BUFFALO TWP — Chuck Sarver received the Milestone in Racing Award at Lernerville Speedway's annual banquet this year.

The West Sunbury driver of the No. 88 Late Model could just as easily have handed that award to his wife Bonnie and son Chuck.

This is one family that's stayed together by racing together.

“Other than the Murdicks, I don't know that there's another total family that's been at this as long as we have,” Bonnie Sarver said.

“I know the three of us wouldn't be as close to each other as we are without racing. It's been a common bond for us for a long time.”

Sarver, 58, has been a dirt track race driver for 40 years. He's been racing a Late Model for 18 years now. Prior to that, he raced a Limited Late for 10 years.He's dabbled in Stocks and big block Modifieds as well.

“The only thing I haven't raced is a Sprint car,” Sarver said. “I wouldn't mind taking one around the track for a lap or two, just to get a feel for what it's like.

“As far as racing one or even being out there with a couple of other Sprints ... I think I'll stick with what I've got.”

While Sarver hasn't been to victory lane more than once — in 2012 at Lernerville — in his 18 years behind the wheel of his Late Model, he's been a winner in other ways.

“We work as a team just to be here every Friday,” he said. “I know I can compete with the other cars out here and that's because of my family and my crew.”

Despite no feature wins last season, Sarver finished seventh in points with 284. He's already won two heat races this season and recorded his first top-10 finish last week, taking eighth.

During a heat race at Lernerville recently, Sarver turned a lap in less than 15 seconds. He was one of only three Late Models to do so that night.

“Looking at the big picture, I know that doesn't mean anything ... But it's meaningful to me because I was going fast,” he said.

Sarver's son, Chuck, now 37, has been helping out on the car for 15 years.

“Dad always said that when he was getting ready to retire, I'd be groomed to take over behind the wheel,” Chuck said. “But now he's running better than he ever has, so that day may never come.”

The elder Sarver said he got the racing bug through growing up in Prospect, near the old Butler Speedway.

“I could walk to that place and often did,” he recalled. “That's where I got the itch. I was racing cars before I had a driver's license.”

Bonnie Sarver isn't surprised her husband has stayed in racing for 40 years. She's been married to him for most of them.

Her father, Dave Thompson, was Lernerville's first Late Model points champion in 1968. He raced for 15 years, sometimes three or four nights a week.

“I was 14 when I met Chuck,” Bonnie said. “I remember telling him who my father was and he was amazed. He told me he always watched my father race and that he had a race car, too.

“I couldn't believe it. I've been tied to racing all my life.”

She supports it as well. Bonnie Sarver works 10 hours a day, six days a week cleaning houses. Her husband works for Clay Township, his shift running from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“Most of my income pays the household bills so Chuck can put money into the car,” Bonnie said. “Hiswork schedule is perfect for coming home and doing work on the car, too.”

It all works for the Sarver family and fellow crew members Justin Koebler and Chad Segner.

“He (his father) has never kept us from quitting,” the younger Sarver said. “This takes a lot of work and a lot of money, but every off-season, all we can think of is the next season is coming up.

“We're going at this all the time. It's great. we're pretty close, the three of us. It's time well-spent.”

Lernerville| Points Standings

(top 15 through May 16)

Sprints

Carl Bowser 112, Jared Zimbardi 93, Cory Good 89, Brandon Matus 85, Jack Sodeman Jr. 81, Mike Lutz 76, Brent Matus 74, Dan Shetler 70, Scott Priester 61, Brandon Spithaler 53, Wes McGlumphy 43, Eric Williams 38, Cole Duncan 37, Francis Sesco 37, Logan Wagner and Danny Holtgraver 36

Late Models

Russ King 114, Alex Ferree 110, Jared Miley 91, Brian Swartzlander 84, Kenny Schaltenbrand 80, John Garvin Jr. 77, Mike Pegher Jr. 76, Chuck Sarver 74, Doug Eck 68, Garrett Krummert 65, Dan Swartzlander 65, Tommy Beck 59, Brandon Wearing 54, Bo Lockwood 50, Gary Lyle 49

Modifieds

Rex King 108, Rex King Jr. 103, Brad Rapp 96, Dave Murdick 89, Brian Swartzlander 82, Tom Winkle 82, Jeremiah Shingledecker 71, Mike Turner 67, Steve Feder 60, Rick Regalski 60, Rodney Beltz 58, Mat Williamson 57, Bob Warren 52, Carl Murdick 48, Ralph McBride 42

Sportsman Stocks

Jim Fosnaught 103, Corey McPherson 101, Rob Shook 100, Terry Young 97, Mark Sanders 95, Joe Kelley 81, Brett McDonald 75, Joey Zambotti 71, Aaron Easler 69, Bob Egley 68, Pat Hanley 63, Stan Riggle 54, Jeff Miller 52, Wayne Carbo 51, Neil Tristani 50