By The Daily Item
MECHANICSBURG -- Billed as champions night, tonight's sprint car races will be the final points races of the 2008 season at the William Grove Speedway.
The 410s and 358s will be on the racing card.
In the 410 division, Fred Rahmer has mathematically clinched his eighth track title. The 50-year-old veteran from Salfordville dethroned Todd Shaffer, who is trying to finish second, ahead of Brian Leppo and Greg Hodnett. Only three drivers still have a shot at the title in the 358 sprint car division. Two of those drivers have accounted for four of the last five division championships while the third is a 16-year-old rookie. Defending champion Pat Cannon leads three-time titlist Cory Haas by 200 points entering the final race. Aaron Ott trails Cannon by 255 points.
p
SDW: The annual super bowl of stock car racing for the DIRTcar modifieds gets under way on Wednesday at the Moody Mile at Syracuse Fair Grounds for the 36th running of Super Dirt Week. Dick "Toby" Tobias was the first driver to win the pole position three consecutive years from 1975 to 1977. His lone 200 win came in 1975 and his son Richie won the event in 1992. Today, the pole award is named in Toby's honor. This year's 200-lapper for the big block modifieds is Oct. 12.
p
2-WHEEL ACTION: The American Motorcycle Association Racing returns to Susquehanna Speedway Park for the second time this year on Saturday. The previous event at SSP in May saw nearly 200 riders from seven states compete. Racing is slated for 1 p.m.
p
50-LAPPER: The late models will be in action at Susquehanna Speedway on Sunday. The winner of the feature is guaranteed a $3,000 pay day. All qualifying will be done through heats, C-Main and B-Main events. There will be an inversion drawn for the feature event. A blind draw will determine the heat race lineups.
p
A GHOULISH NIGHT: The Thunder on the Hill racing series concludes its 19th season on Oct. 18, at the Grandview Speedway with the Thunder 5-25's and the annual House of Thunder Halloween Party. In typical Halloween fashion, the divisions on this program will be the Nasty NASCAR Modifieds, the Spooky Sprints of URC, the Mischievous Midgets of ARDC, the Ghostly Legends and the 600cc Monster Modifieds.
Each division will compete in a 25-lap feature plus an added treat, the ARDC Wingless Mischievous Midgets will also compete in a 20-lap feature that is a make-up from a June rain out. Also on the racing card are the Garden State Vintage race cars.
Gates will open on race night at 4 p.m. with the first feature event taking the green flag promptly at 6 p.m.
Race fans are encouraged to dress up for the Halloween Party and for those who come in costume, you will be invited to be part of the victory lane photo with all the night's feature winners.
p
STRIKE TWO: After last weekend's rain out, Big Diamond Raceway is looking to reschedule the twice rained out Coalcracker 50 for the sportsman modifieds. Plans are in the works for the dates of March 27-29, 2009, to reschedule the race along with the roadrunners, big block or 358 modifieds. Big Diamond is back in action on Oct. 9-11 with the Legend Cars Dirt Nationals and the finale for the Enduro series.
n Compiled by correspondent Shawn Wood
Sports
Motorsports: Champions Night at Williams Grove Speedway
- Sports
-
-
Panthers, Shore to settle AAA crown
One game. Milton played 19 times (once canceled by rain) and won 15, making the postseason for the first time since 2007, and its season comes down to one, winner-take-all game.
-
Prolific offense carries Milton to final
A smile creased the corners of Jordon Bordner's mouth and soon his pearly whites gleamed through. If he thought about the question before, the Milton junior played coy for a reporter.
-
Three Braves heading to Lyco
In a year of twists and turns for the Shikellamy wrestling program, three seniors have decided to follow their former coach and drive the 40 miles to attend Lycoming College, in Williamsport.
-
Weather washes out schedule
While the severe thunderstorm that blew through the Susquehanna Valley stopped the District 4 baseball and softball playoffs before they ever got started on Tuesday afternoon, the weather won't force the Milton baseball team to wait anymore.
-
District 4 playoffs washed out
The thunderstorm that blew through the Valley on Tuesday afternoon has pushed back the entire District 4 softball and baseball schedule.
-
Adames emerges for Black Panthers
Chace Phillips had a moment of pause, looking down at Reynaldo Adames prone at his feet. Milton's senior leadoff hitter had made a hard, head-first slide into third base and didn't immediately get up.
-
Bottom of order sparks Ironmen
Trevor Leitzel was probably joshing when he explained how he came to go 3-for-3 in Danville's district quarterfinal win Friday at Wyalusing Valley.
-
Lauer steps down
For the last four years, Dave Lauer has considered hanging up his whistle and clipboard. He just didn't know for sure that the time was right. But he found an out. After 30 years as the Selinsgrove girls track and field coach " and 40 years of coaching overall " Lauer took that next big step.
-
Shots from the Hip: Fireside blogging
Hotdogs roasting over an open fire, mud squishing between soggy toes ...
-
H.S. softball: A great team by any other name
For the longest time, Warrior Run softball history could be summed up with one name: Laura Harris.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Panthers, Shore to settle AAA crown
