The racing has been good so far this season, but it will be turned up a notch with the Fourth of July Wednesday.

The inaugural Firecracker 100, a two-day event for the World of Outlaws Dirt Late Models, gets under way at 7 p.m. today at Lernerville Speedway and continues at 7 p.m. tomorrow..

A field of more than 100 dirt late models is expected this evening in Sarver for qualifying and heat races at the richest dirt late model race in Pennsylvania.

Besides having the best dirt late model drivers going for a share of the $140,000 prize money ($30,000 to the winner), the fans will be treated to a concert and fireworks after the racing.

The fastest 24 racers that fail to make the Firecracker 100 field will have a second chance to make some money with the Uncle Sam 30, a $3,000-to-win, 30-lap feature. And as a bonus, the winner of the Uncle Sam 30 earns a guaranteed spot in the Red Miley Memorial 53-lap feature Sunday at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway.

Red Miley Memorial

Almost two months ago, James Miley, one of the area's most familiar faces in racing circles lost his battle to cancer at age 53. PPMS will pay tribute to the man everyone knew as Red with a 53-lap late model feature Sunday.

The Red Miley Memorial race is an open invitational event which broadens the rules for the Late Models, Crate Late Models, E-Mods and Pure Stock. The Amateur Stocks and the Young Guns also will be in competition, and there will be a Demo Derby and fireworks.

There also is an unique opportunity for everyone to pay tribute to Red Miley by purchasing a lap for $53. The money will go to the driver leading that lap. The Late Model feature sold out quickly, so track officials decided to expand the tribute to the other classes.

For more information contact Miley Motor Sports at 412-279-7223 or e-mail at redmiley@motordrome.com.

Late Models at Mercer

The FASTRAK Late Models will be in action Wednesday night for the first race at Mercer Raceway Park in a $5,000-to-win feature for the Northeast Touring Series. Some of the best Late Model driver's in the area -- Alan Dellinger, Dick Barton and Todd Andrews -- will battle it out with up and coming drivers such as Mike Pegher Jr., a Street Stock driver at Lernerville.

All-Star Sprints return

Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa., gets in the holiday spirit with the Freedom for the O'Reilly All-Star Circuit Sprint Cars and the Sharon Speedway Limited Sprints. After a grueling Ohio Speedweek, a series of eight races in eight days for the All Stars, the series will take on Rod George, Ed Lynch Jr., Bob Flemlee and others in a 30-lap feature.

Lugnuts

Mercer Raceway Park is offering free admission tomorrow to Ohio residents with identification. ... The National Hot Rod Association has moved its drag racing national event from Columbus to Norwalk, Ohio, which is between Cleveland and Toledo. ... The Yankee Doodle 50 will be Tuesday at the Central Pennsylvania Speedway near Clearfield, paying $5,000 to the winner. ... Bobby Henry of Connellsville, Pa., won the MAARA 100-lap feature at Motordrome Speedway in Smithton. Tonight, Motordrome has all divisions in action along with fireworks. ... Lernerville Speedway was granted a liquor license, so beer will no longer be allowed to be carried into the track.... PPMS will be dark Saturday because of the Firecracker 100 at Lernerville.