Showcasing the Stars: Northeast’s Top Drivers Set for Battle at Port Royal Speedway ‘Speed Showcase 200’
PORT ROYAL, PA – Showcasing the stars.
The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco heads to Port Royal Speedway for one of the biggest races in all of Northeast Modified racing.
With $50,000 going to the winner at the end of the ‘Speed Showcase 200,’ the Northeast’s biggest names will be in attendance in pursuit of the top prize.
In addition to the $50,000 grand prize, the top contenders on the Velocita-USA South Region presented by Design for Vision and Sunglass Central will continue their pursuit of the South Region championship over the course of the weekend.
The stars of the Empire State will be on display including the co-leaders of the South Region: Mike Mahaney and Anthony Perrego. Matt Sheppard, Stewart Friesen, Larry Wight and Erick Rudolph lead the New York brigade among others.
The co-championship pair from N.Y.’s Fonda Speedway – Rocky Warner and Ronnie Johnson – will challenge for a $50,000-plus payday.
Fresh off his first Short Track Super Series victory at Afton (N.Y.) Motorsports Park, Max McLaughlin will be in the field for the 200 with Norm Hansell’s No. 357.
The Keystone State will be well represented with the “Big Three” – Craig Von Dohren, Duane Howard and Jeff Strunk – driving a Terry Fasnacht No. 2X car – will be in attendance on Thursday, with Howard and Strunk sticking around for the entire weekend.
Veteran Frank Cozze has 200-lap victories on his resume and would like to bring home a Port Royal trophy.
Also coming from Pennsylvania will be two STSS winners in 2021, Mike Gular (Fla.’s Bubba Raceway Park) and Ryan Watt (N.J.’s Bridgeport Motorsports Park), along with rising star Alex Yankowski.
The state of New Jersey will have its fair share of heavy hitters at the ‘Speed Showcase’ weekend. Bridgeport regulars Ryan Godown and Dominick Buffalino head to Port Royal with momentum as Godown was the track champion and Buffalino comes off winning the ‘Danny Serrano 100’ at the four-tenths mile.
Billy Pauch Jr., who resides fifth in STSS South Region points, will be in attendance looking for his second consecutive win on the South Region after winning the ‘Blast at the Beach’ at Georgetown (Del.) Speedway. Brandon Grosso, one of the stars of the 2018 ‘Speed Showcase 40,’ will be in attendance looking for the magic he had in the first STSS race at Port Royal Speedway.
The First State will be represented by four drivers looking for their first STSS Modified wins. Joseph Watson, Scott Hitchens, Ryan Riddle and Matt Smith are planning to represent the state of Delaware.
Massachusetts will have two representatives, including a former STSS champion and winner on the tour this season. Andy Bachetti, the winner of the ‘Icebreaker 40’ at Selinsgrove (Pa.) Speedway and Brett Haas are both registered for the weekend at the ‘Speed Palace.’
Defending winner Mat Williamson – who calls Canada home – will be on hand looking to take another $50,000 North of the border.
The weekend of racing kicks off on Thursday night (Oct. 14) with Behrent’s Performance Warehouse ‘Preliminary Night’ as the Modifieds battle for 40-laps and $5,500-to-win in the ‘Speed Showcase 40.’
Friday night (Oct. 15) is Bob Hilbert Sportswear Qualifying night, as the STSS Modifieds and STSS Crate 602 Sportsman run their qualifying races, looking to lock into Saturday night’s feature events. The Pro Stocks join the night of racing, running a full program.
The weekend concludes on Saturday (Oct. 16) for the ‘Speed Showcase 200’, as both the STSS Modifieds and STSS Crate 602 Sportsman run B-Mains to determine the final qualifiers for their respective main events.
The Crate 602 Sportsman first take part in the $4,000-to-win Ice Less LLC ‘Speed Showcase 50’ leading into one of the biggest races Modifieds have to offer. The ‘Speed Showcase 200,’ rounds out the night and weekend at Port Royal Speedway.
A Sunday (Oct. 17) rain date is in place if needed.
The entire weekend will be broadcast live on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv) as part of the annual subscription.
Port Royal Speedway is located two miles south of US Rt. 322 just off PA Rt. 75 in Port Royal. Pit entrance can be found on Fourth St., and General Admission on Sixth and Eighth St. Port Royal Speedway can be reached by phone at 717.527.2303.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on Twitter or Instagram.
The Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Insinger Performance, FloRacing, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Hurlock Auto & Speed, Velocita-USA, Design for Vision/Sunglass Central, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Beyea Custom Headers, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, Penske Racing Shocks, Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz, Algonkin Motel, Henry’s Exhaust, Hig Fab, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, Belmont’s Garage, Superior Remodeling, Spyder High Performance Filters, Fastline Performance, Teo-Pro Car, VAHLCO, WELD Racing & Wilwood.
Sources: Chris Moore/BD Motorsports Media LLC