Following his mishap last Friday at Williams Grove Speedway where he wrecked from the lead and buried himself in the Pennsylvania Speedweek standings from the outset, Anthony Macri vocalized his determination the rest of the miniseries.

“I said after that, ‘We’re going to dig ourselves out of that hole,’” Macri said, recalling that mission statement from a place he’s gotten familiar with these last few years.

Sprint Car racing’s winningest driver nationally added another victory to his ever-growing victory tally in PA Speedweek’s sixth round Wednesday at Port Royal Speedway, a triumph that brings him within 33 points of Danny Dietrich with four miniseries races remaining.

Macri’s 26th career victory at Port Royal — the latest good for $10,000 — ties him with Frankie Thompson for 13th all-time at the half-mile. And his ninth career PA Speedweek now puts him one win behind Don Kreitz Jr. and Keith Kauffman’s tie for eighth. But more pertinently, he’s cut a once 130-point deficit to being within reach of the title.

“I’m trying my damndest. And I know these guys are trying really hard, too,” the 25-year-old Macri continued telling Port Royal track announcer Earl Hoon on Wednesday. “Hopefully we can come out on top at the end of this week.”

Should Macri complete the comeback, he’d be the first to repeat as PA Speedweek champion since Fred Rahmer in 2011-12 and the third driver to win back-to-back miniseries titles ever. The late Greg Hodnett also accomplished the feat in 2009-10.

Macri’s triumph Wednesday came over Brent Marks yet again. On June 22 during the $22,000-to-win Jim Kline Tribute, the now 11-time winner this year dispatched Marks when he stuck a slider on a restart with 10 laps remaining.

On Wednesday, Macri skated around Marks’ inside en route to victory lane, which was something he felt better about than his previous triumph.

“I know I probably didn’t race him the cleanest the other week. That’s not the way I want to drive. And that’s not the way Brent drives either,” Macri said. “I just tried to pass him as most respectfully as I could. Sorry to him for the other week. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t repeat myself there.”

Macri extolled crew chief Joe Mooney in victory lane for “(giving) me a really good car” — “I could kind of float the middle there,” he added — that put him in position to navigate Wednesday’s slick racetrack.

“Brent was kind of committed to a little bit higher on the track. I knew I just had to stay calm and not light the tires up and just ultimately stay calm,” Macri said. “I think it was laying rubber on the bottom of one and two again. Three and four I tried to search around a little bit. Found the bottom on both ends. I didn’t want to come up off the bottom like last night and lose it. I just stuck to the bottom and stayed calm. And here we are.”

As the miniseries shifts to Hagerstown Speedway on Thursday, Macri’s looking to win a PA Speedweek first at the Maryland half-mile that’s right across the Mason-Dixon Line.

Of his PA Speedweek victories, two have now come at Port Royal — the other being July, 1 2020 — while he’s won two more at Lincoln Speedway plus one each at Williams Grove Speedway at BAPS Motor Speedway.

“These guys are working really hard this week,” Macri said. “They give me a really good car all week long. It’s just up to me not to mess anything up. Hats off to these guys. They’re working really hard. Speedway’s pretty grueling. I have to give these guys all the credit. All I got to do is drive the car.

“Anytime you’re out in the heat it’s pretty grueling,” he added. “Add on working around the car and thrashing, and depending on how fast the night’s going … the heat definitely takes a toll on you. Obviously 10 days in a row of it is a bit of added misery for sure. I mean, once again, these guys work really hard. I know they’re not going to give up. And I’m not going to give up either.”

2024 PA Speedweek Results

• PA Speedweek Opening Round Results At Williams Grove Speedway
• 2024 PA Speedweek Sunday Results At BAPS Motor Speedway
• 2024 PA Speedweek Monday Results At Lincoln Speedway
• 2024 PA Speedweek Tuesday Results At Grandview Speedway
• 2024 PA Speedweek Wednesday Results At Port Royal Speedway

2024 PA Speedweek Coverage

• 2024 PA Speedweek Schedule, How To Watch And More
• Danny Dietrich's Key To PA Speedweek Victory Lane At Williams Grove
• World Of Outlaws Temporarily Lifting Exclusivity Restrictions For Drivers
• Danny Dietrich vs. Anthony Macri: Who Will Win 2024 PA Speedweek Title?
• Logan Schuchart Discusses Freedom To Race PA Speedweek