|
Sarver, PA (July 17, 2008) What better way to celebrate the 40th Anniversary Season of Don Martin’s Lernerville Speedway than by meeting and mingling with the drivers who made the track so successful over those 40 seasons? Fans will have that opportunity tomorrow night, Friday July 18, as Lernerville Speedway honors local racing legends on Nostalgia Night. For years Don and Carol Gamble have coordinated this event, a reunion of sorts, to honor the drivers and car owners who helped put Lernerville Speedway on the map.
Don Gamble has done a little bit of everything on the local racing scene. Actually, he’s done a lot of everything, but his biggest legacy perhaps will be the active role he has taken to not only help put Lernerville on the map with his weekly radio shows “Rappin’ on Racin’!” and “Trackside”, but also how he continually keeps the past alive by coordinating Nostalgia Night each season for and at Lernerville Speedway.
This season Nostalgia Night has extra meaning because of the landmark 40th Anniversary Season of Don Martin’s Lernerville Speedway. Over 50 drivers are expected to attend including 19 years worth of sprint car champions, 17 years of late model champions, 21 years of modified/coupe champions and 10 years of semi-late/stock champions.
The names read like a Who’s Who list of local racing legends, Bob Wearing Sr., Blackie Watt, Herb Scott, Gus Linder, Lou Blaney, Ralph Quarterson, Ed Lynch Sr. and so many more! There will also be eight classic/vintage race cars on display. The drivers and show cars scheduled to attend are listed here below.
Nostalgia Night
Sprint Champions Ralph Quarterson (1968, 69, 71), Frank Raiti (1970), Lou Blaney (1972-75, 77, 78),
Jack Sodeman (1979), Jerry Matus (1981, 83, 84), John Beaber (1987), Craig Rankin (1988, 92), and Mark Casella (1989, 94)
Sprint Competitors Dick Bailey, Bill Banick, Ray Baselj, Buddy Cochran, Gus Linder, Dave Lundy, Andy Lutz, Jim Magill, and Bill Wheeling
Late Model Champions Dick Swartzlander (1969, 70), Bob Wearing Sr. (1971, 72, 74, 79, 81, 97), Dave Hoffman (1975, 76, 77, 91), Tommy Jarrett (1978), Blackie Watt (1982, 87), and Ed Ferree (1985, 86)
Late Model Competitors Herb Scott, (whose 500th Feature Win came at Lernerville), Frank Choura, Fran Gower, George Leon, Don Luffy, Dave Meloy, Art Osmer, and Dunk Packdozi
Modified/Coupe Champions Carl Murdick (1970), Ralph Quarterson (1971), Blackie Watt) 1972, 74, 75, 82, 84), Ed Lynch Sr. (1973, 76, 77), Deek Scott (1979), Lou Blaney (1980, 91, 96), Brian Muehlman (1981), Bob Wearing Sr. (1983, 87, 88, 92, 93), and Jack Sodeman (1985)
Modified/Coupe Competitors Bob Axe , Johnny Axe, Dick Bailey, Frank Choura, Fran Gower, Harry Hein, Doc Harmon, Estle Harp, Bob Lucci, Henry Long, Jim Magill, Hoot Martin, Art Osmer, Bob Stanford, Al Stivenson, Bruce Taylor, and Bill Wheeling
Semi Late Champions Brian Muehlman (1973), Dave Pegher (1974-76), Terry Rosenberger (1985), and Barry Peters (1988, 90, 92)
Semi Late Competitors Banker Beach, Don Gamble, Bud Holben, Dave Mohn, Don Pegher, Don Seanor, Smokey Schempp, Gus Sholich, Ron Smith, and Jim (Snuffy) Smith
Pure Stock/ Street Stock Champions Dave Rupp (1975) and Tom Valasek (1983)
Pure Stock Competitor Mark Muehlman
The following cars are scheduled for display: Paul Backus (Deek Scott’s Modified), Jorn (Yawn) Jenson, (Freddie Lorenzen #28 Race Car), Andy Lutz (#86 Modified), Tom Robertson (Beckman Motors Herb Scott #180), Darwin Stivenson, (#0 Chevy Coupe), Jerry McDowell (#22 sprint car), Jimmy Etter (PRA Coupe driven by Bill Webster), and Howie Goss (1957 Chevy #12J)
Gates open at 5:00 p.m., so come early and join us as we honor these great drivers and, even if just for one night, step back in time and reminisce about the past 41 years of Don Martin’s Lernerville Speedway.
|
|
