Port Royal – This Saturday, October 13 at 6 pm Port Royal Speedway will present a rare October 410 sprint car program to close out the season with the running of the make-up Foss Jewelers Labor Day Classic, paying $4,500 to win for a 30-lap feature.
The winner’s share was recently increased to $4,500 thanks to Ramsey’s Car and Pet Washes and Garage of Mifflintown.
Ramsey’s is also posting $250 for fast time and $250 for the event’s Hard Charger Award.
Also on the program will be an equally rare late season appearance by the super sportsman along with an even rarer Port Royal Demolition Derby, to end the night as well as the season.
But just how rare is this October sprint car date at The Port?
While October 410 sprint dates haven’t been part of the norm at the track over the last four and one-half decades, they also haven’t been totally unheard of either.
The show this Saturday will be the latest 410 sprint program staged at the track and first October show since back in 2003 when the World of Outlaws competed with Jason Meyers getting the win on October 2.
Prior to that, the most recent October 410 sprint show at the historic oval was on October 18, 1986 when Randy Wolfe ended the season with a sprint car victory.
But during the 1950s and 1960s, October sprint/super modified dates were frequent and sometimes more than one October show was run in a season.
The 1964 and 1965 seasons ended with Ray Tilley taking October victories.
Season-ending, October winners prior to Tilley were: Frankie Thompson, 1963; Johnny Mackison Sr., 1962; Leroy Felty, 1961; Don Kimberling, 1960; Dick Tobias, 1959; Al Chamberlain, 1958; Hal Hoose, 1957; Pete Swarmer, 1956; Eddie McCardle, 1955; Glenn Bontreager, 1954; Sherm Greenaway, 1953; Nelson Swartz, 1952; and Hal Lord in 1951.
Felty’s 1961 win was actually the latest ever October race in the history of the track, spinning off on October 28.
But the latest race ever in oval history was on November 11, 1950 with Elmer Gray coming away the champion.
Gates for Saturday’s open wheel doubleheader featuring the 410 sprints and super sportsman plus a demolition derby open at 4 pm with racing slated for 6 pm.
Adult general admission is just $15 with students ages 12 – 18 admitted for JUST $5.
Don’t miss this exciting event to cap off the 2012 season at Port Royal Speedway on Saturday, October 13.
PORT ROYAL SPEEDWAY LABOR DAY CLASSIC WINNERS
9/1/52 No. 1 Earl Bryner
9/7/53 No. 57 Sherm Greenaway
9/6/54 No. 9 Eddie McCardle
9/5/55 No. 3 Eddie McCardle
9/3/56 No. 33 Bill Foust
9/2/57 No. 11 Hal Hoose
9/1/58 No. 80 Elmer Drum
9/7/59 No. 6 Dick “Toby” Tobias
9/5/60 No. 77 Leroy Felty
9/4/61 No. 6 Dick “Toby” Tobias
9/3/62 No. 15 Frankie Thompson
9/2/63 No. 77 Ed Dunkle
9/7/64 No. 1 Dick “Toby” Tobias
9/6/65 No. 7 Leroy Felty
9/5/66 No. 6 Dick “Toby” Tobias
9/4/67 No. 35 Bobbie Adamson
9/2/68 No. 66 Johnny Grum
9/1/69 No. 66 Johnny Grum
9/7/70 No. 5 Mitch Smith
9/6/71 No. 66 Johnny Grum
9/4/72 No. 99 Jan Opperman
9/3/73 No. 29 Kenny Weld
9/8/74 No. 8 Bob Weaver
9/2/75 No. 5 Smokey Snellbaker
9/6/76 No. 1 Lynn Paxton
9/5/77 No. 11 Lynn Paxton
9/4/78 No. 1 Lynn Paxton
9/3/79 No. 1 Lynn Paxton
9/1/80 No. 1 Lynn Paxton
9/7/81 No. 56 Smokey Snellbaker
9/6/82 No. 461 George Ferguson Jr.
9/5/83 No. 29 Bobby Davis Jr.
9/3/84 No. 80 Dave Wickham
9/2/85 No. 29 Doug Wolfgang
9/1/86 No. 69N Don Kreitz Jr.
9/16/87 No. 11 Todd Shaffer (rained out 9/7)
9/5/88 No. 19 Stevie Smith
9/4/89 No. 77 Stevie Smith
9/3/90 No. 11 Todd Shaffer
9/2/91 No. 11 Todd Shaffer
9/7/92 No. 69K Don Kreitz Jr.
9/6/93 No. 69K Don Kreitz Jr.
9/5/94 No. 461 Lance Dewease
9/4/95 No. 88 Todd Shaffer
9/2/96 No. 461 Lance Dewease
9/1/97 No. 77 Fred Rahmer
9/7/98 No. 69K Don Kreitz Jr.
9/11/99 No. 1 Jeff Shepard (rained out 9/6)
9/4/00 No. 88H Lance Dewease
9/3/01 No. 69K Don Kreitz Jr.
9/2/02 No. 7 Keith Kauffman
9/7/03 No. 7 Keith Kauffman (rained out 9/1)
9/6/04 No. 88 Todd Shaffer
9/5/05 No. 35 Alan Cole
9/4/06 No. 11 Mike Erdley
9/3/07 No. 22 Greg Hodnett
9/1/08 No. 88 Todd Shaffer
9/7/09 No. 55 Mike Wagner
9/6/10 No. 27 Daryn Pittman
9/10/11 No. 55 Mike Wagner *