Western PA Speedweek Schedule Set for Triumphant Return In 2022
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Shippenville, PA (Dec 1st, 2021) – Western Pennsylvania’s best sprint car drivers will battle it out again for five straight nights of unsanctioned racing in 2022 as they all fight for the coveted speedweek crown. Speedweek action will be on display on consecutive nights from Wednesday, June 1st through Sunday, June 5th at Michael’s Mercer Raceway (Mercer, PA), Thunder Mountain Speedway (Brookville, PA), Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA), Sharon Speedway (Hartford, OH) and Tri City Raceway Park (Franklin, PA).
Serving as an encore to the successful 2021 reboot, next summer’s iteration will feature increased purses, nightly contingency awards and giveaways, and another healthy point fund to reward the week’s top performing drivers. The framework for last year’s rebirth will remain intact, beginning with the same five racetracks from last year returning to the mix. The group time trial format used last season was extremely popular with both drivers and fans alike, and will also be utilized again in the upcoming 2022 speedweek.
All Western PA Speedweek shows in 2022 will offer an increased A-Main purse! While the winner’s share remains an impressive $3,000 each night, an extra $2,000 has been added across positions 2-24 boosts the feature purse to a whopping $14,000 total. Highlights beyond the returning winner’s share include a $1,500 runner-up prize as well as boasting a minimum $300 to all A-Main starters.
2022 SCHEDULE
Wed, June 1st – Michael’s Mercer Raceway
Thu, June 2nd – Thunder Mountain Speedway
Fri, June 3rd – Lernerville Speedway
Sat, June 4th – Sharon Speedway
Sun, June 5th – Tri City Raceway Park
2022 PURSE
Beyond the increased purse, Western PA Speedweek remains enticing for the winged warriors due to the limited amount of travel required to compete in all five nights, with the round-trip total clocking in at exactly 259 miles from beginning to end. Local Western PA teams have the ability to return home and to their shops each night, while any invaders have the unique opportunity of racing five consecutive nights at tracks so closely connected together.
Though details have yet to be finalized, the 2022 Western PA Speedweek point fund will at a minimum match what was paid out in 2021. Last summer’s champion earned $2,500 with the full breakdown looking like this: 1. $2500, 2. $1500, 3. $1000, 4. $750, 5. $500, 6-10. $250
Additional details will also be released in the near future regarding the nightly Quick Time, Hard Charger, Hard Luck and Loyalty awards that will indeed be returning in 2022.
The first two shows of the 2021 Western PA Sprint Speedweek were unfortunately lost to rain after both Michael’s Mercer Raceway and Thunder Mountain Speedway succumbed to the heavy rains and wet grounds provided by Mother Nature. A picture perfect three days were then on tap for Friday, Saturday and Sunday that saw a total of 47 different drivers compete in the events at Lernerville Speedway, Sharon Speedway and Tri City Raceway Park
Central PA sprint car regular Ryan Smith, of Fleetwood, PA, stole the show in 2021 by capturing two wins and a 3rd place finish in route to his Western PA Speedweek championship. Smith, a former World of Outlaw winner at the Port Royal Speedway, was joined in victory lane by fellow Central PA driver Brad Howard of Enola, PA. Howard’s triumph at the half-mile Tri City Raceway Park oval marked his first career win in the 410 Sprint Car division.
2021 Winners
2 – Ryan Smith (Lernerville Speedway, Sharon Speedway)
1 – Brad Howard (Tri City Raceway Park)
2021 Points Standings
1 – Ryan Smith (6R)
2 – Brad Howard (49H)
3 – Brandon Matus (13)
4 – Lee Jacobs (81)
T5 – A.J. Flick (2)
T5 – Carl Bowser (11)
7 – Darin Gallagher (12)
8 – Bob Felmlee (6)
9 – Michael Bauer (29)
10 – Landon Myers (19M)
Fans can retrieve more information about each speedway by visiting their track website and social media platforms, or by contacting their individual track offices.
Any companies or individuals interested in supporting Western PA Sprint Speedweek are encouraged to get in touch. For further information pertaining to driers or interested partners, please contact Tyler Beichner by phone or text at (814) 221-1712 or email the speedweek group at westernpaspeedweek@gmail.com.
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