Rick Eckert Returning To SpeedSTRs As Action Track USA Readies For May 12 Opener
Kutztown, PA (April 1) – It’s no April Fool’s Joke…Late Model star Rick Eckert is returning to SpeedSTR competition in 2019 and this time, he’s going to have a teammate.
The former World of Outlaws Late Model champion from York, Pa, is teaming up with former ARDC Midget champion Trevor Kobylarz of Bernville, Pa. for an all out assault on the USAC All Pro SpeedSTR division when Championship Energy Action Track USA opens its gates for the Goldie & Elton Meitzler Memorial presented by BusinessLinkPrint.com on Mother’s Day, May 12.
Eckert and Kobylarz will be steering SpeedSTRs owned by D.A. Hanson, who is making a comeback of sorts as a car owner. Hanson had a very successful dirt Modified team for several seasons with standouts such as Billy Pauch Sr., Meme DeSantis, and Ricky Elliott piloting his cars and winning lots of races.
“I think Action Track in Kutztown is the place to be, whether you are a driver or an owner. And the SpeedSTRs, in my opinion, give you the best bang for your buck. And we are gonna be locked and loaded and ready to win,” said Hanson.
His drivers certainly bring strong credentials to the race track. Eckert, who has already picked up a Late Model win at Williams Grove this season, won the very first SpeedSTR event held at Action Track USA when he captured the Meitzler Memorial in May of 2013. He went on to collect three more triumphs that year, including the inaugural Dick Tobias Classic. Eckert finished fifth in points (because his WoO Late Model schedule forced him to miss a few races) and led all drivers with four victories.
Kobylarz, the son of two-time ARDC champion Bryan Kobylarz, is no stranger to the Kutztown Fairgrounds oval. He annexed three feature wins in 270cc Micro Sprint competition prior to the renovations that turned the facility into Action Track USA. Kobylarz went on to become and accomplished ARDC Midget chauffeur like his father, and is also a regular with the USAC East Coast Sprint Car organization.
While both drivers are very anxious for the new campaign at Action Track USA, Eckert will have to miss three events due to his Late Model commitments. When he is absent, Kobylarz will still have a teammate, as tentative plans call for Erick Rudolph and Joey Payne Sr. to fill in for Eckert.
Eckert’s SpeedSTR is brand new and will wear the number 2. Sponsorship will come from Brandon Hanson State Farm Insurance Agency.
Kobylarz’ car number is still being decided. He will gas the car that was driven to a top three finish by Ryan Godown at the World Series of Dirt Racing at Selinsgrove last October. The car was also driven by Jesse Maurer during the 2018 season at Action Track USA.
Hanson recently announced that Club Wago joined the team and will have its name on both cars, which will be housed at Trevor’s shop in Bern Township and maintained by Bryan Kobylarz.
D.A. Hanson Motorsports will definitely be one of the teams to beat in the USAC All Pro SpeedSTR division this year, as Championship Energy Action Track USA gears up for its Mother’s Day season opener on Sunday, May 12. Practice sessions will take place in the afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m. Warm-ups, followed immediately by the qualifying races, will begin at 6:15. The SpeedSTRs, Hyper Racing 600 Sprints, and All Star Slingshots are on the menu of high speed adventure.
Sunday programs continue on May 19 with the running of the annual Dick Tobias Classic for the SpeedSTRs. The 75-lap feature will offer a whopping $5,000 to the winner. The 600 Sprints and Slingshots will also compete on the 19th.
Memorial Day Monday, May 27, will see the Hyper Racing 600’s in the spotlight as they battle in the 40-lap King of No Wing Shootout. A hefty $1,000 paycheck (with Gambler’s fee) awaits the winner of the annual Shootout. SpeedSTRs and Slingshots will also be part of the action as the holiday weekend ends with a resounding roar at Action Track USA.
It’s almost time to spray some clay at Action Track USA on the Kutztown Fairgrounds…where the Superstars come to race!
