Published: April 27, 2023
Adam Ripple
Boxler will take on his biggest role yet at the speedway. In the offseason, Boxler was named general manager of Jennerstown Speedway following the departure of Bill Hribar, who stepped down after eight seasons.
A person who has racing in his blood, Boxler is excited for what lies ahead as the highly anticipated 2023 season opens Saturday night.
"I am looking forward to just trying to keep growing the facility," Boxler said. "We've made some improvements during the offseason. We are very excited. This is surreal. I've worked here my entire life. Being in this role is a change of pace, but it is definitely something I am enjoying."
The track will have a new state-of-the-art public address sound system after the previous one was struck by lightning in the offseason. Construction of the speedway's new restroom facility is also underway. The ADA restrooms are being built with the $50,000 prize won in the Advance My Track Challenge last year.
Saturday's opener will feature a traditional six-division racing program. The Ohio Wheelman Street Stock Series comes to town May 6, along with five divisons of racing.
Some of the fastest cars in the country roll into Jennerstown May 13, as the ISMA MSS Super Modifieds join the weekly six divisions.
The Midwest Modifieds will take the track along with five divisions of racing May 20.
"We have a very ambitious beginning to the schedule," Boxler said. "Anyone who has not been to Jennerstown or is looking to come to a race, the time to come is the month of May. It's three action-packed weeks in the month of May to come out to the track."
The CRS Trucks will be at Jennerstown July 22. Jennerstown's crown jewel, the Motor Mountain Masters, is scheduled for July 12. Championship night is slated for Sept. 9.
There were plenty of first-time winners and familiar faces who found Stoney's Victory Lane a year ago.
Thirty-nine different drivers captured wins in 2022. Eight Late Model, five Modified, seven Pro Stock, six Street Stock, seven Fast Fours and six Charger drivers were victorious over the course of the year.
No one took home more checkered flags than Barry Awtey, the winningest driver in Jennerstown Speedway history. He captured 10 wins, including his second straight Martella's Pharmacies Late Model season-long crown and his ninth overall points championship.
Awtey is not in racing for the money or the championships, it's his love of the sport that keeps him coming back year after year.
"I'm just hoping for a clean season, and whatever happens, happens," Awtey said. "I just want to have fun. We don't set any expectations, just let it rip and see what happens."
Awtey often is seen helping other drivers with their setups and adjustments before and after the Late Model feature. Helping others is a valuable lesson Awtey learned when he got into the sport.
"I have met so many good people through racing," he said. "Racing is all about good people. I have better stuff now than I ever had in my life. If I had that stuff when I was 20, watch out. My dad taught me a long time ago that helping other drivers is what racing is all about."
Like Boxler, Awtey is looking forward to seeing what Jennerstown Speedway has in store for the upcoming season.
"I love watching the ISMA's," Awtey said. "I think that Ohio Wheelman Series is going to be a good one. This place here, we are blessed with having a beautiful facility to come to. There's a lot of places that are nowhere near this."
Awtey, Tom Golik (Modifieds), Jeff Giles (Pro Stocks), Greg Burbidge (Street Stocks), Steve Singo (Chargers), and Johnathan Haburcsak (Fast Fours) are the defending champions in their respective divisions. The competition will likely be fierce once again this year.
"I think the coolest thing last year, we had a lot of first-time winners," Boxler said. "We hope that trend continues this year. The fans really resonate with that. They all have their favorites. You have guys ― young and old ― winning races. It does not get stale over time."
Hot laps begin at 2 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 3:55 with heat races set for 4 p.m. and features to follow.
