A points championship is the gold medal of stock car racing. It represents years of hard work and commitment.

Lernerville Speedway's title holders were crowned last week, when Bob Egley won his first Pure Stocks championship.

Most drivers started in go-carts or a similar division, but people first recognized Egley for his exceptional skills in driving the "Bat Bus" in the school bus races during the last 10 years, when he has won 14 contests at the track.

Egley, who works for A.J. Myers Bus Company said, "I probably am the only guy who 'downsized' his first race vehicle."

Brian Swartzlander's sixth Modified championship now makes him the top title holder in that division, surpassing Blackie Watt's five.

Kevin Schaeffer's third consecutive Sprint championship places him alongside Ed Lynch Jr., who also won three titles in a row, with a total of four. Only Lou Blaney has four consecutive Sprint crowns for a grand sum of six.

Alex Ferree repeated as Late Model champ and matched his dad, Ed Ferree, with two titles.

In other racing news:

• After only three years of racing, Todd Bachman broke into the highly competitive Lernerville Late Model top 10 for the first time. As a youngster, he helped Dick Swartzlander with his racecar. He later worked on Ken Schaltenbrand's racer, but never had enough money to have his own team until reaching his mid-40s. When the Bachman family went on vacation in August, John Flinner offered to drive the No. 66, since Flinner's engine wasn't ready. He won the race for Bachman that evening and that made the difference. Bachman said, "I have a great crew, good engine builder and tried to keep focused this season."

• Tri-City Speedway will host its biggest race of 2008, the Armstrong Cable Oil Region Labor Day Classic, Saturday and Sunday. Each night will feature a complete show of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, culminating with a 50-lap main event that pays $10,000 to win.

• Chub Frank's primary sponsor will make some fans very happy this weekend at Tri-City. Fans can stop by the Lester Buildings display in the spectator area Saturday and Sunday to meet Frank, check out his Lester Buildings Rocket No 1 dirt Late Model, obtain free "Chubzilla" posters and enter drawings to win valuable prizes.

• The MACS Super Late Models and All-Star Circuit of Champion Sprints will be in action tonight for the Jim Shank Memorial at Lernerville. The MACS feature pays $7,000 to win. The All-Star Sprint winner will collect $5,000. The Advance Auto Parts UMP DIRTcar Street Stocks also will be on the racing card.

• Lernerville track manager Gary Risch Jr., public relations director Eric Westendorf, and Don Gamble are choosing a committee for the initiation of a Lernerville Speedway Hall of Fame.

• Mercer Raceway Park is closed this weekend.

• Sharon Speedways recent blood drive netted 40 pints.

Carol Gamble is the racing columnist for the Butler Eagle.