Fastrak Northeast winner Russell King at Lernerville Speedway. (Cory Stivason)

Fastrak: King Likes His Fastrak Debut With Lernerville Win

Mike Leone

SARVER, Pa. - May 30. The Fastrak Northeast Late Model Touring Series concluded the two-event Bill Emig Memorial “Wild Card Weekend” on Monday night at Lernerville Speedway, and Russell King quickly made a statement over the weekend in his FASTRAK Late Model debut.

After finishing second on Saturday at Sharon Speedway (to Josh Holtgraver), King used the outside to charge from the eighth position to power to the lead and hold off the Blair duo - Max and Robbie - on Monday night to capture the $1,500 second leg of the Bill Emig Memorial. King was also crowned the $500 Bill Emig Memorial “Wild Card Weekend” Champion after two nights of racing.

Some wild Crate Late Model racing action with eventual Lernerville Speedway winner Russell King riding the top side. (Cory Stivason)

“This is an honor,” stated the 22-year-old Bristolville, Ohio racer. “Bill Emig was a Modified guy and we’re all Mod people. He let a lot of guys drive his cars. The Emigs are a very good family and also did a lot with Mercer Raceway Park. I’m having so much fun! This FASTRAK program is a good deal and I have to thank Vicki (Emig) and everyone. I was rolling around good on the outside and I knew I was pretty good when I passed Max (Blair). I just steered clear of the lapped cars, but I never let my guard down. Robbie (Blair) was good on the bottom and he’s the type of guy that will search around and find the right line. I’m just pumped about this!”

A three-way battle for second between #56 Russell King, #55 Joe Martin, and #11 Robbie Blair. (Cory Stivason)

Joe Martin drew the pole-position and took off in the lead, while Holtgraver moved from fourth to second on the opening lap. Seventh starting Max Blair found his way to third before George Kowatic spun to bring out the caution with one lap scored.

When racing resumed, Max drove under Holtgraver for second, while King was halfway to the front when he passed Billy Stile III for fourth. Another caution brought action to a halt when Butch Lambert and Mike Blose spun on opposite ends of the speedway with two laps completed. On the ensuing restart, King passed Holtgraver for third, while 10th starting Robbie Blair cracked the top five for the first time.

Max drove to the outside of Martin to lead lap four. Robbie used the inside to drive under Holtgraver for fourth on the fifth circuit. The event’s final caution was displayed for an incident involving Shane Hitt, Ricky Meglaye, and Lambert with six laps scored. When green replaced yellow, Lernerville star Mike Pegher, Jr. was able to race his way into the top five, taking the position away from Holtgraver.

A three-car race for second ensued and it was three-wide ur on lap nine, with King grabbing the spot over Martin and Robbie Blair. Robbie then dove under Martin in turn four on the following lap to snag the third spot. Using the highline, King quickly closed on Max Blair, who was running the bottom. The young stars ran side-by-side beginning on lap 13 and continuing through lap 16. Max would lead the 13th lap, but King used a slingshot move going from the top of the speedway in turn four and then slid under the leader down the frontstretch into turn one to officially lead lap 14. After running side-by-side for the next two laps, King was able to start distancing himself from the pack.

It wasn’t until lap 19 when King caught the back of the pack and would have to deal with lapped traffic for the remainder of the race. King continued to stretch his lead, but was in heavy lapped traffic on lap 23. King was able to clear those cars without any trouble then had his hands full on the final lap as a gaggle of cars slowed his run to the finish. King though used patience and still took the checkered flag by a margin of victory of 2.078 seconds.

Robbie closed on his son Max on the final lap, but wasn’t able to make the move as Max came home second. Pegher took fourth after getting by Martin on lap 13.

	May 30 - Lernerville Speedway Fastrak 1. Russell King, 2. Max Blair, 3. Robbie Blair, 4. Mike Pegher, Jr., 5. Joe Martin, 6. Steve Dixon, 7. Josh Holtgraver, 8. John Volpe, 9. Mike Blose, 10. Kyle Lukon, 11. Dan Angelicchio, 12. Rocky Kugel, 13. Bobby Whitling, 14. Josh Double, 15. Kyle Zimmerman, 16. Michael Mitchell, 17. Mike Laughard, 18. Kyle Thomas, 19. Shane Hitt, 20. Ricky Meglaye, 21. Butch Lambert, 22. Billy Stile III, 23. Colton Flinner, 24. George Kowatic.
Michael Moats photo