Did you ever wonder how athletes and race drivers keep up their stamina?

Besides training, they also have strict dietary routines that they use. For dinner, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps eats a pound of pasta, an entire pizza, plus energy drinks.

How do our Western Pennsylvania drivers compare to this Olympic champion? Sprint drivers Ed Lynch Jr. and Brent Matus don't eat dinner until after the races. Actually, most driver don't eat all day.

Current Lernerville Speedway Modified points leader Kevin Bolland might have a fish sandwich from the concession stand or his wife might pack him an egg salad sandwich.

Former Lernerville Sprint points champion Tim Shaffer, who now leads the All-Star Circuit of Champion Sprints, said, "I eat a fish sandwich before the race, have a snack during the caution events and I eat after the race."

Fans and drivers alike can savor the summer at track concession stands. This season, Lernerville Speedway is offering fried mushrooms, onion rings, chicken strips, kettle corn and cotton candy. Pennsylvania Motor Speedway is featuring hot wings and bologna burgers.

Barbecue aromas will drift throughout the Mercer stands at The Grub Pub, with its mouthwatering charbroiled offerings, which feature quarter-pound hot dogs, cheeseburgers and homemade smoked kielbasa sandwiches each week. Barbecued pulled pork and beef briskets sandwiches, along with chicken, will be featured on various weeks.

Roaring Knob has a weekly candy toss for the "youngsters" in a most organized fashion. Three adults stand on the balcony of the press box and toss pieces of candy from three buckets.

In other racing news:

n Sharon Speedway will be closed Saturday. Racing action will resume Tuesday, when Sharon's inaugural Lou Blaney Memorial Classic will take place. Sprint Cup stars Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Dave Blaney will compete against the best 410 Sprint car drivers in the region to honor Blaney who died early this year. On that night, Sharon will have a "Lou out."

"Since Lou's race cars were traditionally painted red and white, the speedway owners are asking all fans to wear those colors," said speedway ticket and souvenir manager Chad Wagner.

• Get well wishes are extended to Late Model driver Davey Johnson, who was in a motorcycle accident and sustained head injuries. He was released from the hospital and is recovering at home. Lernerville sign-in lady, Candy Binkert, is in Allegheny General Hospital. Dave Brunell was released from UPMC Presbyterian Hospital after recovering from head injuries in a fall while on a ladder.

• It is the July 4th holiday weekend and that means fireworks displays and special events will be on tap Saturday at Roaring Knob and Mercer while the pyrotechnics will be featured at Tri-City Speedway Sunday. Lernerville's Holiday Races with Fireworks and #1 Cochran Fan Appreciation Night is rescheduled for July 10.

• Dave Murdick is the current leader of the BRP/Hoosier Modified Tour. Although Murdick doesn't have a win on the tour, he is a model of consistency. Del Rougeax is five points behind Murdick and third-place Rex King is six points out of the lead. The tour will be featured at Expo Speedway Thursday and Tri-City Speedway on Sunday.

Carol Gamble is the racing columnist for the Butler Eagle.