Last week, Ed Lynch Jr. traveled to the Lowe's Motor Speedway dirt track for the Keystone Cup Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series show.

Lynch had the second-fastest time of the night, but he developed steering problems and lasted only one lap and finished 24th.

Ed Lynch Sr. said, "We always time-trial good. Now if we could only figure out how to finish the main event."

Former Pennsylvania Posse driver Lance DeWease, who now travels with the All-Stars, picked up the feature win.

The next night at Virginia Motor speedway, Lynch timed sixth and finished 14th in the Outlaws feature that saw Jason Meyers capture his fifth victory.

In other racing news:

n On Monday night, Mike Lutz trekked to Rolling Wheels Speedway in Elbridge, N.Y., and placed 19th. Steve Kinser won his second feature of the season. Kinser recently became a grandfather. His son Kraig and daughter-in-law Danielle named their little boy Kash.

• Race fans across the nation have heard of the legendary innovator H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler. Last week, he stunned the racing world when he announced his retirement as president of Lowe's Motor Speedway after 33 years in the job.

Sunday's race was an emotional finale for him. He actually wanted to stay, at least part-time, through next season to help celebrate the track's 50th anniversary However, it was rumored that owner Bruton Smith did not want that.

Members of the media presented Wheeler with a pair of size 17EEE sneakers that they had autographed. It was a joking reference to the big shoes that must be filled in his absence.

"In everyone's life there is a handful of people who influence them, whether they know it or not," NASCAR President Mike Helton said at the drivers meeting. "Humpy Wheeler has been one of those people who have touched so many racing lives."

Standing at the start-finish line before the race was about to begin, Wheeler acknowledged the cheers and thanked the fans for coming to the races at Charlotte throughout the years.

He left the crowd with the following blessing: "May the green flag wave softly over you today and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand."

Wheeler plans to write a book about his life in motor sports.

• A few race fans have been hospitalized and we wish them a speedy recovery: Lernerville pit board attendant Mary Lynn Nicholas, Ray Shield and Charmayne McCurdy, who is the ticket lady at Lernerville's main gate.

• Get-well wishes also go out to 10-year-old Brittany Kennedy, daughter of Late Model driver Chuck Kennedy. She is now home recuperating from hip surgery. Brian Swartzlander drove the Art Osmer 6A Late Model last Friday in Kennedy's absence.

• Sarver's Kevin Haas has bought Jake Ayers No. 4 Street Stock. Look for him to be a top contender soon. Ayers and his wife Jenn are expecting an addition to their family in August, so he is semi-retired from racing.

• Our condolences go out to the Pitkavish family. Florence Pitkavish died last week. She was the wife of the late Joe Pitkavish, mother of Jim Pitkavish and grandmother of Jimmy Pitkavish, owner of the No. 1 Orange and Black Late Model.

• Former Late Model driver Clayton Majors died a few weeks ago. He drove at Butler, Mercer and Lernerville.

Carol Gamble is the racing columnist for the Butler Eagle.