Near Slate Lick, PA, at the end of a lane marked 'Ford Dr.' sits the race shop that supports Spanky Dougherty's racing efforts. When I arrived, The #9 Late Model was being preped for that week's racing at Lernerville Speedway.

Spanky (Sherwin) Dougherty has always driven late models, and is starting his 6th season. When I asked him what he would consider his best accomplishment to date, he did not answer for awhile, then said "I don't know that I've had any accomplishments yet." But this is difficult to believe as this team finished 7th in points at Lernerville last year...no small achievement in today's competitive environment.

"I think it is all frustrating" was Spanky's response when asked about the biggest frustrations so far in his racing career. However, this frank response is not indicative of the attitude in the race shop when I was there. The atmosphere was light-hearted and cooperative. The conversations displayed an understanding of the complexities encountered when setting up a late model.

There is more than enough history supporting this shop. Jim Buterbaugh related to me many connections that the family has to experienced racers such as Dick Swartzlander.

The facilities are clean, organized and equipped with all of the metal fabricating tools and fixtures necessary to put a race car on the track....and maintain it. Also necessary is financial support. Nunzio Pulice & Sons Cement Contracting, Jack's Auto Parts, Thrower Cement, and Thrower Trucking have supported Spanky's efforts since the inception of their racing efforts. More recent sponsors include Leeway Rent-a-Car, J. Leri Construction, and G&D Beverages. Spanky designed, created, and applied the decals to the car. He said that he tries to rotate the sponsors on the car' doors to get equal exposure for his sponsors.

Spanky's favorite places to race are Lernerville and Challenger. He states that Dixie Speedway in Georgia is the track that he enjoyed watching racing the most. He says that the racing was wild and the banking steep. "It was like they were racing on the walls of this garage."

Team members that were at the shop when I visited (L-R):
Dutch Stepp
Spanky
Pete Dougherty
Mike Hite
Jim Buterbaugh
Jeff Rescenete

Team members missing from photo:
James D Buterbaugh
Tim Voland
Randy Thomas