Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
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Dietrich holds off Hodnett for second career Labor Day score at Port Royal

Some observations from Labor Day race at Port Royal , first congrats to Danny Deitrich , good crowd , a good value for fans and families . Track not good today , not like last year which was probably the best race of the year at Port Royal . Brent Marks  is right when he says Port Royal is premier track in Pa , as it is a great facility for fans and drivers .

The track was just as good this year as it was last year. Just like last year, they watered the hell out of the top and it lasted about half the race until it went away. We're in the middle of a drought, it was hot, sunny & breezy with a start time of 1:00pm. I'd say considering those circumstances the track was excellent because it was still multi grooved and even after the top went away, it cleaned off nice enough to where guys could use the middle if they hit it right. Last year was better only because all the fast cars were up front together. This year, Marks took himself out after sinking his right rear in the tin and Dietrich got to make clean laps out front while Hodnett and Esh had to work their way to the front after starting mid pack. 

Ok , fixxer maybe your right to some degree but more passing then ever last year , it was a great race. But I am glad Danny Deitrich won and all that followed . Port is as you know my favorite track , because they care more about fans , facility , and the track is usually very consistent . Track guys do a great job in prep work , Steve O Neal , and board of directors all also do a great job , keep up the good work at Port .

The improvements at Port the last few years are nothing short of incredible. Widened the turns, added high quality clay, increased seating(added more high rise aluminum bleachers with backrests), new restroom facilities, new guardrails, paint - place is well kept and looks topnotch. They've also took the lead in other areas like gtt's(which draws more cars) and creating the econo-late division to replace the outdated pro-stocks. This division is a good stepping stone to the SLM's plus they can run with the LLm's from other tracks. That's forward thinking. The back and forth racing with a low and top groove (and of course high speeds) that I saw Saturday night, was something that you didn't see much of at Port a few years ago(other than the high speeds).

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All these improvements as stated above are nothing but incredible , and even more has been done that can't be seen by the naked eye . More improvements coming  I am sure during off season , as this track doesn't stop to make it better for all concerned . Many accolades to the staff , fair board , Steve O Neal , Shane Armstrong , Shawn Blouse , Steve Swartz, and more who have made Port Royal  the premier track in Pa .

Sorry Rob Williams Grove is and always will be the premier track in Pa. 

Correct. The Central PA sprint car circuit begins and ends with Williams Grove. Like it or not, it is the central hub of our local scene and also hosts Central PA's premier event. Seems like they've really turned the corner this year and are making a real effort to do a good job. 

Through  a historical and traditional sense Williams Grove is known as the premier track but not as a facility. Ms Hughes has done little or nothing to create what once was a good facility , it only holds the # 1 race in the state of Pa which is known in racing circles . The track surface has slipped as the facility . What track actually holds the best racing is up to individual choice ? now . Winged racing is not what it use to be because of todays sprint car .

Whats a"Gtt"?

Group Time Trials

Williams Grove is still the nicest facility in central PA. 

Your posts lose all credibility when you say things like that. Although I go to the Grove frequently, and most times enjoy the racing, it is far from the best facility. I would go on to name the many issues the Grove has but they've been mentioned on this board over and over again so there is no point. Port Royal is the nicest facility, hands down. And the place gets better every year. When was the last time WG improved anything?? Oh wait, their fireworks displays have gotten better, top of the line for sure, lol.  I would rank WG third in nicest facilities in Pa.

Agreed.  The Williams Grove folks are living in days past.  Port Royal Speedway IS the premier track in Pa.

thanks

How is Port or any other track in PA a nicer facility than Williams Grove?  

what improvements has the grove made recently outside of paving the pits and fixing the holes on the back stretch entry locations?

the backstretch concession offerings has taken a serious downturn compared to every area track and there are way more fans there than the infield!

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May

I'm getting a season pass for susky next year...y'all do what u want. 

port has made 10x more improvements in recent years and focus more on marketing and being fan friendly, but that still doesnt make it a nicer facility than the grove...get real

No dog in this fight, I enjoy all the Pa tracks. Highside, were you being sarcastic, or did you just say one track has made 10x the improvements and it doesn't make it a nicer facility? That's exactly what makes it a nicer facility, the improvements. With that said, I agree Williams Grove is still the King of PA tracks it just needs a major update kinda like Susky, same great track nicer facility.