7/6/2018
Lernerville Speedway
Action Track Preview: Fab4 Returns As Second Half Title Chase Begins
John Stivason/Stivason Photos
Sarver, PA (June 5, 2018) After a two week hiatus, the Fab4 Fueled by Turners Premium Iced Tea make their way to The Action track to start their second half of the season on Friday night and great weather looks to be in store. There's points battles to watch, and there's some drivers who have yet to find Terry Bowser Victory Lane in 2018 or beyond who will be working extra hard to get there as the weeks wind down.
This Friday night will also feature the second installment of "Meet The Drivers" where fans can interact, get autographs and mingle with their favorite drivers. This Friday Night, the Millerstown Pic-A-Part Pro Stock drivers will be available from 6:00 to 6:30 PM underneath the turn four grandstands at the picnic tables.
Sprint Battle Could Go Down To The Wire
Once again the Peoples Gas DIRTcar Sprints battle looks to go down to the wire as AJ Flick holds a 12 point lead over 2016 champion Jack Sodeman Jr. with George Hobaugh lurking just 12 points behind Sodeman. Flick has three feature wins to his credit this season thus far while Sodeman took the checkered flag on May, 18. To this point, Brandon Matus looks primed for a victory lane appearance having finished second twice in his last two trips to The Action Track. Hobaugh will also be one to watch as he has had a car good enough to win on several occasions. And, Sye Lynch appears to have found some extra speed as he recently picked up a victory at Sharon Speedway in a $3,000 to win special event last Saturday night.
Who's Hungry?Â
While it looks as if Firecracker 100 Preliminary night winner Michael Norris should cruise to a second straight Precise Racing Products DIRTcar Late Model title, there are some drivers to watch in the second half that are looking to break some winless streaks. Mike Pegher Jr has had a fast car every time he's graced the clay but has yet to convert that speed into win so far in 2018. Pegher took his last victory lane Turners Iced Tea chug on June 17, 2016 and is hungry to make a return.
It's been several years since Ken Schaltenbrand crossed under the checkers first and so far this season he's found the top five on most nights and is overdue for a win. Meanwhile, Colton Flinner has never managed to snag a win in his limited time at Lernerville, but gives every indication that he could be pushing closer to that first victory as he has found more speed lately as evidenced by an appearance in the Firecracker 100 main event.
King Jr. In CommandÂ
With 40 points being the most any driver can pocket on a Fab4 Friday night, Rex King Jr's lead looks fairly stout at this point in the Diehl Automotive DIRTcar Big Block Modified standings. The 2014 champion has earned three feature wins so far in 2018 and currently holds a 34 point lead over second running Dave Murdick who has been a fixture in the top five all season long. It has been a few years since Murdick has garnered a feature win, but he looks to be getting closer to snapping that streak, coming off a performance last Friday night that saw him drive from the tail of the field to a third place finish in BRP Modified Tour action at Raceway 7.
Brian Swartzlander has one win thus far and would love nothing more than to add to his staggering career totals. The DIRTcar Hall of Famer almost seemed like a like to win back on June 8th when late race misfortune struck. Currently second in points, Garrett Krummert hasn't visited victory lane since May of 2015 and has been very close thus far this season, running second to Mat Williamson on May, 25. Elsewhere, Jeremiah Shingledecker and Rex King Sr. are long overdue for wins with streaks that go back to last season and beyond respectively. King Sr. took the BRP Modified Tour win at Stateline Speedway last Saturday night.
Three Way Battle Resumes In Pro Stocks
The battle between Tyler Dietz, Corey McPherson and Noah Brunell may go down to the final week of the season as the three drivers currently find themselves within 13 points of each other. Dietz has managed two wins with McPherson claiming two and Brunell finding victory lane for the first time in his career back on June, 8. Between the three of them, they've managed to snag 16 out of a possible 18 podium positions thus far and show no signs of slowing down.
Behind them, veteran pilot Joe Kelley is still looking to break a winless streak that dates back to May 13, 2016 and Joey Zambotti, currently fourth in the standings, is still looking for his win of 2018.
On Friday night, pits will open at 4 PM with grandstands opening at 5 PM and racing starting at 7:30 sharp. Adult general admission is $15, $12 for seniors, $10 for students ages 11-17 and children 10 and under are free of charge. Pit passes are available for $25 for DIRTcar members and $30 for non-members. We look forward to seeing you there!
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