0
0
Port Royal, PA — One of the most tradition-filled weekends on the Port Royal Speedway calendar is here, as the Speed Palace prepares to kick off the 172nd annual Juniata County Fair with two days of racing over Labor Day weekend.
The action begins Saturday night with the 172nd annual Juniata County Fair Opener and 23rd annual Butch Renninger Memorial, featuring three divisions of racing. Following an off day Sunday, the green flag will fly again Monday afternoon for the 75th Annual Labor Day Classic and Lynn Paxton Tribute Race, featuring the PA Posse Central PA 410 Sprint Car Series.
From the full-fendered late models on Saturday to the winged 410 sprint cars on Monday afternoon, race fans will have two opportunities to take in racing at Port Royal during one of the most historic weeks of the year in Juniata County.
SATURDAY: 23RD ANNUAL BUTCH RENNINGER MEMORIAL
Saturday’s Juniata County Fair Opener will feature the Penske Racing Shocks super late models, River Rock Campground & RV Park limited late models and USAC East Coast Sprint Cars, with both late model divisions competing as part of the 23rd annual Butch Renninger Memorial.
This year’s Butch Renninger Memorial is proudly presented by Bleeders Have Dreams Too, an organization with a unique connection to the racing community and a mission centered around supporting and empowering those living with bleeding disorders.
Bleeders Have Dreams Too has worked to bring the worlds of motorsports and the bleeding disorders community together, using racing as a platform to promote awareness, mentorship and the message that individuals living with conditions such as hemophilia can continue to pursue their goals and dreams.
Port Royal Speedway is proud to welcome Bleeders Have Dreams Too as the presenting sponsor of one of the Speedway’s longstanding Fair Week traditions.
The event continues a tradition honoring the memory of Renninger, who had his hands in it all at Port Royal Speedway over his life. He sits 4th in all-time late model wins at the track with 41 to his name as well as wins in the Enduro divison as well. The annual memorial has become a staple of Fair Week at the Speed Palace and once again gives both Late Model divisions an opportunity to take center stage.
Adding even more incentive to Saturday night’s program, several businesses and supporters have stepped forward to provide additional awards for the Late Model competitors.
Addicted2Dirt PR & Media Management has contributed a $333 Hard Charger Award for the Super Late Models, which will go to the driver who advances the most positions during the feature event.
The Limited Late Models will also have additional money on the line throughout the night. Brenneman Excavating has added a $133 Hard Charger Award for the Limited Late Model feature, rewarding the driver who gains the most positions from their starting spot.
Additionally, Garman Concrete & Construction has stepped up to provide an extra $100 to each Limited Late Model heat race winner, adding even more money to the program before the feature event begins.
Port Royal Speedway thanks Addicted2Dirt PR & Media Management, Brenneman Excavating and Garman Concrete & Construction for stepping up to support the racers and add to the 23rd annual Butch Renninger Memorial.
The USAC East Coast Sprint Cars will add open-wheel racing to Saturday night’s program, creating a three-division card to officially begin racing activities during the 172nd Juniata County Fair.
Saturday will also be Auto Racing Club of Hagerstown (ARCH) Night. ARCH members presenting their membership card at the ticket booths will receive $5 off general admission. The discount is available at the ticket booths only.
General admission for Saturday is $25, while students ages 13-17 are $10 and children ages 12 and under are admitted free. Pit admission is $40.
Pits open at 3:00 p.m., followed by general admission gates at 3:30 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled for 5:30 p.m., with racing beginning at 6:30 p.m.
MONDAY: 75TH ANNUAL LABOR DAY CLASSIC
After a day away from the track Sunday, Port Royal Speedway returns to action Monday afternoon for one of the longest-running traditions in Central Pennsylvania dirt-track racing.
The 75th Annual Labor Day Classic and Lynn Paxton Tribute Race will put the 410 Sprint Cars in the spotlight for a special afternoon of racing at the Speed Palace.
Monday’s event is part of the PA Posse Central PA 410 Sprint Car Series, bringing the stars and cars of Central Pennsylvania Sprint Car racing to Port Royal for a Labor Day tradition that has spanned generations.
The event will also serve as a tribute to Lynn Paxton, celebrating the career and contributions of one of the most recognizable figures in Pennsylvania Sprint Car racing history.
The 410 Sprint Cars will be joined by the FWD 4-Cylinders, while the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (EMMR) will also be on hand for an exhibition celebrating the history of the sport.
Monday is also Fan Appreciation Day, with special reduced admission prices making the 75th running of the Labor Day Classic one of the most affordable opportunities of the season to experience racing at Port Royal Speedway.
General admission is just $15, with infield admission $10 and student admission $5. Pit admission is $35.
The Labor Day Classic will feature an early-afternoon schedule, with pits opening at 11:00 a.m. and general admission gates opening at 11:30 a.m. Hot laps are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., followed by racing at 2:00 p.m.
The combination of the Juniata County Fair, the Butch Renninger Memorial and the milestone 75th running of the Labor Day Classic makes Labor Day weekend one of the most historic weekends of the season at Port Royal Speedway.
Fans can start their weekend under the lights Saturday with Late Models and USAC East Coast Sprint Cars before returning Monday afternoon to watch the PA Posse battle for another piece of Port Royal Speedway history.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 – JUNIATA COUNTY FAIR OPENER / BUTCH RENNINGER MEMORIAL
Super Late Models • Limited Late Models • USAC East Coast Sprints
Pits Open: 3:00 p.m.
Gates Open: 3:30 p.m.
Hot Laps: 5:30 p.m.
Racing: 6:30 p.m.
General Admission: $25
Students (13-17): $10
Children 12 & Under: FREE
Pits: $40
ARCH members: $5 off general admission with membership card at ticket booths only
Additional Awards:
$333 Super Late Model Hard Charger – Addicted2Dirt PR & Media Management
$133 Limited Late Model Hard Charger – Brenneman Excavating
$100 Bonus to Each Limited Late Model Heat Winner – Garman Concrete & Construction
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 – 75TH ANNUAL LABOR DAY CLASSIC / LYNN PAXTON TRIBUTE RACE
PA Posse Central PA 410 Sprint Car Series
410 Sprint Cars • FWD 4-Cylinders • EMMR Exhibition
Fan Appreciation Day
Pits Open: 11:00 a.m.
Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
Hot Laps: 1:00 p.m.
Racing: 2:00 p.m.
General Admission: $15
Infield: $10
Students: $5
Pits: $35
Article Credit: Brad Strawser
Submitted By: Brad Strawser
