Since last racing season, there has been about a 30 per cent increase in fuel costs, including for track preparation and equipment. It is now estimated that a tow vehicle costs about $1 per mile traveled.

With gas at an all-time high, Sprint driver Bill Kiley has a slight advantage: He lives in Cabot, about two miles from Lernerville Speedway.

"Racing is a hobby," said Kiley. "We just want to have fun."

Kiley's car is 10 years old, and Clarion University junior Jerin Steele and Knoch High junior Tyler Bachman help maintain it.

"I only have about $3,000 in the motor and it is a short tow to the track," said Kiley, who is a contractor by trade.

In other racing news:

• Race fans will get a financial break Saturday night, when Mercer Raceway Park holds Pack the Track Fan Appreciation Night. Adult admission is $5, families $12 and students 6 to 15 only $2.

• In celebration of an outstanding ninth-place finish at Dover International Speedway Sunday, Sharon Speedway owner and NASCAR driver Dave Blaney announced that grandstand admission at the Hartford, Ohio, oval again will be reduced to $9 for Saturday's race.

• It was a fun day for some Lernerville drivers who changed course and took their race cars to Bon Air Elementary in the Burrell School District. Wayne Carbo, Alex Ferree, Brian Swartzlander, Carl Bowser, photographer Cory Stivanson and PR man Eric Westendorf did a meet-and-greet session with the children. They read stories, did trivia, signed autographs and answered questions.

• An example of the camaraderie that exists among the ranks of area drivers: Pure Stock driver Jason Fosnaught's truck broke down on the way to the track recently. Rival Pat Hanley let Fosnaught's crew use his truck to rescue Fosnaught and his car so the team could make the show.

• Modified driver Mark and Laura's Flick's son, A.J., is racing in the Strictly Stock division at Marion Center Speedway. How time flies.

• Motordrome Speedway will hold fan appreciation night today. General admission ticket prices will be slashed to just $5. A fireworks display will be held after the races.

• Danny Holtgraver, who was injured in a Sprint car accident at Lernerville May 9, will be out for six more weeks.

• The annual Parts-A-Rama will be held at the Big Butler Fairgrounds next Friday through Sunday.

Carol Gamble is the racing columnist for the Butler Eagle.