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Western PA Notes

By DJ Johnson

Spithaler wins, switches cars for Western PA Speedweek

By DJ Johnson For The Bulletin

Brandon Spithaler was the winner of the FAST on Dirt series event Sunday at the Knox Raceway in Knox, Pennsylvania, in the Spithaler Racing No. 22.

When Western PA Speedweek for 410 Sprint Cars kicks off, Spithaler will be in his other car, the Barris Racing No. 32.

Spithaler of Butler had just finished his second consecutive FAST on Dirt Series championship last fall when Tiger Barris approached Spithaler to drive the Barris Truck Service No. 32.



Dale Blaney drove the Barris 32 for several seasons with some success. However, Blaney decided to take over the reins of the Dave Blaney No. 10 (defending Western PA Speedweek Champion). His older brother, Dave, announced his retirement from sprint cars after he won the Lou Blaney Memorial race at the family track, Sharon Speedway.

“Tiger (Barris) reached out after the season, and we came to an agreement on what we were going to do,” Spithaler said. “Initially, they wanted to run 30 races, and we had penciled in at the beginning of the year 35 or 40 max. Obviously, this spring, we’ve had a lot of rainouts. Barris wanted to run the Knoxville Nationals, and I hadn’t been there since 2018 with the All-Stars, so we went out in April to test during the WoO swing. We got one night in, and we showed some speed. We’ll be going back for the Nationals.”

Then the All-Stars announced their return, which posed the question: which car would run at the All-Star races?

“When the All-Stars resurged, we debated which car would the series, and we agreed that my car, the No.22, would run the All-Star events (including Latrobe Speedway on July 5), and other bigger races, some local shows, and obviously Western PA Speedweek would be with the No. 32,” Spithaler explained.

Overall, Spithaler will run approximately 40-plus races, including the All-Star races in the No. 22 and 31 or so races in the No. 32.

“I will certainly be at all the Knox Raceway shows in the No. 22 as we are sponsored by Rustler Service, which is owned by the same folks that own Knox Raceway, and we want to support them,” Spithaler said. “As of now, we haven’t lost a race there in two years.”

Spithaler is looking to run more at the larger tracks to gain additional experience; tracks such as the Port Royal Speedway, PPMS, and Knoxville will be run with the No. 32.

Western PA Speedweek

Western PA face fans have a great opportunity this week to see five, make that four nights of 410 Sprint Car racing, weather permitting.

Michael’s Mercer Raceway Park hasn’t had any luck with the weather for the opening night of the Western PA Speedweek, as the Wednesday night edition has rained out the last four years. Unfortunately, the streak of rainouts continues, as the opening night of Western PA Speedweek at Michaels Raceway Park has fallen to Mother Nature again!

Spithaler was looking forward to Mercer as he has been successful at the Mercer Bullring.

Today, Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway gets its crack at Western PA Speedweek along with the Allegheny Sprint Tour presented by Renewal by Anderson Replacement Windows and Doors.

Spithaler had a great opening race at the Pot of Gold 2 back in March at PPMS.

“I haven’t won yet at Pittsburgh; we got dangerously close in March,” Spithaler said. “I think I gave the win away in traffic, but fought back to make it exciting at the end but just got beat (by AJ Flick).”

“I think we can be competitive again on Thursday,” Spithaler said.

Local and regional heavy hitters will be at Pittsburgh. You have Ricky Peterson Jr in the Chiappelli Motorsports No. 98, AJ Flick in the No. 2, former Champion Ryan Smith in the No. 6, and Spithaler, all of whom are capable of winning races and the Championship.

Don’t count out the “Steel City Outlaw” Tim Shaffer. The Aliquippa native has several impressive wins in the GP17. However, the Indiana-based team had some motor issues.

The Allegheny Sprint Tour of RaceSaver 305 Sprint Cars will also be on the schedule. The AST has had only one race so far in 2025, which was won by Jarrett Cavalet from Hollidaysburg at Lernerville back in April. Jacob Gomola, the four-time AST Champion, just completed the RaceOn Speedweek for RaceSaver Sprint Cars in Texas and Arkansas, finishing fifth in points.



The revised second race of the week, scheduled for Friday at the Lernerville Speedway, is expected to have a great car count, which will add intrigue to the Jean Lynch Classic. Spithaler and Flick, both former track champions at the Sarver speed plant, will be tough to beat there. Dale Blaney is expected to compete at Lernerville on Friday.

Saturday, Western PA Speedweek moves to the Sharon Speedway, where Blaney rules with 22 victories. This year’s Western PA Speedweek race will pay $5,000 to the winner. While Blaney is good there and is the most recent 410 winner, look out for an invader that might steal the show. Spithaler has been fast there but oftentimes gets a little too aggressive, as was the case earlier this year.

On Sunday, the week comes to an end at Tri-City Raceway Park, where Peterson, Shaffer, Flick, and Spithaler all have victories. Look out for Ryan Smith at Tri-City.

The Allegheny Sprint Tour is also on the schedule.

Western PA Speedweek is worth over $106,000 in winnings and point money.

MRN Radio and NASCAR Pit Reporter and Winged Nation Co-Host Steve Post, a native of Hallstead, PA, plans on attending Western PA Speedweek. Post is a big supporter of sprint car racing and frequently has local racers on as guests on Winged Nation.

LOCAL TRACKS

Latrobe Speedway will be off this weekend but will return on Saturday, June 7, with the UEMS Modifieds that will pay $5,000 to win.

Bedford Speedway has Fast Friday Racing with the Late Model Sportsman, RaceSaver 305 Sprint Cars, Modifieds, Semi Late Models, and Crown Vic NorthEast Series. Gates open at 5 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.


Dog Hollow Speedway will host a Super Late Model Special, paying $2,400 to win on Friday. Also on the card will be the 358 Late Models, RUSH Late Models, Pure Stocks, and Four Cylinders. Gates open at 4 p.m. with Warmups at 7 p.m.

DJ Johnson can be reached at dj1360rpm@aol.com

 

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