Fab4 Racing And Fireworks Highlight Fan Appreciation Night Friday At Lernerville

Story By: GARY HEEMAN / LERNERVILLE SPEEDWAY – SARVER, PA – The Fab4 Fueled by Turner’s Premium Iced Tea returns to The Action Track on Friday night and that’s not all that’s in store for fans making their way to the evening’s festivities. There will be fireworks as well, complements of #1 Cochran Automotive as our annual Fan Appreciation night takes center stage this Friday night.

So far, there have been 10 different winners who have made their way to Terry Bowser Excavating Victory Lane in the Fab4 divisions. Leading the way in 2018 so far are Michael Norris and Tyler Dietz who have three wins apiece in their respective divisions, followed by two time winners AJ Flick and Mat Williamson and several drivers with one apiece as Corey McPherson, Jack Sodeman Jr., Brian Swartzlander, Jared Miley, Rex King Jr. and Cale Conley have each found victory lane once so far this season. Will this Friday bring us a new addition to that list?

Matus Gaining Ground; Top Three Drivers Separated by Three Points

Brandon Matus was among those drivers who were absent for opening night in April, but has made good use of the next three points races, finishing in the top ten three straight times, earning two podium finishes in that time while scoring some impressive results locally at the same time. The former touring regular with the Arctic Cat All Star Sprints could be in line for his first Lernerville feature win in quite some time in the coming weeks and will be one to watch on Friday night.

Matus has even pulled into the top five of the season standings where a very tight trio of drivers ahead of him are separated by just three points. George Hobaugh has continued his strong season thus far and currently holds a two point edge over Flick, while lurking just one point behind them is 2016 champion Jack Sodeman Jr.

Norris Has Tight Grip On Late Models; Pegher Has Been Close

To this point in the season, Michael Norris has been nothing short of amazing, winning three out of the four features thus far while last week besting invaders Dave Hess Jr. and Chub Frank and is well on his way to another track championship potentially coupled with a five plus season win total. However, Mike Pegher Jr. has put his car on the podium twice thus far. It has been quite some time since the #1 Cochran Automotive car has seen victory lane, but Pegher could be the car to halt the momentum of Norris this week and will be a driver to keep an eye on in the Precise Racing Products DIRTcar Late Models on Friday night.

King Jr. Paces Modifieds; Murdick May Be On The Verge

Rex King Jr. currently enjoys a nine point cushion over second running Dave Murdick to this point of the season, but will be hard pressed to keep the veteran pilot behind him every week. Murdick has put all four of his finishes in the top five so far while scoring two-third places finishes in races that easily could have gone his way. If he should be the recipient of a fortunate redraw spot, he could very well be looking at his first feature victory in years at The Action Track. Behind them, Garrett Krummert has been just as close and continues to improve his consistency which should pay dividends down the road as being in position to take an advantage of opportunities is half the game in terms of winning races. To that end, he’s put himself in position to win or take a podium spot in virtually every race so far this season.

Dietz Leads Close Pro Stock Battle; Brunell Eyes First Victory

Tyler Dietz has won three races this season almost every way you can win them whether he had to come from dead last on the grid, survive hard contact at the line, or use a patient style with a groove that worked for him so far this season. And right there with him and defending champion Corey McPherson has been Noah Brunell. The skilled pilot will be looking for his first victory of the season following several heartbreaking losses that could have easily gone his way in 2018 in the Millerstown Pic-A-Part DIRTcar/RUSH Pro Stocks. A mere six points separates the top three drivers whom have put on some of the best performances of the season, keeping fans on the edge of their seats seemingly each week.

Pit gates will be open at 4 PM with grandstands opening at 5 PM and racing set to start at 7:30 PM sharp. Adult grandstand admission is $15, $12 for seniors, $10 for students ages 11-17 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 there.