BUFFALO TWP — The Wearing name wears on in dirt track racing.

Only the wins are missing.

That’s OK with Brandon Wearing. He’s a realist.

The 31-year-old son of Lernerville Speedway all-time feature victory Bob Wearing Sr. has returned to the Sarver oval this season — but only because his race team bought tires for the No. B1 Late Model.

“You need certain tires to run here,” Wearing said. “I didn’t have them. I couldn’t afford them. That’s why we were running at Marion Center.

“Lernerville is so much closer to home for us. It makes sense to race here and I’m grateful my team is making that happen.”

Wearing is a Callery resident, the same community his father lived in when he was winning 179 features at Lernerville. Wearing Sr. won 61 more races than the legendary Lou Blaney at the Sarver track and his 117 Late Model wins also rank first at Lernerville.

Wearing Sr. won 62 Modified features here, trailing only Brian Swartzlander and Blaney on the track’s all-time list.

“I grew up at this track. My parents were bringing me here when I was three months old. It’s in my blood and I can’t get it out. I don’t want to get it out,” Brandon said.

Bob Wearing Jr., Brandon’s older brother, hasn’t raced in five years. Brandon owns all of two feature wins in his career, both at Clearfield. His last win came in 2002.

Wearing’s 2012 racing season ended early when a bad piston caused the engine to blow that April at Marion Center.

“It was a burned piston on opening night. That was frustrating,” car owner and longtime Wearing crew member Ryan Sayti said. “It was discouraging and it took me about two months to bounce back from that.

“But after a while, you miss being out there. Racing is so addicting. We’re a part of it and we wanted to stay a part of it.”

So they’re back for another season, trying to get better, lining up against drivers with nearly double their budget, if not more.

“That’s what made Dad’s record so impressive to me,” Wearing said. “He raced during a time period when money wasn’t the factor in the sport that it is today.

“When he raced, it was about driver ability, set-up, strategy ... Dad was so good at it. That’s what I remember. That’s why I keep racing.”

Brandon Wearing has been racing since he was 15. Sayti has been with him through all of it.

“It’s a mind-set. You just refuse to give in,” Sayti said. “All Bob Wearing Sr. knew was success. We’re holding out for a piece of it.”

No stops in victory lane for 11 years has not dampened Brandon Wearing’s enthusiasm for the sport.

“Just knowing we can do it is enough for me,” Wearing said.”I know it’s in there. I know we’re capable. It’s the challenge of working for that one night when it all comes together that keeps us going.”

Lernerville Speedway Points Standings

(top 15 through July 5)

Sprints

Brandon Spithaler 227, Jack Sodeman Jr. 209, Eric Williams 206, Brandon Matus 205, Carl Bowser 197, Brent Matus 173, Scott Priester 171, Daryl Stimeling 154, Bob McMillin 128, Dan Kuriger 115, Jim McMillin 98, Bill Kiley 94, Gary Rankin 83, Ed Lynch Jr. 80, Brian Ellenberger 78

Late Models

John Garvin Jr. 234, Alex Ferree 219, Jared Miley 197, Michael Norris 181, Ken Schaltenbrand 161, Lynn Geisler/Mike Pegher 152, Chuck Sarver 151, Dave Hess Jr. 147, Todd Bachman 141, Dan Angelicchio 138, John Mollick 133, Brian Swartzlander 128, Chris Rhodes 105, Denton Boyer 89, Russell King 91

Modifieds

Mat Williamson 258, Brian Swartzlander 218, Jeremiah Shingledecker 217, Dave Murdick 212. Brad Rapp 204, Rex King 199, Rex King Jr. 178, Eric Gabany 161, Steve Feder 161, Mike Turner 154, Bob Warren 109, Carl Murdick 107, Jim Weller 92, Tom Winkle 92, Rick Regalski 76

Sportsman Stocks

A.J. Flick 276, Corey McPherson 275, Mike Miller 245, Joe Kelley 242, Brett McDonald 220, Jim Fosnaught 210, Mark Sanders 207, Rob Shook 181, Paul Schreckengost 172, Bob Egley 171, Joey Zambotti 153, Scott Byers 147, Brian Stineman 127, Terry Young 127, Joe Anthony/Jake Simmons 117