BUFFALO TWP — Lernerville Speedway was looking for new guidance, so it called on a priest.

Father Tim Tomson, a priest at the St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church in McKees Rocks, has been hired as the new general manager of the dirt racing track. He succeeds Gary Risch Jr., who has moved on to a position with World Racing Group.

WRG agreed to sell Lernerville Speedwauy to Tomson Scrap Medal last year. The Tomson family took over ownership and management of the speedway at the start of the 2016 season.

“Tim has a lot of management skills and he knows how to organize,” said John Tomson, a member of Lernerville’s ownership group. “He organizes a sizable street fair for the church, as an example.

“He brings a lot of enthusiasm and can get things done.”

Until his brothers bought Lernerville, Father Tomson admitted he had never stepped foot on the grounds there.

“I had driven by there so many times,” he said. “After my brothers bought the track, I started going. Now I’m fascinated by it. I’ve gone there maybe 30 times or so.

“I appreciate the passion the drivers and the fans have for the sport. There’s so much loyalty there and the racing community consists of such wonderful people who care about each other.”

While Father Tomson declares that “my first priority is in serving God and the church,” he anticipates little trouble working in a dual capacity.

“With cell phones and the technology of today, you don’t always have to be there to get things done,” he said. “But I do plan on being very visible at both places.

“Serving God’s people is serving God. I feel like I can help, otherwise I wouldn’t be taking this on. And it’s nice that family works together.”

Father Tomson served as a priest at St. Peter’s and Paul in Butler for nine years. He was reassigned in 2001.

He does not anticipate making major changes in the day-to-day operation of Lernerville.

“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” he said. “There are very knowledgeable people working at the track, with the cars and the drivers, in the kitchen, in the offices and booths ... This will be a learning process for me and I’ll be learning from them.

“We’re planning on sprucing the facility up a little bit. The fans who come here deserve that.”

John Tomson agreed. The Tomson family — consisting of seven men and three women — own numerous businesses in areas near Buffalo Township.

“We don’t look at Lernerville as a way to make money. We’re proud to be a part of it,” Tomson said. “It’s a landmark facility in the community and whatever funds we generate will go right back into the track.

“It is an old facility and we are planning improvements, slowly but surely.”

Lernerville Speedway has been in operation since October of 1967.

Tomson emphasized that Risch Jr. is still on the payroll as an advisor and consultant to help his brother when needed.

“He’s a phone call away,” he said.

Father Tomson says he is simply coming on board to help.

“I’m here to facilitate the day to day operation, schedule and fill events at the track in the future, to do whatever needs done,” he said. “I’m here to provide assistance to my brothers.”