Story By: DERICK KRINER – A2DPR / LANE SNOOK RACING – MIFFLINTON, PA – After an April full of rain and scattered races for Lane Snook and the Mifflintown-based 23 team, more races occupied the next month. The team got to travel to several different tracks around the Central PA region and got to test out different packages on a wide variety of tracks.
Williams Grove and Port Royal rounded out the month of April. The topless 25-lap feature at Williams Grove turned out to be a bust with Lane retiring from the race after issues just past halfway and winding up 20th. Port Royal brought another challenging night, as a tough heat race buried the 23 car in the feature and netted only a plus-one finish of 15th.
Rain followed the next two weeks and then the young racer was able to take on the Speed Palace once more, finishing with a 6th place run. Speed was building for the team and it showed at their next event at Clinton County Speedway. This was Lane’s first time at the speedway. Being quickest in hot laps, gave the young racer hope for the evening. After salvaging a good run following a heat race incident, Snook was able to pilot the 23 car to a top 10 finish, even after an early race misstep sent him to the tail.
Rain followed the next night at Hagerstown. That left a Sunday night show for the team, to cap off the Memorial Day weekend, at Port Royal. Being a part of the Bob Weikert Memorial, the limited late models and Snook again got to showcase their skills in front of a massive crowd. With Lane rolling off 12th on the grid, his eyes were focused forward and he was able to drive up to 8th, to score his third consecutive top-10 finish. “We definitely made some gains on the car” stated Snook. That progress will hopefully pay off as the month of June ramps up in intensity, as long as Mother Nature cooperates.
With the increased number of races on the horizon, being focused and locked in is important. This is a skill that the now 16-year-old racer makes a priority. “I just try to stay focused and make sure everything is done, and everything on the car is right.” Lane says he’s not one for a particular routine, but these few things help to keep him on track mentally during a race week and during a night of competition.
Another key aspect of any race night is the support and help from sponsors. When asked about some of the relationships that Lane and the team have with sponsors, the young racer highlighted several people who do much more than just provide financial help for the late model team. “We go camping at Eldora with the Ritchey family (Ritchey Sandblasting). One crew guy, Duke (Mexico Ridge Beef Farms) gives us food and helps with other stuff.” Other family members of different sponsors also have a great relationship with the Snook family, including MHT Transport who helps with fuel, and Juniata Beverage, which provides the hydration the team needs after the races. “We all have very good relationships and support each other as much as we can.” This allows the teenage late model driver to remain focused and to also stay loose being surrounded by such close sponsors that have practically become family.
Snook and team would like to again thank all of their sponsors for keeping them on track and getting them prepared for a busy summer. The team looks to start June with a strong run at BAPS Motor Speedway on June 1st. Port Royal will be on the schedule the following weekend, June 8th. With the end of May’s speed, fans should expect to see more highs than lows in June.
JUNE SCHEDULE
Saturday, June 1st – BAPS Motor Speedway, York Haven, PA
Saturday, June 8th – Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA
Saturday, June 15th – Hagerstown Speedway, Hagerstown, MD
Sunday, June 16th – BAPS Motor Speedway, York Haven, PA
Saturday, June 22nd – Selinsgrove Speedway, Selinsgrove, PA
Saturday, June 29th – Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA