Ronnie Tobias Memorial This Wednesday; Who Adds Their Names To The List of Winners?
Over the past five seasons, a few drivers have proven to be very adept at the short-feature format offered by the Ronnie Tobias Memorial at Championship Energy Action Track USA. When the sixth edition of the event rolls off this Wednesday, July 18, a whole host of others will attempt to add their names to the prestigious winner’s list.
In the USAC SpeedSTR division, Billy Pauch Sr. Leads the way with three victories in the Memorial, which is highlighted by twin features for the SpeedSTRs and Hyper Racing 600 Sprints. No SpeedSTR driver has ever swept both races on the same night, but Pauch Sr. captured one of the Memorial races in 2014, ‘15, and ‘16. He is the only SpeedSTR driver – so far – to win more than one Ronnie Tobias Memorial feature. Other single winners include Rick Eckert, Billy Pauch Jr., Jeff Strunk, Dale Planck, Mike Bednar, Steve Drevicki, and Tim Buckwalter. Drevicki and Buckwalter split the Twin 20’s last year.
The 600 Sprint portion of the Memorial Race that honors the memory of Co-Promoter Rich Tobias’ brother Ronnie, who was stricken with a heart attack and passed away while competing in a dirt Modified event several years ago, has been a slightly different tale. Tim Buckwalter has four overall wins in the Memorial events, including a sweep of both Twin 17-lap features in 2016. He’s also taken 17-lap wins in 2015 and in last season’s event. Other 600 Sprint winners of the Memorial include Kyle Lick, Brian Carber, Eddie Strada, Jay Hartman, Billy Pauch Jr., and Jason Swavely.
The All Star Slingshots will run just a single, 40-lap main as part of the Ronnie Tobias Memorial. Last year, it was Jared Silfee taking the win in the 40-lapper and it was Silfee parking the S&S Speedway’s No. 55 in victory lane last Wednesday at the oval located on the Kutztown Fairgrounds.
Pit gates open at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, with grandstand gates swinging open at 5:00. Warm-ups begin at 6:00, and all three divisions will use group time trials to lock in a specific number of cars for their respective main events. Drivers not locking in on time will get a second chance in last-chance qualifying races.
Ticket prices are available at www.actiontrackusa.com and on the track’s Facebook page.
It’s your midweek Motorsports adrenaline rush, and this Wednesday we once again honor the memory of the late, great Ronnie Tobias with a memorial race dedicated to him. Come on out to Championship Energy Action Track USA on the Kutztown Fairgrounds…where the superstars come to race!
