Jennerstown speed notes….

… Former Jennerstown Pro Truck champion Todd Price has changed car numbers and divisions. The Alum Bank driver has moved to the Wheeler Brothers super late model division and is now sporting the number 66 in place of his familiar 96. Interestingly, Price captured the opening day feature and was the points leader in the crate engine late model class. After encountering motor problems, Price made the decision to use his former truck engine and move up a class.

…Tim Bainey Jr will be dividing his time this season between the Jennerstown super late model division and the United Speed Alliance Racing (USAR) Hooters ProCup North Series. Bainey will miss this Saturday’s Jennerstown action, as he will be participating in the USAR show at the Mansfield (Ohio) Speedway. The Osceola Mills charger is doing well on both fronts, maintaining a top-10 ranking in both endeavors.

… Dave Houpt, a former Jennerstown front runner is back in action…at least on a part time basis. The Friedens pilot has landed the ride in the Mark Smith team car owned by Bill Richter. Houpt, who tried his luck on the Hooters ProCup tour a few years back, demonstrated he hasn’t lost his touch, recording two top-10 finishes and a heat race win. “Bill called me a couple Saturdays ago about driving the car, so I guess I’m back,” said Houpt.

… Teenage sensation Kyle Martel, who shocked everyone by capturing three super late model checkered flags last season, has been struggling in the early season going. “We have a new chassis for this season, but we just can’t seem to find any consistency. The car will be fast one lap, and then way off the next,” lamented the 17-year old Lebanon chauffeur. Martel was able to salvage a top-10 finish this past Saturday. Martel is the defending PA legacy champion, but is concentrating his efforts on the super late models this season.

… Two-time NASCAR Northeast Region champion Richard Mitchell will be returning to Jennerstown competition on June 25. Mitchell, who is again fielding his own race team, with sponsorship from Frank Howard Construction, will be running a limited Jennerstown schedule. “I would like to be there every week,” said the Bruceton Mills, West Virginia resident, who also has experience in the ARCA RE/MAX and NASCAR BUSCH Series, “but several members of my crew have family commitments on Saturday, which makes it difficult for us to race every week.” Mitchell had nine top-10 ARCA finishers, and started four NASCAR BUSCH events in 2002.

… Rick Boyer and Alkie Cunningham II are expected back in late model action by next week. Both drivers were involved in hard opening night crashes which have kept them on the sidelines the past month.

… NASCAR 2004 Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year Kasey Kahne, who recently won his first Cup race at Richmond, VA, is speaking out about health awareness to families as summer begins. Kahne has teamed up with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and the National Coalition for Adult Immunization on the Power of 10 campaign to raise awareness about the need to maintain tetanus booster vaccinations.

… Nextel Cup star Ken Schrader was a recent winner on the ARCA RE/MAX circuit over the Memorial Day weekend. Schrader defeated perennial ARCA champion Frank Kimmel at the Toledo (OH) Speedway. Schrader will be joining fellow Nextel Cup drivers Kasey Kahne, Sterling Marlin and Matt Kenseth at Jennerstown on July 23 for a special ‘Race of Champions’ exhibition event. The quartet will also participate in an autograph session before the race. A limited number of advance tickets are still available.

… Lou Cicconi Jr. captured the International Super Modified Association (ISMA) season opener at the Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl over Pat Abold and Randy Ritskes. The 800 horsepower, open wheel, winged ISMA supermodifieds will be in action at Jennerstown on Saturday June 18. Chris Perley , the defending ISMA champion, captured last seasons Jennerstown event.

…Jennerstown Speedway and the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor will be teaming up on Sunday, June 26 from 8 Am to 3 PM to present the inaugural Lincoln Highway Swap Meet. All automotive related ‘stuff’ is welcome to be sold. Vendor spots are $25.00 (pre-registration required). General admission is $2.00, children under 12 are free. The event will be held rain or shine! Call 724 238-9030 or e-mail office@LHHC.org for more information.

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