The 6th annual AMSOil USAC Sprint Car Series Eastern Storm Tour is almost in the record books. Grandview Speedway hosted the opener on Tuesday night and last night's show at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway was too late for deadline.
Grandview battled early rain showers for the running of its Jesse Hockett Classic for the USAC stars. There was also a 45-minute delay after Coleman Gulick flipped through the turn three billboard on the second lap of the 40-lap main event. Gulick of Binghamton, N.Y., was OK.
Noblesville, Ind.'s Bryan Clauson returned to the dirt tracks following his rookie debut in the 2012 Indianapolis 500 last month, as the 22-year-old scored the $6,000 win in the 40-lap feature. Levi Jones, Kevin Thomas, Chris Windom and Jerry Coons Jr. completed the top five. Mark Smith of Snydertown was a qualifying heat winner and finished 14th.
The series pulls into Schuylkill County tonight for action at Big Diamond Speedway along with the 358 modifieds and roadrunners. Past USAC winners at the Minersville oval include Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion, and Cole Whitt, current driver in the Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports.
The Eastern Storm winds up Saturday night with the final stop at Port Royal Speedway, as the USAC sprinters will share the card with the ARDC midgets and pro stocks.
Fans of Beaver Springs Dragway look forward to another great nostalgia event this weekend. The 11th annual Gasser Reunion hits the strip this weekend. Plenty of Willy's coupes and pickups, Anglias, Austins, Corvettes, and various other gassers of yesteryear will pack the track for the three-day event.
In talking to Bob McCardle on Monday, cars were already pulling in.
"We have a three-day weekend planned and already some of the travelers from the west coast are already setting up shop as we talk," stated the flamboyant track owner/promoter. "My crew works hard to make sure that everyone has a great time here at the "Beav"..., we are one big family and I am happy to have all of the great cars of the history of our sport here. The show will be great!" Gates open each day at 8 a.m., test and tune sessions are on the schedule today and tomorrow, while Sunday finds time trials at 10 a.m. and eliminations at 2 p.m.
Many local drivers found success in action at Numidia Dragway last weekend. Mike Mackey won street eliminator on Saturday while his father, Bob, took his MOPAR to victory lane in street eliminations on Sunday and Jason Vought was runner-up.
The University of Northern Ohio All-Star Sprint Car Series makes its second visit of the season to central Pennsylvania, as they head to Williams Grove Speedway tonight along with the ARDC midgets and travel south Saturday to Lincoln Speedway with the 358 sprinters also on the card.
Selinsgrove Speedway hosts the Paul Stine Chevrolet Late Model Championship Saturday night, a 30-lap feature worth $2,500 to the winner. A full slate of qualifying time trials, heats and consolation events will lead up to the feature event. Joining the late models on the card will be the 358 sprinters, pro stocks and roadrunners as gates open at 5 and racing begins at 7 p.m.
Other action on tap Saturday night includes Williams Grove's Saturday Night Series of winged super sportsman, limited late models and twin features for the street stocks. ... Grandview hosts the 358 modifieds, limited late models and sportsman. ... Hagerstown Speedway hosts the Steel Block Bandit late models along with the pure stocks and hobby stocks.
(Kaminski covers auto racing for The News-Item)