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Hot Action in Heat Races at Port Royal

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PORT ROYAL, PA (October 16, 2020): Friday was qualifying night for the Short Track Super Series Modifieds and Sportsmen competing in the Speed Showcase. Five heats were contested in each division with five cars advancing to the respective features to be held on Saturday night. Each Big Block heat paid $750 to win, and each Sportsman heat was worth $200 to the victor.

Danny Bouc took the first 20 lapper for the Big Block Modifieds. He climbed from sixth on the grid to take the lead with 12 laps in the books. Australian pilot Peter Britten came across in second, with Anthony Perrego in third, and Richie Pratt, Jr. in fourth. Early leader Rick Laubach fell back to get the fifth and final transfer. “We seem to have these heat races figured out,” said Bouc. “This car was a real beast.”

Mike Gular captured the second heat race, taking the lead from Mike Maresca on lap nine. Maresca was in a late race battle with Stewart Friese for the second spot before Friesen retired with an engine problem. Maresca suffered a terminal engine failure just as he crossed the line in second. Third was Mike Mahaney. Tyler Dippel and J.R. Heffner completed the top five. Heffner started last on the grid but still made the big show. “We had a good car the last two nights,” Gular noted. “I’m glad we got the win.”

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Billy Pauch, Jr. grabbed the lead with four laps down and went on to victory. Matt Sheppard chased him home. Although Pauch Jr. and Sheppard were locked into the 200 lapper based on their finishes on Thursday night, the were able to participate in the top ten redraw on Saturday. Getting third was Demitrios Drellos . Veteran Billy Van Pelt was fourth, and Jeff Strunk got fifth after starting last in this heat race. “We’ve ben really good all weekend,” Pauch Jr. said. His team brought out a different car than the one that he steered from 22nd to second on Thursday. He explained that this car had a new motor in it.

Erick Rudolph chased down new arrival Billy Dunn to grab a lead that he would not relinquish. Teenager Alex Yankowski crossed in second. Third went to Larry Wight. Dunn held off Jimmy Horton for the fourth spot. “We had the speed last night, but the luck was not on our side,” Rudolph said. He missed the Thursday A Main by one spot but he was not going to let that happen again.

The final heat for the Big Blocks went to Max McLaughlin over Mat Williamson. Ryan Godown took third, with Rocky Warner and Alan Johnson also making the cut. McLaughlin felt that he had to atone for his poor performance on Thursday. “I gave that one away,” he said. McLaughlin hit the wall and flattened a tire while running near the front of the field the night before. “I didn’t sleep at all after that,” he added.

Will Shields, Steve Davis, Justin Grosso, Tanner Van Doren, and Brian Krummel prevailed in the twelve lappers for the 602 Crate Sportsmen. Davis and Krummel were driving team cars sponsored by Ice Less, which was the title sponsor for the Saturday night 50 lapper. Van Doren was the youngest racer on the grounds this night. He drove a masterful race despite being too young to hold a valid driver’s license.

Dirt Racing

Rahmer and Norris Get Second Wins of the Season at Lincoln Speedway in Fallen Firefighters Memorial

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Photo: Jeremy Zarfos

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA (May 17, 2025): A brief delay for a passing shower did not dampen the spirits of those attending the Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the Fabulous Lincoln Speedway. Freddie Rahmer, Jr. fought off a desperate late race charge from Chase Dietz to bank $6,000 for the 410 Sprints. Dylan Norris rebounded from a disappointing run in that race to capture the 358 Sprint finale, collecting in excess of $1,500 for his efforts. For each driver, it was their second victory of the season in the Pigeon Hills.

Rahmer had no idea that Dietz was closing until he saw the nose of car a split second before he lost the lead at the scoring loop. However, Rahmer rallied to regain the lead in turn three heading for the white flag. Dietz wasn’t quite finished, though, as he dove low off turn four heading for the checkers. Rahmer nipped him at the line to score the exciting win.

Rahmer, who rode the rim for most of the race, said that he was starting to struggle with the lapped cars. So, when the field aligned for teh final restart with six laps remaining, he decided to move to the bottom groove. He thought that there would be some clean rubber there. However, he added, “it slowed the pace down too much.” Then, after Dietz charged by on the insdide, Rahmer moved up to the middle of the track, picking up enough speed to drive by on the back stretch so he could close the door at the entry to turn three.
Dietz, who came so close to picking up his second win of the weekend, commented that he waited too long to move back to the top after passing Rahmer for the lead.

With the starting line-up determined by PA Speedweek procedures, Rahmer was fortunate to draw the pole position. He was flanked by Aaron Bollinger. Matt Campbell and Kyle Moody were in row two. The last driver in the re-draw, Tyler Ross, was inside of row three, with Ashton Torgerson as his runningmate. Cameron Smith and point leader Troy Wagaman, Jr. made up row four. The fifth belonged to Ryan Newton and Brandon Rahmer. Then came Chad Trout and Chris Frank.

Rahmer, Jr. claimed the early lead over Bollinger, Moody, Campbell, Torgerson, Ross, Wagaman, Smith, Brandon Rahmer, and Frank. While the first three ran in single file formation, Torgerson, Campbell, and Ross were battling for the fourth spot. Torgerson took iy moments before the first caution, on lap four, for a spin by Dallas Schott to turn four.

Campbell regained the position soon after the race resumed. When the leaders entered lapped traffic, Campbell began to gain on them.

He moved into third by lap eighteen, the midpoint of the race. After another brief stoppage, on lap twenty-one, Campbell moved into second. Although he got within a car length of Rahmer, Jr., Campbell could not make a move for the lead.

Campbell was not the only racer making progress in the event. Dietz, who started thirteenth, was running in the middle of the pack through the first half of the contest. In the second half, though, his car came to life, and he began to move ahead.

He was sitting eighth for the restart on lap twenty-one, and he cracked the top five by lap thirty, when the final caution was displayed.
When the green light came on again, Dietz was ready. He picked off Moody and Bollinger almost immediately. Soon thereafter, be shot past Campbell. The excitement built as he closed in on Rahmer. As the lead duo crossed the scoring loop for lap thirty-three, Dietz was a nose ahead of Rahmer, Jr. Dietz cleared him in turn one, but Rahmer fought back. Rahmer got a good run down the backstretch and he was able to shut the door on Dietz entering turn three,

Three Rivers Karting

Rahmer stayed in the middle groove and Dietz went back to the top. He built some moementum on the final lap and turned under Rahmer coming through the final corner. Dietz came up short in the stretch run by .045 seconds.

Campbell crossed in third, followed by Bollinger, and Moody. Torgerson, Wagaman, Ross, Smith, and Newton rounded out the top ten.

The three heat winners were Moody, Campbell, and Bollinger. They each picked up $100. Kody Hartlaub won the B Main. He also earned a $500 bonus as the evening’s fastest qualifier with a lap of 14.430 seconds. Dietz was the hard charger, good for an extra $400.

In the nightcap for the 358 Sprint Cars, Ayden Hare and Bo Gordon drew the front row. Jude Siegel and Seth Schnoke were in the second row, followed by Aistin Reed and Ashley Cappetta. However, a multi-car tangle in turn one on the opening lap substantially altered the remainder of the line-up.

When the race got going, Hare led Gordon, Cameron Merriman, Cappetta, Siegel, Dylan Norris, Andy Best, Frankie Herr, Jayden Wolf, and James Roselli. Merriman quickly moved into second and took over the point on lap four. Norris followed into third.

Cautions on laps seven, nine, and ten interrupted the flow of the race, but they did not dter the advancement of Norris into second position.

Norris charged past Merriman on lap eleven and was never headed.

Merriman held on for second and Hare for third, followed by Gordon and Cappetta. Siegel, Wolf, Best, Herr, and Steve Owings completed the top ten.

The four heat wins, with an undisclosed bonus for each winner, went to Tyler Ulrich, Herr, Austin Reed, and Norris. Chase Guttshall won the B Main. Owings received the $200 hard charger bonus.

Next week, Lincoln Speedway presents the Bob Leiby Memorial for 410 Sprint Cars joined by the Limited Stocks. On May 31, the Steve Smith Tribute Race will be held for the 410 and 358 Sprints. The revived All Star Circuit of Champions will roll into town on June 7. They will be accompanied by the 358 Sprints. That will be the Elijah Hawkins Memorial.

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Local Racing

Autocross for a cause as FastTrackPGH accelerates to cure Huntington’s Disease

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Photo: FastTrackPGH

PITTSBURGH, PA (May 12, 2025) – Gearheads in Pittsburgh have a chance to strap on a helmet and Autocross to help raise awareness and funds to cure Huntington’s Disease.

FastTrackPGH is holding their 18th annual Autocross event on Sunday May 18 at the North Park Swimming Pool parking lot.

Proceeds of the event will go towards finding a cure for Huntington’s Disease at UPMC’s HDSA center of excellence and provide funding for youth scholarships to send young people to the HDSA’s annual national convention, happening this year in Indianapolis..

Huntington’s Disease is an incurable neurodegenerative disease that results in the progressive loss of control of both the mind and the body.

Morgan McLane created the even in honor of his Aunt Barbara, who was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease in December, 1999.

“Barbara led quite a normal life, getting married and having two daughters,” explained McLane. “In her 40’s her life changed forever, beginning with subtle changes in her personality and physical capabilities. We now realize this was the beginning of her disease. In 2005, Aunt Barbara was placed in a nursing home, confined to a wheelchair, and began having difficulty speaking and swallowing.”

Approximately 30,000 people in the US are living with Huntington’s Disease, with another 200,000+ assumed at risk. Each child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the disease.

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“HD is an especially difficult condition because it robs the affected person not only of their health and independence, but also the memories of family, friends, and a lifetime of experiences,” said McLane.  “In April of 2010 my aunt lost her battle with HD.”

To date FastTrackPGH has raised over $250,000 and last year’s event raised over $31,000.  Organizers are hoping to top the amount this year.

Racers can do their part by trying to beat the clock around the course and should register early.

If you don’t want to try your hand behind the wheel, you can enjoy a day of competition, prizes, food, and fun.  Winners do not need to be present to win one of the gift baskets!

Tickets and registration prior to the event are easy by using this link: https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/nhscc-points-event-4-hdsa-north-park-swimming-pool-lot-hills-sports-car-club-801569

The event will take place rain or shine and they will be accepting cash or card.

Donations are also being accepted online by clicking here.

For more information about FastTrackPGH click this link.

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Dirt Racing

Kofoid Takes Gettysburg Clash

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Photo by Paul Arch

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA (May 7, 2025): Buddy Kofoid captured the Northeastern opener for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series at the Fabulous Lincoln Speedway. Although Kofoid led all thirty-five laps, he did lose the lead briefly to Chase Dietz in turn four following a lap eight restart.

Kofoid admitted that he did not anticipate Dietz’s move. After Dietz slid him at the entry to that corner, Kofoid deftly turned back under Dietz coming off the turn to regain the lead before the duo reached the scoring loop. Hence, there was no official lead change recorded. “I just could cut the middle,” Kofoid noted of his unexpected path to recovery. “As the leader, you don’t know until you know.”

Kofoid explained that his car was very maneuverable. “I could move around pretty good. But, I was good enough to stay on top.”

Track conditions favored his lane choice. He explained that the top was not very difficult in turns three and four “because it is a little wider. (Turns) one and two got kinda slick and I needed to be careful. I cut it down through one and two.”

Dietz, who has one win so far this season, said that he was “sick and tired of finishing second.” He added that his car was a “little tight on the top.” Nevertheless, “right at the end, I got closer (to Kofoid) But I couldn’t do a slider.”

Anthony Macri came on strong at the end of the race as well. He made up considerable ground on David Gravel and made a last lap pass to reach third. “There was rubber off (turn) two and I got my wing back and I had a good run down the straight. He (Gravel) got hung up behind some lapped cars.”

Kofoid earned the pole position by dominating the Dash. Gravel, the top winner on the Outlaws circuit so far this season, was his running mate. Skyler Gee and Danny Dietrich made up teh second row, with Lucas Wolfe and Dietz in the third. The final two Dash participants, Macri and Giovanni Scelzi, occupied row four. Then came Kyle Moody and Hunter Schuerenberg. Carson Macedo and Bill Balog lined up in row six.

Kofoid snatched the lead, with Gravel and Gee in hot pursuit. Dietz held fourth. Dietrich, Scelzi, Wolfe, Macri, Schuerenberg, and Haudenschild followed. In the early rounds.

A caution was displayed on lap four for the two-car tangle of Ryan Smith and Parker Price Miller in turn four. Although only one more trip around the speedway was completed before the next interruption, it was a productive lap for Dietz, who edged Gravel for second at the scoring loop moments before the pace was slowed.

Three Rivers Karting

The second caution came when Wolfe went around in turn one collecting Freddie Rahmer, Jr. and Cole Macedo. Conner Morrell was also involved.

On the restart, Gee and Gravel swapped positions a couple of times. Dietrich, who was watching that action just ahead of him, but he faded out of the top ten before stopping at the entry to turn three with a flat right rear tire. Dietrich got new rubber and returned at the rear of the field.

The remaining twenty-seven laps spun off with no other incidents. Dietz brought the Lincoln faithful to their feet with his slider in turn four, but Kofoid reclaimed the lead, disappointing the crowd.

Kofoid built his lead again as the race progressed. Dietz, Gravel, Gee, and Macri made up the top five for much of that long run.
Just after the halfway mark, Macri began his march to the front. He took fourth by lap twenty. His final five laps were masterful as he chased down and passed Gravel for the third position.

Sheldon Haudenschild was fifth, followed by Carson Macedo, Gee, Scelzi, Logan Schuchart, and Dietrich.

Schuchart was named the hard charger for advancing eleven positions.

Dietz, Dietrich, Gee, and Scelzi won their respective heat races. Matt Campbell took the B Main and Brandon Rahmer was first in teh C Main. Dietz was the fastest qualifier of the night, topping Group A with a lap of 13.344 seconds. Gee paced Group B with a lap of 13.521 seconds.

Lincoln Speedway will be dark on Saturday, May 10, in consideration of the Outlaws event at Williams Grove Speedway. Lincoln will return to action on the seventeenth with the annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial featuring the 410 and 357 Sprints. Two more memorial events will close out the month. The Bob Leiby Memorial will be on May 24 with the 410 Sprints and Stock Cars on tap.

The Steve Smith Tribute will go on May 31 for the 410 and 358 Sprints.

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