The Man To Be Honored At The Port

"THE MAN" TO BE HONORED AT THE PORT

By Brad Vores

Keith Kauffman and Port Royal Speedway go together like a good cold beer on a hot summer night at a Central Pennsylvania race track.

That’s why the folks at Port Royal Speedway will honor their hometown hero as a Living Legend at the upcoming Dream Race on Saturday night, August 6^th.

Kauffman, along with longtime Central PA car owner Walt Dyer will be guests of honor on the biggest night of the season at the Juniata County facility.

Starting his prolific sprint car career back in the 1970’s at Port Royal, over 30 years have gone by and nothing has changed as Keith continues to make fast laps around the Port and continues to win feature races at the age of 61. Keith recently won his 129^th career Port Royal sprint car feature aboard the Gary and Linda Heckman owned, Heckman Tree Farm #8H.

Keith’s storied sprint car career has spanned from Juniata County as far away as Australia, one of the most well-known sprint car drivers in the history of the sport. While most of his 307 career feature wins have came right here in Central PA, Keith has raced out on the road numerous times with the All Stars and World of Outlaws. Had Keith remained local during his entire career, his stats would no doubt be insurmountable.

While more details and special promotions to honor Keith are still being worked on, fans will be able to meet and greet with Port Royal’s favorite son prior to the Dream Race as Keith will be signing autographs alongside the HTF sprinter before heading into the pit area to get his game face on and attempt to add the Dream Race to his long list of impressive sprint car feature wins.

Make plans to be at Port Royal Speedway on August 6^th as the track honors two of the most respected men to ever be involved with Central PA Sprint car racing.

Update 7/24/11 --This night continues to turn into something real special for Keith as many of his past car owners have committed to be on hand for the Living Legends night.

Joining Keith on stage on the night of the Dream race will be current car owners Gary and Linda Heckman along with John Trone, Bob Stewart, Leon Wintermyer, Al Hamilton, Dave Middleswarth, Maynard Boop, Rock Woelfling while Todd Weikert will represent the late Bob Weikert and a family member will represent the late Roy Morral. Also joining in on the festivities on the night will be mentor Lynn Paxton along with longtime KK sponsor John Groninger.

There will be several cars on display as well including Keith's current ride, the HTF 8H while a Hamilton Motorsport sprinter (now driven by Aaron Ott) and the Blue Deuce, Clyde's Gulf #2 restored car.

Plans for the Dream Race 5 are shaping up as well Port Royal officials announced the lelands.com Dream Race Challenge in Memory of Marion Ritzman will pay a driver a $12,000 bonus should one of the front row starters opt to give up their position and start last and come through the field to win the race.