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| 2017 Attica Raceway Park track champion Chris Andrews (photo by SprintFun) |
For likely the last time this season, all of this weekend's 410 Sprint Car events across the country will run unsanctioned. Weekly racing is scheduled to take place at five different tracks, three of which will be looking to kick-start their 2018 campaign. This is a rarity in our sport that is dominated by major sanctioning bodies. Consider this...next weekend will showcase six sanctions sprinkled amongst the typical weekly shows.
The first of three season-openers we're highlighting this weekend is none other than Central Pennsylvania's Port Royal Speedway, which will feature a $4,000-to-win main event. After getting snowed out the first three attempts, the fourth try looks to be the charm here as a much more favorable forecast awaits them. A dry and high of 57 day is currently predicted for the half-mile oval on Saturday evening, which is a far cry from the foot of snow that they received just a week ago.
Brock Zearfoss will look to defend his championship crown from last season - a season that saw him claim five wins and bolster an average finish of seventh! Dylan Cisney, who fell just five points shy of Zearfoss in the 2017 standings, is undoubtedly another driver to keep your eye on. Rounding out the top five in track points last season were T.J. Stutts, Mike Wagner and Greg Hodnett.
Port Royal Speedway's previous opening night winners:
3/25/2017 - Lynton Jeffrey
4/02/2016 - Steve Buckwalter
4/04/2015 - Aaron Ott
4/05/2014 - Blane Heimbach
3/30/2013 - Dave Blaney
Attica Raceway Park has fallen victim to Mother Nature only once this season (March 23). A winner's share of $3,000 will be on the line as some of the top drivers in Ohio battle it out on the high-banked third-mile. This will be the only change the locals have to tune-up in preparation for next weekend's back-to-back All Star Circuit of Champions shows. A chance of scattered showers currently sits in the forecast amidst a cool day in the low-50's.
Chris Andrews claimed his second career Attica track championship last season (2009), and he'll search for a second consecutive this season as he's back behind the wheel of the Burmeister Racing #16. Andrews was a model of consistency last season. Though he didn't pick up any wins, he did have five Top 5's to his credit. Also finishing in the top five in track points last season were D.J. Foos, Stuart Brubaker, Travis Philo and Duane Zablocki. Can any of them, or possibly another driver, deny Andrews of claiming a third Attica crown?
Attica Raceway Park's previous opening night winners:
3/24/2017 - Caleb Helms
3/26/2016 - Caleb Griffith
4/04/2015 - Ryan Smith (ASCoC)
4/05/2014 - Dale Blaney (ASCoC)
3/30/2013 - Dale Blaney (ASCoC)
Last, but not least, comes the Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe, Ohio. Located in southern Ohio, Atomic Speedway is the outlier in their direct region as they compete with late model dominated track in the area. Because of that, the high-banked oval and its weekly competitors don't receive the attention they deserve. It's possible that Atomic Speedway might boast the most balanced field throughout the country. This weekend's race will feature a $2,000 top prize to the winner.
Sprint car legend Danny Smith won the 2017 track championship and collected one track win along the way. He has nothing left to prove as a driver, and as fans we should not take any remaining Smith runs for granted. In the sprint car world, there are few that have contributed to the sport as much as he has. Rounding out the top five in points last season were Nate Reeser, Bryan Nuckles, Josh Davis and Brandon Wimmer.
Atomic Speedway's previous opening night winners:
4/09/2017 - Chad Kemenah (ASCoC)
3/26/2016 - Christopher Bell (OSCS)
4/04/2015 - Jimmy Stinson
3/22/2014 - Jim Nier
Central PA's Williams Grove Speedway and Lincoln Speedway will also aim to continue their seasons as they look to run their second and third races, respectively.
Friday, March 30th schedule:
Attica Raceway Park ($3,000)
Williams Grove Speedway
Saturday, March 31st schedule:
Atomic Speedway ($2,000)
Lincoln Speedway ($5,000)
Port Royal Speedway ($4,000)
5 - Donny Schatz
4 - Sheldon Haudenschild
1 - Aaron Reutzel
1 - Brian Montieth
1 - Chad Kemenah
1 - Chad Trout
1 - Cory Eliason
1 - Danny Dietrich
1 - Lucas Wolfe
1 - Tim Shaffer
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