A Glimpse at Dirt Racing in Western Pennsylvania – By: Dustin Leverknight

Posted Jody Shannon on February 28th, 2008 | Filed under Articles, Dustin Leverknight

Racing in Western PA: How good is it? Well, if you were to ask most fans from that area they’ll tell you it’s some of the best. Simply some of the best top notch, competitive, an action packed racing around. In this piece of racing journalism I want to shed some light on the racing in the Western PA area. First to recap the big events from 2007, talk about some drivers from the area, and see what’s coming up in the 2008 season.

A lot of racing news happened last year in the Western PA region that might of went unknown until now. To start it off Lernerville Speedway held what could be the next crown jewel event in the dirt late model world. The ½ mile speedway in Sarver, PA was host to the first annual World of Outlaw sanctioned “Firecracker 100”. The event was held over two days and brought both drivers and fans from all around. The weekend was packed with a ton of great racing and an eventful finish to the 100 lap A-Main event leaving driver Scott Bloomquist the winner of the first annual event.

Another huge happening in the WoO’s this past season was at the Tri-City Speedway where “Big Brother” Dan Stone picked up the $10,000 payday winning the “Oil Region Labor Day Classic”. This was Dan’s first WoO victory and also the first victory for engine builder Chris Rhodes at EDGE Racing Engines and chassis builder Jim Bernheisil from Lazer Chassis. This was simply an amazing night as what happened is considered to most as one of the biggest upsets in racing history and in the way Dan was able to pull away from the pack after taking the lead from Steve Francis in the closing laps.

Challenger Speedway in Indiana, PA was host to 3 major events this summer. Kicking off the season was the speedway’s “Springfest” event which was host to one of the best races I’ve ever witnessed as Davey Johnson and winner Robbie Blair put on one heck of a show for the fans in the 50 lap $5,000 to win event. Next on the slate was the IRS sanctioned “Mega Blitz” that once again after 50 laps found Robbie Blair holding another check for $5,000. To finish the season it was the 13^th Annual Fall Fest event that proved other drivers than Blair can win at this track. After an action packed weekend, Billy Drake was found in victory lane winning the $20,000 pay off for the weekend event.

“Kid Rocket” Josh Richards found himself in victory lane after picking up the 19^th annual World of Outlaw sanctioned “Pittsburgher 50” at that Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway (PPMS). This win was special seeing as this is the track where he nearly won at in his 3^rd career dirt late model event

The MACS once again found themselves crowning the same driver of the yellow 43A Jason Covert as champion following up his 2006 championship run with yet another. Jason had a great year posting 4 wins, 10 top 4’s and 12 top 10’s.

Next I want to talk about some of the drivers from the region. The Western PA region has produced a lot of top notch drivers over the years. These drivers are just as talented as the followers of the WoO and Lucas Oil series and this year they proved themselves as the best.

Alex Feree was a common name at the beginning of the season as he won the first 4 events of 2007 at the Lernerville Speedway. He didn’t stop there as he continued his fantastic season by opening over a 100 point lead of second place to win the 2007 season points championship. Alex also did some traveling this year as he headed east to K-C Speedway for the 2007 Dirt Track World Championship. Where he showed he can run with the big guns pulling of an 8^th place finish in the star studded Jeff Dunn Memorial non-qualifiers race.

A driver with the nickname “Double duty Dave” is one that comes to mind right away. Dave Hess Jr. once again showed dominance in both the super late model and UMP E-mod division. Hess picked up 16 wins, 5 LM 11 E-Mod and finished 3^rd in the E-Mod portion of the DTWC at K-C Speedway. He also for the 6^th consecutive time won the Cavalcade Points Award for the E-mods.

Greg Saterlee is a driver that last year this time some had high hopes for in the 2007 season. For those who did he proved them right by racking up some outstanding finishes in most of the western PA WoO events, a 7^th place finish in the 14^th annual Fall Fest event at Challenger Speedway. Also picking a victory at the competition filled Lernerville Speedway.

Next is a driver also known as “Slowride.” His name is Dave Scott and is one of the nicest guys in the pits and one the best on the track. He finished 2^nd 2 points away from first in the ULMS Racing Series. He was one of a group of drivers to head south for the Dirt Track World Finals held at The Dirt Track @ Lowes. During his trip down south he proved he can run with the best making that A-Main show for the Saturday night portion of the 2 day show.

The next driver might not have had the most chart topping 2007 season but has definitely had a chart topping career. For over 30 years Lynn Geisler has raced in multiple divisions gathering over 200 career victories. Also he has won 20+ Track/Series Championships. Finally in 2005 his racing efforts were rewarded as Lynn Geisler was inducted into the Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame.

Finally for those who never seen a race in the western PA region here are some events that will be a must see for the 2008 season.

Lernerville will be in action for the 40^th year this season and will be home to the 2^ndAnnual $40,000 to win “Firecracker 100” and the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup XVII $40,000 to win WoO Sprint sanctioned event.

The historical Bedford Speedway will welcome for the first time the Lucas Oil series and bring back the WoO series for the 2^nd time in track history.

A new sanction will be on the tear this season; The UFO Series will be a 9 race series with shows at PPMS, Challenger Speedway, and Tyler County Speedway. Offering over $325,000 total payout over the 9 race series it’s sure to be full of action packed racing. Both the $20,000 to win Pittsburgher 100 and $20,000 to win Fall Fest 14 will be sanctioned by the UFO.

I hope I’ve interested you enough to either return to western PA or come for the first time to see some of the best racing by the best drivers in the dirt late model division. That’s all for now until next time “Keep on racing”. –

Dustin Leverknight
dirtracer73@verizon.net