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.