Story By: JUSTIN SNYDER / PORT ROYAL SPEEDWAY – PORT ROYAL, PA – It’s finally here! One of the biggest weekends of racing comes to the Port Royal Speedway this Memorial Day weekend as the 2023 Bob Weikert Memorial race takes place on Saturday, May 27th and Sunday, May 28th.
Featuring the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1, the annual red, white and blue spectacular will pay $10,000 to win and $700 to start for the first night, followed by a whopping $29,000 to win and $1000 to start on Saturday. Saturday’s event features more than $37,000 in the full purse, while Sunday’s event reaches more than $70,000 on the line.
Along with the All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Cars on both nights, night one of the Weikert Memorial will feature the PennsValley MeatMarket PA Sprint Series 305 Sprint Cars on the card, while the Path Valley Wingless Sportsman will tag along for the third consecutive year for the night two finale.
All gates will open at 4:00pm both nights, with racing scheduled to kick off at 7:00pm.
- Saturday- GA- $25, Students- $15, Pits- $35
- Sunday- GA- $30, Students- $20, Pits- $40
The annual event has been held since 2003 and is a Memorial Day weekend staple that honors the legendary car owner and National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum inductee, Bob Weikert. The event first became a two-day spectacle in 2016 and the coveted ‘Steer Head’ trophy is one of the most sought-after trophies for drivers all throughout the country.
Last year’s event saw Anthony Macri score his first career Weikert Memorial victory. Lance Dewease (2), Fred Rahmer (2), Todd Shaffer, Greg Hodnett (6), Jeff Shepard, Stevie Smith, Doug Esh, Cody Darrah, Lucas Wolfe (2), Danny Dietrich, Logan Wagner and Kyle Larson (2) have all earned victories in the event.
Two-time defending All Star Circuit of Champions point champion Tyler Courtney enters the weekend tilt as the All Star series points leader with a 50-point advantage over second-place Parker Price-Miller. Chris Windom, Hunter Schuerenberg and Tim Shaffer complete the top-five.
Meanwhile in Weikert’s Livestock 410 Sprint Car competition, it’s still Devon Borden leading the way with a 40-point advantage over second-place Dylan Cisney. Jeff Halligan, Justin Whittall and Gerard McIntyre Jr make up the top five.
Other local favorites such as Dewease, Danny Dietrich, Macri, Brent Marks and more are expected to be in attendance along with weekend invaders to challenge for the steer head trophy and extra money on the line.
Beerhill Gang TV and Ashley Stremme will also be broadcasting live each night at 4:45 EST until 5:45 EST in the commercial building located behind the main grandstands. Fans at the Speedway can watch as their favorite drivers and personalities are interviewed. A full driver list will be announced later this week with times.
Sunday’s finale will conclude with a concert in the commercial building by From The Grey.
There will be several giveaways for fans arriving for the weekend festivities including hats, shirts, sweatshirts, blankets and koozies. There will also be several kids 12 and under prize packages available for the weekend.
The annual tailgate contest will occur in the parking lot on Sunday at 1pm and first-place will receive a special prize package. Members of the promotional team, along with Ms. Motorsports 2023 – Lindsey Garl and the Weikert Girls will be around to help judge the campsites with the 2023 Port Royal pace truck. Brad Strawser will also be hosting a special live version of the Juniata County Radio Racing Roundup as well form the pace truck.
For information regarding camping please check out the Speedway website or contact the Speedway office. Grounds will open for camper arriving at Noon on Friday and all campers must be off the property by Noon the following day on Monday. Note that the new camping rules are in full effect and need to be followed to the highest extent.
The annual Port Royal Speedway Weikert Memorial Cornhole Tournament will also be taking place on Saturday morning! Registration will be at 9:30 am and the tournament will start promptly at 11am.
This will be held rain or shine as we will be holding this event inside the commercial building. You may bring your own ACL/ACO approved bags, if you do not have bags house bags will be provided for those who need.
ENTRY FEE is $40 per team of 2 ($20 per person). As of now Payout will be $450 + 80% of entry fees to the top 4 teams. This may change depending on sponsor support. Updates will be made as we find out.
Church service will also be held on Sunday in the commercial building with Russ Ward from Dirt Racing Outreach, Inc., and it will go from 2:30-3:30pm.
Lastly, we will be selling raffle tickets both days featuring a prize package courtesy of Huset’s Speedway for their High Banks Nationals. This will include a pair of tickets to all four days of racing and $1500 cash for flight/travel accommodations.
Half of Saturday’s sales will benefit the Juniata Valley Out of the Darkness Walk and Mental Health Awareness and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Half of Sunday’s sales will benefit Dirt Racing Outreach and their efforts.
Should both Saturday and Sunday be cancelled due to rain, a Monday rain date will be utilized with the starting time TBA.