RPW Exclusive: Pro Stock Drivers Racing To Win More Money Weekly At Lebanon Valley In 2019; Money To Be Added For Special Events
Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – WEST LEBANON, NY – It appears as if the Pro Stock division at the Lebanon Valley Speedway (LVS) will have a little more skin on the line weekly in 2019. Track officials have confirmed that the popular class will see their winner’s share increase this coming season, with that driver taking home $500 minimum after each race.
Always a fan favorite, the Pro Stocks provide wheel-to-wheel competition every time they hit the speedway, showcasing the talents of both proven veterans and up-and-coming young drivers at the same time. Last season, Rob Yetman took home the championship on the final night of racing after a thrilling four-way battle with Jason Casey, Jason Meltz and Jon Routhier. 2019 looks to be just as competitive, if not more, with the added money on the line to the winner.
“The Pro Stock class consists of different cars that almost everyone in the grandstands can identify with,” LVS Promoter Howard Commander said. “The class is always exciting. Even when they are the final feature of the night, the fans don’t leave until that race is over. They know just how good the racing is with these full-fendered cars and hopefully $500-to-win ramps up the excitement even more.”
The division has had some amazing drivers over the years. Names like Langenback, Speed, Tanner (Bubba and Henry), Sanchez, Corbin, Haas, Duzlak and LaRochelle have all raced Pro Stocks around the Valley and have done so very well. However, the current group of racers are really making a name for themselves week in and week out at the Speedway.
“It’s amazing how many people pay attention to the Pro Stock class each week,” he said. “I talk to several of the Modified and Sportsman drivers each week, and they all tell me the same thing. Those drivers, are getting better and better and better by the year, and I believe this 100% as well.”
Several current drivers are excited with how the track is stepping up to increase the winner’s share this coming season.
“I think the Pro Stock class is highly-competitive with top notch drivers and teams,” Jason Meltz, third place in points during the 2018 season, said. “Paying $500-to-win is awesome. It will certainly help to cover more of the week-to-week maintenance expenses and maybe even encourage some guys to come from other tracks or other divisions.”
Meltz, a two-time champion in the track’s Pure Stock division, has been a mainstay for a handful of seasons now with the Pro Stocks, and will return in 2019. In addition to third last season, the young racer from Ghent, NY finished second in points in 2017.
“I really enjoy running the Pro Stock,” he said. “With the 602 crate engine and a rev chip rule, things are a little easier to control. A team can keep things at more of a budget, unlike what it use to be.”
Richie Crane, who finished ninth in points this past season while also representing the Valley when he traveled with the King of Dirt Pro Stock Series, believes the added money will really help the class overall.
“I think it’s great for the drivers to race for more money each week,” Crane said. “The Pro Stocks seem to be getting stronger. Even before I came back racing a few years ago, I was a huge supporter of the class. I always will be. In a 15-week span, there could easily be 15 different winners which makes it exciting for the fans and drivers, I’m grateful that the Valley is trying to improve the class.”
Jon Routhier, who finished fourth in points last season, just 19 markers behind the champion, has a good feeling about this as well.
“It’s going to be good to have a little more money on the line,” Routhier said. “Winning $500 has to cover the costs each week a little better than it has been. It’s a great class. The institution of the crate motors has bought it back to affordable class again. Lebanon cost a lot of money due to high-speed crashes because of how the handicapping format is.”
Crane also had some thoughts on the handicapping.
“Personally, I would like to see the system change a bit,” he said. “If a larger top prize attracts more drivers, I would like to see the track either have a rookie class again or change the qualifying format.”
While the track is evaluating the possibility of adding more money to the overall purse, Commander is looking at ways of possibly changing up the handicapping for the feature events as well.
“I want to institute a rule this coming season where if you haven’t finished in the top five, you can’t start in the top five,” he said. “If you don’t finish in the top 10, you can’t start in the top 10. Some of our worst accidents happen with inexperienced drivers up front. I have nothing against those drivers and they deserve every chance they can get, but we can’t afford to bend the cars and cost everyone thousands of dollars.”
In addition to the $500-to-win each week, Commander also stated that there will be several specials with extra money on the line throughout the season.
“Over the years, there have been several big events for the Pro Stocks,” he said. “The Bubba Tanner Classic, the Old Buzzard race for Jimmy Langenback, among others, and all have a little extra for the class. This year, Lebanon Valley will be adding more to both the Bubba and the Langenback races which can be added throughout the field. The class is a favorite, not only with the fans but other racers. More Modified drivers stop what they’re doing and watch the Pro Stock feature more than any other division. That’s saying something.”
Lebanon Valley, located in West Lebanon, NY, just announced that their opening night will be April 20th with a special $5,000-to-win Modified feature. Their season runs from April until just after Labor Day with several classes in action weekly.
