By Mike Leone
August 10, 2012
(Strongstown, PA)…It took two tries last month, but once completed on July 22, the second annual “Connor Bobik Memorial” for the “410” Sprint Cars at Dog Hollow Speedway was another success. Back by popular demand, the high-flying, winged warriors will return for the third time ever to the Strongstown, Pa. oval on Sunday, August 19!
This time they’ll be joined by a first time ever appearance by the BRP Big-Block Modified Tour along with the weekly RaceSaver “305” Sprints, and the Vintage Modifieds for a true “open wheel shootout”! The event is being presented by Coy’s Store & Pizza Shop. Race time is 7:30 p.m. and the event will carry a rain date of Sunday, August 26.
Last year’s inaugural “Connor Bobik Memorial” drew 18 cars with Rod George of nearby Kittanning, Pa. going down in the record books as the first ever “410” winner at Dog Hollow. This year’s event with the higher purse structure brought a solid field of 29 competitors from all over the Commonwealth in addition to drivers from Ohio and New Jersey!
“PA Posse” racer Billy Dietrich made his first start a successful one as he led from wire-to-wire for the $3,000 victory holding off Kevin Schaeffer and Daryl Stimeling, who had a great battle of their own. Schaeffer, who currently leads the Lernerville Speedway points, is competing in what is expected to be his final year of racing. Schaeffer loves Dog Hollow and would love to improve on last year’s third place finish and his second place effort on July 22 by capturing a big victory.
These same “410s” will be back for another stellar payout. The 24-car starting purse boasts a $16,390 payout (double a typical local weekly Sprint purse) and is highlighted by $3,000 to-win, $1,000 for fifth, $500 going to 10th, and $300 to take the green!
Not be outdone, the ground-pounding Big-Block Modifieds will make their first ever visit to the 4/10-mile oval under the BRP Tour banner. Currently, New York racer Brian Weaver leads the points over Dave Murdick, Rex King, Jeremiah Shingledecker, and Rex King, Jr.
It will be unchartered territory for the majority of the Modified racers with the exception of a few that competed in the “358” Modified shows held from the mid 1990s until the turn of millennium. Seventeen of those races were held with Lou Gentile leading the way at seven. Other winners were Mike Stine (five), Chetter Johnson (two), George Sankey (two), and Bob Garvey (one). None of those racers are currently active.
The RaceSaver “305” Sprints were added to the weekly card this season and have thrilled the fans with their competitive racing. A total of 26 different drivers have competed to date. The Vintage Modifieds are in their first year of existence and have traveled around throughout western and central Pa.
410 Sprint Car payoff: 1. $3,000 2. $1,800 3. $1,400 4. $1,100 5. $1,000 6. $900 7. $800 8. $700 9. $600 10. $500 11. $400 12. $375 13. $350 14. $340 15. $335 16. $330 17. $325 18. $320 19. $315 20-24. $300. Tow $100.
An open tire rule will again be in effect for the “410s”. Mufflers will not be required. There is no weight rule. RACEceivers are required; default channel. Drivers will draw pills to determine the heat race lineups with a redraw depending on the number of cars. A drivers meeting will be held at 6:45 p.m. with pill cutoff after. Hot laps are slated for 7 p.m. with racing at 7:30. The Sprint Car feature will be first. There is no entry fee for the Sprints. For more information on the Sprints, call Mike Leone at 724-967-2363.
Dog Hollow Speedway is a 4/10-mile dirt track located 3.5 miles north of Route 422 in Strongstown, PA at 76 Hamill Road, Northern Cambria, PA 15714. For more information on Dog Hollow, check out their website at www.dog-hollow.net or call 814-948-4252. The track number on race day is 814-948-6812.