BUFFALO TWP - Local Late Model drivers respect the World of Outlaws series.

They're just not in awe of it. And maybe they shouldn't be.

When WoO Late Model points leader Billy Moyer won the rain-shortened feature at Lernerville Speedway Friday night, he became the first driver to win more than one feature in the series this season.

"They've been running since February," Lernerville regular Nick Jones of Pittsburgh said. "This is only our second or third time on the track this year. That's a big advantage for them.

"John Flinner's car, Lynn Geisler's car … Those guys have equipment that can match what the Outlaw drivers are putting on the track. The difference is the Outlaws are professionals. They've been on so many tracks and they run all the time.

"Our local guys may do well early, but toward the end of the night, once they (Outlaws) have adjusted to the conditions, they'll be out front and we'll be in the back, where we belong," Jones added.

Jones and David Scott of Garland were the only two local drivers to qualify for last Friday's feature through the heat races. Scott finished 10th in the feature, best among local drivers.

Scott was also the only local driver among the 14 cars that broke Lernerville's previous Late Model fast-lap record during time trials.

"The three or four really good local drivers here stand a good chance of beating the Outlaws on this track," Scott said of Lernerville. "This track is not the Outlaws' forte.

"They like dry, slick and flat tracks. That's what their programs are geared for."

But Scott pointed out the Outlaws have the ability to adjust quickly.

"Their shocks program is unaffordable to regular drivers," he said. "They spend between $20,000 and $30,000 per year on shocks. I haven't spent that much on shocks in my entire career."

Flinner, Lernerville's four-time defending Late Model points champion, barely missed qualifying for the feature last Friday.

He believes, on any given night, good local drivers can compete with the Outlaws.

"Scott Bloomquist (WoO defending points champion) is still the man when it comes to Late Model racing and I passed him in a race here last year before I broke," Flinner said.

"You've got Bloomquist, Billy Moyer … Beyond that, it's just a bunch of good drivers with great equipment. It's like the Outlaw Sprints. You have Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, but nobody else is any different from Ed Lynch.

"It (Outlaws) is a good series, but those guys are beatable. The difference isn't that great," Flinner added.

Still, local drivers treat this show differently than the others.

"My No. 1 goal when the Outlaws come in is to make the race, make the show," Lernerville regular Gary Lyle said. "After that, it's just do the best you can.

"You're running against the elite, the very best Late Models anywhere. You have to be realistic."

Ken Schaltenbrand of Sarver said his goal in any race is to win.

"Always," he said. "But those guys have been running since February and I've got two nights in this car. It is what it is … They're the very best drivers with the very best cars."

Jones said the Late Model Outlaws race is different from the Sprints in that the racing is more physical and continual.

"You bump a Sprint car and it's in the air, pretty much. Everybody has to stop and restart," he said. "Late Models are designed to handle some banging. It can get a little rough out there.

"I have no problem lining up next to the Dirty Dozen. Those guys treat the local drivers with respect and courtesy. They talk to everyone like we're all one and the same. It's fun going against them."

Because Lernerville races four divisions each Friday night, Scott said the track doesn't get all that different on an Outlaws night."There's 60 cars going around there, but this track usually has over 100 cars each Friday," Scott said. "Late Model tires tend to burn off the surface more and the track may become slicker than usual, but that just makes it faster for us."The 50-lap races, we locals have to pace ourselves more than the Outlaws. You don't want to fall too far behind out there, but you don't want to burn out too early, either."Those guys just fly around at their regular speed. These 50-lap races are somewhat new for us. They're every-day racing for them," Scott added.