We are family!

History was recently made at Lernerville Speedway. A mother, father, and daughter competed in a Sprint feature all together. As a matter of fact, it has never happened before in any division.

Sixteen-year-old Bobbi Rankin joined her mother, Sheila and father, Gary in the Sprint division. In addition to the Rankins, grandfather Carl Murdick, who celebrates 50 years in racing this season, and Bobbi's uncle Dave Murdick, also competed that night in the Modified division.

Could it be in the genes?

New racetrackA new Butler area racetrack is in the proposal stage with a possible June, 2010 opening date. The plans for Neupert Raceway Park, NRP, will go before the Jefferson Board of Supervisors Thursday.The location would be on the Norman and Allana Neupert 40-acre farm near Concordia. Their son Brett and his wife Nikki are going to build a quarter mile (outside) track.The Neuperts plan to run Micro Sprints, Mod Lites, Flat track quads, and UTV's."This would be a track that would entertain young drivers or other low budget teams, that may eventually move into the big leagues at Lernerville or other area tracks," Brett Neupert said.

Top 10 finishesTwo former Lernerville Champions, now All Star Circuit of Champion Sprint drivers, Tim Shaffer and Dale Blaney, finished seventh and eighth, respectively, at the Knoxville Nationals in Iowa.World of Outlaws chauffeur, Donnie Schatz won his fourth consecutive main event at the track, pocketing $150,000.

Tragic lossOur thoughts and prayers go out to the John Flinner family for the recent accidental death of their 16-year old daughter. Tanya would have been a junior at Seneca Valley High School in the fall.Recently Ken Schaltenbrand dedicated his Lernerville Late Model victory to Tanya as did Danny Holtgraver for his Sprint win at Sharon. Last Friday, Late Model driver Alex Ferree and Modified victor Kevin Bolland both dedicated their victories to the Flinner family.A collection was taken at Lernerville, PA Motor Speedway and Tri-City for a Tanya Flinner Memorial Fund and it was reported that the generous fans donated over $8,900.

Jury duty pays offHaving jury duty sometimes can be beneficial.It was the middle of the season and Late Model driver Chuck Sarver had to buy new Hoosier Tires. He has a low budget team and he was telling a fellow juror about his dilemma. So his new friend, Bill Wahl, decided to sponsor him and bought Sarver tires.There are wonderful people in Butler.

Get well soonGet well wishes go out to Former Sharon Promoter, Ed Skillman who is reported to be extremely ill.

What's going onIt was a big night of racing last Saturday at Mercer Raceway Park for the twice rained out Bill Emig Memorial.Modified driver Del Rougeux and Carl Bowser in the Sprints each collected $1,500 for their respective career first wins. The "Racing for a Cure," campaign raised several thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society. This Saturday MRP will have $10 family night.Saturday PA Motor Speedway will have a Figure 8 Demo Derby and a Monster Truck Performance. It is free admission to all Fire, EMT, Police, and FOP employees with ID plus a collection for the children of Pittsburgh Fallen Heros.

Top rookie candidateButler's Brian Ellenberger, the leading contender for the WoO Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award this season, raced his way into the Crane Cams Dash in his first ever visit to Dacotah Speedway on Saturday night.He finished a very solid 12th in the 35-lap A-Feature as he continues to gain priceless experience in his first full year on the road with the World of Outlaws Sprint car series.Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle.