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Redemption For Sheppard On Night Two of Lernerville Firecracker Weekend

Published

1 year ago

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Jason Shank

SARVER, PA (Pittsburgh Racing Now) – One night after contact ended his attempt at victory, Brandon Sheppard captured the checkered flag in the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model feature at Lernerville Speedway on night two of Firecracker weekend.

Sheppard survived a late race charge by Sarver’s on Mike Norris to claim his 60th career World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Series feature win.

“This track was definitely a lot different then what I’m used to, but we were still really good,” said Sheppard.  “I could run the middle-to-high real well, didn’t try the bottom too much, but I felt comfortable down there when I did.”

Sheppard started on the pole position and led all 25-laps en route to the victory.  The battle for the rest of the podium came down to a national legend and a two-time Lernerville track Champion.

Boom Briggs started in the second spot with Scott Bloomquist and Norris making up the second row.  Bloomquist quickly got around Briggs to move into second place.  Norris got around Briggs and set his sights on Bloomquist.

Norris passed Bloomquist on lap 15, much to the delight of the hometown crowd, and set his sights on the leader.  Meanwhile up front Sheppard was navigating lap traffic and “The Crusher Kid” kept hitting his marks, cutting Sheppard’s lead from 2.9-seconds to 1.2-seconds as the laps were winding down.

Sheppard managed to get through the lap traffic just quick enough to hold off the charge from Norris, who finished 10th on Thursday night after starting second.

“This is definitely a little redemption for us,” Norris. “It’s crazy to think that when we started we just wanted to make these features and now we’re disappointed with tenth-place finishes. Tonight felt really great though. We’re in pretty good company up here on this podium.”

Bloomquist brought it home in third position at a place where he’s the only 3-time winner of the Firecracker 100.

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“I love it,” Bloomquist said on Lernerville. “We’ve been coming here for a long time, we’ve had some good runs and won some races. We’ve been making some mistakes with tires that we need to fix tomorrow. Last night we put a hard tire on and that was wrong, tonight we put a soft tire and needed a hard one. At least we know what we’re getting into tomorrow. Hopefully the weather holds off and we can get up front.”

Norris also thinks he’ll have something for Saturday night’s $30,000-to-win feature.

“I think we’ll have something for them tomorrow,” said Norris.  “We’ll see what the weather brings and go from there.”

Sheppard will also be in contention as his car has been strong with a win and a near-win that some would argue was taken away Thursday night.

“I think tonight says a lot for tomorrow, because the big race will probably be a little bit more slicker and I don’t know if it will be this slick or not,” said Sheppard.  “I have a feeling we’ll be between last night and tomorrow on the track. Either way, it’s gonna be a great race.”

The 14th rendition of the Firecracker will conclude Saturday night at Lernerville. Tickets are still available for purchase at the gate.  If you can’t make it, the 50-lap main event will air LIVE on CBS Sports Network at 9:00pm ET.  If you can’t watch it live, set your DVR as Thursday and Friday night’s action was intense.

Morton Buildings Feature:

  1. 1-Brandon Sheppard [1] $6,000
  2. 72n-Mike Norris [4] $3,000
  3. 0-Scott Bloomquist [3] $2,000
  4. 97-Cade Dillard [5] $1,750
  5. 99b-Boom Briggs [2] $1,500
  6. 25z-Mason Zeigler [6] $1,400
  7. 22-Gregg Satterlee [13] $1,300
  8. 29v-Darrell Lanigan [15] $1,200
  9. 18-Chase Junghans [7] $1,100
  10. 0m-Chris Madden [9] $1,000
  11. 18b-Shannon Babb [8] $900
  12. 56-Russ King [10] $850
  13. 72-Jason Covert [11] $800
  14. 28-Dennis Erb [12] $775
  15. 10-Jared Miley [17] $750
  16. 12-Ashton Winger [23] $700
  17. 1x-Chub Frank [16] $660
  18. 20rt-Ricky Thornton [18] $640
  19. 111-Max Blair [20] $620
  20. 7-Ricky Weiss [22] $600
  21. 12d-Doug Drown [14] $600
  22. 2s-Dan Stone [21] $600
  23. B1-Brent Larson [24] $600
  24. 0s-Ryan Scott [19] $600

Lap Leader(s): Sheppard 1-25.

Hard Charger Award: 29v-Darrell Lanigan[+7]

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Local Racing

Alex Ferree, Sye Lynch, Rex King Jr and Andrew Gordon claim wins at Lernerville

Published

5 days ago

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September 12, 2021

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SARVER, PA (September 3, 2021; Pittsburgh Racing Now) – Alex Ferree took the lead from the start and survived a late restart to pick up the win in Friday night’s Precise Racing Products Late Model Feature at Lernerville Speedway.

Ferree built up a lead of over 5-seconds when the caution flag flew on lap 23 due to a spin by Clayton Kennedy.  On the restart Colton Flinner tried to get the jump on Ferree but jumped the start three times and was moved back a row.  Logan Zarin moved up to the front row but did not have enough for Ferree, who picked up his second feature win at ‘The Action Track’.  Zarin finished second followed by Flinner.

“It’s tough racing here and the restarts can always throw a little wrench at you,” said Ferree. “Colton (Flinner) tried a couple different times and went a little early there, it just worked out in my favor at the end.”

Sye Lynch made it back-to-back wins at Lernerville after taking the Peoples Natural Gas Sprint feature.  Lynch started on the pole position led the first eleven laps.  On lap 12 A.J. Flick passed Lynch for the lead off turn two but two laps later Lynch’s slide job in turn 4 put him back out front.  Lap traffic thwarted Flick’s chance to get back around Lynch before the checkered flag.

“(A.J.) Flick drove a great race and got around me,” explained Lynch.  “I knew I had to run harder, it was one of those deals where you’re battling for the lead and working through lapped traffic, you just never know when is too hard or not hard enough.  It was a very tricky race, but the car was great all night long, we’ve been trying a bunch of things and it’s just clicking.”

Rex King Jr. came out victorious in the Diehl Automotive Big Block Modified feature.  Steve Feder led early while a furious battle was taking place behind him between King, Brian Swartzlander and Jeremiah Shingledecker.  The trio eventually caught Feder to make it a 4-car battle for the lead.  King was able to pass Feder for the lead on lap 18 and Shingledecker was able to grab 2nd on lap 22.

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“That was the most fun racing I’ve had here in a long time,” said King, Jr. “The only other time was when me and my dad (Rex King, Sr.) were battling here earlier in the year, and it was slick like that. The track was good, I think it was pretty racy, I seen Shingledecker passed a bunch of cars, I think dad passed a couple, it was a good race.”

Andrew Gordon started up front and held on following a late restart to win the Penn/Ohio Pro Stocks Feature.  Gordon was comfortably out front when the caution flag flew on lap 23 for Bobby Whitling, whose car slowed on front stretch.  Gordon got a great restart as Chase Lambert and Daryl Charlier battled for second place with Lambert prevailing when the checkered flag flew.

“This win is for my grandma up in the stands, she makes it to all the races, she’s been sick but on the (road to) recovery so, this one is for her,” said Gordon.

Precise Racing Products Feature: (1C) Alex Ferree, (1Z) Logan Zarin, (48) Colton Flinner, (29) Ken Schaltenbrand, (10) Gary Lyle, (91) Tommy Beck, (66) Todd Bachman, (9) Levi Yetter, (9K) Clayton Kennedy, (B1) Brandon Wearing, (26) Shawn Schaltenbrand, (11) Joshua Powell, (81) Mike Miller, (77) Tyler Dietz, (41) Tony Burke, (15*) Kelvin Kohan- Did Not Start

Peoples Natural Gas Feature: (42) Sye Lynch, (2) AJ Flick, (11) Carl Bowser, (23J) Jack Sodeman Jr., (46) Michael Bauer, (08) Dan Kuriger, (11J) David Kalb Jr., (12) Darin Gallagher, (40) George Hobaugh, (13) Brandon Matus, (33) Brent Matus, (55*) Matt Sherlock, (4K) Bill Kiley, (13B) Steve Bright, (29M) Logan McCandless- Did Not Start, (250) Jared McFarland- Did Not Start

Lernerville TV 35 – Diehl Automotive Feature: (165) Rex King Jr., (37MD) Jeremiah Shingledecker, (45) Steve Feder, (83) Brian Swartzlander, (61) Dave Murdick, (29) Garrett Krummert, (18) Colton Walters, (65) Rex King Sr., (4J) John Mollick, (32R) Chris Rudolph, (10) Chelsie Kriegisch, (35) Steve Slater, (22) Kevin Long, (56M) Jacob McElravy, (88) Shawn Fleeger, (64) Rodney Beltz- Did Not Start

Millerstown Pic-A-Part Feature ($3,500 to-win): (25G) Andrew Gordon, (22) Chase Lambert, (114) Daryl Charlier, (C33) Corey McPherson, (55) Chris Schneider, (63) Chris McGuire, (948) Joey Zambotti, (11B) Tim Bish, (45) Todd Weldon, (J19) Jason Fosnaught, (00X) Curt Bish Jr., (27) Jake Dietz, (10) Nick Kocuba, (81) Mike Miller, (0) Larry Kugel, (25) Brett McDonald, (84S) Josh Seippel, (26) Mike Bordt, (983) Zack Gustafson, (44) Jim Challingsworth, (4) Brett Hutira, (7W) Bobby Whitling, (29) Curtis J. Bish, (13J) Jordan Peters

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Local Racing

Sye Lynch Wins Lernerville Speedway Sprint Spectacular

Published

3 weeks ago

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August 29, 2021

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SARVER, PA (Pittsburgh Racing Now) – Sye Lynch survived contact with Tim Shaffer and held on to win Friday night’s $4,000 to-win Peoples Natural Gas Sprints Main Feature as part of Lernerville Speedway’s Sprint Spectacular.

Shaffer, who started 12th, passed Lynch for the lead on lap 28 but Lynch followed Shaffer down the backstretch and made a move to the inside to the lead back when contact sent Shaffer spinning and the caution flag flying.  Shaffer was sent to the rear as the caution car.

Lynch grabbed the lead on the restart and crossed the finish line followed by Carl Bowser in second and Jack Sodeman Jr. in third.

“I look up to him as a driver,” said Lynch. “We raced hard, misjudgment there in (turn) three and I own up to it. All race I drove hard, in a perfect world I would’ve loved to have won the race with no contact.”

Ruhlman Rules RUSH Sprints:

Chad Ruhlman grabbed the lead from the outside of the front row and never looked back taking the checkered flag in the 20-lap RUSH Sprint Car Series feature.  The win was Ruhlman’s 31st RUSH Sprint win.  Pole sitter John Mollick finished second followed by Rod George in third.

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“I love everything about these cars (RUSH Sprints), they’re so much fun,” said Ruhlman. “This track tonight was right in my wheelhouse, I love the cushion right on the edge, it slicks up everywhere else. I just love this place.”

Dobrosky Takes Allegheny Sprint Tour 305’s:

Greg Dobrosky picked up his second Allegheny Sprint Tour win of 2021, holding off Steve Kenawell Jr. in the 305 feature. Kenawall Jr., came home second followed by Justin Clark in third.

“I think we could have run wherever we wanted to, I just tried to keep my momentum up around the top, that’s what you need to do when it’s this slick here,” explained Dobrosky.

Peoples Natural Gas Feature ($4,000 to-win): (42) Sye Lynch, (11) Carl Bowser, (23J) Jack Sodeman Jr., (6) Bob Felmlee, (22) Brandon Spithaler, (35) Jared Zimbardi, (40) George Hobaugh, (12) Darin Gallagher, (46) Michael Bauer, (08) Dan Kuriger, (C1) Clay Riney, (29M) Logan McCandless, (13) Brandon Matus, (33) Brent Matus, (28) Tim Shaffer, (7K) Dan Shetler, (55*) Matt Sherlock, (11J) David Kalb Jr., (2) AJ Flick, (4K) Bill Kiley, (21) Bryan Salisbury, (23) Darren Pifer- Did Not Start

RUSH Sprint Car Feature: (68) Chad Ruhlman, (14) John Mollick, (41) Rod George, (24) Gale Ruth Jr., (18) Arnie Kent, (43JR) Blaze Myers, (12) Ryan Frayley, (57) Tyler Newhart, (9J) Zach Morrow, (25) Nolan Groves, (40) Brad Church, (29) Brandon Shughart, (1T) Ricky Tucker, (62) Brian Cressley, (20) Jeff Metsger

Allegheny Sprint Tour 305 Sprint Car Feature: (88) Greg Dobrosky, (17K) Steve Kenawell Jr., (78) Justin Clark, (4J) Jake Gomola, (5) John Walp, (X7) Andy Cavanaugh, (16) Jim Morris, (21) Rob Felix, (56) Steve Cousins, (26) Ryan Lynn, (21C) Jarrett Cavalet, (20M) Vivian Jones, (25) Jarrett Rosencrance, (4G) Mike Hite, (34) D.J. Cassler, (80JR) Kyle Colwell, (12G) Tommy Jasen, (72) Mike Mathieson, (4B) Walt Tutak Jr., (82M) Roman Jones (DQ)

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Local Racing

410 Sprints Highlight Saturday Action At Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway

Published

4 weeks ago

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August 21, 2021

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IMPERIAL, PA (Pittsburgh Racing Now) – A full slate of action is on tap Saturday night at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway as the 410 Sprint Cars take center stage on dirt’s ‘Monster Half Mile’.

In addition to the Sprint Cars, Saturday night’s racing card will also feature the RUSH Sportsman Modified Series, the RUSH Late Model Dirt Series, the Penn Ohio Pro Stock Series as well as the Hobby Stocks, 4-Cylinders and Young Guns.

Gates open at 5 p.m., with hot laps starting at 6 p.m., and the racing action beginning will at 7 p.m.

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For more information fans can visit the tracks website, www.ppms.com.

Last weekend, Monongahela’s Todd Weldon took home the checkered flag in the Wee Willie White Memorial in an intense battle with Nick Kocuba.

Cole Petrelle picked up his first career win in the RUSH Late Model Dirt Series. Petrelle passed Colton Flinner on lap six and survived a couple of late restarts to take home the checkered flag.

Kayla McManus also was a first time winner, grabbing the victory in the Hobby Stocks feature.

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