BUFFALO TWP — Terry Young had gotten used to driving hand-me-downs.

Now the Butler resident and veteran driver of the No. 28 Sportsman Stock finally has a new car to call his own.

And it's already paid off.

Young, 48, got the checkered flag on opening night recently at Lernerville Speedway, holding off two-time defending points champion Corey McPherson over the final few laps to claim the victory.

“That meant a lot, being able to beat out Corey for that win,” Young admitted. “He's the best in the division down here and he's a lot younger.

“That was only my fourth race in this car. It showed me that, if we can keep it clean, maybe we can have a good year.”

Young finished ninth in the season's second Sportsman Stock feature. McPherson won the race, putting him on top early in the 2014 points race. Young slid to fifth in points.

“I was hoping we'd rain out the rest of the season after that first night ... I'd have won points by one over Corey,” Young said, laughing.

He has plenty to be happy about.

Racing in the Stock division for 10 years, the feature win on opening night was only the fifth of Young's career. He has never finished anywhere near the top in points.

“My first car was one of Mike Gilliland's old ones,” Young said. “It was three or four years old and I drove it for a year and a half.

“Then I got a car from Greg Beach and it was really old. Then I got one from Chris Schneider and it was really, really old.”

So when Young tasted success, it was sweet, indeed.

“I remember every one of those wins,” he said. “I'm racing to get wins. I don't worry about points. That takes too much work.

“I told Chris Schneider to go ahead and build me a car. I don't know how much longer I'll be doing this, so I decided to go for it.”

Scott Byers is one guy who's glad he did.

Byers, 48, of Butler is in his eighth year as a Sportsman Stock driver at Lernerville. He entered the sport after getting to know Young.

“One of his cousins is a friend of mine,” Byers said. “He told me how they work on Terry's car all the time and I began stopping over to help out.

“After awhile, I decided to get my own car and start racing.”

Byers and Young pit next to each other each Friday nights at Lernerville. They work on their cars together during the week and share parts as needed.

Byers has never finished higher than fifth in a feature. He races one of Gilliland's old cars.

“We had just talked about the prospect of Terry winning that opener ... It was great to see it happen,” Byers said. “I'm pulling for him. We pull for each other.

“My goal has always been and continues to be getting in victory lane here. You don't always have the necessary equipment, but you always strive to win.”

While Young has a new car, he's careful not to aim too high.

“You never know what's going to happen out there,” Young said. “You could get a flat tire, get caught up in a wreck — it's dirt track racing. My car got smashed up early last season and we missed most of the year until this new car was ready.

“I try not to set goals too high. That only puts pressure on you and we're here to have fun. That win was definitely fun.”

Lernerville Points Leaders

(top 15 through May 9)

Sprints

Carl Bowser 74, Cory Good 59, Jack Sodeman Jr. 58, Jared Zimbardi 55, Brandon Matus 51, Brandon Spithaler 50, Mike Lutz 47, Dan Shetler 46, Brent Matus 44, Scott Priester 38, Eric Williams 38, Cole Duncan 37, Logan Wagner 36, Danny Holtgraver 36, Jim Shuster 31

Late Models

Russ King 76, Alex Ferree 74, Mike Pegher Jr. 60, Brian Swartzlander 58, Jared Miley 54, John Garvin Jr. 54, Kenny Schaltenbrand 51, Dan Swartzlander 48, Chuck Sarver 46, Doug Eck 45, Michael Norris 43, Brandon Wearing 41, Tommy Beck 37, Bo Lockwood 35, Gary Lyle 33

Modifieds

Rex King 69, Rex King, Jr. 65, Brad Rapp 62, Dave Murdick 62, Mat Williamson 55, Brian Swartzlander 55, Tom Winkle 51, Steve Feder 47, Mike Turner 45, Bob Warren 38, Jeremiah Shingledecker 37, Tom Glenn 37, Erick Rudolph 35, Rick Regalski 35, Rodney Beltz 35

Sportsman Stocks

Corey McPherson 76, Mark Sanders 69, Jim Fosnaught 64, Rob Shook 64, Terry Young 63, Bob Egley 51, Joey Zambotti 50, Brett McDonald 49, Joe Kelley 49, Pat Hanley 39, Aaron Easler 38, Jeff Miller 36, Neil Tristani 34, Stan Riggle 33, Scott Byers 28