BUFFALO TWP — History was certainly on Ralph Spithaler’s side.

The Evans City driver of the No. 56 Sprint car had just turned 50, his name firmly entrenched among Lernerville Speedway’s all-time win leaders.

Then he went away.

“It’s all about having fun for us,” Spithaler said. “It got to be tough getting to the track after work on Friday nights and I’ve gotten into the vintage go-kart racing, too.”

Spithaler, 56, cut his Sprint car racing schedule way back approximately five years ago. He’s raced the car an average of five or six times per year since.

Still, he ranks ninth on Lernerville’s all-time Sprint feature win list with 27. He also owns 11 Modified victories at the Sarver oval, winning the track championship in that division in 1989.

Overall, Spithaler’s 38 feature wins are 16th on Lernerville’s all-time list.

“The vintage karts require a lot of travel and generally take up the whole weekend,” he said. “We go maybe once a month to one of those events. They’re held in New York, Ohio, Georgia, Florida ... all over.

“We enjoy getting out and making those trips.”

Spithaler does plan on showing up at Lernerville a bit more often this season, “maybe 12 times or so.” He raced here on opening night and finished fifth in the feature.

Spithaler drove his 2000 Sprint car, opting to leave a newer model at home.

“This one’s been performing better,” he said. “I believe we can be competitive here in this car ... maybe not tonight because we still have to get some new tires on the back.”

He did fairly well with the old tires still on the car.

“This car’s been fixed up a bit,” Spithaler said. “Its back hit the concrete fence here a while back and sustained some damage.

“In an accident like that, it comes down to luck whether the car can be repaired. This one’s working out fine. We’ll be here more often this year. I do miss not running regularly.”

While Spithaler understands recent rule changes in terms of car specifications, he admits some of those changes have affected his racing career.

“I can see everybody being required to run the same tires,” he said. “But why can’t it be a less expensive tire? Expenses play a major role in this sport.

“I have to admit, that’s one of the reasons I haven’t been racing regularly. You have to look at the cost. It’s still fun to me, but you have to be able to afford it, too.”

Lernerville Speedway Points Standings

(top 15 through April 17)

Sprints

Ed Lynch Jr. 39, AJ Flick 37, Brandon Spithaler 36, Eric Williams 30, Ralph Spithaler 29, Lee Jacobs 27, Brandon Matus 24, Brent Matus 24, Carl Bowser 22, Jack Sodeman Jr. 21, Scott Priester 21, Dan Shetler 21, Sye Lynch 20, Zach Morrow 20, Jared Zimbardi 15

Late Models

Russ King 40, Jared Miley 36, Alex Ferree 30, Dan Swartzlander 28, Mike Pegher Jr. 28, Doug Eck 28, Gary Lyle 27, Chuck Sarver 24, Todd Bachman 24, Jim Kurpakus 20, Chris Rhodes 20, Clayton Kennedy 20, Brian Swartzlander 20, John Garvin Jr. 18, Kenny Schaltenbrand 18

Modifieds

Justin Wright 37, Mat Williamson 36, Rex King Jr. 36, Brian Swartzlander 31, Mike Turner 28, Jeremiah Shingledecker 27, Shawn Fleeger 26, Rex King Sr. 25, Tom Glenn 22, Tom Winkle 21, Jeff Miller 20, Jimmy Weller III 19, Steve Feder 19, Eric Beggs 18, Dave Murdick 17

Sportsman Stocks

Terry Young 37, Mike Miller 36, Bob Egley 36, Corey McPherson 33, Paul Schreckengost 30, Rob Shook 29, Joe Kelley 27, Brett McDonald 27, Scott Byers 21, Joey Zambotti 21, Ben Easler 18, Jim Fosnaught 17, Jeff Miller 17, Collin Burke 17, Noah Brunell 14, Wayne Carbo 14