YORK HAVEN, Pa. – Pennsylvania modified fans can’t help reminiscing about the former Tri-Track Sportsman Modified Tour that dominated the early 1990s.
It featured Friday night stops at popular Big Diamond Speedway before shifting to weekend staples Grandview Speedway and Penn National Speedway for intense racing on Saturday and Sunday nights.
The modified scene, as people knew it, was saddened in 1996 when Penn National closed its gates forever. Since then, area modified drivers and fans have asked for a similar collaboration and the return of the Tri-Track Series.
And now they will get their wish.
A Trio of tracks have united to form the Pennsylvania Tri-Track Modified Series, which will start out as six races on the schedule. Big Diamond Speedway, Grandview Speedway and BAPS Motor Speedway will be part of the Pennsylvania Tri-Track Modified Series this year.
“We’ve hosted Modified races at BAPS the last few years and have heard fans talking about that series,” said Kolten Gouse, General Manager of BAPS Motor Speedway. “That was a popular deal, and it got us thinking about doing something similar.
“This is a change to not only bring back what was a popular group of races in a smaller capacity to start, but also promote the spec modifieds in central Pennsylvania”
The Pennsylvania Tri-Track Modified Series kicks off Sunday, May 1 at BAPS Motor Speedway before moving to Big Diamond Speedway on Friday, May 13 and Friday , une 3. The fourth and fifth race will head to Grandview Speedway, with the first stop Tuesday, June 14 for the Thunder on the Hill Series and the Tuesday, June 28 race with the 410 Sprint Car Pennsylvania Speedweek. Things will wrap up at BAPS Motor Speedway on Saturday, Nov. 12.
Each event will pay a minimum of $3,000 to win and $300 to start the feature. Big Diamond Speedway and BAPS Motor Speedway will feature $3,500 to win for their series races. There will be a minimum point fund for the top 10 drivers that run all six events that will feature $1,500 to the series champion and $150 for the 10th driver that runs all events.
Races that are held at each track will follow their track rules for the Pennsylvania Tri-Track Modified Series races. The format will consist of a draw for heat race groups.
Cars will then time in warmups against other drivers in their heat race group to determine the heat race lineup. Heat race winners and the fastest qualifier advance to a revenge draw. The rest of the A main will be lined up heads up.
“We look forward to working with some of the local tracks in Pennsylvania,” Big Diamond Speedway promoter Jake Smulley said. “This should help build up the PA Spec small block deal in the region and eliminate the need to travel far for special spec races. Hopefully it will lead to bigger things down the road for the fans, racers and the racetracks”
To be eligible, drivers need to run all six Pennsylvania Tri-Track Series events. The point fund is based on all six events being completed, with the point fund being paid at the last race BAPS Motor Speedway.
Top 10 drivers in points that were at all six events: $1500-$1000-$500-$250-$200-$150-$150-$150-$150-$150.
2022 Pennsylvania Tri-Track Modified Series schedule
Sunday, May 1 at BAPS Motor Speedway – Kevin Gobrecht Classic, 410 Sprint Cars & $3,500 to win for the 358 Spec Modifieds, 30 Lap TRI-TRACK SERIES, racing at 6 p.m.
Friday, May 13 at Big Diamond Speedway – $3,500 to win for the 358 Spec Modifieds, 30 Lap TRI-TRACK SERIES, MASS/PASS Sprints 602 Sportsman, Roadrunners, racing at 7:30 p.m.
Friday June 3 at Big Diamond Speedway – $3,500 to win for the 358 Spec Modifieds, 30 Lap TRI-TRACK SERIES, 602 Sportsman, Roadrunners, Central Pa Legends, racing at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 14 at Grandview Speedway – Thunder on the Hill Series-NAPA AUTO PARTS, Jesse Hockett Classic USAC National Sprints & 358 Spec Modifieds, 30 Lap TRI-TRACK SERIES, racing at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 28 at Grandview Speedway – Thunder on the Hill Series-NAPA AUTO PARTS, PA 410 Sprint Speed Week Hodnett Cup, 358 Spec Modifieds, 30 Lap TRI-TRACK SERIES, racing at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 12 at BAPS Motor Speedway – Final Showdown Presented by FK Rod Ends 410 Sprint Cars & $3,500 to win for the 358 Spec Modifieds, 30 Lap TRI-TRACK SERIES, racing at 3 p.m.