Port Royal’s Set For ‘Nittany Showdown’ Featuring World Of Outlaws Sprint Car Series
Story By: JUSTIN SNYDER / PORT ROYAL SPEEDWAY – PORT ROYAL, PA – After a month-long break, Port Royal Speedway will continue with their 2020 racing season with a two-day visit by the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Cars Series Friday and Saturday October 9-10 for the Nittany Showdown.
This will be the third consecutive season where the Outlaws will attempt to visit for a two-day event and it’s expected that a large field of cars will trek to Juniata County for a chance to take home the victory and the bragging rights against the best the sport has to offer.
Last year’s event saw Outlaw mainstay Donny Schatz pick up the win on Friday night, while Saturday night’s racing activities were cancelled due to rain. For Schatz, the win was his third consecutive feature victory at ‘The Speed Palace’ and he will be looking to make it four in a row in 2020.
Past winners in Outlaw competition along with Schatz (4) are Logan Shuchart, Brad Sweet, Ryan Smith, Jason Meyers, Brad Furr, Danny Wood, Doug Wolfgang, Don Kreitz Jr. and Lynn Paxton won the very first visit in July of 1979.
Logan Wagner already locked up the Weikert’s Livestock 410 Sprint Car track championship at the speedway and he will be looking for his first career Outlaw triumph. Anthony Macri currently leads the division in wins at the Speedway in 2020 with six wins to his credit. He will be looking to defend the local turf along with Lance Dewease (115 career speedway victories), Danny Dietrich, Lucas Wolfe, Brent Marks, Dylan Cisney and many more.
It is also expected that several other outsiders will make the trek to the Juniata County oval such as Brian Brown (Knoxville Track Champion), Gio Scelzi and many others as well. Kyle Larson has picked up three victories at the Speedway this season and may also attend.
To go along with the PA Posse vs the Outlaws rivalry, the Outlaws points battle is also up for grabs entering the weekend. Currently Brad Sweet holds a 38-point advantage in the standings over Schuchart and a -70 advantage over Schatz. Sheldon Haudenschild (-150) and Carson Macedo (-188) make up the top five.
David Gravel, Daryn Pittman, Jacob Allen, Parker Price-Miller and Kraig Kinser complete the top ten. Pittman recently hooked back up with local car owner Mike Heffner to finish off the 2020 campaign together. Pittman has two career victories at the speedway.
This would be the second career championship for Sweet if he is to hold on. A strong run in Central Pa. would do wonders in his quest as the field will be as tough as anywhere and points are crucial.
Friday’s Preliminary event will pay $8000 to win and Saturday’s finale will pay $15,000 to win. Both races are 30 laps in distance.
Saturday’s finale will also feature the PASS/IMCA PA Sprint Series 305 Sprint Cars competing in a 24-car invitational (Top 24 in points) feature event.
Reserve Seats ($35) are still available for the weekend and are on sale through the World of Outlaws website. A two-day package is available, and the cost is ($65) The entire main grandstand towards turn 1 will be reserved seating and the top five rows of the new grandstand are as well. Everything else is general admission and season reserved seats will be honored for both nights.
Ticket prices and times are as follows-
- Friday- $30 Adult General Admission, Students (12-17) $20, Kids- Free, Pit Admission $40
- Gates Open at 4pm, Racing at 7pm
- Saturday- $30 Adult General Admission, Student (12-17) $20, Kids- Free, Pit Admission $40
- Gates Open at 1pm, Racing at 5pm
Camping will also be available for $20 for the weekend (dry spots) or $30/night for electric hook-up spots. Those spots require no reservation and are on a first come first serve basis. Camping is open Thursday October 8 and all campers must exit the ground by Noon the day after racing concludes.
There will also be a Cornhole Tournament being held Saturday. It is the 3rd Annual Port Royal Speedway Cornhole Classic. It is rain or shine and will be held in the commercial building right inside the front stretch gates. Registration is from 9:30am to 10:30am and the tournament will start at 10:45 am.
It is double elimination and is a bring your own partner event. If you need a partner, they can try and find you one. Entry fee is $40/team and payout is guaranteed to the top four teams. The event is BYOB (Bring your own beverages and bags. House bags can be provided if needed. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the York County Racing Club.
