The Nextel Cup Series returns to action Saturday night at the Phoenix International Speedway in Avondale, Ariz., after taking the Easter weekend off.

Drivers will get the green flag at 8 p.m. for the running of the Subway Fresh 500 on the one-mile oval.

Kurt Busch won the event last year.

Jimmie Johnson takes a slight points lead into Phoenix. Fewer than 100 points separate the top five drivers.

Lernerville Speedway

The Action Track finally raised the curtain on the 2006 season Friday night with the pit area full of race cars and the stands jumping with excited fans.

When the last checkered flag fell on the night's activities, the most excited person in attendance was young Jared Miley, nephew of veteran Late Model driver Ben Miley.

The 20-year-old Miley won his first-ever Late Model feature race, besting the likes of Lynn Geisler, Ken Schaltenbrand, Dutch Davis and Dave Hess, who finished second through fifth, respectively.

Ed Lynch Jr. notched his 78th career win and sixth consecutive opening night victory in the Sprint division. Rod George, Carol Bowser, Ralph Spithaler and Skip Daugherty completed the top five positions.

New Brighton native Kevin Bolland picked up where he left off last season. He won the last three Modified features in 2005 and won the main event Friday night, recording his 35th career victory at Lernerville.

Wayne Carbo from Saxonburg won the Pure Stock feature over Mike Pegher Jr., Butch Lambert, Bob Egley and Jason Fosnaught.

Lernerville will present a regular Fab 4 program Friday night.

Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway

The first two cars across the finish line in the Late Model feature were disqualified after a post-race inspection, giving the victory to Lou Bradich Saturday night. Keith Barbara won the race but was found to have a deck height infraction. Second-place finisher Mike Davis was sent to the rear of the field when it was discovered he had an illegal spoiler.

Other winners Saturday night included Kevin Miller in the E-Mod division and Ron O'Patchen in the Pure Stock main event.

Sharon Speedway

Sharon Speedway finally got the new season under way Saturday night after two weather-related cancelations.

Ed Lynch Jr. blew the field away, winning the Sprint feature easily. He lapped all but five cars in picking up the win. Jarod Larson finished second in front of Brian Ellenberger, Jody Keegan and Mike Kekich. Butler's Ellenberger won his heat race.

When the dust settled in the E-Mod feature, Howard Fraley of Kinsman, Ohio, stood in victory lane.

Mike Pegher Jr. of Wexford won the Pure Stock feature, Jim Weller Jr. captured the Green Flag Sprint honors.

Inside the Loops

• Arnie Kent won the Sprint feature Saturday night at Mercer Raceway.

• Jim Magill, former Coupe driver and Lernerville pit steward, is out of the hospital following heart surgery.

Jim Lokhaiser is the racing columnist for the Butler Eagle.