Weekend Preview: Warm Weather on the Horizon

2017 series champion Chad Kemenah will lead the All Stars into Central PA this weekend

Things continue to pick up for the 410 Sprint Cars this weekend across the country, and unlike last weekend, the weather looks to be much more conducive for racing. To this point, over half of the 410 Sprint Car events since Florida Speedweeks have been lost to the weather (21/40 to be exact).

Starting Off the Season Right

There's something to be said for getting a hot start as hundreds of drivers embark on their quest for a coveted track championship crown. Winning early, among other things, can instill a confidence in the driver and team that prove to be contagious as the season wears on. A number of weekly sprint car tracks will be running for the first time in 2018 - some on their first crack, while others are giving it their fourth try... Here's the rundown on those.

Attica Raceway Park. The fourth time's the charm, right? After getting 0-for-3 to start the season, it looks like Attica will finally get things underway this Friday night. Chris Andrews, the two-time and defending track champ, will have his hands full with the rest of the Ohio contingent. This $3,000 weekly show will work as the tune-up ahead of next week's All Star Circuit of Champions visit for the rescheduled "Spring Nationals".

Fremont Speedway. In what will be the track's 67th Season Opener, the tight confines in Fremont, OH will play host to largely the same driver base that will be in attendance at Attica Raceway Park. Defending champion Byron Reed scored four wins on the season en route to his seventh Fremont Speedway crown. He's the odds-on favorite to reach victory lane, but there's more than a handful of drivers that are capable of capturing the checkered flag.

Knoxville Raceway. Maybe you've heard of this place before. Many say that the Central PA tracks feature the toughest fields week-in and week-out, and even then just as many will argue that the half-mile Iowa oval is the place to be on a summer weekend. Whichever side of the fence you lie on, there's no denying the cast of prolific drivers that take to the track every Saturday night at Knoxville. The points championship is up for grabs this year as defending champ Ian Madsen has taken to the World of Outlaws trail.

St. Francois County Raceway. A track that doesn't get nearly enough credit. The list of tracks that run 410 Sprints weekly is dwindling by the year, yet this tight Missouri oval continues to dish out competitive racing each week. Some of the drivers vying for wins this year includes Joey Montgomery, Kent Buckley, Joey Boyd, Robbie Standridge and Tommy Worley, Jr.

Wayne County Speedway. They've actually postponed their season opener until April 21st in an attempt to let the facility dry out. This Saturday has been changed to a full practice session for all interested division.

Tours Look to Find a Rhythm

The up-and-down (mostly down) weather has made it a rough go for racers and fans alike. Now consider the drivers that have been stuck on the World of Outlaws west coast swing, sitting idle while they watch five of their eleven events get washed out. Hopefully most teams were able to minimize the costs of the past month and a half, and more importantly, let's hope that they can benefit from a nice stretch of weather moving forward.

The only difference over the past month between the World of Outlaws and All Star Circuit of Champions drivers is about 3,000 miles. Aside from the few that ventured over to Central PA to sneak in a show or two, most drivers are no more prepared than when they left Florida nearly two months ago. Consider this, it's mid-April and the best our sport has to offer are still trying to knock the winter rust off...

The World of Outlaws have a doubleheader on tap this weekend with races at Jacksonville Speedway (IL) and Tri-State Speedway (IN).

The All Star Circuit of Champions will look to kickstart their points chase for the second consecutive weekend, this time with a three-day tour through the Commonwealth State. Williams Grove Speedway, Port Royal Speedway and Bedford Speedway will play host "America's Series".

Friday, April 13th schedule:
Attica Raceway Park
Jacksonville Speedway [WoO]
Williams Grove Speedway [ASCoC]

Saturday, April 14th schedule:
Fremont Speedway
Knoxville Raceway- RAIN
Lincoln Speedway
Port Royal Speedway [ASCoC]
St. Francois County Raceway
Tri-State Speedway [WoO]
Wayne County Speedway - RAIN

Sunday, April 15th schedule:
Bedford Speedway [ASCoC]

2018 Win List (410's only):
6 - Donny Schatz
4 - Sheldon Haudenschild
2 - Brian Montieth
2 - Danny Dietrich
1 - Aaron Reutzel
1 - Chad Kemenah
1 - Chad Trout
1 - Cole Duncan
1 - Cory Eliason
1 - Cory Haas
1 - Dave Blaney
1 - Lance Dewease
1 - Lucas Wolfe
1 - Ryan Taylor
1 - Shane Golobic
1 - Tim Shaffer
1 - Tyler Esh