Archive for category: Late Models

With a little over a month and a half in the books for the 2024 season, Lane Snook and his 23 car team, have seen their fair share of issues. Not only has Mother Nature played a big part in making the beginning part of the season difficult, but mechanical issues have littered the early season. These struggles haven’t dampened the spirits of the team, and if anything, have strengthened them.

As most racers will tell you, this sport is not always roses, but Snook looks to see past the early season issues and find consistency. Several shows had been trending in a positive direction, but whether it was a mechanical issue or rain, some nights have not ended well.

Maintaining a positive mindset is something that Snook says has been a key part of the early season. “We had rear-end trouble two weeks in a row and that kept us hard at work in the shop.” These mechanical issues at BAPS Motor Speedway ended a few races early. Showing speed up until those points in the night made it frustrating to see them come to an early end, but left the team with some optimism, and better results followed.

Lane was able to put together two top-10 finishes. One at Port Royal Speedway, and the other at BAPS Motor Speedway. A water main break put the Selinsgrove limited feature on hold until April 27th, but the 23 car showed speed prior to the postponement of racing action this past Sunday. “We were pretty good once I got used to the car/track after a few laps.” Confidence heading into another week of racing shows the never-quit attitude Lane and the team have. “We will keep working hard at it and hope that the bad luck is out of the way.”

The Mifflintown-based team looks ahead to a busy three-day weekend of limited late-model competition. Williams Grove hosts a rare topless limited late model show on Friday, that will give the team another track to test out, in this young season. Then the team will head north to Selinsgrove for a double feature night, as the completion of last week’s feature, compliments a regular weekly show. Sunday will cap off the weekend at Port Royal, as the limited late models join the Lucas Oil Late Model Series.

When asked what professional racing series Lane would like to race in as a career, he responded by saying, “Definitely the Lucas Oil tour. They seem very professional and they also have very good payouts. Everyone on the Lucas crew seems to respect their drivers and have a good mindset.” Snook and team look to have a good showing in front of a national audience of late model fans on Sunday.

He also looks forward to some better racing conditions with less precipitation in the forecast but says he still gets some racing in, even when the weather in the real world won’t allow it. “If we don’t go to the shop, I will usually hop on iRacing with a few buddies and have some fun.” Whether it’s working on the racecar or working on his race craft online, Lane has his mind on improvement.

We hope to see everyone at the track this weekend and the team would again like to thank all of its sponsors and partners for keeping them going through the early season and beyond. Thanks to Grassmyer Auctioneering, MHT Transport, Fryeco Fabrication, Ritchey Sandblasting, Dyers Top Rods, Mexico Ridge Beef Farms, The Olde Hatchery, Juniata Beverage, Byers Racing Engines, Scheaffer Racing Oil, and Superfly Shocks.

“The day was good,” stated Lane, “Drew a good pill, started on the pole of the heat, and led every lap,” which put the 23 car into the redraw. “Pulled a 10 in the redraw for the feature and somehow started 8th.” 

Once the green flag dropped on the 20-lap feature, Lane was able to maneuver his way up into the top 5 and continued to pass cars throughout the race. “Car started to get good at the end of the race and got into second coming to the white and ended up there.” A good performance for the driver entering his sophomore year behind the wheel of a late model. 

While trouble didn’t occur during the race, an issue in post-race technical inspection put a slight damper on a stellar first showing of the season. A track rule, disallowing crank triggers, nullified the 2nd place effort. “We didn’t realize that was the only track around that doesn’t allow crank triggers, so the DQ was our own fault for not reading the rules close enough.” 

Though a disappointment, Snook stated, “We’ll go back in a few weeks and try to beat them fair and square.” Some added motivation to prove to the field that the technical infraction wasn’t the sole reason for the podium finish. 

A positive run had the teenager excited and optimistic for the 2024 season and he mentioned that his goals for the season were to “win a few races at a couple tracks and get more seat time in the super [late model] car at BAPS when they practice on Wednesday nights.” 

Gaining more experience throughout the season and improving upon his short career in the Limited Late Model division, are a goal of the former kart standout. In the years prior to his rookie season in 2023, in the Central PA Limited Late Models, Snook accumulated nearly 150 go-kart wins throughout the eastern portion of the United States. Winning in over 7 states, along with 5 state championships and 2 track championships. 

The third-generation driver looks up to his dad who raced for years prior to Lane jumping in the seat. “He has taught me everything I know. I’ve watched how hard he has worked over the years, and I appreciate everything he does for me.” One of those learned skills that Lane got from his dad, is “looking in front of me and staying out of wrecks that happen around me.” This part of his race craft is something that the Mifflintown driver feels he does best. That ability to look forward and avoid helped propel Snook to multiple top-five finishes at several local tracks, and 5 Hard Charger Awards in his rookie year. 

Lane will look past this weekend’s DQ, and focus on the long season out in front of him. With goals to continue to make improvements, and gain valuable experience the 2024 season is hopefully one of promise for the 23 car. The team plans to race next at Port Royal Speedway on March 23rd & 30th, as the Limited Late Models make their return to the Juniata County half mile. 

Lane and the team would like to thank all their partners, sponsors, and equipment manufacturers for helping them get on track in 2024. Thanks to Grassmyer Auctioneering, MHT Transport, Fryeco Fabrication, Ritchey Sandblasting, Dyers Top Rods, Mexico Ridge Beef Farms, The Olde Hatchery, Juniata Beverage, Byers Racing Engines, Scheaffer Racing Oil, and Superfly Shocks.