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Newberrytown, PA (January 28, 2008) – The Night of Honor and Awards Gala banquet for the Susquehanna Speedway Park’s 2007 season last Saturday night, January 26 was a huge success as 11 track champions were crowned from the popular Stock Car Saturday Night program. The Gala was held at the Valencia Ballroom in downtown York , Pennsylvania . More than 375 were in attendance to honor the champions.
The banquet is where the SSP's grassroots racers take center stage. Celebrating the track’s 53rd year of operation, awards were given out to the top drivers in the season long track point series for the Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, ARDC Midgets, Legends Cars, Four Cylinder Stock Cars, Women on Wheels Stock Cars, Classic Cars, Mini Vans and School Buses. “This is a highlight of the season for most of our competitors,” said track owner/promoter Todd Fisher. “This is when your hard work and dedication pays off. The honor received from your peers is second to none and the drivers that were honored on Saturday night will indeed have a fond memory that will last a lifetime.”
The Late Model division found “King” Carl Billet from Carlisle literally crowned after picking up his fifth SSP track championship of his career. Billet’s weekly consistency and eight feature victories enabled him to clinch the championship over Scott Richwine and Jake Jones. Carl Graves and Charles Potts rounded out the top five. Before 2007, Billet claimed track championships in 1986, 1989, 1990 and 2000. Billet vows that he will return to center stage as a repeat champion in the highly competitive class that sees many young talented drivers gunning for him ever week.
Paul Morgan from Marysville collected his first SSP track championship with a division high four feature wins. In a division that had 10 different feature winners in 22 races, Morgan claimed the top spot with consistency and patience in the most evenly matched class at SSP. Paul’s brother, Craig finished second, followed by Todd Bowersox, Joe Whiteley and 2006 track champion, Wes Alleman. Chad Smith and Eric Walker shared the top honors in the Clean Technologies Young Guns Shootout Series Championship.
The Enduro King, Michael Goodwin of Wellsville, won his second straight Xtreme Stock Car track championship with five victories during the season. Sam Rial, Ray Broderick, Donnie Broderick and Larry Landis rounded out the top five receiving honors in the entry level stock car division. Goodwin’s dominance in the division will come to an end in 2008 as he has recently announced that he will move up to the Late Model division.
Other SSP track champions honored on Saturday night included Tracy Readinger (ARDC Midgets); Ed Hollenbach (Four Cylinder Stock Cars); Kendra Knaub (Women on Wheels Stock Cars); Jeff Condran (Legends Cars); Bill Brown, Sr. (Classic Cars); Van Baker (Great American School Bus) and Daryl Sipe (Mini Van).
Before the awards presentation, Todd Fisher, owner/promoter of the Susquehanna Speedway Park , began with his “State of the Speedway ” address. Fisher began by reflecting on the past four years in which many people gave him and his wife no chance of making it past their first year of operation when many “well known” promoters failed before them. With hard work, the valued efforts of so many people and continued perseverance towards their goals and beliefs, SSP enters its fifth full season “very healthy” and viable with a “Stock Car Saturday Night” program that many scoffed at when it was presented last year. Fisher commented about the final year of his five-year plan to determine the direction of SSP and also provided glimpses of where SSP in going to over the next five years.
A brief slide show began with the showing of the 50 plus loads of new clay that have been added to both the 4/10 mile speedway and the “Outback Track.” Competitors were also informed about the new changes for the new pit entrance for all divisions. Testing at the Outback Track scheduled for late April with racing beginning in mid to late May on Saturday mid-morning / afternoon. Gearing the “Outback Track” to the youth, the inside is 1/10 mile for Quarter Midgets with the outer perimeter measuring 1/7 mile for both karts and Bandolero Cars. The turns are 75 feet wide with the straight approximately 50 feet in width. More details will be released as they become available.
With the rising costs of everything, Fisher regretted to announce that pit pass prices would be raised by $2.00 for the first time since he took control of the speedway. In order to help weekly supporters, it was also announced that 50 season pit passes for race events from April 12 through September 13 would be on sale for just $325.00 (a retail value of $555). This equates to a little more than $13.00 per event. Persons interested in purchasing this special offer are highly encouraged to contact the speedway at (717) 292-1696 or email sspracing@hotmail.com as soon as possible to be added to the list of those who want the special pricing being offered on a limited basis.
Fisher concluded his brief speech with a quote from Albert Schweitzer that says “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” This led into the awards presentations honoring the success of the many individuals recognized on Saturday night.
After Fisher’s address, four very special individuals were honored with awards for their support and dedication to making the speedway better each season. They were Paul Fisher, Bobby Weaver, Leon Wintermyer and Jeri Jones. Without the help of these people, the speedway would be no where near the success level that it currently enjoys today.
In continuing with the family atmosphere approach of operating races, the unprecedented “Kid’s Banquet” for children ages 4-12 was held at the same time in the downstairs banquet room. Many children participated in games and activities that kept them busy throughout the night. After dinner, all children were permitted to join their families upstairs during the awards presentations, but just about all of them decided to they were having too much fun downstairs and elected to stay there.
Donations for the drawing for door prizes was overwhelming as every person in attendance went home with a prize. Donations for door prizes were made by Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic; K&K Insurance; Yingco Racing; Scott Racing; Alleman Racing; Appalachian Harley Davidson of Mechanicsburg; Aquafun Pools; Classic Race Car Club; Hauenstein Racing; Larry Anderson; Christa’s Country Creations; Monkey Joe’s Nuts; Miller’s Racing Parts and the Susquehanna Speedway Park.
The season opener of Stock Car Saturday Night for 2008 will be on Saturday, April 12, with the Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars and ARDC Midgets. This will also be the first of five races for the “Fab 4 Series” featuring a night of exciting wheel-to-wheel action that includes the Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars and ARDC Midgets. All “Fab 4” features will be a special 25-laps in distance except for the ARDC Midgets which will remain at 20 laps. This is an extra five laps from regular season point races. This series will conclude with a point champion for the special “series-within-a-season” at the end of the year. Other “Fab 4 Series” events also include Saturday, May 3; Saturday, June 14; Saturday, August 2; and Saturday, September 13. In the “Fab 4 Series” events, the Late Model winner will receive $1,000; the Street Stock winner will receive $500 and the Xtreme Stock winner will receive $400.
The first of five Young Guns Street Stock 5-lap dash races presented by Clean Technologies will also take place this Saturday night, April 12 featuring all drivers ages 21 and younger. The Young Guns Street Stock Dash Races will run in conjunction with the Fab 4 Special events.
On Saturday, April 12, the pit gates will open 3:30 p.m. Grandstand gates will open at 4:00 p.m. Warmups begin at 5:30 p.m. with qualifying races at 6:00 p.m. followed by consolation races and feature events.
SSP will begin its pre-season with two open practice sessions for any type of racecar on Saturday, March 29 and Saturday, April 5. The gates will open at 3:30 p.m. with practice sessions rotating for each class from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Susquehanna Speedway Park is located off I-83 to exit 32, then 1.4 miles NW on SR382 to York Road , then 1.3 miles south. For more information, contact the speedway offices at (717) 292-1696 or visit online at sspracing.net. On raceday, use the track phone at (717) 938-9170 for up-to-date information.
2007 SSP Track Champions:
Late Models: Carl Billet, Jr.
Street Stocks: Paul Morgan
Xtreme Stock Cars: Michael Goodwin
ARDC Midgets: Tracy Readinger
Four Cylinder Stock Cars: Ed Hollenbach
Women on Wheels Stock Cars: Kendra Knaub
Legends Cars: Jeff Condran
Classic Cars: Bill Brown, Sr.
Great American School Bus: Van Baker
Mini Van: Daryl Sipe
Clean Technologies Young Guns Shootout: Chad Smith / Eric Walker (co-champions)
- 2008 SSP Schedule of Events –
(Schedule as of January 1, 2008 - Subject to Change)
March 29 (Sat.) Open Test & Tune Day for Any Division (5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.); Gates open at 3:30 p.m.
April 5 (Sat.) Open Test & Tune Day for Any Division (5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.); Gates open at 3:30 p.m.
April 12 (Sat.) Opening Night /“Fab 4 Series” - Late Models (25 laps), Street Stocks (25 laps), Xtreme Stock Cars (25
laps) & ARDC Midgets (20 laps) plus Clean Technologies Young Guns Shootout (6:00 p.m.)
April 16 (Wed.) Wednesday Night Test & Tune Session (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.); Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
April 19 (Sat.) Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Four Cylinder Stock Cars, Mini Vans & PENNMAR
Vintage Cars (6:00 p.m.)
April 26 (Sat.) Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Legends Cars & Mini Vans (6:00 p.m.)
April 30 (Wed.) Wednesday Night Test & Tune Session (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.); Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
May 3 (Sat.) “Fab 4 Series” - Late Models (25 laps), Street Stocks (25 laps), Xtreme Stock Cars (25 laps) & ARDC
Midgets (20 laps) plus Clean Technologies Young Guns Shootout (6:00 p.m.)
May 7 (Wed.) Wednesday Night Test & Tune Session (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.); Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
May 10 (Sat.) Mother’s Appreciation Night - Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Four Cylinder Stock Cars
& Women on Wheels Stock Cars & Women on Wheels Mini Vans (6:00 p.m.)
May 17 (Sat.) Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Four Cylinder Stock Cars, Mini Vans & PENNMAR
Vintage Cars (6:00 p.m.)
May 24 (Sat.) 54th Anniversary Race - Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Four Cylinder Stock Cars,
Classic Cars (7:00 p.m.)
May 26 (Mon.) To Be Announced
May 28 (Wed.) Wednesday Night Test & Tune Session (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.); Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
May 31 (Sat.) Kid’s Box Car Racing - Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Women on Wheels Stock Cars &
Mini Vans (7:00 p.m.)
June 7 (Sat.) Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Legends Cars & Mini Vans (7:00 p.m.)
June 11 (Wed.) Wednesday Night Test & Tune Session (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.); Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
June 14 (Sat.) ”Fab 4 Series”/ York County Racing Club Night - Late Models (25 laps), Street Stocks (25 laps), Xtreme
Stock Cars (25 laps) & ARDC Midgets (20 laps) plus Clean Technologies Young Guns Shootout
(7:00 p.m.)
June 15 (Sun.) Father’s Appreciation Night - 358 Sprint Car Summer Championship (25 laps), ARDC Midgets (20
laps), Legends Cars (6:00 p.m.); Rain date – Sunday, August 17
June 21 (Sat.) Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Four Cylinder Stock Cars & PENNMAR Vintage Cars
(7:00 p.m.)
June 25 (Wed.) Wednesday Night Test & Tune Session (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.); Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
June 28 (Sat.) To Be Announced - Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars & Mini Vans (7:00 p.m.)
July 3 (Thur.) Eichelberger’s U-Pull It Super Show III - ARDC Midgets, 600cc Micro Sprints, Legends Cars & W.O.W.
(Women on Wheels) Stocks (7:00 p.m.) - The 600cc Micro Sprints will be part of the 2nd Annual PA 600cc Sprint Car Speedweek with entries from all over the United States .
July 5 (Sat.) 3rd Annual Summer Fun Championships - Late Models (30 laps), Street Stocks (25 laps), Xtreme Stock
Cars (25 laps), Four Cylinder Stock Cars (25 laps) - (7:00 p.m.)
July 6 - July 18: Track Closed (Summer Vacation)
July 19 (Sat.) EMMR / Bowling Green Speedway Night at the Races (SSP Oldtimers Reunion) - Late Models, Street
Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Four Cylinder Stock Cars & PENNMAR Vintage Cars (7:00 p.m.)
July 23 (Wed.) Wednesday Night Test & Tune Session (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.); Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
July 26 (Sat.) Christmas in July (Santa Claus Visit & Member’s First FCU Kid’s Money Scramble) plus Late Models,
Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Classic Cars, Mini Vans & Women on Wheels Stock Cars
(7:00 p.m.)
August 2 (Sat.) Camera & Autograph Night / “Fab 4 Series” - Late Models (25 laps), Street Stocks (25 laps), Xtreme
Stock Cars (25 laps) & ARDC Midgets (20 laps) plus Clean Technologies Young Guns Shootout
(7:00 p.m.)
August 6 (Wed.) Wednesday Night Test & Tune Session (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.); Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
August 9 (Sat.) SSP Picnic in the Pits (Bike Giveaway) - Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Mini Vans &
PENNMAR Vintage Cars (7:00 p.m.)
August 16 (Sat.) Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Four Cylinder Stock Cars & Women on Wheels Stock
Cars (7:00 p.m.)
August 20 (Wed.) Wednesday Night Test & Tune Session (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.); Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
August 23 (Sat.) Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Legends Cars & Mini Vans (7:00 p.m.)
August 30 (Sat.) 8th Annual York County Nationals – Late Models (32 laps), Street Stocks (25 laps), Xtreme Stock Cars
(25 laps), Four Cylinder Stock Cars (25 laps) & Mini Vans (7:00 p.m.)
September 3 (Wed.) Wednesday Night Test & Tune Session (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.); Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
September 6 (Sat.) Late Models, Street Stocks, Xtreme Stock Cars, Four Cylinder Stock Cars, Women on Wheels Mini
Vans (6:00 p.m.)
September 13 (Sat.) Championship Night / “Fab 4 Series” - Late Models (25 laps), Street Stocks (25 laps), Xtreme Stock
Cars (25 laps) & ARDC Midgets (20 laps) plus Clean Technologies Young Guns Shootout (6:00
p.m.)
September 20 (Sat.) Smashfest ‘08 & Newberry Community Fair - School Bus Demolition Derby, Small Car Demolition
Derby, Roll Over Contest, & more in this exciting night of destruction and FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR (Rain date: Sunday, September 21)
September 26 (Fri.) Open Practice Night / Media Night (6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) Gates open at 5:00 p.m. (All Divisions
Welcome)
September 27 (Sat.) 3rd Annual Susquehanna Showdown for Late Models (50 laps), Legends Cars Regional Qualifier
(40 laps) & Mini Vans (6:00 p.m.)
October 4 (Sat.) To Be Announced
October 11 (Sat.) No Racing
October 17 (Fri.) Miller’s Racing Parts Fall Classic Qualifying Night for Street Stocks, Four Cylinders & Xtreme
Stock Cars (7:00 p.m.)
October 18 (Sat.) 5th Annual Miller’s Racing Parts Fall Classic (50 laps each) - Street Stocks, Four Cylinders &
Xtreme Stock Cars (6:00 p.m.)
October 25 (Sat.) Candy Bowl IV presented by J&K Salvage - ARDC Midgets, 600cc Micro Sprints, Legends Cars, Mini
Vans & Women on Wheels Stock Cars (3:00 p.m.)
November 1 (Sat.) Annual Racecar Flea Market - 6:00 a.m. (All types of racecars are welcome)
November 8 (Sat.) 5th Annual Turkey 200 Enduro Race plus the Classic Cars & Mini Vans (1:00 p.m.); Rain date: Nov. 9
· Outback Track Schedule also to be released in the near future.
SSP Pit Notes
- EBAY Store – SSP has opened a “new” EBAY Store with a link at www.sspracing.net. The store will feature both new and old items (both racing and non-racing). Different items will be listed for sale everyweek. Items already sold include a racecar steering wheel, vintage racing programs, children’s clothing and toys and more.
- 2008 SSP Rules Now Posted on Website – The 2008 SSP Rules for all divisions are now posted at www.sspracing.net.
- SSP Looking for Technical Inspectors – SSP is now accepting applications for the position of technical inspectors. Two additional positions will be filled for the upcoming 2008 season. Interested persons may contact the speedway at 717-292-1696 or sspracing@hotmail.com.
- Free Pit Passes for all Non-Qualifiers in Late Models, Street Stocks and Xtreme Stock Cars – Any non-qualifier who starts the a qualifying heat race and fails to qualify for the feature in the Late Model, Street Stock and Xtreme Stock Car divisions during the regular season point events will receive a complimentary pit pass for the driver for the following week during the regular season from April 12 though September 13. The driver must possess a full annual SSP license in order to be eligible for the complimentary pit pass and pass is not transferable to another driver or to another week beyond the following week.
In 2008, there will be not a separate XSC Rookie Rumble race as the Xtreme Stock Car class will now include qualifying heats, a consolation race and a feature event each night giving all drivers two to three race per night.
- SSP Competitor's Link Section Added to SSP Website - Let your fans know the latest info on your team! If you're a regular ARDC, Late Model, Street Stock, Xtreme Stock Cars or other regular SSP series competitor and have a website, e-mail the link of your web site to our webmaster at tvr1@comcast.net, so we can include you in this new section.
- Sports Plus DVDs from the 2007 Season – Sports Plus Video has DVDs available of each racing event from SSP for the 2007 season. Visit online at SportsPlusVideo.com or mail your order to Sports Plus Video, 216 East Potomac Street , Williamsport , MD 21795 . The phone number is 1-301-378-8273.
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