Williams Grove To Host WoO Late Model Series For First Time In 30 Years

Column By: JUSTIN SNYDER / RPW – MECHANICSBURG, PA – Williams Grove Speedway is a race track filled with history. Since 1939 the track has played host to some of the biggest names in all of motorsports and has served as one of the top sprint car tracks in the country.

With yearly visits from sanctioning bodies such as the Craftsman World of Outlaw Sprint Cars, the United States Auto Club (USAC), Tony Stewart’s Artic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions, the United Racing Club (URC) and the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC), sprint car enthusiasts have their pick of the litter when it comes to events to attend.

Before you know it, fans will be clamoring to the famous ½ mile banked clay oval in Mechanicsburg PA for opening day on March 11th for the beginning of the 2018 racing season.

However, in 2018 the racing at the track affectionately known as “The Grove” by racing enthusiasts worldwide will bring something different to the schedule…fenders.

For the first time in 30 years, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series will return to Williams Grove Speedway for a $10,000 to win showdown on August 17 as part of a bill that will include the 410 Sprint Cars as well.

This, coming on the heels of the announcement that the speedway will take part in a three-race Tri-Track Late Model Challenge Series presented by KRS Graphics June 8, 2018 in place of the now defunct Late Model Speedweek.

“Fans in Central PA, especially Williams Grove Speedway, are traditionally very sprint car oriented,” said Justin Loh, Williams Grove general manager. “We’re excited to bring in a series like the (WoO) late models and give the fans a little something different for the 2018 racing season.”

As a matter of fact, it was at Williams Grove Speedway on April 22, 1988 that the first ever WoO Late Model event was run in the 30 year history of the traveling series. That event was won by Larry Phillips of Springfield, MO.

“When we saw that they would be celebrating their 30-year anniversary in 2018 and realized the history of their series and our track, we felt it was only right to bring them back for our fans,” said Loh. “It’s been 30 years since the last race here, but now is as good of a time as any to hold another event and we are really excited about this race.”

This marks the second season in a row that the track has brought back a series from the past as the American Flat Track Motorcycles made their first appearance since 1994 in 2017.

With the announcement that USAC will return June 15 as part of the annual Eastern Storm swing paired with the 410 Winged Sprint Cars and that the 56th Running of the Champion Oil National Open will pay $56,000 to the winner along with $1,000 to start, 2018 is shaping up to be one of the best in terms of scheduling for the Central PA faithful.

“I believe this will possibly be the most aggressive schedule we have ever put together in the history of this speedway, “ said Loh. “Along with our staple events, we really wanted to diversify the schedule this year and we can’t wait to get 2018 going. It’s really going to be a great season that I think the drivers and fans can appreciate and enjoy alike.”

More details regarding the event such as prices and times will be released in the coming weeks along with a full schedule and other special events for 2018.