MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – After losing the race to rain on July 5, Williams Grove Speedway officials have announced the 31st annual Mitch Smith Memorial will be made up on July 19.
The Mitch Smith Memorial will be part of Thrivent Financial World of Outlaws Tune Up Night for the Lawrence Chevrolet 410 sprint cars.
Using the usual Outlaws format to set the starting field, the 30-lap main event will pay $8,080.80 to win, in honor of both the oval’s 80th anniversary racing season and the late Mitch Smith.
As another way of honoring Smith, there will be no increase in the scheduled admission for the special show, which will also be part of the Diamond Series for the sprint cars.
The rescheduling of the Mitch Smith Memorial will allow the prestigious race to continue its longevity at the oval, first run in 1989 and won by Stevie Smith.
Richard D. “Mitch” Smith was the original “Mr. Excitement” of Pennsylvania sprint car lore.
At Williams Grove Speedway, he ended his four-decade long career in 1978 with 27 sprint car wins and nine supermodified victories. Overall on his career, he had 179 triumphs.
Smith retired from the sport in 1978 and in 1988, at the age of 58, was felled by a massive heart attack.
Adult general admission for the Mitch Smith Memorial is set at $17, with youth ages 13-20 admitted for just $10. Kids ages 12 and under are admitted for free at Williams Grove.
The HJ Towing & Recovery 358 sprints will also be on the racing program.
The Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals, featuring the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, will return to the track on July 26-27.