2010 Mahoning Valley Speedway Season Highlighted by Return of Poker Series

The 2010 Mahoning Valley Speedway schedule was officially released at Saturday’s Winter Jam held at the Palmerton Hotel and ahead for the racers of the paved Lehighton ¼-mile is 26 weeks of Saturday night action that actual begins with a rare Sunday event.

The 2010 lid-lifter is slated for Sunday, April 11 with a pair of feature races for the Dirt Modifieds and Street Stocks. Race time is 3:30 p.m.

Dirt Cars on Asphalt Spring 50 will be a 50 lap, $1200 to win main. 2010 marks the second season as a regular track class for the Dirt Mods and the speedway is showing its continued commitment to the class with this special extra distance, extra payoff show. Randy Thomas of Palmerton is the defending Dirt Modified champion.

The Street Stocks will contest in a regular 25 lap main. For both classes this will be the first point races of the year.

On Saturday April 17 at 6:00 pm, all regular track classes will be in action including the Modifieds, Late Models and Pro4 Late Models. That evening will be headlined by a race that has yet to be run from 2009. The fifth and final event from the Mahoning Valley Speedway Poker Tournament will crown the champion of the special five-race match series for the Modifieds.

The popular Poker Series Tournament is back in 2010 but with some added twists. This year will be a 7 Card Stud format. There will still be the excitement of the $3000-to-win 100 lap features on 6/5, 7/10, 8/14, 9/11 and 10/2, however, two 35 lap features have been added to the ‘deck’ as a bonus for those drivers who support the track every week on 7/24 and again on 8/21.

By having those two addition features drivers can add to their poker hand and then use your five best cards.

Here’s the deal.

At the end of each Poke Race the top 13 finishers will receive a card all from the same suit starting with an ace going to the winner and so on. The suit, clubs, spades, hearts or diamonds, will be picked at the end of each feature by the winner who will draw a card to see what suit the race was run in that evening.

Each of the seven races will be done in the same manner and at the end of the final race on 10/2 the top three drivers with the best poker hand will share in the jackpot. First place pays $2500 with $1500 for second and $1000 for third.

You must compete in the 5 100 lap races to be eligible for poker money. Early entry fee is $50 per event. Day of race is $75.

Additionally of Mahoning’s regular classes will be part of the weekly action with several big events planned for each including a pair of 100-lappers for the Street Stocks on 7/3 and 9/4.
There will also be five traveling divisions that will pay visits to the speedway which includes INEX Legends, Sportsman Micro Stocks, 4c Super Modifieds, 600cc Modifieds and the TQ Midgets of the ATQMRA.

The TQ’s are returning to Mahoning for the first time since 2005 and have two dates inked on 5/22 and 8/7.

Pre-season Test and Tune days will take place on March 27-28 and April 10 from noon to 4:00. Grandstand admission is free for all test sessions.

Judging by the response from those who came out to Winter Jam, the 2010 campaign is looking very good for all classes.

Reigning track champs John Bennett (Modifieds), Todd Stehle (Late Models), Randy Ahner, Jr. (Street Stocks), Kevin Graver, Jr., (Pro4 Late Models) and Randy Thomas (Dirt Mods) will all be back to defend their respective crowns.

Mahoning Valley Speedway is conveniently located just west of Lehighton on PA Route 443. For additional updates and information log onto www.mahoningspeedway.com or call the track office at 570-386-4900. You can also follow the track on Facebook and Rainout.com.