On display for the inaugural event will be a pair of restored Snellbaker mounts.

From 1977 through the 1982 season, Snellbaker was teamed with south-central Pennsylvania car owner Charlie Lloyd, his son Mike and their No. 56 sprint car.

And it was in that car that Snellbaker garnered what was some of his greatest successes while making the car famous nation wide. 

At Port Royal alone, Snellbaker knocked off 23 wins in the car including the 1979 Tuscarora 50.

And it is that 1979 car that will be one of the restored mounts on display. 

The car will leave the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing for the night and trek northward to honor its former pilot at Port Royal.

Also in the very same car, Snellbaker won the prestigious Williams Grove Speedway National Open in 1979 as well as the 1979 Syracuse Super Nationals where he set a one-mile world speed record on dirt. 

He also beat the World of Outlaws, All Stars and USAC in the Lloyd car.

Mike Lloyd himself will have another restored Lloyd/Snellbaker car on display for the Keystone Cup Snellbaker Classic.

In 1979, Snellbaker drove a specially designed No. 54 USAC Silver Crown Champ Car for the Lloyd stables.

Though not driven much during the season, the car did compete at Nazareth where Snellbaker had a chance at the victory. 

Gates for the May 24 Smokey Snellbaker Classic 6^th annual Keystone Cup event will open at 5 pm with time trials slated for 7 pm. 

The 30-lap feature will pay $5,000 to win and the super sportsman are also on the racing card for their only appearance of the 2012 season at the track.

Adult General Admission for the Snellbaker Classic is set at $20 with students ages 12 – 18 admitted for just $5.

The 30-lap feature will pay $5,000 to win and the super sportsman are also on the racing card for their only appearance of the 2012 season at the track.

Hall of Fame driver Snellbaker put up an illustrious career after starting his racing life in the mid 1960’s, first in sprint cars and then later in super sportsman cars.

Snellbaker won his first sprint race at Port Royal Speedway while driving Kenny Beck’s No. 14 on August 15, 1970 before going on to win some 54 more times at the track in the division.  He currently ranks fifth on the oval’s all time win list. 

The Dover driver went on to pilot for and win at the track in the Roy Morral No. 880, the Gary Wasson No. 5 and the Charlie Lloyd No. 56.  He took Port Royal track titles in 1972, 1973 and 1974.

Also known and identified as the “Silver Fox” for his renown silvery white mane of hair, Snellbaker scored two super sportsman victories at Port Royal in his career while racing in the intensely competitive division. 

Snellbaker passed away in October 2011, at the age of 73. 

Special guest appearances are currently being slated for the program to commemorate Snellbaker’s prolific career at the track and across the nation.  Other special promotions are also nearing completion and being readied for announcement. 

Last years Keystone Cup race at Port Royal was rained out. 

Adult General Admission for the May 24 Smokey Snellbaker Classic is set at $20 with students ages 12 – 18 admitted for just $5.  Gates will open at 5 pm.

Free Student Night will see all students ages 12 – 18 admitted FREE OF CHARGE for the full program of racing.

Aside from Miller’s Auto Parts, other area businesses will be making the Stong Memorial a lucrative event for the pro stocks.

 Stong Memorial Heats will pay $25 to win, $15 for second and $10 to finish third courtesy of Fox’s Pizza of Mifflintown.  The first HP Engine across the finish line in the memorial itself will receive a $50 bonus thanks to HP Engines. 

The Stong Memorial, honoring the late speedway competitor, sponsor and local businessman, will be 20 laps in distance and will pay $5 to lead a lap.  If the same driver can lead each circuit, he’ll boost his earnings to at least $700.

Other Stong Memorial sponsors include BDR Products, BT Truck Service, Geedy’s Garage & Towing, Dave’s Auto Body and Casner’s Service Center. 

So far this season, pro stock mains at the oval have gone to Jeff Bryner and John Heane.  Brian Towsey is the defending event champion.  

Previous Stong Memorial winners have been: Todd Snook, 2001/2002/2006; Bill Powell, 2003; Gary Beward, 2004; Dave Bowsman, 2005; Mike Rowles, 2007; Derrick Garman, 2008; Terry Naugle, 2009; Tim Krape, 2010, Brian Towsey, 2011.  

Sprint car winners to date have been Greg Hodnett, 3; Lance Dewease and Rick Lafferty.  Late model features have been copped by Tim Wilson, 2; and Scott Haus. 

The speedway will host the 6^th annual Keystone Cup Smokey Snellbaker Classic for 410 sprints and the only appearance of the season by the super sportsman on Thursday, May 24 at 7 p.m. 

Twin 15’s for late models will be the highlight of the Saturday, May 26 racing program that will also be Camera and Autograph night.  Kids racecar rides will also be on the agenda during the night. 

From 5 pm until practice laps on May 26, general admission fans will be permitted access to the pit area in order to meet and greet drivers and obtain autographs and photos.   

Make up pro stock feature original lineup from March 31: Nate Fisher, Dave Brouse Jr., Derrick Garman, Jeff Bryner, Harold Ranck Jr., AJ Stroup, Scott Landis, Keith Garman, Dan Berry, Matt Hornberger, John Heane, Josh Angle, Dave Bowsman, Hank Rowe, David Berry

The circuit recognized worldwide and throughout history as producing some of the best racing stars the sport has to offer will appear for the first time ever at the Juniata County oval on June 9, 2012.

“The list of venues that USAC has competed at over the years is legendary and it’s an honor to be able to include such a well known and historic facility like Port Royal to our inventory,” says USAC Competition Director Jason McCord. 

Racing along with the USAC 410-powered sprint cars will be the ARDC Midgets for a wingless, open wheel blockbuster program of exciting Saturday night racing action along with the pro stocks.

The Port Royal date will be part of the 2012 Eastern Storm series that USAC will be competing in across the eastern half of the Keystone State. 

The Eastern Storm series champion will earn his crown with a run in the Port Royal Speedway event. 

Having produced sprint car champions such as Sam Sessions, Pancho Carter, Ken Schrader, Robbie Stanley, Tony Stewart and J.J. Yeley, USAC is a prominent feeder series for successful careers in NASCAR with a proven track record. 

And it’s that level of talent that will be showcased at Port Royal Speedway on June 9 in what is perhaps the biggest show of its kind to hit the track since the World of Outlaws last visited in 2004.

“Port Royal is one of those places that all of our teams around Indiana only get to hear about and now they will have the chance to actually race there which everyone is extremely excited about, me included,” McCord admits. 

“I believe this event will be huge knowing this is the first time ever that USAC will be racing at Port Royal.  The fans out east and especially in Pennsylvania are unbelievable and always fill the race tracks with so much energy which is the reason we love making this trip every year.” 

Driving talents belonging to the likes of Levi Jones, current point leader John Stanbrough, Bryan Clauson, Dave Darland, Tracy Hines, Justin Grant, Damion Gardner, Kody Swanson, Bud Kaeding, Casey Shuman and Hunter Schuerenberg are expected to take on the speeds of the Port along with many others. 

Time trials, heats, last chance qualifiers and a 30-lap feature paying $6,000 to win will showcase the USAC Sprints.  Starting time is slated for 7 PM.

The speedway takes a week off on May 12 with no racing slated before returning on May 19 with the 12^th annual Deryl Stong Memorial for pro stocks plus a make up pro stock main plus 410 sprints and late models.  All students ages 12 – 18 will be admitted free for the program. 

Kauffman of Mifflintown drew the pole to start the 25 lap Aumiller’s Insurance sprint car feature with Lafferty taking the green from the outside of the second row. 

Early in the race, Lafferty slipped backwards as Jordan Frontz gave chase of Kauffman along with defending champion Mike Wagner. 

Wagner secured the second spot with four away and attempted to close on Kauffman but even with a restart with six laps down, was unable to challenge for the win. 

Lafferty got by Frontz on that restart and rode around in third for the next several laps before he started to close on Wagner and Kauffman.

With control and a substantial advantage, Kauffman entered the backmarkers with 14 away and it was in traffic that Lafferty began biting into Wagner’s advantage for second.

It seemed as if all of a sudden just past the 10 to go mark, Lafferty’s No. 0 began biting fast to the inside groove, allowing him to chew up Kauffman and Wagner’s lead as he took second with seven laps to go.

Then a caution flag regrouped the field with seven to go as well, placing Lafferty on Kauffman’s bumper for new action.

And when green replaced the yellow, Lafferty promptly drove underneath Kauffman in the first corner to take command and head to the eighth win of his career at Port Royal over Kauffman who was gunning for his 130^th at the oval.

Chad Layton drove into third with five to go only to lose the spot to a surging Justin Henderson with two laps left.  Layton settled for fourth.

Fifth went to Dave Ely who was followed by Wagner, Blane Heimbach, Davey Sammons, Nate Snyder and Curt Stroup. 

Heats for the 27-car field went to Sammons, Frontz and Wagner with Mike Erdley scoring the consolation.’

In the make up AB Auto Glass late model main held over from March 31, McClure’s Tim Wilson started seventh in the field while Bob Dunn took the early lead.

Dunn spun out while leading with four away in the 20-lapper handing control over to Mitch Hack who already had Wilson up to second for the restart.

A thrilling duel for the lead unfolded when action resumed as the front duo of Hack and Wilson raced side by side at times through the turns with Wilson always coming up just short of the lead for some nine circuits before he finally cleared Hack’s No. 7 with seven laps to go.

Hack wouldn’t go away over the final distance and instead stuck with the leader to the finish all the while watching as fifth starter Mike Lupfer zeroed in to make it a three-car race for the win at the end with Wilson prevailing. 

Lupfer ended up getting Hack for second in the final two laps.  Hack was third followed by Derek Byler and Matt Parks.

Sixth through 10^th went to Devin Friese, Scott Haus, Brett Schadel, Andy Haus and Waylon Wagner.

In the regularly slated late model main, Wilson drew the pole for the event but it was Chad Hollenbeck of Montrose who got the drop at the start and rode smooth and steady out front. 

Wilson was never really able to challenge until Hollenbeck entered the backmarkers near the halfway point and it was then that Wilson quickly closed it up and capitalized for the win.

For laps prior, Wilson entered the turns on open track with such speed that he would loose ground exiting the corners because he had to slow his car down in order to safely make it out of the turns.

But in traffic, with Hollenbeck slowed up, Wilson moved down from his outside line to work the bottom and that turned out to be the key to his second win of the night as it was with an inside move through the first and second turns that he drove by Hollenbeck for the nonstop win with eight laps left.

In taking the victory, which turned out to be the eighth of this career at the oval after getting his seventh earlier in the night, Wilson sliced nearly a second a lap off of the 20-lap track record and put up a new mark of 7:16.617. 

Hollenbeck finished a strong second followed by Brett Schadel, Devin Friese and Mitch Hack.

Sixth through 10^th went to Waylon Wagner, Mike Lupfer, Andy Haus, Mike Romig and Lindsay Barton. 

Heats for the 28-car field went to Hack, Schadel and Terry Naugle with Matt Parks scoring the consolation. 

The ARDC Midget feature was wildly exciting with Dusty Heistand taking the lead from the pole starting spot followed early by Brett Arndt.

Dusty’s brother Drew threatened to take the lead by lap six and eventually did on a restart of the same lap before all eyes turned to Steve Buckwalter of Royersford who started the race in eighth spot.

Buckwalter bolted his midget into second at the halfway point of the 20-lap main and began a crowd-pleasing exhibition of action during the final eight laps of the event.

From laps 14 through 18, Drew Heistand and Buckwalter exchanged the lead at least eight times with each driver one-upping the other in the corners before Buckwalter finally took the lead for good with just two laps left. 

Drew Heistand settled for second followed by Brett Arndt, Nick Wean and BJ Buckwalter. 

Heats for the 23 midgets went to Arndt and Buckwalter. 

May 5, 2012 Feature Finishes:

410 sprints, 25 laps: 1. Rick Lafferty, 2. Keith Kauffman, 3. Justin Henderson, 4. Chad Layton, 5. Dave Ely, 6. Mike Wagner, 7. Blane Heimbach, 8. Davey Sammons, 9. Nate Snyder, 10. Curt Stroup, 11. Mike Erdley, 12. Dan Shetler, 13. Michael Ruttkamp, 14. Joey Hershey, 15. Jordan Frontz, 16. Mark Coldren, 17. Daryl Stimeling, 18. Nicole Bower, 19. Dave Hahn, 20. Bob Bennett, 21. Bob Howard, 22. John Brennfleck, 23. Brian Ehrenzeller, 24. TJ Winegardner

Lap leaders: Kauffman, 1 – 18, Lafferty 19 – 25

Make up late model feature from March 31, 20 laps: 1. Tim Wilson, 2. Mike Lupfer, 3. Mitch Hack, 4. Derek Byler, 5. Matt Parks, 6. Devin Friese, 7. Scott Haus, 8. Brett Schadel, 9. Andy Haus, 10. Waylon Wagner, 11. Scott Flickinger, 12. Terry Naugle, 13. Eric Zembower, 14. Bob Dunn, 15. Patrick Bryner, 16. Chad Hollenbeck, 17. Mike Mort, 18. Trent Brenneman, 19. Todd Snook, 20. Harold Ranck Jr., 21. Bryon Sipe

Lap leaders: Bob Dunn 1 – 4, Mitch Hack 5 – 12, Tim Wilson 13 – 20

Late models, 20 laps: 1. Wilson, 2. Hollenbeck, 3. Schadel, 4. Friese, 5. Hack, 6. Byler, 7. Lupfer, 8. Andy Haus, 9. Mike Romig, 10. Lindsay Barton, 11. Chris Casner, 12. Parks, 13. Tim Fedder, 14. Wagner, 15. Derrick Casner, 16. Eric Zembower, 17. Steve Stitt, 18. Mort, 19. Trent Brenneman, 20. Naugle, 21. Snook, 22. Bud Barton, 23. Scott Haus, 24. Flickinger

Late leaders: Hollenbeck 1 – 11, Wilson 12 – 20

ARDC Midgets, 20 lap: 1. Steve Buckwalter, 2. Drew Heistand, 3. Brett Arndt, 4. Nick Wean, 5. BJ Buckwalter, 6. Tim Buckwalter, 7. Dusty Heistand, 8. Alex Bright, 9. Brenden Bright, 10. Jimmy Glenn, 11. Steve Craig, 12. Carey Becker, 13. Eric Heydenreich, 14. Dave Shirk, 15. Joe Butera, 16. Brian Gilmore, 17. Trevor Kobylarz, 18. Brett Wanner, 19.  Shawn Jackson, 20. Mark Gilmore, 21. Parker Evans, 22. PJ Gargiulo, 23. Steven Drevicki

Lap leaders: Dusty Heistand 1 – 6, Drew Heistand 7 – 17, Steve Buckwalter 18 – 20

Lake Chevrolet Mother’s Night will also include a second, full distance late model feature, held over from a rainout on March 31. 

Lake Chevrolet of Lewistown is one of the foremost Chevrolet, Lincoln and Ford dealers in Central Pennsylvania.  Find Lake on the web at www.lakeauto.com. 

The ARDC Midgets will be out in full force for the May 5 program that includes a 20-lap feature. 

After Saturday, the mighty midgets return to the track on June 9 as part of a twin bill that features the first ever appearance at the track by the powerful wingless USAC sprint cars.

And then the midgets will stage a timeless, fairgrounds racetrack classic on Labor Day afternoon when they bring the speedway back to its roots and foundation with a daylight event that includes the annual Port Royal Labor Day Classic for 410 sprints.

Scott Haus of Hamburg is the only late model winner of the season so far at Port Royal and he’ll be gunning for his second of the year in the May 5 program. 

Thomasville’s Greg Hodnett has established himself as the 410 sprint point leader at the track after taking a trio of wins so far this season.  Hodnett is fresh off of a nearly $13,000 payday in the April 28 All Star Circuit of Champions Bob Weikert Memorial.

Race time for the May 5 program is 7 p.m. with gates opening at 5 p.m.  Adult general admission for the show that does include the twin late model features is set at $15.00 with all mothers admitted for just $10.00.  Students ages 12 – 18 are priced at just $5.00.

March 31 make up late model feature original lineup, to be run May 5:  Bryon Sipe, Scott Flickinger, Dylan Yoder, Bob Dunn, Mitch Hack, Derek Byler, Mike Lupfer, Matt Parks, Tim Wilson, Jeff Rine, Chad Davis, Andy Haus, Terry Naugle, Chad Hollenbeck, Devin Friese, Danny Snyder, Brett Schadel, Scott Haus, Eric Zembower, Harold Ranck Jr., Casey Fleegle, Quintin Wyandt, Patrick Bryner, Trent Brenneman, Mike Mort, Waylon Wagner

For his second win in a row in the prestigious event and third overall, Hodnett pocketed $10,000 for the victory plus $2,900 in lap money.  It was his third win of the season so far at the track and the 27^th overall of his career.

In the 15-lap pro stock main, John Heane led the entire distance for his first win of the season.

 Gravel started on the pole and flew the All Star colors high throughout the event after leading the first circuit as did third starter Danny Holtgraver.

After Gravel led the first circuit of the race Hodnett pulled a slider in the first corner to take the lead in his bid for the victory.

His pace was halted before three laps could be completed however when fifth starter Stevie Smith looped his car exiting the second corner and got hit hard by Blane Heimbach.

The red flag unfurled for the accident that saw Heimbach’s No. 12 turn over.  There were no injuries. 

Hodnett restarted in control and the final 28 laps went non-stop at a torrid pace.

Holtgraver motored into second with 11 down and for a short time was able to close on leader Hodnett as he worked lapped traffic.

But Hodnett did nothing except extend his lead over the last half of the event to find himself racing toward the checkered flag on the backstretch as his closest pursuers crossed the stripe to complete the 29^th loop.

Holtgraver crossed as runner up to collect $3,500 for the finish followed by Gravel who pocketed $2,500 plus another $100 for leading the first lap.

The top three finishers received free jackets from the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame. 

Fourth went to Sam Hafertepe Jr. with Paul McMahan finishing fifth to give the All Stars three of the top five finishing positions. 

Sixth through 10^th went to All Stars East point leader Daryn Pittman, Dale Blaney, Aaron Ott, Mark Smith and Fred Rahmer. 

Heat races for the 38-car field worth $100 each in honor of late journalist Jerry Reigle as sponsored by hoseheads.com went to Tim Shaffer, Chad Layton, Brian Montieth and Doug Esh.

Jac Haudenschild set fast time over the stellar field with a fast lap of 15.693 seconds, just off of the track record of 15.652.  Haudenschild pocketed $200 for his efforts. 

Gravel won the dash to earn the pole for the feature and set a new six-lap track record with a time of 1:40.595.

Rahmer set a new 12-lap track record by scoring the B Main with a time of 3:30.028.

Mike Erdley, who suffered motor ills in warm-ups and scratched for the night, and Nate Snyder each received $100 as the highest drivers in Port Royal points who failed to qualify for the event.  The awards were sponsored by Crankwerkz of Newville and Guisewite Moving Services of Paxtonville.  

Heane of McClure withstood a pair of restarts as the leader of the pro stock feature.

He led the entire way with second place being swapped several times between Dave Brouse Jr. and AJ Stroup.

Stroup secured the spot in the end with Brouse ending up third followed by one-time winner Jeff Bryner and Harold Ranck.

Sixth through 10^th went to Derrick Garman, Nate Fisher, Scott Landis, Matt Hornberger and Andrew Shoop. 

Twin heats went to Stroup and Brouse Jr.

Stroup set a new one-lap track record in the division during his heat race by posting a time of 24.077 seconds. 

Brouse established a new five-lap track record in his heat by posting a time of 2:02.541.   

The speedway returns to action on May 5 at 7 p.m. with 410 sprint cars, late models and ARDC Midgets plus a make up late model feature held over from March 31. 

 Port Royal Speedway thanks the following sponsors of the 2012 Bob Weikert Memorial:  Weikerts Livestock, Fairfield PA; Virginia Cattle Compay, Moorefield WV; Hickory Bridge Farms, Orrtanna PA; Folkens Brothers Hauling, Lester IA; Roadcap Livestock, Quicksburg VA; Highland Farms, Gettysburg PA; Scott’s Body Shop, Gettysburg PA; South Branch Livestock Exchange, Moorefield WV; Craig Livestock Market, Shippensburg PA; Nicholas Packing, Loganton PA; Joel Stein Show horses, Fairfield PA; Weiss Transport, Adrian MN; Upper Marsh Creek, Orrtanna PA; Miller & Associates Real Estate LLC, Gettysburg PA; Virginia Livestock Inc, Front Royal VA; Greencastle Livestock Market, Greencastle PA; Stan’s Beverage, Carlisle PA; Antelope Springs Ranch, Blackwell TX; Steven K Bierly Trucking, Mill Hall PA; Mike Vis, Valley Springs, SD; Seth Snyder, Gettysburg PA; Omaha Commodities, Omaha NE; JB Cattle LLC, Biglerville PA; Hy Plains Feedyard, Montezuma KS; Heritage Cattle Company, Garden City KS; JAB Livestock Hauling LLC, Jersey Shore PA; JW Trueth Inc., Baltimore, MD; M&R Livestock Hauling, Gettysburg, PA; Stone Ridge Manor, Gettysburg PA; Flying W Express Inc., Fairfield PA; Todd Grim, East Berlin PA; Holtapp Trucking, Pomeroy IA; S & B Livestock, Herndon PA; Puckett and Associates, Nathalie VA; Crankwerkz, Newville PA; hoseheads.com, Drums PA; Guisewite Moving Services, Paxtonville PA; National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, Knoxville IA.    

April 28, 2012 Feature Finishes:

Bob Weikert Memorial, 30 laps: 1. Greg Hodnett, 2. Danny Holtgraver, 3. David Gravel, 4. Sam Hafertepe Jr., 5. Paul McMahan, 6. Daryn Pittman, 7. Dale  Blaney, 8. Aaron Ott, 9. Mark Smith, 10. Fred Rahmer, 11. Chad Layton, 12. Tim Shaffer, 13. Cap Henry, 14. Lance Dewease, 15. Rick Lafferty, 16. Mike Wagner, 17. Justin Henderson, 18. Brian Montieth, 19. Doug Esh, 20. Jessica Zemken, 21. TJ Stutts, 22. Jac Haudenschild, 23. Stevie Smith. 24. Blane Heimbach

Lap leaders: Gravel, 1; Hodnett, 2 – 30

Pro stock feature, 15 laps: 1. John Heane, 2. AJ Stroup, 3. Dave Brouse Jr., 4. Jeff Bryner, 5. Harold Ranck, 6. Derrick Garman, 7. Nate Fisher, 8. Scott Landis, 9. Matt Hornberger, 10. Andrew Shoop, 11. Hank Rowe, 12. Jason Schmidt, 13. Shaun Miller, 14. Dave Berry, 15. Shawn Stahl, 16. Dan Berry, 17. Dave Bowsman

Lap leaders: Heane 1 – 15