Story By: JUSTIN SNYDER / PORT ROYAL SPEEDWAY – PORT ROYAL, PA – It’s finally here! One of the biggest weekend’s of racing comes to the Port Royal Speedway this Memorial Day weekend as the 2022 Bob Weikert Memorial race presented by Packer’s Concessions, LLC. and Folkens Brothers Trucking takes place on Saturday, May 28th and Sunday, May 29th.
Featuring the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1, the annual red, white and blue spectacular will pay $10,000 to win and $700 to start for the first night, followed by a whopping $29,000 to win and $1000 to start on Saturday. Saturday’s event features more than $37,000 in the full purse, while Sunday’s event reaches more than $70,000 on the line.
Along with the All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Cars on both nights, night one of the Weikert Memorial will feature the PennsValley MeatMarket PA Sprint Series 305 Sprint Cars on the card, while the Path Valley Wingless Sportsman will tag along for the second consecutive year for the night two finale. As an added bonus for those in attendance, the Weikert’s Livestock 410 Sprint Cars will take part in a make-up feature event form last week’s event that was rained out on Sunday as well.
The annual event has been held since 2003 and is a Memorial Day weekend staple that honors the legendary car owner and National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum, Bob Weikert. The event first became a two-day spectacle in 2016 and the coveted ‘Steer Head’ trophy is one of the most sought-after trophies for drivers all throughout the country.
Last year’s event was plagued by rain for two nights and was moved to Monday as a result. It served as a return to glory for fan favorite Lance Dewease as he picked up his second career Weikert Memorial victory after holding off Anthony Macri for the $29,000 prize. Dewease first won the event 15 years prior in 2006. Fred Rahmer (2), Todd Shaffer, Greg Hodnett (6), Jeff Shepard, Stevie Smith, Doug Esh, Cody Darrah, Lucas Wolfe (2), Danny Dietrich, Logan Wagner and Kyle Larson (2) have all earned victories in the event.
Defending All Star Circuit of Champions point champion Tyler Courtney enters the weekend tilt as the All Star series points leader with a 44-point advantage over second-place Parker Price-Miller. Justin Peck (-46), Hunter Schuerenberg (-72) and Cap Henry (-108) complete the top-five.
Meanwhile in Weikert’s Livestock 410 Sprint Car competition, it’s still Logan Wagner leading the way with a commanding 115-point advantage over second-place Mike Wagner. Lucas Wolfe (-115) sits third, followed by Jeff Halligan (-140) and Anthony Macri (-195). Between Macri and Logan Wagner, the pair have combined to win the last six events at the Speedway and enter as local favorites.
Other local favorites such as Dewease, Danny Dietrich and more are expected to be in attendance along with weekend invaders such as Brian Brown, who is making the nearly 1000 mile trip from his home state of Missouri to challenge for the steer head trophy and extra money on the line.
Motor Racing Network Winged Nation will also be broadcasting live each night at 5pm EST until 6pm in the commercial building located behind the main grandstands. Fans at the Speedway can watch as their favorite drivers and personalities are interviewed by personalities’ Steve Post and Ashley Stremme and those at home can tune in on the Winged Nation official Facebook page or on their Youtube page as well.
Blake’s Hard Cider Co. and Cap Henry Racing will be on hand in that area as well providing samples of their adult beverages along with merchandise and more for fans wishing to partake.
There will be several giveaways for fans arriving for the weekend festivities including hats, shirts, sweatshirts, blankets and koozies. There will also be several kids 12 and under prize packages available for the weekend.
The annual tailgate contest will occur in the parking lot on Sunday at 1pm and first-place will receive a special prize package. Members of the promotional team along with the folks from Winged Nation will be around to help judge the campsites with the 2022 Port Royal pace truck.
Camping is available for $35 total for both nights and available spots are on a first come-first serve basis. For more information regarding camping please check out the Speedway website or contact the Speedway office. Grounds will open for camper arriving at Noon on Friday and all campers must be off the property by Noon the following day on Monday. Note that the new camping rules are in full effect and need to be followed to the highest extent.
Fans will also be able to participate in the 4th Annual Weikert’s Livestock bring your own partner Cornhole Classic on Sunday starting at 11am. Registration for the team event will start at 9:30am and end at 10:45 in the speedway commercial building. It will be double elimination and cost is $40/team. The event is BYOB- Meaning Bring Your Own Beverages and Bring Your own Bags. House Bags can be supplied and bags are not to include corn. Winners will receive a guaranteed $400 with payouts included to the top 3 finishing teams. This could change depending on sponsors and fan participation.
Should both Saturday and Sunday be cancelled due to rain, a Monday rain date will be utilized with the starting time TBA.