ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. — One of the most heated rivalries in spring car racing was front and center this week in Central Pennsylvania.
The World of Outlaws raced in PA Posse country for the first time this season at Lincoln Speedway on Wednesday. It's a week that sprint car racing fans have had marked on their calendars for months.
"[It's] the best of Pennsylvania versus the best of sprint car racing, you want to see them go together," said Mary Beth Pittinger, a racing fan who traveled from Sterling, Virginia for the festivities.
It’s a week where fans can expect drivers on both sides to take it up another gear.
"When you’re on the World of Outlaws Tour you race against all the best competition," said Carson Macedo, the #41 Outlaw Driver for Jason Johnson Racing. "Pa. is definitely one where we roll in there and know that there's going to be local competition that can compete on any given night."
"It's pretty special. I've been coming the World of Outlaws tour since I was born," said Troy Wagaman Jr., the #27 driver for Heffner Racing. "One of my biggest races on my calendar for sure. Anytime they're here, it's big for us."
Sprint car racing is different here in central Pa. That passion is reflected through its fans who know there's a different feel when the World of Outlaws comes to the area.
"It's special. It's a bunch of bigger drivers against local drivers and it's really fun to watch because some of the local drivers get really rowdy with the outlaws," said Kellan Renoll, a sprint car racing fan from Hanover, York County.
"There’s definitely a bigger level of competition with big money on the line," said Mason Martin who lives right around the corner from Lincoln. "For anyone, it's special, especially racing with higher-level competition."
It's a level of passion for sprint car racing that separates Central Pa. from the rest and has Outlaw drivers excited to put on a show.
"Pennsylvania fans are always showing out you know with that rivalry we can build it up but some of the biggest crowds you know most passion you're gonna get here is in Central Pa.," said Central Pennsylvania native Logan Schuchart, the #1S outlaw driver for Shark Racing.
"I look forward to Pennsylvania for that reason," said Macedo. "[The] toughness [here] in the field makes it a little bit harder to get those top five or ten runs and get those wins. It's hard to win in Pennsylvania."
It's an enhanced level of competition that has the hometown drivers thinking about one thing; protect Posse Country.
“I just don't want them guys come in here and beat us," said Wagaman.
"This is how you put yourself to the test when it comes to where you compare in sprint car racing," said Brandon Rahmer, the #88 driver for Brandon Rahmer Racing. "Across the country, these are the guys to beat. Hopefully, they come to Pa. and we [will be] able to beat them. Race hard every time we go on the track and hopefully at the end of it we’re running good."
An effort that, no matter what, will have the fans here in Central Pennsylvania, rooting for the Posse.
Weather put a damper on the festivities this week after racing at Lincoln on Wednesday the Morgan Cup at Williams Grove was canceled, leaving the outlaw/posse rivalry to just one race this week.
David Gravel, #2 outlaw driver for Big Game Motorsports took the checkered flag at Lincoln on Wednesday for the team's 100th World of Outlaws victory. Anthony Macri, #39M driver for Macri Motorsports, was the highest PA Posse finisher coming in 4th place. Wagaman, Danny Dietrich and Chase Dietz also finished in the top ten for the posse.
The Outlaws will be back in Posse Country in July for the Bricker’s Bash at BAPS and the Summer Nationals at Williams Grove.