By Eric Westendorf
Sarver, PA (May 16, 2012) Fab Four Racing is back in action again this Friday, May 18, but with a little twist as the Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Northeast Big Block Modifieds will be replaced on the card with the Small Block Showcase featuring the 358 Modifieds that call Mercer Raceway Park home on Saturday Nights. While welcomed to compete with the Diehl Mods every Friday night on an amended rules package, the Small Blocks will take center stage this week thanks to Jerry Schaffer of Approved Toilet Rentals. The Small Blocks will be competing under Mercer’s Small Block rules package for $1,000-to-win without having to compete against the extra speed and horsepower of the Big Block Mods.
Mercer stars Frank Guidace and Eric Gabany have been regular competitors in the Diehl Mods this season and will be favorites for a visit to Sheetz Victory Lane. Another favorite will be Shawn Fleeger, he of the Diehl Mod ranks. Shawn’s hard work and the generosity of his crew chief Bob Morgan have allowed him to have both a small block and a big block car. “We lost our big block motor during the 2010 Steel City Stampede, but didn’t have the funds to fix it at the time for 2011 so it was more cost effective to build a small block rather than fixing the big block. That was our plan last year to run Lernerville weekly as well as the BRP Tour and occasionally Mercer on Sat. nights. Thanks to Bob and my dad (former Diehl Mods driver Doug Fleeger) we bought a big block from Gene Kirila and a “new to us” chassis from the Halls (driven by Ryan Hall last season) and we’re fortunate enough to have two cars and two motors for 2012.”
Surprisingly, Fleeger’s best finish of the season and one of the best in his blossoming career came last Friday Night in the small block car. Having experience with both powerplants, Shawn has a unique perspective on the difference between the two, “The big block has a lot more torque/power coming into and powering off the turns as compared to the small block. The big block I can run just about anywhere top, bottom, or middle but with the small block you have to run top wide open to keep the momentum up to compete with the big blocks.”
But with the Big Blocks out of the equation this Friday Night, Fleeger will be able to use his experience and run wherever track conditions dictate as he looks for his first career feature win, “To me a win is a win! Small block or big block, that first win would be a dream come true! But none of this would be possible without my mom and dad, Bob, Tom and my girlfriend and her dad (Tricia and Larry Riffe) as well as the support of our sponsors; Frank’s Truck wash, Bill’s Interior Grooming, Hunter’s Truck Sales, Wayne Sell, Texas Road House, and Tarp America.”
While the Diehl Mods will have the week off, the Ti22 Sprints, Precise Late Models and Pic-A-Part Sportsman will all be in action as points leaders Kevin Schaeffer, Jared Miley and Corey McPherson all look back to get back into Sheetz Victory Lane as last Friday’s feature winners Carl Bowser, Chub Frank and Mike Miller all look to go back-to-back!
We have a variety of guests and activities planned for Armed Forces Night, including a ride-in by the Legion Riders of Post 18 from Slickville, PA. A band of 20 riders will cruise into the Action Track on motorcycles in support of our veteran and active duty service men and women. They will present our flags and take up a collection for donations to aid veterans in the area.
Those with military ID or discharge papers will receive half price ($7) admission until 7:00 and those in uniform will be admitted free of charge! Next Friday, May 25 is Ladies Night/80s Night and all ladies will receive half price ($7) admission until 7:00 and DJ Dow Carnahan will be spinning 80s hits between races all night long!
To view the entire Budweiser Point Standings and the complete 2012 schedule log on to Lernerville.com! And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter //www.twitter.com/@Lernerville”>@Lernerville for updates through the week as well as race night