People sometimes remark about living life in the fast lane, but it is actually a reality for Brian Swartzlander.

He literally lives on a road called Fast Lane, so it may not come as a surprise that he holds many prestigious racing titles.

Swartzlander has won track championships at Lernerville Speedway six times and at Tri-City four times. He is a Cavalcade titlist three times over, a two-time BRP Modified Tour Champion and a two-time DIRTcar Western Regional titleholder.

Swartzlander’s resume includes 147 feature wins and at Lernerville Speedway he is the all-time Modified winner with 72 victories, having passed the late Lou Blaney’s 69 wins last year.

“To me, Lou Blaney will always be the all-time winner or all-time great,” said Swartzlander. “Being in the same company with Blaney, Bob Wearing, and Blackie Watt is a real honor.

“It took a lot of years to win my first race. It is hard to believe that I have the most wins at Lernerville. It took a lot of struggles to get there. It is important to finish a race and not have a DNF.”

Swartzlander started racing in Pure Stocks. He would run a couple of weeks and if something broke, he’d park it until he gathered enough money to fix the car. He later bought a Late Model from cousin Dick Swartzlander that he ran a few years. Swartzlander stopped racing in 1982 and resumed in 1989 with a Modified.

”I wouldn’t have made it without McCutcheon Enterprises,” said Swartzlander. “They have been there since 1993 not only as sponsors but good friends. We like to win races, but it is nice to be there in the end and take a championship.

“The best part of racing is sharing it with family,” claims Swartzlander. “It is a total family sport.”

His grandfather, Neal, raced as well as his father, Melvin.

“After an evening at the track, we get together at my house and have happy hour. Sometimes it is a not-so-happy hour,” laughed Swartzlander. “I couldn’t do it without my son, BJ. It takes a special love for the race to have family helping. My wife, Mary Ann, is always there for me.”

Swartzlander is employed at Curtis Wright as an assembler mechanic. They make huge pumps for Nuclear Submarines and sell parts to the United States government as well as China. His hobby is sports.

“I enjoy watching baseball, football, basketball and hockey,” said Swartzlander.

He also plays the drums in a band called “JD and the Squires.” They play classic rock once a week in the garage over the winter. In March they have a benefit at a local fire hall called “Cookies for Troops” and they raised $1,500 this year.

Swartzlander celebrates 25 years of racing in 2012. His son BJ, a teacher at Kiski Area, is a key member on the pit crew. Would he like to be the fourth generation to race?

“Maybe when I’m done was his answer,” said the elder Swartzlander.

• After three nights of racing at the Lernerville Firecracker, Chuck Sarver brought his car to the garage and found a broken valve spring in his engine. He and his wife, Bonnie, decided to take a week off from racing. They went to the movies Wednesday night and when they came home, Chuck luckily changed his mind and put a spare engine in his 2002 Rocket Chassis.

He went to Lernerville last Friday and won his first Late Model feature in 10 years. The fans gave him a standing ovation. He was the Eracers-Bonus Bucks driver and collected an extra $700 in addition to the $1,400 prize money. Nice guys do finish first sometimes!

• Recently DIRTcar Sportsman driver Bob Lipinski made his first 2012 visit to Lernerville Speedway. It was only a brief stay, though. After one lap smoke billowed from his motor.

• Joe Worth remembers watching his dad race 35 years ago. For decades he wanted to compete, but with four children he had to keep his priorities straight and put his racing career on hold. Worth, who hasn’t had any previous racing experience, made his 358 Modified debut this season. He purchased an old Rich Whetney race car. Right now he plans to only run Lernerville, which is right down the road from his Sarver home.

• Congratulations to Jared Miley, who started 23rd and finished eighth to earn the highest Firecracker 100 Late Model finish by a Lernerville regular in six years. Scott Bloomquist was a repeat winner.

• Tonight, Lernerville Speedway will host Nostalgia Night. The Don Martin Memorial Sprint Race will be held Tuesday. Four past Lernerville champions have won that event — Ed Lynch Jr., Dale Blaney, Tim Shaffer and Brad Doty. Mercer Raceway Park will feature the Northeast Fastrak Late Models on Saturday.

Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle.