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Written by Chris Moore
PORT ROYAL, PA – The first big one.
This year, the ‘Speed Showcase’ at Port Royal Speedway serves as the first ‘big one’ of the year on the calendar for the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco.
On Fri.-Sat., March 15-16, the stars of the STSS will chase the first $50,000-to-win main event on the 2024 schedule.
The March date is the make-up to the rained out 2023 edition, which was slated for its traditional mid-October date last year.
In what will be just the second STSS race of the year in the Northeast, Modified racing’s best will do battle for 75-laps and ultimately the $50,000 top prize.
With the race being a make-up date, it holds the place of the ‘23 Ollie’s Elite Series Championship, along with Round No. 2 of the NJ Quality Drywall South Region for 2024. Ollie’s Overall Championship points will also be up for grabs for racers.
In three previous editions of the $50K-to-win ‘Speed Showcase,’ Mat Williamson (2020), Stewart Friesen (2021), and Matt Sheppard (2022) have claimed the biggest prize the STSS South Region has to offer.
Along with the STSS Modifieds, the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman will take part in what is the biggest Crate 602 Sportsman event of the year on the STSS.
They go for 50 laps in search of a $4,000 winner’s share in Round No. 2 of the Belmont’s Garage South Region.
The New York-based Pro Stocks are also on tap for the weekend of racing, going 25-laps for a $1,250 top prize to round out the racing program for the weekend.
Saturday’s feature events will be preceded by B-Mains (as needed) to set the final starting field for all three divisions.
Friday’s racing program features 15-lap Qualifying Races for the STSS Modifieds, 12-lap Qualifying Races for the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman, and 8-lap heat races for the Pro Stocks to set the stage for Saturday’s main events.
Friday night will go under the moniker of ‘Bob Hilbert Sportswear Qualifying Night’ for the STSS ‘Speed Showcase.’
An Open Practice session will take place Friday morning before racing begins on Friday night.
Camper parking begins on Thursday, March 14 at 2 p.m. Hauler parking in the pit area takes place from 5-9 p.m. on Thursday.
On Friday (March 15), pit gates open for practice at 8 a.m. Practice rounds go from 10 a.m. to noon in rounds.
Pit admission is $30 for Friday morning’s practice.
For Friday night, all gates will open at 4 p.m. with Penske Racing Shocks Hot Laps slated for 6:15 p.m. and racing to follow at 7 p.m.
Grandstand admission is $20 for Adults and $10 for Students (ages 13-18). Kids ages 12 get in FREE. Pit Admission is $40.
For Saturday (March 16), all gates open at 11 a.m. with Penske Racing Shocks Hot Laps beginning at 2 p.m. and racing starts at 3 p.m.
Grandstand admission is $40 for Adults and $20 for Students (ages 13-18). Kids 12 and under get in FREE. Pit Admission is $50.
Weekend pit passes are available for $120 and $90 following Friday morning’s practice.
Sunday, March 17 is reserved as a rain date for the event.
The entire weekend of racing – and every STSS event in ’24 – will be broadcast live on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv) via the annual subscription.
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, @ShortTrack_SS on Twitter or @ShortTrackSS on Instagram.
