Broc Hepler of Kittanning is aiming to knock off front-runner James Stewart this weekend in the 125cc class of the 17th Annual Kawasaki Nationals at Steel City Raceway in Delmont. The event is Round 11 of the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship, and will feature undefeated Ricky Carmichael in the top-tier 250cc division competing against legend Jeremy McGrath, who out of retirement for this event.

Stewart already has clinched the championship in the 125 division and will move into the 250 class next season, when Hepler, 18, expects to jump into the spotlight.

"I'm trying my hardest, I just haven't been able to beat him yet," said Hepler, who is racing a factory-backed Suzuki in his first season as a pro. "Next year he'll be moving to a different class and, hopefully, it will open it up for me. That's what I'm working for."

As for this event, Hepler believes any racing fan would enjoy watching motocross at Steel City.

"The crowd can get really close to the track, we're hitting big jumps, and off the start there are 42 guys going into the first turn with everyone fighting for position," he said. "You might even see a wreck of two out there."

There will be racing all weekend, with the main events beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday. Go to www.usmotocross.com for more information.

Lugnuts

John Flinner became the first late model racer in Lernerville history to win four consecutive championships when he clinched the title by finishing second Friday in a heat race.

"They're all special to me," Flinner said. "I'd still race and not worry about points, but now that I have them I got bragging rights." Lou Blaney in modifieds and Joe Kelley in pure stocks also won four championships in a row.

Ed Lynch Jr. already had wrapped up the sprint title before the event began, and modified driver Dave Murdick and Kelley were declared champions when rain canceled the rest of the features.

The All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car series will race tomorrow at Lernerville in the Earl & David Bauman Memorial, with pure stocks also on the card.

Three more Friday nights of racing remain at Motordrome, where Rick Miller moved back atop the standings in the NASCAR-sanctioned late model division when he earned his seventh victory of the season with Neil Brown finishing second. Miller leads Brown by two points in the overall standings.

There will be a regular night of racing tomorrow at Motordrome, where it will be "Operation Fire Safe Night" and a sponsor will issue free smoke detectors to fans.

Steve Baker won his 50th career race at PPMS when he took the checkered flag Saturday in the late model feature with points-leader Dave Wade finishing second. "Any win is good," said Baker, who is second in points but will miss the feature Sept. 11 so he can race at Eldora Speedway in the World 100.

A demo derby and kid's bike race is part of the program Saturday at PPMS.

Jennerstown will run two 50-lap features Saturday for its NASCAR-sanctioned super late models and two 25-lap races for late models.

In addition to a regular program Saturday, Pittsburgh Raceway Park is featuring "the Battle of the Jet Trains."

The 36th Marine Corps Hillbilly 100 for dirt late models, which features a purse of more than $80,000, will run Sunday and Monday at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va. For more information go to, www.TylerCountySpeedway.net.