The “Outlaws” made their first visit of the season to Western PA this past weekend and the group was comprised of different members than in previous years. This group was the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and they did not disappoint the huge crowd that welcomed them to the Lernerville Speedway. The field included the World of Outlaws regulars, who have been dubbed “The Dirty Dozen” as well as series Rookie of the Year contenders including Scott James and Robbie Blair, a large group of Raceway 7 regulars led by Dick Barton and Ron Davies and a strong field of Lernerville regulars including “Slow Ride” David Scott and defending track champion John Flinner.
The 50-lap feature saw pole sitter Chub Frank play his cards just right. At the start he dropped back to the fifth position as Brian Birkhofer, Dale McDowell and Steve Francis battled for the lead. Frank began to reel in the threesome after the race reached the halfway point and took the lead on lap 46. As Frank led the last four laps and brought home his first World of Outlaws feature victory the crowd stood on its feet cheering in approval.
Since this was the first local appearance of the new series I think many were unsure of just what to expect but I do not think they were disappointed as three wide racing began in the heats and continued all evening. I think the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will also increase their fan base as DIRT Modified driver Tim McCreadie has committed to the series for the entire year and Billy Decker will compete in the races to be held in New York. In addition World of Outlaws Sprint Car regulars including Mark Kinser and Tim Shaffer will compete in select Late Model events as their schedules permit.
The series will return to the Lernerville Speedway on Friday, August 13th and they will also stop at the Sharon Speedway and Challenger Raceway in the next few months. I am sure the racing at these facilities will be just as star studded and action packed so I highly recommend adding a stop at one of the World of Outlaws Late Models events this summer.
It was off to the Mercer Raceway Park for another action packed Saturday night. Mercer has battled the cold and rain throughout the month of April but sunny skies and warmer temperatures finally prevailed; no Carhart would be needed tonight!!
Jamie Smith captured his second feature victory of the season as he passed Jack Sodeman Jr. on the final lap of the feature. I am sure it was a heartbreaker for Sodeman and the 23Jr crew but it was good to see the team back in front after last week’s terrible flip. Gary Kriess Jr. appears to be settling into the seat of the Troy Preston 1P as he brought home another solid fourth place finish. Gary McCollum, who was injured two weeks ago, was on hand to take in the racing action and he thanked all of the fans for their prayers and get-well wishes. Gary also indicated that although he will not be returning to action in a sprint car he may be getting behind the wheel of a big block modified.
A jubilant Steve Toth captured his career first Sportsman Modified Feature. The son of Modified driver, Ernie Toth, Steve continues the family tradition of carrying the number 25 on the side of his car. Steve credited a new engine builder, Jim Rombold, and his crew for getting him into victory lane for the first time in his career. I expect to see this talented driver back in victory lane again this season.
Andy Priest captured his first Big Block Modified feature victory of the 2004 season as he held off Rob Curtis. Curtis has a nice run and hopefully he will get the sharp looking 86 into victory lane this season. A nasty last lap accident involving Skip Moore, Carl Murdick, Dave Schrader and Randy Ferguson resulted in Murdick and Ferguson being injured. Get Well Wishes go out to both and hopefully they will be back in action very soon.
Thanks once again to Vicki Emig and the entire Mercer Raceway Park crew for another action packed evening!!
I had planned on attending the season opener at the Tri-City Speedway but Mother Nature had other plans as rain and thunderstorms forced the management to cancel the program. Mike Graham, Roger Crick and the entire crew will try again this week. The track is celebrating its 50th anniversary season in 2004 and several special events are planned. They include two stops by the BRP Modified Tour and a seven division program featuring Sprints, Big Block Modifieds, Late Models, Sportsman Modifieds, E-Mods, Pro Stocks and Thunder Cars on Sunday, July 4th.
Well back to work I go. I need to get some household chores done this week so I can be back at the local tracks this weekend. Be safe in your racing travels and remember that news, notes and constructive criticism are always welcome at sprintcarfan@comcast.net.
I ventured to the Mercer Raceway Park for their first “Saturday Night Live!” event of 2004 this past weekend and although the temperatures were a little chilly the racing action was hot and heavy. Defending 2003 Modified Champion, Tommy Kristyak, opened the season with his 100th career Mercer Raceway Park feature win. Kristyak’s 26Z is sporting a new black paint scheme that is really sharp and I especially like the checkered flag pattern on the roof!! Former Sportsman Modified Star, Andy Paden, made his Big-Block Modified debut in a beautiful white car that sports his familiar number 24. With his determination and driving skills it shouldn’t be long before Paden is a top contender in the Big-Block division. The lone female contender in the division, Chanda Reitz, also looked strong and brought home another top ten finish to cap off a good weekend. She finished seventh at Lernerville the night before. After leading 17 laps of a feature event last year at the Tri-City Speedway I would not be surprised to see the Venango Glass Motorsports Number 8 in victory lane in 2004!! Watch out guys!!
Rod George captured his first victory of the 2004 season and appears ready to defend his 2003 Tri-City Speedway championship. George defeated first time visitor, Cameron Dodson, and “The Fairview Flyer,” Scott Bonnell.
Second place finisher, Dodson, is a 16 year old driver who traveled from Greenfield, IN, which is just east of Indianapolis, simply because he wanted to race. Although still in high school he already has over 300 feature victories in his racing career. He captured the 2002 Robbie Stanley Memorial Race for midgets and competed in the Chili Bowl this past January. Cameron hopes to follow in the steps of former midget and sprint car driver, Jeff Gordon, and tackle the Nextel Cup Series. Dodson ran a smart race at Mercer so it seems he certainly has the talent and desire needed to succeed. We will certainly be hearing quite a bit from this rising star in the years to come. You can follow his career at www.camerondodson.com.
The Pure Stock division also featured quite a few nice paint schemes. Both Doug and Ron Iorio have sharp looking cars and 2003 Mercer Raceway Park champion, Andy Buckley, has a beautiful bright yellow on the 965. Defending Tri-City Speedway Champion, Bobby Whitling, is sporting a little more purple on the E.F. Rodgers Number 7 this season and no doubt will be a threat to win wherever he goes.
Despite the cold temperatures it was a great evening so be sure to check out Deon’s pictures on the Keystone Breakdown photo page.
In the next few weeks both the Sharon and Tri-City Speedways will be opening and the World of Outlaws Late Model division will make their first local appearance at the Lernerville Speedway. Until then be safe in your travels and remember that news, notes and comments are always welcome at sprintcarfan@comcast.net.
