Sweigart Dominates PASS Opener

News, Results, Sprint Car

Photo by Frank Buhrman

By Frank Buhrman

PORT ROYAL, Pa. (Apr. 19, 2025) —  “Nitro Nick” Sweigart’s plan to focus on Port Royal Speedway in 2025 got off to a perfect start Saturday with a dominating victory in the 20-lap River Valley Builders PA Sprint Series feature at the “Speed Palace.”

The veteran driver from Myerstown, already the leading career winner at Port Royal among active RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car competitors, officially won Saturday’s feature by 1.399 seconds over Logan Spahr, but he had given up multiple large leads when the race’s four yellow flags waved, only to quickly rebuild his margins at the next green. Despite the efforts of several challengers, none could compete with the Jon Williams-owned no. 89.

The win was Sweigart’s 12th in a PASS career that dates to 2017, but it was his eighth at Port Royal, where he trails only Garrett Bard (13) and Jeff Miller (12) in career victories. He and Miller are the only two-time champions of the Keystone RaceSaver Challenge at Port Royal, and he will defend his champion title when the race takes place on June 28th.

Spahr, who had started 13th, took second place from Mike Melair following the final restart with three laps to go. Melair had inherited the position when that final caution flew for Doug Dodson’s spin in the second turn while battling Melair for that spot. Melair would finish third.

Rain briefly threatened Saturday’s program, with a brief delay in the action during the early heat race competition, then another, even briefer interruption that caused a caution but did not chase the racers off the track.

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