04/25/2026
The Thompson family had a great opening night at the Lernerville Speedway! The crowd was one of the largest I can remember for the season opener. If the car count is any indication of what the season has to offer, the fans are in for an exciting year.
There were 31 Late Models, 22 Sprints, 20 Big Block and 17 Pro Stocks
AJ Flick won the Sprint Feature
Alex Ferree won the Late Model feature in his new Longhorn
Eric Rudolph won the Big Block Modifieds
Bret Hutira won the Pro Stocks
April 25, 2026
Brett Hutera picked up his first career Lernerville feature win in the Pro Stocks Friday night. Brett is a friend of my sister's husband, Tim Mihalek. They met when they were working with Advantage Steel on the McKees Rocks Bridge. Brett was the superintendent of the company.
Nine-time Sprint Car Champion, A. J. Flick, picked up the feature win. Flick has forty-four Sprint Car wins and six Pro Stock wins at Lernerville. A. J. has some new sponsors, a new fire suit, and new racecar colors.
Announcer, Eric Westendorf had a lot of fun with the fans on Friday. The people in the tower were unable to locate the winner of the 50/50 raffle. Eric had some fun by teasing the fans about not being good at math and hoping to pull his number. Eventually, the winner was located.
Alex Ferree put the #1 Cochran Longhorn chassis in victory lane. Alex thanked his crew and Bob Bentz for an excellent job of getting the car ready. Many years ago, Bob and his father were in charge of the cars Joe Mihalic drove. I do not know the total wins on their resume, but it is possible there more wins than Lynn Geisler and Alex Ferree combined.
Lernerville is having a fund raiser during the Firecracker to benefit Autism Pittsburgh by way of a Sportsmanβs Bash on Tuesday June 23 at the track from 6pm to 9pm. Tickets are available at the track.
I thought it was nice that Eric kept the fans up to date on the Steeler's activities during the NFL draft in Pittsburgh. Eric's announcing during the evening was outstanding.
Until next week, Darrin Gamble does the dirt at Lernerville.