Howard optimistic about chances for 7th title at Grandview
The battle for the 2021 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Modified title at Grandview Speedway will feature some of best dirt track racers in action each Saturday night and six-time champion Duane Howard is optimistic about his chances to win a seventh title.
The NASCAR sanctioned track will be entering their 59th consecutive season of weekly racing under the promotion of the Rogers family.
Howard, winner of 78 Modified features at Grandview during his career, has teamed up with Butch Getz of Kunkletown, PA and they will be fielding two Bicknell chassis racers powered by Billy the Kid Performance Motors. The entries will sport Penske shocks.
This will be a new ride for Howard after parting ways with veteran car owner Norm Hansell at the end of the 2020 season.
The Oley, PA racer and Getz have decided to make Grandview Speedway their Saturday night home track. They will also be making some appearances at New Jersey dirt tracks along with participating in some of the Short Track Super Series events.
Howard’s two daughters, Erica and Jessica, are his two biggest fans. He is proud to point out that Erica is a firstyear golfer and she finished fourth in county standings.
Competition for Howard at Grandview will be tough as it always has been. He will be
going up against 11 time track champion Craig Von Dohren, 10-time champ Jeff Strunk, past champion Mike Gular, Doug Manmiller, Kevin Hirthler, Brett Kressley, Louden Reimert, Danny Bouc, along with many others.
For Sportsman 602 stocks there will be no sail panels allowed for the five special dates, the first one set for April 17. NASCAR licenses will not be required for anyone racing a 602 Sportsman. However if you are racing both a 602 and an Open Sportsman you will need a license in order to earn Grandview and NASCAR points. Any questions can be referred to Ed Scott at 484.239.7583.
First event on the schedule for 2021 is a doubleheader Enduro & Vintage car race on March 20th.
A free-to-the-public practice session takes place on Saturday, March 27th and features all forms of competition practicing. Fans get a chance to see what is new for 2021.
And on Saturday April 3rd the prestigious 4th Annual Bruce Rogers Memorial, paying $7,500 to win, will have Small Block and Big Block Modifieds racing in a 50 lapper. Sportsman will make up the second part of the doubleheader show.
Fans are reminded that season passes priced at $350, good for all Saturday night events, are available by sending payment for the passes wanted to Grandview Speedway, 87 Wilt Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505. Enclosed a postage paid self-addressed envelope to speed delivery. ***
Marco Andretti dropped a bombshell on the NTT IndyCar Series Friday with the announcement that he was stepping aside from his full-time role racing the Andretti Autosport No. 98 Honda for 2021, and has instead confirmed plans to race only at the Indianapolis 500.
“Upon careful thought over the past couple of months, I have made the decision to make some changes to my racing activities and focus for 2021,” said Andretti. “I recently shared this decision and the changes that I want to make with my dad (Michael) and have spoken at length with him about it. I appreciate his openness and for allowing me the flexibility to map out my own course going forward.
“I am fortunate to be in a position at Andretti Autosport to run the full IndyCar season if I want to. But, instead, I have decided to change up my direction somewhat — to reset, to do something a little different — look at everything fresh and see where that takes me.
“I definitely am going to keep driving. I still have a deep passion for it and have unfinished business to take care of and some boxes that I want to check before I consider retiring as a driver.
“First and foremost, I remain very hungry to win the Indy 500. It is our biggest stage and the place that I feel I bring the most to the table as a driver. I’ve come close there and am in the mix there it seems each year. Winning the pole there last year was awesome but that isn’t enough — I know that a victory there is in my future so we’ll try to get that done in the coming years.
Andretti added that he is keeping open the possibility of running additional IndyCar races, as well as exploring the possibility of some sports car outings with his cousin Jarett, who recently confirmed plans to race in IMSA LMP3 this season.
The new Bloomsburg Fairgrounds Raceway has announced these dates for racing in 2021 on their new dirt track.
May 29 – USAC East Sprints and ARDC Midgets June 20 – USAC Eastern Storm and ULMS Late Model Series
July 14 – Short Track Super Series (STSS) Modifieds and 602 Sportsman
July 16 – URC Sprints and SpeedSTR’s
July 25 – ULMS Late Model Series and PA Sprint Series (PASS) 305 Sprints
August 6 – USAC National Midget Series, USAC East Sprints and ARDC Midgets
August 22 – URC Sprints and SpeedSTR’s
October 2 – (Bloomsburg Fair) ARDC Midgets
Almost as good as being there. DIRTVision is excited to present race fans with the new Platinum FAST PASS annual subscription, which includes the Knoxville Nationals and a plethora of live World of Outlaws and DIRTcar events.
For an annual price of just $299, fans will be able to access all World of Outlaws events — both Sprint Cars and Late Models — along with all Super DIRTcar Series events, the DIRTcar Summer Nationals and Summit Modified Nationals tours, the Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series, weekly racing from Knoxville Raceway, Williams Grove Speedway and Attica Raceway Park, along with the biggest Sprint Car events in Australia.
Fans will also see the continuation and growth of popular features, such as mesmerizing drone footage and in-depth coverage from pit reporters, which viewers will see on a full-time basis in 2021 for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Series.
You can view the upcoming DIRTVision schedule and sign up for the new Platinum FAST PASS annual subscription now at DIRTVision.com.