RGeeProductions
04-09-2014, 05:08 PM
Mahoning Valley Speedway is ready to swing open the gates to another exciting year of asphalt short track stock car racing. Under the direction of promoter Floyd Santee, the 2014 season begins this coming Saturday night, April 12 starting at 6:00 p.m.
After trudging through one of the worst winters on record, race fans can forget all about cabin fever when they come to this year’s lid-lifter. The National Weather Service is calling for clear skies and temps near 70 degrees. All six track classes will be in action with four extra distance/paying features among them.
The Modifieds are the main event of the night as the pavement pounders will race for 100 laps in pursuit of the biggest Opening Night payday in track history with $4000 going to the winner, an increase of $1000 from previous 100 lap races.
Eric Beers is the defending track champion and the all-time leader in feature victories with 36 including nine 100-lappers which are best of anyone else. He added two of those century run events last year while driving the Dave and Laura DeLange No. 45.
For five consecutive seasons Matt Hirschman has won at least one 100-lapper, amassing eight overall and will be looking to match Beers’ win total come Saturday night.
While Beers and Hirschman may have the odds in their favor, don’t expect either their quest to win come easy as any number of drivers can walk away with the big cash prize including such notables as Nevin George, who won twice last season and was runner-up to Beers in points. He is well-overdue for a 100 lapper. At last week’s Test and Tune his car was running very strong and admitted that he would love nothing better than to score a “Mahoning Big One.”
Earl Paules, Jr., Chip Santee, Don Wagner and Bobby Jones have all won in the extra distance grinds and will seek to earn another 100-lap trophy to show for their efforts.
Mahoning steadies such as Roger Coss, John Markovic, Eric Kocher, Todd Baer, Rick Kirkendall and 2013 Rookie of the Year Kris Graver will add plenty of local flair to the mix. 2013 Pro 4 champion Kyle Strohl will be making his Modified debut.
While the track regulars make up the brunt of the field, 100-lappers at Mahoning always draw a great assortment of outsiders who bring the level of excitement up several notches.
Eastern Pennsylvania’s all-time pavement wins leader Brian DeFebo is no stranger to winning at Mahoning including 100 lap features. He claimed the season opener in 2006. Brandon Oltra can easily be a surprise winner. And there is no counting out last year’s opening Night victor Austin Kochenash. The former Late Model track champ earned his career first Modified win, a 50-lapper, along with one more regular before setting sail to a solid third place finish and Rookie of the Year honors with the RoC Tour.
The Mahoning 100-lappers are fan and driver favorites. Great racing with great drivers make for classic events.
Luck of the draw will determine heat line-ups. Afterwards it will be a straight up start for the feature from the heat finishes.
Also on the program will be the Late Models, Street Stocks, Dirt Mods, Pro 4 and Hobby Stocks.
Late Models, Street Stocks and Dirt Mods will battle in extra distance features. 50 laps will be run by the Late Models with $1200 to the winner. $1000 first place prize money goes to each Street Stock and Dirt Mod first place finisher. Street Stocks will go 50 laps while the Dirt Mods will contest over 40 circuits. Regular features for the Pro 4s (20 laps) and Hobby Stocks (15 laps) will also take place.
Adult grandstand admission is $25. Children 10-years and under are free with a paying adult. Grandstands open at 4:00 p.m.
Early paid practice runs from 1:00 to 3:00. Regular practice is 4:00 – 5:00. Qualifying heats begin at 6:00.
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
After trudging through one of the worst winters on record, race fans can forget all about cabin fever when they come to this year’s lid-lifter. The National Weather Service is calling for clear skies and temps near 70 degrees. All six track classes will be in action with four extra distance/paying features among them.
The Modifieds are the main event of the night as the pavement pounders will race for 100 laps in pursuit of the biggest Opening Night payday in track history with $4000 going to the winner, an increase of $1000 from previous 100 lap races.
Eric Beers is the defending track champion and the all-time leader in feature victories with 36 including nine 100-lappers which are best of anyone else. He added two of those century run events last year while driving the Dave and Laura DeLange No. 45.
For five consecutive seasons Matt Hirschman has won at least one 100-lapper, amassing eight overall and will be looking to match Beers’ win total come Saturday night.
While Beers and Hirschman may have the odds in their favor, don’t expect either their quest to win come easy as any number of drivers can walk away with the big cash prize including such notables as Nevin George, who won twice last season and was runner-up to Beers in points. He is well-overdue for a 100 lapper. At last week’s Test and Tune his car was running very strong and admitted that he would love nothing better than to score a “Mahoning Big One.”
Earl Paules, Jr., Chip Santee, Don Wagner and Bobby Jones have all won in the extra distance grinds and will seek to earn another 100-lap trophy to show for their efforts.
Mahoning steadies such as Roger Coss, John Markovic, Eric Kocher, Todd Baer, Rick Kirkendall and 2013 Rookie of the Year Kris Graver will add plenty of local flair to the mix. 2013 Pro 4 champion Kyle Strohl will be making his Modified debut.
While the track regulars make up the brunt of the field, 100-lappers at Mahoning always draw a great assortment of outsiders who bring the level of excitement up several notches.
Eastern Pennsylvania’s all-time pavement wins leader Brian DeFebo is no stranger to winning at Mahoning including 100 lap features. He claimed the season opener in 2006. Brandon Oltra can easily be a surprise winner. And there is no counting out last year’s opening Night victor Austin Kochenash. The former Late Model track champ earned his career first Modified win, a 50-lapper, along with one more regular before setting sail to a solid third place finish and Rookie of the Year honors with the RoC Tour.
The Mahoning 100-lappers are fan and driver favorites. Great racing with great drivers make for classic events.
Luck of the draw will determine heat line-ups. Afterwards it will be a straight up start for the feature from the heat finishes.
Also on the program will be the Late Models, Street Stocks, Dirt Mods, Pro 4 and Hobby Stocks.
Late Models, Street Stocks and Dirt Mods will battle in extra distance features. 50 laps will be run by the Late Models with $1200 to the winner. $1000 first place prize money goes to each Street Stock and Dirt Mod first place finisher. Street Stocks will go 50 laps while the Dirt Mods will contest over 40 circuits. Regular features for the Pro 4s (20 laps) and Hobby Stocks (15 laps) will also take place.
Adult grandstand admission is $25. Children 10-years and under are free with a paying adult. Grandstands open at 4:00 p.m.
Early paid practice runs from 1:00 to 3:00. Regular practice is 4:00 – 5:00. Qualifying heats begin at 6:00.
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