Grandaddy of all racetracks

MECHANICSBURG — Danny Dietrich claimed the Mitch Smith Memorial for 410 sprint cars as part of PA Speedweek at the Williams Grove Speedway for the fourth time in his career.

He pocketed $20,000 for his win in the 30-lap, 37th annual running of the event.

He started third in the field and fell to fourth on the opening lap behind leader Brent Marks, who was chased early by Ryan Smith and Troy Wagaman Jr.

Smith slipped backwards at one point, and Marks entered traffic on the 12th lap as Dietrich muscled by Wagaman for second on lap 13 just before the first caution flag of the race unfurled.

The restart saw Marks keep Dietrich at bay as speedweek point leader, and defending Smith Memorial champion Anthony Macri, entered the top five. Dietrich finally took the lead for good on lap 20, then a caution period with five laps to go turned into a red flag for refueling and when action resumed, third runner Macri blasted his car under Marks in the first turn to narrowly come away with the second spot.

Macri then tried to run down the leader but to no avail as Dietrich took the big victory by .789 seconds. It was Dietrich’s first win of the season at Williams Grove, his seventh overall and the 33rd of his career there.

Port Royal

PORT ROYAL — The winning move made by the race track’s second most winningest driver, Lance Dewease, came with nine laps to go as Anthony Macri got the win in the seventh annual Greg Hodnett Classic at the Port Royal Speedway.

A red flag came out with 23 laps remaining for multiple stopped cars on the front straightaway.

Macri, who started inside of the second row, worked his way up to the second spot. He followed Dewease closely around the racetrack but was unable to make the pass up to that point.

The two top drivers traded positions throughout the corners with Macri officially taking the lead on the backstretch with 16 laps remaining in the race.

With nine laps to go, Mark Smith slowed to a stop, drawing the caution flag and setting up a big move for the win.

Dewease stayed with Macri as they came to the green flag on the front stretch, and then he performed a sliding pass on Macri to take the lead away from him through turns 1 and 2.

Dewease held on for the win and the $20,000 payday.

Path Valley

SPRING RUN — The Path Valley Speedway was the final host for the Pennsylvania Speedweek with 34 410 Sprint drivers signing in for the evening’s event, with driver Chase Dietz taking the checkered flag after 35 laps of pure power, collecting the $10,000.00 purse.

Dietz received his check in victory lane, and Anthony Macri received his trophy for being named the points champion of the Speedweek Series.

Clinton County

MILL HALL — Victory Lane was full of cheers and excitement following the 25 lap Sprint Car Feature event as the crew, family and friends of Mike Alleman rushed the car to congratulate the winner at the Clinton County Speedway.

It was Alleman’s first feature win at Clinton County.

In other action, Mac Wert was victorious in the 270 micro-sprints, Colton Fries in the East Coast Legends race, and Matt Weaver in the 4-cylinder feature.