Even before Stan Lasky signed his first contract this past winter to promote Motordrome Speedway, he knew he wanted to end the season with a classic.

While promoting Jennerstown Speedway, the Lasky family always scheduled a fall race involving the ISMA Super Modifieds, usually the third weekend in September. But as gasoline prices rose, Lasky put the Piney Lasky Memorial Fall Festival 200 on the back burner.

"I was working on this from the day I signed the lease here," Lasky said. "As the price of gas kept climbing, I threw it under the pile on my desk; I really didn't think I was going to run it.

"Then as the price of gasoline kept dropping, as I thought it would with the election coming up, I brought it all back out and [started] working on it again."

On Oct. 18, the Piney Lasky Fall Festival 200 will consist of a 100-lap feature for the late models, a 60-lap event for the modifieds and a 40-lap race for the street stocks.

With a total purse of $50,000 plus lap money, Lasky hopes to attract out-of-town racers to challenge the Motordrome regulars. Unlike racing on the dirt tracks, where good racers will adapt to track conditions, pavement is more difficult for the visitors.

"On the pavement, it is highly unusual for outsiders to come in one time a year and beat your local guys," Lasky said. "It's difficult because the set-up is so close and our guys have all year to perfect their set-up. There are a lot of travelers that can do it; they are out there for the money."

Bill Atwey Invitational

Adam Kostelnik of East McKeesport won the Bill Awtey Invitational, a 40-lap feature for the street stocks Saturday at the Jennerstown Speedway.

"What makes this real special tonight is Bill Awtey. There wouldn't be street stocks if it wasn't for him," Kostelnik said. "It's an honor to win on Bill Awtey's night."

Bill's son, Barry Awtey, won the Super Late Model feature.

"I want to thank all the people that stopped to see my dad. This is really special to him," Awtey said from victory lane. "This one's for my dad."

Bill Awtey, who was diagnosed with cancer, passed away hours after celebrating with his son in victory lane.

Lugnuts

Mercer Raceway Park will host the make-up Bill Emig Memorial for the modifieds at 7:30 p.m. today. Also on the card will be a $1,500 to-win feature for the sprint cars, along with the limited sprints, micro sprints, mod lights and the mini-stocks. On Saturday, MRP will have the second USA-East Regional Finals Truck and Tractor Pulls. ... Pittsburgh Raceway Park hosts the Universal Street Car Nationals tomorrow and Sunday in New Alexandria...Roaring Knot Motorsports Complex hosts the "King of the Knob" for the Super Late Models tomorrow.