A rare mid-April afternoon of temperatures nearing 80-degrees with plenty of sunshine appeared to be leading to a picture perfect night for racing, but it turned out to be anything but that for Mahoning Valley Speedway.

Despite the excellent forecast, the paved ¼-mile had to cut short Week No. 2 after excessive flooding engulfed the track due to heavy overnight rain. Mahoning Creek, which flows along the back of the raceway, overflowed early in the morning hours, and even after the rains had stopped and the creek receded some, it was still pushing water onto the surface through the drain outlets.

Although track crews had been working since 6 a.m. to pump out the water, then calling in assistance from the Lehighton Fire Company to aid with the draining, the yeoman’s effort was futile, forcing management to cancel.

“I can’t tell you how grateful I am to our track crew for all the hard work they did to make racing happen, and also to the Lehighton Fire Department for their great effort,” said promoter Jack Carlino.

With that it’s on to Saturday as another six-division program, plus the season debut of the touring American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association TQ Midgets, which kicks off its 63rd consecutive season, will be presented.

The regular classes on the night will be Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Pro 4s, Hobby Stocks and the first race of 2019 for the Sportsman Modifieds. The Dirt Mods have the night off.

Start time is 6 p.m. Front gates will open at 4 p.m.

In two weeks the track will be running both Saturday and Sunday, April 27-28. Saturday will be a regular six class show, while on Sunday, round two of the Mahoning Valley Speedway/Evergreen Raceway Small Car Enduro Series takes place along with the All-Star Slingshots, and Jr. Slingshots plus the East Coast TQ Midgets. Sunday race time begins at 1 p.m.