Small changes may eventually add up to huge results in Western Pennsylvania racing as drivers and owners make modifications this season.

Ed Brown has a new Bicknell Chassis and his #123 Modified will have two rookie drivers rotating weekly behind the wheel. Well, they aren’t exactly rookies, but neither one has ever driven a Modified.

Who are these mystery chauffeurs? They are Late Model champion Mike Norris and Sprint car titlist A J Flick. Having driven both a Pro Stock and a Sprint successfully, this will be just another challenge for Flick whose father, Mark was the 1994 Lernerville Modified track champ.

His uncle Doug Flick told him, “Now you’re driving a real race car!” Brown said, “Well, I might not have as good a driver as Brian Swartzlander, but I have decent equipment and that just might be the equalizer!”

Now Norris and Brown are neighbors and frequently visit each other’s garage.

Norris said: “I just want to enjoy this experience.”

Flick is dating Brown’s daughter, so he has an inside track. Brown said: “These two guys are so humble I am honored to have them driving for me.”

[naviga:h3]Corrado’s new pilot[/naviga:h3]

Joe Corrado has a new pilot in his #10 Late Model. At the end of the 2017 season, Alex Ferree decided that he would like to travel to other tracks in 2018. After eight years, the twosome amicably parted ways.

Jared Miley has replaced Ferree. It boggled the mind to watch Miley not be in his usual H1 Late Model last week, but take the #10 to the Lernerville victory lane. Meanwhile Alex, in his #4, finished second. Miley earned $2,500 for the win that was a memorial race for Frankie Choura. Then the Corrado team traveled to Tyler County Speedway this weekend and racked up another victory!

Ed Ferree bought last year’s Corrado Late Model and plans to run periodically. Alex purchased the Toys for Tots chassis from last year’s winner. He also acquired Davey Johnson’s racing operation plus motor. Johnson has decided to retire from racing. Miley will intermittently run his H1 but will be behind the powerful #10 the majority of the season.

[naviga:h3]Joining forces[/naviga:h3]

Tyler Dietz’s #35 Pro Stock team has joined together with Bob Lambert (Butch Lambert’s father) and Charlie Neely’s #27 group.

Wearing was the Lambert/Neely pilot last season. Wearing and Ryan Sayti are presently building a Late Model with a Rocket Chassis.

At the end of last season, Dietz had his racer and parts for sale. Wearing couldn’t drive the Lambert/Neely Pro Stock in Mercer’s Little Guy Nationals and Dietz was available. He did well that night.

As it turns out, Dietz couldn’t sell his racer and after several discussions, the Neely/Lambert team bought his car and Dietz agreed to be the driver.

He said: “I have never won a championship and my goal is to get one.”

They look to be a force to be reckoned with, having won two weeks in a row at Lernerville. Last week, Dietz passed Noah Brunell on the last lap for the victory. Young Brunell has lost three main events after leading the majority of the race and is still looking for his career-first checker.

[naviga:h3]Tracks closing[/naviga:h3]

Over the last few years, several tracks have closed. Challenger Raceway, Thunder Valley, Hickory have shut down and the latest is Mercer. It is reported that Mercer track owner Bill Altman may feature two Tractor Pulls. Tri City will operate once a month.

[naviga:h3]Kid’s Club returns[/naviga:h3]

The “Kid’s Club” is back at Lernerville Speedway. Lisa Hartman and Jen McPherson, (wives of Pro Stock drivers) are conducting craft sessions underneath the bleachers at the North end of the track.

The club meets weekly from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Last week they painted tributes to Mothers and Grandmothers. The Tompson brothers’ hopes to eventually develop a Go-Cart track inside of their regular oval for youngsters.

[naviga:h3]Honoring Choura[/naviga:h3]

Clayton Kennedy and his wonderful family surprised Marge Choura by bringing their Late Model to Lernerville lettered and numbered 25 like the late Frank Choura’s car. It was such a nice gesture on a night Choura was honored.

[naviga:h3]Remembering Martin[/naviga:h3]

The Lernerville staff is wearing new lime green shirts. On the front is a picture of Lernerville’s former owner, the late Don Martin. It was so good to see that smiling face. I remember him standing on pit lane Friday evening, welcoming the drivers as they came, shaking their hand, sharing a joke, and thanking them for coming. He considered the drivers and employees family.

Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle