RPW Exclusive: 25 Years Of Playing In The Dirt For Andy Sandstrom, Lebanon Springs Excavating

Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – NEW LEBANON, NY – Twenty-five years is a long time to do anything, especially in the sport of dirt racing. But when you’re doing it for the love, you don’t look at the calendar, or the clock.

It’s just fun. That’s what the last 25 years have been for Andy Sandstrom, owner of Lebanon Springs Excavating (LSE), whose company in 2019, celebrates their silver anniversary as a sponsor in the sport.

For Sandstrom and his employees it’s been about the love…the fun…the enjoyment of what dirt racing really is. It’s the camaraderie of the guys, the excitement watching the cars on track can bring. It’s all been about the checkered flag.

“The founders of Lebanon Springs started going with CJ (Brown’s) dad, Chuck, to Lebanon Valley Speedway back in the 70’s,” Sandstrom said. “From that point on, we were all hooked.”

Saturday at Lebanon Valley, ALL KIDS 11 & Under get in FREE courtesy of Lebanon Springs Excavating in memory of Chuck Brown! Bring the whole family, and enjoy a great night of racing!

To this day, it’s something that has never left them. As the business began to grow, so did the love of auto racing. The company has been a sponsor for many race teams over the years. From the Ed Monger-owned and Gary Waters-driven #93 and Wes Powell’s #33 back in the 90’s to Matt Quinn and Kenny Tremont in the 2000’s to Marc Johnson and Ricky Davis today, the love is still as strong as ever.

“For me, racing has been a lifelong passion,” he said. “With the Valley just seven miles away, it got in my blood and it’s been hard to shake. I’ve always wanted to be a part of a team…if it was a small part so be it. We’re a small business, so to be able to stay involved all these years and hopefully make a difference to different race teams has been a plus.”

In recent years, Sandstrom and LSE have been supporting former Albany-Saratoga Speedway Modified Champion Marc Johnson. He believes in Marc and his ability behind the wheel, but has loved the fact that a small business can help a small race team try and compete at the highest level.

“Marc’s a champion as he proved a few years ago,” he said. “He and his father worked hard to get where they are, and now Marc’s carrying on his dad’s legacy. They were a small family team, just like LSE, so to be able to help them strive to be a championship-caliber team, and see that coming to fruition, is more I than I could have asked for.”

This season, however, has presented a twist for Sandstrom. Johnson is now a regular at the Valley, driving for Scott Hamlin’s Big Block Modifieds, and Andy’s extremely happy for that.

“I love having Marc racing at the Valley this year,” he said. “With this new deal he has with Scott and Mike Hurley (owner of main sponsor RC Concrete), I can see him having success for years to come.”

Even while he supports those chasing the checkered flag, for Sandstrom, it’s always been about the people in the sport and the friendships he’s made along the way.

“Racing will always be about the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat,” he said. “Right now, nothing’s sweeter then a big win for Marc or even Ricky, but at the same time, it’s been about the people we’ve met and became lifelong friends with. If you’re in Florida, or North Carolina, or anywhere in the northeast at a dirt track, there’s going to be people that share your passion, and for me, there’s nothing like it.”

Lebanon Springs Excavating, located in New Lebanon, NY, is still the same small, locally-owned business it was all those years ago that loved the sport of dirt racing. It’s also a business that models itself as if it were a race team. From the owner to its employees, LSE believes in the mantra that every part has to work together to succeed…just like a race team.

“From the general contractor to hard-working employees like Trevor Patch (24 years with LSE), Chuck Bingham (20 years) and Jason Taber (6 years), all pieces need to work or this small business would not survive,” he said. “Just like in racing, everything has to be in place to be at the top of your game. My guys do good work and they keep us on top. I’m very thankful for that.”

For 25 years, Lebanon Springs Excavating has helped race teams chase their goals of visiting victory lane. They didn’t do it for the glory. They didn’t do it for the fame. They did it for the love…the love of dirt racing.

For Andy Sandstrom, he knows this sport is a labor of love, and that is fine with him. He’s always had a passion for it, and probably will for many years to come.

Just like the bench that is placed on the midway at Lebanon Valley in memory of Chuck Brown, the high banks will never go away. Neither will the memories, or Andy’s love of the sport.

Dirt racing needs more guys like him…don’t ya think?