Racing Hall of Famer Dick Swartzlander and the #3 Late Model team have been missing in action at the local speedways for weeks.

Swartzlander has been hospitalized and just returned home. His wife, Audree reports that he had an accident and fractured several bones in his left foot. He was changing a pump in his well and a five-inch thick; four by four foot concrete block fell on it.

It took two men to lift it off Swartzlander’s foot. The accident became complicated when an infection set in and he had to be hospitalized. Needless to say, he is frustrated because he says at this time of year, there is so much that needs to be done between yard work, gardening, and racing.

To further compound the incident, Dick is attempting to use crutches. He said, “I’ve never had to do this in my life and it isn’t easy.”

Get well wishes can be sent to 119 Doyle Road, Sarver, Pa., 16055.

A dark cloud has been following the Swartzlander race team. Dick’s son, Dan Swartzlander is currently not racing. Early this season, the team lost four motors and they are reorganizing.

Smart moveThere’s little doubt Jim Weller, Jr. isn’t questioning his move to Troyer Chassis this year.On May 4, Weller won his first feature at Sharon since 2010. After letting one slip by last Sunday night, Weller still entered the night as the point leader and he’ll stay that way after leading all 20 laps of the Big-Block Modified feature for his second win of the season!He is fourth on the all- time winner’s list there. His son Jimmy Weller III is scheduled to drive Weller Jr’s old car in 15 races. Weller III, who moved to North Carolina, is driving asphalt Late Models in that area.

Happy winnerA jubilant Brandon Spithaler, 21, was flat out dominant, leading all 25 laps of the Lernerville Sprint feature last Friday to secure a career first victory at the Sarver oval.He comes from a proud racing family that has seen victory circle many times. Brandon is the second cousin of Ralph Spithaler, who has captured 38 Lernerville feature wins, 27 in Sprints, 11 in Modifieds), and grandson of school bus drivers Frank and Rosie Spithaler, (both of whom have won races in the fan favorite “Cow Patty” School Bus).Spithaler, who entered the event tied for the point lead with Eric Williams, now stands alone atop the ranking with a four-point lead over Jack Sodeman Jr.

Triple Sprint FeaturesSaturday, Mercer Raceway Park presented Triple Sprint Features, and UNOH driverDanny Holtgraver took a pair of those victories.He was the surprise winner in the Patriot Sprint Tour race after starting dead last because he missed the heat races. He led wire to wire in the 410 Sprints. The third Sprint win, for the Outlaw Sprint Warriors, went to Mike Miller. It was Miller’s second win of the weekend, the other coming at Lernerville Speedway in his Stock Car.

Off to SpainRecently World Racing Group sent Lernerville Track Manager Gary Risch Jr. to Spain.He was a consultant to ESPN’s Extreme Sports games. It was requested that he also go to Munich, Germany, where their next X-Games will be held. Risch had to decline because that weekend coincided with the upcoming “Firecracker” Late Model show.

This and thatThe King Racing family will give a boy and girls bike or scooter to some lucky little fans each race night at Sharon Speedway. ... Friday evening Lernerville Speedway will have Class of 2013 Night. All grads with a diploma will be admitted free. ... PA Motor Speedway will present six “Monster Trucks” Bad Habit, Eradicator, Backdraft, Rap Attack, Screamin Demon and AfterShock,along with their show. Gates open at 3 p.m. and there is a Pit Party where people can see the trucks and get autographs from 4 to 6 p.m. Racing starts at 7. ... Mercer Raceway will add the Crate Modifieds to the show.Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle