Selinsgrove Speedway announces 2002 schedule

SELINSGROVE, Pa. -- Selinsgrove Speedway will kick off its 57th season of professional automobile racing with the track's annual motorsports show at the Susquehanna Valley Mall in Hummels Wharf Feb. 17-23, according to the recently released 2002 schedule of events.

The 2002 season opener is slated for Saturday, March 30 at 6 p.m. Regular Saturday night fanfare at the track this season will consist of sprint cars (358 cubic inch engine maximum), late models, pro stocks and the new roadrunners.

The opener will mark the first of 27 race dates at the historic Snyder County oval this season. Co-promoters Charlie Paige and Earl Zechman also announced that general admission for a regular show at the track this year has been lowered to just $8.

Several special events dot the 2002 slate at Selinsgrove, including the 22nd annual Jack Gunn Memorial for sprints, run in honor of the late hall-of-fame promoter, on May 25. The special Memorial Day holiday program, in addition to the Twin 20's program on July 27, will be sponsored by Housing Products Inc. of Selinsgrove.

Selinsgrove will present the Firecracker 40 for sprint cars on June 29. Both the May 25 and June 29 programs will feature fireworks displays as well.

The Middleswarth Potato Chips/Susquehanna Valley 410 sprint series commences on Sunday, April 28 with the inaugural running of the Jan Opperman Memorial.

The 410 sprints return to the Snyder County oval on three subsequent dates, including July 7 for PA Speedweek, September 2 for the Labor Day Classic and September 14 for the 20th anniversary Alexander Family Dealerships Open.

The popular Super Sportsmen from Silver Spring Speedway will join the 410 sprints for the Opperman Memorial and the Labor Day Classic.

On the eve of the Opperman Memorial, Cindy Rowe Auto Glass and the Selinsgrove Hotel will sponsor Pack The Track Night II on April 27, featuring free general admission for the second year in a row.

On three occasions this season, fans will have access to the pit area prior to the start of the racing programs as part of Selinsgrove's popular Camera & Autograph Nights. These special meet-and-greet nights are scheduled on May 11, June 15 and August 24. Kids Night III will be spun off on August 3.

The Penn-Mar Vintage Race Car Club will compete at the track on June 1 and again on August 31. The Williams Grove Old Timers organization will make an appearance on July 20.

Following the Fourth Annual Late Model Open on July 6, the full-bodied stock cars will be in the spotlight again for the 16th annual Bob Bender Late Model Memorial on August 17.

Selinsgrove Raceway Park will present its second full season of weekly go-kart and micro sprint car racing on Friday nights. The one-fifth mile track, located inside of Selinsgrove Speedway, opens Sunday, March 10 with a program of go kart racing.

Raceway Park's Friday racing cards begin March 29, when the micro sprint car division makes its season debut. Three Pennsylvania Dirt Karting Association (PDKA) events have been scheduled for May 19, July 14 and September 29.

The Selinsgrove Speedway/Raceway Park awards banquet has been scheduled for Saturday, November 2 at the Harrisburg-Hershey Marriott.

For additional information and a complete schedule or divisional rules, visit the speedway's official website at selinsgrovespeedway.com.

-ss-