The much anticipated Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series Freddy Hamm Tribute – the kickoff event to the 2022 season at the paved ¼-mile oval in Lehighton – was called when on and off rain and snow befell throughout the day Sunday.

As the 2 p.m. race time neared so too did yet another passing snow squall followed by more rain. It was at that point officials made the decision to throw in the towel and call off the event.

After conferring with family members of the late Freddy Hamm who were on hand for the race, it was decided that a make-up date will take place later in the year that will be favorable for all parties.

At the present details are being worked on for the suitable date. All wristbands from both pits and grandstands Sunday are to be saved for the make-up race which will be announced very soon.

Sunday was actually the second try at putting on the races. The day before was the original date but rain and flooding forced that cancellation and all activities to be moved back to the next day.

In between Saturday and Sunday track crews worked tirelessly and into the late night pumping out water in order to have a race-ready track. That effort went right up until the first cars rolled out on Sunday but inopportunely Mother Nature had other plans.

Despite that the four classes, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures did at least get in a few rounds of warm-ups.

This was to be race #1 of the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series (MVSHoFS), a special five race series that pays tribute to select individuals who played a key role in the history of Mahoning and Dorney Park Speedways. The following MVSHoFS event will be the Dave Schlenker Tribute on June 11.

Next up will be the start of point racing. On Saturday evening, April 16 at 5:00 pm Sportsman Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Pro 4s, Hobby Stocks and Futures will be in action. The Modifieds will be back for their first point race on Saturday, April 23.

Pit gates open at 11 am. Early paid practice will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Warm-ups begin at 3 p.m. and racing gets the green flag at 5 p.m. Adult grandstand admission is $14. Pits are $40.

Please log onto the official Mahoning Valley Speedway website at www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com or on Facebook at Mahoning Valley Speedway for updated info and news. Mahoning Valley Speedway is located on PA route 443 just a few miles west of Lehighton.