The Tradition known as the “Uncle Buck” Pig Roast continues July 11th & 12th at Cecil County Race # 3 & 4.
A tradition like no other that was in jeopardy of not happening this year due to the pandemic will embark upon us once again next weekend in Northeast Maryland. A Tradition that is now embarking on its 27th year that was started when one man decided he wanted to ramp up the BBQ game at the local Super Gas Association events with a Pig Roast. Little did he know that what he started in 1993, would carry over to today and 8 years after his passing from Pancreatic Cancer.
Who was Uncle Buck?
That man who started it all, Ronnie Harple, a businessman & farmer from Bel Air, Md who owned Dump trucks, but had a love for hot rods, racing and cooking for his friends and family. Growing up, Ronnie became friends with pretty much everyone he met and became remarkably close with George & Linda Donhauser also of Bel Air. Just like Ronnie, George also had that same passion for racing as Ronnie did and the two teamed up to travel the Northeast winning National, Divisional & local Association Events & Championships throughout the years. George was the driver and Ronnie was the Crew Chief and they were an inseparable combo.
Along the way, Ronnie’s passion for cooking started to take over at the Division 1 events and their pits became the place to be for afterhours eating, beer drinking and sometime late-night shenanigans. At that same time Ronnie was beginning his after-hour meals at the track, John Candy was staring in the 1989 hit film “Uncle Buck”. Candy, was known for going above and beyond on his cooking skills in the movie and somehow along the way that name “Uncle Buck” made it’s its way over to Ronnie and it stuck as Ronnie was like the “Uncle” that fed all the Racers after a long hot day at the track and would talk to you about how good or bad your day went.
27 Years of Tradition.
In 1993, that passion for cooking was raised to another level at a local Northeast Super Gas Association Event at his home track of Cecil County Dragway, Ronnie brought along his smoker and decided to “Smoke a Pig”. Little did Ronnie know 27 years later and 8 years since his passing from Pancreatic Cancer that this tradition would become one of the biggest and best .90 races and social gatherings on the East Coast. Racers as far west as California, as far South as South Carolina and as far North as Canada have embarked on what is now known as the “Uncle Buck” Pig Roast.
What started out as a little BBQ with about 30 people has grown to well over 100+ strong friends and family, all there to celebrate the life and legacy of Ronnie Harple. The pits look like a mini Woodstock with campers, motorhomes and of course racers lined up in the fields to celebrate the tradition started in 1993.
The series itself has grown over the years to include more classes, as in 2011 Super Comp & in 2013 Super Street were added to the event schedule to make it one big happy .90 family.
2020 Race Schedule
In 2020, the event will be held on July 11th & 12th at Cecil County Dragway in Northeast Maryland. All racers are welcomed to join in that weekend to race with us, break bread, and drink a few cold beverages at days end.
Racers & Fans can arrive as early as Friday, July 10th beginning at 5pm as Cecil County hosts it’s weekly “Friday Night Street Night” beginning at 6pm until the gates close at 11pm.
The action kicks off on July 11th as the Mid Atlantic .90 Series runs Race # 3 of its 2020 season. Gates will open at 8am with time runs beginning around 9:30am with Q1 beginning with Super Street, into Super Comp and then rounding out with Super Gas.
The Annual AMC car show and race and Lance Keen’s Nostalgia Stock / SS will also highlight the Saturday Action. Once racing is completed for Race # 3 in the .90 series then it’s time to crown the champions and celebrate at the Uncle Buck Pig Roast. As the sun settles, a ceremonial lantern lighting is set up to allow loved ones no longer with us partake in the festivities.
On Sunday, July 12th Race # 4 will highlight the day’s activities at Cecil County along with the Test & Tune. Gates open at 8am and racing will hit the strip around 9:30am until completion.
After two events of the 2020 season Amanda Boicesco holds the points lead in Super Comp fresh off her double final round appearance last weekend, she holds a 47 point lead over Randy Winfelder Jr and Kara Stine. In Super Gas, Bob Phillips holds a slim 1 point lead over Race # 2 winner Iggie Boicesco and rounding out Super Street Kelli Barbato holds a 10 point lead over Bill Phillips and Keith Mayers.
If you would like more information about the series and how you can partake in the 27th Annual Uncle Buck Pig Roast you can visit their website at www.midatlantic90.org or find them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or contact president Rob Keister at 856-332-2851 – Rob Keister