Sprint cars have enhanced the competition at Lernerville Speedway since its inaugural race more than 50 years ago in 1968.

Throughout the history we have seen amazing drivers that have given us countless memories. Some of the Sarver track's drivers proved they were the best, not only locally, but contending nationally and winning World of Outlaws and All-Star Circuit of Champions events.

Last week “the Young Lion,” Sye Lynch, won the 999th Lernerville Sprint feature, which sets up for this Friday's Tony Stewart's All- Star Sprint Touring Series race that will produce a milestone, Race No. 1,000 victor.With much enthusiasm, Lernerville's new General manager, Mike Lysakowski, announced that this race will be called “The Lernerville Grand.”Alternative Power's Sylvan Easler will pay a bonus of $1,000 to the winner, who will also receive $6,000 for the win. Many of the former legendary Sprint car drivers will be on hand, not only for a picture in victory lane, but also a pre-race autograph session.Lernerville will have T-shirts commemorating this event and on the back of the shirt it will display all 146 winner's names. Drivers will also sign the shirts.The 999 total includes all-star events, World of Outlaws, wingless Sprints that were hosted in the 60s and the modern wingless classes under Boss or USAC; it embraces the 410 Sprint classes.If by some chance Mother Nature intervenes, the Lernerville Grand will be pushed forward to the succeeding Friday where the bonus will be given to the Fab 4 Sprint front runner.

Ed Lynch Jr. tops the all-time Sprint winner's chart with 111 triumphs. Johnny Beaber is next with 55.Bob Felmlee is tied with Jimmy Hawley with 30 victories in seventh place.Current racers still competing and on the all-time win list are the following: 10th Carl Bowser (27); 11th Jack Sodeman Jr (24); and AJ Flick (22). Incidentally, Felmlee, a 20-year veteran, recorded a total of 135 wins and retired in 2012, but has just un-retired and competed last Sunday at Tri-City Raceway.When asked why he has returned he said, “I guess I am just addicted.”He will be racing against a few of his former competitor's sons.Sprints have changed over the last nine years but Felmlee said, “I don't anticipate any problems getting back into a Sprint car. Most of the changes have come in shock development and I have kept up with the technology.”

Like musical chairs, many changes have occurred over the winter.Alex “A-Train” Ferree will be the “conductor” of the Lynn Geisler No. 1 Cochran Late Model.Mike Pegher has retired and it is reported that he will be piloting his boat on the river.Logan Zarin has made the move to Super Late Models this season. The high school senior has competed in the Rush Late Models the past few years and will continue to race it also.Jake Dietz will replace his brother Tyler at the helm of the Pro-Stock No. 27. Tyler will concentrate his efforts on his Late Model.At age 41, Curtis Bish is now driving a Modified. He finds it a whole different animal from competing in a Pro-stock.Tim Shaffer, “the Steel city outlaw” will drive the Mike Hefner's Sprint No. 72 based in central Pennsylvania.Texas driver Aaron Reutzel is now racing with the Roth Motorsports No. 83 on the World of Outlaws Sprints tour after dominating the All-Star Circuit for the past three years with Josh Baughman.The 2021 title is wide open to competition. Sye Lynch has now partnered with Baughman for 2021.“We are excited about the new adventure with Sye Lynch,” Baughman explained. “He's a talented kid with the hunger to win and we're proud to be affiliated. I think it is safe to say that we are all anxious to get the year underway,”They have 80 competitive events planned. Sye's dad, Ed Lynch Jr., has retired from his Florida job, returned to Pa. and will also be in the pits.Zach Morrow will be driving a former Colton Flinner No. 48 Crate Late model instead of his Sprint.

With deepest sympathy to the families and friends, the Lernerville community was saddened to hear that several have passed away over the winter.Nick Petrician, from Nick Chevrolet, sponsored many drivers and his infield tow truck assisted hundreds of drivers to the pits.Marsha Schempp, wife of pit steward, Smokey, sold tickets at the main grandstand for more than 30 years.Former Sprint driver Jerry Matus, 81, the patriarch of that racing family, cheered on his son, Sprint driver Brent and grandson, Brandon, each race night. He won three Lernerville Sprint Championships driving the Martha Dionese purple No. 15.Mike Phillipi was a member of the Schaltenbrand crew.Ernie Gardina was a long time Modified car owner for Jimmy Faas and Micro-Sprint owner for his daughter Missy.Robert Lambert, father of Butch Lambert, was part owner of the former 2019-2020 Pro-Stock Champion Tyler Dietz's racer.Joe Viglione, 97, was a pioneer in the Pittsburgh Racing Association. He was the last surviving driver of the 1950s era.Late Model driver Dave Turner, 74, garnered 22 career feature events. He was part owner of Stateline Speedway at his passing.Long time photographer Olen Seidler would be seen in the Lernerville pits wearing a bright orange jumpsuit for special events.Rest is peace. We will keep your loving memories in our heart and you will not be forgotten.<i>Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle.</i>