MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Fog, flip and horsepower — those are the three words to describe Friday’s World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series show at Williams Grove Speedway.
What started as an overcast day turned into a warm and sunny late afternoon at The Grove as the 62nd Weis Markets National Open presented by Sage Fruit was set to get underway.
However, fog became a major factor as dusk turned to night at the half-mile oval. It was a peculiar sight as fog became an issue on the frontstretch but visibility on the backstretch was still clear as day.
Heat racing helped keep the fog at bay with the infamous vortex theory working like a charm as 900-plus horsepower sprint cars logged laps, lifting the fog above the track surface enough to continue racing.
The theory ran its course between the C-main and dash, as the break in between allowed the fog to fully immerse the speedway.
Shakeup Throughout
Rain pummeled much of Pennsylvania for several days prior to Friday, which made for unique conditions on Friday.
Interestingly, Brent Marks, who snagged the quick time award aboard his Murray Marks Motorsports No. 19 car, was running faster lap times during his heat.
The track was only getting faster as the night went on, due to the dew point and temperature being nearly identical.
On the competition side, there were plenty of surprise performances.
Heading into Saturday’s last chance showdown, big names and teams are still not locked into the prelim feature. Both Shark Racing entries of Jacob Allen and Logan Schuchart have not qualified, along with Sheldon Haudenschild and Carson Macedo.
Hefty Field
A whopping 58 sprint car teams set up shop at Williams Grove, with plenty of invaders.
Aside from Rico Abreu and Corey Day, the majority of High Limit Racing’s full-time drivers made the trek to Pennsylvania, including Marks, points leader Brad Sweet, Tyler Courtney, Kasey Kahne, Cory Eliason, James McFadden, Spencer Bayston and Justin Peck.
Kahne may be a factor when action gets rolling again on Saturday. The former NASCAR Cup Series driver bagged a heat victory over teammate Sweet, Donny Schatz and Buddy Kofoid. Kahne starts fourth in the dash.
Down Goes A Billboard
If a fog postponement wasn’t out of the ordinary already, a flip and tumble out of the speedway certainly stated its case for rare happenings at a race track on Friday.
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— World of Outlaws (@WorldofOutlaws) October 5, 2024
A wild ride in the final @NosEnergyDrink Heat Race as Zach Hampton goes up and over the fence in turns 1 and 2!
He climbed from the car and is okay. pic.twitter.com/v8MdN99ejV
During the fourth heat, Zach Hampton went for a tumble in turns one and two as his race car bicycled over the Williams Grove catch fence, knocking down a billboard before coming to a rest. Hampton was OK following the accident.