BUFFALO TWP — Troy Jeuther's Enduro racing career was short-lived.

"I was in one race in 2007, went about 25 laps and broke the rear end," Jeuther said. "I didn't destroy the car, though. My father is still using it."

Enduro stock car races generally last for 100 to 200 laps.

Jeuther, a Valencia resident, plans to enjoy a much longer career in the Sportsman Stock division.

After competing for half a season in 2008, when he finished as high as ninth, Jeuther dumped the original car he bought and went to work on building his own.

"That car was old and heavy," he said. "I knew I could do better."

The Lipinski family rents the garage for its auto repair business from Jeuther's grandmother. Bob Lipinski of Pittsburgh won the 2009 Sportsman Stock points championship at Lernerville Speedway.

Lipinski and Jeuther got together last year to build a race car for the latter.

"After we got started, I got a full-time job away from the garage and couldn't spend as much time on the car," Lipinski said. "I helped out during some evenings, but that was about it.

"I did the motor and transmission, but Troy basically built that car."

The process took a year, but the No. 57 car can be found at Lernerville on Friday nights. Jeuther opted for the No. 57 because that's the number he wore as a hockey player at Mars High eight years ago.

The car's green-and-white color scheme follows that of Lipinski's car.

"This car was built in the same mold as Bob's car," Jeuther said. "The car is exactly like Bob's in a lot of ways."

Jeuther only hopes he can build similar results from behind the wheel.

"It's going to take time," Jeuther said. "I don't even know what this car can do on the track yet. I'm still learning how it handles out there and the best way to drive it."

For now, Jeuther guides the car along the bottom of the track, learning a little more each race night. He is 15th in Sportsman Stock points after two nights at Lernerville and hopes to finish the season among the top 10.

He is realistic about his chances of reaching victory lane in 2010.

"There are guys in this division who have been at this for years and years," Jeuther said. "They are way ahead of me."

Jeff Ammon of Cranberry Township is part of Jeuther's pit crew, as are friend Kevin Alchier and Jeuther's father, Dennis.

Jeuther helped Lipinski's race team before deciding to form his own.

"Bob pointed us in the right direction," Ammon said. "He sort of oversees the operation. The first week, Troy started last and passed four or five cars. We were happy with that.

"This is going to be a gradual, but fun, process for all of us."

Jeuther pits his No. 57 right next to Lipinski's No. 55 car on Friday nights.

"I'll lend a helping hand to anybody who wants it," Lipinski said. "We're all out here to have fun."