Pennsylvania native Stevie Smith gave Fred Rahmer his first Williams Grove Speedway win as a car owner Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway in the 25-lap sprint car feature. Smith's 26th career Grove win was worth $4,000.
Rahmer retired from driving at the end of last season with 90 Grove wins and nine championships and formed his own team, along with businessman Dave Pritchard. Smith drives for Rahmer primarily at the Grove in time trial races. Rahmer's 18-year-old sons - Freddie and Brandon - are rookies in the 410 sprints and race only at Lincoln Speedway.
It was Smith's second win for Rahmer in less than two weeks; he won against the World of Outlaws at Lincoln Speedway.
Although they lead the point standings, Rahmer said in victory lane that they will not run all the races to compete for the track championship. Smith leads four-time track champion Donnie Kreitz by 120 points.
"When you focus a whole night on watching him race, he's probably one of the smartest guys," said Rahmer. "I knew he was the only choice I had to do what we wanted to do. It was a no- brainer."
"It's a really good opportunity and I'm just glad to be a part of it," said Smith. "I'm looking forward to the whole year."
Rahmer will promote the Pennsylvania Speedweek race coming up at Path Valley Speedway on Sunday night, June 29.
Rainy Saturday
Rain postponed the features once again at Port Royal Speedway, setting up an all-features program on June 14 for Fan Appreciation Night that will feature free general admission.
The 410 sprint feature, along with the super late models and 305 sprints postponed on May 3 will be run, along with the features from Saturday's Fallen Heroes Championship Night. Grandstand admission will be free and an announcement will be coming shortly on prices for pit passes.
Elizabethville's Mike Erdley led the first lap of the $5,000 to win sprint car feature, which didn't take the green flag until 10:20.
A lap nine caution flag slowed the field and then on the restart a vicious flip by New York's Justin Barger in turn three brought out the red flag. Dylan Cisney was also involved. During the red, rain-, which had been in the area all night, began to fall and postponed the features. Barger suffered a concussion and some severe bruising. Cisney was okay.
Erdley, who was racing a new car, will lead Rick Lafferty, Dave Ely, Lucas Wolfe and defending track champion Blane Heimbach when the race resumes June 14.
Rain also postponed the sprint car features at Lincoln Speedway and the Hilly Rife Memorial feature for the 410's will be made-up this week. Ryan Bohlke and Freddie Rahmer will share the front row of the $5,000 to win feature.
USAC Sprints Eastern Storm
The USAC Sprint Car Eastern Storm begins on Tuesday night, June 3 at Grandview Speedway followed by a return to Lincoln Speedway on Wednesday, June 4. The URC 360 sprints join the USAC Sprints at Lincoln for a winged and wingless doubleheader.
The series heads to New Egypt Speedway (N.J.) for a Thursday night, June 5 date. Port Royal Speedway will host the Eastern Storm for the second straight season on Saturday, June 7, and it concludes at Susquehanna Speedway Park on Sunday night, June 8.
Pennsylvania Speedweek dates
This year's Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek is about a month away and will once again start at Williams Grove on Friday night, June 27. The series heads to Lincoln Speedway from there for the Kevin Gobrecht Memorial on Saturday night. Fred Rahmer will promote Speedweek's third stop at Path Valley Speedway on Sunday night.
Then it's off on Monday night before Grandview on Tuesday, July 1, and Hagerstown on Wednesday, July 2. The series heads to Port Royal for its first of two shows on Thursday night, July 3, and then the Mitch Smith Memorial at the Grove on Friday, July 4. The series heads back to Port Royal on Saturday night and finishes at Selinsgrove Speedway for the Jan Opperman Memorial.
Other notes
Pennsylvania's Brent Marks went to Charlotte to race with the Outlaws last Friday and finished 12th. He drove straight back home to race at Port Royal. Outlaw rookie and Pennsylvania native Logan Schuchart finished third at Charlotte for his second top five of the season with the Outlaws.
Sunbury's Mark Smith spent some time racing wingless sprint cars in Indiana. Smith is a three-time winner in 360 sprints at Selinsgrove Speedway and is the point leader. He leads T.J. Stutts by 160 points. Danville's Steve Campbell leads the super late model standings by 100 over Bryan Bernheisel.
Selinsgrove Speedway officials postponed the Ray Tilley Classic for 410's Sunday night due to an emergency in promoter Charlie Paige's family. The speedway returns to action Saturday with the 360 sprints, along with a regular show.