APRIL 2022
LUKE HOFFNER
SPEEDING THROUGH HIS 42ND SEASON BALLIET BECOMING CULTIVATED VETERAN AT 18 CHAMPION CREW CHIEF TO BE INDUCTED INTO HOF INFO ON TRACKS IN THE VALLEY , SURROUNDING AREAS
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CONTENTS 6
A L IFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT
LUKE HOFFNER SPEEDING THROUGH HIS 42ND SEASON
12 20 28 34
‘LOUDER, HARDER, FASTER’:
500-mile trips worth the effort for Sweeney
EXPERIENCE ISN’T MEASURED BY AGE: Balliet becoming cultivated veteran at 18
A LINEAGE OF WINNING:
Ross pulls off rare asphalt late model feat
THE FARMER & THE TANK:
Bissinger’s success comes from a life of hard work
40 44 52
MAKING RACING A FAMILY BUSINESS:
Bachmans chase success while going it alone
THE MAN BEHIND THE SPEED:
Champion crew chief to be inducted into HOF
VALLEY TRACKS:
All the info on tracks in the Valley and surrounding areas
ON THE COVER: WITH 192 WINS, LATE MODEL RACER LUKE HOFFNER HAS REASON TO SMILE | PHOTO: ROBERT INGLIS Editor Dennis M. Lyons
Inside Pennsylvania Motorsports is a publishing effort from The Daily Item, Sunbury, PA (570) 988-5473 Office (570) 988-5347 Advertising Sales (570) 988-5464 Subscriptions
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APRIL 2022 | INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS
Publisher Fred Scheller
Magazine Advertising Manager Lori Seebold Design Editor Aron Agerton
Inside Motorsports (ISSN 1935-4738) is published at 200 Market St., Sunbury, PA 17801.
Writers/Contributors Harold Raker Gene Ostrowski
Inside Motorsports magazine is not responsible for unsolicited submissions. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner, without permission, is prohibited. Copyright 2017 by CNHI LLC. All rights reserved. A publication of The Daily Item and The Daily Star, a member of CNHI LLC.
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Robert Inglis
TURBOTVILLE’ S LUKE HOFFNER AND HIS NEW BATTLE CHASSIS LATE MODEL ARE READY FOR A NEW SEASON. THE VETERAN RACER IS JUST EIGHT WINS FROM THE 200TH OF HIS CAREER.
A LIFETIME OF
AC H I E V E M E N T Luke Hoffner speeding through his 42nd season
T
By Gene Ostrowski for Inside Pennsylvania Motorsports
he 42nd season of Super Late Model racing for “The Turbotville Tornado” is under way. Fitting the description as an experienced veteran to a tee, Luke Hoffner, a body repair shop owner from Turbotville, will gladly admit that he eats, breathes and sweats dirt track racing. Hoffner has wheeled his way to 192 feature victories and counting. He also earned an impressive 19 track championships at seven different speedways. Like many racers, Hoffner grew up around racing because of family. His father, Jack, was a dirt racer in his own right and took Luke to the track every chance that
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he could get, dating back to the early 1970s. Luke’s sister, Annette Hoffner-Kramer had frequent track visits with her father, Luke, and older brother Mark, as well. She still recalls many of those special memories to date. Developing at a very early age, Luke’s passion for the sport, mixed with the drive to compete is what helped propel him into being a driver. He hit the track for his rookie season in 1981 but didn’t earn his first feature win until April 16, 1988, at Selinsgrove Speedway. As the old saying goes, “the first win is always the hardest,” and in Hoffner’s case it held true. The wins followed in dramatic fashion.
Photos Provided
ABOVE: THE LATE JACK HOFFNER, LUKE’S FATHER, IS SHOWN STANDING WITH HIS STOCK CAR AT A RACE AT SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY IN 1974. BELOW: A YOUNG LUKE HOFFNER IS SHOWN WITH HIS NO. 15 LATE MODEL AT HIDDEN VALLEY SPEEDWAY.
“I HAVE BEEN RACING ROCKET CHASSIS FOR MANY YEARS. THIS YEAR I BOUGHT A BATTLE CHASSIS TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I JUST TRIED IT OUT AT THE TALLADEGA SHORT TRACK, AND IT WASN’T TOO BAD.”
— LUKE HOFFNER
Late Model racing has led Luke to tracks all over the nation, both big and small. Aside from having starts at nearly every dirt track across the east coast and beyond, Hoffner has made an impressive number of starts in national series events over the course of his career. Some, yet not all, include the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series, Northern Xtreme DirtCar Series, Appalachian Mountain Dirt Late Model Speedweek Series, Durrence Layne Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, UFo Championship, All Star Late Model Series, ULMS Racing Series, Ultimate Northeast Super Late Model Series, Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series, Grit House Route 35 Super Late Model Challenge Series, State Flyers Super Late Model Series, Mason Dixon Shootout Series, Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout and Super DIRT Week. INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS | APRIL 2022
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LUKE HOFFNER STANDS INSIDE HIS SHOP NEAR TURBOTVILLE, WHERE HE SPENDS MOST OF HIS DAYS WHEN HE IS NOT RACING HIS LATE MODEL AT AREA TRACKS.
Robert Inglis/Inside Pennsylvania Motorsports
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He didn’t only make starts in those mentioned series; he was competitive as competitive could be. Patience, mixed with an excellent set up experience and having good equipment is the key to any successful racer. Hoffner won’t let any of his success secrets out of the bag, but he did comment about the foundation of most of his cars. “I have been racing Rocket chassis for many years. This year I bought a Battle Chassis to try something different. I just tried it out at the Talladega short track, and it wasn’t too bad.” There’s no doubt that he’s had a ton of crew help over the course of his career and he remembers each very fondly. Luke does have one crewmember who has been by his side and working on the cars for his entire career. His sister, Annette, has been there through thick, thin, wins and heartbreaking losses. It seems that all race car drivers have their own personal heroes and it’s no different for Hoffner. The two people that he looks up to in the sport are his father and one other competitor, who goes by the name Red Farmer. Any race fan or driver who is familiar with the history of NASCAR has heard of Charles “Red” Farmer. Known to have more than 700 late model wins, Farmer, who was recently inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, is also one of the original members of the “Alabama Gang” which also included Bobby and Donnie Allison, the late Clifford and Davey Allison and the late Neil Bonnett. Farmer began racing in 1948 and his first NASCAR start
came at Daytona in 1953. Although his last Cup start was at Talladega in 1975, hes continues to race at local dirt tracks. At just 89 years young, he has no problem with jumping into a race car and beating men half his age. That drive for Farmer to continue racing is one of the factors that bonded Farmer and Hoffner, who recalled meeting Farmer for the first time. “In 2002 Red Farmer was a guest at Ace High Speedway and he drove my backup car. We finished first and second that night and have been friends ever since.” He wasn’t kidding. The pair have teamed up several times every year since. “He visits up here and I go down to Alabama a few times a year to race with him. He lets me drive his cars, which is an honor, and we swap tips and tricks on our cars.” ‘THE PINK LADY’ In the mid-70s, Jack Hoffner purchased a pair of late models from avid race fan and car owner, Peggy Alexander. Alexander labeled the cars with the nicknames “The Pink Lady.” Jack repainted and renumbered one of the cars as No. 21 and competed with it until retiring it in 1977. Four years later, Luke decided that he wanted to try his hand at dirt Late Model racing, so he and sister, Annette, pulled the car out of the weeds and went to work on the 4,200-pound sled. Luke raced the car for some time, and then sold it before upgrading to a different chassis. Over
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that course of time, he, his family and Alexander have stayed friends. Luke received a phone call from the Leonard Stroud family in September of the 2020 season. Also friends with Alexander, the Stroud family were the owners of “The Pink Lady.” They wanted Luke to race it for them in the Stroud Memorial Race, which was in memory of Lenny Stroud, Jr, who passed away in 2017. Luke accepted the offer, and the event was slated for that Friday night. The day prior he received a call from the family, and they told him that Alexander, whose heath was failing, wanted to speak with him before the race. Alexander passed away during the night and the next day, the Stroud/Rathburn family said that Alexander had a smile from ear to ear all night after speaking with Luke and knowing that he was going to compete in “The Pink Lady” the next day. Hoffner headed to Clinton County Speedway for the Stroud Memorial the next day and, although the car was not as competitive as many of the others, he was determined to do well in Alexander’s honor. He pulled off a good finish, just outside the top 10. “Luke had accepted the offer to drive the car for the Stroud family and he was really excited to get into back into the Pink Lady,” Annette said. After all, his father was the driver who purchased the ride from Alexander. Luke ran his first late model race in it and then ran it one last time to honor the memories of both,
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Alexander and Lenny Stroud, Jr. “The way the whole situation happened was very heartwarming, and it’s almost as if ‘The Pink Lady’ came full circle,” noted Annette. EVEN WINNING OFF TRACK
Winning on the track is something Hoffner is somewhat used to but has also helped earn him recognition awards off track. Although there are many, he fondly recalled some of his favorites. “My favorites are the ‘Saturday Night Hero Award’ from the Living Legends of Auto Racing in Daytona Beach, Florida, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from The National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in Kentucky.” He has also received many other prestigious awards, including one from Area Auto Racing News for being the winningest Late Model driver in the northeast. The dirt pro also showcases a host of Fan Favorite awards. Every great race car driver has people and businesses that help support them, and Hoffner’s are Brenner Core Group, Miller Racing Engines, JK Trucking & Flag Car, Annette’s Avon, Rosendale’s Supply, Wade Biddle, Robby Spencer Truck Repair, Mike’s Electric Repair, Willard Battery and Norm and Sharon Meckley.
LUKE HOFFNER ROLLS DOWN THE TRACK AT HIDDEN VALLEY SPEEDWAY IN CLEARFIELD, IN HIS NO. 15 LATE MODEL.
Hoffner didn’t forget to add his mother, Diane, to the list. Not only did she give birth to him but is and was 100 percent behind his racing efforts, he said. Although he’s a dirt racer at heart, Hoffner is no newcomer to asphalt racing as well. When the time is right, he heads to Evergreen Raceway to compete with its Enduro class. “I like Enduro because it’s inexpensive and also a blast. There are lots of cars and lots of laps — it’s just a plain good time all around.” Hoffner even installed a passenger racing seat in his car for one of the Evergreen events. As long as the safety measures are put into the car for a passenger,
Photo Provided
the track allows it for its Enduros. Luke’s mother had never ridden on track from the inside of a race car. He surprised her with a ride in it at Evergreen. Not only did she ride shotgun, but she enjoyed it and remained buckled in for the entire race, he said. Hoffner’s plans are simple — to keep racing as long as he can and to try a few new things. He plans to compete in more Evergreen Enduros this season and says that he would like to get a 358 Dirt Modified and race at BAPS Speedway in Pennsylvania and Winchester Speedway in Virginia with a couple of third-generation drivers — his sons, A.J. and Brandon.
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‘LOUDER HARDER FASTER’
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500-mile trips worth the effort for Sweeney By Gene Ostrowski for Inside Pennsylvania Motorsports | Photos provided by Benji Huzsek
M
ike Sweeney cut his asphalt circle track teeth in the Factory Stock and then Street Stock division at Mahoning Valley Speedway. In a short time, the Nesquehoning driver had hustled his way to multiple victories before taking the leap into the Late Model division. Sweeney’s first full season of Late Model competition
started in 2005. At the time he called Mahoning Valley his home track but had the urge to sway from the ¼-mile bullring to some place a little bit larger. With Mahoning hosting racing on Saturday nights and with Evergreen Raceway (formerly Mountain Speedway) kicking off its season on Sunday afternoon, it gave him the opportunity to try another facility.
MIKE SWEENEY (11) PULLS INTO THE LEAD IN TRAFFIC HEADING TO THE GREEN FLAG IN A HEAT RACE AT JENNERSTOWN SPEEDWAY LAST SEASON.
Benji Huzsek
INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS | APRIL 2022
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MIKE SWEENEY (NO. 11) TAKES HIS LATE MODEL OUT FOR WARMUPS LAST SEASON AT JENNERSTOWN SPEEDWAY.
GARY WILTROUT (OUTSIDE) BEATS MIKE SWEENEY (NO. 11) TO THE LINE IN A HEAT RACE LAST SEASON AT JENNERSTOWN SPEEDWAY.
The 1/3-mile asphalt oval has just what Sweeney was looking for — a larger track meant longer straights and a bit of room to move around, which is something that he looked forward to. After several great finishes, he found himself in contention for the track championship, which was something that he really hasn’t considered chasing. He got even better as the season progressed and when it finally closed, he had been crowned the 2008 Evergreen Raceway Late Model track champion. He went on to repeat 14
APRIL 2022 | INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS
the championship the following season and when time allowed he also competed at Mahoning Valley. The following years were just as successful for Sweeney and his team. The championships eluded him, but he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he desired to try out even more tracks and decided to compete at the annual Race of Champions, which was held in the fall at Oswego Speedway, in Oswego, N.Y. He teamed up with Ford Performance for the start of the
2022 Schedule of Events Saturday, April 16
410 Sprints, Late Models (gtt and Australian Pursuit) & Limited Late Models on York County Racing Club Night 6:00pm
Saturday, April 23
7th Annual Keith Kauffman Classic – All Star Circuit Of Champion 410 Sprint Car Series (tt) $10,000 & USAC East Coast 360 Wingless Sprints $2,000 presented by Valley Supply of Mechanicsburg 6:00pm
Saturday, April 30
Saturday, May 7
410 Sprints (dual heat passing points), Late Models, & PASS/IMCA 305 Sprints presented by Capital Automotive Refinishing Supplies, Inc. on Camera and Autograph Night 6:00pm 410 Sprints, ULMS Late Models (tt) $4,000, & Limited Late Models $1,500 presented by Bobby Rahal Toyota Lexus of Lewistown with $10 General Admission for Mothers on Pocono Raceway Night 7:00pm
Saturday, May 14
NO RACING
Saturday, May 21
World of Outlaw Late Models (tt) $10,000 & 410 Sprints (gtt) $5,000 plus EMMR Display 7:00pm BOB WEIKERT MEMORIAL WEEKEND PRESENTED BY FOLKENS BROTHERS TRUCKING SPONSORED BY PACKER’S CONCESSIONS
Saturday, May 28
Weikert Memorial Fallen Heroes Championships All Star 410 Sprints (tt) $10,000 & PASS 305 Sprints 7:00pm
Sunday, May 29
Weikert Memorial Finale All Star 410 Sprint Cars (tt) $29,000 & Wingless Sportsman 7:00pm
Monday, May 30
RAIN DATE FOR SUNDAY, MAY 29th ONLY
Saturday, June 4
410 Sprints, Late Models, & Limited Late Model Twin 20s presented by Bobby Rahal Toyota Lexus of Lewistown with $10 General Admission for Senior Citizens 62 years of age and older on $1 Hot Dog Night 7:00pm
Saturday, June 11
410 Sprints, Limited Late Models, & PASS 305 Sprints Twin 20s on Camera and Autograph Night 7:00pm
$55,0TO0WIN0
Friday, September 9
Night Before The 50 All Star Circuit Of Champion 410 Sprint Cars $10,000 (tt) & Late Models Presented by Tedd Reitz (Last points race for the 410 Sprint Cars & Late Models) 7:00pm
Saturday, September 10
55th Annual Tuscarora 50 Sponsored by Ramsey’s Car Wash and Garage of Mifflintown & Presented by Packers Concessions (tt) $55,000 & Non Qualifiers Race 6:00pm
Sunday, September 11
Tuscarora 50 rain date (Saturday event only) 5:00pm
Friday, October 7
Motorcycle Racing: Progressive AFT’s Mission Port Royal Half-Mile presented by Appalachian Harley-Davidson (Raindate: Sunday, July 17) Start Time TBA
World Of Outlaw Sprint Car Series (tt) $10,000 & Limited Late Models (Top 24 in points) 7:00pm
Saturday, October 8
World Of Outlaw Sprint Car Series (tt) $15,000 & PASS 305 Sprints (Top 24 in points) 5:00pm
Wednesday, July 20
World Of Outlaw Sprint Cars & Wingless Sportsman 7:00pm (Raindate: Thursday, July 21st 7:00pm)
Sunday, October 9
RAIN DATE ONLY IF BOTH WoO EVENTS ARE CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN
Saturday, July 23
NO RACING
Saturday, July 30
16th Annual Living Legends Dream Race 410 Sprints (tt) $60,000 Purse & Late Models (gtt) Presented by Tedd Reitz and sponsored by Krill Recycling 7:00pm
Thursday, October 13
Short Track Super Series Fueled by Sunoco Modifieds $5,000 7:00pm
Friday, October 14
Saturday, August 6
410 Sprints, Late Models (dual heat passing points), & PASS 305 Sprints Kids Money Scramble presented by Pennian Bank 7:00pm
Short Track Super Series Fueled by Sunoco Modifieds & 602 Crate Modifieds Qualifying Night, plus 410 Sprints (gtt) $5,000 7:00pm
Saturday, October 15
Saturday, August 13
NO RACING
Short Track Super Series Fueled by Sunoco “Speed Showcase 200” $50,000, 602 Crate Modifieds, & Street Stocks 5:00pm
Saturday, August 20
Open Wheel Madness III 410 Sprints (gtt) $5,000, PASS/IMCA 305 Sprints, & USAC East Coast Wingless on Salute To The Military Night with FREE General Admission for all past and present military with proper identification 7:00pm
Sunday, October 16
RAIN DATE FOR SPEED SHOWCASE ONLY
Saturday, October 22
11th Annual “Blue Collar Classic” Keystone RaceSaver Challenge 305 Sprints (gtt), Limited Late Models (gtt), & FWD 4-Cylinders (Last points race for LLM and 305 Sprints) 2:00pm
Saturday, June 18
Open Wheel Madness II “USAC Eastern Blast” USAC National Sprint Cars (tt) $6,000, USAC Silver Crown $8,000, & 410 Sprints (gtt) $5,000 7:00pm
Saturday, June 25
NO RACING
Wednesday, June 29
32nd Annual PA Speedweek 410 Sprints (tt) $7,000 & URC 360 Sprints $2,000 7:30pm
Saturday, July 2
32nd Annual PA Speedweek 4th ANNUAL GREG HODNETT CLASSIC for 410 Sprints (tt) $10,000 & Late Models 7:30pm
Saturday, July 9
410 Sprints, Late Models (gtt), & Limited Late Models on Kids Night with Bicycle and Power Wheel Races (Helmets Required) 7:00pm
Saturday, July 16
Friday, August 26
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series “Rumble By The River” (tt) Twin 25s $5,000 each & Mid Atlantic Modifieds 7:00pm
Saturday, August 27
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series “Rumble By The River” (tt) $50,000 & Mid Atlantic Modifieds 6:00pm
Sunday, August 28
RAIN DATE FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 27th ONLY 6:00pm
Saturday, September 3
168th Annual Juniata County Fair Opener – 19th Annual ULMS Late Model Butch Renninger Memorial (tt) $6,333, 410 Sprints, & Limited Late Models (gtt) $1,500 on Auto Racing Club Of Hagerstown Night 6:00pm
Monday, September 5
71st Annual Foss Jewelers Inc. of Lewistown Labor Day Classic for 410 Sprints (gtt) $5,000, FWD 4-Cylinders, & Wingless Sportsman Benefiting the Mifflin/ Juniata United Way On Fan Appreciation Day – $5 Infield Adm. and $12 Grandstand General Admission, presented by Tedd Reitz 1:00pm
Thursday, September 8
All Star Circuit Of Champion 410 Sprint Cars (tt) $8,000 & PASS 305 Sprints Presented by Tedd Reitz 7:00pm
55th Annual
TUSCARORA 50
September 10, 2022
with General (G), Student (S) & Pit (P) Price
INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS | APRIL 2022
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2016 season. With a terrific partnership in place, he went out and won the feature to open the season at Mahoning Valley. Several more big victories came along the way and he went on to take the Mahoning title that season. Without losing a beat, he followed it up with a championship repeat the following season. Prior to the start of the 2019 season Sweeney and the rock band Warrant (Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Heaven, Cherry Pie) teamed up for what they hoped to be another great season. The arrangement was unusual. The race team advertised the band on its racecar and through social media. In turn, the band, which consists of Robert Mason, Steven Sweet,
MIKE SWEENEY WAITS IN THE PIT AREA FOR THE CALL TO THE TRACK LAST SEASON AT JENNERSTOWN SPEEDWAY.
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Joey Allen, Erik Turner and Jerry Dixon, helped with promoting the race team through social media. The project was a proven success and the partnership continues to date. Like every season since the alliance, Erik Turner of Warrant is excited to get the upcoming racing season underway. “Louder, harder, faster goes Sweeney Racing into the 2022 season, and the Warrant boys are cheering for them all the way to the checkered flag,” he proclaimed, citing the name of the band’s 2017 album. “It’s awesome to be teamed up with Warrant, said
Sweeney. “Not many people can say they have a rock band on their racecar, and having their support is pretty cool.” Late that season Sweeney decided to venture out to Jennerstown Speedway, in western Pennsylvania, where its racers welcomed Sweeney and his crew. The crew, in turn, was crew amazed by the ½-mile asphalt facility and promised to make the one-way, four-hour trek to compete more often. “Jennerstown is one of the nicest facilities I was ever to,” Sweeney said. ”The owners and manager Billy Hribal run a class A operation. It’s a fast track and was hard to get used to, but I’m glad to call Jennerstown my new home and
hope to get some wins there in the future.” He raced the entire 2020 and 2021 season at both, Jennerstown and Evergreen. His highlight at Evergreen was being named the Late Model track champion to close out the season and his Jennerstown highlight was finishing ninth in the $10,000-to-win “Master of the Mountain” event in 2021. “Finishing in the top 10 at one of the biggest Late Model races is a big accomplishment,” said Sweeney. “We look forward to making more improvements for this year at the master’s race!” When you see Sweeney at the racetrack, he is always
INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS | APRIL 2022
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Photos Provided
THE ROCK BAND WARRANT RAISES A TOAST TO MIKE SWEENEY ON AT A VICTORY AT MAHONING VALLEY LAST SEASON. WARRANT WAS APPEARING AT PENNS PEAK NEAR JIM THORPE.
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“IT’S AWESOME TO BE TEAMED UP WITH WARRANT. NOT MANY PEOPLE CAN SAY THEY HAVE A ROCK BAND ON THEIR RACECAR, AND HAVING THEIR SUPPORT IS PRETTY COOL.” — MIKE SWEENEY
“LOUDER, HARDER, FASTER GOES SWEENEY RACING INTO THE 2022 SEASON, AND THE WARRANT BOYS ARE CHEERING FOR THEM ALL THE WAY TO THE CHECKERED FLAG.” — ERIK TURNER OF WARRANT
surrounded by a pile of crew members. Sweeney claims that his are the best, including his wife Sarah and their daughter, Harper. Others who help with laying their hands on his No. D11 are his mother and father, Bernice and Vince Sweeney, Pip Rehrig, Lance Malatak, Joey Biasi and Billy Hribar. Sweeney is a bit modest when asked about his accomplishments in motorsports, but with several dozen feature wins, 55 of which came at Mahoning Valley, combined with other tracks on which he has competed, he had three straight seasons (2015, 2016 and 2017) where he was recognized by Area Auto Racing News as the topranked Late Model racer in the northeast. He and his team were also featured in Dick Berggren’s Speedway Illustrated and recognized at the annual PRI show in Indianapolis. Many sponsors have backed Sweeney since he first jumped into a race car, and those who are backing him for the 2022 season at both, Jennerstown and Evergreen are Jones Racing Products, Kovatch Inc., B&F General Machine, Ford Performance, Hummel & Sons Self Storage and Rentals, Radocha Excavating, Bollinger Transportation, Koehler Bros, Krajcirik Automotive, Winks Wood Barn, Valve Tech Sales, Competition Graphics and Warrant. If the cards fall his way, western Pennsylvania may witness a new visitor in victory lane at Jennerstown Speedway this season. Making a 500-mile round trip trek to do so, Sweeney is determined to make it happen.
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INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS | APRIL 2022
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JACOB BALLIET RUNS IN A HEAT RACE WITH HIS NO. 22 358 SPRINT CAR LAST SEASON AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY IN BECHTELSVILLE.
E
XPERIENCE ISN’T MEASURED BY AGE
Balliet becoming cultivated veteran at 18 By Gene Ostrowski for Inside Pennyslvania Motorsports | Photos provided by SDS Photography
O
n non-race days, kicking up dust from behind the wheel of a tractor, just off the beaten path in the small town of Mifflinville, 18-year- old Jacob Balliet, of Bloomsburg, earns money helping fellow farming friend, Carl Shaffer. On race days, still kicking up dust, Balliet earns his pay in the entertainment industry, from behind the wheel of a 358 Sprint Car.
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With the help of his father, Matt, and mother, Barb, Balliet first got into the sport when he was just 5 years old. The class of choice for the youngster was quarter midgets and he was very good at running them right from the get-go. Since his first start in 2009 and last in 2015, Balliet amassed dozens of feature wins, and his favorite was at none other than the famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio, which is owned by NASCAR legend
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ABOVE: JACOB BALLIET RACES LAST SEASON AT KUTZTOWN ACTION TRACK IN HIS 358 SPRINT CAR. LEFT: JACOB BALLIET (NO. 22, INSIDE) BATTLES WITH SAMMY MARTZ (NO. 22) LAST YEAR AT KUTZTOWN ACTION TRACK.
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Photo provided
JACOB BALLET’S MODIFIED RACE CAR IS ON DISPLAY EARLIER THIS YEAR AT THE PHILLIPSBURG (N.J.) MALL.
Tony Stewart. Balliet made the leap from quarter midgets to micro sprints in 2016. With stiffer competition, mixed with a learning curve of the different and faster cars, he did extremely well and raced competitively right out of the box. It didn’t take long for him to claim his first 600 micro sprint victory, which took place at Hamlin Speedway. Not long after, his father purchased a full-
size sprint car to dabble with and learn. His current ride originally belonged to Jeff Halligan, who won many 358 races with it. Although he has spent his career racing mainly on dirt, Balliet had a quick stint in the modified division during the 2020 season at Evergreen Raceway in St. Johns. “I got into racing at a young age when I went to Mahoning Valley Speedway every Saturday to watch my
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JACOB BALLIET WHEELS HIS 358 SPRINT CAR ON THE TRACK AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY LAST SEASON.
godfather, Donny Wagner, compete in asphalt modified racing.” However, asphalt racing isn’t necessarily his cup of tea, at least as a driver. “I prefer dirt racing in general over other types of racing mainly because I just enjoy it more.” This past winter was no different than any other in the last few years. Balliet and his family get together and begin to work on their carefully laid out schedule for the season. In sprint car events alone this year, Balliet has 34 races at 11 different tracks on deck, which include events at Lincoln, Bloomsburg, Bridgeport, Selinsgrove, Williams Grove, Path Valley, Big Diamond, Port Royal, Clinton County, Grandview and BAPS. Aside from those shows, he, his mother and father, plan to run as many 600cc Micro Sprint racing events as 24
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possible. He said he really enjoys competing at a variety of tracks, from the small bullrings to the 3/8-mile facilities and this year he’s adding the ½-mile at Selinsgrove Speedway to his resume. He had adapted well to them all so far and mentioned that he really enjoys competing on the 3/8-mile track at Lincoln Speedway. It’s not because of just the great racing, but because of his past experiences there. “I really enjoy Lincoln because of how well they run the show and how professional they are to deal with week in and week out,” he said. Even the best of the best have fellow racers that they look up to and admire. Balliet hinted that he had several, but chose one almost immediately. “If I had to pick one idol or role model, it would be Kyle
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“I WANT TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE WITH THE 358 AT LINCOLN AND CONTINUE TO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY WINGLESS 600 COMPETITION AT VARIOUS TRACKS.” — JACOB BALLIET
Larson,” he noted. After all, Larson has won in everything from quarter midgets to open wheel cars, and last season he won the NASCAR Cup Series championship. Even though he’s a star in the Cup Series, Larson has been known to race sprint cars at many Pennsylvania tracks. If the stars align correctly on short track night, Larson and Balliet might be racing side by side. All racers remember their victories, or at least the biggest ones. Balliet said that he’s most proud of his National USAC win at the Eldora Speedway in quarter midgets. He had goals back then and continues to have future goals. “I want to continue to improve with the 358 at Lincoln and continue to have fun and enjoy wingless 600 competition at various tracks.” Balliet noted that much of his success comes from the people and businesses behind him, like Long Hollow Cattle Company, DeFebo Graphics, Bergelt Opticians, DMY Performance, Country Charm Early Learning Center, TSL Shocks, Hart Custom Long Range Rifles. The teen praised Andy Morro, who is a tremendous help to Balliet, with getting to the track every week. So, if you are visiting a racetrack in Pennsylvania this season, there’s a good chance you will see the Columbia County teenager kicking up dirt with his race car.
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JACOB BALLIET RACES LAST SEASON IN HIS 358 SPRINT CAR AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY
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A LINEAGE Ross pulls off rare asphalt late model feat By Gene Ostrowski for Inside Pennsylvania Motorsports | Photos provided by Walt Smith
R
oss is a familiar family name in the Mountaintop and White Haven areas. When it comes to asphalt racers, the Ross family has several names on the list of those who currently compete or who have competed at nearby Evergreen Raceway. Several of those family members are not just filed under the win column, but under the champion column as well. However, only one has been able to win a track champion in the same season at both Evergreen Raceway and at Mahoning Valley Speedway, in Lehighton.
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On the track, Nick Ross in his RNR Auto Body No. 99 looks like he has been competing for decades. That is, until he climbs out of his Port City racecar. He may look young, but the years of experience are equal to that of many veteran short track racers. While watching his older brother, Ricky, compete and win in several different divisions at the speedway, Nick dreamed of being behind the wheel of a racecar. His dream soon became a reality and at the end of the 2007 racing season at Evergreen Raceway (then known as Mountain Speedway), 16-year old Nick made his first career
NICK ROSS RACES HIS NO. 99 LATE MODEL LAST SEASON AT MAHONING VALLEY SPEEDWAY, LEHIGHTON.
OF WINNING start in the Factory Stock division. Normally, most rookie drivers would make their first start during a show where the competition might be a little bit on the light side, but not Ross. His first stock car endeavor came in the track’s biggest show of the year, which was the season finale “King of the Green,” where racers from the tri-state area compete in the extra-distance event for a lot more cash than a regular show. The young racer said he put his nerves aside and prepared mentally for his debut. The green flag waved, and he just tried to stay out of trouble and run his own
race. When the checkers waved, Ross earned an impressive second-place feature finish, which propelled him and his team to set their focus on the following season. The following year was a memorable one indeed, as he earned several feature wins, took ‘Rookie of the Year’ honors, and won the divisional championship. Following his championship season, he dabbled with his factory stock in the Street Stock division before purchasing a late model. Jumping from a factory stock into a powerful late model was a big step in his career, but he was up for the challenge. INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS | APRIL 2022
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NICK ROSS CELEBRATES A VICTORY LAST SEASON AT MAHONING VALLEY SPEEDWAY.
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NICK ROSS (99) RACES SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH RICH COOPER LAST SEASON AT MAHONING VALLEY SPEEDWAY.
Ross made his first late model start in 2016. Many folks knew that moving into the division would be a big jump for Ross, but no one anticipated he would finish off the season by taking Rookie of the Year honors and the Late Model track championship. Hopes for a successful start to the 2017 season ended in a hurry for the young driver. A few cars, who were just ahead, tangled on the backstretch at Evergreen. Unable to miss the pileup, he joined the mix, and the result was an extremely torn up car, which not only put an end to his night, but also to his season. “That was a very unfortunate and frustrating day for Ross Racing,” Ross said. “We left the track that day frustrated and totally dejected. However, it gave us reason to really focus on the car and make it even better than it was.” Fast forward to 2020: Ross and his team decided to branch out and try their luck at Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway for one event. Being a one-fourth-mile bullring compared with the one-third-mile track at Evergreen, they had some learning to do. But that didn’t take long. By the end of the evening Ross was on the podium with a third-
place feature finish in his first start at the track. Entering the 2021 season and having experience at both tracks, Ross was on a mission. Not only did he and his team earn wins at Evergreen, but they also earned several at Mahoning. Combined, they won 10 times in 13 starts, which led them to divisional championships at both speedways. It is a feat that had not been accomplished in the division, at least in the modern era (1988-present) of the tracks. Ross reminisced on the last few seasons and is proud of his team, as they never gave up. “We left the track in 2017 upset but were able to leave both tracks at the end of the 2021 season in celebration of a dual championship,” he said. If you speak with nearly any racer, they will tell you that racing is not just a sport, but a family sport. For the Ross family, it has been a family sport for decades. “Racing has been a part of my family since I was little. My dad started it all back in the ’80s when he started in the Street Stocks at Evergreen. He was the first Mopar to win at that track. Honestly, I can’t remember a time before racing.” Ross noted.
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Joyce Semon
NICK ROSS CELEBRATES HIS FIRST CAREER LATE MODEL VICTORY IN 2016 AT EVERGREEN RACEWAY IN ST. JOHN’S.
“Evergreen is basically in our backyard, so it was easy to get to and affordable to follow. After a few races I was hooked.” Speaking of family, Ross’ are there for every race, many of whom work on the racecar as well. Just like he did following his Evergreen and Mahoning championships, Nick wanted to thank them all. “My parents, Rick Sr. and C.J. Ross, without their support and dedication to the sport I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn and pursue my love for the sport,” he said. “My brother, Ricky Ross, who puts in countless hours of wrench time to help me and is always there to listen to possible changes I want to throw at the car. “I couldn’t do it without my wife, Mel Ross, for her support and understanding. She is someone I can count on to be there to cheer me on and makes sure that my daughter (Hailey) is always there to support daddy.” He added, “My aunt and uncle, Tina and Jerry Hildebrand, have always been major supporters and we can always count on them for anything.” At the track he has a large group of people who help, including Del and Terry Morgan, Eric Swerdon Sr. and Jr., Richie, Robbie and Hunter Spaide, Mackenzie Kovalski and Ricky Ross III. The White Haven hot shoe would like to pursue his career with racing at more tracks, but that would take additional funding and Ross doesn’t want to take away from helping support his family to do so. “We are in the process of looking for additional sponsors to help us grow and be able to travel to other tracks to gain more experience,” he said. He noted that it is his current sponsors who are the reason that he has been able to compete and win at both tracks this past season. They include RNR Auto Body, Hildebrand Excavating, Dr. Richard Ottoviani, J & M Landscaping, T & V Transportation & J & P Construction. 32
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NICK ROSS SITS IN VICTORY LANE LAST SEASON AT MAHONING VALLEY SPEEDWAY.
“I COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT MY WIFE, MEL ROSS, FOR HER SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING. SHE IS SOMEONE I CAN COUNT ON TO BE THERE TO CHEER ME ON AND MAKES SURE THAT MY DAUGHTER (HAILEY) IS ALWAYS THERE TO SUPPORT DADDY.” — NICK ROSS NICK ROSS RACES HIS LATE MODEL LAST SEASON AT MAHONING VALLEY SPEEDWAY.
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Bissinger’s success comes from a life of hard work By Gene Ostrowski for Inside Pennsylvania Motorsports | Photos provided by Steve Williams
I
t’s no secret that many Pennsylvania farmers struggle year to year, especially during the last 10 years. Pennsylvania lost six percent of its farmland between 2012 and 2017, according to a federal estimate. As they got up in age and with the lack of work ethic that being a successful farmer requires, many area homesteaders and harvesters began to slow down and focus on retirement. However, one overworked farmer in Orangeville has no intention of slowing down, and farming has little to do
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with that. From behind the wheel of his own personal tank for nearly two decades, 56-year-old Keith Bissinger continues to put on a show, build his fan base and win feature events in the Roadrunner stock car division at Selinsgrove Speedway. Farming is what Bissinger has always known and as a youngster, racing was something that he always wanted to do. He started off racing four-wheelers and then built his first Enduro car in the early 1990s. For Bissinger, it was always about the competition. “I just love the competition of the sport,” he said.
KEITH BISSINGER, OF ORANGEVILLE, THE ALL-TIME WINNER IN THE ROADRUNNER DIVISION AT SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY, RACES BEHIND BRAD MITCH (NO. 10) AND KEVIN DOBSON (NO. 75) LAST SEASON.
THE FARMER &
THE TANK INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS | APRIL 2022
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14 H O M E S 36
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KEITH BISSINGER RACES SIDE-BY-SIDE AT SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY WITH TOM UNDERWOOD LAST SEASON.
“First it was four-wheelers and then that started to get expensive. I was introduced to Enduro racing and at the time, which was more affordable and looked like a lot of fun, so I tried it. That’s what got me hooked.” Bissinger continued to compete on dirt tracks over the next few years. During that period, he built a Street Stock to run at Selinsgrove Speedway. After a few
seasons he stepped back from the sport. Prior to 2004 he purchased a portion of the family farm from his parents and shortly after he decided that it was time to get back on the racetrack. He ran a vast amount of Enduro events and went to victory lane multiple times. One of those events was even on asphalt, in the “The Mutha of all Enduros” at Evergreen
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APRIL 2022 | INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS
KEITH BISSINGER CELEBRATES A WIN AT SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY IN HIS ROADRUNNER, NICKNAMED THE TANK.
Raceway (formerly Mountain Speedway). With a threelap advantage over second place, it was just one of many dominating efforts set by Bissinger. At 39, he also went on to take the Roadrunner championship at Selinsgrove that season. “That first championship is my most memorable,” said Bissinger. “I got back into racing that year and really wanted to win a championship, and we had a really good year and won a lot of races.” With a no fear on the track, driving a car that appeared to the naked eye as a junkyard find, Bissinger and his No. 11 quickly became a fan favorite in the Roadrunner division at Selinsgrove. Nicknamed “The Tank,’’ his car appeared to be indestructible. Today, Bissinger continues to run his farm and even during these difficult economic times for nearly everyone, has no intention of slowing down, with either work or play. “Last year with the farm has been really good,” he said. “Even though the price of everything has gone through the roof, we’ve continued to do OK.” Even though he is racing against and continuing to beat competition that is less than half his age, Bissinger has no plans to hang up his helmet anytime soon. Chuckling, he said “I just got my motor from the last four seasons freshened up, so I can’t quit now.” He noted that the power plant, which was built by
engine builder Phil Miller, had been very dependable and showed little wear after the last four seasons. Bissinger admitted that at one time earlier in his career, he wanted to compete in the Late Model division, but time has passed, and he is more than content that he didn’t take that leap years ago. “I can afford what I do with the Roadrunner,” he said. “If I would have bought a Late Model back then, I don’t think that it would have been fun and in hindsight, there is no way that I would have been able to afford it. I love running the Roadrunner because I just go out there to have fun and that’s what I’m doing now, having a blast!” Unlike most racers, he does not have a full list of sponsors that help back his efforts. Instead, Bissinger said, he gets some help from his brother, Kevin, and his business, Bissinger’s Apple Dumplings. “I get a lot of help from Chris Dietz and Eric Pickerton. Also, Kevin donated one of his old concession trucks and I actually use it to tow the car to the track every week,” he said. Even though he has six Roadrunner championships and a track-record 61 feature wins at Selinsgrove alone, Bissinger cherishes the memories over the hardware. “Trophies are nice,’’ he said, “but the old photos are great memories of all of the people that we’ve had in our lives.” INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS | APRIL 2022
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“... WE HAVE TO GET INTO A RHYTHM, AND I HAVE TO SEE WHAT I HAVE TO DO AND GET IT DONE, AND BE THERE WHEN HE NEEDS ME.” — DALTON BACHMAN
MAKING RACING
A FAMILY BUSINESS Bachmans chase success while going it alone Story and photo Harold Raker for Inside Pennsylvania Motorsports
O
n the surface, this new partnership would seemingly face long odds in the quest for checkered flags, despite their considerable success in the past. Kyle Bachman, Selinsgrove Speedway’s all-time wins leader in Pro Stocks with 53, has a new limited late model car and hopes to return to his competitive ways. His son, Dalton, 13, has been a winner in every class of go-karts since he climbed inside a kid kart at age 4. He has left the restricted karts behind and moved into the adult classes this season. Rather than a lack of equipment, the challenge for the Snyder County duo will be their respective pit crews. More specifically, the lack of one.
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When Kyle tows his familiar yellow No. 99 stock car into Selinsgrove Speedway, or a few other Central Pennsylvania tracks, he will get to work with his pit crew of one — his son, Dalton. Their roles will reverse when the Bachmans pull into Selinsgrove Raceway Park, Seven Stars Speedway (Juniata County) or other karting tracks. Dalton will strap into his new open kart and Kyle will handle pit crew duties. “It’s just him and I, that’s all we have,” said Kyle, while not yet ruling out the possibility of others stepping in to help. He has been blessed with volunteer assistance from one of the best in the business, Gene Yoder, who crews for his son, Andrew. Kyle’s business, Bachman’s Auto Body, Selinsgrove, is one of Yoder’s sponsors.
THE FATHER-SON DUO OF DALTON BACHMAN, LEFT, WITH HIS NO. 99 GO-KART, AND HIS FATHER, KYLE, WITH HIS NO.99 LIMITED LATE MODEL, ARE SERVING AS EACH OTHER’S ONE-MAN PIT CREW THIS SEASON AS THEY CHASE CHECKERED FLAGS AT SELINSGROVE, SEVEN STARS AND OTHER AREA SPEEDWAYS.
“They will always give up time on their car to come over and help us and I really appreciate that,” Bachman said. He added, “Gene will come over and look at the car and in just like two minutes he will find something wrong that we did. “That’s very important, and you’ve gotta have that, somebody who is there to show you what to do,” he said, noting that the Yoders’ top priority is to put their own car in victory lane. “Last year we had a bunch of guys, but people come and go, and they all have their reasons. I appreciate every one of them who has helped me, and I will never complain,” he said, adding that he sometimes wonders why someone would want to bust their butt when most of them don’t get paid. Kyle also gets help from Miller Racing Engines, the only major business that appears on the hood of his car, but there also some smaller contributors. Yet he stops short when it comes to recruiting a pit crew. It’s never been the 49-year-old body shop owner’s forte. “Some people can sell tomatoes to a woman wearing a white dress, or as they say, a freezer to an Eskimo, but that’s not me,” he said.
He and Dalton have a checklist covering virtually every detail and do as much preparation as they can so that they are ready to go when they hit the track. “I’m sure we’ll figure it out and play that as we go,” he said. Kyle acknowledged that having Dalton as his lone pit crew member puts a lot of responsibility on a 13-year-old, but he is confident in his son’s ability. Dalton said he is not nervous about the extra responsibility. “It’s like (my dad) says, we have to get into a rhythm, and I have to see what I have to do and get it done, and be there when he needs me,” Dalton said. Kyle added, “The big thing is understanding the car and what it’s doing and being able to communicate and that’s what I’m trying to get him to understand.” He added, “Andrew Yoder can come in and tell his dad what (the car) is doing and to watch those two guys work you don’t have to wonder why they win so many races ever year. “Gene is a genius with it and Andrew knows that car inside and out and that’s what I’m trying to get him to do as well,” Kyle said of Dalton. “Some day maybe I will be the INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS | APRIL 2022
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guy standing in the pits and sending him out there.” Racing limited late models or super lates are much different from Bachman’s old rides, the pro stocks. “These are very technical. They’re not the old leaf springs, not as forgiving,’’ he said. He said many of the competitors are veterans of super late models and “you have to be on your game with these guys.” Meanwhile, Kyle determined that it was time for the youngster to move out of the restricted kid karts. “I have all the confidence in the world that he will (succeed),” Kyle said. “He’s a veteran. He’s already been racing for nine years. Some of these adults have only raced one year. He’s turned more laps than probably most of them on the track,” Kyle said. Talking about working traffic and going faster than he usually did, Dalton said, “Through the years I experienced all that kind of stuff, and I was able to problem solve with it. If you pull up on somebody and try to pass, you have to figure it out and that’s kind of what I’ve done through the years. “It’s just with the opens, you have a little more power and if you make a mistake you can recover from it,’’ Dalton said. Both Bachmans realize that seat time is critical to become successful. Kyle said he follows a philosophy espoused by one of the all-time great dirt- track racers, former World of Outlaws
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sprint champion Doug Wolfgang, who said that if you are not in a race car every chance you get, you are not going to be a race driver. Dalton got his start in the sport when he attended his first race, at Selinsgrove, the day after he was born, said Kyle, noting that as a youngster he loved watching the sprint cars. Their time spent at the racetrack has obviously evolved since then and Kyle said, “Being in the winner’s circle and having your kid with you is a great experience.” Does it get any better than that? “After (Dalton’s) his first win, it was more exciting for me than my wins,” Kyle said. Like many of his contemporaries, Dalton played a variety of stick-and-ball sports before his true passion took over. “I played baseball and football and I would shoot a basketball around,” the Selinsgrove eighth-grader said. “But racing was more up my alley. I have been around it more than all the other sports,” Dalton said. “I still like football. I like to watch it and sometimes I will throw a football around and play basketball but (playing organized sports) is a different deal. Racing is a fun thing to do, and a fun thing for me.” As the racing season got under way earlier this month, Dalton was undecided on his plans, but said he would likely race where the kart counts are the highest and, consequently, the competition is the best. That could be Selinsgrove Raceway Park, where he cut
“I HAVE ALL THE CONFIDENCE IN THE WORLD THAT HE WILL (SUCCEED). HE’S A VETERAN. HE’S ALREADY BEEN RACING FOR NINE YEARS. SOME OF THESE ADULTS HAVE ONLY RACED ONE YEAR. HE’S TURNED MORE LAPS THAN PROBABLY MOST OF THEM ON THE TRACK.” — KYLE BACHMAN
his karting teeth and has won a lot of races. But last year, he ended up racing more events at Seven Stars because of rainouts at SRP. He said he is not starting the season concentrating on winning a championship, but added, “Maybe if it came along, I would like to win a championship.” “I’d like to get a couple of wins,” he added. Kyle said, “I’ll take him wherever he wants to go — Seven stars, Selinsgrove, either one is OK. He really shines at Selinsgrove, but Seven Stars is every bit as good too.’’ Both race Friday nights, with Kyle racing his stock car on Saturdays. Kyle doesn’t have too many goals for his own racing, but he wants to show that he can be competitive again after a few sub-par years. He was struggling with his old car and hopes he can transition well into the new ride. He saw a lot of positive signs when testing it this spring at Port Royal, with Yoder helping to guide the way. “I am just looking to get more consistent, but we’re all in there to win. If you’re not there to win, why bother to show up. “I would like to be more consistent so that I can gain more confidence in the car.’’ Kyle was the king of the pro stock during in the early 2000s but took four years away to race 358 sprint cars, a division in which he posted one feature win. He added more wins after returning to the other side, but with Selinsgrove dropping the pro stock class from the program after the 2018 season (when Kyle won the title) as a weekly class, it was time to move up to the limited late models. Kyle is not considering retirement just yet but said he would step away if he were no longer competitive, and become a crew chief for Dalton, perhaps in Kyle’s stock car. “As long as I can turn the wheel and I am having fun at it but, if not, and I’m just out there to turn laps, there is no point in going.’’ He said, “I learned a long time ago you don’t get too cocky, and you try your best and accept what comes and keep moving on.’’
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COUNTER CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: A PAIR OF LEGENDS, DRIVER THE LATE JAN OPPERMAN, A MEMBER OF THE INAUGURAL HALL OF FAME CLASS AT THE NATIONAL SPRINT CAR HALL OF FAME, LEFT, AND HIS CREW CHIEF, THE LATE RALPH HEINTZELMAN SR., AN INDUCTEE IN THE CLASS OF 2022, TALK IN THE PITS DURING AT RACE IN 1972 AT SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY; RALPH HEINTZELMAN SR., IN HIS BEAVERTOWN GARAGE WITH A CAR HE BUILT FOR HALL OF FAMER JIM NACE, LATE OF THOMPSONTOWN; HALL OF FAME DRIVER LYNN PAXTON, OF DILLSBURG, RACES IN A CAR OWNED BY MAYNARD BOOP, OF MILLMONT, AND WRENCHED BY RALPH HEINTZELMAN SR.; JAN OPPERMAN RACES THE LUKE BOGAR (SELINSGROVE)-OWNED NO. 99 IN 1973.
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The man behind the
SPEED Champion crew chief to be inducted into HOF By Harold Raker for Inside Pennsylvania Motorsports | Photos provided
T
he local racing scene in the 1970s through the early 1980s was dirt track’s answer to the Roaring ’20s. Fans of the sport who frequented Selinsgrove, Williams Grove and Port Royal speedways could sit back and watch the stars come out every week. The rivalries were like none anywhere, particularly: Kenny Weld versus Jan Opperman. Also on the scene were legends Mitch Smith, Dick “Toby” Tobias, Ray Tilley, Bobbie Adamson and Kramer Williamson, among others. Yet for all those years, one man who had as much to do as anyone pushing their cars to the limit on
the half-mile dirt tracks with the sport’s popularity remained outside looking in. There was no plaque in Knoxville, Iowa, for Ralph G. Heintzelman Sr., of Beaver Springs. Heintzelman, who started his career as crew chief for Beavertown’s Barry Camp, was hired by car owner Luke “Dick” Bogar, of Selinsgrove, as the crew chief for Opperman, the California kid who captured checkered flags at a torrid pace even as the quality of competition grew to an all-time high, drew the attention of fans across the state and eventually the country. Consider: Opperman won an unheard of 44 races in just one season (1972), the first year of the
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Heintzelman-Opperman pairing. After Opperman left several years later to compete with the U.S. Auto Club (and raced in two Indianapolis 500s), Heintzelman continued to help other drivers take the track promoters’ prize money. The list included Lynn Paxton, Tobias, Smith and Williamson. His car owners include Maynard Boop, of Millmont; Al Hamilton, of Manheim; and Roy “Shorty” Emrich, of Manchester. At last, on June 4 , at the Mecca of sprint car racing, Knoxville, Iowa, site of the Hall of Fame and the famed Knoxville Raceway, Heintzelman will finally join many of his contemporaries where his plaque has long been the most striking absence. Through the efforts of many, including Paxton, of Dillsburg, Selinsgrove Speedway general manager Steve Inch, of Lewisburg, and former race driver and Heintzelman family friend, Phil Walter, of McClure, Heintzelman was finally accepted into that hallowed membership earlier this year. Heintzelman will be one of 12 inducted into the class of 2022, including three-time NASCAR Cup champion Tony Stewart. Former Heintzelman crew member Phil Lash said his friend would be thrilled had he lived to see this day. Lash, who will be among the more than a dozen area people attending the induction, said it should
LYNN PAXTON RACES THE NO. 1 SPRINT CAR OWNED BY THE LATE MAYNARD BOOP AT SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY IN THE LATE 1970S.
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not have taken this long. “This should have been done 20 years ago,” he said of the crew chief who helped Opperman win more than 80 races in two years. “So, you know he was doing something right.” He said it was funny to watch Opperman and Heintzelman work. “They worked like a hand in a glove,’’ he said. “They would argue and scream at each other for 15 or 20 minutes, then they would calm down and they would agree.” In addition to his prowess as a crew chief, another reason Heintzelman deserved the honor, Lash said, was that he was also nationally known as a top-notch car builder. “At one time, the National Open had 18 or 20 cars that were built by Heintzelman,” Lash said, adding that Heintzelman cars were raced by drivers throughout Pennsylvania as well as the Midwest, Virginia, Oho and Maryland. “He could have been inducted as a car builder or as a mechanic,” added Lash, who joined the crew shortly after graduating from West Snyder High School and spent the next two and a half years on the road as part of the crew of the Bogar 99. The Beaver Springs garage owner said many of those inducted into the Hall over the years, although well deserving, should not have gone in ahead
“THEY WORKED LIKE A HAND IN A GLOVE. THEY WOULD ARGUE AND SCREAM AT EACH OTHER FOR 15 OR 20 MINUTES, THEN THEY WOULD CALM DOWN AND THEY WOULD AGREE.” — PHIL LASH
of Heintzelman. The late crew chief’s son, Ralph “Peanut” Heintzelman Jr., will also join the supporters at the induction ceremony. The younger Heintzelman recalled that he was about 6 when he hung around the crew, even at the track, where he technically was not allowed to be. He caid Opperman often called Ralph Sr. a farmer and often threatened to kick Peanut’s butt for making mistakes as he helped with the car. Because of his stature, the crew used to lift him upside down in the cockpit to handle things such as tightening torque tubes and, Peanut recalled a time he didn’t do it correctly, which not only caused problems
NEW NATIONAL SPRINT CAR HALL OF FAME MEMBER RALPH HEINTZELMAN SR., THE CREW CHIEF, CENTER, CELEBRATES A WIN IN VICTORY LANE AT SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY IN 1972 WITH DRIVER JAN OPPERMAN, LEFT, AND CAR OWNER LUKE BOGAR, OF SELINSGROVE.
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”ALTHOUGH HE’S NO LONGER WITH US, WE’RE VERY HAPPY THAT RALPH WILL HAVE HIS DAY OF RECOGNITION AND THAT HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS WILL BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE ALL OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN RACING THIS COMING JUNE AS PART OF THE INDUCTION CEREMONIES IN KNOXVILLE.” — STEVE INCH, SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY GENERAL MANAGER 48
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JAN OPPERMAN COMPETES IN A U.S. AUTO CLUB WINGLESS SPRINT CAR RACE IN 1973 AT THE READING FAIRGROUNDS.
with the race car, but incurred the wrath of the driver. Chuckling at the memories now, he said, “I didn’t root for Jan. Our car always won, and I would root for other drivers.” Peanut often accompanied the race team when on its travels through the Midwest, but said he never knew where they were. Years after the successful crew chief stepped away from the sprint car wars, he returned to the pits and wrenched for Peanut, who raced in the roadrunner class at Selinsgrove. He still races his stock car today, at Clinton County Speedway, Mill Hall.
When Walter first talked to Inch in the summer of 2018 about nominating Heintzelman for induction in the hall in 2018, he said that he wanted his friend to be able to attend the induction, but that Heintzelman was in ill health. After conferring with Walter, Inch wrote a nomination profile and submitted it to the Hall of Fame induction committee in the summer of 2018. Unfortunately, Heintzelman died in August 2019 at 81. His entry into the Hall was not announced until early this year. So, what took so long? INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS | APRIL 2022
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JAN OPPERMAN CELEBRATES IN VICTORY LANE AT SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY IN 1972. NEXT TO OPPERMAN IS CREW MEMBER HERB SPIVEY.
Lash described the reason for the delay in one word — “political.” He said Paxton, a member of the Hall of Fame board, told the local supporters that the way it works is akin to the saying, “If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” One member would tell another that, “If you vote for this guy, Ill vote for your guy.” With 72 voters, it becomes difficult to get the people you want, he said. Lash said the idea of inducting Heintzelman was supposedly in the works for a while, and Heintzelman knew about it, but “you never know.” Inch said, ”Although he’s no longer with us, we’re very happy that Ralph will have his day of recognition and that his family and friends will be able to celebrate all of his accomplishments in racing this coming June as part of the induction ceremonies in Knoxville.” Ironically, two of the others connected to Heintzelman’s reign over the sprint car world were 50
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inducted into the Hall of Fame in the inaugural class in 1990: Opperman and then Selinsgrove Speedway promoter Jack Gunn, who was responsible for enticing Opperman to come to Pennsylvania. Nevertheless, the induction will come on the 50th anniversary of that first season when Opperman hooked up with Heintzelman and Bogar and set the sprint car world on fire. Inch noted that many of Opperman’s 44 wins in 1972 came at Selinsgrove Speedway, where Opperman won the only track championship of his illustrious career in 1973. While there seems to be constant debate when it comes to the selection of Hall of Fame inductees in the other major sports it is unlikely that the racing community would have anything negative to say about the newest member of this Iowa showcase. Saturday, June 4 will be a day to remember in the village of Beaver Springs in rural western Snyder County. That’s when Ralph G. Heintzelman Sr. will finally get his day.
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Valley Tracks
Satisfying your need for speed BLOOMSBURG FAIRGROUNDS RACEWAY Layout: 3/8th-mile semi-banked track located inside the half-mile cinder track Location: 620 West Third Street, Bloomsburg Racing Divisions: Special events Track phone: 570-784-4949 Web site: racing.bloomsburgfair.com Twitter: @BloomsburgFairRaceway
BEAVER SPRINGS DRAGWAY Layout: ¼-mile asphalt drag strip Location: Mid-way between Selinsgrove and Lewistown on Route 235 north Address (GPS): 109 Race Track Lane, Beaver Springs, 17812 Racing lasses (partial list): Footbrake, super pro, junior drag, ATV, junior ATV, modified, top ET, top ET junior, outlaws Champions: IHRA, modified, Scott Drayer; series 2, John Binkle; FB, Mike Fornwalt; super pro, Jason Ewing; overall street, Fornwalt; series 2, Dale Rhoads; IHRA bike, Brian Snyder; series 2, Lenny Yocum; IHRA junior drag, Gage Hill, junior ATV, Hill; SBRA, super pro, Jason Ewing; bike, Jeff Santin; junior drag, Hill; Yocum bike, Brian Snyder; junior ATV Tucker Brungart; Friday street modified, Bob Reeder; outlaw, John Troxell; true, Cait Hile; hoodiniz, Frank Reaser; wicked, Matt Hile; TCR, Ava Hile; junior ATV, Nic Hile. Track phone: 814-329-0810 or 570-658-8601 Email: mike@beaversprings.com;mikala @beaversprings.com Website: www.beaversprings.com
CLINTON COUNTY SPEEDWAY Layout: 3/8th-mile, semi-banked clay oval Location: 98 Racetrack Road, Mill Hall, a half-mile off Exit 178 on I-80 Racing Divisions: Limited late models, 305 sprint cars, 270 micro sprints, 600 micro sprints, pro stocks, 4-cylinders, and special events Champions: 305 sprints, Garrett Bard; limited late models, Jim Yoder; pro stocks, Brandon Moser; 270 micro sprints, Jeffery Weaver; 600 micro sprints, Weaver; 4-cylinder stocks, Blake Weaver; junior four-cylinder stocks, Chloe Smith. Track phone: 570-726-7223 Website: clintoncountyspeedway.com Email: info@clintoncountryspeedway.com Twitter: @ClintonCoSpdwy 52
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EVERGREEN RACEWAY Layout: 3/8th-mile asphalt oval Location: 183 Mill Mountain Road, St. Johns Racing Divisions: Tour Modifieds, Evergreen Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Factory Stock, 4-Cylinders, 4-Cylinder Novice Champions: Matt Hirschman (Tour Modified), Jerry Hildebrand (Evergreen Modifieds), Nick Ross (Late Model), Ken Erney (Street Stocks), Brandon Cook (Factory Stock), Micah Adams (4-Cylinder), Maggie Yeakel (Novice 4-Cylinder), Alek Andrecs (Legends), Kaitlyn Stradley (Bandoleros) Track phone: 570-956-6347 Web site: evergreenracewaypark.com GREENWOOD VALLEY ACTION TRACK Layout: 1/5-mile banked dirt oval Location: 179 Bottom Rd., Orangeville Racing Divisions: 600 Winged Micros, 600 Wingless Micros, 270 Micros, 270 Rookie Micros, 125 Micros, Adult Caged Karts, Junior Caged Karts, Rookie Blue Caged Karts, Rookie Purple Caged Karts, Kids Carts Champions: 600 Winged Micros (Quinn Roberts), 600 Wingless Micros (Chas Sandt), 270 Micros (Glenn Macomber), 125 Micros (Jason Paisley), Adult Caged Karts (Sarah Koch), Junior Caged Karts (Aidyn McHale), Rookie Blue Caged Karts (Caiden Schuckers), Rookie Purple Caged Karts (Cannon Crossley), Kids Carts (Tie- Meko Felker & Trent Kessler) Track phone: 570-380-9182 / 570-204-9137 Website: greenwoodvalleyactiontracks.com LINCOLN SPEEDWAY Layout: 3/8th-mile high-banked clay oval Location: 800 Racetrack Rd, Abbottstown Track phone: 717-624-2755 Racing Divisions: 410 sprints, 358 sprints Champions: 410 sprints, Freddie Rahmer; 358 sprints, Steve Owings Win leaders; 410 sprints, Fred Rahmer, 169; 358 sprints, Jeff Rohrbaugh, 19 Website:lincolnspeedway.com Email: lincolnspeedwaypa@gmail.com Twitter: @lincolnspeedway NUMIDIA DRAGWAY Layout: ¼-mile dragstrip Location: 10 Dragstrip Road, Numidia Racing Divisions: Super Pro, Pro, Street, Motorcycle, Jr. Dragster Track phone: 570-799-5090 / 570-799-5091 Website: numidiadragway.com
PENNS CREEK RACEWAY PARK Layout: l/5th- mile clay tri-oval Location: Off Route 104 midway between Middleburg and Mifflinburg Address (GPS): 1210 Mountain Road, Middleburg, 17772 Racing divisions: predators, winged outlaws, small block open, clones, caged controlled flatheads Champions: divas, Karissa Springer; flat 350, Zach Nace; predator 410, Tyler Koppenhaver; clone 240, Trent Kerstetter; caged clone, red, Cash Leiby; rookie 1, Tommy Thompson; junior cage, Springer; junior predator, Jaylin Brown; adult aged, Miles Burd; clone 375, Chris Trawitz; rookie 2, Zackery Gerber; winged outlaws, Robert Bahnsen; rookie 1 caged, Maddyson Musser; rookie 2 caged, Dreden Berkheimer; predator 375, Kerstetter; ex-heavies, Koppenhaver; animal 375, Kerstetter; caged sportsman, Caden Hoover; junior restricted, Bradley Weaver; run what ya’ brung, David Graybill III Phone: 570-556-7462 or 570-713-8616 Website: pennscreekracewaypark.com INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORSPORTS | APRIL 2022
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PORT ROYAL SPEEDWAY Layout: Half-mile semi-banked oval Location: Halfway between Harrisburg and State College just off Route 322 along Route 75, Juniata County Racing Divisions: 410 sprint cars, super late models, limited late models Champions: 410 sprints, Logan Wagner; late models, Dylan Yoder; 305 sprints, Dave Grube; limited late models, Devin Hart. Win leaders; 410 sprints, Keith Kauffman, 129; 358 sprints, Mike Lehman, 5; late models, Scotty Haus, 96 ; 305 sprints, Jeff Miller Jr., 13 Track phone: 717-527-2303 Web site: portroyalspeedway.com Email: info@portroyalspeedway.com Twitter: @PortRoyalSpeedway
SELINSGROVE RACEWAY PARK Layout: 1/5th-mile clay oval. Location: Inside Selinsgrove Speedway, Sandhill Road. Racing divisions:16 classes of go-karts and micro sprints Champions: rookies 1 caged, Matthew Tanner; rookies 1, Trevor Zook; rookies II cage, Zachary Wagner; rookies 2, Lane Snook; junior restricted, Snook; heavies, Kasi Miller; xtra heavies, Todd Benny; adult caged flat, Rodger Radle; adult caged animal, Tyler Brown; flat 350, Josh Kerstetter; senior clone 375, Brown; junior clone caged, Colsen Fike; clone 340, Quenten Fike; red clone caged, Jaxson Musser; red clone, Brantlee Leitzel; predator 340, Tyson Thomas; predator 410, Tyler Thomas; Pa. wings, Cliff Loss. Track phone: 570-374-2266
SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY Layout: Half-mile semi-banked clay oval Location: Penn Township at the intersections of Routes 11&15, Snyder County Racing Divisions: 410 sprint cars, 360 sprint cars, 305 sprint cars, super late models, limited late models, roadrunners, on a rotational basis Champions: 410 sprints, Danny Dietrich; late models, Jeff Rine; limited late models, Hart; 360 sprints, Mark Smith; roadrunners, Jake Jones. Win leaders: Late models, Rine, 113; super modified/sprints, Ray Tilley 69; 358 sprints, Pat Cannon 49; pro stocks, Kyle Bachman 53; roadrunners, Keith Bissinger 61; limited late models, Steve Campbell 36 Track phone: 570-374-2266 Website: selinsgrovespeedway.com Email: publicrelations@selinsgrovespeedway.com Twitter: @RaceSelinsgrove
WILLIAMS GROVE SPEEDWAY Layout: half-mile, semi-banked oval Location: 10 miles south of Harrisburg, off Routes 15 or 74 near Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County Racing Divisions: 410 sprint cars, 358 sprint cars Champions: 358 sprints, Derek Locke; 410 sprints, Lance Dewease Win leaders: 410 sprints, Dewease, 103; 360 sprints, Greg Hodnett, 6; 358 sprints, Cannon, 28; super late models, Bobby Goodling 36; 358 late models, Gene Knob 45 Track phone: 717-697-5000 Web site: williamsgrove.com Email: williamsgrove@verizon.net Twitter: @WilliamsGrove
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