Though this is a new column that will offer news and commentary on area and national motorsports, I have been here before. Some readers may remember that I did write a motorsports column for The Times Herald some years back. I am happy to be back.
On Saturday nights the NASCAR sanctioned Grandview Speedway continues to provide tripleheader stock car racing action featuring 358 Modifieds, Late Models and Sportsman stock cars with racing action getting the green flag at 7:30. This Saturday, the first 100 paying moms will receive a free arrangement of wood roses for Mother's Day.
Fan favorites such as defending Modified champion Duane Howard, Craig VonDohren, Jeff Strunk, Frank Cozze, Mike Gular and a host of others continue to provide some exciting modified stock car racing action. Howard is back in front in the point standings in his effort to repeat as the track champion, but less than100 points separate the top four in the standings.
The Kellner family of Lansdale continue to be popular competitors at the one-third-mile,banked clay track. Jon Kellner Sr. has been a fixture at the Bechtelsville auto racing facility and has been joined by his son, Jon Jr., in the NASCAR 358 Modified division. Younger son, Mike, is a top performer in the Late Model division, having been to victory lane a couple of times already this season. At present Mike has a 21-point lead over six-time champion Chuck Schutz.
At least 14 events of stock car racing make up the show on Saturday nights and the Rogers family, owners of the track, have kept the cost of admission reasonable with adults paying just $15 and youngsters 12 and under admitted free.
Once a month Outlaw Enduro racing is featured along with the Blast from the Past Vintage cars. The Sunday, May 19, racing will start at 1 p.m. and will include a 100-lapper for each class of big car and small car. The Vintage cars, what race cars looked like going back several years, race in qualifying events and two 25 lap feature events. Admission is just $7 with youngsters 11 and under admitted for free.
Some events to think about at other area tracks include the STP World of Outlaws, who will be the featured attraction at New Egypt, N.J. Speedway on Tuesday, May 21. This will be a rare opportunity to see the national travel sprint group in action at an area track. Steve Kinser, Donny Schatz, Sammy Swindell, Daryn Pittman and a host of others are expected along with a number of local sprint car talents including, perhaps, Phoenixville's Brian Montieth who is one of the top area sprint racers. Steve Kinser won the Outlaw feature when they last appeared at New Egypt back in 2007.
Bridgeport, N.J., Speedway plays host to the Big Block Modifieds in the George Wingate Memorial on Sunday, May 26 with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks will also be featured in this special event.