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“Old School Hagerstown” this Sunday for Sagi Tribute with Buddy Armel

The much-anticipated Frank Sagi Tribute Race with special guest Buddy Armel is coming up this Sunday, June 10, at Hagerstown Speedway.

Originally scheduled for May 5th, the event was rained out on that night and the decision was made to go “Old School Hagerstown” with a Sunday evening show on June 10th. This special race night honors the late Frank Sagi, who was the track announcer at Hagerstown Speedway for 39 years from 1958 thru 1996. During that time span, Sagi had a remarkable record of missing just one race, which was due to the passing of his Mother-in-Law. This year’s event also honors the distinguished driving career of the legendary “Winchester Raider”, Buddy Armel of Winchester, Virginia.

Armel was one of the top drivers at Hagerstown Speedway from the mid-60’s until hanging up his helmet in 1990, competing in the Super Modified, Super Sprint, Semi-Late and Super Late Model divisions. Always a crowd favorite and top contender, Armel retired as the all-time leading feature winner at the track until being bypassed in later years, and still sits fourth on the winner’s list.

This special evening has a little something for everyone. It all kicks off with a “Meet & Greet” session behind the main grandstand area with Buddy Armel and a great group of other retired drivers from Hagerstown Speedway’s rich history. Grandstand gates open at 4:00, with the “Meet & Greet” running from 4:30 until 5:30. Fans are urged to arrive early to participate in this unique and rare opportunity to rub elbows with their heroes of the past. Bring photos, track program books, racing papers, t-shirts or anything else that you would like to have signed by Buddy Armel and any of the assembled group of great former drivers. There will also be some surprise items on hand for the fans to view, so you’re not going to want to miss it.
On track activity will begin at 6:00 with hot laps for the competing Super Late Model, Mid-Atlantic Modified and Pure Stock divisions. Qualifying heat races begin at 6:30, followed by features for the efficient three division program designed to get fans home at an early hour to get ready for work the next day.

As an added bonus to the fans on this special night, over 200 racing t-shirts will be shot into the grandstands at different times of the evening. This will be done with cannon-like devices furnished by Tim Hottle of the Outback Motor Speedway slot car track in Winchester, Va., and Brent Hottle of Need-a-Sign? in Winchester, Va. A huge variety of t-shirts provided by the Hottle’s, ASI Racewear and the generosity of multiple race teams and sponsors will be available to the fans.

Another point of interest for fans will be a 30-year old vintage door and quarter panel off of Buddy Armel’s 1988 race car that will be chanced off before feature time. Chances will be sold all evening for just $1 each and all of the proceeds will be divided between two different finishing drivers in the Super Late Model feature.  The door and quarter panel were generously donated by Mr. Rick Williamson of The Cave Speedway slot car track in Bentonville, Va. One lucky fan will win these great pieces of racing history. As a second prize, a beautifully done framed drawing by popular racing artist Jeff Lindsay of Meyersdale, Pa., featuring four of Buddy Armel’s race cars along with Frank Sagi on the microphone will go to one lucky race fan.

Race fans will be able to witness and rub elbows with a VIP list of retired star drivers like has never been assembled in one place.

Also in attendance will be a large group of his former competitors from over the years whose names were announced over the Hagerstown Speedway microphone hundreds of times each and thousands of times combined by Frank Sagi. 

Among the invited VIP guests who raced against Buddy Armel, in no particular order, are: Ray Dovel, Gerald Chamberlain, Denny Bonebrake, Tom Peck, Nathan Durboraw, Jeff Robinson, Sam Nalley, Larry Gorman, Jim McBee, Gary Snelbaker, Tommy Bare, Booper Bare, Gerry Fries, Buck Johnson, Lynn Paxton, Irvin King, Mert Stine, Charlie Beeler, Tommy Irwin, Bob Marhefka, Larry Wright, Gary Martz, Charlie Cragan, Ken Imler, Tom Clise, Buck Rees, Junior Boone, Roy Anderson, Jimmy Spence, Ronnie DeHaven, Sr., Ralph Davis, Wayne Feathers, Roland Cox, Jim Edmonds, Dan Sullivan, David Wilt, Chuck Teets, Glenn Nininger, Will Rowe, Tom Myers, Rick Workman, Les Hare, Charlie Weirman, Don Zechman, Slim Devilbiss, Doug Devilbiss, Mike Woolford, Al Shawver, Sr., Kendall Moore, Bobby Maiers, Ray Kable, Jr., Pete Cameron, George Moreland, Roy Deese, Sr., Larry Dietrich, Ronnie Byers, John Burkholder, Steve Knepp, Ben Milliken, Brent Smith, Wayne Walls, Jr. and Mike Kendall.

Besides that great group, a few still active drivers who competed against Buddy Armel will also be at the speedway on Sunday night, some of them in action. Included on this list is: Gary Stuhler, Roy Deese, Jr., Andy Fries, Jim Bernheisel, Steve Campbell, Bo Feathers and Alan Sagi.

Other well-known retired drivers on the guest list who plan to be in attendance on Sunday evening, again in no particular order, include: JT Spence, Ronnie DeHaven, Jr., Jeremy Miller, Charles Buckler, Jack Bland, C.S. Fitzgerald, Jerry Foster, Gerald Davis, Van May, Frankie Plessinger, Jack Pencil, Eric Zembower, Dion LaSalle, Chuck LaSalle, Devin Friese, Bob Friese, Jeff Bryner, Randy Bushman, Craig Kline, Mike Warrenfeltz, Russ Moseley, Pete Weaver, Marvin Lescalleet, Terry Lescalleet, Scott Andrews, Brad Houck, Jeff Shearer, Doug Burkholder, Darryl Burkholder, Darryl Kendall, Richard Walls, Mike Hardy, Brian Tavenner, Tony Crim, Richard Irwin, Jim Trenary, Sean Dawson, Terry Carlyle, Mark Elksnis, Jere Weirman, Lenny Hare, Danny McSherry, Clarence Beaver, Travis Beaver, Jim Laye, Dave Burk, Jeff Friese, Bill Palmer, Nick Pappas, Wes Troup, Kim Ramer, Allen Stone, Richie Clipp, Dave Rice, Bill Funk, Pat Beard, Jake Beard, Walter Hammond, Larry Hines, Tim Light, Stan Campbell, Steve Swarmer, Mike Tudor, Frank Howery, Tim Hottle, Brent Hottle, Ralph Shoemaker and Bobby Jones.
Competing racers will have a chance to win a piece of over $10,000 worth of bonus cash and products.

Due to the generosity of a long list of race sponsors, drivers in all three divisions, the Super Late Models, Mid-Atlantic Modifieds and Pure Stocks, will receive bonuses for every position in each feature rundown.

Fans will certainly not be left out either on this special night. There will be a limited number of surprise bonus gifts distributed to youngsters 12 years old and under as they enter the grandstand gates. Also, a large number of racing t-shirts will be shot into the grandstand area throughout the night with two cannon-like devices from the front straightaway. Fans are urged to be on their toes all evening to take advantage of grabbing some of these great shirts, provided by multiple sponsors and race teams.

We hope to see everyone at Hagerstown Speedway this Sunday evening. Grandstand gates open at 4:00. The Legends Meet & Greer autograph session with Buddy Armel and retired former drivers will be held behind the main grandstands between 4:30 to 5:30. Hot laps start at 6:00, and qualifying heat races begin at 6:30.

Action Packed Month of June Awaits at Hagerstown Speedway

After a silent month of May that saw three scheduled events rained out with no racing action and a shuffling of races in the 2018 schedule, we all hope that June brings us much better weekend weather for a schedule you don’t want to miss.

On June 2, Super Late Models are back for another 20/20 Dash. The 20 car/20 lap $1500 to win feature events also pays $300 to start and $100 tow money to non-qualifiers.  Late Model Sportsman, Pure Stock, Hobby Stock and & 4 Cylinders are also on the card.  General admission is $15, gates open at 5pm, and racing begins at 7pm.

And rescheduled from last month, it’s back to “Old School Hagerstown” with a Sunday night edition of racing for the Frank Sagi Tribute/ARCH Night featuring special guest Buddy Armel. A 6pm race time start is planned for the card featuring Super Late Models, Mid Atlantic Modifieds, and Pure Stocks.

For Father’s Day weekend, on June 16, it’s Dad’s Night out featuring the first ever visit for the IMCA RaceSaver 305 Sprint Series. Look for there to be many cars that compete regionally in the Racesaver 305 Sprint ranks to be in attendance.  Pure Stock, Hobby Stock, and U-Cars are also scheduled.

June 23 brings another Super Late Model special with the All Things Automotive Ultimate Northeast LM Series, paying $5000 to the winner, plus a Pure Stock special. The UNLMS has had some great car counts at their sanctioned events this season.

Wrapping up the month on June 30 is Fan Appreciation Night. Crate Late Models, Pure Stock, Hobby Stock, and the Penn-Mar Vintage Racers can be seen in the grandstands at a cost of only $5.

Future events to take note of that have also been rescheduled and/or changed as follows:

The Mason-Dixon Shootout Series $1,500 to win event, with the $500 to win events for Pure Stock and Hobby Stock divisions have been moved to be part of the Red Nininger Memorial on July 21.

Pure Stocks have been added to the program on August 18, which is now the final point race night of the season.

An additional event has been created on August 25 for the Mid Atlantic Modifieds, and an Open Competition format for Pure Stocks and Hobby Stocks. The Classic Racing Series will also be on hand that night as well.

Racing Returns with Student Night/Armed Forces Appreciation Night

Racing action returns this Saturday to Hagerstown Speedway with Student Night/Armed Forces Appreciation Night.

All students with school identification, military personnel, and senior citizens will be admitted to general admission for free of charge as a token of appreciation from Hagerstown Speedway.

Super Late Models are back on the card for a 25 Lap featuring event, paying $2,000 to win and $200 to start. The Mid Atlantic Modifieds will make their second appearance of 2018, and the 4 Cylinder (RWD) Mini-Stocks will make their first appearance of the season. Pure Stocks and Hobby Stocks will also be a part of the lineup.

General admission is $15, while pit admission is $30. Pit gates open at 4pm, Grandstand gates open at 5pm, and racing begins at 7pm.

For the latest in Hagerstown Speedway news, follow our Facebook page and our Twitter feed.

For more information, visit the website, e-mail info@hagerstownspeedway.com, or call the track office at 301-582-0640.

Frank Sagi Tribute to feature Buddy Armel

This Saturday night on May 5 at Hagerstown Speedway, the second annual Frank Sagi Tribute that honors the former speedway announcer will feature local racing legend Buddy Armel as a special guest to the racing festivities, along with many other former drivers that were longtime competitors at the Hub City speed plant.

Now, if you have been a fan of local dirt track racing since the 1960’s, 70’s, or 80’s, then you need not have to ask who Armel is. Simply put, he was one of the best Late Model drivers ever to suit up and climb behind the steering wheel.

Throughout Armel’s career, he drove in and won races in his own No.15 and as a driver for Gerry Smith’s Valley Proteins No.35, 36, and 1vp machines. But he will forever be best remembered as the driver of the yellow and blue No. S-3 machines from the late Lee Stultz.

Anytime and anywhere the S-3 of Stultz and Armel showed up to race, the threat of a win was eminent.

During a spell in the mid to late 1970’s, Armel was practically unbeatable at Winchester Speedway. In 1977, Armel parked the S-3 into Victory Lane at Winchester for 19 wins. Armel won his share of races at Hagerstown as well, with a career total of 81 victories and five track championships.

The biggest win came in 1983 at Hagerstown when Armel bagged a $10,000 payday in the Conococheague 100 over a field mixed of touring professionals and Hagerstown regulars. Armel retired from racing after a stellar career in 1990.

As the featured special guest of the Frank Sagi Tribute, fans will have the opportunity for a meet and greet with the 80-year old from Winchester, Virginia along with many other racers that mixed it up with Armel on the racetrack.

Gates will open at 5pm, while the meet and greet will take place from 5:30-6:30 behind the main grandstand before the racing begins at 7:00. Fans should make plans to get their early for any autographs, and are encouraged to bring any personal memorabilia they would like to be signed.

Fans will also get a once in a lifetime opportunity at a chance to own a piece of Armel memorabilia as the right side body panels from his 1988 No.15 will be raffled off and won by some lucky race fan.

On the racing card will be the Super Late Models, the Mid Atlantic Modifieds, Pure Stock, and Hobby Stock divisions. This is a special event that will be offered at the regular price of admission of $15 for the grandstands. Students/Seniors/Military are $12, and pit admission is $30.

Last year’s Frank Sagi Tribute was an overwhelming successful gathering of racers from the past as well over one hundred former winners were in attendance, and this year should be bigger than last. It’s a race of nostalgic proportions that race fans will not want to miss.

If needed, this race carries a special rain date of Sunday June 10, with an hour earlier start. Stay tuned for details if necessary action will need to be taken for this special event.

Racing This Weekend Cancelled

Due to the cold temperatures forecasted for this Saturday, officials at Hagerstown Speedway have decided to cancel the event scheduled for April 7. A replacement event will take place with the Mason-Dixon Shootout Series, Hobby Stocks, and 4 Cylinder Mini-Stocks (RWD) on August 18. More information about August 18 will be revealed as details develop, and the schedule is subject to change.

Upcoming events on April 14 include the Hub City Guaranteed Qualifier for all regular classes (LMS, PS & HS), plus the first of our 20/20 Super Late Model Dash races that will feature 20 cars for 20 laps, paying $1,500 to win, $300 to star, and $100 tow money.

April 21 brings in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series for the annual Stanley Schetrompf Classic 50 for Super Late Models along with a Pure Stock Special.

Wrapping up the month of April on the 28th will be the HTMA Mid Atlantic Modifieds, Penn Mar Vintage Racers, Pure Stock, Hobby Stock & U-Cars (Home Track Rules).

And kicking off the month of May on May 5 will be the Frank Sagi Tribute/ ARCH Night with Super Late Models, HTMA Mid Atlantic Modifieds, Pure Stock & Hobby Stocks. More details of this grand event will be released soon.

None of these shows will want to be missed, so go ahead and make your plans to be with us. Stay informed by visiting this website, our Facebook and our Twitter pages for the latest news.

For more information, call the speedway office at 301-582-0640 or e-mail info@hagerstownspeedway.com .

Hagerstown Speedway and Ultimate NE Season Opener up Next

After two weekends of testing and tuning and an interruption from Winter Storm Toby that dropped over a foot of snow to the earth, the Hagerstown Speedway welcomes the Ultimate Super Late Model Northeast Series along with all racers and fans to the Hub City oval for the season opener for both the series and the track this Saturday, March 31.

The Ultimate NE SLM opener will pay a generous $4,000 to win as series director Rose Compton received an extra $1,000 as a bonus from Steven Heiser and Sandy Lasut to be paid out to the victor.

The winner of the 30 lap main event will also receive a guaranteed qualifier for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event on April 21.

Joining the Super Late Models will be the Pure Stock and U-Car divisions.

Pit gates will open at 3:30pm, and general admission gates will open at 4:00pm. Racing is set to begin at 6:00pm.

General admission is $15, Students/Senior Citizens/Military admission is $12, and pit admission is $30.

For more information, call the speedway office at 301-582-0640, e-mail info@hagerstownspeedway.com, or follow the speedway social media pages on Facebook and Twitter.