For anyone that doesn’t know, McKean County Raceway is 1/3rd mile track and is absolutely a nice track, and this like many others is also a fairgrounds so there is many barns and even had a flea market set up too.
The track is run by McKean Motorsports who is Ken Leet, Rich Yeager, Rod Biehler, Tom Gleason. Before I get into to my story, I want to thank all of these people who let me in to the track, Thank You!!
This was a Thursday night, mid-week show and I was excited as on the racing card was the ULMS Super Late Models, E-Mods, Street Stocks and Mini Stocks and Fastrak Crate Late Models. The ULMS series is short for United Late Model Series, which is run by Chris Zuver. (There will be links to the sites at bottom of story.)
When arriving at the track I didn’t notice any big signs stating that it was McKean County Raceway, but my friends knew where to go. This place was different for sure, there is no area that is fenced in at all, you pay for your ticket at the right of the grandstands
and they just have people standing making sure that you paid and your right into the grandstands. The grandstands are really awesome with them being all aluminum and also have backs on them too.
I figured after walking from turn one to turn four there really isn’t any bad seat in the house at all. There is also a small section of stands setup in the pits just outside of turn four. The cars enter the track from turn four and the exit to the pits is down the backstretch off turn three. The pits are outside of turns 3+4 and it is almost like they are in the woods, trees are all over the place, so it gives you that feeling like a big campground, but instead of tents/campers, you have haulers and race cars all over SWEET!
The restrooms in the pits are the good ole fashioned Port-a-Johns. However I found it interesting that the restrooms for those not in the pits are right behind the stands. I always rate the bathrooms, so here goes, the men’s room has only two urinals and many were all standing in line waiting to go and many were noticed “doing the dance”, so to speak. However they were clean but just need more toilets. Heck us guys we know where to go, go find a tree or whatever. Just couldn’t resist on that one! The food prices were fair and not expensive, didn’t really notice that many different items, just the normal things you find on the menu. The French fries and burger I had were good. The concession stand over in the grandstands is literally inside a barn along with a vendor selling racing stuff and toys for kids. It is the booth of Fast Pace Photos, who is the official photographer at the track. (Link to site below)
When I went to sign in the lady knew and was expecting me to show up, awesome; it was obvious that Rich Yeager let them know I was on my way and communication is the key in running a track or any business for that matter. This made my day as the staff was all very friendly and it was great to get to a new track I never been to before and greeted with great hospitality. THANKS.
The tower where all the officials sit is dead smack in the center of the stands all the way at the top.
I sat about 5-6 rows down from the top row and sitting in turn four, it was a little hard to hear the announcers, however when the Super Lates and E-Mods hit the track they are super loud, so it was still a great experience even though I couldn’t hear all the calling of the race.
With me working at South Arcade Speedway and knowing that some of our racers race down here, I knew that I would see some racers that I knew. I was able to meet up with some new drivers as well and people.
I counted 85 cars total in the pits, which is not too bad for 5 divisions of racing especially on a weeknight. I took some pictures sitting outside of turn three from the pits and it was a different view rather than from the stands.
It was nice to see the Bud Light scoreboard showing the top 3 and also a lap counter as well sitting off of turn two. I love lap counters as this gives the average person an idea on how many laps to go and also if your not paying attention you will know who is leading.
The Mini Stocks ran their feature first and Brad Ullman took the checkers. Then it was time for the Super Late Models for the Jim Duffy Memorial ULMS race. I don’t get to see these cars too many times so this was going to be something different for sure. It must have been just a bad night for some drivers in this class as in the first 8 laps we had 7 cautions. After the cars finally got in a rhythm the racing was fast loud and just amazing around this little bullring. Robbie Blair would end up taking the checkers over Mike Knight, and Chad Valone. This was a great preview of the Super Lates as the World of Outlaws is coming to race here on July 26th. I have some video posted as a small preview, I definitly recommend anyone to attend this show. Bob Close of Close Racing Supply located in Eldred, PA. Went on to win the E-Mod feature, which was his first of the year. He (Close) builds chassis’ and sells a bunch of racing related parts, tires and stuff for your street stock to Late Models. The Fastrak Late Model feature was on tap next and these have crate motors and always put on a great show as there usually is plenty of passing and the competition is tough. Adam Sixt in the 6t took the checkers in this feature, which was filled with some drama.
The 50 car of Steve Dixion was closing in on him after a few cautions and it seemed that Dixon was catching him, but had to settle for second. During one caution, John Lacki looked like he never lifted off the gas while his right front was into the left rear of Max Blair’s car who then got into Brian Haggerty who ended up in the infield and over on his side.
Lacki was black flagged and sent to the pits. I’m sorry but that could have been real scary for sure and luckily everyone was okay. The street stocks put on one heck of a show, however Andy Michael was the class of the field and started on the pole and never looked back to take the checkers. Overall, a great night of racing and I had fun with friends and also met some new ones. Congrats to all the winners and I send out a big Congrats to Adam Sixt, great race Adam. I was like the little kid in the candy store, I made it to victory lane to get my picture taken with Adam, as his family’s business Sixt Lumber supported us at South Arcade this year and last, so Congrats from all the staff on win and Thank You!
It was interesting as the features were going on, I took a bathroom break and these kids were all looking under the stands and apparently there was a skunk on the loose, obviously no one scared it and it didn’t spray as that would have made the night stinky for sure. The bathroom rating has to be set at a 4 as there aren’t enough stalls as mentioned above, but what are you going to do. The food was great and the staff even better. It really has a great family atmosphere there and it is a relaxed and well-run show. Thank you MCR for giving me some great entertainment on a weeknight and I will be back. The next event is on July 27th, 2011 with the World of Outlaws Late Models come to town along with UEMS E-Mods and MCR Street Stocks. Another thing that I was told is that at MCR, they are racing for fun and money, no points apparently from what I am told, now that is racing!!
Be sure to check out the links below and always visit sponsors that support racing, and tell them you heard about them at the track. I also had the chance to meet Jay Pees who is the owner of the website Raceway Magazine, so be sure to check it out as he takes a bunch of great pictures and also you will find results from local area tracks there.
Until Next time, keep it on “The Write Track” and be safe and don’t drink and drive, be sure to have a DD (Designated Driver) or how my new friend calls it a DDH, which stands for Designated Drunk Hauler!! Thanks to Jerry for that one. Full results are Below the Links.
My Blogsite>
http://thewritetrackracing.blogspot.com/
My Youtube Channel>
http://www.youtube.com/user/tazman27j
Mckean County Raceway>
http://www.mckeancountyraceway.com/index.html
Fast Pace Photos (Official Track Photographer)
http://www.fastpacephotos.com
Bob Close Racing Supply>
http://closeracingsupply.com/index.html
Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic>
http://hoosiermidatlantic.com/
Chris Zuver’s ULMS/UEMS Series>
http://unitedlatemodelseries.com/
Raceway Magazine>
http://www.racewaymagazine.com/
RESULTS, July 14th, 2011:
ULMS Jim Duffy Memorial:
ROB BLAIR, Mike Knight, Chad Valone, Dennis Lunger, Dave Hess, Greg Oakes, Dutch Davies, Jason Dupont, Jeff Hoffman, Andy Boozel, Brent Rhebergen, Dick Barton, Boom Briggs, David Scott, Doug Ricotta, Matt Lux, Bump Hedman, Paul Grigsby, Derek Frank, Greg Satterlee
Mini Stocks:
BRAD ULLMAN, Chad Babcock, Tom Boylan, Riley Ellison, Duane Powers, Shawn Byerly, Eric Canfield, Michael Oakes, Davey Lowe Jr., Joe Boylan, Jeff Buhl, Theresa Shelley, Taylor Jacobs, Dave Kineston
Emods:
BOB CLOSE, Dave Hess, Travis Asel, Butch Southwell, Vic Vena, Nathan Hill, Rich Michael, Brent Rhebergen, Mike Eschrich, Tim Peterson, Jaben Hill, Alex Froman, Leonard Enos, Darren Tarabori
Fastrak Late Models:
ADAM SIXT, Steve Dixon, Tommy Kronenwetter, Max Blair, Damien Bidwell, Justin Tatlow, Jr Peters, Darren Peters, Brad Mesler, John Haggerty, Cody Mason, Justin Smith, Matt Cobb, Kyle Zimmerman, Brian Haggerty, Ron Baker, Ike Fanton, John Lacki (DQ) and Patrick Willar (DNS)
Street Stocks:
ANDY MICHAEL, Randy Taylor, Steve Mowery, Josh Wilcox, Chris Austin, Craig Rex, Kevin Dzuroff, Scott Fuller, Patrick Yohe, Steve Field, Mark Schweikart, Joe Chamberlain, Chris Conkey, Steve Sklar, Bruno Mowery, Rich Hemphill, Ron Budinger
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