Jimmy Hawley, one of the greatest Sprint car drivers, will return to racing after a seven-year hiatus.

The West Middlesex driver will be behind the wheel of the No. 49, owned by Jeff and Bonnie Rudzik, Saturday at Mercer Raceway Park. Hawley will run primarily at Mercer, with various appearances at Lernerville Speedway and other regional specials.

He will not be chasing point titles because of his children's involvement in sports.

"I'm not going to sacrifice my family or business," Hawley said. "That's why I quit in the first place. When it becomes a job and not fun anymore, I will quit and the Rudziks agreed."

Hawley has won more than 100 Sprint car features, with 34 victories at Mercer and 29 at Lernerville. He has one Mercer and one Tri-City Sprint Championship in 1999 and three at Lernerville, 1998-99, 2001.

In other racing news:

• All-Star Sprint Car notable and former World of Outlaws racer Dale Blaney will run the Rudzik team's second car in selected events when he's not running his primary ride, the George Fisher No. 2.

• The fate of Sportsman Speedway is cloaked in mystery. In 2007, the Knox clay oval was promoted by Glen Hinkle and his family. Hinkle's signing of the 2008 lease was disrupted when the property was sold by the family of the late promoter, Sam Colwell. Hinkle was shocked by the event, since he had several improvement projects in progress and had plans for more before opening day.

• Butch Lambert will embark on a new venture in 2008. After selling his Pure Stock to Brian Carothers, the three-time Lernerville champion planned to concentrate his driving skills on Chuck Neely's E-Mod this season.

Last week, he met with Dave Ferry, who had a turnkey Crate Late Model for sale. Lambert said, "It was meant to be. The car was red and black just like mine. We negotiated a deal, and now I'm anxious to get this thing going again."

Lambert plans to run at Tri-City and venture to Mercer Raceway and Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway as well.

• A unique three race series, Ollie's Challenge, will feature NASCAR drivers Dave Blaney, Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart They will battle with some of the nation's top 360 Sprint car drivers.

This quest begins at the Sharon Speedway June 17, Eldora July 18 and Williams Grove Aug. 19. The Ollie's 360 Challenge will feature a total three-event purse of more than $80,000, with $6,000 going to each A-main winner. Additionally, a bonus of $50,000 will be offered to any driver who can win two of three A-main features.

• Race car drivers Jayme and Tommy Beck have a new little crew member. Jayme gave birth to Ethan Alexander Beck April 1. Ethan is doing well but is 3 months premature and will be hospitalized until June.

• After turning the wrenches for Late Model drivers John Garvin and Kenny Schaltenbrand in previous seasons, Sarver's Bryant Hank drives his own Crate Late Model. He finished 10th at PPMS in 2007 and Hank had an impressive third-place finish at the season opener.

• Freelance race reporter Dick Curry was one of 6,000 people to be interviewed in Robinson Township for NBC's "Deal or No Deal." Each person had 20 seconds to show their charisma.

• The Unified Force Series Late Models are scheduled to appear at Jack and Donna Lentz's Challenger Raceway, Saturday and Sunday.

Carol Gamble is the racing columnist for the Butler Eagle.