No. 13 Justin Peck
A five-time winner across the country this year, including two already in Pennsylvania, the All Star Circuit of Champions competitor throws his name into the broad pool of title contenders. The 22-year-old doesn’t have much experience in Pennsylvania, but the times he’s raced he’s been up front. He has a win and a runner-up at Williams Grove, as well as a win at Port Royal and podium finish at Selinsgrove. Lincoln, BAPS, Grandview, and Hagerstown will be his wild cards.
No. 67 Justin Whittall
The 20-year-old has just three top 10s in 23 races this year, but one of those was a dominant win at Williams Grove on June 4. Whittall does have efforts of third and 10th this year at Port Royal, the place he races the most.
No. 99m Kyle Moody
Moody started the year strong, finishing second and fifth in the opening races at Lincoln, then tailed off a bit as the weeks progressed. He’s regained some of that speed recently, finishing in the top 11 six times over the past nine races. Last year, Moody finished 13th of the 18 full-week Pennsylvania Speedweek drivers.
No. 5W Lucas Wolfe
It’s been a hard two years for Wolfe, since he won his fourth Pennsylvania Speedweek title in 2019. He injured his back that September, which led to a winless 2020 and loss of his ride with Barshinger Racing. After joining and subsequently leaving Mark Coldren’s No. 07 team, Wolfe returns to where he started: the Jim and Laura Allebach No. 5w in the popular Pabst Blue Ribbon colors.
We’ll see if Wolfe has the stamina to contend in all 10 races, but he is back to his winning ways, having won at Williams Grove on April 23.
No. 5 Paul McMahan
Once on the verge of driving retirement, the 50-year-old who resides in Nashville, Tenn., has reunited with Pennsylvania-based CJB Motorsports and remains sharper than ever. The All Star Circuit of Champions competitor broke a three-year winless drought this past weekend at Portsmouth in Ohio and eyes more success in central Pennsylvania. McMahan has enjoyed the most success at Williams Grove Speedway, where he’s won three times.
No. 24 Rico Abreu
One of sprint car racing’s most popular personalities is geared for another run at the title. The California native finished sixth in last year’s Pennsylvania Speedweek points and picked up a win in last year’s Monday race at Lincoln Speedway. The following night, an engine failure early in the going at Grandview killed his title chances, proving the demands of the grueling series. He’s won at Selinsgrove Speedway in the past and always gives a fiery effort.
No. 6 / 10X Ryan Smith
After being released from Heffner Racing Enterprises for a lack of performance, Smith questioned if racing remained worthwhile. Now he’s rediscovered purpose with BJD Motorsports and Brad Nowatarski, and enters Pennsylvania Speedweek with three sprint car wins this year. He recently won the Western Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek title; while it’s not nearly as stout as this series, it proves that Smith knows how to pace himself.
After all, he was the only driver not named Kyle Larson to finish in the top eight in every Pennsylvania Speedweek race last year.
No. 15 Sam Hafertepe
Last year’s 360 sprint car Driver of the Year by the North American Sprint Car Poll has one All Star Circuit of Champions victory this year, but few races in Pennsylvania. He has finishes of 13th and 20th in a pair of Williams Grove races with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Car Series and a DNQ at Port Royal with the All Star Circuit of Champions. Hafertepe should qualify well, having won three quick time awards across the nation this year.
No. 24 TJ Stutts
The 41-year-old switched from running his family operation to taking over Mike Barshinger’s No. 24 ride midway through the year. Considered to be a half-mile specialist for much of his career, Stutts has found purpose on smaller tracks as of late. He won his first race at Lincoln on May 8 and is coming off a runner-up at Path Valley, a quarter-mile in length. Last year, Stutts finished 16th of the 18 full-week Pennsylvania Speedweek drivers.
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