BUFFALO TWP — Brian Swartzlander has been knocked out on a racetrack before.

But the longtime driver of the No. 83 Modified car had never been knocked out of a race — until now.

Swartzlander, 49, of Leechburg suffered a concussion as the result of a violent collision during a special Modified feature May 23 at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway.

A 30-year dirt track racer, Swartzlander was forced to sit out last Friday's BRP Modified Series race at Lernerville Speedway. Lernerville doesn't have a Modified race this Friday.

"I never had to miss a race because of injury before," Swartzlander said. "But I know it could have been worse.

"A concussion beats a broken neck, that's for sure."

Swartzlander is two-time defending Modified points champion at Lernerville and has won six track titles at the Sarver oval. He is leading in this year's points race.

If Swartzlander is medically cleared to return next weekend, he will not have missed any Lernerville points races.

"At least this wreck was well-timed, I guess," he said, sheepishly.

Knocked out in racing accidents three times previously in his career, including a mishap at PPMS years ago, Swartzlander said he was never hit as hard as he was this time.

There were 34 Modifieds on a dusty track on that May night and driver vision was a problem.

"I was coming around a turn when a car in front of me came into sight," Swartzlander said. "I was able to swing out of his way and avoid contact, but another car coming alongside clipped me and I spun.

"My car came to a stop perpendicular on the track and I couldn't get it started again. Being in that position is always a dangerous situation."

Phil Evans Jr. of Greensburg came around the turn at full throttle and plowed into the stationary car.

"He said afterward that he never saw me. He never took his foot off the gas," Swartzlander said. "This was nobody's fault. I don't blame anybody. It was no more than an unfortunate accident.

"I wear a HANS device — that and the full contact seat probably saved me from a broken neck."

Swartzlander was suffering headaches six days after the accident. Doctors advised him to avoid any strenuous activity.

While doctors would not clear him to race last weekend, Swartzlander could have climbed into his car and hit the track regardless.

Upon the advice of friends, family and other drivers, he decided against it.

"I admit I thought about racing. But other drivers who have tried it in similar situations called and said 'Don't do it.,'" Swartzlander said. "I'm grateful for all the concern."

Swartzlander said that missing the BRP Modified race May 24 at Tri-City "pretty much knocked me out of the series points race anyway."

Swartzlander's son, B.J., had a camera attached to the back of Swartzlander's car to tape the race at PPMS.

"I saw Phil coming at me and was able to grab the wheel tightly and brace myself," Swartzlander said. "I was out for quite a while. I came to briefly, then went out again."

A third-generation driver, Swartzlander began his racing career in 1978. He has won 14 track championships and has 131 career Modifed feature wins.

He has 61 career Modified feature wins at Lernerville, tied with Blackie Watt for third on the track's all-time list behind Lou Blaney's 69 and Bob Wearing Sr.'s 62.

Swartzlander won the season- opening Modified feature March 27 at Lernerville and has four heat race wins there so far this year.