BUFFALO TWP — Change is in store at Lernerville Speedway in 2007.

Changes in personnel already have taken place at the dirt racetrack to facilitate such moves.

Gary Risch Jr., named general manager of the Sarver track shortly after the end of last season, has shifted longtime public relations director Carol Gamble to activity coordinator. Eric Westendorf, 31, of Freeport has been named the new PR director.

Gamble had been the track's PR director since 1983, when she succeeded Jean Lynch at that position.

"Carol is still a vital part of this racetrack," Risch said. "Eric and her will work together, with Carol's primary duties being working with activities in the grandstands each Friday night.

"We've taken her position and expanded it to a two- person job. We want more activities for the kids in the bleachers each race night."

One concept being discussed is an alternate victory lane behind the stands, where each feature winner would bring his car, mingle with fans and sign autographs while racing continues on the track.

"We want to keep things happening behind the bleachers during the races,"Risch said. "It's tough for kids to sit through a night of racing with nothing else going on. We are stressing family entertainment."

Gamble formed the Kid's Club at Lernerville years ago and looks forward to coordinating special events at the track.

"My role will be different, but I'm going to help the track anyway I can," she said. "My hours won't be quite as hectic, so that will be a good thing."

Gamble will oversee the Kid's Club, Nostalgia Night, picture board displays, driver autograph sessions and other new activities for fans.

"She's great at dealing and interacting with people, and we're going to take advantage of that,"Risch said.

Westendorf is a counselor-teacher at Summit Academy and previously was manager of a pizza shop owned by former Sprint car driver Chad Hill.

Hill, brother-in-law of Lernerville career Sprint car victory leader Ed Lynch Jr., left racing two years ago. Westendorf was a member of his race team in the pits for three seasons.

"We used to go back behind the pizza shop and tinker with the car,"Westendorf said. "That's how I got started in the sport."

Westendorf is a 1993 Freeport High School graduate. Risch graduated from Freeport in 1995. They also attended races at Lernerville together.

"Dick Swartzlander is my mother's uncle, and he was like a grandfather to me. ... I grew up around racing,"Westendorf said. "I've always loved it.

"In high school, Gary and I would think of what we'd like to do with the track if we ever had the authority. If I had the speedway, I would do this and this, if he had the speedway, he would do this and that.

"Once he accepted the (general manager) position, I spoke to him about getting involved. During this winter, he called to see if I was still serious about it,"Westendorf added.

Westendorf will handle the track's press releases, deal with the news media and contribute ideas to improve the track as an entertainment center.

He said he wants to maintain Lernerville's tradition and expand upon it.

"People realize why this place is called the Action Track," Westendorf said. "There is so much tradition here. We want to keep that history and bring new life to it."

Lernerville begins its 40th season March 30. Points racing opens April 7.

Other key dates on the track's calendar include World of Outlaws Sprint Commonwealth Clash May 15 and Silver Cup XVJuly 17, OutlawsLate Models April 17 and the first OutlawsLate Models Firecracker 100 weekend June 29 and 30.