May 05, 2008 06:20 am
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The first of two central Pennsylvania swings by the All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprints is on tap this week, with the circuit appearing Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway before moving on to the sixth annual Bob Weikert Memorial at Port Royal Speedway on Saturday.
As it hits the midstate, the tour should release the strongest field of challengers on the Pennsylvania Posse that it has had in quite some time.
The circuit is led this year by former area regular Lance Dewease, who currently leads in All-Star points and has one win to date.
Also on the roster is former World of Outlaws regular Paul McMahan, driving for veteran Rick Ferkel. In addition, WoO racer Randy Hannagan is on the list.
A host of historically All-Star regulars are also traveling with the caravan this year, including reigning and two-time champion Greg Wilson, Dale Blaney, Phil Gressman, Brian Paulus, Paul May, Brandon Martin, Brock Mayes and Brian Ellenberger. Ohio youngster Ryan Myers is also expected to compete in central Pennsylvania.
And, All-Star officials confirmed late last week that they expect Kenny Jacobs, of Holmesville, Ohio, to be in the field as well. Jacobs is a perennial All-Star champ and the all-time win leader of the tour.
Jacobs picked up an All-Star win at Lernerville Speedway on April 25 and is well-versed in getting around area ovals after his local stints with car owner Bob Weikert many years ago, and in the Kline No. 22 more recently, among others.
The All-Stars will make their final central swing of the year a little over a month from now, at Williams Grove on June 13 and at Lincoln Speedway on June 14.
Previous winners of this week's Bob Weikert Memorial at Port Royal are: Fred Rahmer, 2003, 2004; Todd Shaffer, 2005; Dewease, 2006; and Greg Hodnett, 2007.
KAUFFMAN AND THE JET BIG WINNERS: Mifflintown's Keith Kauffman prevailed over Fred Rahmer on Friday night at Williams Grove for his 51st career Grove triumph.
His last 410 sprint win at the Grove was in March, 2006. Glenndon Forsythe claimed the 358 sprints action.
Elsewhere Friday, Brad McClelland won his second 358 feature in a row at Trailway, while Clinton County Speedway opened its season in the Northern Tier.
Selinsgrove's Blane Heimbach pulled out a last-ditch effort as he headed to the checkered flag to overtake Bloomsburg's Neil Petock for the 358/410 sprint victory at Clinton County. Matt Heimbach was leading, but got a flat tire late.
Both Selinsgrove and Port Royal Speedways were rained out for the second week in a row Saturday. Lincoln Speedway partially escaped the dampness.
Taking $5,000 in the Weldon Sterner Memorial at Lincoln was "The Jet," Jeff Shepard. It was Shepard's first win at Lincoln in three years. The balance of the program, including 358s, was postponed due to rain.
Before the rain, Selinsgrove had 32 358 sprints signed in Saturday, while Lincoln had 43.
SLATED: As previously stated, the All-Star Sprints headline at both Williams Grove and Port Royal on Friday and Saturday, and the super late models are also on the card at the Grove.
Clinton County headlines with sprints again Friday, while Selinsgrove has the Pro Stock 20 Saturday along with the balance of a regular show. Lincoln goes regular as well.
n Shawn Brouse writes a weekly motorsports column for The Daily Item. E-mail comments to sports@dailyitem.com
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