RGeeProductions
04-08-2013, 12:03 AM
The testing is done and the time is at hand for the official start of the 2013 season of asphalt racing at Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway. It all gets underway this coming Saturday evening, April 13 beginning at 6:00 p.m.
On the docket will be a complete program of the track’s six divisions which will be highlighted by a special 50-lap, $2000-to-win main event of the Modified division.
Late Models, Street Stocks, Dirt Mods, 4-Cylinder Stocks and the newly added 4-Cylinder FWD Hobby Stocks will also be in action. Each class will run heats and if necessary consolation races.
If the pre-season Test and Tune days are of any indication, fans should be geared for quite an Opener as the pits were a bevy of activity during each of the four days that race teams had to prepare for. And more so virtually all pit spots are sold.
Coming into his sophomore season as promoter of Mahoning Valley, 67-year old Floyd Santee is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to swing open the gates and present what he feels will be another great season of short track stock car racing at the popular quarter mile oval.
“2012 was a great year. Between the fans and racers that came out to support us all season long, I couldn’t begin to tell you how proud I am of everyone’s support. When you saw the field of cars we had each week and the absolute great racing our guys put on, it tells me that the hard work paid off and I’m excited to do it all over again this year,” beamed Santee.
“Everyone can be assured that 2013 will be just as good. Our phones were ringing the entire off season with inquiries about the track and drivers wanting information about coming out to be a part of our product. I’m excited to get things rolling. Our Test and Tune days saw a lot of sharp looking cars and you can tell that the guys are raring to go.”
Earl Paules, the man who made double headlines last season by becoming the first driver in track history to win both the Modified and Late Model titles in the same season, will be back to defend both those coveted crowns. Paules loves a challenge and knows that the completion has his number. He is more than ready to defend both those coveted championships and by no means will it be easy as the Modified and Late Model classes will be solid this year.
Santee announced that the winner of each regular 35-lap Modified feature will now earn $1800, up $300 from last season and the Late Model regular 25-lap features will pay $700-to-win.
Defending Street Stock champ TJ Gursky will attempt to do something that no other in the class has done in the 25 years the division has been in existence, win three titles. Gursky won the past two Street Stock titles. With an average of 25-30 cars each week and field that is steeped in parity, it will be an arduous feat to say the least but achievable with his keen ability.
The Dirt Mod title will be wide open this year as two-time champ Kris Graver has moved onto the Modifieds. Mike Stofflet, Dave Thomas, Ricky Graver and Aleia Geisler should be the top contenders, however, the class is taking on several newcomers and it stands to be the most active since its inception in 2009.
Likewise the 4-Cylinder Stock title will be up for grabs as Jeremy Miller has indicated he will scale back this season which leaves the door open for a host of on comers.
As for the 4-Cylinder FWD Hobby Stocks this division is designed solely a s true blue entry level class that will allow anyone interested in racing to get on track in a very cost effective way.
There will be early paid practice this coming Saturday from 12:30 to 3:00 at $25.00 per car. Regular warm-ups will be held from 4:00 – 5:00 with a mandatory drivers meeting shortly thereafter. There will be a random draw for heat starting spots. Feature line-ups will be heads up from the heat finishes.
Grandstands open at 4:00. Adult general admission is $15. $2.00 off admission price for students, seniors 65 + and active military, must have ID. Children 10 and under are free.
Mahoning Valley Speedway is located on PA route 443, two miles west of Lehighton. Additional info can be found on the track’s website at www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com Also on Facebook at Mahoning Valley Speedway.
Dino Oberto
On the docket will be a complete program of the track’s six divisions which will be highlighted by a special 50-lap, $2000-to-win main event of the Modified division.
Late Models, Street Stocks, Dirt Mods, 4-Cylinder Stocks and the newly added 4-Cylinder FWD Hobby Stocks will also be in action. Each class will run heats and if necessary consolation races.
If the pre-season Test and Tune days are of any indication, fans should be geared for quite an Opener as the pits were a bevy of activity during each of the four days that race teams had to prepare for. And more so virtually all pit spots are sold.
Coming into his sophomore season as promoter of Mahoning Valley, 67-year old Floyd Santee is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to swing open the gates and present what he feels will be another great season of short track stock car racing at the popular quarter mile oval.
“2012 was a great year. Between the fans and racers that came out to support us all season long, I couldn’t begin to tell you how proud I am of everyone’s support. When you saw the field of cars we had each week and the absolute great racing our guys put on, it tells me that the hard work paid off and I’m excited to do it all over again this year,” beamed Santee.
“Everyone can be assured that 2013 will be just as good. Our phones were ringing the entire off season with inquiries about the track and drivers wanting information about coming out to be a part of our product. I’m excited to get things rolling. Our Test and Tune days saw a lot of sharp looking cars and you can tell that the guys are raring to go.”
Earl Paules, the man who made double headlines last season by becoming the first driver in track history to win both the Modified and Late Model titles in the same season, will be back to defend both those coveted crowns. Paules loves a challenge and knows that the completion has his number. He is more than ready to defend both those coveted championships and by no means will it be easy as the Modified and Late Model classes will be solid this year.
Santee announced that the winner of each regular 35-lap Modified feature will now earn $1800, up $300 from last season and the Late Model regular 25-lap features will pay $700-to-win.
Defending Street Stock champ TJ Gursky will attempt to do something that no other in the class has done in the 25 years the division has been in existence, win three titles. Gursky won the past two Street Stock titles. With an average of 25-30 cars each week and field that is steeped in parity, it will be an arduous feat to say the least but achievable with his keen ability.
The Dirt Mod title will be wide open this year as two-time champ Kris Graver has moved onto the Modifieds. Mike Stofflet, Dave Thomas, Ricky Graver and Aleia Geisler should be the top contenders, however, the class is taking on several newcomers and it stands to be the most active since its inception in 2009.
Likewise the 4-Cylinder Stock title will be up for grabs as Jeremy Miller has indicated he will scale back this season which leaves the door open for a host of on comers.
As for the 4-Cylinder FWD Hobby Stocks this division is designed solely a s true blue entry level class that will allow anyone interested in racing to get on track in a very cost effective way.
There will be early paid practice this coming Saturday from 12:30 to 3:00 at $25.00 per car. Regular warm-ups will be held from 4:00 – 5:00 with a mandatory drivers meeting shortly thereafter. There will be a random draw for heat starting spots. Feature line-ups will be heads up from the heat finishes.
Grandstands open at 4:00. Adult general admission is $15. $2.00 off admission price for students, seniors 65 + and active military, must have ID. Children 10 and under are free.
Mahoning Valley Speedway is located on PA route 443, two miles west of Lehighton. Additional info can be found on the track’s website at www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com Also on Facebook at Mahoning Valley Speedway.
Dino Oberto