For me, this is a must-see event. Having recently finished reading the great book “Foyt, Andretti, Petty” I am really in the mood for some memories of what I consider the good old days of auto racing.
For the third consecutive year, the Vintage IndyCar Celebration is returning to Pocono Raceway, Chief Operating Officer Nick Igdalsky announced recently.
Pocono Raceway will host the ABC Supply 500 for Verizon IndyCars on August 21 and Vintage Indy Cars will be included in some of the weekend’s festivities.
“We continue to try and find ways to add experiences for our fans and this is another opportunity,” said Igdalsky. “Our fans will have the chance to see some incredible cars on the track and see some of the tremendous history IndyCar. With this being the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, it will be great to revisit some of those great cars.”
Gary Mondschein, editor of The Classic Racing Times, is helping to promote the events. Vintage Indy Cars will load in Friday, August 19 with track exhibitions sets for Saturday and Sunday. Following Saturday’s last session, the group’s annual Awards Dinner will be held.
Vintage Indy Cars will also be part of a planned car show that includes race cars, street rods and classic cars.
“Our first two events had a great showing and we expect even better this year,” said Mondschein. “The early response has been positive and our objective continues to be providing the best possible experience on one of the greatest racetracks in the world.”
Dick Simon, who started the Indianapolis 500 on 17 occasions, will serve as Grand Marshal of the Vintage IndyCar Celebration and be available for autographs.
“I am so honored to represent the Vintage Indy Cars at Pocono Raceway and be part of such a great event,” said Simon. “I ran the first Pocono 500 back in ’71. I’ve got some great memories of Pocono Raceway and always enjoyed my time in the mountains of Pennsylvania. I am anxious to get back.”
For more information about the Vintage IndyCar Celebration, please contact Mondschein at 570-656-5962 or via email at gary@dimensiondesignllc.com. And if you are a fan of the good old days in IndyCar racing ask Gary about his free Classic Racing Times publication. It is a great read.
Pocono Raceway will host seven national motorsports events during the 2016 racing season, including a NASCAR XFinity Series race for the inaugural time on June 4. The Axalta “We Paint Winners” 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race is set for June 5, the Pennsylvania 400 NSCS race on July 31 and the ABC Supply 500 Verizon IndyCar Series race on August 21. The Pocono Mountains 150 NASCAR Camping World Truck race is scheduled for July 30 and two ARCA Series Presented by Menards races with General Tire #AnywhereIsPossible 200 on June 3 and the ModSpace 150 on July 29 offered as well.
Tickets for all races are now on sale at poconoraceway.com or by calling 1-800-RACEWAY.
* * *Though it has been a while since he has raced at Grandview Speedway, past champion Brian Shuey is set to return to racing action with the NASCAR BRC Late Models and will be shooting for the championship.
Shuey, of Orefield, winner of 15 features, will be driving for former racer Scott Lee who has purchased a Masterbuilt Late Model. Lee almost won the Late Model driving title at the one-third-mile, banked clay oval in 1986, losing out to John Giesler in the final race of the season. However Scott will stay out of the driver’s seat.
The combination of Shuey, a three time title winner with the Late Models, and Lee are confident that they can give defending champion Chuck Schutz a run for the money during the 2016 season.
In addition to sponsorship from his own Reading based Diamond Billiard & Game Service Lee will have support from Savage 61 Dodge of Reading, R&R Games (Birdsboro), Buck Rubs Gentlemen’s Club (Reading), Birdsboro NAPA Auto Parts, Out Of Our Mind Art Studio (Macungie) and the oldest operating drive-in movie in the United States, Shankweiler’s in Orefield.
“Brian will handle the driving while I will handle the business end,” said Lee. “We have some exciting plans for our race team and our supporters. It is going to be a great season.”
In addition to Schutz, a seven time Late Model champion, Shuey will be going up against talents such as Wayne Pfeil, Dave Ogin, Dan Green, Joe “Geezer” Fanelli, Bill Henning, and a host of others when the season gets underway at Grandview with a free-to-the public practice session on Saturday, March 26th at noon. All divisions of competition at invited to participate in the test-and-tune activities.
For the T.P. Trailers NASCAR 358 Modifieds, BRC Late Models and Sportsman stock cars the battle for the lucrative championships gets the green flag on Saturday, April 2nd at 7 p.m.
This Saturday, March 19th, at noon the Outlaw Enduro racers will see action with 150-lap main events for both the Big Cars and Small Cars plus a Ladies Race. The Blast from the Past Vintage Racers will also be in action. Some fun racing action to see and admission for adults is just $10. Rain date is Sunday, March 20th following the same schedule.
Racing continues through September for the NASCAR stock cars. A full schedule of all events can be found at www.grandviewspeedway.com. For additional information telephone 610.754.7688 or check in on Facebook. Season tickets, priced at $350, are available and can be purchased on practice day.
Grandview Speedway, one of the most successful weekly short tracks in the nation, is located on Passmore Road, a short distance off Route 100 in Bechtelsville, just 10 miles north of Pottstown.