John Garvin Jr lives a “stone’s-throw” from Lernerville Speedway.

He was destined to be a race driver! At 3 ½, he remembers being in the grandstands and watching his dad race Limited Lates and then later Late Models.

“That smell of fuel gives many an adrenaline rush! “I knew someday I wanted to be in a race car,” Garvin Jr. said.

You had to be 16 to get into the pits. His dad quit the sport in 1996. At that time John was 16 and he started racing in the Late Model. “I ran for a year until the motor broke and that was it until 2008." He and his dad brought out another Late Model that John ran until 2015.

In 2016, John decided to switch divisions and race Sprints.

“My wife Liz (Matus Garvin) probably influenced me a little, plus my in-laws,” he said.

His father-in-law, Brent Matus and brother-in-law Brandon Matus, are both Sprint drivers. When the Matus group decided to race with the professional All-Star Sprint Circuit of Champions traveling group, John elected to join them even though he only was behind the wheel of a Sprint for two years.

“Time would be a negative facto,r though,” he said. “We would leave on Wednesday or Thursday and wouldn’t get back until Sunday night or Monday morning.” John sold all his racing equipment in 2021.

Last year he ran for John Johnson and won a career-first Lernerville Late Model title. They have split this season and Garvin is piloting his own mount. He was happy to win the first Lernerville feature of 2023.

“It was good to start off the season with a win and get some confidence going,” he said.

The second night he was involved in terrible crash that bent the frame.

“Everything we had going the first night disappeared. One night you can win, but the next race not make the show,” Garvin Jr. said.

His goal would be to run in the top five every night. Can John defend his championship and garner another this year?

“There is so much that deals with luck in racing. There is the pill draw to determine starts, being in the right spot on the track, right set up, tires in addition to driving skills and going fast. Who knows? I was a runner-up to Alex (Ferree) in four or five championships,” he said.

His pit crew consists of Brian Hank, Casey Collins, and his two sons J.J. and Kane.

John works with his father at Garvin’s Scrap Metals! He drives a truck or runs equipment, "whatever is needed."

He enjoys watching Kyle Larson race Sprint cars, Late Models or NASCAR.

“Larson’s High Limit Sprint-group is great for the drivers to make extra money during the week!,” he said.

Victory at last

All the hard work, blood, sweat and tears finally paid off for Jake Dietz as he captured his first Lernerville feature win at his home track.

It was his career second in the Charley Neely /Dietz Pro Stock #27 that was formerly piloted by his brother Tyler. This victory comes on the heels of Jake and Tyler losing their grandmother and Pap. The win was dedicated to Neely’s late partner, Bob Lambert. The twosome first teamed up to build this outstanding Pro Stock.

“It feels amazing,” Dietz said. “Especially after the previous two weeks. Our grandmother passed away from cancer, that was rough. And then, it’s been 12 years since my dad passed away and he never watched me race before, so I’m glad he’s looking down on me, this is very emotional.”

Last year for PPMS?

This year may be the last year for Pennsylvania Motor Speedway to be a race track. It is reported that it is under contract to be sold; however, the track is scheduled to run the entire 2023 season. A Facebook post said that until the money exchanges hands, it’s not a done deal! The 219 acres is on the market for $2,750,000.

Winning team

The newly formed Late Model team of owner Joe Corrado and driver Mike Norris has checkered their first 2023 feature at Lernerville! Jared Miley was the previous chauffeur of the No. 10.

Condolences

The late Dave Kitty was the former owner of RPM Racing News and PR director of Latrobe Speedway at the time of his death. His father once owned the speedway in the 1960’s. The Latrobe 2023 schedule has a Dave Kitty Memorial race that will take place during their October Fall Fest.

Two years ago, Fox Chapel’s Chip Ganassi sold his NASCAR Late Model team to Justin Marks and it became Trackhouse Racing. Grammy award winning rapper artist, Pitbull joined Trackhouse Racing in 2021 as a part of a partnership with a mission of promoting positivity through the love of both music and sports.

Millions of people around the world, racing fans or not, will hear his new album called Trackhouse that Pitbull will release internationally July 7.

Racing romance

Rappin’ on Racin’ reporter Dave Oliveri is no longer a confirmed bachelor. He met the love of his life and soulmate Charlene Knox. They are planning a summer wedding this year

Friday, Lernerville Speedway will have a $1,000 to win 'Bob Lambert Memorial' Pro Stock feature race plus 410 Sprints, Big Block Modifieds & 305 Sprints.

Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle