10/7/2025
BAPS Motor Speedway
BAPS To Honor Engine Builders October 25.
YORK HAVEN, Pa.: Sprint Car racing is built on a rich history, and BAPS Motor Speedway, not only recognizes it, but wants to honor some of the sport’s legends.
Six heavy hitters from Central Pennsylvania region that build engines will be honored at BAPS Motor Speedway on Saturday October 25. To pay homage to these greats, speedway General Manager Kolten Gouse wanted to recognize them on a big stage.
The 410 Sprint Cars and Wingless Super Sportsman will be part of the Britton Finkenbinder Memorial and on that same night, Gouse and his staff will honor engine builders Bob Kriner, Don Ott, Rob Cappetta, Charlie Garrett, Tom Rider and Brian Morrison.
“I think it’s always important to remember the greats in any sport, especially Sprint Car racing,” Gouse said. “The sport is built on the backs of these guys and I don’t think people truly appreciate what these engine builders go through to make sure their cars are racing on the track”.
“We want to recognize the achievements of these six individuals and give them accolades in front of their hometown fans. It doesn’t get any bigger to be the only show in town that night and to have these engine builders at the track, they deserve to be on the same stage as the current stars of Sprint Car racing.”
Rob Cappetta started as driver and eventually went to NASCAR, he worked in the shops and as a race-day gas man for several teams, most notably with the Robert Yates team, where he was part of Dale Jarrett’s 1999 NASCAR cup title. After that Rob began building motors for drivers in central Pennsylvania before hooking up with Kasey Kahne Racing where he landed multiple World of outlaw titles, Kings Royal and Knoxville Nationals.
Don Ott is a legendary engine builder who was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of fame and built motors for such names as Fred Rahmer, Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Terry McCarl, Lance Dewease, Stevie Smith, Jason Johnson, Greg Hodnett and Todd Shaffer.
Tom Rider and Rider Racing Engines began in the early 1980s in the basement of Tom Rider's home where he grew up. Today, they move 150 to 200 motors through their shop every single year. Their engines are used by racers all over the country, New Zealand and Australia. In the early 2000’s they made the move to do exclusively sprint car motors and have had a long list of drivers that have driven their product from Frankie Herr, Craig Dollansky, Terry McCarl, Heffner Racing, Buddy Kofoid, Austin McCarl, Rich Eichelberger, Corey Day. They have also been one of the leaders in bringing the Toyota motor program into the midget and sprint car scene in 2021.
Charlie Garrett from Hanover Pennsylvania started racing drag racing at Lincoln Speedway in the early 1960s from Turn 4 to Turn 1 and then headed to Us 30 in Thomasville. Charlie Garret set many track records in the IHRA Drag Series including a 1994 Winter nationals in Darlington, South Carolina. He Started his own business in 1965 and has been a powerhouse in the engine development world, and his first world of outlaw team came a calling in 2001 when Sonnie Kratzer & the Selma Shell team wanted him to build motors. Other drivers that ran Garrett Power plants included Craig Dollansky, Greg Hodnett, Brian Brown, Jason Meyers and Anthony Macri. Jason Meyers led Garrett engines to two World of Outlaw championships in 2010 & 2011.
Bob Kriner and his Kriner’s Racing Engines came to national fame for its sprint car engines and over 32 years servicing central Pennsylvania and traveling race teams. Drivers like Keith Kauffman in the Middlesworth Chip car and Lance Dewease in the Walter Dyer 461 dominated the 90s and early 2000s with Kriner Power plants. Kriner Motors have expanded its line of winning race engines to dirt late models, marine performance, bracket drag racers and more.
Brian Morrison who was Adjunct Professor of Biology at Towson University one day made a wrong turn on the street and came across Charlie Garretts Racing Shop. That wrong turn led to a fortuitous introduction to Garrett and laid the foundations of a lasting friendship. Garrett eventually offered Morrison the opportunity to help him run his dyno with his one free day from teaching. Later Brian Morrision hooked up with David Helm’s Selma Shell team and since then have worked with teams like Tod Quiring, KCP Racing, Keneric Racing and many others. Other drivers that went on to win World of Outlaws races with Morrison’s engines include Danny Lasoski, Ian Madsen, David Gravel, and Giovanni Scelzi. Morrison Racing Engines eclipsed 100 victories with The Greatest Show on Dirt, and he was awarded the Engine Builder of the Year in 2024.
“The list of accomplishments these guys piled up is beyond impressive,” Gouse said. “They had a huge impact on the sport, and all of them deserve to be honored and we are proud to be able to share this movement with them.
Pit gates & grandstands both open at noon and Hot laps will begin at 2:15 p.m. with racing starting at 3pm. General Admission for the event is $25 for Adults, $20 Seniors, $15 Students and $40 for pits.
The speedway will also host its first ever “touch a truck event” in the front pit area with gates opening at noon. The event is for kids and adults and will offer a rare up-close experience with multiple pieces of equipment.
For More information, please visit www.bapsmotorspeedway.com
Submitted By: Kolten Gouse
