Weekend Preview: Lone appearances for Patriot Sprint Tour at Raceway 7 and Stateline Speedway this weekend

By Paul T. Harkenrider (Sodus, NY) | The A-Verdi Storage Containers and Mike Emhof Motorsports Patriot Sprint Tour will be visiting tracks for the first and only time this season, Raceway 7 in Conneaut, Ohio and the Stateline Speedway in Jamestown, New York this weekend on Friday June 24, and Saturday June 25.

It will be the fourth time in series history the Patriot Sprint Tour will be visiting the 7/16-mile oval in Coneaut, Ohio, and it will be the 15thtime in series history the track will be visiting the renovated 1/3-mile-long Stateline Speedway.

After eight American series events, Jared Zimbardi has three wins and currently has the point lead over teenage driver, Dane Lorenc. Paul Habeck is third, followed by Dave Just and Tyler Graves.

This weekend will also be a tune up for many drivers that are participating in the Bonnell’s Auto Collison Western Speedweek that will pay $4,000 to the winner three straight nights at the Little Valley Speedway (July 1), Mercer Raceway Park (July 2), and the Eriez Speedway (July 3) and it will be $325 to take the green.

Raceway 7 (4094 Center Rd, Conneaut, OH 44030)

This will be the series only appearance in the ‘Buckeye State’ in 2016 as you will see a strong field of drivers coming from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and even the Ontario Province.

Raceway 7 is now entering its 45th year of racing operation when the Blystone family opened up the facility back in 1970.  It has remained open since with the exception of 1991 when the track was closed. It has gone through three different owners since opening starting with the Blystone family, then Ron Nielson took over ownership in 1997, and then the McDonald family have currently own and operated the facility since 2012.

In three straight seasons, three different drivers have captured the checkered flag at Raceway 7 with Jared Zimbardi winning in 2013, Chuck Hebing in 2014, and Bryan Howland winning last year in 2015.

The 7/16th mile oval races weekly on Fridays and hosts four classes such as Crate Late Models, E-Mods, Street Stocks and Mini Stocks. Those four divisions will all be in action this Friday! Gates will be opening up at 5:00 with racing set to start at 7:30. It will be $15.00 to get into the grandstands, and it will be $25.00 to enter the pits.

For PST Drivers: A drivers meeting will be held at 6:50, with heat in motors at 7:05. Hot laps will be at 7:20 with heats at 7:30. Mufflers are optional but Transponders are mandatory. The Mike Emhof Motorsports parts trailer will be on site with fuel and tires.

 

Stateline Speedway (4150 Kortwright Rd, Jamestown, NY 14701)

This will be the 15th time in series history the Patriot Sprint Tour will be heading to the Stateline speedway but it will be the only time in year 2016. The reigning Patriot Sprint Tour American Series champion, Sammy Reakes IV is the most recent winner at the Stateline Speedway. Other winners include Tommy Wickham, Jared Zimbardi, Bryan Howland, Bubba Brodereick, Blake Breen, Chuck Hebing, Rich Swarthout, George Suprick, and Tom Taber who the first PST sanctioned event dating back to May 3, 2003.

Stateline Speedway is a 1/3 Mile racetrack right on the New York/ Pennsylvania Border where they race weekly hosting Super Late Models, Crate Late Models, Street Stocks, E-Mods, and Compacts.

In September of 2015, it was announced that the Stateline Speedway would be under new management with Brian Horner, along with Jim and Jean Scott after the track went dormant last June due to financial reasons. Multiple improvements have been made to be one of the premier dirt track destinations in Western New York and Pennsylvania.

Gates will be opening up at 5:00 with racing set to start at 7:00. It will be $15.00 to get into the grandstands. College Students, Senior Citizens, and Military Veterans will be admitted in for just $10.00!

For PST Drivers: Pit Gates will be opening up at 4:00. The drivers meeting will be at 6:00, followed by heat in engines at 6:20, hot laps at 6:30 and qualifying heats starting at 7:00. It is $25.00 to get into the pits. Muffler is optional but transponder is required. The Mike Emhof Motorsports Parts Trailer will be on site for fuel and tires.

Social Media

Fans are encouraged to ‘Like’ Patriot Sprint Tour on Facebook, and to follow @PatriotSprints on Twitter and Instagram. You can also log onto patriotsprinttour.com for immediate information.