Waterford, PA’s Rich Gardner holds the current record for winning five consecutive championships at Eriez Speedway (breaking Bobby Schnars' all time record which stood for 27 years.)    

Rich Gardner, 2000-2001-2004 Stateline-Eriez Racing Series Champion, 2000-2001-2002-2003-2004 Eriez Speedway Champion, 2008 Stateline Speedway Champion.

   Beginning in 1976, his first year was in a Spectator car running at Eriez.  Rich later ran Cadets, moving into the Late Model class in 1980. 

   Rich started winning features in the mid-eighties, and currently has 57 total wins through the 2010 season.  It was in 1985 that he started his long association with Toby Jordan.  Rich says, “He really pointed me in the right direction.  A lot of my success is attributed to him."

   Championships were tougher with the first being the 2000 Eriez and Circuit titles.  The first Championship was the high point in his career.  There are still challenges ahead, with the foremost being the desire to beat the traveling regulars in a World of Outlaws race.  His best finish to date in a touring series was a second place finish in a MACS race at Raceway 7.

   There have been tough times as well, but as Rich will tell you, racing is like a roller coaster ride.  You will have your highs and lows.  "Never get too excited over the good times and never get too down about the bad times."

   The 2000 season was the final year Rich operated his own team.  The decision to give up running his own team wasn't that difficult, due to the work load and cost.  It was much easier to concentrate on the driving part when he didn't have to worry about all the other things going on in the operation.   The decision proved to be a good one for it has produced seven more Championship seasons and several more victories.

   Racing costs a considerable amount of cash, and that cost is supplied by sponsors in addition to the car-owner.  Without sponsors it would be difficult to compete in this sport.   

   And, what in Rich’s background makes him suited for the high intensity world of dirt car racing?  His Father, Charlie, was the biggest influence in Rich’s life, instilling in him a love for the sport and the drive to continue when times are tough.  Charlie passed away in 1989, but saw his son’s dream begin to take shape with several wins prior to his passing.  Rich’s Mom attended racing often but she too has passed away in 2009.  Rich’s ties to family are strong, with his first call being to his Mom at home after he won that first Championship.  Present in the crowd that September night in 2000 were his wife, Teri, and their son, Kevin.  Teri and Kevin are present most of the time when Rich is racing, and Rich stresses that it's important to have your family behind you.

   In 2009, Rich began driving in the highly competitive E-Mod division.  Rich showed he has a knack for finding victory lane in this division also.

   In 2011, Rich is returning to the Super Late Model division, reuniting once again with Toby.

   His personal racing heroes are, on a local level, Skip Furlow and on a national level, Richard Petty.  Rich admires the fact that “King” Richard is “down to earth and a winner and that he always has time for fans."  In that category, Rich Gardner is second to none.  He always has time for his fans, and they are many.

   Coming up from the entry-level class to the pinnacle of the sport, Rich has this to offer young drivers: “Be patient, be smooth.  It doesn't come easy, nobody hands you anything.  You have to dedicate yourself and work hard.  I have been very lucky and blessed to have had good people helping me throughout my career.

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