Rappin' on Racin'

08/03/2025

🏁 FIRST WIN of the SEASON! 🏆
Huge congrats to Adam Kostelnik on picking up his first victory of the year in the Ron’s Collision Center Street Stock Division! 💪 It was a tight battle all the way, but Adam came out on top in an exciting finish! 🔥

Way to get it done! 🙌

07/28/2025

TRI STATE AUTO RACING NEWS RETURNS IN 2025!!

By Jim Balentine After the final issue of the last RPM racing news was printed in the late 2010s a void occurred in the Rich history of the tri-state area of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York as no local paper or website was covering the area focusing primarily on the many local race tracks some of which have been around since the 1950s.

The history of tri-state auto racing news goes back to the late 1960s as Greensburg Pennsylvania’s Vern and Vi Spencer began publishing a weekly newspaper, which focused on the local racing contingent from the three nearby states, a vast difference from the national racing papers of Speed sport, Speedway illustrated, and area auto racing news. Experienced writers along with weekly columnists and professional photographs from all track photographers made the local drivers regionally known week in and week out.

Throughout the glory days of the 1970s and 1980s Tri state auto racing news would become an essential part of the region as it would be one of the few newspapers to cover racing from Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The Spencer’s would eventually sell the paper due to health issues to local racing announcer and PR man Dave Kittey and Dr David Horne. Experienced columnists would write about their weekend adventures at the local tracks, which would provide more in-depth information than the regular press releases. Rich Berry; Dave Kittey; D.J. Cline; Dave Dragovich; and writers Walt Wimer and Chuck Bollinger would entertain everyone with their creative writing skills which would paint a picture of what they witnessed in person each week. Even current floracing announcer Dustin Jarrett got his start with Tri state auto racing news in his teenage years.

The photographers who would contribute to the paper is a Hall of Fame list with names such as Al and Bob Spekis; Jim Smith; Dan and Linda Fennell; Karl Kammerer; Jay Pees; Bill Truby; Brian Underwood; and current photographers Jim Balentine; Derek Bobik; Tommy Hein; and Howie Balis all put a face to the names of the drivers. Dave Kittey and Dr. David Horne would eventually sell the paper to the Sammons family and area auto racing news based out of Trenton New Jersey, which has left a void of in-depth local racing coverage for many years in the local press.

This spring of 2025 a group of local racing media came together to try to bring back major coverage of the three-state area, and after careful consideration, have decided to bring back ”tri-state auto racing news” as a prominent online presence. The website will consist of news, results, and columnists, and will feature photographs of the talented group of photographers around the area. It will cover both dirt and asphalt, primarily local with a little bit of national coverage all to promote the local drivers from this rich area of racing. The website URL will be www.tristateautoracingnews.com and there will also be a page as well. More information regarding track and sanction body submissions And advertising potential will be forthcoming. Please stay tuned for the return of Tri state auto racing news.

07/28/2025

07/28/2025

Rappin on Racin 7-28-2025

The 36th Annual Jook George Memorial Steel City Classic became one of the most unforgettable shows in event history. Mother Nature gave just enough grace for the track to almost pack in a full night of action: drivers from five states, qualifying, five heat races, a six-lap dash, two B-Mains, and four features, one of which was postponed for another day.

Christian Schneider from Pittsburgh, picked the perfect time to strike. When the field bunched up early in the main, Schneider pounced. He took the lead and never looked back, holding off every challenge for green-flag laps.

When the checkers waved, Schneider had claimed the biggest win of his career, and he did it in front of a hometown crowd on one of the biggest nights of the season.
Before the skies closed in,

The story behind the night’s biggest win started long before the green. Thirty-nine Late Models entered the pits, all with eyes on the $6,010 payday and a spot in Steel City history.

Special thanks to Brandon Lochwich for all his hard work putting the race together.

Brandon Burgoon set the tone early with a 19.594 in qualifying to earn Fast Time.

Guests for today’s show includes announcer Brian Spade, Schneider, Joe Martin and Wonderling

High Limit runner up at Lernerville Sye Lynch, Sprint Car Driver Brandon Spithaler and Late Model Driver Brandon Burgoon .

For additional information check rappinonracin.com

07/26/2025

Jook George car early in his racing career.

07/25/2025

Carol Gamble’s Race Column, July 24, 2025

Kornbau Races with Heart, Humor, and a Whole Lot of “Fun

“Boys just wanna have fun!” could easily be the motto of 24-year-old Jeremy Kornbau and his 305 Sprint race team. With roots deeply embedded in Pennsylvania’s rich racing soil, it’s no surprise that Kornbau found his way to the track. Racing runs in his blood—literally. His grandfather, Jim Semerad, raced the #27 Sprint Car at Tri-City, Mercer, and Lernerville from 1971 to 1977. The Semerad family, including Jim’s brothers and father, all played roles in keeping the car competitive.

Fast forward to 2014, when Jeremy’s brother Evan took a turn behind the wheel for two years. When Evan stepped away, Jeremy climbed in. Though his only experience was half a season of go-karting at Slippery Rock, Kornbau was eager to learn.

“When I jumped into it, I didn’t know anything,” Jeremy admitted. “I was pretty green. I didn’t do very well for a while. It took patience to get used to everything.”

That patience paid off. Jeremy has since amassed 18 feature victories and built a team that thrives on fun, camaraderie, and determination.

Kornbau isn’t one for superstitions or race-day rituals. “Whatever happens, happens. I really don’t do anything—I’m really relaxed on a race day,” he said. “We’re going for fun and enjoyment.”

Helping make that fun possible is crew chief Gary Edwards, a former Sprint Car driver with an impressive resume. The team also includes crew members Cole Peterson and Kevin Davis, with sponsorship from Jerry’s Auto Service—a lineup Jeremy proudly calls a “super squad.”

In the early days, the operation was a family affair. Jeremy’s mother, Denise Dellinger, and his grandfather were the only ones helping. Denise was also the team’s biggest fan and T-shirt saleswoman. “When I first came to the track, I had to find someone to run the four-wheeler and push me out—until Mom learned how to run it!” He laughed.

Jeremy found inspiration watching legendary drivers like Jac Haudenschild, known as “The Wild Child,” and Ricky Peterson, who has even driven Jeremy’s car to victory. Although Peterson is from Ohio, the two became friends through Facebook and now share a close bond.

When he’s not racing, Jeremy works for Blackshear Brothers Trucking and jokes, “I’m 24 and have nothing to do but spend money on racing!” His friends gave him the nickname “Korndog,” which has stuck ever since. Despite the nickname, his food of choice? Chile dogs—a staple near his hometown of New Castle. “If I had a choice, I would eat Chile dogs all day long,” he said.

Off the track, Kornbau enjoys bowling in the winter, golfing in the summer, and watching every Sprint Car race he can catch on TV.

As for the future? Kornbau keeps things realistic. “Everyone dreams of going bigger, but financially we’re just a ‘stay-around’ team. We’ll keep doing what we’ve been doing and having fun—running the Allegheny Sprint Tour at Lernerville, Mercer, or Pittsburgh.”
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Around the Track

The 2024 Big Block Modified “Rookie of the Year” Adrian Cipriani is pulling double duty—balancing his racing career while studying engineering at Penn State Behrend.

At the Lernerville Banquet, Pro Stock Champion Christian Schneider shared a heartfelt moment: “I learned a lot about racing from my boss, Chris Schneider. But I learned more about being a man!”

Siblings Vivian and Roman Jones continue to impress in their Racesaver 305 Sprints, even as they battle with 410 Sprint competitors. Vivian recently held 4th in a feature before champion driver Carl Bowser passed her, and younger brother Roman overtook her as well, finishing ahead. Vivian still leads Roman in overall 305 victories. Their father, Rod Jones, was a successful Micro Sprint driver with experience in both 305 and 410 divisions.

And in the Fast on Dirt Sprint Car Series, Ricky Peterson Jr. holds the points lead over Michael Baer by 49 markers. Piloting the No. 98 Chiapelli Motorsports entry, Peterson has two feature wins this season, both at Tri-City Speedway. Longtime racing duo Tom and Fran Chiapelli believe their driver has what it takes to win the championship.

Jack Crowell, a familiar face to fans at Lernerville Speedway, marked his 83rd birthday on Saturday surrounded by family and friends at the Blue Haven. Crowell and his employer #1 Cochran have been a fixture at the track for half a century. He affectionately earned the nickname, “The Mayor of Lernerville.” His dedication and enthusiasm for the sport have made him a beloved figure among drivers, fans, and staff alike.

Sad News: Catherine Ann “Kate” Blaney, 87, passed away on July 14, 2025. Kate was the devoted wife of the late Lou Blaney, a Hall of Fame Modified and Sprint Car driver whose racing legacy is etched in local and national dirt track history. A graduate of Kent State University, Kate taught second grade in the Ohio area before dedicating her time to co-owning Blaney Lumber and Sharon Speedway alongside her husband.

Known for her energetic spirit and unwavering work ethic, Kate played an integral role in both her family’s business and the racing world. Her life was a testament to commitment, family, and community. Please keep the Blaney family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

07/21/2025

07/21/2025

Welcome to Rappin on Racin July 21, 2025

Friday night at Lernerville Speedway the full line up of Fab4 Racing took center stage with the return of the Late Models after a one-week hiatus. A tricky and technical surface awaited drivers as they made their way to the speedway as a good deal of cushion developed throughout the night, putting an emphasis on adjustments with the cars and preferred racing lines.
AJ Flick visited Victory Lane for the first time in 2025 on Friday night in Sprint Car action with Garrett Krummert hitting pay dirt for the first time this season with his feature victory with the Block Modifieds. Michael Norris was the class of the field in the Late Model main event and Cody Koteles topped the 17 car Pro stock field for his second win in a row.
Pittsburgh John Mollick RUSH Sprints, Steven Shelpman won the Willie White Memorial, Brandon Burgoon won in RUSH Late Models, Nick Timberlake 4 Cylinders,

Michaels Mercer raceway was able to get in 3/4 of the program as the final feature of the night for the mini stocks was rained out. Rex King Jr. picked up his 11th Mercer modified win in the BRP modified tour race capturing $3000; Vivian Jones her second RaceSaver 305 sprint feature of the year; veteran Billy Adams ended a long dry spell by picking up his first win in the DIRT 602 crate sportsman feature since 2021; the mini stock feature was rained out and will be run first next week.

For more information go to rappinonracin.com

07/19/2025

07/19/2025