Dick & Leslie Leach, along with Tom Leach, have enjoyed a very successful
and fulfilling career as owners in the local racing landscape. In 1994, Tom
wanted to try running a 358 sprint and talked Dick into giving him a hand.
They had no prior experience with sprint cars, but learned quickly. For 7
years they fielded a 358 sprint car team with 5 different drivers; Tom
Leach, Cris Eash, Darren Eash, Steve Siegel and the late Terry Leininger
piloted and won in the #30. The Leach Brothers Motorsports 358 team scored
25 A Main victories at Silver Springs Speedway, Lincoln, Williams Grove, and
the KARS National Open at Port Royal Speedway. Leach Brothers Motorsports
moved into the 410 ranks at the beginning of the 2001 season with Darren
Eash at the wheel and in August of that year tagged Doug Esh as their
driver. Making Doug part of the team, and bringing Dennis Kohler on board
in conjunction with a fantastic crew has brought the kind of success any car
owner would dream about. The Leaches have watched Doug grow into one of the
top contenders every week and struggle to describe their pride in his
accomplishments and the value of the relationship that they have with Doug,
his wife Kelly and their children. The same core group of guys; Chris
Barnes, Ryan Grady, Barry Jacobs, Jay Picking and Jim Smart have worked
endless hours in the shop and at the track for 7 years, with Chris and Ryan
being part of the team for 12 and 11 years respectively. Dick & Leslie find
it hard to express their gratitude and pride in this group for their
tireless efforts to put a winning contender on the track every week.
Together with Doug at the wheel and Dennis tuning on the car, they have
amassed 40 A Main wins at Williams Grove, Lincoln, Selinsgrove, Port Royal
and Susquehanna Speedway. Among their victories, are the 2006 Lincoln
Speedway Track Championship, the Diamond Series at Williams Grove, the
Williams Grove National Open, Kenny Weld Memorial, Jan Oppermann Memorial,
the Tuscarora 50, Mitch Smith Memorial, and the Hank Gentzler
Memorial/Manufactures Night. This past season they finally made the trip to
the Knoxville Nationals, and came away with a checkered flag in the C
Scramble and Rookie of the Year honors, a goal Doug had set for his first
trip there. The families of the crew have been greatly supportive also in
understanding their time away from home during the week and the weekends.
Special appreciation needs to go to Michelle and Ethan, Jodi and MacKenzie,
Dee, Jade and Teresa. Barry II and Amber have also given wonderful support
from running stop watches to selling team merchandise. Another important
component has been the support of Doug's family. There is always part of
the Esh family in the stands or in the pits. Their support of Doug and in
turn Team #30 has never wavered. Doug's brother, JD, came to the team with
Doug and was instrumental in lending his organizational skills and helping
to institute a maintenance program that solidified the backbone of the
team's achievements. JD is always available to lend a hand whenever or
wherever need and to mentor Doug. No team can have this kind of success
without great sponsors, and they have had many, and some that have been with
the team since the very beginning. Special thanks to Macri Concrete,
Kessler Meats, C. W. Fritz Company, BAPS Auto Paints, Bud's Spring &
Suspension, Benkowitsch & Sons Custom Counter Specialists, Ed Ross-State
Farm Insurance, Smitty's Fire Protection, Frankie's 4x4 Trucks, Jim & Teresa
Smart of I Lend Mortgage & Tara's Bridal and Special Occasion Shop, Kinard
Trucking, JB Custom Counters, The Butcher, Blooms By Vickery, Pancho's
Racing Products and Hamilton Motorsports. Leach Brothers Motorsports also
appreciates all of the Track Promoters, Safety Workers, and Officials at all
the tracks they've run; but especially those at Williams Grove and Lincoln,
their "home" tracks. Dick and Leslie now enjoy many great friendships that
have grown from racing and are looking forward to continuing them for many
years.
Leach Brothers Motorsports also sincerely thanks Duane and Debbie Lawler and
Pancho's Racing Products for their partnership this past season.
Unfortunately, our decision to back off ownership responsibilities didn't
work with the plans and goals of Pancho's. Dick & Leslie wish Duane & Deb
all the best and look forward to continuing their friendship into the
future.
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