Lernerville’s Bill Emig Memorial up next for Monteparte, Dave Kittey Memorial at Dog Hollow

By DJ Johnson For the Bulletin

Latrobe native Anthony Monteparte transitioned late last season from the Pure Stock division, where he had competed for years, to a Crate Late Model in order to participate in the RUSH Late Model Series.

Monteparte won 39 Pure Stock features at Latrobe Speedway and five consecutive championships in the Pure Stock division.

Monteparte decided to move up when he had little left to accomplish in the lower division.

Importantly, most of those who helped Monteparte win titles at Latrobe continue to support his efforts now with the Crate Late Model. The sport is uber-expensive for a small team like his, which mostly consists of Anthony, his dad John, and Anthony’s two-and-a-half-year-old son, Walker.

The Bill Emig Memorial RUSH Late Model feature during the Firecracker 100 at Lernerville pays $20,000 to win; Monteparte’s previous biggest win was $3,000 at the Bob Sears Memorial.

Racing a Crate Late Model is a learning experience for the Montepartes.

“We had one race at Lernerville so far this year. We are still learning things about this (Rocket Chassis) car,” Anthony Monteparte said. “I think we learned a few things in the weeks after that race that will help when we go back. We got better as the night went on, and so did the car. I am excited to get another chance with the changes we’ve made, to see if the car is better earlier on, helps us qualify better, and gets us a better starting spot in the Heat Races. It’s all about a good qualifying lap and setting yourself up for the Heat Race, hopefully to start up front.”

Without a doubt, the Bill Emig Memorial will be one of the toughest fields to crack besides possibly the Bill Hendren Memorial RUSH Late Model race during the Pittsburgher 100 weekend.

“You will have the top drivers, even some of the Lucas Oil Series drivers will be competing along with regional drivers,” Monteparte explained.

For the seventh time, the Emig Memorial will be part of the Firecracker 100 weekend. Notable drivers include Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Darrell Lanigan driving the No. 58TAZ for TAZ Motorsports, and car owner Joe Zulisky from Latrobe.

“What could be better than having a hall of fame race car driver in a car being pulled by a little pickup truck and a small trailer,” Zulisky said. “It’s an amazing race for us. We use it for advertising and getting our name out to other racers. It’s a bonus for us, and hopefully it’s a bonus for Darrell (Lanigan).”

The relationship started when Zulisky answered a want ad for a dump truck that Lanigan was selling. The two spoke several times. Zulisky proposed that Lanigan drive the car at Lernerville for the Emig. Lanigan accepted, and the deal was sealed.

“We ran some laps at Latrobe Speedway recently, and Lanigan was happy with what he saw and told Zulisky, ’Don’t touch anything, the car is perfect.”  

Another Western PA hot shoe, “The Chalk Hill Nightmare,” Mason Zeigler, plans to compete with his RUSH Late Model. He crashed his Super Late Model at Eldora Speedway a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, Zeigler was not able to put together another Super Late Model in time for the Firecracker 100.

The Firecracker 100 always brings the best drivers in the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series, as well as regional and local talent.

Michael Norris, from Sarver, will be debuting a brand new Rocket XR2 at the Firecracker. Norris, one of the winningest Super Late Model drivers at Lernerville, will certainly put on a show for the fans.  

A name missing from this year’s Firecracker might be Drake Troutman from Hyndman, PA. This season, he was running with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. He announced this week that he is leaving Team 22 Inc. to join a new team owned by Jerry Foster. Troutman drives Foster’s modified when he’s not racing the Super Late Model. Troutman was fifth in WoO points at the time of his departure. He posted on social media that, while the new team is being assembled, the 21-year-old will soon be driving his family car.

The Firecracker 100 and Firecracker Fest continue tonight with the Lucas Oil Series. Qualifying for the RUSH Late Models will also be held. If you can’t attend, you can catch all the action on Flo Racing and on Dirt.tv.

The Dave Kittey Memorial for the 358 Late Models will be held on Friday at Dog Hollow Speedway. The $2,000 to-win event will be part of the regular racing program.

Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway hosts Diesel Meets Dirt with Big Rig Racing on the Monster Half-Mile. Semi Tractors run alongside Hobby Stocks vs. Four Cylinders. Bring a Lifted Truck or Jeep for free grandstand admission. Rain date: Friday, July 31. 

Jennerstown Speedway announced the cancellation of the CRA Motor Mount Masters 150, scheduled for Saturday, June 27. The event will be rescheduled for a date later this summer