Gamble: Lernerville Speedway back for 2025 with upgrades, packed schedule
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The Lernerville Speedway sign during the Test & Tune on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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The Test & Tune on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Hot laps during the Test & Tune on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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The Test & Tune on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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A young race fan climbs the bleachers during the Test & Tune on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway.Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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A family enjoys watching racing during the Test & Tune on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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A crew member check cars into the track on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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DirtTV films different hot laps during the Test & Tune on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Gary Spangler takes sprint car for a couple of laps during the Test & Tune on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Cody Koteles races around the track in his Pro Stock car during the Test & Tune on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Jacob Dietz takes his Pro Stock around the track during the Test & Tune on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Christian Schneider lines up for the hot laps during the Test & Tune on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Jonathan Koteles waits patiently in his Pro Stock car during the Test & Tune on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Brayden Beatty runs his RUSH Sportsman Modifieds car during the Test & Tune on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Cody Koteles races around the track in his Pro Stock car during the Test & Tune on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Lernerville Speedway. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
The famed Lernerville Speedway is gearing up for a massive 2025 season, with more than 42 events slated on the calendar in what’s being called a “blockbuster” schedule.
Known as the “Action Track,” Lernerville promises fans a thrilling variety of racing experiences from spring through fall beginning 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 25.
“I am thrilled to have such a variety of experiences to share with the race fans this season,” Speedway manager Greg Geibel said. “We’ve packed this year with something for everyone.”
Headlining the schedule is the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series'“Firecracker 100,” which returns in an expanded five-day format, June 17-21. The marquee Late Model main event that offers $50,000 to the winner will conclude the week. A $20,000-to-win Bill Emig Memorial Rush Late Models feature is also on the card.
In collaboration with legendary race promoter Carl Short, Lernerville will also host the 57th annual “Hillbilly Hundred” during Labor Day weekend, bringing two straight nights of high-octane Lucas Oil Late Model action to the Sarver oval.
Sprint car fans can mark their calendars for Tuesday, July 22, when the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup XXXIV Sprint race returns under the sanction of Kyle Larson’s High Limit Racing. The series will also have a doubleheader weekend, Sept. 12-13, for the Commonwealth Clash.
The BRP Modified Tour will make three appearances at The Action Track in 2025 as the Big Block Modifieds take center stage with extra money on the line. There are Test and Tune evenings, Bus races bike races, Mini Stocks and the GeibelFest Day of Destruction.
In addition to the Friday Fab4 racing shows, another new feature will occur at the track.
Dirt.TV 3-Wide Sundays Mini Series will take place once a month from April through August. The headline events will be the 410 Sprints, Big Block Modifieds and the Allegheny Sprint Tour 305s with their own Mini Series points.
Beyond the packed racing schedule, several upgrades and changes have been made around the facility. All electrical wiring has been placed underground, improving safety and aesthetics. A new bridge now connects the general admission stands to the pit stands, giving fans improved access. For just $10, fans can now purchase passes to access the pit stand during races.
Another key change for 2025: victory lane access will be limited. While fans will no longer be allowed to gather at victory lane after the race, a new designated area near the pits will be open for post-race celebrations and photos. Ticket prices remain family-friendly. Grandstand admission is $20, and kids under 10 get in free.
Evans City’s Brandon Spithaler is gearing up for an action-packed 2025 racing season with one of the most aggressive Sprint Car schedules in the region. The two-time FAST Sprint Series Champion (2023 and 2024) will be splitting his time between two machines: the Barris No. 32B, in which he’s scheduled for over 30 races, and his own No. 22 410 Sprint, expected to hit 40 races.
Spithaler, 33, who balances his racing career with a full-time job as a mechanical engineer, has his sights set on the newly revived All-Stars Sprint Series for 2025. He’ll compete in his own No. 22 as a full-time member of the All-Stars roster, while also participating in select World of Outlaws and High Limit races, including the prestigious Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway.
In 2024, Spithaler drove to eight victories in his Triple X Chassis, bringing his career feature win total to 40. Fans can find his full schedule on his Facebook page.
The All-Stars Sprint Series recently announced its 2025 roster, confirming 12 drivers committed to the tour. Alongside Spithaler are names like Cody Bova, Leyton Wagner, Cale Thomas (wheeling the Rudzik No. 49), Devin Bordon, Justin Clark and Van Gurley Jr.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway is introducing a new division: the Crown Vic racing class. Aimed at affordability, these cars can reportedly be built for just $5,000 to $6,000. Regulations call for stock engines — though time will tell how closely that rule is followed.
Fourteen-year-old Logan Lockhart is set for a whirlwind year of competition. Lockhart plans to run crate Modifieds as often as possible, add 8-10 crate Late Model races, and throw in a few RUSH Sprint races for good measure. Not to mention appearances in Monster Truck events and weekly karting at his family’s track on Thursday nights.
Teen driver Brock Pinkerous is also making waves, focusing this season on Super Late Model racing with veteran Russ King as crew chief. King, a champion in his own right, says Pinkerous will still enter some of the top-paying RUSH Late Model events, but the main goal is the Super Late Model and ULMS tour. King is also mentoring his nephew, Karston King, in the Crate Modified ranks.
“If you want to be the best you have to race with the best,” Russ King said, “and that would be at Lernerville.”
Jack Lentz, of Indiana, Pa., died Feb. 27. Jack and his late wife, Donna, were the co-owners of Challenger Raceway and Clarksburg Hose. A U.S. Army veteran, Jack was also a racer and team owner, fielding cars for the Late Model Hall of Fame driver Blackie Watt.
Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle
