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Marks Makes Most at the Grove; Locke and Drevicki also Score

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WILLIAMS GROVE, PA (August 14, 2020): It was a good night to be leading points at Williams Grove Speedway. Each of the three feature winners sat atop the standings in their respective classes. Winning the Billy Kimmel Memorial for the 410 Sprints was Brent Marks. Taking the 358 Sprints was Derek Locke. And, taking the first ever USAC East Coast 360 Sprints was Steve Drevicki.

“It feels good to be at home racing,” said Marks, also known as the Myerstown Missile. “We were going to do a lot more traveling,” he said, “but the virus situation changed that.” Marks had spent the last several seasons touring with the World of Outlaws, and he planned to run a true outlaw schedule, mixing in better paying local events with All Stars and World of Outlaws treks. But Marks has remained close to home while series and track schedules went through radical adjustments. Now, he finds himself leading the points battles at the Grove and at Port Royal Speedway, an unexpected benefit for sure.

The win for Marks was his first of the season at the Grove, and his tenth career win. It was his first since knocking off the National Open last fall. Unfortunately for Marks, though, the track was only giving show-up points this night because the date was penned in after the cancellation of the 2020 Knoxville Nationals. Originally, the Grove was to be dark to allow competitors to journey west. Several drivers did opt to attend the One and Only, the substitute for the 60th running of the Nationals, but the majority of them stayed home to race at the Grove.

The win did not come easy for Marks. “That was a really hard race, it was the hardest that I’ve raced in a while,” he said as he struggled to catch his breath. Marks had to chase down pole sitter Brian Montieth, who led from the outset. “I made a lot of mistakes, Brian made a lot of mistakes.” Marks continued, “I thought that I lost the race, I got bottled up down there (pointing toward turn four) and, then, he did the same thing two laps later.” That enabled Marks to get a good run at Montieth and he nipped him at the flag stand as they registered lap 21. Montieth fought back to regain the lead in turn one, but Marks had the better line and he was able to power off turn two with the lead once and for all.

Montieth was paired up with another hungry veteran, Lucas Wolfe, on the front row for the 25 lapper. Jeff Halligan and Marks were in the second row. Freddie Rahmer, Jr. and Matt Campbell were in the third, and Chad Trout and Tyler Ross were in the fourth. The fifth row was made up of Rick Lafferty and Kyle Reinhardt.

Montieth wasted no time building up a lead over Wolfe. Wolfe could not hold onto second for very long, as he was displaced by Marks and Halligan with a couple of laps in the books. Rahmer nestled into fifth, followed by Campbell, Ross, and Trout.

Montieth survived a pair of restarts, on laps six and seven, brought about by minor incidents.

The final 18 laps were run under the green. Marks closed in on Montieth around the halfway mark. Montieth led by a nose on lap 15, but he was able to open up a few car lengths on his challenger when Marks got hung up behind some lapped cars. But Marks rallied and drew close to Montieh as the laps clicked away.

Things got very exciting over the last five laps. When Montieth got caught behind some slower cars, Marks made his move. He grabbed the lead at the line, but then he had to fight back Montieth’s counterattack in turn one. Marks was able to do so successfully and he held the lead to the end.

Following Marks and Montieth were Campbell, Rahmer, and Trout. Halligan, Zeb Wise, Wolfe, Kyle Moody, and Reinhardt completed the top ten. It was Moody’s first race in several weeks, as he was sidelined with a concussion.

Heat wins were scored by Campbell, Lafferty, and Rahmer. There was no B Main.

In the 358 Sprints, Derek Locke scored his second career win at the Grove in remarkable style. Locke took command just two laps into the race and he cruised to the easy win. Doug Hammaker raced up to second, and he was followed by two-time winner Kevin Nouse. Cody Fletcher was fourth after leading the first two circuits. Zach Newlin was fifth. Dylan Norris, Matt Findley, Chris Frank, Scott Fisher, and Chad Criswell rounded out the top ten.

In the USAC 360 debut, Steve Drevicki scored his first career win at the Grove. He had finished second several times before in different classes of cars, but this was his first feature triumph of any kind at the historic venue. He had to fend off the charge of Alex Bright over the last ten laps. Taking third was a former New York Modified ace, Billy Vaninwegen. Joey Biasi out dueled Carmen Perigo, Jr. for fourth. Early leader Bill Unglert crossed in sixth, followed by Kyle Spence, Bruce Buckwalter, Chris Allen, Jr. and John Stehman.

Next week, Williams Grove will host the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Also on the card will be the 410 Sprint Cars. Coming up soon will be the Jack Gunn Memorial Twin 20s for the All Stars Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars.

Dirt Racing

Peck Pounces in 410 at Williams Grove; Locke Lands 358 Win

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MECHANICSBURG, PA (April 10, 2026):  High Roller Justin Peck took advantage of an off-weekend with the High Limit Sprint Car Series to get some track time, and the win, at Williams Grove Speedway. He took advantage of an open red with four laps remaining to dial his car in for the final laps. He rolled around the outside of turns one and two to overtake Ryan Smith at the start of lap twenty-four, and then he held off a last lap challenge from Smith in the same corners.

In the first of three Dirty Deeds special events for the 358 Sprint Cars, Derek Locke drove by Cole Young on lap twenty and went on to score his eighteenth career victory at the track.

“We were down and out,” Peck said about his prospects for victory before the open red that changed the complexion of the race. He explained that he could not get any drive coming off the corners. “We made some changes on the car during the open red.” After the adjustments, he said, “we were able to rotate around the corner.” He added, “I think he (Ryan Smith) missed the bottom a couple of times.”

Buddy Schweibinz and Ryan Smith drew the front row for the start of the twenty-five lapper which was aligned using the Speedweek format. Peck and Brent Shearer were in row two, and the other preferred starting spots belonged to Brent Marks and Lance Dewease. Doug Hammaker and Troy Wagaman, Jr. were in the fourth row, followed by Dylan Norris and Aaron Bollinger. Cameron Smith and Brock Zearfoss lined up next.

Ryan Smith got the jump on Schweibinz on the initial start, but a caution due to the flat left rear tire on Freddie Rahmer, Jr.’s car required a second attempt to get the race started. This time, Schweibinz was better prepared, and he beat Ryan Smith to turn one.

Peck settled into third, followed by Dewease, Marks, Shearer, Hammaker, Bollinger, Wagaman, and Zearfoss. There were no changes in the top ten in the early going.

A caution for Cameron Smith, on lap four, gave Ryan Smith another shot at the leader. Schweibinz was up to the challenger, though, and he paced the field for the next fourteen laps.

On lap fifteen, Ryan Smith started to test the inside line. He got beside Schweibinz on one occasion, in turn one, but Schweibinz was able to ride the cushion to preserve his lead.

Ryan Smith went to the cushion in turns one and two three laps later and he was able to drive by Schweibinz. However, Zearfoss tangled with a lapped car in turn two, and the resulting caution nullified the pass for the lead.

Schweibinz was restored to the point for the restart, with Smith in second. Peck, Dewease, Marks, and Hammaker were the next three in line.

On the restart, Ryan Smith went low in turn one, and he was able to take the lead away from Schweibinz. On the next trip around the speedway, Peck got by Schweibinz, who was struggling to hold his position.

While Dewease was pressing Schweibinz for third,  Hammaker was challenging Marks for fifth. Unfortunately, Hammaker jumped the cushion in turn four and flipped on lap twenty-one. He was not injured in the tumble.

Track officials opened the red to allow the racers to add fuel and make changes for the stretch run.

Ryan Smith brought the field to the green for the final time, followed by Peck, Schweibinz, Dewease, Marks, Wagaman, Norris, Bollinger, Rahmer, and Tanner Holmes.

Dewease dove under Schweibinz on the restart. They raced side by side until turn three, when Dewease was able to pull ahead.

Meanwhile, Peck stayed in Smith’s shadow for the next several laps. At the start of lap twenty-four, Smith entered turn one on the inside again. However, Peck moved to the outside. He was able to carry some momentum through the corner and he drew along side of Smith. Peck rode the rim to gain the lead coming through turn two to lead the lap.

Smith tried the inside line on the final lap, but Peck stayed up on the cushion. Once again, Peck was able to keep his speed up and he drove off turn two with a lead of a couple of car lengths.

Peck took the checkers more than eight tenths of a second ahead of Ryan Snith. Dewease was third, followed by Schweibinz, and Marks. Wagaman, Norris, Rahmer, Chase Randall, and Bollinger completed the top ten.

Ryan Smith, Dewease, and Peck were the heat winners. No B Main was needed for the twenty-four car field. Marks was the fastest qualifier for the night, clocking in at 16.916 seconds for Group A.

Jacob Galloway drew the pole for the 358 Sprint nightcap. However, he could not take advantage of the prime starting position, for he spun in turn one on the opening lap. Fortunately, all but one car avoided him. Eli Tuckey made enough contact to collapse the front suspension of his car.

That moved Cole Young up to the front row for the second try. Young grabbed the lead and, for the first nineteen laps, it appeared as though he would get the win.

However, Derek Locke was biding his time. He raced along in third for the first three laps before making a move on Hunter Fulton for second. On lap twenty, Locke went under Young in turn one to take control of the race. Fulton held onto third through lap seventeen before fading from contention.

At the checkers, it was Locke by 0.864 seconds over Young. Austin Reed was third, with Matt Findley and Cody Fletcher rounding out the top five. Fulton was sixth. Steve Wilbur, Chase Guttshall, Brayden Mickley, and Brett Wanner were seventh through tenth.

Locke remarked, “he (Young) was really good on the tope, We were both running the top the first ten laps. He was better on the top than me. He went to the bottom once, and I almost got him around the top. But, I knew the rubber would come in and we were better down there.”

Young, Fletcher, and Locke scored in the preliminaries. The twenty-five car field did not use a B Main.

Next weekend, Williams Grove Speedway will present the Tommy Classic, named in honor of the first driver to register a win at the famed speedway, Tommy Hinnershitz. The 358 Sprints will again provide support for the 410s.

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Dirt Racing

Dietz Doubles at Lincoln

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Photo: Paul Arch

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA (March 6, 2026):  Chase Dietz has figured out the combination to get around Lincoln Speedway in the daylight hours. This time he made a power move in turn three to grab the lead from Freddie Rahmer, Jr. following a lap nineteen restart. And, like a week before, a caution soon followed, ensuring that the York pilot would get away cleanly for the remaining ten laps of the contest. This victory, his second of the young season, added another $6,000 to Dietz’ coffers.

“It was very tricky yet again,” Dietz remarked. He explained, “it got slicked off in (turns) one and two. I tried to be patient and run the middle. I think I showed Freddie the bottom too soon. But I found something off two and I got a run on him and I just drove through the holes.”

“I was trying to watch the track and it just worked out,” Dietz added.  “It’s been a great start and I will try to keep it going,” he concluded.

Second went to Kyle Moody, who drove under his brother-in-law, Freddie Rahmer, Jr. late in the race. After a brief challenge from Brock Zearfoss, Moody came to life. “I’ll take it,” Moody said unabashedly. “The first couple of laps didn’t work out. Typical Lincoln. They watered it and I thought I could make it work, but it didn’t work out.” So, Moody fell back to third, a position that he held until lap twenty-three.

Zearfoss was stalking Moody for most of the second half of the race, but he could not make the pass. “I knew he was going to stick to the bottom on the restarts. I found something (coming off turn two) and I thought I could make it around him on the outside, But, I hit the ruts wrong and that got me unsettled.” Despite his difficulty with Moody, Zearfoss recovered at the end of the race to overtake Rahmer for third.

The second event of the season in the Pigeon Hills had Ramer Jr. and Moody paired up in the front row. Dietz joined T.J. Stutts in row two, followed by Brandon Rahmer and Zearfoss. Danny Dietrich and Matt Campbell occupied row four. The fifth belonged tp teammates Steven Snyder, Jr. and Troy Wagaman, Jr.  Western PA driver Jacob Begenwald and Aaron Bollinger were in row six.

Rahmer Jr. led the field into turn one on the opening lap. Moody slid up the track, opening the inside line for Dietz. Moody fell in line in third. Stutts and Brandon Rahmer made up the early top five.

Billy Dietrich brought out the first caution on just the second lap when he came to a stop at the exit of turn four.

Dietz took a look inside Rahmer Jr. following the restart, but he opted to ride along in second place. Moody continued in third, with Zearfoss moving up a couple of notches. Stutts and Danny Dietrich battled for fifth for several laps before Dietrich locked up the position before the halfway mark.

Dewease slowed on lap nineteen for the second caution.

Rahmer Jr. again led the field into turn one following the restart, but Dietz remained close in turns one and two. Dietz moved up a half lane through turn two and that enabled him to rocket off the corner. Dietz had plenty of momentum entering turn three and he dove to the inside to pass Rahmer for the lead.

Dietz, Rahmer, and several others completed the lap before Bollinger spun in turn one.

On the ensuing restart, Dietz led Rahmer Jr. to the inside line in turn one. Zearfoss went to the high side to try to pass Moody for third, but he could not get by. Moody picked up some speed after that threat and, on lap twenty-three, he scooted under Rahmer Jr. in turn two for the second spot. Despite the successful maneuver, Moody could not challenge Dietz for the lead.

After his failed venture on the high sude, Zearfoss moved to the bottom in the closing laps. He was able to catch and pass Rahmer Jr. on lap twenty-six.

Dietz, Moody, and Zearfoss took the checkers before two cars tangled in turn four on the final lap. Danny Dietrich and Snyder both flipped. The resulting red flag froze the balance of the field.

Split lap scoring was employed once again. Rahmer Jr, was credited with fourth and Wagaman fifth. Positions six through ten went to Stutts, Tyler Ross, Logan Rumsey, Campbell, and Cameron Smith. Dietrich and Snyder were scored in sixteenth and seventeenth, respectively.

Three heats were contested for the twenty-eight car field. The wins went to Snyder, Danny Dietrich, and Brandon Rahmer. Smith won the B Main.

Next week. Lincoln Speedway will move to its regular Saturday night slot. Starting time will be 6 p.m. The 358 Sprint Cars will provide support to the 410s for the first time in 2026.

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Dirt Racing

Dietz Does It Again

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Photo by Paul Arch

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA (February 28, 2026):  For the second straight year, Chase Dietz won the Icebreaker 30 at the fabulous Lincoln Speedway. The young veteran from York, PA chased down Danny Dietrich and used some lapped cars to gain the advantage in turns three and four on lap eighteen. Dietz scooped up $6,000 for his first victory of the 2026 season.

“The traffic got Danny (Dietrich) and Cameron (Smith) moving around,” Dietz observed. That enabled him to close the gap on them quickly. He added, “the lapped traffic made it interesting. I went low, it had some ruts, but it seemed to be the fastest way around.”

Dietz, who had a very maneuverable car the entire race, commended the track preparation by Fred Putney just before the feature started. “I knew it was going to have some hot characteristics to it. Fred did such a great job. The top came in. I went up there a little early and I fell back, but I was able to come back up.”

“I was  very fortunate to start the season like we did there,” he summed.

Dietrich, who led some laps in the middle of the event, remarked that he was pleased with second, “especially the way (turns) three and four were.” He joked that, in previous years, he probably would have wadded up the car trying to get more speed in those corners. “I was happy to be able to race with him (gesturing toward Dietz) there. I thought I could compete with him after the yellow (on lap nineteen), but he was really good.”

Third place finisher, Freddie Rahmer, Jr., thought that his car was better than Dietz’ “at different parts of the race.” He conceded, though, “maybe he was better at moving around.” He cited as an example, “he found the top sooner. I went up there, but I wasn’t as good.”

An Ohio invader, Zeth Sabo, drew the pole for the opener in the Pigeon Hills. To his right was Lance Dewease, making his debut at the controls of Rich Eichelberger’s potent machine. Row two paired Cameron Smith and Danny Dietrich. They were followed by Freddie Rahmer, Jr. and Chase Dietz. Logan Rumsey and Steven Snyder, Jr. occupied row four. Chad Trout and Billy Dietrich comprised row five, with Rick Lafferty and Matt Campbell next in line.

Sabo started his second race at Lincoln somewhat unexpectedly. He popped a wheelie coming off turn four. When he gathered it back up entering turn one, he slid high, forcing Dewease out of the groove. That opened the inside line for Smith, who took advantage of the opportunity to grab the early lead. Sabo and Dewease followed, with Danny Dietrich, Snyder, and Rahmer in hot pursuit.

Smith started to get some separation in the first few laps, but a caution for Tyler Ross on lap six brought Smith back to the fold. While the cars were pacing under the yellow, Dewease pulled to the top of turn three with a brake problem. He retired from the race at that point.

On the restart, Smith began to assert himself once again. Sabo got up on two wheels coming through turn two, losing five spots in the process. That moved Danny Dietrich and Freddie Rahmer into second and third, respectively. Rumsey and Dietz rounded out the top five.

Within a few laps, Smith reached the slower cars at the rear of the field. His pace slowed considerably, and Danny Dietrich went on the offensive. By the halfway mark, Dietrich was closing rapidly on Smith, who was still being cautious attempting to lap the slower cars.

Dietrich got a good run coming off turn two and he moved to the outside of Smith and the lappers. Dietrich sailed into turn three with the lead.

However, his time out front was brief. Dietz was on the move, and he closed in on Dietrich in just a lap or two. Dietz made his bid for the lead on lap eighteen, dropping to the rough inside line to take the lead by passing Dietrich and two lapped cars coming through turn four.

Dietrich remained close, but could not mount a counterattack at the opposite end of the track.

Hayden Miller flipped in turn one on lap nineteen to cause the final stoppage of the event. He was not hurt.

Dietrich began plotting a different strategy for the remaining eleven laps. However, Dietz had a clear track and a better car.

Dietz got to some lapped traffic in the final circuits, but he was able to pick off the slower cars with ease. He took the checkers just over three seconds ahead of Danny Dietrich. After the leaders took the final flag, Bitty Dietrich spun in turn four, and the rest of the field completed the race under yellow.

The split lap scoring had Freddie Rahmer, Jr. in third, followed by Rumsey and Smith. Troy Wagaman, Jr. passed his teammate, Snyder, in the closing laps to get the sixth spot. Sabo was seventh, with Campbell and Trout rounding out the top ten.

The three heat victories went to Dewease, Dietz, and Danny Dietrich. There was no B Main.

After the crowd dispersed, Speedway officials announced that Sunday’s conclusion to the Icebreaker weekend was cancelled due to forecasts of colder temperatures and rainy conditions. Racing will resume with a pair of afternoon shows next Saturday and Sunday, with 3 p.m. starts each day.

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