While racing is in full swing out in central Pennsylvania, here in the
western part of the state things are just getting started. Only two of the
four western Pa tracks have opened their gates for the 2004 season. Those
being Lernerville Speedway, they've completed two of their three scheduled
shows this season, while Mercer Raceway Park is also two for three.
Meanwhile the Sprint Car's Sunday night home Tri-City Speedway is scheduled
to get things started Sunday May 25th, while Sharon Speedway will get their
season started on Saturday, May 1st.
As the season gets underway I thought I would take a minute to touch on some
of our western Pa drivers and what they have planned for this season.
ED LYNCH JR - will once again be the man to beat here in western Pa for
2004. Lynch has already won both Lernerville features without a challenge.
With Lynch making most all of his starts in western Pa look for another
twenty plus wins this season.
ROD GEORGE - the other big winner here in western Pa, 2004 looks the same as
2003 for George in his silver #4 The 03 Triathlon Sprint champ already has
one win this season, that coming at Mercer Raceway.
JIMMY HAWLEY - After leaving the Pete Grove #70 car early in 2003 Hawley sat
out the rest of the season. It looks like Hawley won't return to the wheel
in 2004. It's a shame that one of the area's top drivers won't be competing
this season.
ARNIE KENT - You might have a hard time keeping track of what car Arnie is
driving this season as he will be wheeling three different cars. At
Lernerville on Fridays he will be driving the Dionese #15 Sprinter with
which he already has a 2nd place finish. On Saturdays at Mercer Raceway he
will be behind the wheel of the Born 2 Run Sports Sprinter in 410
competition and the familiar #18 in 360 Sprint action. Arnie won the 360
Sprint opener at Mercer.
GARY KRIESS JR - The always exciting driver from Butler will be back behind
the wheel of his own 55j on Friday nights at Lernerville. On Saturday nights
at Mercer Raceway look for Kriess behind the wheel of 2003 track champion
Troy Preston's 1P.
JACK SODEMAN JR - After missing more than half the season last year Jack is
back with a new car this season. Sodeman debuted last Friday at Lernerville
where he won his heat and was fifth in the feature. Look for Sodeman to
visit victory lane soon.
ANDY MCKISSON - Driver of the yellow zero car plans to be at Tri-City
Speedway most Sundays this season like last, But is also looking to do alot
more racing this season than last. Look for Andy to do some traveling this
season and hit some new tracks along the way.
TOMMY QUARTERSON - Rumors keep circulating that Quarterson will be back
behind the wheel of the Powell #27 Sprinter. Western Pa could use another
good car and good driver, lets hope its true.
CHAD HILL - could be one of the breakout drivers for 2004. Hill got faster
and faster during the 2003 season. He will be back behind the wheel of his
own #44 and if keeps pace with 03 could be a big winner in 2004.
SCOTT PRIESTER - Look for Scott to debut this Friday at Lernerville Speedway
in his #11x Sprinter. Scott plans to debut a new car soon and return to
victory lane after a rough couple seasons.
JIMMY WELLER - This rookie has done more racing than any other western Pa
driver with trips to Florida and central Pa. Moving from the Big Block
Modifieds to the Sprints this season, Jimmy and team plan to run seventy to
eighty shows in the red #23. Jimmy knows how to go fast, I'd look for him to
win a couple by the end of the season.
Those are just a few of the drivers here in western Pa, I'll keep you posted
on their progress along with many others throughout the season. This weekend
Lernerville Speedway will be in action on Friday and Mercer Raceway on
Saturday. The weather looks great so far.
NEWS & WHATNOT
Get well wishes go out to nice guy Gary McCollum who took a nasty flip at
Mercer Raceway last Saturday and spent a couple days in the hospital. Gary
is home and doing better, get well cards can reach Gary at 459 Lincoln Ave,
Ravenna, Ohio 44266 or e-mailed to mccollumsprint@aol.com.
Ms. Motorsports 2004 Cara Foss is not online, you can check out her new
website at www.carafoss.com You'll find Cara's schedule for the season along
with lots of other info.
Susquehanna Speedway will open their season this Thursday, April 15th. They
will feature 410 Sprint Cars each week and use Sundays for raindates for
most of the shows.
After taking a couple seasons off Skip Dougherty is returning to Sprint Car
racing. Skip will be running a Green Flag limited Sprint this season at
Sharon Speedway. Skip is also considering some 410 shows too.
Former Sportsman Speedway Micro Sprint Champion Richie Hartman will be
racing 410 Sprint Cars this season. The team plans to do most of their
racing at the Port Royal Speedway along with some specials throughout the
season.
After a disappointing start to the 2004 season Dean Jacobs is out of the
Volcano Joes #2. This is the car that Jac Haudenschild drove last season to
victory in the Mopar Million. Joey Saldana has been named the new driver,
Dean did run a car for Kent Wolters at Eldora Saturday.
Thats all for this lap, until next time, thanks for reading and drop me a
line at www.sprintcarnews.com
