Port Royal summary 2004-07-04

Port Royal, PA Keith Kauffman won the 30 lap Golden Corral Restaurant of Selinsgrove/Aumiller & Associate Sprint Car Feature Saturday Night July 3 at Port Royal, PA Speedway. The victory was Kauffman's first of the season at the Juniata County oval. Kauffman's win was popular among the large PA Sprint Car Speedweek crowd. The happy winner was joined by a large group of family and friends in Victory Lane following the race. Kauffman said in post race interviews, " We've struggled some this year and haven't been good. I want to thank Rusty and the crew. These guys work on the car hard. I drive it as hard as they work on it."

Mark Smith of Newville, PA set fast time during time trials. Smith stopped the clock at 16.360 seconds. The Zemco Speed Equipment Driver pulled a no. six pill for the line up inversion.

Lance DeWease started on the pole in the Al Hamilton/Manheim Auto Auction no. 77. DeWease got the jump on Fred Rahmer's Miller Chevrolet/Joe Harz Furniture no. 88 H on the initial start. DeWease immediately opened a huge lead over Rahmer which was quickly wiped out with three laps complete. Lucas Wolfe spun the Allebach Racing/Capital Engines no. 5W in turn three. Wolfe was joined by Craig Keel of Weedsport NY and the pair went to the pit area. Wolfe returned to action with Keel out for the night. On the restart, Rahmer tried a slider move in turns one and two which initially appeared successful. DeWease regained the lead exiting the second turn and drove away on the back stretch. The race was slowed again on lap nine when New South Wales driver Peter Attard stopped in turn two. Attard was out for the night with a broken rear end. The race resumed with DeWease the leader over, Rahmer, Greg Hodnett and Kauffman. Kauffman moved past Hodnett on lap fourteen and disposed or Rahmer for second spot on lap fifteen. DeWease appeared gone but a lap seventeen caution for Lucas Wolfe slowed the field. Wolfe spun in turn four. DeWease again pulled away from Kauffman to a large advantage while Rahmer held off Hodnett and Mark Smith. Kauffman worked the entire speedway looking for a fast line through the turns. By lap twenty three Kauffman found something and his Dave Middleswarth Potato Chip no. 7 came to life. Kauffman ran down DeWease taking the lead on lap 25. Two laps later Hodnett and Kenny Jacobs moved past Rahmer for second and third spots. Kauffman drove off from the field on lap twenty eight and DeWease held the second spot with no problem. At the finish Kauffman and DeWease were followed by Hodnett, Jacobs, and Rahmer. Completing the top ten were Mark Smith, Mike Erdley, Mike Wagner, Chad Layton and Rick Lafferty. Heats for the 28 car field were won by Lafferty, Niki Young, and Keel. Mike Wagner won the B-Main.

Tim Krape of Bellefonte, PA won the 15 lap Stong's Auto Parts Pro Stock feature over Neil Foust. Krape led every lap. The victory was Krape's first at Port Royal since returning to racing after several years off. Krape's win came in the Woodward's ATV Sales & Service no. 30. Krape was joined in post race ceremonies by car owner Steve Woodward, family, friends and crew. Krape said " I came back because I was asked by Steve to drive this car. I had a few cob webs in my brain at first but I got them straightened out. This is a great race car." Neil Foust tried hard to wrestle the lead away from Krape but was not successful. Foust's Aumiller & Associates Ford was second with John Heane third. Scott Spahr and Gary Beward completed the top five. Sixth through tenth were Bill Powell, Todd Snook, Harry Peffer, Jason Davis and Harold Ranck Jr. Heats for the 25 car field were won by Corey Kepner and Todd Snook.

Port Royal Speedway returns to action Saturday night July 10 with Kids Night 8. Parent's and Kids will want to arrive early as many fun activities are planned. The Kids Night Committee has worked hard preparing for this program and a lot of great prizes will be handed out. The racing program includes Aumiller & Associate Sprint Cars, Ramsey's Car Wash/AB Auto Glass Late Models, Stong's Auto Parts Pro Stocks and Parson's Auto Salvage/Casner Service Center 4 Cyl. Stock Cars. Gates open at 5:00 P.M.

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