Williams Grove Speedway

Williams Grove Speedway opened its 70th season Friday with the rev of engines and lots of eager racing fans. “We’ve been coming since the 1960s,” said Ken Stine as he waited in line to purchase his ticket. “We come every week,” said Sam Stine. Lance DeWease is their favorite driver. The Newville brothers weren’t deterred by the 30-degree temperatures. It’s all about the racing experience. “The noise, the speed, the atmosphere,” Ken Stine said with a grin.

The Stines said the $13 general admission is a good deal. “For what you see here, I think it’s a good price,” Ken Stine said. “This is cheap entertainment for two or three hours,” Sam Stine said. Michael Walters and his 5-year-old son, Kasey, couldn’t wait for the race to begin. Kasey entered the track proudly wearing a red autographed racing ball cap and carrying red ear protection. “We love sprint car racing,” Walters said. The pair drove from Doylesburg for the race.

“He likes Stevie Smith,” Walters explained. “That’s the great thing about this track. You get to know the drivers and they talk to him. (Kasey) will always remember that.” The half-mile dirt track opened in 1939. Until sprint car racing began in 1967, stock car racing was the norm. Since then, national champions like Ted Horn, A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti have raced at “the Grove.”The speedway’s semi-banked clay oval surface is graded and watered before every race in a attempt to maintain a smooth and moist surface.