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Written by Chris Moore
Photo Tom Morris/Myracenews
PORT ROYAL, PA – It’s THE Showcase Race Day!
Tonight, the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco concludes one of the most lucrative weekends in Northeast Modified racing.
The STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds compete in the second annual ‘Speed Showcase 200,’ competing for the $50,000 grand prize at Port Royal Speedway.
The 200-lap headline event acts as Round No. 9 of the Velocita-USA South Region presented by Design for Vision and Sunglass Central.
THE STORYLINES
The ‘Speed Showcase 200’ has quickly become one of the premiere events in Modified racing, with the state-of-the-art Port Royal Speedway acting as a worthy host for a historic event.
St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada’s Mat Williamson is the only driver to win multiple STSS races at the ‘Speed Palace’ in the six prior events since 2018.
King Ferry, N.Y.’s Mike Mahaney – fresh off his Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Preliminary Night triumph – now holds a 28-point lead in the South Region standings over Middletown, N.Y.’s Anthony Perrego.
THE STARS
Mike Mahaney has established himself as legitimate threat to claim the $50,000 top-prize. Mahaney followed up his Thursday night win with an equally impressive performance in his Dirt Track Digest qualifying event last night.
Frenchtown, N.J.’s Billy Pauch Jr. made a major adjustment to his racecar following his Preliminary Night performance. The change paid off, as the ‘Kid’s Kid’ raced from his eighth starting position to pick up the win.
Savannah, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard was a late-race charger in last years ‘Speed Showcase 200.’ This year, ‘Super Matt’ showed speed coming from ninth to win his qualifying event. The Utica-Rome Speedway champion is always a threat to be in Victory Lane.
Ringoes, N.J.’s Ryan Godown has been one of the fastest cars all weekend. The ‘Ringoes Rocket’ grabbed a podium finish on Thursday and dominated his qualifier on Friday night. The Bridgeport (N.J.) Motorsports Park champion will look to take home his biggest win of his career.
THE SLEEPERS
Sprakers, N.Y.’s Stewart Friesen very rarely goes under the radar; however, the NASCAR Truck star had his Thursday night run cut short due to a mechanical failure and came from 10th to fourth in his Friday night qualifier. Friesen’s 2020 ‘Speed Showcase 200’ weekend started in similar fashion, but the Canadian still found a way to be a factor at the end as he often does.
Anthony Perrego has not had a strong start to his weekend at the ‘Speed Palace.’ After coming through the consolation on Thursday night for a top-10, Perrego had a mechanical failure on Friday and will once again be in a last chance qualifier. The 2019 ‘Speed Showcase 40’ winner will now look to come from deep in the field to claim the biggest win of his career.
Potsdam, N.Y.’s Michael Maresca dealt with major mechanical problems last year and has already gone through engine problems this weekend. Maresca jumped in his backup car and locked himself into the main event with an impressive qualifying run.
ALSO IN ACTION
The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman will join the Modifieds in the Ice Less LLC ‘Speed Showcase 50’ paying $4,000-to-win. The event will be Round No. 7 of the Belmont’s Garage South Region.
Newtown, Pa.’s Joe Toth leads the South Region standings by 24-points over Horseheads, N.Y.’s Ajay Potrzebowski Jr.
GATES AND PRICES
For the October 16 event, all gates open at 2 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m.
Reserved seating is $40 and non-reserved seating is $35 for adults. Students (ages 13-180 get in for $20 and Children 12 and under FREE.
Pit Admission is $45 (no license required).
HOW TO WATCH
The ‘Speed Showcase 200’ will be streamed LIVE on FloRacing (floracing.com).
Port Royal Speedway is located two miles south of US Rt. 322 just off PA Rt. 75 in Port Royal. Pit entrance can be found on Fourth St., and General Admission on Sixth and Eighth St. Port Royal Speedway can be reached by phone at 717.527.2303.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on Twitter or Instagram.
The Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Insinger Performance, FloRacing, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Hurlock Auto & Speed, Velocita-USA, Design for Vision/Sunglass Central, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Beyea Custom Headers, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, Penske Racing Shocks, Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz, Algonkin Motel, Henry’s Exhaust, Hig Fab, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, Belmont’s Garage, Superior Remodeling, Spyder High Performance Filters, Fastline Performance, Teo-Pro Car, VAHLCO, WELD Racing & Wilwood.
STSS PORT ROYAL HISTORY: PAST EVENT WINNERS
October 14, 2021 – MIKE MAHANEY – Mat Williamson – Ryan Godown – Alex Yankowski – Ryan Watt
March 21, 2021 – MAT WILLIAMSON – Mike Mahaney – Stewart Friesen – Jessica Friesen – Larry Wight
October 17, 2020 – MAT WILLIAMSON – Stewart Friesen – Matt Sheppard – Anthony Perrego – Larry Wight
October 15, 2020 – MATT SHEPPARD – Billy Pauch Jr. – Mike Mahaney – Mat Williamson – Peter Britten
March 24, 2019 – ANTHONY PERREGO – Matt Sheppard – Mat Williamson – Danny Bouc – Brett Hearn
October 12, 2018 – RYAN WATT – David Van Horn – Duane Howard – Brandon Grosso – Craig Von Dohren
