Archive for category: Sprint Cars

With the summer months in the past and wins and points racking up, Lane Snook and his Port Royal, PA team, found themselves in a unique couple of situations. One being that the team had nearly completed another full season with over triple their win total from a year prior. The other one being that they were sitting at the top of two track points battles. Needing to just keep consistency going in the last few limited shows of the year at some Central PA tracks, Snook needed to be focused and manage emotions.

The emotional rollercoaster of the previous few weeks for the young driver was dealing with the disappointment of losing one late at Port Royal and then going back to the top of the mountain and winning at Selinsgrove. More strong emotions would spill out at the final show of the season at Port Royal to kick off September. Coming into the final show of the season at Port, Snook merely needed to qualify and finish the feature. With a quick-time and then a strong heat race finish, Lane would start 3rd and again be in position to win another feature. Quickly rolling into the second spot and rolling right up on the back bumper of the leader, Lane was able to move “to the top to pass the leader and drive away to get the win from there.”

While that may be the only words Lane used to recap that race, more emotions showed in victory lane, as he became the youngest track champion in Port Royal Speedway history. Tears of not only joy and relief were flowing in victory lane as Snook finished off one of two possible track titles, but also, some tears of remembrance, as it was almost 4 years to the day that the Snook family lost Lane’s brother, Mason, during the Tuscarora 50 weekend in 2021. Even with high emotions, the team relished in the victory, but would quickly have to refocus as more work was yet to be done.

With a double dose of Selinsgrove Speedway the following weekend, Snook would not only get to test out the steel block against the supers, but he would also get to continue the pursuit of the limited late model track title. The Super Late Models would start the weekend. With the few races the team was planning to run with the steel block, more so being test sessions, logging laps would be most important. Managing still to start in the 11th spot in the feature, “was up to 7th until I pulled into the pits for the motor running hot,” and that would hand the team a 14th place result.

Heading back to the Selinsgrove ½ mile the following night with the limited, Lane was back in the points battle fight. Having a decent advantage over Andrew Yoder in the limited division, Snook just needed to keep the consistency going. With an average finish of 3rd at Selinsgrove in the limited car, Snook didn’t stray far from that. “We redrew a 5, but were able to get to the lead very quickly.” A late race caution made for an interesting finish as Lane “got slid on the restart, but was able to cross it over and drive away with the win from there.” This win would be bigger than expected, as it would ultimately clinch the points title, as the final points race there on September 26th would be canceled after electrical issues at the facility. Two track titles now secured, but still some more racing to take place.

In the final few races of the month for Snook, another opportunity to test out the steel block on September 19th at Selinsgrove would be up next. It was a Twin 20 features program. Rolling off 13th in the first feature, Lane would begin moving forward before overheating issues again forced the driver to pull off partway through the first feature. Making sure everything was good to go, “the crew went to work before the second feature, we started 17th and drove up to 11th on a rubbered surface.”

Ending out the racing portion of the month, the team would spend the 20th at Bedford Speedway for the Troutman Memorial. Another special race, given the relationship between Drake and Lane. Maybe racing a little motivated after seeing Drake win the modified feature, Snook would roll off 8th in the limited late model feature. “With a very good car, I drove up to second with a few laps to go and caught the leader, then got around him coming to the white flag on a surface that was latching up for the win.”

Checking off another win, Lane would decide to take the final weekend of the month off and go on the road to help Drake and the Team 22 car prepare for a weekend of racing. “We’ve been pretty hard at it, and hopefully it all pays off this weekend for him and for when I get back home.” 

The steel block car will be the priority in the coming month of October, as the team’s main event will be Eldora Speedway for the Dirt Track World Championship. 

“I feel we’ve made some pretty good gains with the steel block. I think if we can put a night together and keep the motor cool, we would be competitive.” Not that forward thinking isn’t important, with more races to come in 2025, but reflecting on what all the preparation and hard work have accomplished for Lane is equally important.

Confidence and preparation have shown all season to be paying off with the multiple wins and now, track titles. Something that wasn’t really a thought at the start. “We never really thought of running for points anywhere until we started running well, and we could make every race at each place towards the end of the season,” said Snook. 

Finishing out two track titles in one year “was definitely pretty cool.” With both of these tracks being part of what has made the teenage racer who he is, it made both titles that much sweeter. “I’ve spent a lot of hours at each place, pretty much growing up at Port, and racing with dad and Trent at Selinsgrove, and also racing karts there as I was growing up.” 

While emotions aren’t something that most racers like to show, it’s evident that this season has been one of special moments and joy for the team. But it isn’t over yet.

As mentioned, the team will shift focus to Eldora during the middle of the month, but not before a local showdown at Path Valley Speedway on October 11th. Post-Eldora plans are not finalized yet, but more races could still be a part of the month of October. Make sure to stay up to date 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.