SARVER, Pa. – Lernerville Speedway was the place to be this past Friday as they opened their 49th season.
(Photo: Central Pa invader Logan Wagner enjoys victory lane after his opening night win at Lernerville Speedway. Photo by Rick Rarer)
Despite chilly temperatures, the pits were full of cars and a big crowd was on hand for the season lid lifter. Fans witnessed one of the biggest fields of sprint cars for a weekly show in the track’s history with 32 cars pit side. Several All-Star regulars made the visit Friday, but it was central Pennsylvania invader Logan Wagner who was parked in victory lane at the end of the night.
For Wagner it was his second victory of the season after winning at Susquehanna Speedway on April 10. All-Star regular Caleb Helms would follow Wagner across the line while former track champion Carl Bowser would round out the podium in his new ride against the strong field.
Familiar faces were in victory lane in the big block modified and sportsman features as defending track champions Mat Williamson and Cory McPherson both started their seasons off with a win.
“This place is awesome. It’s one of the best race tracks in the country,” Williamson said. “The surface is the greatest we go to week in and week out and it makes the four hour drive worthwhile.”
Mat Williamson on his way to his first Lernerville win of 2017 and 20th of his career
In the RUSH modified night cap it was Rocky Kugel scoring the win over another former winner Kole Holden in their 20-lap main.
This Friday Fab 4 racing will return as will the super late models with racing getting underway at 7:30 p.m. sharp. On May 5 Tony Stewart’s All-Star Circuit of Champions will make their only visit of the season to the Sarver oval.
Sharon Speedway got their season underway Friday with the Lucas Oil Late Model Series.
A big crowd turned out to see Josh Richards battle the new surface and Brandon Sheppard to score his third series win of the season and first at Sharon. Western Pa’s Gregg Satterlee would finish third as he looks to follow the series this season for the first time.
Sharon will return to their normal Saturday night racing this weekend with the first regular show of the season. This year’s Steel Valley Thunder weekly programs will consist of the big block modifieds, RUSH modifieds, stock cars, econo mods, and mini stocks. Racing is slated for 7 p.m. and there will also be a make up feature for the mini stocks this Saturday.
Mercer Raceway Park braved the cold weather on Saturday and presented their third race in as many weeks. Defending track champion Jack Sodeman Jr returned to victory lane with his first win of 2017. Jimmy Holden continues to impress scoring his third consecutive win in the 358 modifieds, while Andy Priest collected his second win in three weeks aboard the Hull owned 305 sprinter.
Like Holden, Kurt Eckstrom also scored his third win in three weeks in the mod lite main while Tyler Fulton won the mini stock main to close out the evening. Mercer will return to action this Saturday with another five division show. The junior sprints will also make a special appearance with racing getting underway at 6:30.
Both Thunder Mountain Speedway in Brookville, and Pittsburgh Motor Speedway are set to open the gates this weekend for their first races of 2017.
Thunder Mountain will get their season started on Friday with a $3,000 to win ULMS series race for the late models. Street stocks and 4-cylinders will also be on the card with racing scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Motor Speedway will return to action on Saturday and will also open their season with the ULMS Late Model Series as they highlight the 11th Annual Red Miley Rumble. The RUSH Late Models, Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, and Open Fours will all be on the card for the first night of points. Racing is slated for 7 p.m.
Rick’s Racing Roundup is brought to you by:
Dagny Design Group
Redbank Chevrolet
Red Bandana Winery
Prime Choice Wireless
Bauer Truck Repair
About Rick
Rick Rarer, a Franklin resident, is the owner of Racestud.com and SprintCarNews.com. He has been covering racing for 18 years, taking racing photos for 13 years, and has covered races at over 100 tracks in 15 states. Most recently, Rick won the Bill Steinbach Media Award at the Lernerville Speedway Annual Awards Banquet.
Copyright © 2024 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited.
