Ernie Saxton | On Auto Racing
There’s young racer from the Philadelphia area with a bright future ahead.
Danny Bouc, from Pipersville, Pa., — fresh off his first career Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco victory — claimed the Friday night, Nov. 17 portion of the Delaware State Dirt Track Championship Weekend at Delaware International Speedway.
Bouc was awarded the win following the disqualification of Natt Stangle, from Neshanic Station, N.J., for being light across the scales after the 30-lap event.
The talented young driver posted the $100 Gambler’s Fee, raising his winner’s share to a cool $5,000 that he carried back to the Keystone State.
Bouc seems to have his best success during races run in the closing weeks of the season.
“Work slows down in the fall and I can focus a little more on racing,” Bouc said with a smile. “I think that’s the reason we run a little better in the end of the year events.”
Evergreen season finale coming up
Hoping for warm weather for a big Saturday afternoon. Coming up on Dec. 16, Evergreen Raceway will officially close out the 2023 season with a 100-lap 4/6-Cylinder Enduro, One-on-One Spectator Drags and the always popular JuiceBox Division.
The Enduro will run at a 100-lap distance and the payout will be based on car counts and can be found on the track website at EvergreenRacewayPa.com/Payout.
I wish I could be there to participate in this event but it would be just my luck to damage my personal car.
Also on the race card will be One-on-One Spectator Drags with $200 awarded to the winner. The registration fee is $10. All cars must be street legal and registered with the DMV and have a current inspection sticker. No dealer or repair plates are allowed and no KIT cars, convertibles (even with roll bar) or 4×4 trucks.
High performance models of SUV’s and trucks up to ¼ ton are permitted. Minimum tread wear is 300.
For the youngsters the JuiceBox Division will also hit the track.
Action will get under way at 1 p.m.
Grandview making changes
The management of Grandview Speedway has recently completed their yearly rules meeting with track technical officials, which has resulted in several changes for weekly competitors at the one-third-of-a-mile, high-banked raceway — a track I was involved with for more than 45 years as an announcer and PR person.
The Sportsman division will see two notable changes for the upcoming race season. The first will eliminated the use of open motors for the division, and a switch to the GM 602 engines only.
The second will be an adjustment to the class because of the change to the 602 engines. The use of sail panels on race car bodies will be eliminated, and all Sportsman teams will be required to use the conventional style bodies like the Modified division. With this change track management will be supplying a special emblem or sticker for Sportsman teams, to allow for spectators to easily tell the difference between the two classes.
Track Officials are reminding all race teams that the 602 engines in the Sportsman division may be rebuilt if they have problems at a local rebuilding center that is available under the supervision of the RUSH racing series. The rebuild center is KB Performance, 6807 Mosserville Road, New Tripoli, Pa. 18066. The phone number is 610-751-9650.
Competitors are reminded that the updated online rule book for the 2024 race season will be available shortly on the track’s website.
Grandview tech officials Cliff Quinn (484-357-2587) and Ed Scott (610-298-2408) will be available to answer questions.
Big award for Pocono
Pocono Raceway was awarded “Event of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association (PRLA) at its annual Conference and Awards Gala, which took place at the Omni Bedford Springs Oct. 23-25. The designation is part of the Spirit of Hospitality Awards.
The Pocono Raceway event recognized for the award was the NASCAR Cup Race Weekend, which took place on July 22-23. That Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race was a sellout and the largest crowd in Long Pond, Pa., since 2010. Saturday’s race, the “Explore the Pocono Mountains 225” sponsored by the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, drew huge crowds as well for an all-new fan experience with a new Victory Lane, paddock and more.
NASCAR returns to the Tricky Triangle July 12-14, 2024 with the Craftsman Truck Series race, NASCAR Xfinity Series race and the NASCAR Cup Series race. Tickets are now available to purchase for the 2024 NASCAR Race Weekend. Kids 12 and under are free.
Having been on their PR staff for a few years in the past, I am always glad to see Pocono gain honors.
Thunderbolt overhaul ongoing
Work continues at Thunderbolt Raceway in Millville, N.J. This is a unique track that offers a variety of racing events during the season. Phase 1 of the two-phase multi-year project continues as the construction team finishes the base paving. As the base cures, the contractor will continue to verify grades, conduct smoothness riding tests and proof rolling. The goal is to assure perfection in the base layer something that is very important to track safety.
Next, they will begin clearing the trees behind Turn 1 and work on expanding the gravel pit beginning at Turn 1.
Still to come is the laying of the track surface and chicanes over the base surface and 2” on pit lane. This is the critical step. After curing, there will be another round and smoothness and density testing.
Portions of the curbing will be removed and renovated. The profile of Turn 1 will be altered slightly with the apex curbing placed further inside, taking advantage of the unused space and pavement at that point of the turn.
The asphalt and concrete work was scheduled for completion by Thanksgiving. The new track base and surface will be allowed to cure from December through February.
The final touches and line painting will be done late in February, and Thunderbolt will reopen for normal business operations in early March of next year.
Phase 2 — the addition of two new alternative course configurations inside the classic Thunderbolt circuit — has been rescheduled for after the 2024 season.
If you have not been there, put it on your list to visit.
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Ernie Saxton is an auto racing contributor for MediaNews Group. He co-founded the Eastern Motorsports Press Association, served as public relations director for Grandview Speedway for 47 years, and is in multiple halls of fame for his promotion and journalism related to the sport. Email him at ESaxton144@aol.com.
Source: Berkshire mont
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