Lernerville Speedway
May 25, 2012
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Jared Miley scores a Hat Trick on Diehl Auto Group Night

SARVER, PA (May 25) - On a hot & steamy night that seemed much more August than the end of May, Budweiser Points leader Jared Miley scored a hat trick with his third win of the season in the Precise Late Models.  Jack Sodeman Jr. took the lead on lap 11 to hit Black Jack for his first feature win of the season in the Ti22 Sprints.  Kevin Bolland and AJ Flick both used late race passes over Steve Feder and Corey McPherson to win the Diehl Mods and Pic-A-Part Sportsman features respectively.

Friday Night’s feature action kicked off with Herman Bertolini and John Garvin Jr. leading the Precise Racing Products DIRTcar Late Models to the green flag.  Garvin, a.k.a. “The Copperhead”, jumped out to the early lead while Budweiser points leader and two-time feature winner in 2012 Jared Miley got by Bertolini for second. Doug Eck jumped into the mix challenging Miley for second and making heavy contact with him in turn four to take the position away. Miley and Eck made contact again in turns one & two with Miley retaking second, but a caution for Tommy Beck (making his 2012 debut in a brand new Wylie Race Car), Marc Sallack and Mike Pegher Jr., gave the position back to Eck for the restart. But that was short-lived as Miley drove under Eck in turns three & four and began to pursue Garvin for the lead while Garrett Krummert reeled in and eventually passed Eck for third. 
 
Another yellow flag waved on lap eight after Herman Bertolini was reminded of the front stretch wall’s undefeated record against any and all challengers.  Krummert relinquished third and rolled into the pits after puffing smoke the previous lap. Garvin maintained a slight lead on the restart only to see yet another caution on lap nine. On that restart, Miley drew even with Garvin in one & two and down the backstretch, but Garvin rocketed off the top of turn four to lead at the flagstand.  The following lap, Miley took a slight lead in one & two then used a power slidejob in three & four to take a clear lead at the flagstand.  The rest of the story kind of tells itself as the race was on for second behind Miley as he cruised away to his third feature win of the season; the 12th of his career to tie Brian Muehlman and Dave Thompson, just one behind Dick Swartzlander, Dick Barton and Gregg Satterlee.

Speaking of the race for second, after losing the lead to Miley, Garvin also gave way to Chuck Sarver whom followed Miley’s proverbial tire tracks underneath the rimriding Garvin.  Sarver would take the position free & clear on lap 20 as Garvin slid of the top of turn two.  Paired with his earlier heat race win, Sarver’s second place feature finish capped his best night of racing at the Action Track and a well deserved one at that as you won’t find a nicer driver or a better kempt race car! 

Mike Pegher Jr., (making his 2012 debut in car owner Lynn Geisler’s #1 Cochran Super Late Model), also drove under Garvin in turns one & two in the closing laps to steal third away from Garvin.  Behind Garvin in fourth was Mike Johnson in fifth.  The Precise Top Ten rounded out with Doug Eck, Michael Norris, Jeff Jones, Todd Bachman and Chris Schneider.  Dan Swartzlander won the other Precise Late Model heat race, but did not start the feature due to engine issues.

Precise Racing Products DIRTcar Late Models Feature (25 Laps)
1. (H1) Jared Miley, South Park
2. (88) Chuck Sarver, West Sunburry
3. (1C) Mike Pegher Jr., Wexford
4. (J4) John Garvin Jr., Sarver
5. (2J) Mike Johnson, Imperial
6. (03) Doug Eck, Corry
7. (72) Mike Norris, Sarver
8. (27) Jeff Jones, Zelienople
9. (66) Todd Bachman, Natrona Heights
10. (55) Chris Schneider, Springdale
11. (29K) Garrett Krummert, New Castle
12. (26) Shawn Schaltenbrand, Natrona Heights
13. (7X) Herman Bertolini, Creighton
14. (17B) Marc Sallack, Punxsy
15. (91) Tommy Beck, Murrysville
DNS – (3) Dan Swartzlander, Freeport
DNS – (29) Ken Schaltenbrand, Sarver
Heat Race Winners: Chuck Sarver, Dan Swartzlander