SPRINTS:  PA POSSE NEWS 96-04-12
PA POSSE NEWS

Dan Dietrich

Last week during the feature at Lincoln Speedway the #39 of Dan Dietrich was
involved in a serious crash.  A group of cars got together on lap 10 on the
backstretch.  The #39 of Dietrich cleared the fence in turn three and landed on
its side on the access road that surrounds the track.  Dan was unconscious when
the EMS people arrived and his helmet showed obvious signs of impact.  The cars
of Brian Montieth and Allen Senft were also involved but they remained on the
track and were not injured.

At the accident scene after his helmet was removed Dan opened his eyes but was
unable to talk with rescuers.however he was able to squeeze their hands. 
During transport he was able to start talking, Dan was originally transported
to the Hanover Hospital and then transferred to York Hospital for further
treatment of his injuries.  

At Williams Grove on Saturday night it was announced that Dan had been
transferred to the Health South Rehabilitation Center.  Dan is doing better but
must use a walker to walk and is unsure of how long he will be there
recuperating.  Dan and his wife, Wanda, have talked it over and he has decided
that he will retire from racing as a driver.  He wants to stay involved in the
sport and hopes to be able to become a wrench on another team.  Dan is a past
track champion at Lincoln Speedway and was an ever present force on the Central
PA racing scene.

Last year on several occasions I had the chance to sit and talk with Wanda
Dietrich at Williams Grove when she brought the children to the track and sat
in the stands.  I explained to her how I reported the racing action on the net
and she gave me some news to share.  

I would like to ask all of you that regularly read my sprint related posts to
do me a personal favor.  Since I do not get paid and I do put a great deal of
time and effort into my posts I ask that you please send a get well card, note,
message or something to Dan Dietrich.  The address is 1701 Heidlersburg Road,
Aspers, PA   17304.  

Fred Rahmer

Last week I reported that the #12 of Rahmer had finished in ninth spot in the
feature.  However that is not the fact.  William Grove officials set Fred back
two positions for jumping on the final restart.

Todd Gracey

Todd returned to Williams Grove in his #25 Cooper Motors ride after sitting
last week out due to a suspension of one week from the Grove officials.  Back
on March 31, 1996, during the running of the Jack Gunn Memorial the #25 of
Gracey and the #2C of Will Cramer got together between turn one and two.  Todd
took exception to the incident and let his temper get the best of him and
started a fighting with Will Cramer.  This kind of performance we can
definitely do without!    

Craig Eshenaur

The Eshenaur's became proud parents of a baby boy on April 11, 1996.  Walter
Craig Eshenaur and mother are reported to be doing fine.  Craig had "It's A
Boy" lettered on the wing of his #5 sprint at the Williams Grove on Friday
night.