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Rahmer Holds Off Montieth in Lincoln Thriller

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ABBOTTSTOWN, PA (Pittsburgh Racing Now – June 20, 2020): The Fabulous Lincoln Speedway lived up to its billing on Saturday night when Freddie Rahmer Jr. held off a last-lap challenge from seven-time track champion Brian Montieth. Montieth actually took the lead briefly in turn one, but Rahmer came storming back on the outside of turn two to regain the advantage which he held to the finish line. Lurking right behind the leaders was Danny Dietrich.

Remarkably, all three drivers came from deep in the field to produce one of the most exciting events in the virus-interrupted season. Rahmer, who now has won two in a row at Lincoln and three races overall in 2020, started in 13th. Montieth, a winner at Lincoln this season, started 23rd, and Dietrich, a winner with the All Stars this season, started 17th. Their marches forward were aided by only one caution, that coming on lap 17 of the 30 lap race.

While the superstars produced the late-race excitement, some early highlights were provided by Brent Shearer and Bradley Howard. Shearer jumped out front at the start of the race, with Howard and rookie Aaron Bollinger fighting for second. Kyle Moody picked up a few spots in the early going while Cale Thomas and Brett Michalski were in the mix as well.

Howard took over second and he started to close in on Shearer. Soon, the two were in a side by side battle for the lead. The two nearly collided on the front stretch after popping wheelies coming off turn four! They both maintained control, and the battle royale resumed.

Howard pulled off a slider in turn one to grab the lead on the fifteenth circuit. He slowly started to pull away from Shearer and fans must have wondered whether Howard could pull off the upset.

Things became more difficult for Howard on lap seventeen when Dylan Norris brought out the only caution in the contest. Howard restarted on the point, of course, but now the hounds that were chasing him could see the rabbit out front and there were no lapped cars separating any of them. One contender retired under the caution, as Thomas pitted to get his nose wing retired. That moved Rahmer into the fifth spot and Montieth into ninth. Dietrich was still outside the top ten at this point.

When the green light came on again, Howard still had the lead, but Rahmer picked up a pair of positions. Soon thereafter, Dietrich vaulted into the top five.

Rahmer reeled in Howard and he was trying different lines to try to gain the advantage. Rahmer made a slider stick in turns one and two on lap 22 to take the lead. Now Bradley was under attack from Moody and Dietrich. While this was happening, Montieth got his momentum up and he started picking off cars. Over the last five laps of the race, he put on a clinic passing lapped cars and contenders with ease.

Montieth reached second as Rahmer got hung up behind a slower car. Montieth dropped to the inside and got a tremendous surge off turn four as the white flag was displayed. He pulled up beside Rahmer and got his nose out front briefly in turn one. But Rahmer rallied and took the lead back in turn two, never to be headed again.

Rahmer crossed ahead of Montieth to pick up another $4,000. Dietrich was a close third. Howard held off Moody for the fourth spot. Point leader Brandon Rahmer was sixth. Alan Krimes, Adam Wilt, Jimmy Siegel, and Chase Dietz followed.

Shearer, Howard, and Michalski led the way in their respective heat races. Dietz was the best in the B Main.

In the Limited Late Models, veteran Alan Sagi picked up the win. It was the fifth decade in which Sagi took a checkered flag. Chad Ernst, who led the fist 13 laps, held on for second. Craig Wagaman, Kurt Zimmerman, and D.J. Mease completed the top five. Wagaman and Mease copped the preliminaries.

Will Walls earned the victory in the Street Stocks on the final lap. He was trailed by Ryan Smith, Greg Diehl, Jasen Geesaman, and Michelle Walls. Heat winners were Geesaman and Will Walls.

Lincoln will host a pair of 410 Sprint events during the Central PA Speedweek. Round two will pay $9,200 to the winner of the Kevin Gobrecht Memorial on Saturday. Two nights later, round four will pay $7,000. Lincoln will have the 358 Sprints take center stage on July 4 as the 410 Sprints will conclude Speedweek at Port Royal Speedway. Joining the 358s will be the 305 Sprints, 600 Xcel Modifieds, and Stocks.

Dirt Racing

PA Posse Series Announced

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File Photo: Paul Arch

After much speculation and anticipation, the creation of the PA Posse 410 Sprint Series was announced just before Thanksgiving. The timing of the announcement, along with some sketchy plans for the ambitious undertaking, gave area fans and competitors much more to chew on than their traditional holiday feasts.

The new series will consist of 47 races spread across eleven tracks, from March until November. Each race will pay a minimum of $6,000 to win and $600 to start, with several shows paying higher purses, although the schedule did not specify which events will pay the premiums.

The series uses the highly successful PA Speedweek concept and expands upon it greatly.

The cornerstone of the series is the commitment that the participating tracks will not book any 410 Sprint Car race to overlap with a series contest. However, tracks are free to host races for other classes whenever series events are scheduled elsewhere, and the possibility does exist that participating tracks will still compete against one another on dates when the series has no scheduled races. So, the historic conflict between Lincoln Speedway and Port Royal Speedway will continue, albeit on a smaller scale, and the budding battle between Williams Grove Speedway and Selinsgrove Speedway will also survive the birthing of the new series.

The busy series schedule will not overlap with any of the area events sanctioned by either of the national touring series or the eastern swing for the resurrected All Stars Circuit of Champions. Because some of the participating tracks have yet to release their own schedules, it is possible that more than sixty high-dollar events could be held over the course of the 2026 season.

Comparison of the series schedule to those of the national series shows that there may be some conflicts outside the region. For example, two of the series events fall during the Knoxville Nationals, in August. When the World of Outlaws releases its entire schedule, there may be some other dates that interfere with the new series schedule.

As one might expect, the PA Posse 410 Sprint Series will draw heavily upon the three major tracks in the region for support. Williams Grove Speedway and Lincoln Speedway will each hold ten races. Port Royal Speedway checks in with nine of them. BAPS Motor Speedway and Selinsgrove Speedway have signed on for four events apiece. Clinton County Speedway, Path Valley Speedway, Bedford Speedway, and Bridgeport Speedway will each host two contests. Hagerstown Speedway and Grandview Speedway retained their traditional Speedweek dates, respectively.

Conspicuously absent from the series line-up are Big Diamond Speedway and the Action Track at Kutztown. It is unknown at this time whether these venues were overlooked or whether they declined to participate.

Action will commence on March 21 and 22, with races penciled in for Port Royal and Williams Grove Speedways. Port Royal will hold the next two events, weather permitting, of course. The schedule does not include any make-up dates for any events that are lost to weather.

Unlike PA Speedweek, the new series does not have a consistent format. Most races will use time trials, or possibly timed hot laps, to set heat race line-ups. Series announcements have not specified whether cars will time individually or in some group arrangement. Similarly, it has not been determined yet whether heat races will be heads up, with the exception for the fastest car being slotted into fourth position, as per the Speedweek format. Nor has it been disclosed whether any of the transfer cars will be eligible for a re-draw to obtain the preferred starting positions for the feature events. Neither of the series announcements thus far mentions any dashes as part of any series program. Tracks are free to use pill draws to set heat race lineups for some events, such as daytime shows, or others that present special circumstances due to weather, track conditions, and the like.

Otherwise, tracks will use their own rules and procedures for conducting and scoring the series events.

Unfortunately, series organizers did not take the opportunity to resolve any discrepancies in rules for the race cars. So, for example, some events will allow one cockpit-adjustable shock per car, while others will not permit any of them. Individual track rules will need to be consulted to determine what will or will not pass tech.

It is assumed, but unstated, whether Hoosier tires will be mandatory on all four corners for the series.

The series does boast a $200,000 point fund, with a quarter of it, $50,000, allocated for the champion. Points payouts will be available for the top fifteen racers. However, it is interesting to note that the posted payouts do not add up to $200,000! There is $30,000, or possibly more, that is not accounted for.

It is unclear where the point money will come from. Although the series announcements do not mention it, some chatter about the series has mentioned a $4,000 per race sanction fee. If so, that would amount to $188,000 if all scheduled races are held. Series announcements have not addressed the possibility of point fund reductions if any races are eliminated from the schedule for one reason or another. It is reasonable to assume that some of the funding to close any gaps may be derived from contributions from Hoosier Tire, or possibly other sponsors.

The point structure will be relatively simple. The winner will receive 70 points, second place 65, and third 62. Each position then drops by two points, down to 20 points for last place. Racers that do not make the A Main will receive 10 points. There is no mention so far of any provisionals or promoter’s choices.

It is assumed, but not stated, that racers will not be allowed to “borrow” a car number to earn points for any racer that is absent from a series race for whatever reason.

Racers will be allowed to “drop” three races for the purposes of calculating points. These races could be eliminated for poor finishes, or races that are not attended. So, if a racer elects to forgo the two mid-August series races to go to Knoxville, those could be two of the “drops.” The announcements do not indicate if the “drops” will still come into play if the racer does not attend all remaining series events.

There is no mention of any required minimum number of races to be eligible to receive any point fund distributions. Also, announcements so far do not suggest the possibility of reduced point fund distributions for any racers who do not have perfect, or near-perfect, attendance. There is no mention of any secondary distribution of any forfeited point money to other racers.

No statements have been released by the series or by any participating track regarding the impact of the new series upon any existing point championships at any participating tracks. Likewise, Williams Grove Speedway has yet to announce whether the Diamond Series will continue now that it  is a key player in the new series. So, it is unknown if a series race will also count toward any track or mini-series championships that survive the creation of the new series.

There has been no mention of any membership or registration fees for participating racers. Likewise, series announcements have not addressed any entry fees.

Another area of concern relates to streaming rights for the series events. While not entirely clear, it appears that participating tracks will retain their own streaming rights and arrangements. A new streaming platform announced by Lincoln Speedway may step in to fill the gaps for any tracks that presently lack established streaming arrangements.

While it is obvious that much time and energy have gone into the creation of the new series, it is obvious that there still are some unresolved issues and areas for improvement. Nonetheless, despite any of these shortcomings, early reactions have been positive, and best wishes are extended to all of the tracks and the racers for success in the new venture.

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Dirt Racing

Dietz Does It, Leads Posse Sweep

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Photo by Paul Arch

MECHANICSBURG, PA (October 3, 2025) – Chase Dietz, of York, PA, led a Posse sweep of four of the top five positions on night number one of the National Open Weekend at Williams Grove Speedway. Joining Dietz on the front stretch were second place finisher, Lance Dewease, and the third place runner, Danny Dietrich. Justin Whittall was fifth in the race. The only card carrying Outlaw was Carson Macedo, who led the first twenty-one laps before fading to fourth at the finish.

“I just want to soak it in,” Dietz said as he tried to catch his beath following the exhilarating victory, his first ever against the travelling band. Although Dietz noted that he had speed all year at the Grove, his team assembled a new car this week and, in doing so, they made a lot of changes. “The car was very maneuverable.”

Although Dietz ran most of the race in the top groove, he admitted, “I knew that the bottom was going to come in. I knew that I had to get down there before Lance (Dewease) did. I saw his nose.” As it turned out, Dietz barely got to the bottom ahead of Dewease, forcing the cagy veteran to move to the middle in the closing laps.

“We’re just extremely grateful to be here, this sport can be very humbling,” Dietz added. Even last year, when he was running his own cars, Dietz explained that they fought hard to be competitive with the Outlaws. Although they were winless, they showed good speed and had a podium finish against the Outlaws in the 2024 National Open. “I looked back at the nights when we didn’t win, and I tried to figure out what we needed to do to bet better.”

Dewease, who followed Dietz into second on lap twenty-two and wh briefly challenged him for the lead, commented, “the last three or four laps I wasn’t very good. The lapped cars made it interesting.”

Dietrich, who completed the podium for the Posse, felt that he may have had the fastest car in the final laps but, he added, “things didn’t go my way.” He explained that, when he did pass Dewease, he did not get enough of a gap on him, and that let him (Dewease) get back in.”

Macedo drew the pole for the Dash and his win in that event placed him on the pole for the twenty-five lap preliminary, which paid $12,000 to the winner. Dietrich lined up on his right, Dewease and Dietz made up row two, followed by David Gravel and Buddy Kofoid. Diason Pursley and Justin Whittall stacked our row four. Then came Daryn Pittman and Bill Balog. Row six paired Kody Hartlaub with Justin Peck.

The back of the field was almost as impressive as the first six rows. Back there were racers such as Kerry Madsen (fourteenth), Giovanni Scelzi (sixteenth), Brock Zearfoss (seventeenth), Brent Marks (eighteenth), Ryan Timms (nineteenth), Freddie Rahmer, Jr. (twentieth), Sheldon Haudenschild (twenty-first), Logan Schuchart (twenty-first), and Troy Wagaman (twenty-sixth).

Macedo held off Dietrich in turn one to assume control of the race. Dietz ran in third on the opening lap, but he drove under Dietrich in turn four to take over second one lap later. Dewease ran along in fourth, followed by Kofoid, Gravel, Whittall, Pittman, Pursley, and Balog in the early going.

The running order was pretty static through the first five or six laps. The top ten had a major shake-up on lap seven, though. Something broke on Pittman’s car in turn three, and he spun wildly toward the outside wall. In the process, he collected Pursley, Balog, and Hartlaub. Pittman and Pursely retired from the race due to the damage incurred, but Balog and Hartlaub were able to rejoin the field for the restart after pitting for repairs.

That fracas was the only caution of the race.

Macedo and Dietz resumed the battle for the lead on the restart. However, one lap later, Dewease moved into third, ahead of Dietrich, Kofoid, and Gravel. Whittall, Peck, Scelzi, and Rahmer made up the balance of the top ten. At that juncture, Wagaman was about six positions behind Rahmer in their race within the race for the point championship.

Through the middle stage of the race, Dietz began to close in on Macedo. Dewease continued in third, several car lengths behind the leaders. Dietrich was about the same distance back in fourth.

Dietz caught up to Macedo with about five or six laps remaining in the contest. He managed to pass Macedo on the inside of turn three on lap twenty-one, but Macedo countered in turn four to regain the lead.

Macedo dove to the inside heading into turn one, but he scrubbed off spme speed. Dietz was able to get some momentum coming through turn two and that propelled hin down the backstretch. He slid Macedo for the lead coming through turns three and four, and Dewease followed in his tire tracks to take over second coming off turn four.

Dietz missed the bottom entering turn one, and Dewease poked his nose under him going through the turn, Dietz recovered, and he got a good run off turn two to preserve his lead. Dietz then committed to the low line for the final laps, requiring Dewease to move more toward the middle of the track.

Dietrich dispatched Macedo and he got a run on Dewease near the end of the race. However, Dewease was able to reclaim second soon thereafter.

At the finish, it was Dietz by a tad under eight tenths of a second over Dewease. Dietrich was third, followed by Macedo and Whittall. Kofoid, Gravel, Scelzi,Peck, and Marks completed the top ten.

Rahmer was eleventh, and Wagaman sixteenth. Although Wagaman was the hard charger at plus ten, he lost valuable points to Rahmer. The two racers will be separated by 125 points, unofficially, heading into Saturday’s season finale.

Heat wins were scored by Gravel, Kofoid, Dewease, and Pursley. Ryan Newton won the non-qualifiers race. Kyle Spence recovered from a tipover in his heat race to capture the C Main. The B Main went to Haudenschild. Gravel was the evening’s fastest qualifier, with a lap of 16.409 seconds topping Group A. Dewease timed the best in Group B, with a lap of 16.760 seconds. Fifty-six cars participated in the event.

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Dirt Racing

Dale Blaney Wins World Of Outlaws At Sharon Speedway

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Photo by Paul Arch

HARTFORD, OH (September 27, 2025) – Dale Blaney had the hometown crowd on their feet and screaming after winning the World of Outlaws feature Saturday Night at Sharon Speedway, the track owned for years by the Blaney family.

Blaney started fifth and passed Cole Macedo on lap 11 for the lead then held off a furious last lap charge by Buddy Kofoid to win by just 0.136 seconds for the $12,000 payday!

The victory was Blaney’s first World of Outlaws victory in 10-years, becoming the oldest winner in Series history at 61 years 7 months and 28 days. Blaney broke the previous record set by his older brother Dave when he won at 58 years of age in 2021 at Sharon.

“There’re so many good young race car drivers out here, but to win a race at 61 (years old) is awesome,” said Blaney. ““I had the feeling that I was never going to win an Outlaw race ever again.  I don’t race much. This is our sixth race this year. I haven’t run in seven weeks. The car was awesome. We just got it back together this week. I don’t know what to say. It’s great and cool to win this at Sharon Speedway- it’s the only place I’ve run this year. This is a special freaking night. I know that.”

“I wanted traffic,” said Kofoid. “My car is usually amazing in traffic. He slipped up, and then I kind of got in his air and got me slipped up. And then I hit the wall coming to the checkered, and it shot me down the track. I tried to send it and was close. I’m just happy for Dale and Dave.”

Sheldon Haudenschild finished third follow by WoO points leader David Gravel in fourth.  Logan Schuchart rounded out the Top 5.

The night however belonged to the Blaney family, who fittingly closed out the the first year of the new ownership group of Dave Blaney, Ryan Blaney, and Will Thomas III in Victory Lane.

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