BUFFALO TWP — Ken Schaltenbrand's voice cracked when he talked about the meaning behind this win.

The Late Model driver from Sarver, who grew up in the shadows of Lernerville Speedway and suffered one of his biggest personal tragedies there almost 14 years ago, had visited victory lane before.

But this trip meant a little more.

Schaltenbrand led the 25-lap feature early, lost the lead, regained it, and then lost it for a second time only to zoom past Lynn Geisler of Cranberry Township on lap 18 to hold on for his first feature win since July 4, 2008.

"I ran my (butt) off because I wanted to win so badly," Schaltenbrand said.

On Aug. 19, 1995, Schaltenbrand's father died in a Late Model race at Lernerville Speedway.

Driver John Flinner dedicated his win the following week to Schaltenbrand's father.

On Friday, Schaltenbrand returned the favor.

Flinner's 16-year-old daughter, Tanya, died this week and Schaltenbrand made a point to dedicate his win to her and to the Flinner family.

"I didn't know Tanya, but I remember the week after my father died, John dedicated his race to him. He was the only driver who did that," Schaltenbrand said. "I always respected him for that."

Schaltenbrand said he knew how close Flinner was to his children because of the time he spent with him.

"They were all he talked about," Schaltenbrand said. "I remember going to the garage and all I would see is test scores up on the walls or pictures they drew. I just feel bad for his whole family."

Schaltenbrand won this race because of his determination.

Four drivers held the lead for at least one lap, but Schaltenbrand found a groove at the bottom of the track and rode it to victory.

He was helped by a few timely cautions and was able to hold off Geisler, Doug Horton, Dave Murdick and Alex Ferree.

"When Alex took the lead, I wondered if I could catch him," Schaltenbrand said. "The cautions probably helped."

In other races:

• The Modified feature also came down to the wire.

Brian Swartzlander of Leechburg took the lead of the 25-lap feature in lap 20 and held on in a fierce battle with Kevin Bolland.

On the 20th lap, the two drivers bumped on the front straightaway.

On the back straightaway, the Bolland drove with his nose touching Swartzlander's back bumper.

"It was quite a race," Swartzlander said. "Kevin got up front and I didn't think I was going to catch him."

• After a rough start to the Sprint feature, which had two cautions and a red flag before one lap was complete, Mike Lutz of Mercer led early, lost the lead and then stormed back for his first victory since May 3, 2008.

His highest finish this season had been fourth.

"We just had a lot of things happen to us this season," Lutz said. "We leave here every night thinking the car is good, the car is fast, when are we going to win?"

The answer was Friday night.

It certainly wasn't easy.

Bob Felmlee of Seneca and Scott Bonnell of Fairview pushed Lutz throughout the race.

Lutz had a sizable lead through lap 8, but a caution helped to close the gap.

• Bob Lipinski of Pittsburgh led the final 11 laps to win his third Sportsman Stock Feature of the season.

The points leader held off Joe Kelley of Mount Pleasant for the victory.

Notes: There were 74 cars in the pits. ... Bobbi Rankin, the 16-year-old daughter of Sprint drivers Gary and Sheila Rankin, made her debut behind the wheel of her No. B6 car. Bobbi Rankin did not finish her heat race and didn't participate in the feature. ... More than $4,000 was raised at the track for the Tanya Flinner Memorial Fund. ... Sprint points lead Ed Lynch Jr. did not race.