We finally got on the road with all of our equipment in tow, and 3 hours and 45 minutes later we finally made it to The Grove for my first visit there ever. Much to my surprise, I didn't see any kind of shenanigans or partying by the famed "beer hill gang", but we did do all the other tourist-y things: stood in turns one and two (and got dizzy), crossed the bridge on the back stretch (and then crossed back over), lent my crown to a bachelorette in the infield (good luck on your upcoming nuptuals, whoever you were!), and then finally took pictures in Victory Lane. Ms. Dirt Trackin' was also on hand for the event, and we both got in on some checkered flag pics. Doug Esh came out on top in the 8H, and hopped up on the wing afterward. All in all: successful trip!! (Photo Credit of me and Doug: Tony De Seta).
After arriving home at 2:30 am in Brockway, the princess and her bestie were feeling GROGGY to say the least. We got up Saturday morning --barely--, ate breakfast (Kayt: "you'll eat my sausage, right??") and then cleaned out our cars in order to make preparations to get back on the road. In the midst of the car-cleaning-chaos, a neighbor of Kayt’s signed himself up for the ride to McKean County with us... which proved to be ridiculously beneficial because I had no idea how to get there. On the way we saw elk, llamas (alpacas??), 219 asphalt, and that's about it. But when we arrived in Smethport at the racetrack.... we saw EVERYTHING. Huge car count for McKean County Raceway super six racing. Around 25 crate lates, and a good turnout for the other classes as well. The weather turned cold quickly as the night carried on, and we started to bundle up and crack open our hand and foot warmers.
Now, let me start out by saying that Chris Zuver, the general manager, runs an utterly flawless program at this facility. The night started out immediately with qualifying heats and then moved quickly into the features. The inspection team appeared to expect nothing short of perfection, as the first feature winner was disqualified a short time later due to a rules violation, which the track announcer declared over the loud speaker during the second feature (explaining carefully to the fans exactly what happened and declaring the previously awarded 2nd place car the by-default winner).
And the racing was spectacular. After winning in the late model division, Hollywood Mike Knight in the 9k hopped right into a crate car and raced the very next feature!! It was also pretty cool to see the number 9 of Scott Gurdak, who used to race modifieds with my uncle Gerry—blast from the past! I was able to make it onto the track for each of the remaining 5 features to snap pictures with all of the winners (Kayt took the pics below, between her dying phone battery and trying to keep up with the Penguins alert updates). The fans were riveted, the staff was fantastic, and the kids at this track were hilarious—at one point, the little girl behind me proclaimed “Somebody either farted, or pooped….”
As a summary, we never smelled the poop on Saturday. But after the features were over, we smelled a little bit of disappointment that our race-filled weekend had come to an end. I can’t wait to do it again, and hopefully the weather holds out for this Friday, because if it does: cancel your plans, we’re racing in Bedford.
I love you all, and I’m so happy to have this wonderful opportunity to represent Area Auto Racing News at local dirt tracks in PA--- and it really is a dream come true that I get to do it with the help and support of my very best friend. See you soon!
<3 Miss AARN
Feature winners:
Friday Night, Williams Grove
Doug Esh, 410 Sprints
Frankie Herr, Super Sportsman Sprints
Saturday Night:
Mike Knight, Super Late Models
Chad Ruhlman, RUSH Crate Late Models
Randy Hall, Close Racing Supply Modifieds
Dennis Asel, Highway Auto Stock Cars
Joe Layfield, Pure Stocks
Mitch Boylan, Mini Stocks
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