Sarver, PA (March 5, 2008)
The checkered flag finally flew on the 2007 season Saturday March 1 with the Lernerville Annual Awards Banquet at the Days Inn in Butler. As always, the stars of the show were the 2007 Track Champions; Kevin Schaeffer (Commercial Truck & Trailer Sprint Cars), Alex Ferree (Friedman’s Freshmarkets Late Models), Brian Swartzlander (Ferrante Motor Cars Modifieds), and Mike Pegher Jr. (Advance Auto Parts Pure Stocks).
While at the head table and in the spotlight, the 2007 Track Champions were just the tip of the iceberg. Dozens of drivers, employees, media members and sponsors were honored and recognized for the 2007 accomplishments.
Other drivers receiving awards on Saturday include; Shawn Thorn (Most Improved Pure Stocks), Shawn Shingledecker (Most Improved Modifeds), Greg Satterlee (Most Improved Late Models), Dan Kuriger (Most Improved Sprints), Tom Winkle (Hard Luck Award), Steve Feder (Rookie of the Year), Bob Lipinski (Stover’s Net Connections Hard Charger Award), Rod George (Milestone in Racing Award). The following drivers were recognized with a checkered flag for earning their first Lernerville feature win during the 2007 season; Jake Ayers (Pure Stocks), Shawn Shingledecker (Modifieds), Dutch Davies (Late Models), Robbie Blair (Late Models), Greg Satterlee (Late Models), and Shawn Thorn (Pure Stocks).
The 2007 Sportsmanship Award was given to Chris Schneider of SS Chassis for his unselfish support of the Advance Auto Parts Pure Stock Division. Chris has put his own driving career on hold to focus his attention on helping other drivers with Chassis setup.
The 2007 Craig Fleming Lernerville Appreciation Award was given to Dan Bauman of the Track Prep/Maintenance crew. The 2007 Bob Cochran Sponsorship Award was given to First Commonwealth Bank for their ongoing support of the speedway, especially the First Commonwealth Bank Clash for the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (this year’s Clash is scheduled for Tuesday May 13). The 2007 Bill Steinbach Media Award was given to Jason Shank of Dirt Track Digest, MACS Late Models Series and JNJ Motorsports. The 2007 Grover Clasper Award was given to Morris Steinheiser, longtime pit gate operator. Finally, Frank and Keith Koval were given with the Golden Award for their support of and dedication to the speedway and its drivers and fans.
The following drivers received awards from other clubs and organizations Saturday Night; Matt Lux and Del Rougeux Jr. both received the ARCH Sportsmanship Award, and it was announced that Ed Lynch Jr. previously received the Twin State Sportsmanship Award. Walt Wimer was on hand to give out his 2007 Cavalcade Awards to the following Lernerville weekly competitors; Rod George (winner of 21 Sprint Car features, five of which came at the Lernerville Speedway) and Brian Swartzlander (who became only the third driver to win the award more than twice, joining Lou Blaney and Blackie Watt).
Walt also announced his 2007 Cavalcade Rookie of the Year Award winner Chris Haines, a Pure Stock driver whom competes weekly at Mercer Raceway Park and Tri-City Speedway. Haines finished in the top 10 in points at both tracks and won his first career feature at Mercer on August 11. Haines’ crowning achievement was a fifth place finish in the “Little Guy Nationals” at Mercer Raceway Park. Haines defeated Limited Sprint Car driver Brandon Spithaler by a narrow margin. Honorable mention was given to Mike Anderson, Jr., Steve Beatty & Bill Jones Jr. In all, 20 drivers were nominated for the 40th annual award, with 14 receiving votes from the panel of some 90 media members and track officials.
Josh Wells, Director of Operations for World Racing Group, was on hand to represent the corporation that owns Lernerville Speedway. Josh had high praise for everyone from General Manager Gary Risch Jr. and track employees, to car owners, drivers, sponsors, crews, as well as their family and friends. He also gave special praise and thanks to the throng of local media members in attendance and reiterated what everyone around here knows to be the truth, “No other track in the country has the media exposure and coverage that Lernerville Speedway does!” Wells continued by stating that “A large part of the success of the Lernerville Speedway is the result of the devoted media members.”
Josh then handed the mic over to track announcers Dow Carnahan and Ed Schaefer whom honored the Top Ten drivers in Budweiser Point Standings for each division.
Ed Schaefer started by honoring the Advance Auto Parts Pure Stock division. On hand to accept their check and plaque were Terry Young (10th), Wayne Carbo (9th), Bob Lipinski (6th), Butch Lambert (4th) and Jason Fosnaught (2nd). Butch announced that he was focusing on the E-Mod more this year, but that they would be making some Pure Stock shows at Lernerville throughout the season. Butch’s feature winning #27 is still on sale and they hope to move into a Crate Late Model once the stocker is sold! Jason Fosnaught announced that his aim for 2008 is to finish the deal and be at the Head Table at next year’s banquet as the Advance Auto Parts UMP Street Stock Champion. Every driver thanked John Motosiki and Kenny Kunes of Advance Auto Parts for their continued support of the division and for their devotion to Autumn-Motive Fest and Pure Stock Pandemonium!
2007 Advance Auto Parts Pure Stock Champion Mike Pegher Jr. was not able to attend to the banquet. His grandmother accepted the award on his behalf. She informed the crowd that Mike was not able to be in attendance because his other grandmother is in ill health. She did relay a message on Mike’s behalf, “Mike wanted to thank the fans. He said they’re the most important part of everything!” Mike will not be defending his title in the newly renamed Advance Auto Parts UMP Street Stock division. Instead he is moving up in to the Crate Late Model division, but will run select UMP Street Stock shows at Lernerville during the season. Expect to see Mike in his Crate Late Model at Lernerville, as the UMP Pro (Crate) Late Models are the support series on select World of Outlaws series events.
Dow Carnahan took the mic to honor the Top Ten drivers in the Ferrante Motor Cars Modified division. On hand to accept their check and plaque were Jeremiah Shingledecker (9th), Mike Turner (8th), J.R. McGinley (4th) and Dave Murdick (3rd). Dave also accepted the 10th place award on behalf of his father Carl Murdick who is vacationing in Florida. Dave announced that his father will be back racing in 2008 for the 42nd consecutive season, still the only driver to race every season that Lernerville Speedway has been in existence! Jeremiah Shingledecker, on stage an impressive three times, announced that he intended to compete full time in the Modified division, but was also in the process of moving into the Late Model division. The chassis has been purchased, but an engine has yet to be acquired, but the intent is to be ready by mid-season.
Brian Swartzlander accepted his fifth Track Championship in the Ferrante Motor Cars Modified division and was also recognized for capturing the Mod Challenge title which is contested between the Lernerville and Tri-City Speedways. Brian stated, “It’s really an honor to stand up here as a champion” and gave a special thanks to Anthony Ferrante and Ferrante Motor Cars on behalf of the Modified division. He went on to thank his crew and sponsors, saying of his crew, “We win most of our races in the garage, not on the track!” Brian also gave special thanks to his family and most importantly his wife for allowing him to pursue his passion.
The Friedman’s Freshmarkets Late Models, (newly renamed the Friedman’s Freshmarkets UMP Super Late Models), were honored next. On hand to accept their check and plaque were Chuck Sarver (10th), Matt Lux (7th), Lynn Geisler (4th), Jared Miley (3rd) and a representative of Gary Lyle (2nd). Gary Lyle was in Las Vegas for the weekend of NASCAR events. Matt Lux was also honored as MACS Late Model Series Rookie of the Year. Lynn Geisler, as always, spoke highly about the track, his longtime sponsor and friend Jack Crowell of #1 Cochran, and the entire field of drivers in the highly competitive Late Model division. While on the mic, Lynn announced his involvement in Mike Pegher’s move into the Crate Late Model division. He also expressed the extreme pride Ed Ferree must feel for Track Champion Alex Ferree’s 2007 accomplishment and how extremely proud he was of his own son Travis Geisler, engineer on the Daytona 500 winning #12 of Ryan Newman. Lastly, Lynn challenged Alex Ferree to have a date at the Head Table if he repeats as Track Champion!
2007 Track Champion Alex Ferree accepted his award with great pride, but admitted he wasn’t much of a public speaker. He did admit that he had prepared a speech, but that it was confiscated, presumably by his father, who threatened to “Kill Him” if he read it! Instead, Alex gave a lot of credit to his crew, admitting “If you saw me in the pits, I was walking around. They were all working on the car!” He then, in the footsteps of Lynn Geisler, praised the level of competition and sportsmanship in the Late Model division. Ferree stated, “Rubbin’ is Racin’, but there was a lot of respect on the track last year.” Unlike last season, Alex made no bold predictions, which he stated was “another stipulation” of his speech confiscation!
The final division to be honored was the Commercial Truck & Trailer Sprint Cars. On hand to accept their check and plaque were Charlie Holben (7th), Dan Shetler (6th), Scott Priester (5th), Carl Bowser (4th), Ed Lynch Jr. (3rd) and Rod George (2nd). Charlie Holben was announced as the new driver of Martha Dionise’s famed purple #15. Charlie is excited to be piloting the Dionise #15 at Lernerville and praised his longtime sponsor Glassmere Fuels for joining the 15 team along with him. He will continue to drive his own #42 at Mercer Raceway Park and perhaps Sportsman’s Speedway. Carl Bowser announced and thanked his father for stepping back from racing in 2008 so Carl can continue to race, as the team is currently in possession of just one motor. Ed Lynch Jr. announced that he would be driving a similar schedule as years past; with perhaps a bit more travelling. He also stressed that he plans to “put a few more notches in my belt!”
The final champion to be crowned was the only champion to have repeated in 2007, Kevin Schaeffer in the Commercial Truck & Trailer Sprint Cars. Kevin thanked his entire family and crew that were on hand, including his sons Elliott (21 months old) and Aiden (one month old). Kevin gave special thanks to his parents and sponsors who continue to allow him to actively pursue his childhood dream of racing. He did announce however, that he planned on running just Lernerville on a weekly basis because, “This sport’s getting pretty expensive as everyone knows!”
All 2007 Track Champions were awarded beautiful four foot tall trophies by 3K Enterprises as well as Jackets from their tire providers. Alex Ferree, Brian Swartzlander and Mike Pegher all received Hoosier Racing Jackets, while Kevin Schaeffer received an American Racer Jacket.
Lernerville Speedway General Manager Gary Risch Jr. wrapped up the official portion of the banquet by thanking everyone in attendance and everyone involved in making the 2007 season at Lernerville Speedway one of the most successful in the 40 year history. Risch stated that “The Lernerville Speedway is so successful because it’s a big family.” And that “The employees are second to none, but there’s two people that keep my deal together” referring to Linda Fennell and Chad Alchier. Linda handles a lot of the day-to-day operations and administrative duties, while Chad does all the track prep, maintenance and behind the scenes work that makes each show go off like a well-oiled machine!
Gary also formally announced the induction of UMP sanctioning of the newly renamed Super Late Models and Street Stocks, but stressed that “the rules are our rules and the tires are our tires” and that the UMP sanctioning would bring more regional and national exposure to the area drivers. He also announced the return of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series on Friday September 12 as part of the Advance Auto Parts Autumn-Motive Fest. Gary also thanked and announced the continued relationship with national and regional touring series such as the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series, MACS Late Model Series and the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series. Headlining these events is the 2nd Annual Firecracker 100, (for which Gary announced that GottaRace.com has come on board as presenting sponsor), and the Cleveland Brothers CAT Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup XVII. Both events will pay $40,000 to win in 2008, making the Silver Cup the richest single-day event purse in the country.
He went on to thank every media member personally, reiterating what Josh Wells stated earlier, that without the media’s coverage of the racing action, Lernerville would not be the successful venture that it is today. To that end, Gary announced the creation of the “D.J. Johnson Media Center” above the pit concession stand. The newly created Media Center will provide our deserved media members with a professional, quiet place to work and share their expertise. Its proximity to the pits will also increase access to feature winners and marquee drivers.
Reflecting on 2007, Gary referred to it as a “phenomenal season” with the crowning achievement being the Inaugural Firecracker 100. The challenge for 2008 he says is “How do you make this year even better?” Another successful venture for Lernerville Speedway in 2007 was the Inaugural Stars of NASCAR Night featuring Tony Stewart and Kenny Schrader. He stated that the driver lineup is “in the works” and teased, “Just a little hint, Lynn Geisler, Ryan Newman, it might happen!” referring to the earlier conversation about Lynn’s connection to Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman.
Despite all the glitz and glamour of the World of Outlaws and NASCAR-laden shows, Gary emphasized that the weekly Fab Four racing program continues to be the “main focus” and “#1 Deal” of the Lernerville Speedway. He closed by stating, “I love this job. I love being with every one of these great people in the room every Friday night” and a quote from office assistant Helen Bauman, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success”
The banquet then took a more informal tone with Gary’s declaration to “OPEN THE BAR” and the distribution of door prizes. The bevy of door prizes was provided by Budweiser, Pepsi, Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic, Lias Tire, Advance Auto Parts, Don Gamble/Speedway Productions, DJ Johnson/Racewear, Catalyst Connection, National Guard, Shadetree Speedway, C&B Video, Schaeffer Motorsports, and a variety of other sponsors and friends of the speedway.
