Sarver, PA May 28, 2004
Lernerville officially began what is nationally known as "Speed Weekend" and the triumphant victor in the St. Barnabas Health System Sprints was the defending 2003 Champion, Ed Lynch Jr of Apollo. Garnering their first wins of the season were the following; Friedman's Supermarkets-Bi/Lo Foods Late Models- Doug Eck, Corry; Ferrante Motor Cars Modifieds- Kevin Bolland, New Brighton; Ferrante Motor Cars Modifieds(rained out May 14th feature)-Tom Winkle, Mars; and the Dingbat Restaurants Pure Stocks- Greg Beach, Chicora. Mother Nature was absent from competition! A special tribute was given to all veterans in honor of this Memorial Day Weekend.
Reaching new heights with comfort, the "King of the Lernerville Sprints", Ed Lynch Jr added his fourth 2004 win for a grand total of 68. After Lynch Jr, also known as "the "Apollo Rocket", drew the pole position, it provided a launching pad for him to cruise to victory. Lap after lap, Lynch meticulously weaved his Indy Recycling/Commercial Truck & Trailer/Red Devil #2L through traffic and overcame caution events, never really being threatened. In victory lane Lynch said, "This was the best starting spot and you need lapped cars to help." He further added, "You got to take it when you can!" The battle appeared to be for the runner-up spot, and Kevin Schaeffer, with another excellent run, his best of 2004, warded off the hard charging Chad Hill. Having won last week's race, Hill started 12th and had to settle for third. Rod George placed fourth and was followed by hard-charging Charlie Holben, Davey Jones, Gary Kriess Jr, Scott Bonnell, Gary Rankin and Dan Shetler. Rankin, George and Schaeffer won the heat races.
A class in "Eck"ology was given in the Friedman's Supermarkets/Bi-Lo Foods Late Model feature, as Doug Eck found the winning combination for his first big win of the season and dedicated the victory to his son, Jordan. May is his lucky month; a year ago Eck captured his career first. Eck said, "This one didn't come much easier because starting on the pole puts a lot of pressure on me. I know we have a good car, but you have to make it all 20 laps!" That is exactly what Eck did and at the checkered flag he was about 12 car lengths ahead of Gary Lyle. Eck said, "I want to thank my son who is serving in the Air Force in Germany. Each week I send him a tape and he calls and advises me!" He further added, "I want to thank Rocket Chassis, American Racer Tires, Corry Chrysler Ford & Jeep, and Chub Frank Racing for all their mentoring." Lyle won the battle for the runner-up spot from Lynn Geisler. Fourth through tenth place went to Bob Wearing Jr, Nick Jones, John Flinner, Josh Richards, Chuck Kennedy, Spanky Daugherty and Tom Kitchen. Jeff Henry and Wearing Jr won the prelims.
With outstanding traction, balance, control, and patience the capable Kevin Bolland was not to be denied in the 20-lap Ferrante Motor Cars Modified feature. After losing an early lead to Jim Weller Jr, on lap three, he battled his way back into the front spot in his powerful Bolland Machine/Northland Ford/Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe/Cintas #777, by using the high line by lap 16. Even though a lap 18 caution event for John Durci provided closed quarters for the ending scenario, runner-up Weller Jr's "last ditch" effort was futile, for tonight Bolland was not to be denied. In victory lane Bolland said, this small block definitely worked better and a smooth slick track." Dave Murdick had finished third and was trailed by JR McGinley, Tommy Marshal III, Brian Swartzlander, Lonny Riggs, Tom Winkle, Gary Rankin and Gary Risch Jr. Winkle and Bolland were the heat victors.
Tom Winkle was as "quick as a wink" in the rained out May 14th 20-lap Ferrante Motor Cars Modified main event capturing his first 2004 win, career fourth. Once Winkle passed leader Dave Murdick on lap five, he checked out. "In the beginning I had to do a little adjustment on my brakes and car." Winkle in the Larrel Smith #28 drove a flawless race in what he termed a "biting" track to finish a straight-away in front of runner-up Dave Murdick. Winkle added, "I'd like to thank my sponsors, AGX/Bear Run Ent/and Hein Starters." This was Murdick's second night in his new car and he was pleased with its performance. Weller won the battle for third over Brian Swartzlander, and Lonny Riggs. Kevin Bolland placed seventh with Carol Weatherby, JR McGinley, Eddie Brown and John Durci rounding out the top ten.
In an extremely competitive Dingbat's Restaurant Pure Stock class, Greg Beach was the fifth different winner in the 15-lap feature this season. It looked like Scott Bochek, who led for five laps, would get that elusive win that would put him on top of the All-Time Pure Stock Win Record, but Beach foiled his efforts. On lap six, using the high line, Beach passed Bochek, who was running the inside groove. Two laps later, both runner-up Rob Shook and Paul Schreckengost drove by Bochek, who eventually settled for fourth. Beach's Stotish Engines/Ron Kradel Financial/Wellington Power #33 went on to claim its initial feature of the year, career sixth to collect a Bertolini trophy. Beach said, "This win is for my wife for her birthday." Fifth through tenth position went to Butch Lambert, Jason Fosnaught, Joe Kelley, Bob Egley, Bob Lipinski and Gary Norman. Bochek and Beach were the heat winners. Coming from 23rd to 14th, Lenny Wright was the Stover-Net Hard Charger.