.
Cars by Dealers Magazine B-Main (12 Laps/4 to qualify) - 1. 30-Doug Esh; 2.
71-Brian Leppo; 3. 17E-Cris Eash; 4. 47J-Jeff Busby; 5. 23-Todd Rittenhouse;
6. 15-Adam Wilt; 7. 65-Johnny Mackison Jr.; 8. 0-Rick Lafferty; 9. 59-Jim
Siegel; 10. 26-Pat Cooper; 11. 5-Adam Lawrence; 12. 55Z-Mark Zimmerman; 13.
12-Mike Bittinger (DNF); 14. 45L-Scott Geesey (DNF); 15. 8-Steve Petry
(DNF); 16. 17B-Steve Buckwalter (DNF); DNS - 3B-Randy Baughman. No Time
Don Ott Racing Engines Time Trials - 1. 30C-Lance Dewease, 12.945 seconds
(104.287 MPH); 2. 87-Alan Krimes, 12.970; 3. 30-Doug Esh, 13.084; 4. 6W-Josh
Wells, 13.154; 5. 9-Craig Keel, 13.166; 6. 21-Brian Montieth, 13.182; 7.
38N-Nick Schlauch Jr., 13.193; 8. 25o-Aaron Ott, 13.193; 9. 4-John Rudisill,
13.196; 10. 55-Tim Shaffer, 13.226; 11. 7M-Mark Smith, 13.242; 12. 22-Greg
Hodnett, 13.247; 13. 0-Rick Lafferty, 13.255; 14. 89-Cody Darrah, 13.270;
15. 10N-Niki Young, 13.272; 16. 51-Fred Rahmer, 13.273; 17. 71X-Bill Stine,
13.305; 18. 19-Stevie Smith, 13.309; 19. 4H-Todd Hestor, 13.315; 20.
11C-Cory Haas, 13.329; 21. 59-Jim Siegel, 13.333; 22. 17B-Steve Buckwalter,
13.340; 23. 71-Brian Leppo, 13.373; 24. 15-Adam Wilt, 13.379; 25. 47J-Jeff
Busby, 13.393; 26. 17E-Cris Eash, 13.400; 27. 25-Chad Layton, 13.421; 28.
26-Pat Cooper, 13.439; 29. 45-A.J. Michael, 13.443; 30. 23-Todd Rittenhouse,
13.453; 31. 22Z-Justin Henderson, 13.465; 32. X-Bobby Weaver, 13.512; 33.
65-Johnny Mackison Jr., 13.516; 34. 12-Mike Bittinger, 13.574; 35. 45L-Scott
Geesey, 13.585; 36. 3B-Randy Baughman, 13.598; 37. 5-Adam Lawrence, 13.688;
38. 61-Chris Wainwright, 13.770; 39. 55Z-Mark Zimmerman, 14.130; 40. 8-Steve
Petry, 15.607.
LANCE IS BACK – RAHMER AND CANNON ARE CHAMPS
MECHANICSBURG, PA – Lance Dewease scored his first sprint car victory of the season at Williams Grove Speedway Friday night while Fred Rahmer wrapped up the track championship.
Adam Wilt led the first ten laps of the sprint car feature before Justin Henderson took over.
Meanwhile Dewease, who started eighth, was up to third. He drove by Wilt at the halfway point of the 24-lap race and began to chase the leader.
Dewease led at the line on lap 15, but Henderson powered back in front exiting the second corner.
Two laps later Dewease used an inside move through turns one and two and dropped Henderson to second.
Once in front Dewease began to stretch his lead as he cruised to his 68th career win at Williams Grove.
Dewease extended his streak of winning years to 17. He has now won at least one race at Williams Grove every year since 1992.
Henderson settled for second, his best finish since moving into Steve Miller’s 22z.
Chad Layton charged from 13th to third. Todd Shaffer came from 15th to fourth and Fred Rahmer from 22nd to finish fifth.
Craig Keel, Rick Lafferty, Mike Erdley, Brian Leppo and Alan Krimes finished in positions six through ten respectively.
Rahmer guaranteed a track title for his team in victory lane on Opening Day of the 2008 season and backed up his prediction with his 8th career championship at this historic speedway.
Heats for the 27 sprint cars in competition were claimed by Henderson, Cody Darrah and Brian Montieth.
Pat Cannon took the lead from Todd Reed with an inside move exiting the fourth corner at the half way point of the 20 lap 358 sprint car feature and drove away with his sixth win of the season.
He also earned the Bass Pro Shops Hard Charger Award for passing the most cars. Cannon advanced from 12th to the lead.
He also clinched his second consecutive Bass Pro Shops Championship.
Kyle Pruitt finished second with Reed third, Derek Locke fourth and Aaron Ott fifth.
Cannon, T. Reed, Austin Reed and Nicole Bower won heats for the 33 limited sprints in the pit area.
The consolation race was won by Davey Franek.
Williams Grove will present the Morgan Hughes National Open sponsored by Cleveland Brothers on Saturday evening, October 11, at 7:00.
Williams Grove Speedway Feature Finishes – October 3, 2008
Sprint Car Feature – 25 laps – 1. Lance Dewease, 2. Justin Henderson, 3. Chad Layton, 4. Todd Shaffer, 5. Fred Rahmer, 6. Craig Keel, 7. Rick Lafferty, 8. Mike Erdley, 9. Brian Leppo, 10. Alan Krimes, 11. Greg Hodnett, 12. Don Kreitz, Jr., 13. Niki Young, 14. John Rudisill, 15. Ryan Smith, 16. Adam Wilt, 17. Randy Baughman, 18. Brian Montieth, 19. A. J. Michael, 20. Alan Cole, 21. Troy Fraker, 22. Steve Buckwalter, 23. Cody Darrah, 24. Chris Meleason
358 Sprint Car Feature – 20 laps – 1. Pat Cannon, 2. Kyle Pruitt, 3. Todd Reed, 4. Derek Locke, 5. Aaron Ott, 6. Scott Geesey, 7. Cory Haas, 8. Adrian Shaffer, 9. Nicole Bower, 10. Billy Johns, 11. Frankie Herr, 12. Austin Reed, 13. Keith Prutzman, 14. Davey Franek, 15. Bob Beidleman, 16. Kyle Moody, 17. Chad Criswell, 18. Ricky Stonebraker, 19. Matt Boland, 20. John Barnett, 21. Mark Coldren, 22. Nate Hammaker, 23. Tony Smolenyak, 24. Glenndon Forsythe.
CHAMPIONS NIGHT OCTOBER 3 AT WILLIAMS GROVE
MECHANICSBURG, PA --At this time only two dates remain on Williams Grove Speedway's 2008 schedule with the first coming up on Friday evening, October 3, when the sprint cars will be joined by the 358 sprints.
Racing is set to begin at 8:00.
Billed as Champions Night, Friday will be the final point race for both divisions, so the track champions will be officially named at that time.
It will be merely a formality in the sprint car division where Fred Rahmer has mathematically clinched the Cindy Rowe Auto Glass championship.
It is the 8th title for the 50-year old veteran from Salfordville, Pa.
Rahmer dethroned Todd Shaffer, who is trying to finish second, ahead of Brian Leppo and Greg Hodnett.
The Bass Pro Shops championship in the 358 division will be decided on October 3.
Only three drivers still have a shot at the title.Two of those drivers have accounted for four of the last five division championships while the third is a 16-year old rookie.
Defending champion Pat Cannon leads three-time titlist Cory Haas by 200 points entering the final race.
The new kid on the block is Aaron Ott, who trails Cannon by 255 points, which makes him a long shot for the title, but his total should be enough to keep him ahead of fourth-place Scott Geesey when the final points are calculated.
The Morgan Hughes National Open pesented by Cleveland Brothers has been rescheduled for Saturday evening, October 11, replacing The Fall Fest on that date. The Fall Fest may be rescheduled if a suitable date can be found.
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NATIONAL OPEN RESCHEDULED
MECHANICSBURG, PA -- The Morgan Hughes National Open presented by Cleveland Brothers has been rescheduled for Saturday evening, October 11, at 7:00.
The race will not be sanctioned by the World of Outlaws and no Outlaw drivers are expected to compete. However, the top sprint car drivers in the East should be out in force to race for the largest unsanctioned purse of the year at Williams Grove.
The winner of the 40-lap feature will earn $12,000, the richest payoff of the area's late season special events.
The National Open was originally scheduled for September 27, but rain washed out the entire weekend's racing, including the Sunday evening rain date.
The World of Outlaws schedule will not permit their drivers to return to Williams Grove this season, but the tradition of the National Open will continue.
Begun in 1963, the National Open was not sanctioned by the Outlaws until 1989.
In 1998 a similar situation arose when the race was rained out on it's original date. At that time the Outlaws were unable to return, but speedway management felt it was important to keep alive the tradition of the East's most prestigious sprint car race and the National Open was run three weeks later.
The '98 National was won by New Jersey's Billy Pauch.
"Once again we felt the tradition of the race had to continue," said speedway general manager Justin Loh. "And this event will also provide a nice payoff for our weekly racers and anyone else who may come to challenge them."
The Fall Fest, a features only program originally scheduled to end the Grove's season on October 11, may be rescheduled at a later date.
Champions Night for Sprint Cars and 358s is still set for Friday, October 3.
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GRANDVIEW SEASON FINALE TO SHOWCASE THE 5-25'S & THE HOUSE OF THUNDER HALLOWEEN PARTY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18
One race still remains on the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series schedule and that big night of racing is set for Saturday, October 18.
The season finale will showcase the Grandview THUNDER 5-25's and the Annual House of Thunder Halloween Party. In typical Halloween fashion, the divisions on this program will be the Nasty NASCAR Modifieds, the Spooky Sprints of URC, the Mischievous Midgets of ARDC, the Ghostly Legends and the 600cc Monster Modifieds.
Each division will compete in a twenty-five lap feature plus an added treat, the ARDC Wingless Mischievous Midgets will also compete in a twenty lap feature that is a make-up from a June rain out. And lets not forget, always a favorite of the fans is the return of the Garden State Vintage race cars. Plan to attend the season finale of features only at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night, October 18.
Gates will open on race night at 4 PM with the first feature event of the night taking the green flag promptly at 6 PM. General admission prices are $20 for adults, $5 for children 6-11 and children under the age of 6 will be admitted FREE. The pit fee is $25 and a license is not required.
A field of more then one-hundred race cars will compete in the six feature event program, racing for a total payout to exceed $30,000. Only the top drivers from each class will be invited to this event, a program that has become very popular with the race fans.
In true Thunder on the Hill style, there will be plenty of fun for the race fans. They promise plenty of treats and no tricks, just a well run show that will spotlight five divisions of dirt track racing competing in six feature events in one night. The best part of the night, there is no qualifying, just plenty of feature event racing and the popular Garden State Vintage race cars.
For the race fans, you are encouraged to dress-up for the Halloween Party. For those who come in costume, you are always invited to be part of the joyous victory lane photo with all the nights feature winners. Thunder on the Hill will again offer the Inside/Out Promotion, where fans can watch the warm-ups from the infield. Interested? If so, on race night, just sign up at the Will Call Window by 5 PM.
Saturday, October 18 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES 6 PM
House of Thunder Halloween Party
Tentative Order of Events Starting at 6 PM
25 Lap Ghostly Legends Feature
20 Lap Wingless Mischievous Midget Feature
25 Lap 600cc Monster Modified Feature
Nasty NASCAR Modified Warm-ups
URC Spooky Sprint Warm-ups
Garden State Vintage Car Feature
25 Lap Wingless Mischievous Midget Feature
25 Lap Spooky Sprint Feature
25 Lap Nasty NASCAR Modified Feature
-end-
WILLIAMS GROVE WEEKEND WASHED OUT -- NEW NATIONAL DATE SOUGHT
MECHANICSBURG, PA -- Three consecutive days of rain completely washed out the National Open Weekend for sprint cars at Williams Grove Speedway.
Even Sunday's rain date fell victim to the elements when more rain fell on the already saturated grounds, making the prospect of presenting a race an impossibility.
The National Open is the East's oldest and most prestigious sprint car event. It was begun in 1963 and has been run annually ever since.
If at all possible the tradition will continue this year.
Although the World of Outlaws will be unable to sanction the event because of contractual obligations at other speedways, Williams Grove officials are looking for a suitable date for the 2008 version of the National Open.
A rain out ten years ago set up a similar scenario. At that time the rescheduled event carried no sanction, but drew a strong field of participants and earned Billy Pauch more than $13,000 and a place on the National Open winners' list.
While details need to be worked out, speedway officials are attempting to put together a workable date and a purse which will attract the top local drivers and perhaps some invaders from other parts of the country.
Further information will be released as soon as it becomes available.
-end-
NATIONAL OPEN RESCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, AT 6:45
MECHANICSBURG, PA -- The Morgan Hughes National Open for sprint cars at Williams Grove Speedway was rained out on Saturday.
This event has been rescheduled for Sunday evening, September 28.
The starting time has been moved up one hour with qualifying now slated to begin at 6:45.
The winner of the 40-lap National Open will earn $50,000.
One of sprint car racing's major events, the National Open has been run annually at Williams Grove Speedway since 1963.
A Sunday rain date was last used in 1993 when Don Kreitz, Jr., won the race, and prior to that in 1987 when Joey Allen was the winner.
For the second day in succession inclement weather put a damper on this historic speedway's biggest weekend of the year. Friday night's preliminary program was also rained out.
Full coverage of the Morgan Hughes National Open will air on SPEED on Sunday night beginning at 10 p.m. Eastern.
-end-
Opening Night of the Morgan Hughes National Open Falls to Rain
Mechanicsburg, PA— September 26, 2008—The opening night of the Morgan Hughes National Open at Williams Grove Speedway for the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series originally scheduled for tonight (September 26) has been cancelled due to persistent rain and will not be made up. The event now becomes a one-night race with the winner on Saturday night receiving $50,000.
The Morgan Hughes National Open will air LIVE on SPEED on Saturday night beginning at 8 pm. Eastern.
Donny Schatz, the two-time defending series champion has won the race each of the last two seasons and has four career wins in the famed event. Steve Kinser, the 20-time Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion also has won the Morgan Hughes National Open four times in his career.
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