Sprint Car Purse $36G At Selinsgrove Saturday [News – Item, The (PA)]

Big dollar races continue to attract the race fans in season- ending events at many tracks, and Selinsgrove Speedway boosts a purse in excess of $36,000 Saturday night with the 13th Annual Mach 1 Chassis 358/360 Sprint Car National Open, with the winner collecting $8,000. The program will include complete qualifying heats and consolation events, leading up to the 35-lap main event.

This year's show is co-sanctioned with the URC Sprint Car Series and the New York-based Empire Super Sprint Car Series; both of the traveling sprint car groups utilize 360 cubic inch engines, while Selinsgrove's regulars carry 358 cubic inch engines in weekly competition.

Many of the top stars throughout the Northeast sprint car scene are expected including defending event champion and the only three- time winner Pat Cannon, along with 2013 track champion Jason Shultz, Cody Keller and Nate Snyder. Invaders include J.J. Grasso, Chad Trout, Davey Franek and other URC stars along with numerous New York and Canadian stars of the ESS led by dirt modified standout Stewart Friesen. Friesen, equally adept in mods and sprint cars, recently won the $7,000 Cole Cup Sprint Car event at New York'sUtica-Rome Speedway

Gates open at 5 p.m. and racing begins at 7 at the Snyder County speedway, and the pro stocks are also on the racing card.

In other area dirt track racing action, Williams Grove Speedway hosts the 358 sprint cars and 410 sprints tonight. The show tonight will serve as the final tuneup for the 410 sprinters before the World of Outlaw sanctioned 51st Annual National Open next Friday and Saturday nights.

The two-day event next weekend with the battle between the Pa. Posse and the World of Outlaws features a complete program of qualifying action and feature event on Friday night, while Saturday's show, following qualifying, leads up to a 40-lap feature event worth $50,000 to the winner.

Dirt track racing action continues Saturday and Sunda. Lincoln Speedway presents the Hank Gentzler Manufacturer's Night for the 410 sprint cars along with the 358 sprints....Big Diamond is slated to present its final event of the season on Sunday afternoon with a show of 358 modifieds, sportsman, roadrunners and street stocks. Gates open at 4 and racing begins at 6:15 at the Schuylkill County track...On Sunday, the running of the "Brawl in the Fall" at Hagerstown Speedway, an event that had its qualifying action completed last October, but due to Hurricane Sandy and other issues, will be completed this year. The Hub City oval will present the big block modifieds, 358 sprint cars, late models and 410 sprint cars.

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series pulls into St. Louis this weekend for the 2nd Annual AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals at the Gateway Motorsports Park, the third of six races in the 2013 Countdown to the Championship chase.

In last weekend's action at The Motorplex outside of Dallas,Doug Kalitta scored the Top Fuel win, Cruz Pedregon took the Funny Car crown, Jason Line was the Pro Stock winner and Eddie Krawiec was the P/S Bike winner in the 28th Annual AAA Fall Nationals.

Kalitta, on the strength of his win, moved into a tie with Shawn Langdon for the T/F points lead, while Matt Hagan holds a 51-point margin over Pedregon. Line leads the factory hot rods by a mere eight points over Jeg Coughlin Jr and only 11 points separate P/S Bike point leader, Hector Arana Jr. from Matt Smith.

The fourth consecutive race of the Chase finds the Mello Yello Series heading to Reading's Maple Grove Raceway next weekend, October 3-6, for the 29th Annual Auto Plus Nationals. Ticket packages are still available by contacting the track office (610) 856-9200 and mention that you read it here.

The following week, is the "grandaddy" of all dirt track races, thes NAPA Auto Parts 42nd Annual Super DIRT Week event at the New York State Fairgrounds, affectionately referred to as the "Moody Mile".

Tech inspection kicks off the festivities at the Syracuse oval on Tuesday, Oct. 8, with time trials and satellite races at nearby Rolling Wheels and Weedsport Speedways, leading up to the big events, Saturday and Sunday. The DIRT pro stocks, sportsman, 358 modifieds and big block modifieds enjoy their place.

More info will be included in the next column but fans interested in ticket information can make inquiries through the ticket hotline (877) 395- 8606 or by visiting superdirtweekonline.com.