BUFFALO TWP - Racing a school bus was fun. It just wasn't often enough.

"I wanted to do this every weekend," Doug Graham said.

So the 33-year-old Butler resident decided to buy a Pure Stock car three years ago. The driver of the No. 57 car is still waiting for his first feature win - he rarely finishes among the top 10 - but he's stopped waiting for the bus races to come up at Lernerville Speedway.

"My former boss (David Bauman) used to be one of the owners here and he talked me into racing a school bus," Graham said. "I had a blast doing it, but it was only two or three times a year.

"I needed to be on the track a little more often. I'd love to race a Late Model, but I can only afford a Pure Stock," he added.

Not that racing a Pure Stock is easy. Graham finished as high as 10th in a feature once in 2002 before sitting out last year.

His wife, Traci, was having a baby. And if she couldn't come to the track, neither could he.

"It's not that she was trying to deny me anything," Graham said. "She enjoys the racing so much herself that she didn't want to miss anything."

Graham's wife helps him out in the pits, as does his crew chief, 18-year-old Jarred Bauman, a senior at Knoch High School.

"He worked with my Dad and I've been around racing my entire life," Bauman said. "When Doug started racing, he needed help, so I started helping him."

Bauman's father, Danny Bauman, is the infield coordinator at Lernerville. He also raced Pure Stocks and Late Models in the 1970s and '80s.

Jarred Bauman is probably the youngest crew chief in the pits on Friday nights.

"He has all the knowledge in the world," Graham said. "Tires, set-up, engine, you name it. Jarred knows all about it."

Graham has clearly improved in the Pure Stock division since his return this season. He stands 12th in points with 220 and has two top-10 feature finishes, including a career-best sixth.

A truck mechanic by trade, Graham has a few sponsors but admits he can't compete monetarily with the big guns in the division.

"I don't keep track of top-10 finishes or any statistics like that," he said. "I come for the fun. I'll remember if I win, though - I'd be happy to win a heat race."

Bauman said success will come with time.

"Doug has made a lot of progress," Bauman said. "You don't just jump in a race car with no previous experience and start winning. It takes time. I think he'll get his first win pretty soon."

Bauman won't be staying with Graham forever. He wants to get behind the wheel himself some day.

"Once I get the money, yeah, it's something I've always wanted to do," he said. "Doug's offered to let me take the car out for fast laps a couple of times, other guys have offered - I just haven't done it yet."

He'd love to watch Graham taste victory first.

"The day is coming," Bauman said.

Lernerville Speedway Points Leaders

Top 15 through Aug. 13

Sprints

Ed Lynch Jr. 410, Rod George 362, Kevin Schaeffer 347, Chad Hill 343, Arnie Kent 309, Dan Shetler 271, Gary Rankin 269, Charlie Holben 239, Mike Shearer 224, Brent Matus 212, Gary Kriess Jr. 198, Jimmy Weller III 191, Davey Jones 172, Jerry Matus 165, Cory Good 135

Late Models

John Flinner 365, Gary Lyle 332, Chuck Kennedy 313, Nick Jones 307, Lynn Geisler 293, Doug Eck 274, Bob Wearing Jr. 264, Rob Kosecki 229, Tom Kitchen 225, David Scott 209, Ken Schaltenbrand 199, Jeff Henry 173, Keith Zimmerman 169, Chris Schneider 166, Mike Johnson 166

Modifieds

Dave Murdick 404, Jim Weller Jr. 382, Kevin Bolland 372, Brian Swartzlander 340, Tom Winkle 285, Tommy Marshall 284, Gary Risch Jr. 262, Carl Murdick 250, J.R. McGinley 185, Del Rougeux Jr. 163, George Hobaugh 158, Mike Sutton 158, Lonny Riggs 155, Gary Risch Sr. 151, John Durci 150

Pure Stocks

Joe Kelley 403, Rob Shook 388, Greg Beach 383, Butch Lambert 368, Paul Schreckengost 317, Dave Spangler 285, Mike Turner 258, Scott Bochek 250, Nick Reges 247, Jeff Bastin 223, Jason Fosnaught 221, Doug Graham 220, Bob Egley 218, Mike Pegher Jr. 193, Jake Ayers 184