42 replies to this topic

[714d]

Just for fun, and to throw some positive things out there. Share some stories from the year. What drivers impressed you (on and off the track). Some good things you witnessed at the track as a driver, crew member, or fan. Give your local hero, regional star, or national touring team the credit they deserve. Me, I'd say Gregg Saterlee has really made our region proud this year. Without arguing where, how, or why, he has really impressed a lot of people. In the stocks, more of an off track story. The laboon race at ppms has really become something to look forward to each year. Hats off to Vince for starting it in memory of his father. Who else could just decide to have a race last minute and have it blow up like it has. On a national level, what could top the truck race at eldora. So happy that was as big as it was. Best NASCAR racing I've seen. Hope it continues and maybe even expands in the future. Just an observation, seems like there have been some real nasty wrecks this year. From tragic sprint deaths and injuries to some horrible late model crashes in our region. A few big races left this year. I hope everyone stays safe and has fun. Get out and watch some good racing before you're stuck shoveling snow.

[BaconBits]

Alex Ferree's return to area dominance has been pretty fun to watch. Josh Richards' straight up dominance of Firecracker weekend was one of the most impressive things I've ever seen in dirt late model racing. The rise of Mat Williamson has been fun to watch, too. Running Lernerville definitely matured him as a driver, and he's taken that maturity to tracks closer to home and been winning and running up front more consistently there, too. Brian Swartzlander stepping out and travelling up to New York and Michigan to run with the "big boys" of modified racing and defnitely holding his own has been pretty impressive, too. It would be fun to see what he'd do if the SDS ever reutrned to Lernerville or made way to Sharon. The few trips I made to Motordrome at the end of the year were a lot of fun. Sure, they don't have a lot of cars, but they run an extremely effiicient show and the food is excellent, as were the crowds. Hopefully, the new owner(s), who ever they might be, can keep the momentum going and reinvigorate asphalt racing in western PA.

[3799]

Randy Albert winning his first feature and a track Chsmpionship at Hummingbird. Adam Kekich "Parking It For Putzy". Danny Holtgraver's last corner pass to win the All-Star race at Mercer. The wheel to wheel sprint car racing put on by Eric Williams. He made it fun to be the announcer.

[a914]

Really have to give anyone willing to get out there and mix it up for our entertainment a lot of credit. Have to say though Paige Polyak Saturday night at Fremont impressed the hell out of me. 21st to 6th driving around guys like Swindell, Henry, both Hauds, Holtgraver, Wilson. This young lady can wheel a sprint car. Drove from 10th to 2nd in the B before that. Hope the weather holds out for the LGN this week. Always a ton of racing for the money.

[ramey36]

Randy Albert winning his first feature and a track Chsmpionship at Hummingbird.

Adam Kekich "Parking It For Putzy".

Danny Holtgraver's last corner pass to win the All-Star race at Mercer.

The wheel to wheel sprint car racing put on by Eric Williams. He made it fun to be the announcer.

I'll second the Randy Albert feature win and track championship. Great guy and a deserving champion. And his press releases are some of the best I've seen from anyone at any level.

And of course it's polarizing but I applaud Rob Hindt and John Elliott for giving CNB a try. The racing has actually been pretty good in the LM division and to go from one support car to 6+ in each division is cool.

ramey

[lube265]

 Mercer_Raceway_Last_Night_9_7_2013_Nikon_2_016.JPG   668.83KB   131 downloads My weekly stop to chat with Adam & Mike always Enjoy that..

[lube265]

 Mercer_Raceway_Last_Night_9_7_2013_Nikon_2_203.JPG   673.24KB   110 downloads Watching Andy & his Mom and Dad Get there first win in a Sprint car...

[lube265]

 Mercer_Raceway_Last_Night_9_7_2013_Nikon_2_113.JPG   704.38KB   63 downloads Watching Mike getting better better every Week. Mercer & Knox Champ at 20 years old What a year For this team....

[lube265]

I will not make this Saturday or Sunday as I am still on the mend from the shingles... But I would like to Thank Mercer Raceway Park for a GREAT year Bill Mike Frank & all the Mercer Raceway Staff.. They all put in a lot of time and hard work to Make Mercer what it is... Thanks Again.....  Mercer_Raceway_Last_Night_9_7_2013_Nikon_2_157.JPG   691.91KB   38 downloads  Mercer_Raceway_Last_Night_9_7_2013_Nikon_2_100.JPG   651.07KB   32 downloads  Mercer_Raceway_Last_Night_9_7_2013_Nikon_2_221.JPG   678.73KB   30 downloads  Mercer_Raceway_Last_Night_9_7_2013_Nikon_2_195.JPG   687.81KB   34 downloads  Mercer_Raceway_Last_Night_9_7_2013_Nikon_2_041.JPG   654.56KB   50 downloads

[Skull]

Low buck racer Kenny Schaltenbrand winning two features at MCS, and generally running pretty well where ever he goes to race. He really wrings everything he can get out of what he has. Young Joey Zambotti who competed in stocks at both Lernerville and MCS. He's still a little raw and wild at times, but it's clear the kid has fun at what he does. A.J Flick's unbelievable turn 1 pass of Mike Miller and Joe Kelley for the lead and eventual Stock win at Lernerville. You'd have to have seen it to know what I mean. The night at MRP that I watched Rod George and Eric "Turkey" Williams run side by side for several laps for the feature lead. Rod ended up winning, but old Turkey made him earn every penny of it. Williams is the real deal. Getting the opportunity to speak to Andy Lutz at Lernerville's Nostalgia Night. He is an absolute riot. Watching Kyle Larson drive a Sprinter at the Silver Cup. He's worth the price of admission alone. Also, rooting for Jac Haudenschild to win the first one that he lead for awhile. Again, worth the price of admission. I agree with Bacon Bits on the re-emergence of Alex Ferree as a dominant SLM shoe in the area. One of the cleaner drivers you'll see. I was also happy that Rex and Cooter King were regulars at the 'Ville with their Big Blocks. I'm sure there are more moments, but that's all I can think of for now.

Edited by Skull, 18 September 2013 - 07:06 PM.

[racecarbilly]

Kyle Larsons charge thru the WOO sprintcar field in the 2nd feature at the Silver Cup was one that just had to be seen to believe considering it was against the best in the business.

[Crusty1]

I agree with Racecarbilly that run of Larsons was one of the best ever! A few others: The Firecracker The track conditions The weekly Sportsman show

[CR9crewguy]

Not being partial but I wanna give a shout out to the driver I crew chief for, Chris Rhodes. Our team really stepped out of our comfort zone of racing at Thunder Valley and heading west every week to run Lernerville on a regular basis. He had to really step up his driving and our program which as a crew chief was very impressing. I also want to say wow to Alex Feree's dominating performances at Lernerville, he was flat out rolling this year. Also I must say I'm impressed with Lernerville Speedway. Some of you guys may bash this place but it is bar none the best local track east of Harrisburg. We could bet on having at least two grooves to race on and a well run show week in and week out. We have ran many tracks over the last few years and none could offer this. Great Job!

Edited by CR9crewguy, 18 September 2013 - 09:53 PM.

[23jrfan]

How about Jack Sodeman, jr! Cracks two vetabrae in freak accident then comes back to win the Lou Blaney Memorial and the track championship at Mercer.

[suhoney18]

cody hummel....won the pure stock points title at a.m.p in his first year in a stock car...

[clwillis]

Kyle Larson at the Silver Cup for sure. If he would not have had trouble in the first feature he would have won them both.

[virgin dirt]

Without a doubt Jon Hodgkis. Who can dump all that money into a car and build up a return to racing to only finish last in every heat 15 seconds back and get lapped every feature when only 7 cars finish? And hes had zero DNF's running that fast. Very impressive!

[TheLegend]

Without a doubt Jon Hodgkis.

Who can dump all that money into a car and build up a return to racing to only finish last in every heat 15 seconds back and get lapped every feature when only 7 cars finish?

And hes had zero DNF's running that fast.

Very impressive!

Yep and Jonny Huck makes more money in an hour than you do all week... Laugh all you want while you bitch Ruth Chris doesn't accept your food stamps or your blow jobs for payment ...

[the punisher]

Probably most impressive is Denny Fenton dominating the 4 car field of 12 year olds and putting up like 5 major victories in the win column at hidden valley/gamblers/amp or whatever it will be called next year.

[manny]

Yep and Jonny Huck makes more money in an hour than you do all week... Laugh all you want while you bitch Ruth Chris doesn't accept your food stamps or your blow jobs for payment ...

wow, you really make a lot of money. impressive.