RPW Exclusive: Peter Britten Uses Saturday For R&D; Previewing Mr. DIRT Track USA At Lebanon Valley

Column By: DYLAN FRIEBEL / RPW – WEST LEBANON, NY – When cars rolled into Lebanon Valley on Saturday Night, everyone thought it would be a normal night…the regulars vying for their spots among the Modifieds point’s rank. However, as hot laps rolled, everyone’s eyes went to the white, black and orange 21A of Peter Britten.

The defending Albany-Saratoga Modified champion and current Super DIRTcar Series regular was at the high banks to do some testing.

“We’re here tonight to test for next week,” Britten told me. “The Valley is a whole different animal. The guys that run here weekly have such an advantage on the rest of us. We’re here to learn some things tonight and see what we can use for next week.”

Despite having a up and down year, Peter and his Graham Racing Team haven’t lost sight of what their main focus is.

“We want to win next week,” he said. “We don’t roll into any race track thinking we can’t win. That’s the goal. We had some early season success, winning a few times, but I had some back problems that now seem to be correcting themselves. I think we have got things turned around finally. This being my first full year with Graham Racing, it’s been a pleasure to work with them. I’m glad it’s finally coming around for us here in the last little bit of races.”

However the night did not go as planned for the 21A. The problem it was a regular season race, and the track uses a handicapping system, Being that it was late in the season, Peter had to start last on his heat. With not much passing happening, Peter finished near the back and ended up starting deep in the feature. He ended up pulling off around the one-third mark of the feature and finished 23rd.

Peter and Graham Racing are not the only ones looking to take home the winner’s share next Saturday. While Lebanon Valley boasts the biggest paying Super DIRTcar Series race outside of Super DIRT Week each season, this year is even bigger.

With additional sponsor money, the winner will now take home a whopping $25,500…that’s more than second place of the Big Block Championship at Super DIRT Week. However, the question around the pits is will anyone be able to unseat the now 13-time track champion, Brett Hearn, who also won last year’s event?

Will a guy like Eddie Marshal break through and take home the win after a consistent year that saw the driver of the #98 reach victory lane multiple times in 2018. Will 2015 race winner, Stewart Friesen, be able to reach victory lane again, or could it be a Series regular like Matt Sheppard, Tim Fuller, or even Britten.

However, don’t count out the King Of The Valley, Kenny Tremont, Saturday night’s winner Keith Flach or even three-time Mr. DIRT Track USA Champion JR Heffner. Each of those drivers are among the crop of quality regulars that will look to fend off the invaders next week.

While some of the big guns look to make a move and pounce on the big day, for some, it will be about just surviving and moving on to the next Series race. The Valley can be tough on equipment, rearing its ugly head in a hurry and she’s not pretty when she does.

Another big question heading into to next Saturday’s event is will Erick Rudolph be able to close in on the Series points lead Matt Sheppard has. Right now, he sits 94 points behind after the August 7th event at Ransomville Speedway.

Lebanon Valley hasn’t been kind to the Waterloo, NY native in the past. Yes, he has one win in 2016 in the illustrious event, and this is a race that Rudolph could possibly make up some ground.

This is just one of the many story-lines heading into the event. Mr. DIRT Track USA is shaping up to be one of the biggest events in the history of Lebanon Valley, and an event you’ll just have to see to believe.