Archive for category: Sprint Cars

The end of June means the start of Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek. For the young Delaware native, Preston Lattomus, this meant an opportunity to compete in one of the toughest weeks in the region. Having stepped up from the 358 ranks at the end of last season, learning has been the name of the game in 2025. While a few shows would end up falling to Mother Nature, the driver of the 91 did gain some valuable experience and made improvements at tracks, even if the results didn’t show it. 

“Our goal for Speedweek was to improve every time we hit the track, and I feel we did that.”

With rain taking out the first two shows of the series, BAPS Motor Speedway took center stage as the Speedweek opener. Preston, after qualifying 19th in his flight, went 10th to 9th in his heat. After a B Main effort of 15th, the first night of the week was in the books. Not the strongest effort, but it got the week started, which was the biggest part of being able to learn.

Against the odds, the following night at Lincoln Speedway did happen. Rain was all around the speedway, and it did end up claiming the last five laps of the feature. For Preston, the night started off with a 16th-place qualifying effort. Starting 8th in his heat, he was able to make his way up to 7th, missing out on the transfer by two spots. The 9th position would be the start and finish for the 91 car, in the B Main, wrapping up night two of competition.

Some valuable experience came during the Wednesday night show at Port Royal Speedway. Having limited winged starts at The Speed Palace, Lattomus was able to run double-duty, as the URC 360’s joined the card that evening. Sometimes, getting to slow things down and just being on the track more can help a driver find little areas to improve upon. 

“I can definitely say running both classes helped because of being able to keep up with the track very well,” stated Preston. Motor problems with the 360 made a 12th-place finish a little bit of a disappointing night on that end, as hopes were high for the URC portion of the program. Preston would find a little more speed in the 410, timing in 14th and finishing 8th in his heat, before an 11th-place B Main finish.

Another big half mile appeared on the schedule the following night as the team headed to Hagerstown Speedway. Speed was more evident for the team, as Lattomus was able to put in a solid qualifying effort and make the show out of the B Main. In the feature, Preston was able to make up a few spots, coming home in 19th, but most importantly, making the show and finishing the feature, which helped gain some more valuable experience.

The Mitch Smith Memorial brought the team back to more familiar territory, and the Williams Grove Speedway. With another top 15 qualifying run, Preston would roll off 7th in his heat and finish 9th, sending him to the B Main. The Delaware native showed some good speed and the ability to move around and stay out of some wrecks, going 13th to 6th, and just barely missing out on the transfer position.

Saturday night’s show at Port Royal Speedway would be the final night the 91 team would compete on the Speedweek trail. And it was a great way to finish out the long week. Lattomus had his best qualifying effort of the week, timing in 6th in his group. 

“The guys told me where to run and how to run it right before I went out, and the qualifying effort put us upfront in a heat race.” With a first row starting spot in the heat, a lot of good cars were around the 91 car, but Preston was able to show some great speed and maintain his second starting spot and transfer into the 30-lap feature event. Rolling off 9th in the feature was one of Preston’s best starting positions of the season. Once the green flag dropped, the young racer was able to maintain and hang around inside the top 12. 

“As we got going in the feature, I could feel I had a great car capable of moving forward.” However, troubles came about after only 5 laps. “And when things just started to click, we had a power steering problem that ended our night.” A disappointing end to what appeared to be a promising night.

However, the overall goal for the team and driver was to improve, and that happened. Speedweek is also one of the toughest weeks in dirt track racing. 

“Pennsylvania Speedweek is different from anything I’ve ever done because it’s longer and at a higher level,” stated Lattomus. The format also can present challenges for some, with teams having to time trial every night, which isn’t the norm at most weekly shows.

“The challenges that come along with time trial shows for me are really this time of year,” said Preston. “Qualifying becomes very technical with how the track changes. I prefer time trial shows over redraw or handicap because it’s what they do every race at the highest level.” Having this be a part of the week helped to build a bigger mental notebook for the young 18-year-old racer.

Even with results not all showing the speed the team is capable of, Lattoums was still happy with how it went. 

“This 91 team brings a great piece to the track every night. I know once I get on the same page as the car, I will really start getting into a flow and the good runs will come in more often.” 

The team looks to take a week off and get ready for Williams Grove on the 18th and hopefully build up some more speed and confidence, as the World of Outlaws soon come to town, to round out the month.

RECENT RESULTS (starting position listed in parenthesis)

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  Date/Location:  June 30, 2025 / Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA

• Results:  Group Qualifying 16th, Heat 7th (8), B-main 9th (9)

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  Date/Location:  July 1, 2025 / Grandview Speedway, Bechtelsville, PA

• Results:  Rain

• Date/Location:  July 2, 2025 / Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA
• Results:  Group Qualifying 14th, Heat 8th (7), B-main 11th (11)
• Date/Location: July 2, 2025 / Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA (URC 360)
• Results:  Heat 5th (3), A-main 12th (13)

• Date/Location:  July 3, 2025 / Hagerstown Speedway, Hagerstown, MD
• Results:  Group Qualifying 12th, Heat 6th (6), B-main 2nd (4), A-main 19th (22)

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  Date/Location:  July 4, 2025 / Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA

• Results:  Group Qualifying 13th, Heat 9th (7). B-Main 6th (13)

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  Date/Location:  July 5, 2025 / Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA

• Results:  Group Qualifying 8th, Heat 2nd (2), A-main 24th (9)