The secret force driving Steve Fedor’s Modified No. 45 may be nuclear propulsion!

Not only is he a mechanical engineer, but so is his brother and crew chief, Matt. Steve has worked for Westinghouse since 2009. The Butler native started at the Cranberry location, but transferred four years ago to Waltz Mills near New Stanton. The plant services commercial fleets for the nuclear power plants. They do a variety of things there such as upgrades to missile heads.

There are training bays, rooms to repair, upgrade and maintain nuclear equipment, rebuild pumps, make reactor missile heads, resurface, and inspect equipment. Some of this technical expertise is bound to find its way into the No. 45.

Steve started to race lawn mowers at Shade Tree Speedway in 2005 with his uncle, Don Gallagher. After rolling over the lawn mower several times, he decided to buy a V-8 Modified in 2007, that afforded him more protection with a roll cage. He also wanted to progress to higher paying racing divisions and looked at the ratio of pay scale to investment of purchase of a race car.

He chose the Modified from the operational standpoint. His main sponsors are Butler’s Johnson’s Auto Service and also Starr Graphics. Now Steve races at Lernerville Speedway and Gallagher’s son, Darin, drives in the Sprint division.

His job requires him to travel and therefore he normally only races about 12 to 15 times a year vs. 30 like many other drivers. Steve sometimes travels to the power plant in West Palm Beach, Fla., South Carolina, Virginia, and Arizona. He has been able to stay in the United States vs. international travel.

Steve has gone to Kenny Wallace’s Driver Experience with an E-Mod and drove in Enduros.

His brother Matt drives Enduro No.17-S and has won five times.

“We help each other prepare the cars. It is a family experience and we have fun doing it together. Matt runs a couple times a year,” Steve said.

Steve has a budget and spends within his plan.

“My motors have 2000 technology. I am saving money to buy a new up-to-date motor. COVID has played havoc with the availability of parts. I have had parts on order for nine months,” he said.

They assemble all motors themselves now. Dunk Pacdozi and Henry Motors in Butler do all their machine work.

Matt works for Kromek in Zelienople. He previously worked for Westinghouse. Their two heads combine to produce input into set ups and building motors.

Steve said, “Sometimes it affords interesting debates.”

He likes to discuss things with his brother. They work until 9 p.m. and then relax.

“We don’t follow points. This year my motor broke and it’s been a tough year. I try to make sure my car is OK rather than get to the track for points!”

Tire availability and the increased cost of fuel has been difficult.

“I purchase my fuel in bulk at the beginning of the year,” Steve said.

Besides his brother Matt, Steve’s pit crew consists of his dad, Harold, mom June, sister-in-law Liz, sister Jen Schamber and her husband Doug and their boys Austin and Anders.

“We enjoy working together and having fun! It’s a family thing. I keep my car at my parent’s house and I get to visit with them, too,” he said.

The drivers Steve likes to watch are Kyle Larson, and Modified pilots Tim McCreadie and Mike Maresca. If Steve received a windfall of money, it would be a toss-up between buying a Late Model or Sprint car.

“I like the allure of the big Late Model races, but a Sprint looks like a fun car to race. Sprints usually get paid the most! Right now we are racing for fun and like doing it as a family!," he said.

Back in the game

Hall of Fame Sprint driver Rod George has un-retired and is back behind the wheel of a Rush Sprint car.

“I missed racing and just want to have fun,” he said.

His wife Jackie was happy to be back, also. He had an old Sprint car in the garage and put a motor in it. The disappointment came when he missed qualifying for the feature by one, but he will be back!

Manufacturing Night

Vicki Emig and Mike Leone had Manufacturing Night at Lernerville last Friday. They collected $14,500 in merchandise certificates that were distributed to 31 Sprint drivers in a lottery drawing.

Points races

There are two more weeks left to determine who will be the new 2022 Lernerville division champions. Late Model John Garvin Jr. holds a 33-point lead over teammate Colton Flinner.

AJ Flick is having a banner year garnering his 11th overall victory last Friday by defeating George Hobaugh and collecting $4,000 for the Sprint Car Spectacular! The Sprint trail blazer is 53 digits ahead of Darin Gallagher. Jeremiah Shingledecker is currently on top of the Modified list with 307 points and directly behind is Garrett Krummert and Dave Murdick tied with 282 points. The closet battle is in the Pro Stocks with Tyler Dietz at 305, Todd Weldon 291and Chris Schneider 288.

Schaltenbrand Memorial

The Zimmer’s Service Center United Late Model Series (ULMS) returns to ‘The Action Track’ Friday for the ‘Ken Schaltenbrand Sr. Memorial’ that will pay $4,000 to the winner. The ULMS Late Models will also take their roofs off to make it a ‘Topless’ event and give fans a unique view of the popular Super Late Models.

Jared Miley leads the ULMS Championship point standings, with Gregg Satterlee, who won the May 13 ULMS event at Lernerville, second. Dave Stamm is third in points followed by Rick Eckert and Danny Snyder. The Lernerville regular Late Models will take on the ULMS invaders as we honor the memory of Ken Schaltenbrand Sr., the father of current Late Model star Ken Schaltenbrand Jr and grandfather of up-and-coming Late Model driver, Levi Yetter. The Schaltenbrand/Yetter family have been hard at work getting additional sponsorship for the event including lap sponsors and other categories that will be awarded randomly based on the request of the donor.

Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle