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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Altobelli Scores MAM Feature at Hagerstown

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By Brett Rose

HAGERSTOWN, MD – For the first time in series history, the Mid Atlantic Modifieds took center stage as the headlining event at Hagerstown Speedway, and it was Michael Altobelli, Jr. picking up the checkered flag at the end of the 20 lap main event.

It was the third MAM win of the 2018 season for the 33 year old racer out of Saxton, Pennsylvania, and his first career win at the Hub City half-mile.

Altobelli started on the pole and led several laps before being overtaken by former Hagerstown Speedway Pure Stock track champion Mike Corbin. Several cautions past the mid-way point of the feature were the only thing that could slow down the lead pair.

But with just a couple laps remaining, Altobelli powered past Corbin to regain the lead and went on to victory. Rick Hulson was able to get by Corbin for second, while Alyssa Rowe and Ray Kable III rounded out the top five.

“I thought Corbin had me. He looked really good tonight and my car actually got a little bit better the longer the race went there, but that was just a really good race.”, elated a jubilant Altobelli in his winner’s interview.

Sam Archer collected his career first Hagerstown Speedway Pure Stock win in a wire to wire effort to hold off Doug Hoffman in the 15 lap contest.  Jamie Zentmyer, Wayne Hawbaker, and Keith Koontz completed the top five.

Defending Hobby Stock track champion Davey Gross, Jr. was awarded the victory after Jonathan Raley was disqualified due to a technical infraction. All finishers were advanced up a position as it was Kevin Boyer credited with second as Jeff Dillon, Billy Ecton, Jr., and Tom Caravello finished in the top five.

Robbie Carroll picked up the U-Car feature win after a battle with Chris Anderson for the lead. The early race leader regained the top spot as Anderson’s car began to slow down in the final laps. Ricky Weaver, Jr. finished third, Wayne Brenize finished fourth, and Anthony Varner finished fifth.

Scott Rickrode and John Marks won the Penn-Mar Vintage Racers combo feature in the Modified and Sportsman divisions, respectively.

Notes: Next week on May 5, Super Late Models return with the MAM, PS & HS divisions for the Frank Sagi Tribute featuring special guest Buddy Armel along with many others legendary drivers that competed at Hagerstown Speedway.

Feature Results

Mid Atlantic Modifieds – 1. 95H-Michael Altobelli, [1]; 2. 40-Rick Hulson, [5]; 3. 25-Mike Corbin, [2]; 4. 55-Alyssa Rowe, [4]; 5. 90-Raymond Kable, [3]; 6. 95J-Justin Cullum, [13]; 7. 80-Keith Reed, [6]; 8. 26X-James Sparks, [7]; 9. 99-Bryan Green, [10]; 10. 0-Haley Kaiser, [8]; 11. 70L-Kyle Lloyd, [14]; 12. 95-Chris Fletcher, [9]; 13. 44-Frank DiBella, [15]; 14. 8M-Jeffrey McCauley, [17]; 15. 7H-Josh Hughes, [19]; 16. 1N-Hunter Nester, [11]; 17. 12S-Rusty Pennington, [12]; 18. 13M-Gary Moreland Sr., [18]; 19. 33-Brandon Churchey, [16], DNS- V16-Vic Vandergrift

Pure Stock – 1. 36A-Sam Archer, [1]; 2. S7-Doug Hoffman, [2]; 3. 81J-Jamie Zentmyer, [5]; 4. 6-Wayne Hawbaker, [7]; 5. 08-Keith Koontz, [6]; 6. 65-Dillon Wilson, [15]; 7. 03-Bryan Neff, [9]; 8. 62-Danny Beavers Jr., [13]; 9. 22-Jamey Swank, [12]; 10. 54-John Catlett, [11]; 11. 6C-Tony Catlett, [10]; 12. 1W-Michelle Walls, [3]; 13. 64-William Crook, [14]; 14. 19-Danny Atherton, [8]; 15. 11-Ed Pope, [4]; 16. 69-Dwayne Snyder, [16]; 17. 6R-Joe Rodgers, [17]

Hobby Stock – 1. 27-Davey Gross Jr.,[1]; 2. 03-Kevin Boyer, [5]; 3. 52-Jeff Dillon, [2]; 4. 57-William Ecton Jr., [3]; 5. 41-Tom Caravello, [6]; 6. 67-Billy Ecton, Jr. [11]; 7. 11A-James Speelman, [9]; 8. 22-Kenny Thomas, [8]; 9. 7K-Michael Knight, [13]; 10. 10-Drew Fertig, [7]; 11. 55-Robert Thompson, [10]; 12. 12LC-Laura Chamberlain, [12]; DQ 92-Jonathan Raley

U-Cars – 1. 69-Robbie Carroll, [1]; 2. 15-Chris Anderson, [2]; 3. 21-Ricky Weaver Jr., [3]; 4. 22-Wayne Brenize, [5]; 5. 00-Anthony Varner, [6]; 6. 5-Justin Williamson, [7]; 7. 80-Dale Varner Jr., [8]; 8. 64F-Travis Semple, [4]; 9. 9X-Shane Seville, [9]; 10. 36-Robert Wellman, [11]; 11. 00X-Eric Seibert, [10]

Davenport Scores LOLMDS Schetrompf Memorial at Hagerstown

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By Brett Rose

HAGERSTOWN, MD – “Superman” Jonathan Davenport picked up the $12,000 payday in front of a packed house during the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 37th annual Stanley Schetrompf Memorial at Hagerstown Speedway on Saturday night.

The 50 lap triumph was his first career win at the Hub City half-mile and the fourth LOLMDS win of the 2018 season for the series point leader. It also marks the eleventh winner in eleven LOLMDS races held at Hagerstown.

The Blairsville, Georgia veteran ran the table on the evening with setting quick time with a lap time of 18.735 seconds, a heat race win from start to finish, and a dominant performance leading wire to wire in the feature event.

Davenport immediate drove away from 2017 Super Late Model track champion Kyle Lee to retain the top spot from his pole position start. Within four laps, multi-time series champion Scott Bloomquist drove his mount into the runner-up spot and began his chase of the leader.

Only two cautions and some racing through lapped traffic allowed Bloomquist and youngster Tyler Bare to close in on Davenport, but the driver of the Lance Landers owned No.49 wasn’t going to be denied victory on this night.

In Victory Lane, Davenport said: “Man, all the credit goes to my crew. They are awesome. Jason and Tyler do a great job, and Kevin (Rumley) is back there working all the time. This was a new car last week, so we’ve got two wins in three races now. It’s definitely a good piece. Thanks to Lance Landers and Steve Martin of Crop Production Services for giving me this opportunity. I was definitely getting tighter and tighter at the end. The track was taking a little bit of rubber especially through three and four. Thanks to all the fans for coming out tonight.”

Bloomquist and Bare finished second and third, respectively while fending off a late-race challenge from Tim McCreadie and Mason Zeigler to round out the top five.

Craig Parrill was victorious in the 15 lap Pure Stock special from behind the wheel of his own No.34c. Parrill withstood the challenges of Jeremy Tinsman for a second feature win in 2018. Sam Archer finished third, while Bob Egley finished fourth and last week’s feature winner Doug Hoffman finished fifth.

Notes:  38 SLM entered the pit area for a race that paid $1,000 to take the green flag.

Trever Feathers had mechanical problems that prevented him from racing in his qualifying heat, but he was guaranteed a starting position on the grid because of his opening night win. Feathers started at the tail end of the field and charged all the way up to sixth place by Lap 22. His bid for the upset win came to an end on Lap 38 when he pulled pitside.

Kyle Lear fell victim to an unfortunate break before the green flag flew. Lear qualified ahead of former World of Outlaws champion Josh Richards in the second B-main, but was unable to compete in the feature event.

A very large crowd filed into the grandstands and witnessed three and four wide racing throughout the pack during the LOLMDS feature event. Feathers wasn’t the only driver that moved up through the field as McCreadie started in 15th, and sixth –place finisher Earl Pearson, Jr. began from 20th on the grid. Josh Richards (12th from 23rd), and Don O’Neal (10th from 18th) also made big advances through the main event.

Feature Results

Super Late Models (LOLMDS) – 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport, [1]; 2. 0-Scott Bloomquist, [3]; 3. 43A-Tyler Bare, [5]; 4. 39-Tim McCreadie, [15]; 5. 25Z-Mason Zeigler, [9]; 6. 1-Earl Pearson Jr, [20]; 7. 22-Gregg Satterlee, [4]; 8. 14-Darrell Lanigan, [12]; 9. 2T-Kyle Lee, [2]; 10. 5-Don O’Neal, [18]; 11. 20-Jimmy Owens, [8]; 12. 1R-Josh Richards, [23]; 13. 14A-Dan Angelicchio, [16]; 14. 32-Bobby Pierce, [10]; 15. 4-Alex Ferree, [13]; 16. 28-Dennis Erb Jr, [24]; 17. 119-Bryan Bernheisel, [21]; 18. 66C-Matt Cosner, [11]; 19. 40B-Kyle Bronson, [7]; 20. 24M-Kenny Moreland, [6]; 21. 20F-Trever Feathers, [25]; 22. 72C-Jason Covert, [19]; 23. 11-Austin Hubbard, [14]; 24. 71-Hudson O’Neal, [17]; 25. 151-Kyle Lear, [22]

Pure Stock – 1. 34C-Craig Parrill, [1]; 2. 8-Jeremy Tinsman, [3]; 3. 36-Sam Archer, [2]; 4. 30-Bob Egley, [5]; 5. S7-Doug Hoffman, [7]; 6. 1W-Michelle Walls, [4]; 7. 69-Dwayne Snyder, [6]; 8. 65-Dillon Wilson, [9]; 9. 81J-Jamie Zentmyer, [18]; 10. 22-Jamey Swank, [14]; 11. 03-Bryan Neff, [10]; 12. 27-Tom Wakefield, [11]; 13. 19-Danny Atherton, [8]; 14. 2*-Boyd Brode, [12]; 15. 21-Brandon Lowery, [16]; 16. 2+2-Shane Wilt, [13]; 17. 51-Mark Patterson, [20]; 18. 81-Andrew Fertig, [15]; 19. 1-Charles Shearer, [19]; 20. 7-Brian Swiger, [17]