Ed Lynch Jr. Rockets into Century Club

Geisler, Swartzlander and Kelley also continue to rewrite Record Books

 

Sarver, PA (July 3, 2009) After a two week layoff, Fab Four Racing was back in action on “The Hot Dog Guys” Night.  Ed Lynch Jr., Lynn Geisler, Brian Swartzlander and Joe Kelley continued to rewrite the Lernerville Speedway record books with big feature wins tonight.  Between the four future Hall of Famers, they have a total of 298 Career Feature Wins at Don Martin’s Lernerville Speedway. 

 

Dogs were grillin’ and t-shirts were flyin’ as The Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Modifieds started the show.   Starting on the pole was Mike Turner with Del Rougeux Jr. by his side.  With the drop of the green Rougeux immediately took off, leaving Mike Turner and Dave Murdick to battle for the second spot.  By the third lap Brian Swartzlander joined the battle for second with Murdick.  An extremely fast Shingledecker made his way to fourth by lap seven, after having started twelfth.  The caution flag was thrown on lap 12 when Steve Feder blew a tire and rolled into the pits.  Shockingly, on the same caution, Rougeux, whom was still leading, exited to the pits with a flat of his own! Due to Rougeux’s misfortune, Murdick became the leader.  But Swartzlander took over the lead on the ensuing restart.  Another hit of hard luck came along and found third place runner, Dave Murdick forcing him to take a trip to the pits with a flat tire.  Impressive as usual, Kevin Bolland made his way to third by lap 15 and joined Swartzlander and Shingledecker in the battle for the victory.  With two to go, Shingledecker made one last charge for the lead, but ultimately, when the checkered flag flew, Brian Swartzlander was the man to celebrate in Sheetz Victory Lane!  Tonight marks Swartzlander’s 62^nd career win, tying him with Bob Wearing Sr. for second place in Modified winsl!  The rest of the top five consisted of Jeremiah Shingledecker in second, Kevin Bolland in third, Tom Winkle in forth, and Dean Pearson rounding out the top five.  Heat race winners were Del Rougeux Jr. and Brian Swartzlander.

 

In tonight’s Friedman’s Freshmarkets DIRTcar Late Model feature it was a “battle of the fours” with Two-Time Defending Track Champion Alex Ferree starting on the pole.  With the start of the race, John Mollick jumped into second place as Lynn Geisler made his way to third having started seventh.  The two front runners ran so close it seemed as if they would battle up front the entire race until second place contender, John Mollick slowed on the back straightaway and exited to the pits, leaving Ferree with a straight away lead to defend alone.  Astoundingly, Geisler also held a straightaway lead on third place runner, Ray Kroll Sr.  It seemed as if Geisler was in his own race with no one in front of or behind him.  With such an immense lead and an almost inevitable win, déjà vu set in from the Modified feature and the leader, Alex Ferree, ran into trouble in lap 17 with what appeared to be a suspension problem on the right rear.  This left Geisler as the new leader with Dave Murdick in second, and for the second time in this feature, two cars with corresponding numbers (Geisler and Murdick both sport the #1) running side by side.  Taking to the high side on the restart, Geisler took off and held off a late charge by Murdick in the final turn to see the checkered flag.  The win was #108 for Geisler and his first win since Opening Night 2008.  Murdick crossed the stripe in Geisler’s wake for his best finish of the season in the Pitkavish #1J.  Gary Lyle also led an impressive run having made his way to third from twelfth.  The rest of the top five consisted of John Garvin Jr. in fourth and Chuck Sarver with an impressive run!  Gary Lyle and Dave Murdick were heat race victors.

 

The Commercial Truck and Trailer DIRTcar Sprints signed in 27 cars to the pits.  Danny Holtgraver and Andy Priest led the field to the green, with Priest jumping out to lead the first 12 laps before embarking on a battle with Andy McKisson in lapped traffic.  McKisson won that battle getting by Priest on lap 13.  But Priest was determined to cash in on his front row starting position and battled back to retake the lead on lap 15.  All the while Ed Lynch Jr. was patiently picking his way through the field from his 12^th starting position.  By lap 15 he was up to fourth and reeling in the leaders.  In a drag race down the back stretch on lap 21, Lynch drove deeper into turn three blasting under Priest and taking the lead at the flagstand.  Lynch endured a late caution with four to go and held on to win his 100^th Career Lernerville Speedway Feature; entering into the exclusive Century Club with Bob Wearing Sr., Lou Blaney and Lynn Geisler.  Andy Priest ran a very strong race to finish second.  Steve Lines of Mount Gamba, Australia finished fifth, followed by Mike Lutz and points leader Rod George.  Heat races went to Danny Holtgraver, Bob Felmlee and Ed Lynch Jr.

 

The Advance Auto Parts DIRTcar Sportsman had three time feature winner Bob Lipinski outside pole sitter Eric Piotrowski as the field rolled to the green.  Lipinski jumped out front and led the first ten laps, but Pat Hanley swept around Lipinski on lap 11 leading the next four laps.  After a caution for Wayne Carbo’s flat tire, Hanley preferred the outside line with Joe Kelley on his inside.  Kelley won the drag race into turn one taking the led from Hanley, which he would never relinquish.  Keeping with the theme of the night, Joe Kelley moved into a tie with Scott Bocheck for the lead in All Time Wins in the Sportsman Stock division with 29.  Pat Hanley held on to finish second, third went to Corey McPherson, fourth to Jim Fosnaught and fifth to Ryan Moyer.  Heat races were checkered by Corey McPherson and Joe Kelley.

 

Next Friday July 10 is loaded with sponsors and promotions as both #1 Cochran and Commercial Truck & Trailer will be on hand for Holiday Races with Fireworks and Nostalgia Night.  Come early to meet your favorite retired drivers from all 42 years of racing at Don Martin’s Lernerville Speedway.  Rappin’ on Racin’ and Trackside Live Host Don Gamble coordinates the event every year and over 40 retired drivers have sent RSVPs to be a part of the festivities, which also includes several race cars of days gone by.  Next Friday is also the rescheduled #1 Cochran Automotive Fan Appreciation Night with Fireworks by Premier Pyrotechnics.