JON HAEGELE (SDS PHOTO)

America, It's Time For A Gut Check

DORITOS SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL

ANDY BACHETTI (SDS PHOTO)

Reading Racing Reunion Bash Returns In 2015; New Site For Popular Show's "After Party"

The Bash is back.

  

  For many years, the popular way to unwind after a Friday night at the Reading Racing Reunion & Car Show has been to attend the Bash, where some beverages and food, along with awards presentations and racing movies combined with some good old bench racing among the local racing community and its friends.

  

  This year, after the Friday night festivities at the 30th Annual Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association Reading Racing Reunion & Car Show, presented by Weichert Realtors Neighborhood One Action Track USA, the "after party" will convene at Jimbo's Steaks & Sandwich Shop, 3400 Plaza Drive, Suite 3, just off of Bellevue Avenue and close to the site of the show at the Fairgrounds Square Mall. 

  Brad Reinert, the Reading Racing Reunion & Car Show's new director, is excited about the new venue for the Friday, February 27 Bash, which will begin at 9 p.m. 

  "Jim Hartman is a huge racing fan, and everyone attending the Bash will realize that when they walk into Jimbo's. The walls are adorned with photos and memorabilia that pay tribute to the Reading Fairgrounds and racing in general," said Reinert.

  Tickets for the Bash are now available at Jimbo's, at Business Link in Kutztown, or by contacting Reinert. The tickets can also be purchased during the week of the show; those interested should see Reinert or Doug Rose at the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA display in the mall. The tickets will also be sold at the Bob Hilbert Sportswear booth during the week. Tickets are $20 and include beer, soda, food, and music by DJ Pete Knappenberger of Racers Roundtable. All of the "Best Appearing" show awards will be presented at the Bash as well. 

  While entries have been coming in at a nice pace, Reinert says he's still got room for more as race cars of every shape and size will fill the mall, with the area's dirt and asphalt Modifieds, Late Models, Sprint Cars, Midgets, and SpeedSTR's among the mix, along with racers from the various small car divisions such as Micro-Sprints, Slingshots, Xcel Modifieds, Karts, and Quarter-Midgets.

  Race teams wishing to display their creations can download the show's registration form at www.actiontrackusa.com.  Questions should be directed to Reinert at breinert40@comcast.net or by phone at 610-401-3348. 

  Unique Pretzels, located less than a mile from the Fairgrounds Square Mall (and across Bellevue Avenue from Jimbo's), will provide product giveaways for show attendees throughout the week.

  The show will have plenty of interesting and enjoyable activities for both the hardcore and casual motorsports enthusiasts. Reinert has planned some special movie nights at the Cinema; there will be Celebrity Appearances and interviews each night; some very special awards will be presented to local racers throughout the week; there will be a Reading Fairgrounds Trivia game; Gary Silverman racing videos will play each night; Model Car Alley Racing will once again take place; technical round table discussions will focus on the direction of the sport; and there will be a plethora of vendors selling and displaying their race-related merchandise. 

  Local race tracks already on board and set to hand out 2015 schedules at their display include Grandview Speedway, the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA in Kutztown, Linda's Speedway, and Lanco's Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway, with several additional tracks expected to confirm their attendance with the next few weeks.

  Bob Hilbert Sportswear is designing and producing the 2015 Reading Racing Reunion commemorative tee-shirts and sweatshirts that will be sold at the show.

  The nightly schedule is as follows:

Saturday, February 21 at 9 p.m. - race cars, with the exception of Vintage Cars, will move into the mall.

Sunday, February 22 - Vintage Cars move in during the morning, then the show opens with a presentation, at 12:15 p.m., to the Greater Berks Food Bank. All attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable canned food item as a donation. 

Monday, February 23 - Open Wheel Night with interviews of drivers in the Micro-Sprint, Midget, and Sprint Car divisions. Also: a "must see" award presentation to a very accomplished local driver who began his career at the Reading Fairgrounds.

Tuesday, February 24 - Weichert Realtor Neighborhood One Action Track USA Night, featuring interviews with drivers and the track's promotional team.

Wednesday, February 25 - Modified Madness and Late Model/ Street Stock/ Road Runner Night highlighted by driver interviews from each of these divisions.

Thursday, February 26 - Local track and Race Club Night...updates on the upcoming season and area clubs' young, up-and-coming drivers will be in the spotlight. 

Friday, February 27 - NAPA Old Timers Reunion - interviews with the Legends of the Reading Fairgrounds. After the mall closes, the Bash will take place at Jimbo's Steaks & Sandwich Shop, 3400 Plaza Drive, Suite 3, Reading, PA 10605. Bash will run from 9 p.m. until ???

Saturday, February 28 - NAPA and Yuasa Batteries present Tire Changing Competition for Modified, Small Car, and Vintage Car divisions. NOTE: Vintage Car tires will be changed with an old style, manual four-way lug wrench. Best of Show Awards will follow the Tire Changing Competition.

Show ends when mall closes at 9 p.m. Cars will be moved out when mall is closed.

  More details regarding the show will be released as they are confirmed. 

  Reinert is seeking additional marketing partners for the show; businesses or individuals who are interested in becoming a part of this 30th annual event should contact Brad Reinert at the email address or phone number listed above.

LOUDEN REIMERT (SDS PHOTO)

JIMMY BLEWETT (SDS PHOTO)

BILLY PAUCH (SDS PHOTO)

JEFF STRUNK'S 2015 RIDE?

TODD SMITH (SDS PHOTO)

BRETT KRESSLEY (SDS PHOTO)

JARED UMBENHAUER (SDS PHOTO)

GUY GERMANO (SDS PHOTO)

DAN GREEN (SDS PHOTO)

CRAIG VON DOHREN (SDS PHOTO)

DUANE HOWARD'S ATLAS PAVING #66 (SDS PHOTO)

Breitenstein Motorsports #14 BASH (SDS PHOTO)

Come out and help us start the 2015 Racing season, with new Driver Billy Pauch, Jr., with our 10th annual B.M.S. Blast racing party. It will be held on Saturday, March 14th, at 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:30), at the Kenhorst Fire Company Ballroom. A $20.00 Donation gets you: A Hot and Cold Buffet, Draft Beer and Soda (Cash Bar available), DJ (Jam on Sounds productions), Chinese Auction, 50/50's, and lots of Door Prizes. For tickets call Jason Breitenstein at, 610-587-7590, Email at, jlb1999@live.com, or Sean Shanoskie at, 610-207-2543. You can also get them from any of the Race team members, or contact us on Facebook. If you would like to get them at the Door, that's fine to, but we usually sell out, so just give us a heads up, and we will hold them at the Door for you.Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you all there.

RANDY BAILEY (SDS PHOTO)

30TH ANNUAL PPB MOTORSPORTS 2015 SHOW IS BEING PREPARED, ALL OPENS AT 2 P.M. FRIDAY, JANUARY 23

  OAKS, PA  - January 22, 2015 - The aisleways are humming, the loading docks are crammed, and the pace is frenetic from wall to wall inside the giant Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa., as  more than 250 racing vehicles, from drag racing cars to dirt track machines, hundreds of hard parts manufacturers, from engine builders to dzus button purveyors, and dozens of race track promoters and racing series entrepreneurs find their ways to their portion of the 250,000 square feet of show space at  the 30th Anniversary Pioneer Pole Buildings Motorsports 2015 Presented by Sunoco Race Fuels Distributed by Insinger Performance Race Car and Trade Show.

  “Move in has been going smoothly,” said Tim Hogue, Motorsports Show Manager.  “Many of our exhibitors have been here for a number of shows, know what to expect, and it seems to flow better every year.” 

 PPB Motorsports 2015 offers attendees the opportunity to meet and collect autographs from national, regional and local racers along with visiting the vast numbers exhibitor displays, seeing a proverbial 'full field' of  race cars on display, attending free seminars and get up close to vintage, historic and classic cars that are on exhibit.

 Midget auto racing has enjoyed a rich history in motorsports and much of that history will be showcased with attendees at this year's Show. 

  Many of the top talents from today and the past in Midget auto racing will be part of a huge autograph session that will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the D-Hall Reunion Area. Past midget racing champions Leigh Earnshaw Jr., Bob Cicconi, Lenny Boyd, Billy Hughes, Hank Rogers Jr., and Lou Cicconi Jr. will join current standouts Steve Buckwalter, Tim Buckwalter, Drew Heistand, and Mares Stellfox.

  In addition to all the attention to Midget auto racing during the three day show, attendees will have the opportunity to meet NASCAR star Joey Logano, NASCAR car owner Tom Baldwin, Steve Park and broadcaster Dick Berggren along with the flock of regional and local standouts. Many speedways and sanctioning organizations will be using the show to alert fans and racers about their plans for 2015 and all sorts of historic, classic and vintage cars will be on view including Richard Petty's famed 1970 Plymouth Superbird, the former Ken Brenn, Sr. 1966 Gerhardt rear-engined Ford Indy car and Rollie Helmling's USAC Midget driven by Jeff Gordon before Gordon embarked on his NASCAR career.   

  The show is set to open at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 23rd, at the huge Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA which offers an abundance of free parking.

  For a complete three day schedule of events check in at www.aarn.com or telephone 609.888.3618.

TODD MARBURGER (DOUG AYRES PHOTO)

BRETT GILMORE (SDS PHOTO)

New Show Director Has Big Plans For 30th Annual Reading Race Reunion & Car Show

Reading, PA -  The 30th Annual Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Alliance Association Reading Racing Reunion & Car Show, presented by Weichert Realtors Neighborhood One Action Track USA, will have a new face at the helm when the 2015 edition begins on February 22nd at the Fairgrounds Square Mall.

  Brad Reinert, Marketing Director for the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA on the Kutztown Fairgrounds, takes over for Brett Deyo as the show's director/coordinator. Reinert, who grew up in the shadows of the Reading Fairgrounds half-mile clay oval - where the mall now sits and hosts the annual exhibit of local racing machines and speedways - is anxious to continue the grand tradition of the show while injecting it with some new ideas and activities.

  "Growing up, I lived off the fourth turn of the race track, behind Boscov's. My family worked at the track (for promoter Lindy Vicari) for 30 years, and the Reading Fairgrounds was, quite literally, my playground. I want to keep that memory alive, for my family and for all the families who had the experience of growing up at the fairgrounds like I did," said Reinert.

  With the assistance of some of the staff and management team from Action Track USA, Reinert is working hard to assemble a large fleet of race cars, local speedways, and nightly activities for the week-long show that will run from February 22 - 28. While he is still firming up many details, Reinert is able to divulge some of his plans for the week.

  "Sunday the 22nd, which is my birthday by the way, we'll kick off the show with a presentation at 12:15...and it will take place right on the start/finish line of the former speedway, which is directly in front of the Your Bet store (between the movie theaters and the Subway restaurant). We are asking everyone to celebrate my birthday by bringing a canned good (of non-perishable food) as a donation to the Greater Berks Food Bank. The donation will be in honor of the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society," stated Reinert.

  Race cars of every shape and size will fill the mall, with the area's dirt and asphalt Modifieds, Late Models, Sprint Cars, Midgets, and SpeedSTR's among the mix, along with racers from the various small car divisions such as Micro-Sprints, Slingshots, Xcel Modifieds, Karts, and Quarter-Midgets.

  Race teams wishing to display their creations can download the show's registration form at www.actiontrackusa.com.  Questions should be directed to Reinert at breinert40@comcast.net or by phone at 610-401-3348. 

  The show will have plenty of interesting and enjoyable activities for both the hardcore and casual motorsports enthusiasts. Reinert has planned some special movie nights at the Cinema; there will be Celebrity Appearances and interviews each night; some very special awards will be presented to local racers throughout the week; there will be a Reading Fairgrounds Trivia game; Gary Silverman racing videos will play each night; Model Car Alley Racing will once again take place; technical round table discussions will focus on the direction of the sport; and there will be a plethora of vendors selling and displaying their race-related merchandise. 

  Local race tracks already on board and set to hand out 2015 schedules at their display include Grandview Speedway, the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA in Kutztown, Linda's Speedway, and Lanco's Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway, with several additional tracks expected to confirm their attendance with the next few weeks.

  Bob Hilbert Sportswear is designing and producing the 2015 Reading Racing Reunion commemorative tee-shirts and sweatshirts that will be sold at the show.

  The nightly schedule is as follows:

Saturday, February 21 at 9 p.m. - race cars, with the exception of Vintage Cars, will move into the mall.

Sunday, February 22 - the show opens with a presentation, at 12:15 p.m., to the Greater Berks Food Bank. All attendees are encouraged to bring a non-

perishable canned food item as a donation. 

Monday, February 23 - Open Wheel Night with interviews of drivers in the Micro-Sprint, Midget, and Sprint Car divisions. Also: a "must see" award presentation to a very accomplished local driver who began his career at the Reading Fairgrounds.

Tuesday, February 24 - Weichert Realtor Neighborhood One Action Track USA Night, featuring interviews with drivers and the track's promotional team.

Wednesday, February 25 - Modified Madness and Late Model/ Street Stock/ Road Runner Night highlighted by driver interviews from each of these divisions.

Thursday, February 26 - Local track and Race Club Night...updates on the upcoming season and area clubs' young, up-and-coming drivers will be in the spotlight. 

Friday, February 27 - NAPA Old Timers Reunion - interviews with the Legends of the Reading Fairgrounds.

Saturday, February 28 - NAPA and Yuasa Batteries present Tire Changing Competition for Modified, Small Car, and Vintage Car divisions. NOTE: Vintage Car tires will be changed with an old style, manual four-way lug wrench. Best of Show Awards will follow the Tire Changing Competition.

Show ends when mall closes at 9 p.m. Cars will be moved out when mall is closed.

  More details regarding the show will be released as they are confirmed. 

  Reinert is seeking additional marketing partners for the show; businesses or individuals who are interested in becoming a part of this 30th annual event should contact Brad Reinert at the email address or phone number listed above.

ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK... (SDS PHOTO)

KEVIN BEACH (SDS PHOTO)

DENNIS CLEAVER

BRUCE BUCKWALTER (SDS PHOTO)

Rico Abreu Wins the Chili Bowl

A Feature (55 Laps): 1. 97-Rico Abreu[3]; 2. 39-Kevin Swindell[10]; 3. 71L-Damion Gardner[23]; 4. 67-Tanner Thorson[18]; 5. 1-Sammy Swindell[16]; 6. 21-Daryn Pittman[8]; 7. 71K-Kyle Larson[4]; 8. 15D-Andrew Deal[6]; 9. 5D-Zach Daum[20]; 10. 63-Bryan Clauson[2]; 11. 8K-Blake Hahn[15]; 12. 05-Brad Loyet[7]; 13. 5-Jerry Coons Jr[1]; 14. 7A-Darren Hagen[22]; 15. 2B-Ryan Bernal[17]; 16. 17C-Casey Shuman[25]; 17. 1ST-J.J. Yeley[12]; 18. 39B-Spencer Bayston[11]; 19. 63K-Chris Windom[5]; 20. 17RW-Dave Darland[24]; 21. 15X-Chad Boat[9]; 22. 5C-Colten Cottle[21]; 23. 71-Christopher Bell[14]; 24. 88B-Terry Babb[13]
Lap Leader(s): Bryan Clauson 1-26; Rico Abreu 27-55

ALEX BRIGHT (SDS PHOTO)

Bryan Clauson Dominates Vacuworx Qualifying Night

A Feature (25 Laps): 1. 63-Bryan Clauson[1]; 2. 21-Daryn Pittman[3]; 3. 15X-Chad Boat[8]; 4. 67-Tanner Thorson[18]; 5. 7A-Darren Hagen[12]; 6. 47X-Tim McCreadie[17]; 7. 3-Shane Cottle[7]; 8. 68-Ronnie Gardner[9]; 9. 21K-Cory Kruseman[5]; 10. 71L-Damion Gardner[4]; 11. 1JR-Stevie Sussex III[11]; 12. 17RW-Dave Darland[2]; 13. 4J-Tim Crawley[10]; 14. 17K-Alex Schutte[16]; 15. 37F-Hunter Schuerenberg[13]; 16. 57D-Daniel Robinson[23]; 17. 9D-Sean Dodenhoff[6]; 18. 51F-Mike Spencer[14]; 19. 85H-Shane Hollingsworth[22]; 20. 41-Jason Johnson[20]; 21. 82H-Mike Hess[21]; 22. 17J-Chase Johnson[15]; 23. 24X-Landon Simon[24]; 24. 35X-Frank Flud[19]
Lap Leader: Bryan Clauson 1-25;

LOW DOWN & DIRTY (SDS PHOTO)

Jerry Coons, Jr. Tops John Christner Trucking Qualifying Night

A Feature (25 Laps): 1. 5-Jerry Coons Jr[3]; 2. 15D-Andrew Deal[2]; 3. 39-Kevin Swindell[18]; 4. 2B-Ryan Bernal[5]; 5. 71-Christopher Bell[17]; 6. 47-Danny Stratton[1]; 7. 5X-Justin Peck[19]; 8. 26-Shane Golobic[7]; 9. 37-Seth Bergman[8]; 10. 91K-Kevin Bayer[14]; 11. 19W-Matt Streeter[6]; 12. 17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr[23]; 13. 10V-Richard VanderWeerd[20]; 14. 8H-Harli White[24]; 15. 22E-Mike Goodman[16]; 16. 57C-Chad Boespflug[9]; 17. 24-Tracy Hines[4]; 18. 19S-Patrick Stasa[12]; 19. 2A-C.J. Leary[11]; 20. 17M-Michael Koontz[10]; 21. 17W-Cole Wood[22]; 22. (DNF) 73D-David Gravel[15]; 23. (DNF) 50-Daniel Adler[13]; 24. (DNF) 33-Davey Ray[21]
Lap Leader(s): Danny Stratton 1-3; Andrew Deal 4-6; Jerry Coons, Jr. 7-25;

JIMMY HORTON (SDS PHOTO)

Jackpot for Abreu on River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night

A Feature (25 Laps): 1. 97-Rico Abreu[6]; 2. 63K-Chris Windom[1]; 3. 1ST-J.J. Yeley[4]; 4. 8K-Blake Hahn[3]; 5. 1-Sammy Swindell[18]; 6. 73T-Trey Marcham[2]; 7. 17C-Casey Shuman[8]; 8. 51X-Colby Copeland[23]; 9. 91T-Tyler Thomas[9]; 10. 11W-Brady Bacon[13]; 11. 92-Brenden Bright[16]; 12. 68W-Jake Swanson[5]; 13. 5E-James Edens[19]; 14. 1T-Tony Roney[7]; 15. 88J-Jace VanderWeerd[17]; 16. 9E-Brody Roa[24]; 17. 38-Justin Grant[10]; 18. 19L-Landon Hurst[21]; 19. 37X-Tim Kent[22]; 20. 66-Shane Cockrum[11]; 21. 55D-Nick Drake[20]; 22. 7B-Austin Brown[14]; 23. (DNF) 75X-Travis Berryhill[12]; 24. (DNF) 62T-Taylor Simas[15]
Lap Leader(s): Chris Windom 1-14; Rico Abreu 15-25;

Kyle Larson Unstoppable in Warren Cat Chili Bowl Opener

A Feature (25 Laps): 1. 71K-Kyle Larson[17]; 2. 05-Brad Loyet[4]; 3. 39B-Spencer Bayston[3]; 4. 21S-Joey Saldana[12]; 5. 88B-Terry Babb[7]; 6. 5C-Colten Cottle[23]; 7. 3N-Jake Neuman[6]; 8. 63NZ-Michael Pickens[20]; 9. 5D-Zach Daum[5]; 10. R8-Joey Moughan[19]; 11. 2ND-Jeb Sessums[21]; 12. 27-Alex Bright[14]; 13. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[1]; 14. 56-Levi Jones[2]; 15. 11A-Andrew Felker[13]; 16. 52C-Isaac Chapple[18]; 17. 8J-Jonathan Beason[11]; 18. 7SS-Wade Seiler[24]; 19. 79J-Jacob Patton[22]; 20. (DNF) 35-Billy Wease[15]; 21. (DNF) 78-Nick Wean[9]; 22. (DNF) 17S-Dominic Scelzi[8]; 23. (DNF) 19P-Robert Ballou[10]; 24. (DNF) 71X-Tyler Courtney[16]
Lap Leader(s): Levi Jones 1-7; Zach Daum 8-20; Kyle Larson 21-24;

RED WHITE AND BLUE AUTOS RETURNS TO SPONSOR BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY

MINERSVILLE, PA (1/12/15)--The avid support of Red White and Blue Autos has been a driving force behind the success of Big Diamond Speedway. That support continues to propagate into 2015 and beyond. 

The hallowed Red White and Blue Autos Victory Lane is a place all competitors at Big Diamond will be striving to reach in 2015, the dealership located in Ashland, PA will be the title sponsor of the track's most coveted parking spot for the next three years. 

Red White and Blue Autos are also big supporters of the Roadrunner division, and have put together a unique sponsorship for the full fendered warriors. The Red White and Blue Autos Hard Luck Award will be a weekly award distributed to one driver every week in the Roadrunner class. The hard luck winner will have their entry into the pits paid for by Red White and Blue Auto Sales the following week. 

The 2015 Big Diamond Speedway pace truck will once again been provided by Red White and Blue Autos, as it was for the 2014 season. 

Red White and Blue Autos will be sponsoring a few drivers in the 2015 season including Glenn “Buckshot” Rowan in the 00 car; he will be moving up from the Roadrunner division into the Sportsman division.

Armed with a friendly and personable staff, quick and easy in-house financing, unbeatable deals, and a huge inventory of cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, it comes as no surprise that Red White and Blue Auto Sales is Schuylkill County's largest and premier Buy Here Pay Here dealership. 

Just as the competitors at Big Diamond Speedway will strive to reach Red White and Blue Autos Victory Lane, anyone searching for a vehicle should contact Red White and Blue Autos by phone at 570-875-2225 or visit their website at www.rwbautos.com. 

The Big Diamond Speedway pre-season kicks off in less than 2 months with the Fairlane Village Mall Big Diamond Speedway Car Show taking place March 2-6 in Pottsville, PA. 

Fans will get their first new glimpse at the new Red White and Blue Autos Victory Lane Sunday, March 15 with a free-to-the-public practice session for any cars with a roll cage, following by a 60-lap event for the 4/8 cylinder enduros.

The season officially kicks off on Sunday, March 22nd (4:00 p.m. start) as the modifieds, sportsman, roadrunners, and street stocks all take to the track with extra cash on the line. 

Official website BigDSpeedway.com will be relaunched shortly. Stay up-to-date with Big Diamond Speedway at https://www.facebook.com/bigdiamondspeedway. Sponsorship opportunities ranging from billboards, event sponsorships, and title sponsorships are still available for the 2015 season. Contact Jamie Weaknecht at 610-349-5413 for more

RICK LAUBACH (SDS PHOTO)

It's Pauch (Times Two) At Speedway Entertainment/Action Track USA Awards Banquet

Macungie, PA -  Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie, Pa provided the setting on Saturday, January 10, as a crowd of 220 gathered to salute the 2014 champions of Speedway Entertainment's three Touring Divisions, along with the top point earners at the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA.

  The Pauch family of Frenchtown, NJ certainly enjoyed the festivities, as Billy Pauch Sr. was crowned USAC SpeedSTR National Champion while his son, Billy Jr., accepted the hardware and cash for his SpeedSTR point title at Action Track USA. The elder Pauch was also named as the SpeedSTR division's Driver of the Year.

  "At this point in my career, I'm only concerned with winning races," said Billy Pauch Sr. "But this championship is special because these cars are so difficult to drive...they're a handful, and all the drivers will tell you that. But that makes them fun to drive, and the caliber of the competition in this class is unbelievable. I get to race against my heroes like Kenny Brightbill and Jeff Strunk, so that makes it (the National Championship) pretty special, too. And I'll tell you what, you can make money racing these cars. An entire SpeedSTR, race ready, is about $18,000, and we race for $2,000 or $3,000 to win every week. That's why I'm involved in this division."

  Joining Pauch Sr. as the Speedway Entertainment National Champions for 2014 were Dylan Hoch (All Star Slingshots) and Damon Paul (Junior Slingshots). Both teens were well-spoken and poised as they addressed the banquet attendees and posed for photos.

  Hoch, from Mertztown, Pa, thanked his sponsors and family for all their support and assistance throughout the season. He rallied late in the year and clinched the National Tour's title by winning the Fall Jamboree at Grandview - which was the final race of the campaign. "I'm so pumped up and anxious for the new season," related Hoch, "I just want to get out there and try to win this thing again."

  Paul, the driver from Stony Point, NY, credited his dad for working tirelessly on his No. 144 so it was always fast and ready for battle on the Junior Slingshot Tour. Paul triumphed in four of the Junior Tour's nine events in 2014. During his championship speech, the diminutive but charismatic racer revealed his plans for '15...he'll move up to the All Star Slingshot Class and also make his debut in a SpeedSTR at Action Track USA.

  The All Star Slingshots Regional Tour Champions were also recognized at Saturday's awards gala. Picking up the big hardware and cash prizes were Louden Reimert (Mid-Atlantic Silver); Dylan Hoch (Mid-Atlantic Gold); Brian Toby (Empire); and Jim Chisholm (Great Lakes). Larry Raifsnider was saluted as the Slingshot Speedweek Champion. 

  Hoch was named as the All Star Slingshot Driver of the Year, while Paul received the same award in the Junior Slingshot division. 

  The S.E. Rookies of the Year included Tim Buckwalter (SpeedSTR's); Jared LaBagh (All Star Slingshots); and Kyle Smith (Junior Slingshots). 

  Rich Tobias, President of Speedway Entertainment and Action Track USA, completed his second season as a race promoter along with partner Doug Rose at the oval located on the Kutztown Fairgrounds. Their weekly classes - SpeedSTR's, Wingless 600cc Sprints, and All Star Slingshots - produced another year of outstanding competition and constant wheel-to-wheel action during the Wednesday night racing programs.

  After a close runner-up finish in the 2013 point standings, Billy Pauch Jr. claimed the '14 USAC SpeedSTR title. He narrowly defeated his dad, Billy Sr., for the crown, as both father and son notched three victories to lead all other drivers in the SpeedSTR division. 

  "To be successful in racing, you've got to surround yourself with good people. I've got a great car owner in Bob Lesko and a great crew...they are the reason I'm standing here right now," summed up Pauch Jr.

  Jay Hartman of Flagtown, NJ registered his second consecutive point title in the always exciting and extremely popular Pioneer Pole Building Wingless 600cc Sprint class. He and brother Jeff have now captured the last five track championships on the Kutztown clay in the Wingless 600cc division. Hartman was best in class as 107 drivers earned points in 2014, and 13 Wingless 600cc features produced nine different winners. 

  Another of the Action Track USA's point chases that went right down to the wire occurred in the NAPA Auto Parts All Star Slingshot division. The Rockaway Rocket, Danny Buccafusca, prevailed on the final night of racing to win his second straight point crown at the Berks County speedway. Driving Randy Smith's S&S Speedways No. 55, Buccafusca outpointed Larry Raifsnider and Brett Bieber for the title.

  The Junior Slingshots competed at Action Track USA on five occasions during the '14 slate of events, with Damon Paul winning the last four of those races. That was more than enough to wrap up the Junior Slinger track championship, a nice compliment to his Junior National title. 

  Jeffrey Hogue, who owns the naming rights to the hugely successful oval, addressed the crowd and thanked Tobias and Rose for all their hard work and efforts to make the Wednesday night events so popular with racers and fans. He pledged his continued support because he's loved the sport ever since he attended races at the Reading Fairgrounds as a youth. "I was hooked immediately, and I've been a dirt track fan ever since," he admitted.

  Rich Tobias also presented his annual "State of Speedway Entertainment Address", stating that there will be some cosmetic changes to the facility in Kutztown and the entry to turn three (at the end of the backstretch) has been widened to hopefully lessen the chances of cars being "pinched" into the wall at that point. 

  Tobias also expressed his admiration for all of the 2014 Champions and thanked all of the race teams for their support of Speedway Entertainment and Action Track USA. He expressed great optimism over the growth of the SpeedSTR division as orders for new cars - from drivers who have terrific credentials in other classes - continue to pour in to S.E. Headquarters in Myerstown, Pa.

  While details of the 2015 Action Track USA schedule will be released at the upcoming Motorsports Show in Oaks, Tobias did inform the banquet attendees that the Wingless 600cc Sprints will have three events that will pay $1,000 to win. 

  The complete schedule will be available at Motorsports 2015 and on the speedway's website, www.actiontrackusa.com.