BUFFALO TWP — Back surgery, age and a five-year layoff?

None of the above has kept Clyde Gumpp from returning to dirt track racing.

Gumpp, 59, who lives in Harlansburg, just north of Slippery Rock, is back in his No. 51 Modified this season at Lernerville Speedway.

“We enjoy it too much,” Gumpp said. “Once we had the money saved up to come back, we were coming back.”

Though he's never won a feature, Gumpp raced small-block modifieds for 10 years, originally getting into the race game at Mercer Raceway Park. He underwent back surgery five years ago and just got back into the car this year.

“We don't have much sponsorship outside of ourselves,” he said. “It took us a while to secure the funding to get a car back out here.

“As long as we stay in the top 10, the money we win should be able to sustain the race car. If we finish out of the top 10, the money's coming out of our own pockets.”

Gumpp owns a kennel and grooming business. His son, Chad, runs a lawn care and landscaping business while daughter-in-law Melissa has a graphic signs and design business.

All three contribute toward the race team.

Gumpp said he got started in racing once his son became a teenager.

“It was something we could do together and I knew it would keep him out of trouble,” he said. “Chad is into the set-up of the car and I enjoy driving it.”

Steve Akins helps out with the car as well, The No. 51 car has a 2005 Bicknell chassis.

“We don't have the top stuff and we don't have junk, either,” Chad Gumpp said of their equipment. “We're somewhere in the middle.

“I was hoping Dad would get back into this. I've missed it.”

Clyde Gumpp's highest career finish at Lernerville is third place. Years ago, he led a feature on the final lap, but got caught up in an accident before reaching the finish line.

“I used to drive a 6-cylinder modified and the original number on that car was 51,” Gumpp said. “I've kept that number on every car ever since.

“I thought that'd be the age I'd retire from racing, too. Obviously, that hasn't happened.”

Instead, the Gumpp race team will continue to operate year-to-year.

“As long as the money holds out, we'll be around,” Gumpp said. “Running a small block against these big blocks is rough, but we're here for the friendships and the atmosphere of racing.

“The cost of tires, gas ... running these cars isn't cheap and that's why a lot of modifieds are dropping off. New York and New Jersey, they pay $3,000 to win, but we can't afford to go to those places.”

So they do battle at home.

“We've gotten a lot of help,” Chad Gumpp said. “(Fellow drivers) Randy Chronister, Jeff Shaffer ... We wouldn't be out here if not for the help from those guys and others.”

Lernerville Points Standings (top 15 through June 4)SprintsCarl Bowser 147, Brian Ellenberger 141, Brandon Matus 137, Danny Holtgraver 133, Rod George 130, Kevin Schaeffer 120, Brent Matus 109, Gary Rankin 106, Sheila Rankin 83, Brian Steinman 81, Jimmy Kight 72, Brandon Spithaler 68, Jack Sodeman Jr. 65, Bobbi Rankin 58, Andy McKisson 54

Late ModelsDave Hess Jr. 169, Gregg Satterlee 164, Jared Miley 162, John Garvin Jr. 121, Dave Murdick 117, Doug Eck 112, Lynn Geisler/Mike Pegher Jr. 107, Boom Briggs 103, Ken Schaltenbrand 98, Jim Detman/Brian Swartzlander 94, John Flinner 77, Russell King 75, Bryan Force 75, Chub Frank 75, Gary Lyle 71

ModifiedsJeremiah Shingledecker 148, Kevin Bolland 144, Brian Swartzlander 143, Dave Murdick 134, Dean Pearson 112, Mark Frankhouser 92, Phil Evans Jr. 92, Jim Weller Jr. 91, Steve Feder 88, Mike Turner 87, Carl Murdick 82, Shawn Fleeger 64, Brad Rapp 56, Don Brown 48, Dave Reges 36

Sportsman StocksCorey McPherson 155, A.J. Flick 143, Rob Shook 141, Mike Miller 137, Paul Schreckengost 136, Wayne Carbo 125, Joe Kelley 116, Brett McDonald 112, Jason Fosnaught 111, Chris Schneider 109, Bob Egley 106, Terry Young 89, Mark Sanders 83, Troy Jeuther 80, Randy Hanovick 76