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Lernerville Speedway Ushers In 50 Years Of Racing With Management, Track Improvements
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Lernerville Speedway dropped the green flag last Friday night to usher in its 50th season of racing.
The Tomson family, who bought the track in May 2015, replaced World Racing Group as owners. The family has made some additional changes to the track's management. Most notably, Father Tim Tomson, pastor of St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church in McKees Rocks, has replaced Gary Risch Jr. as the promoter and general manager.
“I learned that racing fans and racers are the salt of the Earth,” Tomson said. “I also learned, by viewing the kids involved in racing, that they don't have time to get into trouble because they are in the garage helping on the cars or at the track working on the cars with their families. We also learned that racing is just one big extended family.”
Tomson also said physical improvements have been made to the facility and the track.
Three hundred bleacher seats have been fixed, a French drain has been installed to help prevent water from leeching onto the racing surface, more clay has been put on the track and safety improvements have been made to the barrier in Turn 4.
“It really is the simple things that you can improve on to help make things, and life, better,” Tomson said. “This really is a great deal for family entertainment. For about $50, a family of four can come and enjoy themselves.”
Making racing more family-friendly has been a constant refrain since the purchase of the track, and the Tomsons continue to adjust things to attract as many families as possible, according to Tomson.
“For the kids, we have brought back the Kid's Club. We will also have the Monster Trucks at the track this season,” Tomson said. “Last year, we had the tractor pull show. Kids under 10 are still free to get in, and in August we will have a go-kart display to help introduce kids to racing.”
Lernerville has balanced its weekly racing series with bigger shows such as the World of Outlaws. It also is the only track in America to run the big three divisions each week — 410 Sprint Cars, Late Models and V-8 Modifieds.
In the span of 10 seasons, the three-day World of Outlaws Firecracker 100 for Late Models has turned into a major event and maintains its spot in the middle of the schedule, June 22-24. The first two nights are highlighted by $6000-to-win features and the final night's main event will pay $30,000 to win.
While the Firecracker 100 has staked its claim as the track's signature event, there are other big-name shows that help balance the schedule.
Tony Stewart's All Star Sprints will be at Lernerville on May 5. The World of Outlaws Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup XXVI is July 18. WoO Sprint Commonwealth Clash was not on the schedule last season but it returns Sept. 23.
The Monster Truck show is May 20, and the U.S.A. East Truck and Tractor Pull event is Aug. 27. The final night of points racing for the weekly shows is Aug. 26. Bus races are scheduled for June 6, and Sept. 9. Autumn-Motive Fest is Sept. 16.
The season will conclude Oct. 12-14 with the ninth annual DIRTcar Round Up Steel City Stampede with nine divisions taking part.
The Tomson family, who bought the track in May 2015, replaced World Racing Group as owners. The family has made some additional changes to the track's management. Most notably, Father Tim Tomson, pastor of St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church in McKees Rocks, has replaced Gary Risch Jr. as the promoter and general manager.
“I learned that racing fans and racers are the salt of the Earth,” Tomson said. “I also learned, by viewing the kids involved in racing, that they don't have time to get into trouble because they are in the garage helping on the cars or at the track working on the cars with their families. We also learned that racing is just one big extended family.”
Tomson also said physical improvements have been made to the facility and the track.
Three hundred bleacher seats have been fixed, a French drain has been installed to help prevent water from leeching onto the racing surface, more clay has been put on the track and safety improvements have been made to the barrier in Turn 4.
“It really is the simple things that you can improve on to help make things, and life, better,” Tomson said. “This really is a great deal for family entertainment. For about $50, a family of four can come and enjoy themselves.”
Making racing more family-friendly has been a constant refrain since the purchase of the track, and the Tomsons continue to adjust things to attract as many families as possible, according to Tomson.
“For the kids, we have brought back the Kid's Club. We will also have the Monster Trucks at the track this season,” Tomson said. “Last year, we had the tractor pull show. Kids under 10 are still free to get in, and in August we will have a go-kart display to help introduce kids to racing.”
Lernerville has balanced its weekly racing series with bigger shows such as the World of Outlaws. It also is the only track in America to run the big three divisions each week — 410 Sprint Cars, Late Models and V-8 Modifieds.
In the span of 10 seasons, the three-day World of Outlaws Firecracker 100 for Late Models has turned into a major event and maintains its spot in the middle of the schedule, June 22-24. The first two nights are highlighted by $6000-to-win features and the final night's main event will pay $30,000 to win.
While the Firecracker 100 has staked its claim as the track's signature event, there are other big-name shows that help balance the schedule.
Tony Stewart's All Star Sprints will be at Lernerville on May 5. The World of Outlaws Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup XXVI is July 18. WoO Sprint Commonwealth Clash was not on the schedule last season but it returns Sept. 23.
The Monster Truck show is May 20, and the U.S.A. East Truck and Tractor Pull event is Aug. 27. The final night of points racing for the weekly shows is Aug. 26. Bus races are scheduled for June 6, and Sept. 9. Autumn-Motive Fest is Sept. 16.
The season will conclude Oct. 12-14 with the ninth annual DIRTcar Round Up Steel City Stampede with nine divisions taking part.
