Connect with us

Dirt Racing

Pursley Perfect in First High Limit Win

Published

on

Photo by Paul Arch

SARVER, PA (September 13, 2025):  Daison Pursley became the seventeenth different driver, and the first rookie, to win on the High Limit tour in 2025. It was the second night in a row that the victory went to a first-timer with any national touring series for the winged Sprint Cars. This twenty-year-old from Locust Grove, OK thus added to his impressive list of accomplishments, having previously conquered all three divisions of the United States Auto Club.

“One of my goals was to win one of these races in my first year, and here we are,” Pursley proudly said. “It’s been a struggle transitioning to this winged stuff but this group behind me never gave up.” He was referring to his car owner, Tom Buch, and his primary sponsor, Jerry Petty of Avanti and Pella windows and doors.

Pursley was concerned that he may have squandered his opportunity for a win. “I thought I gave it away in the first handful of laps. I fell back to about fourth or fifth and just didn’t feel the best early on. Once the track really moved to the bottom, I felt like I was finding my own down there, especially in (turns) three and four, just being a little bit lower than they were. It just paid off. This thing just was getting faster and faster as the race went on and the more I moved my wing back.”

Pursley noted that the track conditions on both nights favored the inside line. “It was very similar to last night. I honestly kept thinking ‘here comes Tanner (Thorson)’ and he passes us all. But as the race went on, we kept getting better and better. And, while Thorson did improve as the race drew to a close, he was far enough behind that he could never threaten to overtake Pursley.

Sweet again was disappointed with his second place finish, but he was pleased what the future may hold for the series that he co-owns. “Maybe it’s the changing of the guards. These young guys are really tough to beat. It’s cool to watch them develop and get better.”

Sweet added, “we certainly want to win. I thought we had a really good car. We had it a little bit better tonight. That bottom line is there. It just takes a lot of patience to stay there and get down the backstretch. It’s just so different than it used to be and I’m still running the old Lernerville and I gotta get used to running the new Lernerville, I guess, and try to be more patient and get down the backstretch better.”

Once he was passed, Sweet felt that he needed Pursley to make a mistake in order to regain the lead. “Once he got that bottom groove going, he didn’t make any mistakes.”

Third place finisher Ryan Smith thought that he was close to picking up the win, but he explained that the early caution changed the complexion of the race for him. “It was pretty interesting. This place is so tricky, it changes every lap. I was really good on that first start, and just had to get going and that yellow came out, and reset. I just didn’t get the second start to go right and it was an uphill battle after that. Just to move around and making some mistakes.”

The thirty-five lap finale of the Commonwealth Clash at Lernerville Speedway went to the post with Pursley and Smith on the front row. Logan Wagner and Rico Abreu made up row two, with Justin Peck and Sweet in the third. Then came Thorson and Anthony Macri. Parker Price-Miller and Justin Sanders made up row five, followed by Jeremy Weaver and Giovanni Scelzi.

Pursely grabbed the initial lead, with Smith, Wagner, Abreu, and Peck following. The only caution of the race came after the first lap was completed. It was called for Carl Bowser, a former track champion, who spun in turn four.

Pursley’s time out front ended on the first lap after the race resumed. Abreu surged from fourth to the lead before the next lap was completed. In the process, Abreu drove under both Smith and Pursley in turn four. Soon thereafter, Smith moved into second. Sweet was also advancing, and in just a couple of laps, Pursley found himself in fourth, where he stayed through the middle stage of the race.

Abreu led up to lap nineteen. Smith ran second for a good bit of that time, and Wagner was close behind. However, Sweet climbed into second and he began to close the gap on his fellow Californian. On lap twenty, Sweet rolled past Abreu, and it appeared as though Sweet might rebound from the disappointment of finishing second to Thorson the night before.

However, Pursley had other plans. His car came to life on the inside line and he passed Abreu and Smith with relative ease. Upon reaching second, Pursley quickly eliminated Sweet’s advantage. On lap twenty-five, Pursley went under Sweet and a lapped car to obtain the lead coming through turn one.

Pursley maintained his composure dealing with the lapped traffic and he stretched his lead in the final laps of the race. Sweet fought desperately to regain the lead, but he lost precious ground when he slid out over the outer lip of the track coming off turn two.

Pursley took the checkers a bit more than two seconds ahead of Sweet. Smith turned in a creditable performance to get third ahead of Abreu and Peck.

In the last five laps, Price-Miller and Thorson moved ahead of a fading Wagner to nail down sixth and seventh. Wagner was eighth. Macri and Scelzi completed the top ten.

There were four heat races for the thirty-two cars, with the victories going to Abreu, Macri, Wagner, and Smith. The B Main winner was Brenham Crouch. Pursley prevailed in the Dash. The fastest qualifying time went to Abreu in Group A, with a lap of 13.215. Wagner was the fastest member of Group B, turning in a time of 13.441.

Dirt Racing

Sharon Speedway cancels Saturday program

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Dirt Racing

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Dirt Racing

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Discover more from Pittsburgh Racing Now

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading