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Dirt Racing

Smith Holds off Dietz in Possee Thriller; Blair Blitzes Late Model Foes at Port Royal

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Photo: Port Royal Speedway

PORT ROYAL, PA (April 11, 2026):  After a poor start to the 2026 season, Ryan Smith seems to be getting hot just in time for some of the bigger events coming up soon. He was second at Williams Grove on Friday to Justin Peck and, less that twenty-four hours later, he was sitting in victory lane at Port Royal Speedway. His first win in the PA Possee Series netted him $6,000, and bigger paydays are in the offing next weekend.

Also reaching victory lane was Max Blair in the Late Model portion of the program.

Smith’s Success

Smith attributed the poor start to the season to rust and old age. But, he looked awfully quick and aggressive this night, catching Chase Dietz in traffic and then taking the lead as he sliced and diced the slower cars.

Dietz had no alternative but to try to run the wall to regain the lead in the closing laps. Despite the treacherous conditions, Dietz was able to draw near, but Smith was able to run the middle groove to perfection to preserve his lead.

“That had to be pretty entertaining, at least it was from my seat,” Smith gushed. After giving props to the track crew, Smith added, “the track was awesome. I knew the top would go away. When the track was like it is, I can’t be beat.”

Dietz explained that he was unable to maintain his pace as the leaders raced through traffic. “I got to him (Smith), but he cleared traffic right.”

Troy Wagaman, Jr. closed in on the leaders in the final laps, but he ran out of time. “I was late moving up. That’s on me.” He admitted that his lack of familiarity with the Speed Palace led to the tactical error.

Wagaman earned the pole by winning his heat race from the fourth position. Dietz drew the second position. Giovanni Scelzi and Ryan Smith selected second row spots, with Justin Peck and Justin Whittall getting the third row. Brock Zearfoss and Jake Karklin get the final two preferred starting positions, Lance  Dewease and Brent Marks were in row five, followed by Freddie Rahmer, Jr. and Danny Dietrich.

Wagaman drove up to the top groove in turn one to take the early lead from Dietz. Smith settled into third, followed by Whittall and Scelzi. Peck, Marks, Zearfoss, Dietrich, and Karklin made up the balance of the top ten in the opening laps.

Dietz got wound up coming through turns three and four to slingshot around Wagaman for the lead. Meanwhile, Whittall was on the charge. He reached second by lap eight.

Unfortunately, just two laps later, Whittall made contact with a lapped car in turn two. Whittall did a 360 and kept going, but track rules called for a caution. Whittall pitted under the yellow and got trapped in the work area because he was not guaranteed any time to make repairs.

So, Dietz led Wagaman for the restart, with Smith, Marks, Peck, Scelzi, Dietrich, Zearfoss, Dewease, and Rahmer next in line. When the race resumed, Smith and Marks moved past Wagaman.

Smith began to cut into Dietz’ advantage over the next five laps or so. On lap eighteen, he drove under Dietz in turn two to take the lead. Smith was able to maintain his lead as he fought through traffic.

With Smith cutting through the slower cars wherever and whenever there was an opening in the lower grooves, Dietz tried to mount a counterattack by riding the wall. He was able to narrow the gap, but he could never get his nose out front again.

Smith took the checkers 2.417 seconds ahead of Dietz. Wagaman held off Marks for third. Dewease was fifth. Peck, Scelzi, Zearfoss, Dietrich, and Logan Wagner were the next five finishers.

Wagner was named the hard charger, advancing eight positions over the twenty-five lap distance.

Heat wins went to Dietz, Wagaman, Whittall, and Peck. Wagner captured the B Main. Karklin was the fastest qualifier in Group A and overall, with a time of 16,434 seconds. Smith topped Group B with a lap of 17.099 seconds.

Blair’s Best

Max Blair visited one of his favorite haunts on a rare weekend off from the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, and he won the non-stop affair by more than ten seconds.

“We unloaded with our normal package and it didn’t feel real good.” Blair observed. “We made some changes and it felt real good after that,” he added.

Blair noted that the track is very different when racing in the daylight, but, he said, “I hope its like this when Lucas comes back in August.” He plans to make a return for another test session during a Saturday night show if the schedule permits.

Second place finisher Gregg Satterlee chased down Justin Weaver in the closing laps. He used the middle lane to drive by Weaver in turn two on the final lap. “We had a good race going on,” Satterlee noted about his tussle with Weaver for second. “Max just got away from us there.” Nonetheless, Satterlee was pleased how his car came in late in the race. “The car felt good as the race went on. We have some longer races coming up,” so he felt that he learned some things for those events.

Weaver was disappointed with himself for finishing third. “I caught myself riding the bottom. I guess that’s what allowed Gregg to get to me.”

Weaver and Blair drew the front row for the twenty-five lap finale. Rick Eckert and Satterlee lined up in orw two. Then came Ross Robinson and Lane Snook. Ageless Gary Stuhler and Andrew Yoder started in row four, with Dillan Stake and J.T. Spence behind them. Hayes Mattern and Chad Myers were in row six.

Turn one got very crowded on the opening lap. Weaver left enough of an opening to allow Eckert to get a nose under him. But Blair had the outside groove all to himself, and he was able to power away with the lead. Weaver recovered in turn two to claim second. Eckert fell back to third, ahead of Satterlee, Robinson, Stuhler, and Snook. Andrew Yoder, Stake, and Mattern completed the top ten in the early going.

Blair continued to pull away from Weaver, who maintained a comfortable advantage over Eckert. It did not take Blair long to reach the tail of the field and to start lapping cars.

As the race reached the midpoint, Satterlee drove by Eckert for third. At that time, he was more than a second and a half behind Weaver. However, Satterlee began whittling away at that. Weaver then strung a couple of good laps together to stretch his advantage to almost 1.4 seconds again.

However, Satterlee’s car came to life again with seven laps to go and the separation between second and third began to shrink with each trip around the big half mile.

Weaver was able to keep Satterlee at bay for a couple of laps by using lapped cars as picks. However, he cleared the last of them with two laps to go. Weaver then hugged the inside line, thinking that Satterlee could not gather enough momentum to try an outside pass.

But Satterlee was able to do just that. He entered turn one just off Weaver’s right rear quarter panel. He drove up next to him and got clear of Weaver in turn two. Satterlee dipped to the inside in turn three to shut the door on any counter by Weaver.

Blair took the checkers nearly a half a track ahead of Satterlee, Weaver was third.  Eckert and Stuhler were fourth and fifth. Robinson, Andrew Yoder, Stake, Mattern, and Trever Feathers completed the top ten.

Satterlee, Eckert, and Blair were victorious in the heat races. There was no B Main needed for the twenty-three cars on hand. Satterlee was the quickest in timed hot laps with a round of 20.425 seconds.

Coming Events

Next week, Port Royal Speedway will present a five feature program. The Super Late Models will be the headliners. The Limited Late Models and 305 Sprint Cars will do double duty to make up for the loss of their races to the rain last week.

The 410 Sprint Cars will be off next week in consideration of the Weldon Sterner Memorial to be held at Lincoln Speedway as part of the Possee Series.

The 410s will be back at Port Royal on April 25 for the Keith Kauffman Classic.

Dirt Racing

Sharon Speedway cancels Saturday program

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HARTFORD, OH (July 18, 2026) Sharon Speedway is cancelling Saturday night’s “Steel Valley Thunder” program thanks to a near 100% likelihood of thunderstorms in the forecast from late afternoon through the evening hours including the potential for severe weather.

Sharon made the decision in the best interest of safety for fans, racers, and staff members.

“Super Series” action presented by Bala Management will return next Saturday (July 25) featuring the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply “410” Sprint Cars for $4,000 to-win along with the Hovis UMP Mods presented by A&MP Electric, Gibson Insurance Agency RUSH Sprint Cars, and the Gibson Insurance Agency Crown Vics on Alcon Mechanical and Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Night.  Kids Club Night presented by Willy’s World with kids bike and big wheel races.  It’s also the first of three Menards Giveaway Nights.

Additional information can be found at www.sharonspeedway.com.

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Dirt Racing

Ferree, Krummert, Flick, and McPherson All Score Wins at Lernerville Speedway

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SARVER, PA (July 17, 2026):  Alex Ferree survived a caution-filled late Model feature to score his third feature victory of the season at the Lernerville Speedway, where he leads the seasonal points. In the Big Block Modifieds, Garrett Krummert came on strong in the second half of the race to secure his fourth win of the season, vaulting him into the lead in the championship standings. With his win, A.J. Flick expanded upon his slim two point lead in a quest for a tenth title in the 410 Sprint Car ranks. Corey McPherson became the most successful driver in the rich history of the Pro Stock division at the track.

“Running down on the bottom in (turns) one and two was better for me. I didn’t know where to go in (turns) three and four. I didn’t see (Michael Norris) until he came across my nose down there. I didn’t like it, but that’s how it’s done these days.” Fortunately for Ferree, a caution negated the aggressive pass and, then, on the following restart, Norris jumped the cushion in turn one, forcing his retirement from the race with two to go. Ferree kept Jared Miley at bay for the final trips around the Action Track.

Alex Ferree drew the pole position for the Late Model twenty-five lapper. Tyler Wyant was on his flank. Chris Schneider debuted his new machine in the third spot, and he was paired with former Modified kingpin Del Rougeux. Colton Flinner and Jared Miley were in row three. Josh Ferry and Levi Yetter occupied row four, followed by Clinton Hersh and Michael Norris, in row five, and John Garvin and Mike Miller, in row six.

Ferree took the early lead over Wyant, Flinner, and Ferry. Flinner took second in the early going, but he did not challenge Ferree until a restart five laps into the event.

Things heated up after that restart. Flinner and Ferree swapped the lead on several occasions. Ferree took control again by lap ten and he maintained the lead despite a number of restarts.

Flinner faded from the second position, turning the position over to Norris, who was flying on the outside. Ferree switched up his line in turns one and two, running the bottom and driving up to the top coming off turn two to block a flyer from Norris around the rim of the speedway.

In the closing laps, Norris drew closer to Ferree. He threw caution to the wind in turn four with two laps to go. He slid across into the lead, almost crashing himself and Ferree in the process, but a caution negated the wild pass. On the ensuing restart, Norris took to the high lane in turn one, but he jumped the cushion. Whatever damage he sustained by his excursions sidelined him for the remainder of the race.

Miley inherited the second spot, but he had nothing for Ferree. Ferree cruised to the win, followed by Miley, Schaltenbrand, Wyant, and Ferry. Hersh, Rougeux, Schneider, Will Britsky, and Travis Hayes completed the top ten.

Ferree and Norris were the heat race winners. There was no B Main for the nineteen car field.

Dr. Brad Rapp and Jeremiah Shingledecker drew into the first row for the twenty-five lap Modified go. Mike Kinney and Kyle FInk made up row two, followed by Garrett Krummert and rookie Karston King, who was making his first Modified start ever. Steve Feder and Rick Regalski staked out row four, with Rex King, Jr. and Ayden Cipriano, in row five, and Tyler Dietz and Shawn Kozar, in row six.

Rapp took the early lead but he gave way to Shingledecker on the second trip around the speedway. That duo maintained a comfortable advantage over Kinney, Krummert, and Feder through the first several laps.

King Jr. moved into the top five, along with Cipriano in the middle stage of the race, with Krummert still holding fifth place.

Krummert got rolling soon thereafter. He surged into the lead coming off turn two on the thirteenth lap. Shingledecker remained in second, followed by Rapp, King, and Cipriano.

Shingledecker began slipping back in the field as the race progressed to the third stage. However, he rallied to regain a position in the closing laps.

Krummert took the win over Rapp, Cipriano, Shingledecker, and Dave Murdick. King Jr. was sixth, ahead of Dietz, J.C. Boyer, Feder, and Karston King.

“I wasn’t any good at the start of the race,” Krummert said. “I went to the bottom and got going again.”

The preliminaries went to Rex King, Jr., Fink, and Regalski. Cameron Miller was the B Main winner. Twenty-eight cars registered for the event.

The potent first row consisted of A.J. Flick and Dan Kuriger for the Sprint Car twenty-five lap feature event. Then came Dan Shetler and David Kalb. Carl Bowser and Jared Zimbardi started in row three, with John Jerich and Carmen Perigo next in line. Chris Frank made the long tow from Wellsville, in Central PA, to land in row five with Jacob Begenwald. Vivian Jones started her 305 Sprint inside row six, next to Rayce Jacobs.

Flick and Kuriger, the prime contenders for the point championship in the Sprint Car division, battled side by side for most of the first lap. However, Flick assumed command in turn three and he never looked back.

Kuriger ran a strong second place until the final lap of the race. Jerich slipped past him on the last trip around the speedway. Kuriger was third, followed by Begenwald and Perigo. Bowser, Shetler, Frank, Zimbardi, and Jacobs completed the top ten.

“This was probably the most moisture that stayed in the track all night,” Flick said. “I was able to rip the top for the first time since June,” he added.

Kuriger, and Begenwald took the checkers in their heat races. There was no B Main needed for the nineteen Sprints that checked in.

Corey McPherson achieved a career milestone in the Pro Stock division, breaking the tie with Joe Kelly atop the career win list. McPherson was patient in the early laps of the race. He took the lead on lap nine and led the remaining eleven laps.

Logan Koteles and Jason Fosnaught brought the field to the green for the final race of the night. Cody Koteles and McPheson were in row two, followed by Bill Swaney and Joey Zambotti, in row three, and Brett Hutira and Trevor McCann, in row four.

Logan Koteles grabbed the early lead, followed by Cody Koteles, Fosnaught, McPherson, and Zambotti. McPherson moved up to third on lap three, and second on lap six.

McPherson grabbed the lead on lap nine and held it until the end, while Logan Koteles remained in second, and Cody Koteles in third. Hutira and Fosnaught completed the top five. Zambotti, Tyler Schneider, McCann, Bill Swaney, and Jonathan Koteles rounded out the top ten.

Dietz, and Cody Koteles topped their heat races. No B Main was needed to set the seventeen car field.

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Dirt Racing

Brandon Rahmer Best In Sibling Rivalry At Lincoln Speedway; Reutimann Collects Career First in 358s

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Photo: Lincoln Speedway

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA (July 11, 2026):  Brandon Rahmer held off his brother, Freddie Jr., in the closing laps to eke out his fifth career win at the Fabulous Lincoln Speedway. Brandon’s margin of victory was a scant 0.166 seconds. His first win of the 2026 season was worth $5,000.

Florida teenager P.J. Reutimann scored his first career 358 Sprint Car triumph in the nightcap.

“I didn’t think I even won the race,” Brandon said excitedly. “I saw the two to go, and Freddie got by me and I said, ‘oh, shit.’” However, Brandon was able to fight back on the inside to reclaim the lead before they got back to the scoring loop, so Freddie was never credited as leading a lap of the race.

Brandon Rahmer took advantage of a pair of restarts with sixteen laps completed. Jordan Strickler got the jump on the first, which was called back. On the second attempt, Rahmer stayed closer and he was able to get a run on the outside to grab the lead coming off turn two. “I saw where he went (on the first try). I put the wing back in the trunkand I drove by,” he explained.

Brandon Rahmer survived two close calls with lapped cars with less than ten laps to go. First, he was crowded down on the inside coming off turn by Matthew Swift. Rahmer took responsibility for that one. “I screwed up with the 03 (Swift) down there. I thought the hole was bigger than it was.” The second incident, with Dave Grube, was not a problem of Rahmer’s own making. “Then, the 3D (Grube) got catiwampus coming off turn four.” Grube swerved back and forth but Brandon was able to get by him without any contact.

“I had a good car tonight, and I actually drove it,” Brandon summed.

The feature line-up was determined by the track’s handicapping system. The top three from each heat race were inverted based upon their earnings average.

Thus, Jordan Strickler and Brie Hershey were assigned to the front row, followed by Jude Siegel and Dave Grube. Jordan Givler and Tim Glatfelter  occupied row three, Then came Chad Trout and Matt Campbell. Freddie Rahmer, Jr. got the last of the preferred starting positions. He was flanked by his brother, Brandon. Brett Strickler and Lucas Wolfe manned row six.

Jordan Strickler shot out to the early lead over Hershey, Siegel, Grube, Brandon Rahmer, Givler, Glatfelter, Campbell, Rahmer Jr., and Trout.

Brandon Rahmer was the man on the move in the early going. He picked off Grube on lap three. Then, he took third from Siegel on lap three. Nine laps later he ducked under Hershey for second.

Meanwhile, Jordan Strickler continued with his impressive run at the front of the pack. Unfortunately, Grube spun in turn four while racing in the fourth spot.

That incident set up the pair of restarts that gave Brandin Rahmer the opportunity to size up his opponent. Brandon was able to stay close on the second attempt to get the race going again and he rolled the top side in turns one and two to take the lead from Jordan Strickler.

Behind the leaders, there was a tight three-car battle for the third position involving Hershey, Siegel and Freddie Rahmer. It took Freddie several laps to clear his way into third. When he got the position, he was over 1.7 seconds behind Jordan Strickler.

Freddie chased him for several more laps, gradually cutting the margin to about half a second before making his move into second with three to go.

Meanwhile, Brandon continued to lead the way. His two incidents with slower cars allowed Freddie to close in on him as well during the final laps of the race. That set up a battle between the Rahmer brothers for the win.

Freddie made a bid for the lead, but Brandon was able to battle back on the inside to be scored as the leader to the finish.

Campbell charged from fifth to third in the closing laps. Jordan Strickler slipped back to fourth at the finish. Siegel was fifth. Hershey, Kyle Moody, Trout, Givler, and Wolfe completed the top ten.

Jordan Strickler, Freddie Rahmer, Jr., and Hershey won the heat races. No B Main was needed to set the twenty-one car starting field.

The nightcap for the 358 Sprint Cars went non-stop. P.J. Reutimann, the grandson of Wayne Reutimann, grabbed the lead on the opening lap and he was never headed.

“It went my way this time, I guess,” Reutimann said. He explained that he will remain in the area for a few more weeks before returning to the Sunshine State to complete his senior year in high school. He plans to come north again next season “to race until it gets cold.”

Andy Best, who had the pole position for the start of the twenty lapper, ran second for most of the race. He gave way to Jayden Wolf on the final lap. Wolfe had a run at the leader as well, but he could not close the gap.

As Reutimann noted, “I had to go to the bottom to protect. The top was a long way around.”

Best held on for third, followed by Justin Foster and Brock Hammaker. Nick Yinger, Tim Wagaman, II., Cody Fletcher, Cameron Merriman, and Wyatt Hinkle finished sixth through tenth.

Wolf, Wagaman, Hinkle, and best won their heat races. Ashley Cappetta prevailed in the B Main. Thirty-six cars signed in for the event.

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