Story By: JUSTIN SNYDER A2DPR / SCOTT HESS RACING – NEWVILLE, PA – Tony Jackson and Scott Hess Racing are set to tackle four nights of racing as part of the 2024 Pennsylvania Speedweek series. The team will compete in a pair of events at Williams Grove Speedway (Friday, June 28th and Friday, July 5th) along with stops at BAPS Motor Speedway (Sunday, June 30th) and Hagerstown Speedway (Thursday, July 4th).
The ultra-competitive series spans 10 days at seven different facilities and guarantees a minimum of $ 10,000 to win for all events. In addition to the winner’s share of race day payouts, there is a large series point fund along with a multitude of contingency prizes up for grabs at each event.
With most of Pennsylvania’s best competitors expected to at least compete in a handful of events and many outside invaders looking to cash in on the fun, Jackson and Hess will have their hands full in their rookie crack at the legendary series.
“I think Speedweek is a cool deal and it’s a good opportunity to get some laps and run for some good money,” said Jackson. “Obviously as the 10 days go on, more and more cars will be showing up, so it’s going to be a learning experience and the goal will be to get in the show at each track we head to.”
Jackson enters the historic series with some momentum on his side, as he scored a career-best second-place finish two weeks ago in 410 Sprint Car competition at ‘The Grove’ during a night that saw the Newville, PA native win a heat race and lead 20 laps of the A-main.
It’s confidence from a run like that that has Jackson anxious for what Speedweek presents.
“Anytime you can lead some laps and contend for wins, you’ve got to feel good about what you’re doing and how you’re progressing,” he said. “We’re starting to figure out Williams Grove a bit and going forward it’s going to be the bulk of our attention in the 410. I’m looking forward to two nights there and hopefully building on the gains we’ve made in qualifying and heats.”
Along with a familiar stop at BAPS, which is a place Jackson has won several times in winged and wingless sportsman competition, the team will make a trip to a bit of a wildcard in Hagerstown.
Traditionally more of a late model staple in the Central PA and Maryland racing community, the track can often throw curveballs and bring about unique winners during the series. Jackson is no different than most, as he’s only ever competed twice at the Maryland facility, picking up a win in wingless sportsman action along the way.
“We’ve had Hagerstown circled all year as we’ve got some good sponsors out that way and this gives us a chance to let them see us closer to home and hopefully, we can represent them well,” said Jackson. “Hagerstown can be slick, so it’s tough to know how our program will stack up there. I have won there once before, so I guess that’s on our side. We’re going to go in with an open mind, make some good laps, and hopefully at the end of the night we’ll be talking about a feature run.”
SEASON STATS
21 races, 0 wins, 2 top 5, 2 top 10’s, 5 top 15’s, 10 top 20’s
UP NEXT
Friday, June 28th at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, PA, Sunday, June 30th at BAPS Motor Speedway in York Haven, Pa., Thursday, July 4th at Hagerstown Speedway in Hagerstown, MD, Friday, July 5th at Williams Grove Speedway.