Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway is ready for its first United Racing Club/360 Sprints Big Track Classic on Nov. 4 and 5 honoring the late, great competitor and URC official Midge Miller for the inaugural Midge Miller Memorial.
Racing will get underway at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night with the winged 360 machines taking to the track for qualifying before competing in a 25-lap main event. The sprint cars will compete in a second complete show on Saturday with the first green flag waving at 5 p.m. At the end of the two days of competition, the driver with the best overall point average will receive a trophy honoring Midge Miller.
Midge Miller, a personal friend of this writer, grew up around racing. The son of a successful midget driver, Carl Miller, Sr., Midge worked at maintaining his father’s cars until he reached the age of 21 and was able to get behind the wheel himself. The second generation racer collected several midget titles including two championships with the Super Midget Racing Club – an organization started by his father and Dutch Schaeffer.
In 1985, Midge Miller bought his first sprint car and raced with the United Racing Club as time and money allowed. His only win came with URC at the Bridgeport Speedway on September 8, 2001. Miller passed away in May of 2013.
The Stewart Stainless Crate Sportsman division will also see action during this event. The Crate Sportsman will have a timed hot lap session on Friday night with the fastest Sportsman and fastest Crate competitor each being locked in to the redraw for Saturday night’s twenty-five lap feature.
Pit gates will open at 4 p.m. on Friday with the grandstand gates swinging open to race fans by 6 p.m. On Saturday, the pits will be available at 1 p.m. with the grandstands gates opening at 3 p.m.
* * *The first season under the Scott Gobrecht/Kolten Gouse promotion team at Susquehanna Speedway will come to close with the Sprint Showdown on Saturday, November 5.
The Sprint Showdown will be the final event of the BAPS Coatings & Supplies 410 Sprint Series at the York Haven, Pa., oval and will be the final chance for race teams to compete in Central Pennsylvania before winter sets in.
The 410 Sprints will compete in a 30-lap $5,000 to win feature with $400 to take the green. Time trials will set the starting lineups for the 410 Sprints.
The 358 Sprints will also be on the Sprint Showdown, going in a 25-lap event paying $1,000 to win and $150 to start.
Pit gates will open at 11:30 a.m. with Grandstands opening at Noon. Time trials are set to go green at 2PM.
A Sunday, November 6th rain date will be used if needed.
* * *The annual Grandview Speedway Racer’s Flea Market is set for November 6 starting at 7 a.m. The event at the Bechtelsville clay oval is open to the public free of charge. However if you are planning to sell stuff then you will have to pay $15 for a space to set up shop. The flea market takes place rain or shine. It is open to all divisions of auto racing, vendors, collectors (who knows you may find a Honus Wagner collectible card) and dealers.
This is where race teams unload some parts and equipment left from the season and perhaps make a purchase of something that will be of help for 2017.
There will be food and refreshments available. For more information contact Joanne Bailey at 484.357.5506.
And you just never know what treasure you may come across at the flea market and it often turns out to be the opportunity to catch up with old friends or make some new ones.
* * *The 2016 Fall Jamboree will be held at Trail Way Speedway in Hanover, Pa., on November 5th & 6th. The weekend will be national and regional point races for the SpeedSTR’s, All Star Slingshots & Junior Slingshots with the wingless 600 Micros taking to the speedway for bragging rights and money.
The Sunday races for the SpeedSTR’s and Slingshot classes will carry double tour points to crown the Illustrious 11, Elite 11 and Great 8 champions. That adds a lot of pressure to the racers and increases the chances of seeing some highly competitive action.
Both days of racing action will begin with noon time hot laps.
The 600 micros will again run wingless with their feature events being 25 laps both days.
Admission prices for both days will be the same as what is charged at their home track, Kutztown’s Action Track admission prices $12 for 13 & over, $10 for senior citizens, 6-12 $5.00 Pits will be $25 with a USAC membership and $30 without.
A lucky fan will go home with a flat screen TV each day.
* * *Late Model fans are rejoicing. The biggest late model race in the modern history of Port Royal, PA Speedway is coming!
Set to premier at the track for the first time ever as well as at any track in Central Pennsylvania, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will take up stakes at Port Royal Speedway on Sunday night, April 23, 2017.
The Sunday night program for the LOLMDS at Port Royal Speedway will pay $10,000 to win a 50-lap main for the super stock cars.
Late model greats such as Scott Bloomquist, Earl Pearson Jr., and Jimmy Owens are just a few of the names that dot the Lucas Oil Series champion’s list.
Ernie Saxton can be reached at Esaxton144@aol.com
