Dave Murdick waited until the last Saturday night at Sharon Speedway to win his first 2008 feature, but that victory sealed the Modified championship. It was consistency in racing that merited the Murdick crew this prestigious finale.

The talented Alan Dellinger garnered a double crown, capturing titles in both the E-Mods and Pure Stocks. Dan Shetler claimed his career first Sprint divisional win.

In other racing news:

• Carl McKinney won the Tri-City Speedway FASTRACK Northeast Late Model Touring Series Championship.

• Our sympathies go out to the family of Bill Awtey, who died recently. Bill was an engine and chassis builder who drove mainly on asphalt in the support divisions.

• Steve Francis earned his second straight World of Outlaws Late Model Series victory In last Saturday's Tri-City Oil Region Labor Day Classic opener, defeating Shane Clanton. The defending series champion earned $10,250 for his series-leading sixth triumph of the 2008 season.

Area driver Matt Lux was ninth and Doug Drown finished 10th earning $1,000. The night before, Drown collected $7,000 for winning the Lernerville MACS Late Model race, holding off two-time and defending MACS champion Jason Covert.

• Shane Clanton rolled to a convincing half-lap victory in Sunday's Oil Region Labor Day Classic finale at Tri-City Speedway, leading flag to flag over Dave Hess Jr.

Hess, 24, earned a loud post race reception from the Western Pennsylvania fans after he secured this career-best Outlaws Late Model finish, which earned him $5,600 and a $500 bonus.

"When my right rear tire got working, we could get down there on the bottom (groove) in the moisture," said Hess, who started third in his family-owned Rocket car. "I used that traction to hold second place."

• Tim Shaffer, the "Steel City Outlaw," came home to Lernerville last Friday and thrilled the crowd, winning the 30-lap All-Star Sprint feature shootout over Tyler Walker. Shaffer, a former Lernerville track champion, and Walker went wheel to wheel, exchanging the lead multiple times before crossing the finish line.

"It is so great to be back at my home track," Shaffer said.

Area drivers finishing in the top twelve were Ed Lynch Jr, who was sixth, Brian Ellenberger was 10th and 2008 Lernerville Champion Kevin Schaffer who was 12th.

• The Back-to-School Bus races, Pittsburgh Circle Track Senior Series, bike races and demolition derby will take place at Lernerville Speedway tonight.

• The UFo Super Series soars into Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex for the King of the Knob Saturday. This will be the first time the speedway hosts the Super Late Model tour, paying $5,500 to win.

• Pennsylvania Motor Speedway won't be in operation this Saturday, but will be run on Sunday instead. Top winner's last week were Jared Miley, Super Lates, and Mike Pegher Jr., Crate Lates.

• Mercer Raceway Park will host a two-day event this weekend. The Open Wheel Shootout/Bill Emig Memorial will take place tonight. It will be the final night of points for the Modifieds.

On Saturday, the second annual USA-East Regional Finals/Full Pull Productions Truck and Tractor Pull featuring semi trucks, "run what ya brung" trucks, 4x4 diesel trucks, 4x4 gas trucks, limited pro stock tractors, and super farm tractors. Pulling begins at 6:30 p.m., and the rain date is at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Carol Gamble is the racing columnist for the Butler Eagle.