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Dirt Racing

Marlar Magnificent at Lernerville

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Photo: Paul Arch

SARVER, PA (Pittsburgh Racing Now): Mike Marlar executed a classic slider in turn four to take the lead away from Ashton Winger on the fourth lap on opening night of the Firecracker 100 weekend at Lernerville Speedway. Marlar went on to score the win, his first ever at ‘The Action Track’ in the first appearance for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.

Marlar had a close call late in the race when he got hung up behind some lapped cars and he slid out over the berm in turn two. Fortunately, he had a big enough advantage over Brandon Overton to maintain his lead. Marlar regrouped and pulled away to a one second margin of victory.

“I didn’t have good air,” he explained. “I got behind the lapped car and I got out there.” Nonetheless, Marlar was satisfied with his performance, which included fast time on Group B and a heat race win. “The midset was to get the car pretty close, we were pretty good on the top as long as we didn’t get too far out.”

Other racers were using other lines. Overton noted that the track was really good on the bottom and that he could really get around the middle. Third place finisher, Earl Pearson, Jr., was committed to the bottom throughout the race. “It’s good for us, it got us into good position for Saturday.” Brandon Sheppard also found the bottom to his liking. “My car was getting better as the race went on. I was moving around and got hung out. When the bottom started to come in, that’s when I was able to move up.”

The A Main line-up was set from the heat race and B Main finishes. The six heat winners occupied the front three rows. Ashton Winger was paired with Mike Marlar; Earl Pearson, Jr. with Tyler Erb; and Brandon Overton with John Garvin, Jr. Row four had Mark Whitener matched with Brandon Sheppard. Row five featured Chub Frank and Hudson O’Neal. The sixth row belonged to Garrett Alberson and Scott Bloomquist.

Winger took control in turn one on the opening lap, with Pearson, Marlar, Overton, and Erb in tow. With Pearson hugging the inside line, Marlar had the cushion all to himself, and he powered into second. Overton tried to follow suit, but he could not displace Pearson.

Meanwhile, Marlar chopped into Winger’s lead. Winger went to the high side to try to thwart Marlar’s advance, but the Tennessee veteran switched things up. He dove low slid up ahead of the leader coming off the corner.

Marlar maintained his lead despite a caution and a red flag. The former was for a spin on lap seven by local favorite John Garvin, who was then running in the top ten. On the very next lap, in almost the same spot, Chub Frank barrel-rolled his machine ending a good run as well. Frank was shaken by the vicious crash, but was able to walk away from the wreckage.

When racing resumed, there was a spirited battle between Pearson and Overton for the second position. Eventually, Overton was able to get past Pearson, but there was not enough time for him to mount a challenge for the win.

Following Marlar, Overton, and Pearson across the line was Sheppard. He, too, was on the move in the late stage of the race. Erb held on for fifth.
Taking sixth was Jonathan Davenport, Mark Whitener ran in the top ten the whole way, and was scored seventh at the checkers. Tim McCreadie was the hard charger, coming from twenty-third to eighth. Winger was ninth, with Garrett Alberson rounding out the top ten.

Six heats were held for the 54 cars that signed in. Victories were earned by Ashton Winger, Earl Pearson, Jr., Brandon Overton, Mike Marlar, Tyler Erb, and John Garvin, Jr. The trio of B Mains went to Daulton Wilson, Matt Lux, and Daryl Charlier. The fastest qualifier was WIlson, with a time of 15.291 in Group A.

Marlar topped Group B with a lap of 15.346.

The event did not count toward the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series point championship. Points earned on Thursday and Friday were used to set the lineups for Saturday’s big race.

Dirt Racing

Sharon Speedway cancels Saturday program

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HARTFORD, OH (July 18, 2026) Sharon Speedway is cancelling Saturday night’s “Steel Valley Thunder” program thanks to a near 100% likelihood of thunderstorms in the forecast from late afternoon through the evening hours including the potential for severe weather.

Sharon made the decision in the best interest of safety for fans, racers, and staff members.

“Super Series” action presented by Bala Management will return next Saturday (July 25) featuring the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply “410” Sprint Cars for $4,000 to-win along with the Hovis UMP Mods presented by A&MP Electric, Gibson Insurance Agency RUSH Sprint Cars, and the Gibson Insurance Agency Crown Vics on Alcon Mechanical and Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Night.  Kids Club Night presented by Willy’s World with kids bike and big wheel races.  It’s also the first of three Menards Giveaway Nights.

Additional information can be found at www.sharonspeedway.com.

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Dirt Racing

Ferree, Krummert, Flick, and McPherson All Score Wins at Lernerville Speedway

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SARVER, PA (July 17, 2026):  Alex Ferree survived a caution-filled late Model feature to score his third feature victory of the season at the Lernerville Speedway, where he leads the seasonal points. In the Big Block Modifieds, Garrett Krummert came on strong in the second half of the race to secure his fourth win of the season, vaulting him into the lead in the championship standings. With his win, A.J. Flick expanded upon his slim two point lead in a quest for a tenth title in the 410 Sprint Car ranks. Corey McPherson became the most successful driver in the rich history of the Pro Stock division at the track.

“Running down on the bottom in (turns) one and two was better for me. I didn’t know where to go in (turns) three and four. I didn’t see (Michael Norris) until he came across my nose down there. I didn’t like it, but that’s how it’s done these days.” Fortunately for Ferree, a caution negated the aggressive pass and, then, on the following restart, Norris jumped the cushion in turn one, forcing his retirement from the race with two to go. Ferree kept Jared Miley at bay for the final trips around the Action Track.

Alex Ferree drew the pole position for the Late Model twenty-five lapper. Tyler Wyant was on his flank. Chris Schneider debuted his new machine in the third spot, and he was paired with former Modified kingpin Del Rougeux. Colton Flinner and Jared Miley were in row three. Josh Ferry and Levi Yetter occupied row four, followed by Clinton Hersh and Michael Norris, in row five, and John Garvin and Mike Miller, in row six.

Ferree took the early lead over Wyant, Flinner, and Ferry. Flinner took second in the early going, but he did not challenge Ferree until a restart five laps into the event.

Things heated up after that restart. Flinner and Ferree swapped the lead on several occasions. Ferree took control again by lap ten and he maintained the lead despite a number of restarts.

Flinner faded from the second position, turning the position over to Norris, who was flying on the outside. Ferree switched up his line in turns one and two, running the bottom and driving up to the top coming off turn two to block a flyer from Norris around the rim of the speedway.

In the closing laps, Norris drew closer to Ferree. He threw caution to the wind in turn four with two laps to go. He slid across into the lead, almost crashing himself and Ferree in the process, but a caution negated the wild pass. On the ensuing restart, Norris took to the high lane in turn one, but he jumped the cushion. Whatever damage he sustained by his excursions sidelined him for the remainder of the race.

Miley inherited the second spot, but he had nothing for Ferree. Ferree cruised to the win, followed by Miley, Schaltenbrand, Wyant, and Ferry. Hersh, Rougeux, Schneider, Will Britsky, and Travis Hayes completed the top ten.

Ferree and Norris were the heat race winners. There was no B Main for the nineteen car field.

Dr. Brad Rapp and Jeremiah Shingledecker drew into the first row for the twenty-five lap Modified go. Mike Kinney and Kyle FInk made up row two, followed by Garrett Krummert and rookie Karston King, who was making his first Modified start ever. Steve Feder and Rick Regalski staked out row four, with Rex King, Jr. and Ayden Cipriano, in row five, and Tyler Dietz and Shawn Kozar, in row six.

Rapp took the early lead but he gave way to Shingledecker on the second trip around the speedway. That duo maintained a comfortable advantage over Kinney, Krummert, and Feder through the first several laps.

King Jr. moved into the top five, along with Cipriano in the middle stage of the race, with Krummert still holding fifth place.

Krummert got rolling soon thereafter. He surged into the lead coming off turn two on the thirteenth lap. Shingledecker remained in second, followed by Rapp, King, and Cipriano.

Shingledecker began slipping back in the field as the race progressed to the third stage. However, he rallied to regain a position in the closing laps.

Krummert took the win over Rapp, Cipriano, Shingledecker, and Dave Murdick. King Jr. was sixth, ahead of Dietz, J.C. Boyer, Feder, and Karston King.

“I wasn’t any good at the start of the race,” Krummert said. “I went to the bottom and got going again.”

The preliminaries went to Rex King, Jr., Fink, and Regalski. Cameron Miller was the B Main winner. Twenty-eight cars registered for the event.

The potent first row consisted of A.J. Flick and Dan Kuriger for the Sprint Car twenty-five lap feature event. Then came Dan Shetler and David Kalb. Carl Bowser and Jared Zimbardi started in row three, with John Jerich and Carmen Perigo next in line. Chris Frank made the long tow from Wellsville, in Central PA, to land in row five with Jacob Begenwald. Vivian Jones started her 305 Sprint inside row six, next to Rayce Jacobs.

Flick and Kuriger, the prime contenders for the point championship in the Sprint Car division, battled side by side for most of the first lap. However, Flick assumed command in turn three and he never looked back.

Kuriger ran a strong second place until the final lap of the race. Jerich slipped past him on the last trip around the speedway. Kuriger was third, followed by Begenwald and Perigo. Bowser, Shetler, Frank, Zimbardi, and Jacobs completed the top ten.

“This was probably the most moisture that stayed in the track all night,” Flick said. “I was able to rip the top for the first time since June,” he added.

Kuriger, and Begenwald took the checkers in their heat races. There was no B Main needed for the nineteen Sprints that checked in.

Corey McPherson achieved a career milestone in the Pro Stock division, breaking the tie with Joe Kelly atop the career win list. McPherson was patient in the early laps of the race. He took the lead on lap nine and led the remaining eleven laps.

Logan Koteles and Jason Fosnaught brought the field to the green for the final race of the night. Cody Koteles and McPheson were in row two, followed by Bill Swaney and Joey Zambotti, in row three, and Brett Hutira and Trevor McCann, in row four.

Logan Koteles grabbed the early lead, followed by Cody Koteles, Fosnaught, McPherson, and Zambotti. McPherson moved up to third on lap three, and second on lap six.

McPherson grabbed the lead on lap nine and held it until the end, while Logan Koteles remained in second, and Cody Koteles in third. Hutira and Fosnaught completed the top five. Zambotti, Tyler Schneider, McCann, Bill Swaney, and Jonathan Koteles rounded out the top ten.

Dietz, and Cody Koteles topped their heat races. No B Main was needed to set the seventeen car field.

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Dirt Racing

Brandon Rahmer Best In Sibling Rivalry At Lincoln Speedway; Reutimann Collects Career First in 358s

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Photo: Lincoln Speedway

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA (July 11, 2026):  Brandon Rahmer held off his brother, Freddie Jr., in the closing laps to eke out his fifth career win at the Fabulous Lincoln Speedway. Brandon’s margin of victory was a scant 0.166 seconds. His first win of the 2026 season was worth $5,000.

Florida teenager P.J. Reutimann scored his first career 358 Sprint Car triumph in the nightcap.

“I didn’t think I even won the race,” Brandon said excitedly. “I saw the two to go, and Freddie got by me and I said, ‘oh, shit.’” However, Brandon was able to fight back on the inside to reclaim the lead before they got back to the scoring loop, so Freddie was never credited as leading a lap of the race.

Brandon Rahmer took advantage of a pair of restarts with sixteen laps completed. Jordan Strickler got the jump on the first, which was called back. On the second attempt, Rahmer stayed closer and he was able to get a run on the outside to grab the lead coming off turn two. “I saw where he went (on the first try). I put the wing back in the trunkand I drove by,” he explained.

Brandon Rahmer survived two close calls with lapped cars with less than ten laps to go. First, he was crowded down on the inside coming off turn by Matthew Swift. Rahmer took responsibility for that one. “I screwed up with the 03 (Swift) down there. I thought the hole was bigger than it was.” The second incident, with Dave Grube, was not a problem of Rahmer’s own making. “Then, the 3D (Grube) got catiwampus coming off turn four.” Grube swerved back and forth but Brandon was able to get by him without any contact.

“I had a good car tonight, and I actually drove it,” Brandon summed.

The feature line-up was determined by the track’s handicapping system. The top three from each heat race were inverted based upon their earnings average.

Thus, Jordan Strickler and Brie Hershey were assigned to the front row, followed by Jude Siegel and Dave Grube. Jordan Givler and Tim Glatfelter  occupied row three, Then came Chad Trout and Matt Campbell. Freddie Rahmer, Jr. got the last of the preferred starting positions. He was flanked by his brother, Brandon. Brett Strickler and Lucas Wolfe manned row six.

Jordan Strickler shot out to the early lead over Hershey, Siegel, Grube, Brandon Rahmer, Givler, Glatfelter, Campbell, Rahmer Jr., and Trout.

Brandon Rahmer was the man on the move in the early going. He picked off Grube on lap three. Then, he took third from Siegel on lap three. Nine laps later he ducked under Hershey for second.

Meanwhile, Jordan Strickler continued with his impressive run at the front of the pack. Unfortunately, Grube spun in turn four while racing in the fourth spot.

That incident set up the pair of restarts that gave Brandin Rahmer the opportunity to size up his opponent. Brandon was able to stay close on the second attempt to get the race going again and he rolled the top side in turns one and two to take the lead from Jordan Strickler.

Behind the leaders, there was a tight three-car battle for the third position involving Hershey, Siegel and Freddie Rahmer. It took Freddie several laps to clear his way into third. When he got the position, he was over 1.7 seconds behind Jordan Strickler.

Freddie chased him for several more laps, gradually cutting the margin to about half a second before making his move into second with three to go.

Meanwhile, Brandon continued to lead the way. His two incidents with slower cars allowed Freddie to close in on him as well during the final laps of the race. That set up a battle between the Rahmer brothers for the win.

Freddie made a bid for the lead, but Brandon was able to battle back on the inside to be scored as the leader to the finish.

Campbell charged from fifth to third in the closing laps. Jordan Strickler slipped back to fourth at the finish. Siegel was fifth. Hershey, Kyle Moody, Trout, Givler, and Wolfe completed the top ten.

Jordan Strickler, Freddie Rahmer, Jr., and Hershey won the heat races. No B Main was needed to set the twenty-one car starting field.

The nightcap for the 358 Sprint Cars went non-stop. P.J. Reutimann, the grandson of Wayne Reutimann, grabbed the lead on the opening lap and he was never headed.

“It went my way this time, I guess,” Reutimann said. He explained that he will remain in the area for a few more weeks before returning to the Sunshine State to complete his senior year in high school. He plans to come north again next season “to race until it gets cold.”

Andy Best, who had the pole position for the start of the twenty lapper, ran second for most of the race. He gave way to Jayden Wolf on the final lap. Wolfe had a run at the leader as well, but he could not close the gap.

As Reutimann noted, “I had to go to the bottom to protect. The top was a long way around.”

Best held on for third, followed by Justin Foster and Brock Hammaker. Nick Yinger, Tim Wagaman, II., Cody Fletcher, Cameron Merriman, and Wyatt Hinkle finished sixth through tenth.

Wolf, Wagaman, Hinkle, and best won their heat races. Ashley Cappetta prevailed in the B Main. Thirty-six cars signed in for the event.

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