DirtonDirt.com exclusive
Appalachian Mountain Speedweek preview
By Kyle McFadden
DirtonDirt.com staff reporter
After last season’s successful revival following a five-year absence, Appalachian Mountain Speedweek returns Friday at Clinton County Speedway in Mill Hall, Pa., the opening night of the eight-race miniseries spanning 10 days. DirtonDirt.com plans daily coverage the duration of the event led by Pennsylvania racing enthusiast Jim Bernheisel, a longtime racer who owns Lazer Chassis while growing more involved as a promoter. An outline of the miniseries format (lmspeedweek.com for rules and details; watch live at FloRacing):
Drivers
This year’s miniseries roster is expected to be a convergence of the Northeast’s best yet again, namely former Lucas Oil Late Model Series traveler Gregg Satterlee of Indiana, Pa., and National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Rick Eckert of York, Pa., both whom plan full AMS runs.
Former national touring winners Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa. (2010’s Lucas Oil Series stop at Muskingum County Raceway) and Jared Miley of Pittsburgh, Pa., (2022’s World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series race at Pennsylvania’s Port Royal Speedway), plus reigning miniseries champion Tyler Emory of King George, Va., are among drivers intending to follow the miniseries.
Other drivers expected to run eight races: Austin Berry, Bryan Bernheisel, Brian Booze, Matt Cosner, Coleby Frye, Chad Homan, Kyle Lee, Kody Lyter, Nathan Long, Larry Neiderer, and Andrew Yoder.
Reigning DirtonDirt.com top performer from Virginia, Kyle Hardy, will race the first five races and see where he stands in points before committing to the miniseries. Eddie Carrier Jr., Jeff Rine, Dan Stone, and Dylan Yoder are other drivers who contested every miniseries last year.
Lucas Oil Series travelers Drake Troutman and Ross Robinson are with the miniseries this weekend until their touring commitments take them to Tennessee’s Smoky Mountain Speedway next weekend.
Among other drivers likely to make miniseries appearances: Dan Angelicchio, Trever Feathers, Alex Ferree, Colton Flinner, Shaun Jones, Gene Knaub, Cory Lawler, Mike Lupfer, Hayes Mattern, Michael Norris, Brett Schadel, Matt Sponaugle, Dave Stamm, Gary Stuhler, and Jim Yoder.
Schedule
Clinton County Speedway, Mill Hall, Pa.
Date: Friday, June 7
Track size: Third-mile
Winner’s purse: $5,000
Previous miniseries winners: Jason Covert (’23)
2024 Super Late Model winners: None
Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway
Date: Saturday, June 8
Winner’s purse: $5,000
Track size: Half-mile
Previous miniseries winners: Michael Norris (’23), Jeff Rine (’17), Gregg Satterlee (’15), Gregg Satterlee (’14), Tim McCreadie (’14), Rick Eckert (’13), Matt Parks (’11), Jeremy Miller (’10), Rick Eckert (’09)
2024 Super Late Model winners: Rick Eckert ($4,000 on June 1); Colton Flinner ($5,000 on May 18); Ricky Thornton Jr. ($10,000 on April 28); Gregg Satterlee ($4,000 on April 20); and Ross Robinson ($4,000 on April 13)
Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway
Date: Sunday, June 9
Track size: Half-mile
Winner’s purse: $5,000
Previous miniseries winners: Gregg Satterlee (’23), Rick Eckert (’17), Dan Stone (’16), Andy Anderson (’15), Jason Covert (’13), Jamie Lathroum (’12), Jimmy Mars (’11), Jason Covert (’09)
2024 Super Late Model winners: None
Path Valley Speedway, Spring Run, Pa.
Date: Tuesday, June 11
Winner’s purse: $5,000
Track size: Quarter-mile
Previous miniseries winners: Jason Covert (’16)
2024 Super Late Model winners: Bobby Pierce ($10,000 on May 19)
Selinsgrove (Pa.) Speedway
Date: Thursday, June 13
Winner’s purse: $5,000
Track size: Half-mile
Previous miniseries winners: Gregg Satterlee (’23), Jeff Rine (’17), Kenny Pettyjohn (’16), Nick Dickson (’10), Jeremy Miller (’09)
2024 Super Late Model winners: None
Bedford (Pa.) Speedway
Dates: Friday, June 14
Winner’s purses: $6,000
Track size: 5/8-mile
Previous miniseries winners: Tyler Emory (’23), Walker Arthur (’17), Nick Dickson (’16), Austin Hubbard (’14), Dan Stone (’11), Coleby Frye (’10) and Josh Richards (’09)
2024 Super Late Model winners: Andrew Yoder ($4,000 on May 24)
Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, Pa.
Date: Saturday, June 15
Winner’s purse: $5,000
Track size: 3/8-mile
Previous miniseries winners: Tyler Emory (’23), Rick Eckert (’13), Tim McCreadie (’12) and Austin Hubbard (’11)
2024 Super Late Model winners: None
BAPS Motor Speedway, York Haven, Pa.
Date: Sunday, June 16
Winner’s purse: $5,000
Track size: 4/10-mile
Previous miniseries winners: None
2024 Super Late Model winners: None
Format and rules
Time trials: Drivers draw pills for qualifying order and three cars are on the track for two laps apiece. With 32 or fewer entries, the quickest eight qualifiers are locked into the main event lineup. With 33 or more entries, the top three from each of two qualifying groups lock into the feature lineup.
Qualifying races: Drivers not locking into the feature through time trials run eight-lap qualifying races. With 32 or fewer entries, two qualifying races transfer six cars apiece; for 33 or more entries, four qualifying races will transfer three cars apiece.
Dash: Two-lap timed dashes among the feature lock-ins from qualifying determine the starting lineup at the front of the field. With 32 or fewer entries, first through fourth in qualifying time against each other to determine the first four starting spots, while fifth through eighth in qualifying follow suit to determine the next two rows. In fields of 33 or more cars, the top-three from each group time against each other, with Group A determining the inside row (first, third and fifth) and Group B the outside (second, fourth and sixth).
Consolation races: with 32 or fewer entries, a single eight-lap consy transfers four drivers to the feature. For 33 or more entries, two consies transfer three drivers apiece. (Consies will be 10 laps if the race has 11 or more starters.)
Feature lineups: Fields will be 24 cars with tracks having the option of adding a single provisional starter.
Points fund and structure
• A $5,000 reward awaits the minitour champion, eligible only to drivers entered in all eight events, with payouts of $2,400 and $1,800 to those finishing second and third. Fourth through 10th in miniseries points receive $1,500, $1,300, $1,200, $1,100, $1,000, $900 and $800, respectively. The total point fund of $17,000 is up $3,000 from last year.
• Loyalty bonuses of $500 are available for drivers that attempt to qualify for all events but finish outside the top 10 in points. Should the champion run a Lazer Chassis throughout the miniseries, the title payout doubles to $10,000.
• Feature points: 250-230-210-200-190-180-175-170-165-160-155-150-145-140-135-130-125-120-115-110-105-100-95-90
• Consolation points: 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
• Qualifier points (up to 32 cars): 20-18-16-14-12-10
• Qualifier points (33 or more cars): 20-16-12
• Time trial points (up to 32 cars): 30-28-27-26-25-24-23-22
• Time trial points (33 or more cars): 30-28-27
(Overall fast time receives five bonus points)
Correction: Fixes 2023 miniseries winner at Selinsgrove from Tyler Emory to Gregg Satterlee.
