Both Big Diamond and Selinsgrove speedways will be presenting special shows this weekend.
Big Diamond will present a small block/big block modified special dubbed "Money in the Mountains." The event will pay the winning driver $7,500 for the 40-lap main event.
Opening day winner Craig Von Dohren and last week's winner, Jeff Strunk, along with regulars Meme DeSantis, Doug Manmiller, Frank Cozze and others can expect challenges from outsiders Billy Pauch Sr., Pat Ward, Billy Decker, Larry Wight, Duane Howard, Ryan Godown and other New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania drivers.
The sportsman and roadrunners are also on the card. Gates open at 5 p.m. and racing begins at 8:15.
Selinsgrove Speedway will host the return of the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints Series Saturday night. The last sanctioned ESS event was in May 1996 when Waterloo, N.Y., driver Bobby Parrow scored the victory.
This Lucas Oil ESS Series Spring 358/360 Challenge Series event serves as the season opener for the New York-based group celebrating its 30th anniversary season.
Many of the top stars of the 358/360 sprint car stars from Pennsylvania will be going head to head with the traveling group, trying to score the $3,000 winner's paycheck.
Mark Smith, Pat Cannon, Cody Keller, Phil Walter, Duane Mausteller and other track regulars will compete with the 2012 Lucas Oil ESS champion Chuck Hebing, along with ESS drivers Lance Yonge, Justin Barger, Shawn Donath, Michael Parent, Paul Kinney and Jessica Zemken.
Time trials and complete qualifying events will set the field for the 30-lap sprint car feature. The late models, pro stocks and roadrunners will also be in action at the Snyder County oval. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing begins at 6.
In other racing around the area this weekend, Williams Grove Speedway is in action tonight with the 410 sprint cars being joined by the late models in their only visit of the 2013 season.
Multi-time track champion and all-time feature winner Fred Rahmer scored his 88th career win in last week's opener at the Mechanicsburg oval. ... Lincoln Speedway hosts a three-division show of 410 sprinters, 358 sprinters and thundercars at 6 p.m. Saturday. ... Port Royal Speedway hosts the 410 sprint cars, late models and the 305 sprint cars Saturday, beginning at 6. ... Grandview Speedway kicks off its 51st season Saturday, featuring the 358 modifieds, limited late models and sportsman, while Hagerstown Speedway will host the late model sportsman, hobby stocks and pure stocks with a 6:30 starting time.
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series presents the fourth of 24 events on their 2013 slate with the 14th annual Summit racing.com Nationals in Las Vegas. The Strip at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will also host a special race within a race on Saturday afternoon, as the K & N Horsepower Challenge for the pro stock cars will pay $50,000 to the winner of the 8-car event.
Spencer Massey in Top Fuel, Robert Hight in Funny Car and Allen Johnson in Pro Stock were winners last year. ESPN2 will provide two hours of qualifying action at 6 p.m. Saturday and three hours of eliminations on Sunday, starting at 11 p.m.
(Kaminski covers auto
racing for The News-Item)