Lernerville Speedway
June 8, 2012
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Ferree and Schreckengost get back to winning ways
Danny Holtgraver celebrates as his sister graduates!
Brian Swartzlander goes small, wins big!
 
Sarver, PA (June 10, 2012) On a beautiful summer night, the Lernerville Speedway paid tribute to the brave men and women that serve our local communities in Fire, EMS and Police units.  Three drivers – Danny Holtgraver, Alex Ferree and Brian Swartzlander – made late race passes to score feature wins, while another – Paul Schreckengost – led from green to checkers to win his first since 2008. 

Despite being without his father and crew chief Dan Holtgraver, (Dan was attending daughter Amy’s high school graduation), Danny Holtgraver came from eight on the starting grid to score another impressive victory in the Ti22 Performance DIRTcar Sprint feature; a feat that he previously accomplished in his heat race.  Despite scoring his second win of the season, Holtgraver led just the final two laps after a sweeping pass into turn three and through turn four underneath Kevin Schaeffer.  Schaeffer started on the pole, jumped out to a quick lead and was relatively unchallenged for most of the race as Holtgraver made his way to the front.  Andy McKisson didn’t let Schaeffer get too far away, but never did he pose an imminent challenge throughout the first 17 laps of the 25-lap A-Main. 

Holtgraver dove under McKisson entering turn three and took second at the flagstand to complete lap 18 and began to pursue Schaeffer; at the time Schaeffer was half a straightaway ahead.  The leaders shared the same low-to-middle groove in turns one & two, but dramatically different grooves in three & four; Schaeffer protected the bottom entering turn three and rocketed off the bottom of turn four, while Holtgraver was up on the cushion at full bore.  That is until lap 24 when Holtgraver made the same sweeping move through three & four that he used to take second from McKisson.  Schaeffer didn’t roll over and settle for second, as he battled back and challenged Holtgraver on the final circuit, but to no avail.  After clearing the scales, Holtgraver rolled into Sheetz Victory Lane for the second time this season, but the first with the #D4 on the wing, (recall he carried Rod George’s #CIII to victory three weeks ago when George was shelved with a bent chassis after a wreck at Mercer).

Kevin Schaeffer’s strong second place finish extended his lead to 10 points (229-219) over fourth place finishing Rod George.  Between Schaeffer and George was Andy McKisson in third, his best finish of the season in three starts.  Jack Sodeman Jr., winner of the most recent Ti22 Sprint feature on Friday, May 25, rounded out the Ti22 Top Five ahead of Defending Track Champion Carl Bowser, Eric Williams, Scott Priester, Brian Steinman and Brandon Matus.  Holtgraver and Sodeman scored heat race wins.

Sarver’s own John Garvin Jr. appeared to be on the way to his second career Precise Racing Products DIRTcar Late Model feature, (his first coming at the 2011 DIRTcar Round Up Steel City Stampede), but Alex Ferree matched Danny Holtgraver’s feat of taking the lead late in the race from eighth on the starting grid.  Like Schaeffer before him, Garvin jumped out to a quick lead from the pole and led the first 22 circuits.  During the caution-filled first 10 laps of the 25-lap feature, Mike Johnson waged battle with Alex Ferree and Two-Time Reigning Track Champion Dave Hess Jr., (making his 2012 debut following off-season back surgery), often three wide off both turns two & four for second place.  Johnson faded after a lap 10 restart and eventually retired to the pits with a flat tire or front suspension damaged of some type, leaving Hess and Ferree to pursue Garvin.

The battle for second allowed Garvin to stay at the point for most of the race without a serious challenge.  But by lap 18, Ferree had pulled ahead of Hess and alongside Garvin down the front stretch.  Ferree was visibly faster around the top of three & four, but Garvin was better in the preferred and shared line in turns one & two.  Ferree finally made the pass for the lead, rocketing off the top of turn four coming to the flagstand to complete lap 23.  Garvin kept Ferree in check, but couldn’t stop “The A-Train” from rolling into Sheetz Victory Lane for the first time since July 2010.  The 19th win of his career ties Ferree for Eighth All Time in the Late Model division with Hall of Famer Dave Hoffman.

Runner up John Garvin Jr. would have to settle for his best finish of the season and wait another day for his second trip to Sheetz Victory Lane.  Dave Hess Jr. showed no signs of rust in his 2012 debut by scoring a win during heat race action and finishing third in the feature.  Budweiser Points leader Jared Miley recovered from a penalty for rough driving after contact with Doug Eck in turn four early in the race to finish fourth.  Lynn Geisler rounded out the Precise Top Five ahead of Garrett Krummert, Tony Musolino, Jason Rider, Chris Schneider and Doug Eck.  Dave Hess Jr. and Garrett Krummert were picked up heat race wins.

Unlike the previous two features, the Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Northeast Big Block Modifieds feature saw plenty of lead passes, as outside polesitter Brad Rapp, making his 2012 Action Track debut, took the quick lead, but relinquished the spot to Defending Track Champion Jeremiah Shingledecker on lap three, only to retake the lead on lap six.  Dave Murdick took the lead on lap 10, but Shingledecker retook the lead on lap 14 and appeared to have escaped the gremlins that plagued him the last two weeks of competition.  That is until they struck again coming to the checkered flag, as Shingledecker had a miss at the end of the back straightaway, opening the door for All Time division wins leader Brian Swartzlander who snuck by entering turn three.   Swartzlander took the line away from Shingledecker entering the turn and powered through turn four to score his 73rd career Lernerville Speedway feature win.  After struggling, by his own standards, through the first few weeks of the 2012 season, Swartzlander was piloting a brand new Troyer Chassis powered by an Enders Small Block engine; taking advantage of the associated weight break.

Jeremiah Shingledecker, powered by a small block as well while his Big Block gets freshened, chased Swartzlander home for a strong second place finish.  Jeremiah and his wife Lex generously donated can coolies as a small but much appreciated token of appreciation to the Lernerville safety crew in the infield, pits and grandstands.  Dave Murdick finished third, while incumbent Budweiser Points leader Kevin Bolland came home fourth.  Early leader Brad Rapp scored a solid fifth place finish.  The Diehl Top Ten shook out with Eric Gabany, Dean Pearson, Steve Feder, Mark Frankhouser and Mike Turner.  Finishing just outside the top ten was Del Rouguex Jr., making his 2012 debut after also missing the entire 2011 season; it sure was great to see the #20D back on the Action Track!  Kevin Bolland and Dave Murdick won their respective heat races and with their fourth and third place feature finishes, Bolland holds the narrowest of leads over Murdick (209-208) heading into next week. 

Much to the chagrin of Chris Schneider and especially Jim Fosnaught, there would be no late race pass for the lead in the Millerstown Pic-A-Part DIRTcar Sportsman/Stock feature as Paul Schreckengost led all 20 laps en route to his first feature since May of 2008!  Schreckengost started on the pole flanked by Greg Beach, took the quick lead at the drop of the green flag and never looked back.  Beach, Schneider and Fosnaught kept him in check all the way, but couldn’t find a way the veteran from Creighton.

Runner up Jim Fosnaught was knocking on the door again to his first Fab Four Racing feature win, but just can’t seem to kick that door down.  Chris Schneider, (in the Petrovich #74), finished third ahead of Budweiser Points leader Corey McPherson and Greg Beach.  Wayne Carbo, Rob Shook, AJ Flick, Joe Kelley and Mark Sanders rounded out the Pic-A-Part Top Ten.  Heats were checkered by Mike Miller, Corey McPherson and AJ Flick.

Precise Racing Products DIRTcar Late Models Feature (25 Laps)
1. (10) Alex Ferree, Saxonburg
2. (J4) John Garvin Jr., Sarver
3. (44) Dave Hess Jr., Waterford
4. (H1) Jared Miley, South Park
5. (1C) Lynn Geisler, Cranberry Twp.
6. (29K) Garrett Krummert, New Castle
7. (21M) Tony Musolino, Pittsburgh
8. (76) Jason Rider, Imperial
9. (55) Chris Schneider, Springdale
10. (03) Doug Eck, Corry
11. (66) Todd Bachman, Natrona Heights
12. (88) Chuck Sarver, West Sunburry
13. (20) Jordan Eck, Corry
14. (27) Jeff Jones, Zelienople
15. (26) Shawn Schaltenbrand, Natrona Heights
16. (44S) Derek Stefanide, Oakdale
17. (2J) Davey Johnson, Imperial
18. (3) Dan Swartzlander, Freeport
19. (111) Jim Detman, Leechburg
20. (7X) Herman Bertolini, Creighton
Heat Race Winners: Dave Hess Jr., Garrett Krummert


Ti22 Performance DIRTcar Sprint Feature (25 Laps)
1. (D4) Danny Holtgraver, Pittsburgh
2. (9) Kevin Schaeffer, Kittanning
3. (O) Andy McKisson, Strattanville
4. (CIII) Rod George, Kittanning
5. (23Jr) Jack Sodeman Jr., N. Jackson, OH
6. (10) Carl Bowser, Sarver
7. (7) Eric Williams, Greenville
8. (11) Scott Priester, Rimersburg
9. (24S) Brian Steinman, Lucinda
10. (13) Brandon Matus, Wampum
11. (4K) Bill Kiley, Cabot
12. (6) Sheila Rankin, Renfrew
13. (5) Bob McMillin, Wampum
14. (16) Gary Rankin, Renfrew
15. (3E) Billy Eash Sr., Johnstown
16. (21N) Andy Priest, New Castle
17. (33) Brent Matus, Wampum
18. (B6) Bobbi Rankin, Renfrew
19. (1R) Gale Ruth Sr., Pleasantville
20. (5B) Adam Anderson, Meadville
Heat Race Winners: Carl Bowser, Danny Holtgraver


Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Northeast Big Block Modified Feature (25 Laps)
1. (83) Brian Swartzlander, Leechburg
2. (37MD) Jeremiah Shingledecker, Polk
3. (61) Dave Murdick, Slippery Rock
4. (777) Kevin Bolland, New Brighton
5. (11R) Brad Rapp, Shippenville
6. (3E) Eric Gabany, Mercer
7. (8J) Dean Pearson, Harrisville
8. (45) Steve Feder, Butler
9. (03) Mark Frankhouser, Philipsburg
10. (96) Mike Turner, Herman
11. (20D) Del Rougeux Jr., Frenchville
12. (6) Carl Murdick, Butler
13. (77) Mark Flick, Apollo
14. (71) Randy Chronister, Slippery Rock
15. (OO) Joseph Worthington, Sarver
16. (22) Jeff Monosky, Cannonsburg
17. (88) Shawn Fleeger, Butler
18. (17M) Skip Moore, Jackson Center
19. (38) Phil Evans Jr, Greensburg
20. (71B) Don Brown, Butler
DNS: (96B) Bob Warren, Slippery Rock
Heat Race Winners: Dave Murdick, Kevin Bolland


Millerstown Pic-A-Part DIRTcar Sportsman Feature (20 Laps)
1. (3S) Paul Schreckengost, Creighton
2. (20J) Jim Fosnaught, Bairdford
3. (74) Chris Schneider, Gibsonia
4. (C33) Corey McPherson, Tarentum
5. (33X) Greg Beach, Greece City
6. (54) Wayne Carbo Saxonburg
7. (53) Rob Shook, Creighton
8. (2) AJ Flick, Apollo
9. (66) Joe Kelley, Mt. Pleasant
10. (32) Mark Sander, Lowellville, OH
11. (89L) Brian Lockhart, Tarentum
12. (29B) Scott Byers, Butler
13. (380) Pat Hanley, Monroeville
14. (21) Jeff Miller, Natrona Heights
15. (13X) Ryan Moyer, Portersville
16. (02) Joseph Heinl, Prospect
17. (1) Randy Hanovick, Mars
18. (52) Dave Seibert, Gibsonia
19. (30) Bob Egley, Kittanning
20. (28Y) Terry Young, Butler
21. (25) Brett McDonald, Saxonburg
22. (47) Andy Klingensmith, Jeanette
23. (55S) Dr. Robert Lipinski, Valencia
24. (22D) Derick Wissinger, Saxonburg
25. (81) Mike Miller, Chicora
DNS: (55L) Bob Lipinski, Pittsburgh
Heat Race Winners: Mike Miller, Corey McPherson, AJ Flick


Car Count Total: 88
Ti22 Performance DIRTcar Sprints: 20
Precise Racing Products DIRTcar Late Models: 21
Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Modifieds: 21
Millerstown Pic-A-Part DIRTcar Sportsman: 26