A Brief History

While Trip Kone and Dan Little get much of the credit - and deservedly so - for creating PA 600 Speedweek, it really began when Dale Thomas decided to organize a major event for the 600cc Micro Sprints. Thomas, known as the Racing Realtor, wanted to hold the race here in the Northeast, and he was determined to pay $10,000 to the winner. Through his efforts, the Super 600 Showdown was born, and the first edition of the mega-event took its green flag at the Hill Valley Speedway in 2005.

Two years later, when the Showdown moved to Lanco's Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway, the race became the final event of the first-ever PA 600 Speedweek. Trip and Dan worked with Dale to expand his one-day event, which was always held on or around the Fourth of July, and they immediately realized their efforts had produced what is arguably the single biggest phenomenon in small car racing. The biggest names in 600cc competition - from all over the country - quickly jumped on the bandwagon and participated in the week-long gauntlet of speed.

A.J. Bast has the distinction of being the very first PA 600 Speedweek Champion. Bast earned the title in 2007, while Brent Marks captured the coveted honor in 2008. 2009 saw two drivers end the six-races-in-eight-days marathon in a tie for first place. Shane Lewis and Heath Hehnly were declared Co-Champions of Speedweek after both performed brilliantly during the grinding mini-series.

In 2010 Heath Hehnly got it done to become the first back-to-back champion. Robbie Kendall opened up the week with the first win at Trail-Way. Tyler Walton got the 2nd win at Lincoln Speedway. Ryan Smith picked up the third night at Path Valley, then Heath Hehnly, the Speedweek champ got his only win of the week at Susquehanna. Mike Rutherford took round 5 and Lanco rained out and Heath Hehnly was crowned your champion.

In 2011 Jeff Hartman won the championship.

Shane Lewis took the championship title in 2012.

2013 was the first year that wingless was introduced into the Speedweek event. 2 of the 5 races were wingless: Action Track and Hamlin. Tony Dimattia won the champion ship that year.

2014, 2015, and 2016 The Speedweek racing took a break as the class redefined itself in the PA area to become a premier wingless racing area.

2017 was full wingless with Timmy Buckwalter winning the championship. This was also the first year the Hyper Racing became the main sponsor of the event. Kyle Spence was the promoter.

In 2018 Kyle Spence won the championship.

In 2019 Timmy Buckwalter took championship honors. Austin Quick became the promoter.

2020 saw “Big Money” Brian Carber win the championship.

2021 Christian Bruno became the youngest champion at age 16.

2022 was the first year for Nick Fillman as the promoter of 600 Speedweek. All six races were completed and the championship came down to the final night and final feature as point leader Steven Snyder Jr failed to qualify for the event, leaving Christian Bruno and Tommy Kunsman to potentially come in for the steal. Both were unable to finish the event leaving Steven Snyder Jr to collect the 2022 600 Speedweek Belt and Championship!

2023 was a record year for 600 Speedweek. Not only in terms of cars and drivers, but money paid out to drivers as well. The 2023 season saw every race pay at least $2,000 to win, with Wednesday at Action Track paying $2500 and the return of a $10,000 event at the Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway on Saturday with Christian Bruno picking up the win. Monday was lost due to rain with Damon Paul and Steven Snyder Jr being the quick time from each flight and splitting the first place pay. Tuesday was the first ever non-wing Speedweek event at Clinton County with Tommy Kunsman winning the thrilling event. Damon Paul bested a 114 car field on Wednesday, with Zack Bealer scoring the first ever 600 Speedweek win at the Airport Speedway. Friday at Linda’s, Tommy Kunsman returned to victory lane and created a three driver battle for the championship at Lanco on Saturday. The intense night of action, with 96 cars entered, ended with a fist fight for the win between Damon Paul and Christian Bruno, with Bruno getting the win, while Zack Bealer collected his first career Speedweek Championship.

2024 became another banner year for 600 Speedweek as the division continues to blossom and grow in the region and across the United States. The week expanded to seven nights of action in 2024, added the Junior Sprints as a full week support class, expanded to three states, paid $2000 to win each night, and featured a $10,000 finale. Six of the even nights were completed with only one lost to weather. An average 600 Micro Sprint car count of 92, highest being at the all new McGrew Bid Motoplex at 107, and Junior Sprint average at 16, highest also at McGrew Bid. Christian Bruno went winless on the week, but scored another Speedweek title joining Tim Buckwalter as repeat wingless champions, and Heath Hehnly as repeat champions. Alex Ruppert picked up the $10,000 finale at Lanco just two days after recording his first career Speedweek win. Brexton Busch completed a clean sweep of the week winning all six junior sprint events, and was the inaugural Junior Sprint champion!