For Brian Birkhofer, the rescheduled Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway was just another opportunity to visit the home of his favorite team -- the Steelers.

Birkhofer, a Steelers partial-season ticket holder despite hailing from Muscatine, Iowa, was hoping to visit training camp in Latrobe but had more than 40,000 reasons to stay in Saver and take part in the Firecracker 100.

The veteran late model driver, who doesn't follow any specific tour, triumphed over the best dirt late model racers in the country after starting fourth.

"This is a big deal for me," said Birkhofer, who pocketed more than $41,000 (including lap money) for his first victory at Lernerville. "I've won big races before, but this one has some extra special meaning because this place is so close to Pittsburgh. It's cool to finally win a big race out in this area.

"The only thing that could've topped off tonight was if somehow Troy Polamalu was here to present me the trophy," Birkhofer added not long after waving a "Terrible Towel" in Victory Lane.

Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who led 69 laps, finished second. Shannon Babb from Moweaqua, Ill., who drives for NASCAR star Clint Bowyer, was third. Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., was fourth and Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., was fifth.

Scott Bloomquist of Mooresville, Tenn., and the winner of last year's Firecracker 100, won the B-main earning the 20th starting position. Bloomquist won the Hard Charger Award for climbing 13 spots to finish seventh in the 100.

Lernerville regular Greg Satterlee was the highest finishing local racer (16th).

Other local drivers in the 100 included Matt Lux (21st), Lynn Geisler (22nd), John Mollick (23rd), David Scott (25th), Mike Blose (26th) and Alex Feree (27th). The Uncle Sam 30, a $3,000-to-win race for the drivers that didn't qualify for the Firecracker, was won by Mike Knight from Ridley, N.Y.

Lernerville has four divisions in action tonight. ... Tonight is $5 Fan Appreciation Night at Motordrome Speedway in Smithton. ... Pittsburgh Raceway Park races tomorrow and Sunday. ... Mercer Raceway Park has double sprint car features tomorrow. ... PPMS has a regular show tomorrow and Firefighter and EMS Appreciation Night Aug. 9. Firefighters and EMS personnel are admitted free with company ID. ... Sharon Speedway races at 6 p.m. tomorrow. ... Tri-City Speedway in Franklin is back in action Sunday with three point races remaining.