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HAMMETT, Pa. – Eriez Speedway will open for the season today at 4:30 p.m. for the fans with pit gates opening at 3:30 p.m. Opening night will see regular racing in all divisions beginning at 6 p.m.
Headlining Sunday shows this summer, as they have every year since opening July 21, 1961, will be the Jay’s Auto Wrecking Super Late Models, featuring the best Super Late Model talent in the region. Rob Blair is expected to return to defend his title against a full field of talent looking to take over.
The season will feature several special events, including the annual Dick Litz Memorial on July 28, a 29-lap event remembering one of the most popular champions in Eriez history. Litz was the Super Late Model champion in 1983.
The Bonnell Collision Center Crate Late Models will have sanctioning this summer from the RUSH Crate Late Model Series and the schedule will include two touring series events. The event planned for July 26 will be the annual RUSH Crate Late Model Touring Series Manufacturers Night with over $30,000 in manufacturer’s prizes awarded to competitors. Kyle Zimmerman captured the championship mantle in 2014 and is expected to be in the hunt to repeat in 2015.
The Plyler Overhead Door E-Mods will have a full season of the closest open-wheeled racing in the area, highlighted by several special events, the first coming May 31 when the Renegades of Dirt will run for the first time ever. In addition, a special event for the Plyler Overhead Door E-Mods will highlight the annual Pepsi Fan Appreciation Autograph Night on July 12. Joel Watson is the defending champion and is expected to return this season.
The Eriez Limited Late Models will be in action as well with Nathan Short the defending champion. The Limited Late Models will compete in the Annual Bob Vogt Memorial event on June 21, Father’s Day, which will feature special giveaways for Dad’s in attendance.
The Kandy’s Gentlemen’s Club Street Stocks will have specials during the season including the Penn-Ohio Street Stock Series on June 14. Brandon Groters captured the championship in 2014, winning five features along the way.
New to Eriez for 2015 will be the Clinger E-Mod Chassis Economods. The class has run at nearby Raceway 7 since 2012 and has been growing every year with full fields now the norm. A special was run for them last here season with Raceway 7’s champion, 15-year old Josh Ferry, taking home the win over the field. Ferry has built a new car for the season and will be a threat for the checkers every week of the season.
Jason Brightman won the championship last season for the Ran-Dan Excavating Challengers with only one trip to Victory Lane. The season will be highlighted by the Dan McGarvie Memorial, commemorating the life of one of the most popular drivers ever in the class.
Several times during the summer traveling series will come to Eriez including the ever-popular Patriot Sprint Tour with two events. The Lucas Oil Empire Sprints will be at the speedway for the first time in several seasons on Aug. 2. The always welcomed Auto Racers for Kids will have an event presented by Plyler Overhead Door on Aug. 9. The charity benefits local children’s groups and is always a highlight of the summer with a carnival-like atmosphere from one end of the track grounds to the other.
All-points championships will end on Sept. 6 with champions being honored on the front straight after feature events. On the weekend of Sept. 25-26 the 2015 season will come to an end with the third annual September Sweep, a two-day extravaganza involving all classes plus live entertainment.
Eriez Speedway is located on Sampson Road, just off Lake Pleasant Road in the town of Hammett, Pennsylvania, three miles south of Interstate 90. Take Route 8 South from Interstate 90 Exit 29 and follow the signs starting in Hammett. Admission for all regular events is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, children 6-15 are $6 and under 6 are free.