The World of Outlaws Dirt Late Model Series comes to Western Pennsylvania tonight at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver with the top seven drivers separated by 56 points.

Also up for grabs in a 50-lap event is a guaranteed starting spot for the winner in the third annual Late Model Knoxville Nationals in Knoxville, Iowa.

While the Outlaw competitors have so much at stake, the Lernerville regulars can't be taken lightly, even though they are more accustomed to a 25-lap feature.

"We have a great group of competitors who know the setup for 25 laps," said Lernerville points leader Lynn Geisler. "If we had two 25-lappers, we would definitely do terrific, but we'll be guessing for the 50-lapper."

Rick Eckert (fourth in points) and Chub Frank (seventh) are from Pennsylvania, and appreciate running at a track where they know what to expect.

"The racetrack is awesome," said Eckert, who is from York. "You get there and it's wide-open fast, and by the last lap of the feature it's so slow you can almost walk around it faster. Anytime you can go to a racetrack like that, it's a lot of fun."

Eckert is only 26 points behind leader Billy Moyer and won the race in April at Lernerville. With two World of Outlaws races in the area this weekend, Eckert has the opportunity to tie 2004 WoO champion Scott Bloomquist's season-high win total (10). Eckert also has 11 top-five finishes and has collected more than $100,000.

Frank, who was featured in the CNN Special Dirt Track Warriors, is seventh in the points standings.

"It's one of the best prepared tracks in the country. [The track crew] does a great job, and the place has good clay," said Frank, who is from Bear Lake.

Racing for the WoO Late Models and the UMP Modifieds begins at 8 p.m.; time trials start at 7:15. The rain date is Sunday.

Gold Cup invades BeaveRun

More than 300 entries are expected this weekend at BeaveRun Motorsports Complex in Big Beaver Borough off Route 18 for the WKA Horstman Gold Cup Series.

The World Karting Association national touring series for 4-cycle sprint racing on road courses comes to the 0.82-mile, 16-turn Wilson circuit.

"We are very proud to be chosen to host this event as part of the WKA schedule," track owner Tim Silbaugh said.

Practice is from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. today and racing is scheduled at noon tomorrow and Sunday.

Lugnuts

Chris Gleason of Johnstown and his co-driver lead the overall Grand-Am Cup point standings by one point. Gleason's BMW M3 will compete this weekend at Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. Also competing in Quebec will be Trafford's John Walko Racing, seventh in the Star Mazda Championship Series. ... Tri-City Speedway will have the final race of the 2006 Big Block Modified Challenge Series at 6 p.m. Sunday. ... Friends and family of Tim Shaffer, an injured sprint car driver from Aliquippa, are planning a fund-raiser to help the family. Details can be found at www.timshaffer.com. ... Mercer Raceway Park will race all divisions tonight instead of running its Saturday night program. ... Jennerstown Speedway will be host to NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr. and four other drivers Aug 12.