Author Archive for: 2kderick

With few races remaining on the schedule for Lane Snook and his team in 2025, the end of a personal best season was in sight. Even with a limited number of races, the team would travel to a variety of facilities.

Starting off the month at the Path Valley Speedway, Snook and team would continue their winning ways. Winning his heat race and then starting 3rd in the feature, Lane was once again in prime position to grab another win. “Got into second on the first lap and after a few restarts was able to pass the leader.” Lane would hold on to pick up the win in the limited late model feature and took his win total on the year to 20.

Traveling the following weekend to the world-famous Eldora Speedway, Snook would look to round out his season on a high note. Having made a statement run in the Dirt Track World Championship event in 2024, hopes were again high for a great run at this event.

Speed would start the first night of racing as Snook went up against the field of 60+ cars. Lane would time in 5th in his group and start 2nd in his heat race. Making his way through the heat and finishing in 2nd would lock him into the feature on Saturday night, and he would start 9th. “I thought we had a shot to win after the first day, as I felt we were still pretty fast for the car I had, and I knew if the car was right, I would’ve had a shot.”

As the Saturday finale started, the team was going to be out first for hot laps, but opted to skip, as the track was still really wet. Unknown to the team, the car had issues from the night before with the rough conditions in the heat race. “I believe I had a shock go bad from the heat race the day before,” stated Lane. And sadly, the feature result was not very good, having no laps that night to diagnose the car. “It took all the traction out of the racecar.” A disappointing backslide through the field, all the way to 20th, was not what the Port Royal-based team was looking for. “I haven’t been able to look into it too hard yet,” said Snook. All in all, it was bittersweet to have such a prime opportunity for a strong run in a premier event, but the driver and team are already looking forward to 2026.

With 2025 being a breakthrough season with 20 wins and 2 track titles at Selinsgrove and Port Royal, questions surrounded what the young talent would do in 2026. Preparation and learning, a statement that started the season as something Snook was looking to do, will again be the name of the game during this offseason. “The plan for the offseason is to be on the road as much as possible and learn as much as possible.” He’s already been spending a lot of the last few weeks with Drake Troutman and crew, learning and helping out.

The biggest part of the offseason, aside from the travel and learning, will be what is in the works for the 2026 season. “I also plan on putting another car together, to run supers next year, in the few weeks I’ll be home over the offseason.” Making the move to the super late model ranks would be a step that the team was hoping to start this past season in a limited capacity, but hurting their motor in the first attempt of the season put that on hold. Even when running with the super late model division in the late stages of the season with their steel block, Snook showed speed.

With all of this in mind, Lane and team will still certainly have this season to remember forever, regardless of what results come next year. Having four times more wins this season was a surprise to everyone involved. The other part that the team should take great pride in is the level of consistency that they were able to maintain. The team ran 43 total races, combining limited, super, and steel block shows. Aside from the 20 wins, Snook was able to tally 37 top 10’s, 34 top 5’s, and 32 podiums. Winning nearly half his races and being on the podium in almost 75% of the shows, boasts a strong model of consistency and ability.

While it’s unknown what 2026 may bring, with the number of things that are going right for the 23 car, there is no reason that wins and an equally impressive stat line can’t happen. Make sure to keep an eye out for updates and information about 2026 and when the team plans to get back on track.  Fans can always get the latest information on the team’s website, LaneSnookRacing.com.

Figuring out what your car needs throughout the season can be an ongoing struggle and can hinder consistency. Early in the beginning stages of the season, for Lane Snook, finding ways to apply what he learned out on the road with Drake Troutman was a major emphasis. He was able to pinpoint some issues immediately, and some have only become evident as their speed and consistency have increased. August was one of the biggest examples of that consistency and what applying those learned skills can do.

August started out with the continued speed that had been building all year. Port Royal on the 2nd ended in a win for the 23 team, after Snook rolled off 6th and was “able to get the lead late in the race on a challenging race track.” Only leading the last 3 laps of the race, after methodically working his way through the field, Snook started the month well.

That strong start would continue the following week at Bedford, where the team would charge from 4th to the win. Lane stated he had a “very solid car”, and that was evident, as this was the fourth win in a row for the Port Royal-based team.

Clinton County was next up for the team on the 15th. A strong showing ended with a little disappointment as Lane charged from 6th to the lead, only to get passed in lap traffic on the last lap. Finishing second was nothing to be ashamed of, but it was a little bittersweet.

Super late model competition was next up for Snook, as the team tested out their steel block motor against the super late model ranks at Port Royal on the 16th. While not having the power of some of the teams, it was a very respectable effort. “We started 18th in the feature and figured out our problem and were able to drive up to 8th and finish there.” Sometimes, constantly learning is about finding the small things that make a big difference. For having less horsepower than others, he passed; that sure seemed to be the case that night for the 23.

Switching back to the limited the following week, Lane would again prove the power of their program, nearly grabbing another win. A 6th-place start, due to the handicap system, was overcome, as Lane charged to the front and caught the leader. “I was able to pass for the lead in lap traffic as a caution came out. Then I got into the fence a few laps after the restart, trying to get back around the leader, and ended up second.” A few unfortunate breaks, but he was still able to maintain a podium finish.

The last week of August featured a Saturday night show at Port Royal for the Butch Renninger (Lane’s grandfather) Memorial. With the night starting with a quick time effort in group time trials and a 2nd place heat finish, Lane ended up rolling off 2nd in the feature. “Got the lead early and started pulling away through lap traffic towards the end of the race. Then got passed on a restart on the last lap to end up finishing second.” With over a 2-second lead coming to the checkered flag, it was a real heartbreaking moment to get passed on the impending restart, but his mental toughness showed the next night.

Snook made up for the loss the night before by sweeping the next night at Selinsgrove. Going quick time in qualifying and winning his heat from the pole, there was no settling for anything less than a win. A pole pill in the redraw would make it tough for the competition with how consistent and fast the 23 car had been. “Redraw a one and lead every lap and won by over 7 seconds.” One of the more dominating performances by the young racer.

What has been silently compiling for the 23 team, aside from wins, is points. Something that is very important on a national level and something that consistency can gain you. Finding the little things and making the constant adjustments needed throughout the year is what can separate you from the competition. As it sits now, Lane is in position to grab two track titles.

“We weren’t really planning on running any points deals throughout the year until we started running well and were in good contention to win the points championship.” While the speed and consistency didn’t just start this past month, August was a great example of it. Minus the single super-start, all of the limited division appearances in August resulted in either a win or a 2nd-place finish.

“We’ve had a good car almost every time we’ve unloaded this year.” Even when the race hasn’t resulted in a win, being able to minimize the negatives has been a strong suit. “I feel like we have a shot to win everywhere we go.” Finishing on the podium 80% of the time this year has made the expectations super high and almost win or bust. 

“I know the results were good, but I feel they could’ve been better without a few driver errors, and if some cautions hadn’t happened.” Being able to find most of the little things that have been holding back speed has proved Lane’s knowledge base as a driver, and the team’s knowledge base has really developed. With two points titles at Port Royal and Selinsgrove Speedway in reach, it’s focus time and all about bringing home the reward of a consistent season.

September will round out the Port Royal season for the team on the 5th as the limited late models join the Tuscarora 50 weekend. With a solid finish, Lane should lock up the points title there. Selinsgrove, the following weekend, will be a two-day show for the team as they look to race in the super division on Saturday (13th) and the limited division on Sunday (14th). Selinsgrove will again be on the schedule the next week on the 19th as the team again plans to run with the super late models. Bedford will round out the weekend on the 20th, as the team goes back to the limited division. The final week of the month will feature the final race of the limited season, and hopefully end with another title, at the Selinsgrove Speedway on the 26th.

Keep up to date with any schedule changes and results on the team’s website and social media. Thanks to all of the great partners and sponsors that have made this a truly stellar season, with more good things to hopefully come for the 23 car.