The old saying is "things happen in threes."

Ask the Rankin family. Sheila, Gary and daughter Bobbi, all drive Sprints. About to join them are the Bertolini relatives.

Herman Bertolini has driven lawnmowers, Pure Stocks, Late Models and the last four weeks he has been in a Sprint. His father-in-law, Don Garvin, has bought several Sprints. Joining Herman in that division is his son, Mike, who was in the Sportsman division.

Bertolini's daughter, Randi, will soon make it a trio. . Leading the points in the 250 Micro Sprints at Blanket Hill, Randi will wait until her season is over before trying this new division.

Herman says: "I love racing; I would drive anything just to race!"

Thrill of victory

Danny Holtgraver has won Sprint Car features before at Mercer, Sharon, and Pennsylvania Motor Speedway.

But none is as memorable or thrilling as Saturday night's last lap pass of World of Outlaws' racer Brian Ellenberger. Holtgraver's second Mercer win of the year and third of the season was worth $1,500.

"Oh man, that was unbelievable," expressed the 20-year-old driver. "To steal it on the last lap was awesome. It definitely is the most exciting win yet!"

Ellenberger is running local events while regrouping his team and will rejoin the Outlaws on their Dakotas tour.

Youth be served

Other young lions are making their mark. Mike Pegher Jr. of Wexford continued his recent streak of stellar performances with a flag-to-flag win in the 20-lap FASTRAK Late Model feature at Tri-City Speedway, his 13th of the season.

Pegher recently won the FASTRAK National Late Model Series at Eldora Speedway, collecting $10,000.

Returning to FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Series competition, Pegher finished second on Friday night at Dog Hollow Speedway and won on Saturday night at Hesston Speedway. His car owner, Lynn Geisler, claimed the Late Model feature at Pennsylvania Motor Speedway Saturday.

Other local FASTAK Late Model young guns winning features are Colton Flinner. Josh Holtgraver, and Bryant Hanks.

On the shelf

Sprint driver Brandon Spithaler has been temporary sidelined with engine woes. He did score a career first feature at Mercer in his initial season of racing.

Pair of firsts

Garrett Krummert won his first heat race in the Late Models Friday and Saturday he scored his first Late Model feature at Marion Center Speedway. When he needs advice at a speedway, he texts his mentor John Flinner.

Condolences

Our condolences are extended to the John Flinner Sr. family on the death of Eleanor (Jackie) Flinner. She is the mother of John Flinner Jr. and Mark. This week is also the first anniversary of John Jr's daughter Tanya's death. John's number on his Late Model is 4T8 in her honor.

Transition year

Eric Pietrowski is in a transition year and only racing a few of the shows in the Sportsman Division this season. During the winter, he walked down the aisle of matrimony and is now remodeling a house.

He is the driver, crew chief, and mechanic, who is in need of a crew.

Upcoming events

Lernerville will host Fab Four racing Friday, plus a $3,000-to-win Late Model event. Saturday at Mercer is the Bill Emig Memorial for Big-Block Mods paying $1,500, Sprints ($1,750) plus July 24 make-up, FASTRAK Late Models ($600).

Brian Swartzlander's next win places him at the top of Lernerville's the All Time Modifieds Win list, tied with the icon Lou Blaney. Two more and he is the "King of the Modifieds."

Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle