Port Royal Speedway

Port Royal Speedway promoter Steve O'Neal announced Saturday that the the 50th annual Tuscarora 50 will pay $50,000 to the winner. (Jeremy Elliott | jelliott@pennlive.com)

Port Royal Speedway has made huge improvements to its facility, and now they are working on their biggest race.

Track promoter Steve O'Neal announced Saturday night that next year's Tuscarora 50 will be sanctioned again by the All Star Circuit of Champions and pay a hefty $50,000 to the race winner.

"It's the 50th year, and Port Royal started getting recognition way back because of the Tuscarora 50," O'Neal said. "To me, the National Open is still the biggest race in the East, but the Tuscarora 50 is next as far as prestige, in my opinion.

"I've always wanted to run a big race, and I wanted to get back to making the Tuscarora 50 the premier race at Port Royal."

Lance Dewease earned $12,000 for winning this year's edition of the September extravaganza. That winner's share will be pushed to second place next year, with a total estimated purse of close to $100,000.

According to O'Neal, this is a one-shot deal. But he also indicated that he will be working on making this race bigger and better each year.

"This is just amazing," O'Neal said. "We started working on this a year ago. Shawn [Brouse] and I talked about it, and Shawn did a lot of the leg work.

"We went out and approached some sponsors, and they are helping out. I just want to make [the Tuscarora 50] the premier Sprint Car race at Port Royal."

O'Neal is in his second stint as promoter of the Juniata County oval. He has been there six years this time around, and he and his staff have garnered high praise from drivers and fans for improvements.

New bathrooms were installed this season, as well as more grandstand seating. O'Neal also announced that Port Royal Speedway will host the Lucas Oil and World of Outlaws Late Model Series next season.

"I'm very pleased," O'Neal said. "I'm very proud of what we have done in six years at Port Royal Speedway.

"I'm not getting any younger. I'm taking some chances on some big events, but I might as well do it. I'm not going to be around forever, so now is the time."