Sarver, PA May 16, 2003

Dreams do come true at Don Martin's Lernerville Speedway. After 6 years a determined Ken Schaltenbrand (Sarver) captured a career first in the Friedmans Supermarkets/Bi-Lo Foods Late Models Friday evening. "Geronimo" assisted Ed Lynch Jr (Apollo) in prevailing for the third time in the St. Barnabas Health System Sprints; By-passing gridlock, Brian Swartzlander (Sarver) notched out his fourth Ferrante Motor Car Modified win of the season, and Jeff Walters (Evans City) claimed his first of the year in the Dingbat Restaurants Pure Stocks.

Maintaining "extreme" confidence and driving the race of his life, the "X-Man" Kenny Schaltenbrand was one "happy human" after winning a career first. A very emotional Schaltenbrand dedicated this 20-lap victory to the memory of his father, a former Lernerville competitor. Schaltenbrand said, "It takes a lot to win here. There is so much competition. I've been close many times but it wasn't there, and tonight we are, we're good enough!" On lap three, Schaltenbrand's Thomas Tours/National Fleet Leasing/Shreck's Gym #29 came from seventh to overtake early leaders Alex Ferree and Gary Lyle. From this point, Doug Eck driving the high line and running second was "magnetized" side-by-side with Schaltenbrand, never touching. In cobra-like fashion, Eck waited for Schaltenbrand to make a mistake. On lap 16, a caution flag came out for Dick Swartzlander 's #D3 and on the restart Eck passed Schaltenbrand in turn two, but coming down the back straight, Schaltenbrand "mashed the pedal to the metal" and regained the lead, keeping it to the checker. A smiling Schaltenbrand said, "It was a tough one! I'm glad were here and I'd like to thank Stan Hover for his Hoosier Tires." Jack Crowell gave Schaltenbrand a $100 bonus from #1Cochran. Narrowing the gap, this win moved Schaltenbrand into second, 10 points behind leader Nick Jones. On the last lap, the hard charging Keith Barbara, who had been running third, darted by Eck at the checker for the runner-up position. Gary Lyle was fourth. Coming from twelfth, Nick Jones placed fifth. Spanky Daugherty had his best showing of the season in sixth and was followed by Ben Miley, John Flinner, Rob Kosecki, and Dave Hoffman. Eck, Schaltenbrand, and Jones were the preliminary victors. Bob Wearing Jr checkered the B-Main.

For the fourth time in 2003 "Flying" Brian Swartzlander was the dominant force in the 20-lap Ferrante Motor Car Modified main. Swartzlander, the "hunted" driver in the division was almost upset by the "young lion" Gary Risch Jr. Looking for his career first, Risch skillfully came from sixth to pass leader Swartzlander on lap 12. Running strong, Risch appeared to be the winner, but on lap 18 he was squeezed due to lapped traffic in the low groove. As Risch was unable to move, the veteran Swartzlander's McCutcheon Ent/Straub Beer/ Precise Tool & Dye #83S passed him on the outside and led the remaining three laps. Swartzlander is on top of the Point lead over Risch by 22 digits. "Sometimes being second is better in lapped traffic," said Swartzlander who won three of the past five Modified crowns at Lernerville. "You go where the leader doesn't. It's a shame, in a way. He was really fast. I though he would win the race." This was Risch's second time to be the "bridesmaid" to Swartzlander as he chases a career first Modified win. This is Risch's fourth season and the 25-year-old Risch said "We're going to get it, I thought tonight was the night. But we're getting closer and closer. You can't get any nearer than that!" Dave Murdick placed third and was followed by Mike Sutton, Frank Guidace, and Bob Wearing Jr, who all had their best finishes of the season. JR McGinley was seventh, Eddie Brown, eighth, Doug Fleeger ninth and John Durci tenth. Tom Winkle and Dave Murdick checkered the heat events.

Getting ready for the O'Reilly World of Outlaws Tuesday, 5/20 show, Ed Lynch Jr's Commercial Truck & Trailer/ Indy Recycling/Red Devil Brakes' #2L showed everyone the fastest way around the Sarver oval in an "endurance" race for his third 2003 win. Running his lucky 2002 Silver Cup winner with his engine called "Geronimo," Lynch once again reigned supreme in the 20-lap St. Barnabas Health System Sprints. Coming from twelfth Lynch used all the "sweet spots" on the track to pass leader Arnie Kent on lap seven and remain there the distance for career win #59. Lynch said, "It's nice to be here. You had to race the track tonight and not stay in one groove. It was a good tune-up for Tuesday. If (promoter) Ouch (Roenigk) has the track like this, you'll see the guys use every inch of the track." Lynch leads Roger Bennett for the point championship by a comfortable lead of 39 points. Jack Crowell gave Lynch a $100 dollar bonus from #1 Cochran Automotive. Runner-up Jamie Smith ran a super race to ward off Rod George, Jack Sodeman Jr. and Arnie Kent, respectively. Six through ten went to Roger Bennett, Charlie Holben, Brian Carlson, Davey Jones and Ralph Spithaler. Lynch, Sodeman, and Ralph Spithaler won the heat events and Davey Jones nabbed the B-Main.

Jeff Walters "walloped" the competition for his first win since 2001 in the 15-lap Dingbat Restaurants Pure Stock main. Walter's Irvine Alignment/Cars & More/B&T Trucks took the lead from Paul Schreckengost on lap two and drove a tremendous race to ward off the challenges of runner-up Joe Kelley. With his best finish of the year, Bob Lipinski won the battle for third over Chris Schneider and Rob Shook. Fifth place through ninth place went to Greg Beach, Jim Swezey, Butch Lambert, and Jason Fosnaught. Herman Bertolini came back from a first lap mishap that placed him on the rear of the field to take tenth. Schneider, Beach, and Walters scored in the prelims and Neil Tristani claimed the B-Main.