BUFFALO TWP — Kevin Bolland vs. Brian Swartzlander.

The racing careers of the two veteran Modified drivers practically parallel each other.

Both are 50 years old. They've combined to win 22 points championships at dirt tracks in Western Pennsylvania. They've combined to win seven of the past 10 points titles at Lernerville Speedway as well.

And they've developed a rivalry on the racetrack that no other dirt racing division can match.

"Lynn Geisler and John Flinner had a good one going there in Late Models," said Keith Bolland, Kevin's brother and a longtime race team member. "But this one's been going on for quite a while now."

Swartzlander's No. 83 and Bolland's No. 777 have competed for the checkered flag on many a Friday night at Lernerville.

"If one of them's here and the other one's not, I'm on the phone trying to find out where they're at," said Lernerville general manager and Modified driver Gary Risch Jr.

"They're a big part of the show because they put on a show," he added.

Swartzlander smiled when asked about his relationship with Bolland.

"We don't send each other Christmas cards, but, yeah, we're cordial to each other and we respect each other —and we're good for each other," Swartzlander said.

"There's always a block of Bolland fans in the stands rooting for him and there's a block of Swartzlander fans rooting for me," he added. You're one or the other. There is no in between."

These two drivers go far beyond their advanced skills behind the wheel. Both have loyal sponsors. Both have solid funding. Both have family-based race teams.

"That rivalry isn't Kevin vs. Brian. It's Bolland racing vs. Swartzlander racing," Risch said. "Sure, the money helps. But if you don't know what to do with it, it's worthless.

"Those two race teams have been together for years. They know how to set up a car, how to adjust to a track. They spend hours in the garage away from the track. That's how you win in this sport."

Kevin Bolland said his team has remained virtually intact since 1999.

"We're family and friends who have worked together and stayed together," he said. "I've got eight to 10 guys working on this car every Friday night or wherever we go. Brian has about the same thing working for him."

The region's Modified division has grown deeper in recent years. Jeremiah Shingledecker won the Lernerville points crown last year.

Longtime drivers Jim Weller Jr. and Slippery Rock's Dave Murdick already have broken victory droughts at Lernerville this season.

Del Rougeux Jr. is a points contender and Harrisville's Dean Pearson has stepped up his game.

But Bolland and Swartzlander remain the headliners. Bolland, of New Brighton, was inducted into the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame this year. Swartzlander, of Leechburg, joined the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame last year.

"The top guys from up north don't come down here very often," Bolland said of the Modified competition. "Brian and I use each other to try to better our racing skills.

"You try to measure yourself against somebody better than yourself. Brian and I push each other. If your equipment and race teams aren't equal to, or better than, the other guy, just stay home.

"Brian and I have been great for each other that way," Bolland added.

<B>Lernerville Points StandingsTop 15 through May 21Sprints</B>Ed Lynch Jr. 170, Rod George 162, Bob Felmlee 160, Danny Holtgraver 150, Carl Bowser 132, Charlie Holben 131, Jack Sodeman Jr. 129, Kevin Schaeffer 125, Brent Matus 112, Pete Miller III 106, Brian Ellenberger 96, Brandon Matus 79, Dale Blaney 76, Scott Bonnell 70, Gary Rankin 65<B>Late Models</B>Dave Hess Jr. 184, Jared Miley 155, Alex Ferree 140, Gregg Satterlee 132, John Garvin Jr. 119, Dave Murdick 110, Lynn Geisler 109, Chuck Sarver 107, Todd Bachman 88, Chub Frank 78, Brian Swartzlander 73, Doug Eck 70, Brandon Wearing 67, Matt Lux 64, Michael Norris 62<B>Modifieds</B>Kevin Bolland 139, Brian Swartzlander 138, Del Rougeux Jr. 134, Jeremiah Shingledecker 122, Dave Murdick 114, Dean Pearson 103, Jim Weller Jr. 98, Mike Turner 97, Carl Murdick 91, Shawn Fleeger 71, Steve Feder 70, Mark Frankhouser 64, Erik Martin 55, Kevin Green 54, Mike Miller 35<B>Sportsman Stocks</B>Joe Kelley 181, Jason Fosnaught 161, Bob Egley 159, Terry Young 138, Jim Fosnaught 117, Shawn Thorn 117, Corey McPherson 116, Mark Sanders 115, Brett McDonald 113, Ryan Moyer 113, Scott Byers 103, Wayne Carbo 101, Paul Schreckengost 101, Troy Jeuther 78, Jim Bills 75

The careers of veteran Modified drivers Kevin Bolland and Brian Swartzlander are quite similar. Here are some numbers to demonstrate the point:<B>Category B S</B>Age 50 502010 Lernerville points 139 138Career BRP wins 15 11Career Lernerville wins 48 66Track titles 8 14Career wins 107 138