RGeeProductions
07-05-2015, 10:47 PM
It’s hard to imagine that when race cars hit the track this coming Saturday evening, July 11, at Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway, it will have been 28 days since the last event was run.
No thanks to Mother Nature stepping in twice, June 20-27, with rain and then a scheduled night off on July 4, it’s made for one long mid-season break. No doubt fans and drivers have been antsy and anxious to return to action.
Provided there are no unforeseen weather issues that for the upcoming weekend, Mahoning Valley will be ready for a full night of racing with the headliner being the George Ramos Jr., “Pineapple 50” Memorial for Late Models. All regular track classes including Modifies, Street Stocks, Dirt Mods, Pro 4s and Hobby Stocks will be pit-side as well.
The George Ramos Jr., Pineapple 50 is an annual event that began in 2012. The race pays honor to the late car owner/driver who passed away in 2012. Ramos Jr., was a longtime supporter from the Dorney Park era and also at Mahoning Valley.
Thanks to the help of his son, George Ramos III, who is a Late Model and Street Stock competitor and track promoter Floyd Santee, the memorial event has become a principal event on Mahoning’s yearly schedule.
In the first three installments the winners saw a pair of track champions take the checkers, cash and huge trophy.
Three time champ Paul Koehler Jr., who is the all-time career Late Model wins leader, won the inaugural race. In 2013 the 50 lapper was a hard fought victory for then class kingpin Earl Paules who had to fend off Mike Sweeney for the $1000 first place prize.
Last year Paules raced into the lead on lap nine and afterwards had to fend off Koehler and Frankie Althouse as they each tried to hustle around him. Try indeed but neither could successfully make a pass.
This year’s memorial will again pay $1200 to win plus a very sharp trophy provided on behalf of the Ramos family.
All other divisions will run respective regular distance features. The Pro 4’s will open the night with the postponed feature race from May 30.
Adult general admission is $18, $2 off for students, seniors 65+ and active military. Must have ID. Children 10 years old and under are free. Main gates open at 4:00 and racing starts at 6:00. Early paid practice will run from 1:00 to 3:30. Regular practice begins at 4:30.
Fans are reminded to get in on the weekly $50 cash Gary Lee’s Brown Daub KIA Wheel Spin just by purchasing the track’s Thunder in the Valley program book.
Additional news can be found on the track’s official site at www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com or on Facebook at Mahoning Valley Speedway and on Twitter at twitter.com/MahoningSpeed. Mahoning Valley Speedway is adjacent to the Mahoning Valley Farmers Market on PA Route 443 just a few miles west of Lehighton.
Dino Oberto
No thanks to Mother Nature stepping in twice, June 20-27, with rain and then a scheduled night off on July 4, it’s made for one long mid-season break. No doubt fans and drivers have been antsy and anxious to return to action.
Provided there are no unforeseen weather issues that for the upcoming weekend, Mahoning Valley will be ready for a full night of racing with the headliner being the George Ramos Jr., “Pineapple 50” Memorial for Late Models. All regular track classes including Modifies, Street Stocks, Dirt Mods, Pro 4s and Hobby Stocks will be pit-side as well.
The George Ramos Jr., Pineapple 50 is an annual event that began in 2012. The race pays honor to the late car owner/driver who passed away in 2012. Ramos Jr., was a longtime supporter from the Dorney Park era and also at Mahoning Valley.
Thanks to the help of his son, George Ramos III, who is a Late Model and Street Stock competitor and track promoter Floyd Santee, the memorial event has become a principal event on Mahoning’s yearly schedule.
In the first three installments the winners saw a pair of track champions take the checkers, cash and huge trophy.
Three time champ Paul Koehler Jr., who is the all-time career Late Model wins leader, won the inaugural race. In 2013 the 50 lapper was a hard fought victory for then class kingpin Earl Paules who had to fend off Mike Sweeney for the $1000 first place prize.
Last year Paules raced into the lead on lap nine and afterwards had to fend off Koehler and Frankie Althouse as they each tried to hustle around him. Try indeed but neither could successfully make a pass.
This year’s memorial will again pay $1200 to win plus a very sharp trophy provided on behalf of the Ramos family.
All other divisions will run respective regular distance features. The Pro 4’s will open the night with the postponed feature race from May 30.
Adult general admission is $18, $2 off for students, seniors 65+ and active military. Must have ID. Children 10 years old and under are free. Main gates open at 4:00 and racing starts at 6:00. Early paid practice will run from 1:00 to 3:30. Regular practice begins at 4:30.
Fans are reminded to get in on the weekly $50 cash Gary Lee’s Brown Daub KIA Wheel Spin just by purchasing the track’s Thunder in the Valley program book.
Additional news can be found on the track’s official site at www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com or on Facebook at Mahoning Valley Speedway and on Twitter at twitter.com/MahoningSpeed. Mahoning Valley Speedway is adjacent to the Mahoning Valley Farmers Market on PA Route 443 just a few miles west of Lehighton.
Dino Oberto