SARVER, PA (August 13, 2025) – Hunter Rich, who started deep in the field from the 16th position, made a spectacular last-corner pass to win the 75-lap "Race to the Fling" at the virtual Lernerville Speedway in a side-by-side finish. The victory came after a chaotic race that saw several drivers in contention for the win.
The race was largely dominated by pole-sitter Rylee Knoll, who appeared poised to run away with the event. However, a late-race caution with just seven laps remaining erased Knoll’s comfortable lead and set the stage for a dramatic series of restarts. On the ensuing restart, a multi-car battle for the lead resulted in contact that sent Knoll off the track, ending his bid for victory.
This opened the door for a wild scramble between Logan Rumsey, Conner New, and a hard-charging Ethan Johnson. But it was Rich who navigated the chaos perfectly. After taking the white flag, he executed a clean pass to secure the win out of turn four, after a last ditch slidejob by Ethan Johnson. Johnson capped an incredible run from 20th on the grid to finish second, while Conner New, the leader on the white flag, held on for the final podium spot in third. Steven Gaines and Logan Rumsey rounded out the top five.
In a post-race interview, an elated Rich recounted the final laps. "On that restart, I figured someone was going to do something stupid, so I just tried to hold on. Then I saw the big old fat 11 car go sideways and I knew it was going to be rough going into three. I just stuck to my line and kept going." When asked about the intense battle with his friend Rylee Knoll, he added, "I feel so bad because that’s my buddy, I love him. There will probably be some words in the trailer."
Runner-up Ethan Johnson, who earned the Hard Charger award by advancing 18 positions, felt he had a shot at the win. "Yeah, I knew I had to get a good start if I wanted a shot at it, and I knew the bottom was good. I just tried to go down there and hit it the best I could. I sent it into three, cleared the slider, but I just sent it too hard and threw it off the track. If we didn't do that, we could have won, but it's cool to see Hunter Rich win."
Conner New, who started 5th, ran a consistent race near the front and managed to avoid the late-race incidents to bring his car home in third place, a strong result in a field full of top competitors.
Completing the top ten were Robbie Buchanan Jr., Caleb Durgan, Jesse Newsome, Bolton Porterfield, and Brayden Carter.
The 18th Annual Schaeffer's Oil Spring Fling presented by Celina 52 Truck Stop will be held Monday & Wednesday, August 18 & 20th, at the Dirt Track at Charlotte. The race will be broadcast live on our Facebook page via Racespot.