Weekly Notebook presented by FK Rod Ends
Notes: Track variety tests young Pennsylvania
By Todd Turner
DirtonDirt.com managing editor
Lane Snook (Teal Beard/wrtspeedwerx.com)
They say variety is the spice of life. For a young Dirt Late Model driver, competing on a variety of dirt tracks of varying sizes and shapes speeds up the learning curve.
And that's where 16-year-old Lane Snook finds himself during his first winning season in the Limited Late Model division. Within an hour of his Mifflintown, Pa., home, he's got a couple of half-mile ovals in nearby Port Royal Speedway and Selinsgrove Speedway. He's got a 3/8-mile option at BAPS Motor Speedway in York Haven, Pa., or a tight quarter-mile layout Path Valley Speedway in Spring Run, Pa.
The fresh-faced youngster has already clicked off victories this season at BAPS and Path Valley — he's on a streak of back-to-back victories at the tracks heading toward Labor Day weekend — while searching for his first half-mile triumph. That's put him atop DirtonDirt.com's Weekly Notebook presented by FK Rod Ends.
"I mean, having all the tracks here around Central PA is definitely a benefit," Snook said, "and it teaches you how to drive a different racetrack everywhere you go."
An accomplished go-kart racer with nearly 150 victories through seven states, Snook made the natural move to Late Models a few years ago, following the tire tracks of his late grandfather Butch Renninger — a standout racer celebrated every Labor Day weekend at Port Royal with a memorial event — and his 52-year-old father Todd Snook, a Limited Late Model veteran who has eased out of the driver's seat in recent seasons.
Todd Snook bought his son his first Late Model in 2022. The youngster made a few late-season starts, then continued through the 2023 season, adding his first top-five finishes at BAPS and Path Valley. He reached victory lane for the first time on June 1 at BAPS, a highlight of the season that came on the same night he made a dazzling rally to a runner-up finish in a program-opening makeup feature.
"That was cool. Something that you'll never forget. And the makeup feature that we ran that night from going 23rd to second was definitely cool, too," Snook said, recalling the postrace celebration. "It was pretty big. My family is there, they go to all my races. We came back to the shop and there was a whole bunch of people here. It was pretty fun. I had to race go-karts the next day, so I had to go to bed pretty early, which kind of sucked."
Since then he's added five more podium finishes, including August victories at BAPS and Path Valley, and Snook plans to make his Super Late Model debut Sunday at Selinsgrove in the $6,300-to-win Paul Long Memorial.
Compared to some young drivers who race at a single dirt track in their formative years, Snook realizes he benefits from "all the different tracks that around here that we get the race on," he said.
"It's definitely helpful to go from track to track and get the race on local racetracks to see, like to teach yourself how to drive a different racetrack instead of being good at one certain place," Snook added. "I think I'm better at the bullring tracks like Path Valley and I think we're pretty good at BAPS right now, too. I'm still trying to get used to the bigger tracks and there's usually a little bit more competition at the bigger tracks.
"You can definitely learn more at a smaller track with car control, but like at a big track you learn how to keep your momentum up and not make mistakes because you can lose a lot of time in a hurry."
Snook is fortunate to have input from veteran racers including his father, half-brother Trent Brenneman, sponsor and fellow BAPS winner Coleby Frye and Hall of Fame racer Gary Stuhler, all who have helped steer him in the right direction.
He's had a few issues to correct in developing his Late Model skills.
"I think just not running the car too hard into the corner and, just the (aerodynamics), trying to get used to how the air works and not losing the nose from running behind another car," Snook said. "And I have a habit from running go-karts of leaving my foot on the brakes a little bit. So I'm trying to get used to not having my foot on the brake.
"It's OK to do it in go-karts just because it doesn't really touch the rotor until you press it down further. But as soon as your foot leans against (the brake pedal) in a Late Model, it's touching the rotor," he said. "I've had the rotors glowing a few times now and (I'm) just trying to catch myself in the middle of the race to not have my foot on them. I usually try to remind myself when I'm racing and sometimes I'll back my foot up from the pedal a little bit, like my heel, before I go out."
As for driving hard into the corners, "I think I do that because my dad, whenever I was practicing in the Late Model, he kept trying to tell me to drive it in harder," he said. "And then I just started doing it at some point, I guess and now went too far. So now I'm trying to teach myself to go back the other way."
A junior at Juniata High School, Snook would love to make the driver's seat his office as he looks to his future prospects. Fellow Pennsylvania Drake Troutman of Hyndman, Pa., is living out such a dream as a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series rookie contender and Snook wouldn't mind following the same path.
"I wanna go racing," he said. "I'd like to go either race on the road or help somebody on the road. I think that'd be really cool. I've helped Drake Troutman a little bit during Speedweeks down in Florida, and that was really fun."
Weekly highlights
• IMCA weekly contender Travis Denning of Sterling, Ill., reeled off three straight feature victories Aug. 23-25, winning Iowa events at Davenport and Maquoketa the first two nights before capping the weekend at East Moline (Ill.) Speedway.
• Bubba Roling of Clay Hill, Fla., led 14 of 20 laps Aug. 24 at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga., for a 602 Crate Late Model victory in the $3,016 Morgan Sheffield Memorial.
• Rallying from his ninth starting spot, Tyler Bare of Rockbridge Baths, Va., took the lead on the 22nd of 37 laps and cruised to a $3,037 Super Late Model victory at Elkins Raceway in Kerens, W.Va., in the fourth annual Jim Stout Memorial. He won by a half-track margin.
• Kyle Hardy of Stephens City, Va., cleaned up Aug. 23 at Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown, Pa., with four feature victories. He won regularly scheduled victories in the Limited and Crate Late Model divisions along with makeup races in each class.
• In a rare Super Late Model event at Silver Bullet Speedway in Owendale, Mich., Dona Marcoullier of Houghton Lake, Mich., earned $3,000 in taking the checkers 3.613 seconds ahead of Travis Stemler.
• Winning from the 12th starting spot to pick up a $500 bonus, Kyle Moore of Mansfield, Ohio, won the points finale at Wayne County Speedway to clinch the track championship. Moore finished the season with 11 victories at the track in Orrville, Ohio.
First things first
Recent first-time occurrences at the dirt track:
• Leading all 20 laps, Frankie Gordon of Mercersburg, Pa., scored his first Limited Late Model victory Aug. 24 at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway. He won in the car Justin Weaver drove to victory at Hagerstown on July 20.
• Mount Airy, N.C.'s Kendal Tucker won his first 604 Crate Late Model feature Aug. 24 at Ultimate Motorsports Park in Elkin, N.C.
• Briar Cheatham of Ponce de Leon, Fla., captured his first Crate Late Model victory Aug. 24 at Southern Raceway in Milton, Fla. The 14-year-old who led all 20 laps is in his rookie season.
• Winning Aug. 23 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway, Chase Wilson of Hoopeston, Ill., notched his first career Crate Late Model victory.
• Winning Aug. 24 at I-35 Speedway, Clay Stuckey of Shreveport, La. — seeking out a nearby Late Model race after a Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association rainout — won at the Winston, Mo., track for the first time.
• Ashton Briggs of Erie, Pa., led all the way Aug. 23 at Raceway 7 in Conneaut, Ohio, for his first Crate Late Model victory.
• Winning Aug. 23 at Skyline Speedway in Stewart, Ohio, Corey Miller of Parkersburg, W.Va., notched his first Super Late Model victory.
• Benjamin Easler, a 17-year-old division rookie from Linesville, Pa., captured his first Crate Late Model feature Aug. 25 at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa.
Weekly news briefs
• The owners of Mudlick Valley Raceway in Wallingford, Ky., on Aug. 28 announced the track is for sale through Story Realty of Flemingsburg, Ky., according to the track’s Facebook page. “We have poured our hearts into making this track shine again, helping keep local dirt track racing alive and we hope that our hard work and efforts show and we are proud of all of our accomplishments,” the track’s message said, adding that the owners plan to continue operating the track until the sale of the property and business. The track is owned by Jamie and Judith Kent, Jaimie Ann and Logan Mullins along with Amanda and Charles Copher.
• Supporters of veteran WISSOTA driver Darrell Nelson have organized a fundraiser to assist the family with medical bills after his 2023 diagnosis for prostate cancer. The Hermantown, Minn., is still being treated and medical insurance has denied more than $100,000 in claims, according to the organizers of the fundraiser.
• Hummingbird Speedway in Reynoldsville, Pa., this week announced a premature end to the 2024 season. The third-mile oval, built in 1964 but dormant from 1976-1999, has long been promoted by the Caltagarone family, who posted on Facebook the "difficult decision to cease operations for the 2024 season." Plans for a 2025 season are on hold while they "explore all options." The track plans an Oct. 20 postseason banquet with Super Late Model champion Kenny Schaffer and Semi-Late champion Doug Surra among those receiving honors.
• The WISSOTA Board of Directors announced last week it has accepted a bid from Hoosier Racing Tire to provide tires for the organization through 2029. The board had "months of negotiations, detailed review by the finance committee, and much discussion and deliberation" in choosing Hoosier over American Racer. Hoosier has been the sole provider of tires since WISSOTA's founding in 1981.
• Outlaw Speedway in Dundee, N.Y., announced it has hired Kelly Gurnsey to replace Dave Wyre as general manager of the racetrack. Gurnsey, who previously managed several Arby's restaurants, has been training in recent months and "brings with her a wealth of management knowledge" along with "excellent people-person skills a wonderful attitude and the ability to work with our staff, racers and fans," according to the track press release.
• Continuing its effort to boost area tourism, the West Volusia Tourism Bureau is extending its sponsorship with Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., in a new multiyear deal. The partnership will see the tourism group and speedway collaborating on initiatives to showcase the dirt track’s year-round schedule of racing and fan activities. “The speedway is a major attraction in West Volusia,” said Georgia Turner, West Volusia Tourism executive director. “We’re very excited to be the preferred travel partner of the track. Now that the speedway has year-round events, it is terrific for tourism in our area." Track general manager Anthony Tate added that "with the help of the tourism bureau we’re able to further showcase everything Volusia Speedway Park has to offer.”
• Brighton (Ontario) Speedway on Aug. 24 inducted drivers Don O'Blenis and Bill O'Hara (posthumously) into the track's Wall of Fame along with track ambassador Kevin McBride.
• Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, Tenn., is mourning the Aug. 23 passing of Peggy Sue Holmes, who the track called a "beloved member of our Duck River Raceway Park family. Peggy was a loyal and devoted fan, attending our races every week alongside her husband, Jerry. Her passion for dirt track racing and the community here was unmatched, and her presence will be greatly missed in the stands." She was 64.
• Crystal (Mich.) Motor Speedway will continue the Labor Day weekend tradition of outlaw-rules Late Models with a Sept. 1 "Run What Ya Brung" event sponsored by Chapz Roadhouse. Late Model rules require a sideboard of at least 32 square feet and the driver must run at least half the race to get $750 start money.
• Monett Motor Speedway, the longest continually operating dirt track in Missourl, has elected not to host its traditional Four-State Championship event on the holiday weekend this season because of so many competing Late Model races.
Weekly points
DIRTcar (Supers): Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., has 2,397 points to lead Rusty Schlenk (2,174) and Tyler Erb (2,037).
IMCA (Limiteds): Cory Dumpert of York, Neb., has 792 points to lead Travis Denning (779) and Evan Miller (772).
POWRi (Limiteds): Tucker Cox of Jefferson City, Mo., has 5,930 points to lead Alan Westling (5,510) and Kyle Graves (5,380).
USRA (Limiteds): Cade Nelson of Hermantown, Minn., has 4,215 points to lead Matt Larson (4,205) and Jason McFadden (3,481).
WISSOTA (Limiteds): Tyler Peterson of Hickson, N.D., has 2,237 points to lead Shane Sabraski (2,195) and Dustin Strand (2,120).
American All-Stars (Crates): Brandon Fouts of Kite, Ky., has 600 points to lead A.J. Hicks (572) and Gunner Johnson (548).
Crate Racin’ USA (602 Crates): Bryson Mitchell of Russellville, Ala., has 693 points to lead Colby Ponds (688) and Josh Parkerson (682).
Crate Racin’ USA (604 Crates): David Williamson of Seminary, Miss., has 692 points to lead Chase Holland (680) and Shannon Lee (672).
DIRTcar (Crates): Dakota Ewing of Warrensburg, Ill., has 1,475 points to lead Tommy Elston and Chase Osterhoff, tied for second with 1,420 points apiece.
Fastrak (Crates): Brent Trimble of Morgantown, W.Va., has 634 points to lead Braeden Dillinger (631) and George Casto III (617).
RUSH (Crates): Jeremy Wonderling of Wellsville, N.Y., has 1,339 points to lead Jason Genco (1,315) and Breyton Santee (1,306).
Upcoming weekly specials
Among non-touring and independent special events coming up for Late Models at dirt tracks around the country:
Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway (Aug. 30-Sept. 1): The long-running East-West Clash posts $800-, $1,000- and $1,200-to-win purses for the Late Models with extra money in four other divisions. The Late Model finale will pay tribute to late Montana racer Kelly Hample.
191 Speedway, Campton, Ky. (Aug. 30-31): The Eastern Kentucky track reopens with a pair Super Late Model specials under new owners and promoters, brothers Willard Lawson and Wilford Lawson Jr. The $3,000-to-win Wince Mayabb Memorial and the $7,500-to-win Swift Silver 40 are set for back-to-back nights.
Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway (Aug. 31): The Butch Renninger Memorial opens the 170th Juniata County Fair with a $7,333-to-win purse for the Super Late Model divisions (Limited Late Models chase a $3,333 payday).
Raceway 7, Conneaut, Ohio (Aug. 31): The September Shootout wraps up the season with a $5,000-to-win Super Late Model event.
Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla. (Aug. 31): The multidivision Labor Day Classic includes $2,000-to-win features for two Crate Late Model division (604 and 602). Practice is set for Aug. 30.
Elkins Raceway, Kerens, W.Va. (Aug. 31): A late addition to the track's schedule is a $3,000-to-win Fall Festival event for topless Super Late Models with weekly divisions also in action.
Montpelier (Ind.) Motor Speedway (Aug. 31): The Jake and Jenson Memorial includes a $2,000-to-win Super Late Model event on the second day of a two-day show.
Rice Lake (Wis.) Speedway (Aug. 31-Sept. 1): The Dairyland Dash with six divisions includes USRA-sanctioned Limited Late Model both nights of action.
Toccoa (Ga.) Raceway (Sept. 1): The 100-lap Stephen Wragg Memorial pays $10,000-to-win for the Limited Late Model division in one of the richest races in track history.
Selinsgrove (Pa.) Speedway (Sept. 1): The 40-lap Paul Long Memorial pays $6,300-to-win for the Super Late Model division with $630 to the hard charger and $500-to-win for each fast-timer in qualifying groups.
Potomac Speedway, Budds Creek, Md. (Sept. 1): The Huey Wilcoxon Memorial pays $4,000-to-win for the Super Late Model division with the Modified Mafia Tour among several undercard divisions.
Duck River Raceway Park, Wheel, Tenn. (Sept. 1): The Sam Pugh Memorial and track homecoming includes a $6,000-to-win Super Late Model event on a nine-division program.
Bethany (Mo.) Fairgrounds Speedway (Sept. 1): The Northwest Missouri Fair races include a $1,500-to-win Late Model event on Sunday. Late Models aren't on Monday's card.
Wartburg (Tenn.) Speedway (Sept. 1): The annual Hall of Fame Race pays $2,000-to-win for the Limited Late Model division with Brad Byrd, Tony Shannon and Terry Shannon inductees.
Mudlick Valley Raceway, Wallingford, Ky. (Sept. 1): The track's Labor Day special pays $3,500-to-win for Super Late Models with four divisions on the undercard.
Southern Raceway, Milton, Fla. (Sept. 1): The seven-division Fox Labor Day Bash is highlighted by a $2,029-to-win feature for 604 Crate Late Models with payouts twice as big as weekly events for the top 12 finishers.
Editor's note: Adds Montpelier Motor Speedway special.
