DOVER, Pa. – Alan Krimes is set to run six races during the 31st annual Pennsylvania Speedweek presented by Red Robin Gourmet Burgers over an eight-day stretch.
Krimes will pilot his family owned No. 87 sprint car during stops at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pa., on Saturday and Monday and at Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, Pa., on Wednesday. He’ll drive the Stewart Smith Racing No. 27s for both shows at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa., on Friday and on July 2 as well as a mid-week visit to Hagerstown Speedway in Hagerstown, Md., next Thursday.
“Speedweek is definitely a grind and usually by the end of the week everyone is pretty worn out,” he said. “These races all pay really well and it gives us an opportunity to build momentum and see some places we don’t always get to see. I’m really looking forward to seeing where we stack up against some stout competition and continuing to build on what has been a good season so far.”
Krimes owns three career Pennsylvania Speedweek triumphs, with one of them coming during the prestigious Mitch Smith Memorial in 2011 at Williams Grove Speedway. The win, which was worth $10,000, was arguably the biggest of his career.
Coming off a weekend that saw him pilot the No. 27s to a season-best effort of second at Williams Grove Speedway last Friday, Krimes is hoping to parlay the recent speed into a solid payday during the Pennsylvania crown jewel event. This year’s event pays a PA Speedweek best of $15,000 to win.
“I’m feeling pretty good, as our worst finish the last four races is something like sixth,” he said. “Obviously time trials is going to make or break our deal, but if we lay down a good lap and set ourselves up early, I think we’ll have a good shot there. We know it’s going to be tough, but we seem to really be clicking as of late and this a good time to show what we can do with a lot on the line.”
While he will skip four of the 10 Speedweek events and likely not contend for the Speedweek championship as a result, Krimes enters the weekend fifth in points at Williams Grove Speedway and second in the standings at Lincoln Speedway. With added competition entering the Keystone State and looking to bring home the additional money on the line, it’ll be important for Krimes to perform well to fulfill his season goals at both tracks, he noted.
“It’s always tough when there are cars like the ones that will likely come into town and you’re trying to win a championship,” he said. “We’re trying to keep pace at Lincoln and we could use a few good nights there to really close things up. It’s one of those things you try not to think too much about, but it’s in the back of your mind for sure.”
On the other hand, Krimes is looking forward to participating at two tracks that he only visits a handful of times per year in Port Royal Speedway and Hagerstown Speedway. He scored an upset victory at Hagerstown Speedway in 2010, but has yet to find victory lane at Port Royal Speedway. Traditionally, Port Royal Speedway’s slick track surface plays into the driving style Krimes prefers, and he’d relish the opportunity to capture a checkered flag at the Juniata County oval.
“It’s been a few years since I’ve ran Hagerstown, but it’s kind of a home track for Stewart and I’m hoping to have a good run for him,” he said. “Port has a tendency to get slick and when that happens it’s right in my wheelhouse. I’d love to get a win and be in contention.
“We would’ve liked to have gotten more laps there this year, but this will be our first visit to Port so we’ve definitely got our hands full.”