Published: September 23, 2022
Adam Ripple
The 2022 Jennerstown Speedway racing season has been full of excitement since the first competition of the year.
From first-time winners, veteran drivers stealing the show, a renewed partnership with NASCAR, being named the Advance My Track Challenge top prize winner of $50,000, a new Hall of Fame Class being inducted, traveling series' invading the speedway to special events held and so much more, Jennerstown Speedway has had it all this year.
Top prizeJennerstown drivers, fans, community rally around speedway to earn $50,000 prize
Saturday, five of the six division titles will be up for grabs on championship night at the speedway in what will likely be a thrilling night of racing.
"It's been an extremely active season with very little time to reflect up until now," said Jennerstown Speedway General Manager Bill Hribar. "The renewed partnership with NASCAR and FloRacing has been monumental for the speedway. I am so proud of the drivers, fans and staff for what we have accomplished together."
Barry Awtey, the winningest driver in Jennerstown Speedway history, has already wrapped up his eighth track championship in the Martella's Pharmacies Late Model division. In 19 races, Awtey has a whopping 10 victories and 16 Top 5 finishes. He had to go to a backup car on Double Down Weekend, crashing on the first night of action. He returned the next night to capture a victory. Awtey has simply dominated the division.
Bryan Shipp and Jarred Barclay are currently second and third, respectively, in the division standings.
In the Stoystown Auto Wreckers Modified division, Tom Golik has a mere 12-point advantage over Jason Busch. Golik has only three wins this year, but has placed in the Top 5 in 15 of the 18 races. Doug Glessner, who leads the division with seven wins, is third and sits 44 points behind Golik.
The One Stop Auto Sales Pro Stocks division, which is only in its second year of competition, has been the most exciting division all season long.
Jeff Giles, who has three wins and 16 Top 5's in 19 races, holds a narrow 10-point lead over Adam Kostelnik, who paces the division with six wins. Kyle Burkholder is 41 points back in third place while defending champion Will Hemminger sits in fourth, 58 points behind Giles.
In the Ron's Collision Center Street Stocks division, "The Boogeyman" Greg Burbidge has captured three victories and 14 Top 5's in 17 races. He holds a 27-point lead over Dale Kimberly, who has won five races in a row. Kimberly's daughter, Angie also has three division wins this season. Brent Bickerstaff is 41 points back in third place.
It has been a battle all season long between Johnathan Haburcsak and Caleb Vasos in the Somerset Trust Fast 'N Furious 4's division. Haburcsak, who is just a teenager, has five wins and holds a 37-point advantage over Vasos.
Vasos has the most wins in the division with six. His teammate Skylar Berkey sits 137 points back in third place.
Veteran driver Steven Singo sets the pace in the Farmers Union Co-Op Chargers division. He has six wins and a 28-point lead over Nate Valente, who has four wins this year. Ken Burkholder is third, 36 points behind Singo.
With so many close battles set to play out, Hribar is expecting a great night of racing on Saturday.
"I believe the intensity level of the drivers will be at an all-time high," Hribar said. "There is a lot on the line, and as we've seen week after week, racing is unpredictable."
