Andrew Yoder Claims 2019 Limited Late Model Championship in Dominating Fashion

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: December 12, 2019

Courtesy of Port Royal Speedway

By- Justin Snyder/Port Royal Speedway

PORT ROYAL, Pa- Dominating- When coming up with a word to describe Andrew Yoder’s 2019 Selinsgrove Ford Limited Late Model season at the Port Royal Speedway, this was what came to mind.

Seven victories, one second place finish and two third place finishes filled out a season of results that saw the driver never once finish off the podium at the Juniata County oval for an entire season and pick up the championship by a commanding 410-points.

“It really is crazy to look back and see how good we were in 2019,” said Yoder. “We just stumbled upon something at Port Royal and my dad had the car dialed in all season to where I told him what we needed, and he made it happen.”

To truly put the accomplishment into perspective, consider that only once all season did Yoder get passed during feature competition (A third in the second race of the season). He credits the offseason addition of a new Swartz Race Car chassis to the team’s success.

“Up until this season, we had been running the same old 1998 chassis that we had been updating and we’d never upgraded to new,” said Yoder. “We decided to buy a new one this year and their guys helped us get it dialed in early and once we found that baseline, it was smooth sailing out there.”

While Yoder is no stranger to success at the Speedway, picking up the 2015 Econo Late Model championship at the track, this was his first championship in the Limited Late Model division at the Speedway.

With ongoing improvements to the Speedway and a national audience having eyes on the track via outlets such as Speed Shift TV, Yoder is exceptionally proud to represent Port Royal Speedway as their 2019 track champion.

“To be the face that is known as champion at a track that’s recognized not just regionally, but nationally, is pretty darn cool and something I’m really proud of,” said Yoder. “I’ve had some good seasons in a late model, but never a season like this. It means a lot to be champion and it’s something I don’t take lightly.”

With a busy offseason that includes becoming a father to a newborn, Yoder is anxiously anticipating the 2020 season. He plans to call Port Royal home again at least during the early parts of the season but may branch out and travel later in the season. He also has potential plans of running a few Super Late Model shows if they can put together a motor plan for 2020.

“2020 is going to be exciting as I think we are set up to be successful for a long time, but I’m also looking forward to being a dad,” said Yoder. “We’ll plan the early season around being closer to home for that reason and see what happens from there. We may do some racing outside the area, but if the least we do is win another championship at Port Royal, that be fine with me.”

Yoder wants to thank is sponsors such as Stine Trucking, Strouse Electric, Windview Truck and Trailer Repairs, Happy Tails Grooming, Miller Racing Engines, Fryeco Fabrications, Hoosier Racing Tires, Swartz Race Cars and Snap-On tools. He also wants to thank is crew, dad, Jim, Chris and Jeff.

You can see Andrew get recognized as champion at the 2019 banquet which will be be held on Saturday, January 4th, 2020 at the Lewistown Moose Family Center.

Doors will open at 5:00pm and dinner will be catered by Harshbarger’s Sub N Malt and will be served at 5:30pm with the awards program to follow.

Music will be provided by our own “Scotty the DJ”.

Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased by phoning the office weekdays at: 717-527-2303

Bring a toy for kids night and get a chance to win a prize. BYOB is not permitted.

Tickets will remain on sale until December 20^thand can be purchased via the Speedway Office.