Central Pennsylvania Speedway has become one smooth, fast race track in the tri- state area. The speedway has been very fortunate since opening night avoiding all the bad weather that has struck at other area race tracks. The big 3/8 mile or just a little under 1/2 mile on the outside track has sure brought to life the racing in the Clearfield area. The track has been in great shape except for a couple of dips here and there and the racing action has been fantastic. There have been three different feature winners in the Late Model division including Luke Hoffner, Chuck Kennedy and Shawn "Sheetz" McGarvey. These guys are really hauling the mail around the fast oval and sure do put on a show for the fans. Speaking of the fans, the numbers keep growing and the people keep getting there earlier and earlier to get a hill side parking space. There is not a bad seat in the house for the fans at Central Pennsylvania Speedway.
The Small Block Modified class is not brimming in numbers, but that is about all the bad things that can be said about it. Jimmy Holden has found the fast way around the speedway and has captured two of the three feature wins. This past weekend, Bill Krause, who suffered a broken leg this past winter and is still on the mend made his first win look easy as he won by half a track over Jimmy Holden. Rookie driver, Brad Rapp led all but the final two circuits of the race a couple of weeks ago, and he admits that excitement starting to set in and he missed his marks on the track. Brad ran go-kart in the past and definitely knows how to use the gas pedal. This youngster who turns 15 in June will be in victory lane before the season is over at the rate he is going. Kevin Dickson has had a tough go during the first few weeks at CPS. Two weeks ago he was involved in an opening lap accident that tore that back bumper loose from the car. Last week he had engine woes before the green flag dropped and was unable to compete at all.
The Street Stock class has been very competitive as well finding three different drivers in victory lane. Taking home the honors were Gary Conklin, Denny Fenton and Jason Walker. Todd Bainey looked to have the Pure Stock feature all wrapped up but with just a couple of laps to go to the checkered the motor that had been smoking for several laps prior finally let go and ended Bainey's bid for the top position. Sitting in the wings was Zoltan Laska who inherited the lead and went on to pick up the feature win. The 4-cylinder division has been growing week after week and finding his way to victory lane this past week was Levi Ardrey.
Central Pennsylvania Speedway is set and ready for the upcoming BRP Modified Tour event that will be run on June25th. Track promoter, Ken McLaughin can't wait to see the speeds that the big block racers turn on the fast oval. Modified Tour drivers are also anxious to get started and interested in competing at this newly renovated facility.
Sharon Speedway has had a tough time getting started and hopefully this is not an omen of things to come for the rest of the season. The "new" Sharon Speedway is just that. The newly built Speedway Club grandstands are something to behold and are state of the art for this area. The extra large concession stand, Sharon Speedway novelty booth, expanded handicap seating and all the new black top areas make Sharon Speedway the place to be on Saturday nights. Since the first of May, Sharon has only been able to hold one race due to the weather and on opening night the following drivers found their way to the new victory lane area that is found behind the turn one grandstand area. Ed Lynch, Jr. picked up where he left off from last season and collected the Sprint Car feature win. Jim Rasey started his season out good by picking up the Modified feature. Jeff Johnson captured the e-mod feature with Danny Exley taking the checkers in the pure stock division. With 56 Pure Stocks in the pit area at Sharon this is one of the most competitive divisions around and just making the final twenty-four starting spots is quite a feat for any driver. You don't want to forget about the upcoming World of Outlaw Late Model show that will coming to Sharon Speedway on June 26th. This race will be fast and furious with the smooth track surface and wide corners, the racing action should find fans standing on their feet right up until the final lap.
The BRP Modified Tour will be starting their 10 race season soon. The first race is coming up on Sunday, May 30th at Tri City Speedway. This race will be the Dick Rankin Memorial Race and Dick's family has added extra money to the purse for this event. The driver's will be competing for $1,500 to win for the 30-lap event. Once the BRP Modified Tour season gets started it will take off running as long as Mother Nature cooperates. On June 5th will be the Bill Emig Memorial Race which will feature triple 25 lap races for the BRP Modifieds. The following Friday, June 11th the BRP Modified Tour will be at Lernerville Speedway to compete for the new management at the speedway. Then the tour cars have a couple of weeks off before we head to Central Pennsylvania Speedway which I am predicting will be one of the best races of the season. If you would like to have copy of the Modified Tour schedule for the 2004 season, just go their web site at www.modifiedtourinc.com for more information.
That's all for now. Hopefully the weather will cooperate in the next couple of weeks and we are able to get some racing in so that there is something to report to everyone. Until then, think sunshine, sunshine, sunshine for the weekend!!! Pam Baker
