Darin Gallagher has been behind the wheel of a variety of race cars the last 14 years!

The 30-year-old said, “If anyone told me I'd be racing Sprint cars some day, I would have told them they are nuts. This was not on my radar.”

Now the Butler native is in his first full season in the 410 Sprint class at Lernerville Speedway!

“I have driven Go-carts, Mod Lites, Sportsman Modifieds, 305 Sprints and won three Enduros. I had my hand in a little bit of everything but I am happy where I am now,” Gallagher said.

Initially Gallagher watched NASCAR racing and collected the Matchbox cars. When Shadetree Speedway opened his dad, Donnie, competed in the lawn mower division and at age 14, Darin started in the Go-carts, running from 2006-2010.

During his Mod Lite days, the No. 12 was available and he chose that because his birthday is Jan. 2. He won a Mercer Championship and for eight years he was a member of Big Block driver Davey Murdick's crew.

Later, Gallagher became friends with Sprint driver Jack Sodeman Jr, who is now his mentor! He joined his pit crew for six years.

Later, Sodeman Jr encouraged him to race in the Mercer 305 Sprint class and Gallagher collected a division title. Sodeman then suggested that he drive a 410-powered Sprint and that is where Gallagher stands now.

He said: “I help Jack when I am not racing. We share opinions about track conditions when we both are competing! Helping each other is a convenient process.”

His respect for Sodeman Jr is evident.

“Jack always tries to help others. He is a good PR man for the Sprint world,” Gallagher said. “He has become a wily old guy is the Sprint class. His dad and he have been around a long time! You might say we have become family.”

Gallagher's 2020 goal is to be competitive this season. He would like to get a top five-feature finish, but anything better would be just great!

“I would like to show my skill in speed. I don't follow points, but it would be nice to be in the top ten at the end of the season,” he said.

He had a few engine problems and missed a couple of times.

“My brother Brad is the main man on the crew. I rely a lot on him and when he can't go, I just park the car,” Gallagher said.

Other crew members are Bill Robinson, his Dad, Mom-Louella, girlfriend, Chelsie Kriegisch (race car driver) and Rick Kozminski. His cousin Steve Feder is a Big Block Modified driver.

Gallagher isn't ready to challenge the World of Outlaw Sprint drivers, but he likes to watch Donny Schatz and see how he works the track. He said, “There is a lot of money in those guys' programs. With my financial racing plan, I can't compete with them.”

When he was a little boy, he liked watching Ed Lynch Jr race. “I looked up to him. Now I know his son Sye and race with him. I never thought it would happen that way. It is fun competing against the older drivers, too.”

Gallagher is an employee of PRS Transit, where he maintains their equipment. He likes the outdoors, especially side- by-side riding with family and friends.

His favorite food is the Meat Lover's Pizza!

Climbing the racing ladder is not on Gallagher's agenda any more.

“I don't see big programs happening and I am just having fun racing and competing with the guys. We put our helmets on and are very competitive on the track and afterwards, just like a family, we come into the pits and laugh about it.”

He added, “I am happy where I am now, enjoying what I do. I am content, but if someone says, hey I have a car to race, I would drive it!”

Saxonburg's Sadie Siegle sold her 410 Sprint and is concentrating on her nursing degree at Clarion. Ryan Beatty, who has driven a Micro Sprint for ten years, chased the racer and is trying hand at this class for the first time. He said, “I am so happy to make my dream become a reality!”

Lernerville Speedway has had many employees, drivers, crews, and their families go through some profound journeys.When they need assistance, the racing people are always ready to lend a helping hand.Nikki Zambotti and Helen Bauman have spearheaded an auction and raffle for a driver's (John Hartman) wife Lisa, who is battling metastatic breast cancer. Within a 24-hour period these ladies had a basket raffle under way.This event grew into something that was never expected! Drivers Michael Norris, Joey Zambotti, Ed & Sye Lynch, Corey McPherson, Tyler Dietz to name a few, donated car panels.Carl Bowser contributed a race suit. There are bikes, corn hole games and gift baskets. Raffle items will be located under the bleachers Friday. Winner's tickets will be drawn during intermission.Special efforts by Kristen Swartzlander, Brittany Kennedy and Karen Zambotti are noted, also.The ladies want to thank everyone who donated or purchased tickets to help Lisa Hartman of Cabot defray expenses as she goes through a tough battle.Race fans and drivers are very caring people!

Cranberry Township's Lynn Geisler and the Bobby Lake Motorsports team, based out of Uniontown, are joining forces for the rest of the season.Seneca Valley graduate Mike Pegher Jr. will be their driver.Lake's No. 27 Late Model car will be at Lernerville Friday night and will be driven by Pegher.<i>Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle</i>