Racing Xtravaganza Set To Kick Off Jam-Packed Two-Day Event At York Expo Center

Story By: KALI LANDIS / RACING XTRAVAGANZA – YORK, PA – Central Pennsylvania dirt-track fans won’t have to wait until the weather warms and tracks open the gates to satisfy their racing hunger.

That appetite will be appeased this weekend during Racing Xtravaganza presented by Wicked Energy Gum, a show that has a variety of activities for fans and racing personalities to enjoy over a two-day period.

The show kicks off at 3 p.m. Friday and continues until 10 p.m. It reopens at 10 a.m. Saturday and runs until the show closes at 9 p.m.

This year’s show is highlighted by the Wicked Cushion eSports Championship Series, which allows Sim racers on site and from around the country and internationally to compete for cash prizes. TIMSSIMS and Victory Lane Racing have also partnered for this unique event.

Ninety-six competitors will compete in a series of qualifying events before Saturday’s A-Main, which will feature 12 in-person racers and 12 online racers. First place in the A-Main receives $700 of the $3,000-plus purse. If the winner is in-person, they will receive an additional $100 from Tim’s Dirt Track Simulators. The highest finishing Live qualifier gets to practice the Gobrecht Motorsports No. 44 Sprint Car at BAPS Motor Speedway. For more information, go to https://tinyurl.com/yx4yrxfu.

Drivers and fans can also compete in the BAPS “Finishing First” Cornhole Challenge. The fan portion of the tournament will be a team tournament and takes place at 6 p.m. Friday, with $750 going to the winter. Second receives $500, with third banking $250.

On Saturday, there will be a Driver’s Challenge. The winner receives $1,000, second takes home $500, with third earning $250. This singles tournament starts at 12:30 p.m.

There is a third chance to win in the Cornhole Challenge. All fans and drivers registered for Friday and Saturday competition will receive a free entry into Saturday evening’s Random Draw Challenge. Each player will be randomly paired with another player to compete for an additional $1,000. Total purse for the cornhole event is $4,250.

Racing Xtravaganza also provides plenty of fun and excitement for kids. There will be free games for children in the Kid Zone, which is sponsored by Hickory Falls Family Entertainment Center.

The Optimus Prime replica will have several shows for kids. For more info, check out https://tinyurl.com/rvfv6r5. Bumblebee will also be attendance to offer “Superhero Training” on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 4.

The Ms. Racing Xtravaganza Pageant is back again this year. Nine ladies will compete for the title by going through an interview on the Turn 5 Turn Around Show, and other categories, including sportswear, swimwear, and formal wear. The pageant, which is sponsored by Bricker’s Famous French Fries, takes place at 8 p.m. Friday, with the winner receiving $1,000.

There will also be a Junior Miss Racing Xtravaganza Pageant at 1 p.m. Saturday. Contestants 8-14 will participate in an interview and photo session, with the winner receiving a sash, trophy, and a tiara.

Fans in attendance will also be treated to a series of roundtable discussions. The Friday slate includes a Promoter’s Roundtable at 5:30 p.m. Williams Grove’s Justin Loh, Bedford’s Joe Padula, Port Royal’s Steve O’Neal, and USAC East Coast promoter Curt Michael will participate in the session.

Saturday features three roundtable discussions. Announcers take centerstage at 2 p.m. with Alan Sagi, Dave Hare (BAPS Motor Speedway), Mike Donald (Trail-Way), and Earl Hoon (Port Royal) participating. The Evolving Drivers roundtable featuring Jeff Halligan, Zach Newlin, and Branstin Shue follows at 4 p.m., with a 410 Sprint Car roundtable with Cale Thomas, Robbie Kendall, and Ryan Smith taking place at 6 p.m.

This year’s Capitol Renegade Seminar Room will also be busy throughout the two-day affair. Drivers and owners will have an opportunity to discuss a variety of topics that could affect their teams in 2020.

The first seminar takes place at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Wicked Cushion founder Matthew Henninger and BAPS Motor Speedway General Manager Kolten Gouse spearhead the Wicked Cushion Sponsorship Seminar.

Saturday will be a busy seminar day. The popular Department of Transportation seminar takes place at 10:30 a.m. Race-rig regulations will be the lead topic, and several state representatives will be in attendance to discuss DOT regulations after the seminar.

All Central PA Legends drivers are urged to attend the The U.S. Legends Innovation and Technology Seminar, which takes place at 3 p.m. Ashley Garrett and Laila Razmyar will conduct the session. At 5 p.m., the PA Sprint Series will hold a seminar for its drivers.

The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing, York County Racing Club, and Reading Fairgrounds will hold a seminar at 10:30 a.m. on the Viper Risk Management Main Stage.

Before Racing Xtravaganza wraps up at 9 p.m. Saturday, there will be a People’s Choice and Awards Ceremony. Fans will vote for their favorite car throughout the weekend at the Explore York booth, with the announcement coming at 8:30 p.m. Additional awards will be handed out at this time.