Racing has formed a bond between two brothers, Kelvin and Karl Kohan. They are the new guys in the Late Model field at Lernerville Speedway.

Kelvin is the driver and Karl is the crew chief. Although Kelvin is nine years older than Karl, he said, “Karl is the technical person. He knows so much about fixing everything and making it work. I listen to him.

“Although we are not close in age, Kelvin has always treated me with respect.”

They both have a passion for competition having grown up in a garage since they were in diapers. They have a line of relatives who have raced, including their grandfather, Joe Kohan.

For ten years, Kelvin was a contender in ATV Quad Motocross. In the regional and state championship competition, he finished multiple times in the top three and won a National title. Then he decided that the bumps and bangs were taking a toll on his body. It was time to look for something to race that provided a cage around him for protection. They moved to Modified-Lites for three years and 3\4 Late Models for a couple of years before getting to the Late Model class.

Growing up in the North Hills area, Kelvin said, “I remember watching my uncle, Jeff Kohan, Matt Sherlock and Nick Jones. They ran the number 15 and won a lot of races; so we decided to keep that neighborhood number, too, and make our car red like their's to bring back some of the old memories.”

Taking pride in their car's appearance is important to them. Late Model driver John Flinner has been a mentor. They spent a lot of time in his garage and enjoyed learning set ups.

“I especially liked working with John's dad, and watching John race,” added Karl. “Once you go racing, you are hooked!”

Kelvin works for Complete Auto as a mechanic and Karl is employed at Bertges Equipment Repair, so their jobs and racing careers blend together. The crew consists of Carl Tormento, Jeff Kohan, Mike Woodings, Mike Struck, and Bobby Bertges. Even Late Model driver Russ King has helped them a lot.

This low-budget team has made the maximum challenge with the minimum amount of cash.

“We cut costs by repairing our own equipment,” said Karl. “We have had a ball in this first complete year of Late Model racing.”

The team's goal is to finish in the top five in points and maybe even secure a feature victory this year. After work they go to the garage, eliminating any other hobbies.

“We met so many nice people in racing and we want to keep our nose to the grind 'cause it will pay off,” said Kelvin. “Wanting to make it to the top gives us motivation.”

-Two-time defending Lernerville Late Model champ Mike Norris was the highest local finisher (7th) in the “Firecracker” Late Model special Saturday. Mike Pegher made the race through the heat qualifications and Ken Schaltenbrand and Jared Miley were track-point provisionals for the race.

-Recently, Jennerstown Speedway posthumously inducted Ed Lynch Sr. into its Hall of Fame. Others sharing the honor were Bobby Henry, Paul Fess Sr., Jerry Price, Jack Sotosky, and engine builder Rick “Rocket” Koontz.

Lernerville Speedway inductees were “Super” Joe Kelley, who has 52 Stock victories and seven track championships; Kevin Shaffer produced four Lernerville Sprint titles and 16 victories; John Flinner, who put together a staggering five consecutive Late Model titles from 2001 to 2005 while amassing 43 feature wins at Lernerville.

The Pittsburgh Circle Track Club's HOF inductees were Joe Kelley, Sammy Stile, Dave Thompson, Barry Awtey and Ron O'Patchen.

Thompson had built a legendary resume in area racing starting in the 1950s and was one of the early stars of the sport at the Sarver oval. He was the first Late Model champion in track history in 1968, winning 10 out of 17 races for the year and would go on to add to his legacy with more feature wins in the years that followed.

-Late Model chauffeurs Russ King and Mike Pegher have become fathers of two darling daughters since last season.

Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle