Action Track Preview: Frank Choura Memorial Takes Center Stage At Lernerville
Story By: GARY HEEMAN / LERNERVILLE SPEEDWAY – SARVER, PA – It’s a very special Fab4 Friday Fueled by Turners Premium Iced Tea on tap this Friday at The Action Track. The Precise Racing Products DIRTcar Late Models will be racing for an enhanced purse and in a very special race with a great deal of history behind it.
The Peoples Gas DIRTcar Sprints, Diehl Automotive DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds and MIllerstown Pic-A-Part DIRTcar/RUSH Pro Stocks will also be on hand for their second points events of the season.
Aside from the racing action, this Friday night will provide some other special moments as we will also be celebrating Mother’s Day weekend with free grandstand admission for all the ladies and a “Meet The Drivers” segment featuring the Peoples Gas DIRTcar Sprint drivers. Friday night also marks the debut of the Lernerville Kids Club as a special night of activities for children 12 and under take place.
INAUGURAL FRANK CHOURA MEMORIAL TAKES CENTER STAGE
Frank Choura was an area legend that raced in the geography from 1960 to 1987, appearing in Coupes and Late Models and on this Friday, he will be honored in the Inaugural Frank Choura Memorial for the Late Models. There will be $2525 awaiting the winner on Friday night and more money spread throughout the purse as some area invaders are expected to tangle with the weekly contingent led by opening night feature winner Michael Norris. Former track champions Alex Ferree and Jared Miley are expected to compete and there could very well be a few surprises waiting in the pits with the increased money on the line.
STRONG START FOR HOBAUGH/ LOCALS BATTLE HARD AT SHARON
In the Peoples Gas DIRTcar Sprints, AJ Flick took the feature win on opening night but had to overcome a strong effort from a strong running George Hobaugh who has started the season with authority. The veteran pilot took home a runner up finish on night one and last week garnered a heat race victory in All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car action at Sharon Speedway. It was a good night for the Lernerville regulars at Sharon as former track champions Carl Bowser and Brandon Spithaler found themselves in the dashes with Hobaugh, John Garvin and Sye Lynch while Dan Shetler and another former track champion, Danny Holtgraver made the field and more than held their own throughout the night. Former track champion Jack Sodeman Jr also made the field but was forced to retire early in the race.
KING’S QUEST
Life without four time Diehl Automotive DIRTcar Big Block Modified champion Mat Williamson may begin as early as this week as this Friday’s race does not seem to appear on the horizon at this time. If that should come to pass, the battle for this year’s title will begin to take shape this Friday as Rex King Jr. looks to become the early front runner with Dave Murdick, Jeremiah Shingledecker and John Mollick ready to strike following their opening night action. However, Brian Swartzlander and Garrett Krummert appear to be ready to take a huge leap forward sooner rather than later. Area racing action has been hard to come by for the Modifieds as the BRP Modified Tour rained out on April 28th and did not run last weekend.
DIETZ, BRUNELL AND MCPHERSON LEAD PRO STOCK FIELD
Tyler Dietz leads the Millerstown Pic-A-Part DIRTcar/RUSH Pro Stocks into battle on the heels of his impressive opening night win, coming from dead last on the starting grid. He’ll have to fend off champion Corey McPherson and a surprise contender perhaps in Noah Brunell who very nearly edged both drivers in the three car battle for the win on April, 27.
Peoples Gas DIRTcar Sprint drivers are all invited to meet and mingle with the fans from 6:00 PM to 6:15 PM behind the turn four grandstand. Drivers are invited to push their cars to the gated area behind the grandstand for pictures if they wish and are encouraged to bring t-shirts, hero cards or any other items that a fan may wish to purchase or have autographed. This is a great chance to interact with the drivers who help make our weekly show one of the finest around.
Friday night’s running order will see the Late Models first up followed by the Modifieds, Sprints and Pro Stocks. We will keep a close watch on the weather as it develops and will plan to move the show along accordingly.
At 6:30 PM, under the turn four grandstands we will have the first edition of our weekly Lernerville Kids Club. Parents are invited to bring their children ages 12 and under, for games, crafts, activities and much more.
Pit gates will open at 4 PM, grandstands at 5 PM and racing will take place at 7:30 PM sharp! Adult general admission is $15, seniors $12, students ages 11-17; $10 and children 10 and under are free! Pit passes are available for $25 for DIRTcar Members and $30 for non members. We look forward to seeing you all there!
