(Jennerstown, PA) Although the 2017 racing season at the Jennerstown Speedway Complex is only three weeks old, two drivers have experienced extreme highs and lows in competitive spirit.

Former Jennerstown Champion Barry Awtey won the opening night race for the top level of competition, the Late Model division, sponsored by Martella’s Pharmacies. Awtey has won at three different asphalt oval tracks in his career, but his victory on May 13, 2017 tied him for the most wins in Jennerstown Speedway history. As the point standings Champion of 2016, Awtey won his preliminary heat race and his 46th career feature race to start the season on top. But in the two races that followed, Awtey was involved in crashes on consecutive Saturday nights, derailing the quest to stand alone as the only 47-time winner. It seems more a matter of WHEN he will break the record, rather than IF… however “luck” has stepped in, and played a role in both round two and round three of 2017 action. Currently, Awtey is tied with four time Jennerstown Champion Steve Peles at 46 career victories. Awtey, now a five time Champion, won the “Limited Late Model” division Championship title two times – both during years that Peles was crowned Late Model Champ (1987 and 1988). Just like Hall of Famer Peles, Awtey has also claimed Late Model division Championships at Clearfield Speedway and Motordrome Speedway, in addition to Jennerstown. But, residing in nearby Jenners, PA, Awtey relishes the success at his home track. Awtey fans are eager to be in attendance for the veteran’s next checkered flag – which will be a historic moment at the venerable Jennerstown oval – whenever it may come.

Chris Brink, a popular veteran in the Modified division of racing has now won two-straight races in the division sponsored by Stoystown Auto Wreckers. However, it has not been a smooth 2017 season, in spite of the statistics which show a second place finish and two wins, in three events. Last Saturday night, while battling for the lead during a preliminary heat race, Brink made contact with the outside wall, vaulted airborne with the right side of his car, then slammed back to the pavement, and into the wall a second time, at the end of the backstretch. While fans assumed that his machine was rendered out-of-action, Brink’s crew diligently worked at a lightning pace, to restore the car to “functional.” Not only was their work completed just in time to start the feature race, but the car proved to be far more than functional. Brink passed seven competitors to win the 20-lap event, whipping thousands of spectators into a frenzy of approval. Along the way to victory lane, Brink passed the other driver involved in the aggressive battle that took place in the heat race, and the duel remained “clean” and free of any aggressive retaliation. Last week’s race was a study in perseverance by Chris Brink and his pit crew.

This Saturday night, June 10, Somerset Trust Company honors the police, fire personnel, EMTs, and paramedics that serve and protect our communities, offering these men and women FREE admission to Jennerstown Speedway Complex. SALUTE TO “FIRST RESPONDERS NIGHT” will highlight Five Division Racing starting at 6:00pm. Gates open at 4:00pm, as does Racer’s Pub – plus live music, clowns, face painting, and more on the Jennerstown Midway.