BUFFALO TWP - Drivers can only guess how the track will be for the Modified Super DIRT Series feature Wednesday night at Lernerville Speedway.

The feature is 100 laps and will mark the first 100-lap race at the Sarver track since 1997, when Danny Johnson won the feature in the same series. Johnson won a similar race here in 1998, but the feature was limited to 61 laps because of rain.

The Modified Super DIRT Series has not returned to Lernerville since.

Wednesday's race, which also includes Late Models and E-Mods on the card, is a makeup of a June 14 rainout.

"So many factors go into track conditions," said Modified driver Dave Murdick of Slippery Rock. "It depends on the weather, how hot it is that night and how the track is prepared.

"Late Models and E-Mods running the same night will take a toll, too."

Jim Weller Jr. of Hubbard, Ohio, hopes the Modified feature runs first.

"I'm anticipating a slick track either way," he said. "You almost have to. No matter when our feature goes off, the track will feel like the fourth feature on a regular Fab Four night."

The pit area will open at 4 p.m. Wednesday while the gates will open at 5. Big-Block Modified time trials are at 6:30 with heat races slated for 7:30.

The last available series points standings showed Tim Fuller in the lead with 861. Gary Tomkins had 836, Brett Hearn 817 and Billy Decker 798.

Fuller has four feature wins in the series this season while Hearn has two. No one else has more than one.

"Local guys can do well in this series," Weller said. "Kevin Bolland won one of these races down in Charlotte. The advantage for us is that we know the track.

"The advantage for them (Super DIRT Series regulars) is that they run these 100-lap races all the time. They make a living at it and they're very good at it."

Veteran driver Brian Swartzlander said the key is starting near the front of the field and maintaining a consistent rate of speed.

"Start toward the back and you run the risk of getting lapped," Swartzlander said. "Fall a lap behind these guys and you're out of it. It doesn't matter how many laps the race is.

"You have to run hard right from the start. Stay aggressive, yet consistent, because your tires have to stay with it. It's a tough line to find."

Murdick said another key is choosing the right time to make a pit stop.

Translation: When a caution comes out and your car needs work, get it done and get back on the track.

"Pit during green and you have no chance," Murdick said. "This is scored like NASCAR. You lose the laps that are completed while you're not out there racing. Nobody can afford that."

Driver comfort is another factor. A typical 20-lap Modified feature is over in less than 30 minutes.

Wednesday's feature could last 90 minutes or longer.

"I know I'll be paying attention to how comfortable I'm feeling before I go out there," Murdick said.

On this race's original date of June 14, 38 of the 45 Modifieds on hand got their time trials in before heavy rain postponed the event.

Decker turned the fastest qualifying time that night at 16.283 seconds or 88.436 mph. That stands as the fastest lap time for a Modified at Lernerville.

Weller turned the fastest time of any local driver that night at 16.789 seconds or 85.770 mph.

Tom Winkle of Mars qualified 28th during the June 14 time trials, but is unsure if he will compete in Wednesday's event.

"We've been struggling lately. We haven't been hitting the setup," Winkle said. "If you're not on top of your game, there's no sense running against those guys."

Murdick once finished as high as ninth in a 20-lap event. Weller's been in the top 10 as well. Swartzlander's competed in 200-lap events.

"The difference is in the frequency of it," Swartzlander said. "This is fairly new to us. It's another day at the office for them."