Sarver, PA...August 8, 2003

For five seasons, Sarver's Gary Risch Jr has been trying to find the winning formula at Lernerville Speedway and Friday evening, the chemistry was right and Risch Jr captured that illusive career first 20-lap Ferrante Motor Cars Modified feature, crossing the line with a flat tire. Ed Lynch Jr's 64th St. Barnabas Sprint victory grants him the 2003 Sprint crown, his second since 1990. Lynn Geisler of Cranberry Twp won a season first 20-lap Friedman's Supermarkets/Bi-Lo Foods Late Model main and Greg Beach of Chicora collected his third 15-lap Dingbat Restaurants Pure Stock feature. It was ARCH Fan Club Night.

Lynn Geisler was back to his winning form, garnering his first 2003 Friedman's Supermarkets/Bi-Lo Foods Late Model main. From the pole position, Dave Hoffman took the early lead with hopes of winning his 300th feature. With Jeff Henry running second, Geisler came from seventh to the third position by lap three. On a lap seven caution, the fifth of the night, Nick Jones had spun his #15 Late Model in turn two. When the race resumed, Geisler got the advantage and passed Henry for the second position and began to reel in Hoffman. On lap eight, rounding turn four, Hoffman went high, "hit the cushion," and had to back off the throttle. Geisler took advantage of the opportunity and forged the #1 Cochran Automotive/Marshal Stamping/Tri-State Hose #1C into the lead. Hoffman began to fade and now Jeff Henry and Bob Wearing Jr began to battle for second. Both drivers attempted to catch Geisler but he drove an awesome race, was perfectly dialed into the track and was not to be denied! Geisler is second on the All-Time Late Model Win List with 96 victories behind Bob Wearing Sr's 117. In victory lane Geisler said, "Tonight the car was good and when it's good you are in a rhythm and can pick it back up." Behind runner-up Jeff Henry was Bob Wearing Jr, Chuck Kennedy, who came from 21st, point leader John Flinner, Dave Satterlee, Tom Kitchen, Mike Blose, Gary Lyle, and George Kowatic. Jones, Lyle, and Flinner won the heat races and John Yamrick was the B-Main victor. The Owls Club gave Geisler a $150 bonus.

Driving the race of his life, Gary Risch Jr was "flat out" fast winning a career first Ferrante Motor Cars triumph! On the last lap, rounding turn four, Risch Jr was focused on that first checker. He made contact with the lapped car of his father Gary Risch Sr and "kissed his rear left tire good-bye." The excited Risch Jr had a straight-away lead and was able to cross the finish line first, using three wheels. In victory lane Risch Jr said, "This is awesome. I knew I had a good car from the start, I just had to get through there, starting seventh!" While Risch Jr started his ascent, Lonny Riggs was at the point for two circuits. Davey Murdick took the helm lap three with Risch's Budweiser/Sarver Landscaping, G&D Beverage/Mark McTagert Insurance #3 now in third behind Riggs. Murdick rode high over the back straight on lap five and that permitted Riggs to take the lead and Risch Jr to run second. The next lap Risch Jr passed Riggs and took command. Once in front, he put the petal to the medal, drove an excellent race, negotiating lapped traffic perfectly as he "checked out" to claim this feature. Jack Crowell of #1 Cochran and the Owl's Club gave Risch Jr a $100 bonus. Davey Murdick worked himself back to the second spot and Kevin Bolland placed third. Fourth through seven spot went to Riggs Jim Weller Jr, Josh Skarzenski, Jim Weller III, point leader Brian Swartzlander, Carl Murdick and George Hobaugh. Swartzlander and Winkle won the qualifying events.

The "Apollo Rocket" Ed Lynch Jr has won the 2003 St. Barnabas Health System Championship after winning his eighth feature at the track. From the pole position, Lynch Jr's CTT/Indy Recycling/Red Devil Brakes #2L took charge with Rod George in second. George chased Lynch Jr every lap but did not have enough power to catch the hard charging Lynch who had a perfect set-up. In victory land Lynch Jr said, "This is my son, Sy's birthday and this one is for him. Lynch Jr further said, "When you start up front, you better finish up front! I knew Rod would be right there!" Last week's victor Kevin Schaeffer placed third and was followed by Dan Shetler and Roger Bennett. Dr. Bob Altmeyer's sixth place was his best finish of the year. Seven through ten went to Charlie Holben, Gary Kriess Jr, Arnie Kent, and Davey Jones. Ralph Engel Jr and Chad Hill won the heat races.

Greg Beach wins one for his late Grandma! In an action packed 15-lap Dingbat Restaurants feature, Beach checkered his third main event to ward off Rick Burris. Beach said, "It was a tough race, my car kept tightening up, and I think that luck was on my side. Today was my grandmother's birthday and I'd like to dedicate this win to her." Rick Ayers led two circuits and Jason Fosnaught was in charge lap three. Beach came from fifth to move into first on lap four. Beach held the line the distance to win over Burris, Jake Ayers, Jim Swezey., Butch Lambert, Fosnaught, Chris Schneider, Bob Egley, Chuck Kremer, and Joe Kelley. Mike Pegher Jr, Scott Bochek, and Jeff Walters won the prelims and Herman Bertolini won the B-Main. Beach added "I'd like to thank my sponsors - Wellington Power, Fazio Mechanical, WESCO, DFL Construction, and Lias Tire." In an extremely close points chase to the Pure Stock Championship, Schneider holds a one point edge over Kelley.