Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek has seen its share of changes over the years, with tracks coming and going on the schedule.
Over the last two seasons, the schedule has remained status quo. That is going to change for 2021, with a York County track making a return to the Summer extravaganza slate after a 15-year hiatus.
BAPS Motor Speedway, formerly Susquehanna Speedway and Susquehanna Speedway Park, has inked a deal to hold a Speedweek event on June 27. It will be the third leg of the 10-race series and will pay $7,000 to the winner.
“Pennsylvania Speedweek has become one of the premier events in central Pennsylvania, and around the country,” BAPS Motor Speedway owner Scott Gobrecht told SprintCarUnlimited.com.
“It’s an honor for us to have a Speedweek date and to be associated with the other tracks that make up this year’s schedule. We look forward to providing a good race for the competitors and entertainment for the fans.”
The last time the series visited the York Haven facility was in 2006. Sprint Car Hall of Fame driver Stevie Smith was the victor. It was his second straight Speedweek triumph at the speedway.
Susquehanna Speedway has a rich Speedweek history. The facility was one of the original three tracks used in the first edition of the series in 1991. Ironically, Steve Smith Sr. was the winner.
A total of 15 Speedweek shows have taken place at what is now BAPS Motor Speedway. Don Kreitz Jr. is the only three-time winner, parking in Victory Lane in 1992, 1998, and 2001. Two-time winners include Lance Dewease, Fred Rahmer, and Stevie Smith Jr. The only rainout came in 2000.
Gobrecht purchased the speedway from Todd Fisher in September of 2015. Since then, the 4/10-mile oval has been given a facelift cosmetically and has also seen safety upgrades for its teams under General Manager Kolten Gouse.
“BAPS had been inquiring about a race in Speedweek for a while, and the schedule just worked out this year with the way [July] 4th falls that we could put another race in there and still have a day off after the final race,” said Speedweek organizer Alan Kreitzer. “So, it worked out.
“It’s going to be interesting to see. It adds to the series, and it should be really good. It’s a $7,000-to-win event, and it’s all positive.”
2021 Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek Schedule
June 25: Williams Grove Speedway
June 26: Lincoln Speedway
June 27: BAPS Motor Speedway
June 28: Lincoln Speedway
June 29: Grandview Speedway
June 30: Port Royal Speedway
July 1: Hagerstown Speedway
July 2: Williams Grove Speedway
July 3: Port Royal Speedway
July 4: Selinsgrove Speedway