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Post Info TOPIC: Sprint car racing in Central PA


The Forum Celestial Advisor

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Sprint car racing in Central PA
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I can tell you that the sprint car racing scene in

Central PA (like the 5 1/2 mile dirt tracks that

surround Harriburg) is the most intense competion

every weekend in the USA. I made two trips to the

sprint car mecca and Lincoln Speedway is the only

one I dint get to visit. I can tell you that the racing

at Lincoln Speedway will not dissapoint should you

buy a ticket and watch.



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Langhorne Speedway

Langhorne Speedway
"The Big Left Turn"
"The Track That Ate the Heroes"
"Puke Alley"
Langhorne-race-sign.jpg
LocationMiddletown Township, Bucks County, near Langhorne, Pennsylvania
CapacityApproximately 60,000
OwnerNational Motor Racing Association 1926-1929, Ralph "Pappy" Hankinson 1930-1941, John Babcock 1946-1950, Irv Fried and Al Gerber 1951-1971
OperatorLanghorne Speedway
Opened1926
Closed1971
Former namesNone
Major eventsAAA Championship Car Langhorne 100 (1930-1955)
USAC Championship Car Langhorne 100 (1956-1970)
NASCAR Grand National (1949-1957)
Langhorne National Open (1951-1971)
Circle
Length1.6 km (1 mi)
Bankingminimal

Langhorne Speedway was an automobile racetrack in Middletown Township, Bucks County, near the borough of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, a northern suburb of Philadelphia.

The speedway was built by a group of Philadelphia racing enthusiasts known as the National Motor Racing Association (NMRA), and held its first race on June 12, 1926 (scheduled for May 31 but postponed by rain). Freddie Winnai of Philadelphia qualified in 42.40 seconds, a new world's record for a one-mile (1.6 km) track; and went on to win the 50-lap main event. According to Walter Chernokal, Langhorne was the first dirt track built specifically for automobile racing. The track's unique circular layout earned Langhorne the name "The Big Left Turn".

The NMRA operated Langhorne through the 1929 season, staging 100-lap events on Labor Days and occasional shorter races. Difficulties in track preparation, management disputes, and poor attendance drove the speedway to the brink of bankruptcy until noted promoter Ralph "Pappy" Hankinson took over in 1930. With partner "Lucky" Teeter, Hankinson brought in AAA Championship 100-lap races and continued to stage shorter Sprint car racing on the circular track. One of the first stock car races in the northeastern U.S. was held at Langhorne in 1940; Roy Hall of Atlanta, Georgia was victor in the 200-lap event.

Both Hankinson and Teeter died during World War II, and control of Langhorne Speedway passed to John Babcock and his family. Then in 1951, Irv Fried and Al Gerber became promoters. During this era, Langhorne hosted races for the United States' major national series: AAA and USAC Championship Cars, and NASCAR Grand National. It also hosted the nation's most noted race for the Modified division; the first post-war stock car race run at the facility was a National Championship Stock Car Circuit (a forerunner to NASCAR) race in 1947, with Bob Flock taking home the checkered flag.

Catering chiefly to USAC's Championship Car division, in 1965 Fried and Gerber changed the track layout to a "D" by building a straightaway across the back stretch, and they paved the surface. However, as suburban growth engulfed the speedway, the offers from developers became too tempting to refuse. Fried and Gerber announced the sale of the property to mall developers in 1967, but the speedway held on through five more seasons. The final checkered flag fell on October 17, 1971 at the National Open for Modified stock cars.



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The Forum Celestial Advisor

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Heard a lot about Langhorne being a subscriber to "National Speed
Sport News" and Chris Econimaki being the editor. I also subscribed
for about a decade to "Area Auto Racing News" which comes out of
Trenton NJ every week. The history of auto racing took place in PA
and the East Coast. There are "additional generations" involved in
this area that the rest don't have. A proving grounds for racing souls.

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Cant resist posting an article that confirms how intense this "PA Posse"
vs. the "Outlaws" is. If you ever "felt like" attending a sprintcar race,
this is what I'd recommend.

World of Outlaws Return to Lincoln titled The Gettysburg Clash

Justin Zapotoczny wins the Facebook contest naming the race at Lincoln Speedway

 

ABBOTTSTOWN, Pa. - April 4, 2012 - After a 14-year absence, the World of Outlaws will return to Lincoln Speedway on May 9 for an event that will be known as "The Gettysburg Clash."

The unique name was selected among nearly 150 entries that fans submitted during a contest on Facebook. The initial names were narrowed down to 10 finalists and after World of Outlaws staff and track officials voted, Justin Zapotoczny of East Freedom, Pa., was declared the contest winner.

The title is a perfect description for a battle between the locals and Outlaws at a historical facility in the heart of Gettysburg. Pennsylvania native Fred Rahmer was the last to win a World of Outlaws race at Lincoln Speedway in 1998, while the "King" of the Outlaws - Steve Kinser - has claimed 13 of the 36 career World of Outlaws races at the half-mile oval.

The race also kicks off the Six Pack tour, which features six events in 12 days throughout the Northeast. The first half of the tour features three nights of huge battles between the Outlaws and the Posse, beginning Wednesday, May 9, at Lincoln. It continues Friday and Saturday, May 11-12, at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

The Six Pack then heads into New York on Wednesday, May 16, at Rolling Wheels Raceway in Elbridge and Saturday, May 19, at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown. The swing wraps up on Sunday, May 20, at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway.

Tickets to Lincoln, which include a free fan pit pass if purchased in advance, and Rolling Wheels can be ordered by clicking WorldofOutlaws.com/tickets or calling 877-395-8606. Tickets for Williams Grove Speedway can be ordered by calling the track at 717-697-5000. Tickets for Orange County Fair Speedway can be purchased by calling 845-342-2573. Tickets for the race at Hagerstown Speedway can be purchased through SLS Promotions by calling 815-344-2023 or clicking SLSPromotions.com.



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Well the World of Outlaws have visited Lincoln ( a day late acct rainout).
PA Posse holds ground. It's very tuff racing every week here. The WOO
know that. Good to see the PA competion keeping up with the times.

http://www.hoseheads.com/woo.html



-- Edited by The Krink on Saturday 12th of May 2012 12:23:26 AM

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Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg PA is a track I've been to visit
twice in my life. Racing that matched my imagination/conception. Williams
Grove is one of the "Tri-fecta" tracks where the most intense sprintcar action
takes place (others...Knoxville and Eldora). Well the WOO raced at Williams
Grove Friday night. PA Posse in victory lane again. Saturday nights race
could yeild a different result. Steve Kinser rates way up the list of Williams
Grove winners only racing twice a year there. Sammy Swindell is on fire
this year. I say a WOO driver takes the big cash Saturday night.

Rahmer Rolls To Williams Grove Outlaws Win

5/11/12

MECHANICSBURG - Fred Rahmer allowed two other drivers to lead Friday nights 25-lap World of Outlaws feature at Williams Grove Speedway before he decided to take over and roll to the $8,000 victory for the Pennsylvania Posse sprint car faithful.

Rahmer started third in the main event and trailed polesitter Jason Sides of Bartlett, TN., as the event began in what would turn out to be the first 21 laps of non-stop action.

Passing action was fast and furious throughout the distance within the top five spots as sixth starter Greg Hodnett, second starter Daryn Pittman and fourth starter Danny Dietrich battled intensely with Rahmer for position as Sides held sway.

In fact, Pittman got around Rahmer at one point on the 10th lap only to see Rahmer zip back by and then it was Hodnetts turn.

With 12 laps to go, the Thomasville speedster drove by Rahmer with an inside move and set his sights on leader Sides, who he quickly ran down.

Just before completing lap 19, Hodnett drove his Trone Outdoor No. 39 underneath Sides No. 7S in the third corner to take the lead but it was a run at the front that he would not be able to hold.

For it was Rahmers CJB Motorsports No. 51 that he was forced to contend with almost instantly as Rahmer drove by Sides as well and prepared to overcome.

And overcome he did as the Salfordsville pilot throttled to Hodnetts inside deep in the first corner to pull up out of the turns with the lead on the backstretch.

The only caution flag of the event then unfurled with four laps to go for Sides who clouted the turn one wall and stopped abruptly.

A double file restart mattered not for Rahmer when action resumed as he instead drove to his first win of the year at the track as war raged on behind him.

Pittman surged with two laps left to claim second, relegating Hodnett to third.

Dietrich rode home fourth with 11th starter Steve Kinser ending up fifth.

Sixth through 10th went to Stevie Smith, Don Kreitz Jr., Sammy Swindell, Craig Dollansky and Lucas Wolf.

That was a fun second, Pittman said.

That was the most fun Ive had in a race car in a really long time.

Rahmer spoke of his run.

Its been a tough year so far. Its a pretty good night to get my head out of my ass.

He talked about his choice to work the bottom groove during the race.

Im too old to run against the wall every lap and I said theres no way the tops gonna stay and it came in at just the right time and I caught them guys nappin, he said.

Heats for the 45-car field went to Dietrich, Hodnett, Smith and Wolfe.

Fast time was set by Craig Dollansky with a lap of 17.118 seconds.

The C Main went to Paul McMahan and Steve Kinser won the B Main. Sides earned the pole for the feature by claiming the dash.

A-Main (25 Laps) 1. 51-Fred Rahmer [3] [$8,000]; 2. 27-Daryn Pittman [2] [$4,000]; 3. 39-Greg Hodnett [6] [$2,500]; 4. 48-Danny Dietrich [4] [$2,200]; 5. 11-Steve Kinser [11] [$2,100]; 6. 19-Stevie Smith [5] [$2,000]; 7. 69K-Don Kreitz [12] [$1,800]; 8. 1-Sammy Swindell [23] [$1,600]; 9. 7-Craig Dollansky [8] [$1,500]; 10. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [9] [$1,300]; 11. 7L-Chad Layton [10] [$1,200]; 12. 29-Kerry Madsen [14] [$1,100]; 13. 21-Brian Montieth [20] [$1,000]; 14. 9-Joey Saldana [7] [$700]; 15. 77-Aaron Ott [18] [$600]; 16. 30C-Lance Dewease [13] [$600]; 17. 15-Donny Schatz [24] [$600]; 18. 87-Alan Krimes [15] [$600]; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser [25] [$]; 20. 19M-Brent Marks [21] [$600]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [1] [$600]; 22. 98-Danny Lasoski [17] [$600]; 23. 63-Chad Kemenah [19] [$600]; 24. 30-Doug Esh [22] [$600]; 25. 5-Jac Haudenschild [16] [$600]; 26. 44-Frank Cozze [26] [$]. Lap Leaders: Jason Sides 1-18, Greg Hodnett 19-20, Fred Rahmer 21-25. KSE Hard Charger Award: 1-Sammy Swindell [+15].



 



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I'm a damned psychic. Steve Kinser wins the big bucks at Williams
Grove Saturday night. Steve Kinser is a racer that I root for every
race. He's in my age group now and still "doin' it" at a high level.
The king of sprintcar racing...ever..period.

Kinser Scores For Outlaws Saturday At Williams Grove Speedway, Also Claims Morgan Cup For Total Earnings Of $16,000

5/12/12

MECHANICSBURG - The World of Outlaws sprint car drivers returned the favor over the Pennsylvania Posse at Williams Grove Speedway on Saturday night when Indianas Steve Kinser took the 30-lap sprint car feature worth $12,000.

Kinser one-upped the Posse after their own Fred Rahmer took the win on Friday night.

It was Kinsers first win at the track since 2008 and his first on the circuit since last September.

Its been a little bit, Kinser said of his absence from Williams Grove victory lane.

We got the car better last night in the feature. We got by some cars early in the race then it went around the bottom, he said of the groove in the event.

Kinser started the event in the third spot and trailed Craig Dollansky as the race got started.

But he didnt follow the Minnesota driver for long as he kept pace with the leader and pulled the trigger with an inside move in the first and second corners to lead lap eight.

It was at that point that all Posse hopes got pinned on Greg Hodnett who started fourth.

He began advancing quickly and passed Dollansky for second with 12 down before moving in on leader Kinser as he ran up on the back of the field.

But when a red flag unfurled with eight to go for a flipped Donny Schatz in the fourth corner, it spelled the end of the run for Hodnett.

I just didnt keep my tires under me and my right rear was burned off, Hodnett said.

I guess to finish second to Steve Kinser, one of the greatest sprint car drivers ever, Ill take that, he said.

Kinser ran away over the final eight circuits and took the victory over a freight train of drivers running the bottom groove at the finish with Hodnett second followed by polesitter Danny Lasoski, Lance Dewease and Dollansky.

Sixth through 10th went to Aaron Ott, Daryn Pittman, Stevie Smith, Danny Dietrich and Adam Wilt.

Heats went to Lasoski, Sheldon Haudenschild, Hodnett and Pittman.

Lasoski earned the pole for the main by winning the dash. Don Kreitz Jr. took the B Main.

Adam Wilt set fast time over the 41-car field with a lap of 16.936 seconds.

For the second year in a row, the World of Outlaws drivers claimed the Morgan Cup Challenge match race run in honor of late speedway owner Morgan Hughes.

Kinser took that win as well after starting on the pole and claimed ownership of the cup for another year at World of Outlaws headquarters in North Carolina.

His 12-lap win worth $4,000 upped his total for the night to $16,000.

Daryn Pittman rode home second followed by Justin Henderson, Dollansky and Dewease.

I know exactly how much I won tonight, Kinser said as he smiled in victory lane.

Kinser drives for Tony Stewart Racing.

World of Outlaws Feature Finish, 30 laps: 1. Steve Kinser, 2. Greg Hodnett, 3. Danny Lasoski, 4. Lance Dewease, 5. Craig Dollansky, 6. Aaron Ott, 7. Daryn Pittman, 8. Stevie Smith, 9. Danny Dietrich, 10. Adam Wilt, 11. Steve Buckwalter, 12. Don Kreitz Jr., 13. Chad Kemenah, 14. Kraig Kinser, 15. Jim Siegel, 16. Fred Rahmer, 17. Sheldon Haudenschild, 18. Jac Haudenschild, 19. Chad Layton, 20. Cody Darrah, 21. Sam Hafertepe Jr., 22. Joey Saldana, 23. Kerry Madsen, 24. Sammy Swindell, 25. Donny Schatz, 26. Logan Schuchart, 27. Brian Montieth, 28. Davey Sammons.

DNQ: Derek Sell, Lucas Wolfe, Frank Cozze, Nicole Bower, Gerard McIntyre Jr., Troy Fraker, Alan Krimes, Brent Marks, Justin Henderson, Jason Sides, Cory Haas, Curt Michael, Doug Esh

Morgan Cup Challenge Finish, 12 laps:1. Steve Kinser, 2. Daryn Pittman, 3. Justin Henderson, 4. Craig Dollansky, 5. Lance Dewease, 6. Fred Rahmer, 7. Donny Schatz, 8. Adam Wilt, 9. Chad Kemenah, 10. Joey Saldana

 


 



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Saw my first Southern 500 at Darlington Saturday.

Would have liked it better if we could have exited the parking lot in less than one hour.  Great parking space, but there is only a cow path to get out. 

Had expensive seats near tower, but could not see the front straight away.

Good experience, but best to arrive late and get seats in area of turn 1.

 



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Just like a football game. The best seat in the house is your favorite easy chair at home...

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Been an open-wheel racing (sprintcars and modifieds) fan my
whole life. Still keep track of that scene. The last 10 years I
began to see NASCAR in a new light. 43 cars fields racing
door to door at 200mph on the fastest most challenging
speedways in this country. With all the in-car cams and
radio chatter, you really can experience more what it's like
than ever to be in these races. So Wes, how did you manage
the noise? Is it like 3 hours of listening to jets taking off?
Feel free to describe your visit to Darlington in more detail.
Jimmie Johnson and the Lowes 48 team have got things
figured out. Think I like Jimmie Johnson the best. Amazing
racer.

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Darlington again--been hearing about this one for over fifty years, had to go.  My writing tends to be in short bursts of bull.   

Bucket was right about the best seats.  You want to see turn 4 at this track and this is tough to do.   Track is egg shaped, with turn 4 at the pointy end.  Noise is ok with a fair set of ear muffs.  Some guys were renting scanners to pick up the driver 2 way commo.  First half of race had little drama--few yellow flags.

Things picked up late in race, but four or five cars were clearly better.  Johnson's car was able to run away from all for the final laps.  Danica was lapped early in the race but finished.  It was kinda of a practice event for her--first in 'Sprint' I think.  She got a fair amount of booing from the good old boys.

Most of the program / souvenir stuff is outside the main gate.  If you just wanted stuff you could drive in, buy, and drive out.  Lots of beer carried in and drunk in the stands, people were friendly even if drunk--Good time had by all---------------------------wes 

(There is a good bio book out for Waltrip, aka:  Jaws)



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I'm missed my chance in life to attend a NASCAR race at Darlington
or Daytona or anywhere. You got to have a passion to put up with
all the travel, parking, accomidations, plane tickets, being a mass of 100k
fans, and always the threat of a rainout. I had it for nearly 30 years
then one race I went to after all the above was poured into it,
I was asking myself why am I here...and that was at the Knoxville Nationals.
Venus was retrograde for the 4-night stay in the Greater Des Moines Iowa.
Right off the bat, my hotel reservation made for Aug 8 seemed to show
up as Oct 8 in their "register". So with not a room in the city of Des Moines
to be had, one in a subpar motel on the outskirts of town was located
for Mrs Krink and I. It's 95 degrees with midwest humidity going on and
this room when we entered it was like a toaster oven. The AC when we
turned it on sounded like motorcycle idling. A bad night's sleep which means
your are going to be crank/krinky the next day and it's going to be very
hot out tuu. OK things get straightened at the original hotel in Des Moines
(proper) . Get a lucky break and a couple airlines pilots ckeckout and we
finally get to experience "Hotel Fort Des Moines". Really a great place to
stay. That "Central Air Conditioning" is something to behold and the
accomadations are fine. OK...night one and tuu of the Knoxville Nationals
were fantastic and was feeling very privilaged to be sitting trackside
and soaking in the experience. Then the Friday nights racing were hit by
a thunderstorm that caught everybody there in a run for life to find a dry
place. Mrs Krink and I and 100's of others had no choice but to run
through a waterfall of cigarette butts and all the shit that would float
in water from the grandstands. We then hopped into our rental car
soaking wet to our underware and got into the parade of cars heading
back to Des Moines. The Friday Night show kept alive to nearly 3AM
before they offically postponed it. Had no idea of what was to happen next.
Turns out the Fridays racing all ready took place...resheduled for Saturday
afternoon. Dint get that memo. So I missed out some racing. OK Saturday
night was the rush I paid for. The trip home had a T-Storm going on in
Des Moines when we took off home. Landed in Denver in a T-storm.
Took off from Denver in a T-storm. Thank the Speed Channel for putting
this race on TV every year.

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If you are interested in seeing what sprintcars/racing is like in 2012,
you only need to check this amazing collection. I happen to have
the negatives to couple of pix my mom took back in the early 50's
of "motor-racing" going on at a horse race track/fairgrounds within
the city limits near Kentucky Street in Bellingham Wa. Of course
this whole scene was no more shortly after this race. It's been a
residentual area for the last 50 years.

For great sprintcar photography 2012...

http://www.hoseheads.com/speedshotz.html



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The WOO return to Williams Grove for a Friday-Saturday race.
Good old MIR rained out Fridays race. One day race on Saturday
night went to a PA Posse member Coby Darrah. MIR winner
perhaps but has logged many laps around this joint and had a
fast car. The racing at Williams Grove is the most intense.
Everybody brings the best equipment. The best equipment
provided in sprint car racing today is by Tony Stewart who
has 20-time WOO champ Steve Kinser (who is currently
leading in points in the 2012 season) and 3 time WOO champ
Donny Shatz running his cars. Then Tony has his own "#14 car"
that he pays for tuu. Tony been racing his #14 sprint car several
times over the last week. Finished in 8th place at Williams Grove
right behind Steve Kinser. Then there is Kasey Kahne. He has a
stable of sprint cars that he fields in the WOO races with Joey Saldana
and Brad Sweet and COBY DARRAH. Kasey also loves the chance to
drive a sprint car whenever his NASCAR schedule allows. Know he's
driven atleast 4-5 sprintcar races this year. He's loves his roots
(aka Skagit Speedway, Alger Wa.) I think its a great thing that within
the great NASCAR show today, that the drivers today know nothing
about transporting moonshine at high speed on dirt roads but the
high speed banked clay ovals in a winged-sprint car.

http://www.woosprint.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1625:darrah-redeems-at-williams-grove&catid=152:featured-news-tabs



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The WoO hit Williams Grove in the next week or two. Managed
to snare this youtube video of action this/last Friday night at
the Grove. Amazing this can be possible almost instantly after
a race. Also those ARDC midgets are an east coast group with
a very long history of racing. Anyway...if you went to Williams
Grove Friday the 14th, you saw action like this.



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