BUFFALOTWP — Her No. 45J car was puttering along, being lapped by the rest of the field by lap 3 of the Pure Stock feature last week at Lernerville Speedway.

Jennifer Riding didn't care. She was enjoying the ride.

She waited long enough for it.

Riding, 18, who graduated from Butler High School Wednesday night, worked on her car for three years just to get it on the track.

"We bought a regular Monte Carlo and we worked on transferring it to a Pure Stock,"Riding said. "It took us that long to get it done."

Riding worked on the car with her father, uncle and cousin. Her father, Brian Riding, was a crew member of Modified driver Tim Temple at Lernerville 20 years ago.

"Dad used to bring me to this track when I was little,"Riding said. "Since I was 13 or 14, I've wanted to race."

The elder Riding has supported his daughter's dream.

"I think it's pretty cool,"he said. "She's doing what she wants to do."

Being the only woman racing in the Pure Stock division doesn't bother her.

"I was best in my class in automotive technology and I was the only girl there, too,"Riding said. "My whole life I've been a girl doing guy stuff."

Riding's racing debut was two weekends ago at Marion Center. She was lapped by the field early in that race, too.

Her favorite Pure Stock driver, Herman Bertolini, advised her to take it easy during her debut.

"He told me not to worry about being competitive right away,"she said. "Just get on the track and get used to the car.

"I remember how nervous I was that night driving on that track. It sure is a different perspective being behind the wheel than it is watching from the stands. ... These people are driving fast.

"I was nervous tonight (at Lernerville), too, but only when I was in the lineup area waiting to go out. I guess I'm getting better,"she added.

Tony Iarrapino of Butler, currently 13th in the Pure Stock points standings, pits alongside Riding and has helped the family with the car.

Iarrapino's garage, ADIAutomotive, houses the No. 45J when it's not at the track.

"I can't say I drove like Jennifer when I first started, but I had bought a car that was race ready,"Iarrapino said. "I jumped out to the lead in my first race, then spun it out after a few laps. I haven't spun out since.

"Her situation is totally different. They have to learn as they go, take little steps. They have to figure out if the car's running loose or tight, she has to learn what to look for and detect when she's on the track, then communicate it to her crew when she gets back in. It's a work in progress."

Riding is more than willing to ride it out.

"I'll be here every week as long as I keep all the fenders on the car," she said.

"I don't see her giving it up,"Riding's father said. "She's worked too hard for it. She spent time waiting tables in a restaurant, doing other jobs to get money for the car and for parts.

"Our family is behind her. As long as she wants to be out at the track, we'll be out here with her."

Riding plans on staying in the Pure Stock division for a long time.

"I know I have a long way to go,"she said. "I'd love to run a Late Model some day, but I'll stay in this division at least until I'm very competitive before I even think about moving up.

"Racing is racing. It's fun at every level. I'm loving it."

Lernerville Speedway Points Standings(top 15 through May 26)SprintsEd Lynch Jr. 96, Rod George 90, Ralph Spithaler 90, Arnie Kent 81, Kevin Schaeffer 79, Cory Good 79, Brent Matus 75, Skip Daugherty 75, Carl Bowser 61, Mike Shearer 60, Gary Rankin 56, Terry Bowser 56, Scott Bonnell 52, Scott Priester 51, Dan Holtgraver 51

Late ModelsLynn Geisler 105, Ken Schaltenbrand 86, Dave Hess Jr. 80, Matt Lux 72, Jared Miley 67, Gary Lyle 66, John Flinner 56, Sam Stile 54, Chris Schneider 54, Bob Wearing Jr. 53, Carl McKinney 53, Mike Blose 53, Tony Burke 53, Chuck Kennedy 46, Alex Ferree 46

ModifiedsBrian Swartzlander 108, Kevin Bolland 104, Dave Murdick 104, Tom Winkle 92, Jim Weller Jr. 85, JRMcGinley 65, Mark Flick 65, Del Rougeux Jr. 65, Carl Murdick 62, Jim Weller III62, Tom Mattocks 49, Skip Moore 47, Dean Pearson 42, Tim Doran 42, Mike Turner 37

Pure StocksButch Lambert 114, Mike Pegher Jr. 105, Jason Fosnaught 89, Greg Beach 85, Wayne Carbo 82, Bob Egley 81, Jake Ayers 79, Paul Schrecengost 73, Terry Young 67, Pat Hanley 65, Jim Fosnaught 55, Shawn Thorn 51, Tony Iarrapino 51, Dave Baker 50, Nick Reges 38