This Little Bullring
Written by:  Mike Sonnon

Silver Springs, Langhorne, Reading and too too many other great tracks are now nothing but memories. It is a sad day when a house of speed is razed for development.

This little bullring though, was one for the ages. Home and birthplace of the Super Sportsmen, this circle of dirt was one of the finest tracks to ever host a show. Week after week, year after year, the cars, drivers, mechanics, and track workers put on the best show for the buck..anywhere!

In this man's opinion, 1975 was the finest year ever for the track, and provided me with some of my best memories.
The first 100 lapper was held that year. I was helping out on my cousin Don Wolfe's #14 and we had flipped in the heat. We worked and struggled and got it ready for the "consy" but finished one spot out of qualifying. We were an alternate and as luck would have it, good for us bad for a few, there was a crash at the drop of the green. Several cars were damaged and we were allowed to get in the show. 100 laps later, with damage everywhere and no wing, that little car (the Elvin Felty/Ted Althouse champ car from '73) just wouldn't quit and we finished all 100 laps and never went down a lap!

Also that night, a man who I followed for years probably had the worst night of his life. Jerry Mullin came into that race in the points lead, going for his much desired yet elusive track championship. It was not to be as he got caught up in a crash and lost many positions. Jerry was one fine man and was one of the most popular Silver Springs drivers ever. I really wish he had won a point title so his name could be among those who won championships.

1975 also saw every driver that finished in the top 15 in points win at least once...except for one.
And that lonely team was the rookie of the year. Can anyone guess who that was???
You got it, none other than longtime owner/promoter Al Kreitzer!!!

       My cousin Donny won his only race at Silver Springs that year, but as luck would have it, it happened on a rare Wednesday night show when alot of folks missed it. We were sure happy and proud though!!!

Being from Lebanon, I have had the great opportunity to meet and cheer for many drivers from my area who raced at the Springs. Don Wolfe, Elvin and Leroy Felty, Harold Wike, Butch and Gary Kreiser, Tommy Long, Les Adams, Jim Bernheisel, Larry Edris, Harry Boyer, Bobby Gerhart, Bobby, Dick & Brett Hauer, Jerry Wolfe, George Heist, Paul Orendo, Darrell Kreiser, Ed Leiss, Carl & Scott Lutz, Gene Nauman, Boots Podget, Ray & Ron Tilley, Kramer Williamson, Jerry Wolfe, and Ron Tobias are just the ones I can remember right now.

       Guys...it's your fault I am addicted to dirt...thanks to each and every one of you!!

Ahhhh...Silver Springs on a Saturday night. All those times are just memories now.

Thanks to the fans, the best in the midstate. Thanks to daddy Will and the whole Kreitzer family.
Thanks to the drivers, the mechanics, the owners and all the track officials who brought us the best
racing we could ask for.

       And one last thing...Gail...you and your crew should get an award for "THE BEST @#%$! RACING FOOD...ANYWHERE!!! Thanks again, for all the memories!