MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — One of Pennsylvania sprint car racing’s signature events returns Saturday, Oct. 3, when Williams Grove Speedway hosts the 64th annual J & S Classics National Open.
Sanctioned by the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, the National Open finale will run 40 laps and pay $75,000 to win. Williams Grove says Saturday night’s A-Main purse alone will approach $192,000.
The event carries more than six decades of history. Gordon Johncock won the inaugural National Open in 1963, beginning a winner’s list that has since included names such as Lou Blaney, Kenny Weld, Steve Smith Sr., Lynn Paxton, Doug Wolfgang, Steve Kinser, Donny Schatz, Lance Dewease, Brent Marks and Carson Macedo.
Schatz became the winningest driver in National Open history with his fifth victory in 2012 and added a sixth in 2020. Dewease has five National Open victories, while Marks, Macedo and Sheldon Haudenschild are among the event’s more recent winners.
Haudenschild enters the 2026 edition as the defending champion after earning the $75,000 victory in 2025, when he chased down Bill Balog late in the race. Danny Dietrich finished second in that event.
Saturday’s adult general admission is $50, youth admission is $20, and children 12 and under are admitted free. Fireworks are also scheduled as part of the program. The 40-lap finale has a rain date of Oct. 4.
Source: Williams Grove Speedway press release, Sept. 28, 2026. Article adapted by Pitmark Racing Co.
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