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Lernerville Preview:Points Battles Heating Up As June Approaches; First Responders Honored This Friday

John Stivason/Stivason Photos

Another Fab Four Friday Night Fueled by Turner's Premium Iced Tea will be on hand for fans in attendance this week at Lernerville Speedway as we look to get our fourth evening of racing in the books. We will be honoring our First Responders as well, with all who serve our communities in Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services receiving free grandstand admission with proper ID.

Here's what to look for on the track coming into the evening.
Peoples Natural Gas DIRTcar Sprints
Three nights have produced three different winners so far in 2017 as Logan Wagner, Dan Shetler and Dylan Cisney have all made stops in Terry Bowser Excavating Victory Lane. Last week, it was Cisney who took the honors, holding off a determined AJ Flick who charged from his 11th starting position to second, to take the victory. It was the second win of the year for Central PA invaders as Wagner took the opening week win.

Just eight points separate the top four in the season standings so far which includes points leader Shetler, Flick, Gary Kreiss and last year's champion Jack Sodeman Jr. Behind them in fifth place lurks an early season surprise. Cory Good has put together an impressive start and managed to take his first career victory in 410 Sprint action at Mercer Raceway Park last Saturday night.

"It felt amazing," Good said this week talking about his win and start to the 2017 season. "The best feeling I ever felt in racing. As for my confidence, well it's of the chart right now. The sky's is the limit. I think we are on to something special this season. I think what has contributed most is being team mates with Rod and the amount of knowledge he and Matt Turner bring to the team. I've been studying setups we've used and that has given me a better understanding of how the car works, with that it makes me more comfortable on the track."
Precise Racing Products DIRTcar Late Models
Only seven markers separate the trio at the top of the Late Model standings after two weeks of competition as Mike Norris leads last year's champion Russ King and perennial favorite and multi time champion Alex Ferree.  Last week, a few Outlaws came to pay a visit during an off week, and one of them crossed the line first as Brandon Sheppard took his first victory in his first career Lernerville start.

Heading into the week,  Ferree is coming off a victory at Marion Center on Saturday and will be looking to take his first Lernerville victory of 2017.  Ferree took time out of his schedule to talk about the competition level he faces week in and week out on Friday nights.

"With the way Mike Norris has started out in Florida, I know he had a bunch of motor issues, but he was setting quick times and running up front when he did get the chance to race. And against the outlaws he was very impressive. Then you have Mike Pegher who won a couple crate races in Florida, we all know how much confidence plays in this game. And both of those drivers are starting out with truck loads of it.  Then you have to talk about Russ King, your defending champion, Matt Lux who recently got an XR1 and he is always fast."
Diehl Automotive DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds
As hard as it is to believe, Mat Williamson lies just eight points ahead of second place Brian Swartzlander three races in to the 2017 campaign. What makes it hard to believe is the fact that Williamson has started the year with a three race winning streak and shows no signs of slowing down.

However, this week he will have to start last on the grid, making the task of winning a fourth consecutive feature event fairly difficult.  It's not new territory for the 2016 champion who has come close to accomplishing the feat, finishing second in similar circumstances last season.

If Williamson can't get the job done, Swartzlander stands as the favorite to break the streak.  The veteran pilot has finished second to Williamson three straight times to start the year while Jeremiah Shingledecker has been consistently fast so far, earning a top five finish in all of his Lernerville starts thus far.  Beyond them, Garrett Krummert has been getting seemingly faster each week and managed a strong 2nd place finish to Rex King Sr. last Saturday at Sharon Speedway.
Millerstown Pic-A-Part DIRTcar/RUSH Pro Stocks
After one week of action, it looked as if Corey McPherson was off and running to yet another track championship. However, last Friday night, two more competitors announced their presence with authority as Tyler Dietz and Aaron Easler found victory lane in the make up and regular features.

Dietz wired the field in the first feature, run on a much heavier surface than normal while Easler managed to take the closing main event. Dietz moved through the field in smooth fashion to finish second to his good friend Easler and now sits four points behind McPherson in the title chase.

Behind them, Joey Zambotti has managed to find the podium twice in the first three main events and remains in third place in the season standings.

 

On Friday night, pits will open at 4 PM; grandstands at 5 PM and racing begins at 7:30 PM sharp.

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