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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
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LEGENDARY
WILLIAMS GROVE by Norm Bogan |
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Traveling
the back roads of Pennsylvania, we arrived at the hallowed ground known as
“The Grove”. Entering the
track, you notice the grandstands lining the main straightaway and more on the
back straight. Fans are allowed to
cross into the infield through a tunnel under the main straight or over a bridge
from the back straight. Many fans
just set up lawn chairs in the infield area and view the races from there.
The racers pit in the infield, so it allows the fans access to see the
racers at work and to meet and greet them at the pit gate.
Various concessions in the infield area cater to the passing fans.
The racetrack is known as a paperclip, by its distinctive long straights
and tight turns, for NASCAR fans, think Martinsville with dirt.
There was a large crowd awaiting the return of the California sprinters,
last seen here in 1993. As the cars timed in, Damion Gardner emerged with a new track record of 20.35 seconds. There were a few local cars, which chose to try their hand at non-wing racing. Charles Davis Jr. destroyed his car early, when he flipped over the turn four wall. The heats were very racy, however Richard Griffin got together with another car in turn one and flipped onto the wall. With a strong Dash and competitive Semi, the field was set for the thirty-lap feature. Gardner had been the subject of conversation for the first two shows, leading most of each race, only to finish second. Tonight, he was again the dominant car, but lead all the way to the end. It was a popular victory with the fans, which were amazed at the moves of this newcomer. Damion related that while he was disappointed not winning either of the first two shows, especially the thirty grander at Osky, he cherished this win at the legendary track where so many heroes have run. Adding his name to a list that includes Hinnershitz, Paxton, Opperman, Weld, Rahmer and Dewease was special. Following Gardner to the checkers tonight were Bud Kaeding, Richard Griffin, John Scott with a great charge from the back, Mike Kirby and Cory Kruseman. Tony Jones lost it in turn four and flipped on the last lap, while running near the front. The crowd indicated their pleasure with a large ovation with many planning to return for tomorrow’s show at nearby Lincoln Speedway. |
