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| Coming down the front stretch, eight 358 cars get ready to start their heat race at Susquehanna. |
By Emily Hench
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| Racing for a cause, Leiby races in honor of everyone who is battling or has lost their battle with breast cancer. |
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| Chandler Leiby (119) is a second generation 358 sprint car driver from Carlisle, PA. |
The last race of the 2014 season for Central PA Sprint Car drivers was held on November 15 at Susquehanna Speedway Park in York Haven, PA. Events started as early as 1:15pm with the push-off truck meeting. The sprint car drivers’ meeting was at 1:45pm, and the warm-ups and 410 time trials shortly after. Two new track records were set by two different 410 drivers.
Chandler Leiby, age 17, is the driver of the 119 sprint car. He is a second generation driver, taking after his father, who also raced the 119 car. Leiby is from Carlisle, PA and racing has always been a huge part of their family. The 2014 season was the second season that Leiby raced a 358 sprint car. He is hoping to race a 410 in the very near future. Leiby races to raise awareness of breast cancer, diabetes, and autism.
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| Drifting through turns 1 and 2, Leiby quickly takes the lead during one of the 358 heats. |
The 358 heats followed with 119’s driver, Chandler Leiby, starting in 5th place. Leiby quickly moved up to 1st place before turns 1 and 2 of the first lap. The placings then changed in turns 3 and 4. Leiby stated, “Another driver cut me off and I was lit.” Leiby’s 119 car finished in 3rd place in the heat race, however, Leiby said, “The car wasn’t the best for the heat...[the car] was too loose the whole night.”
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| During the feature, Leiby passes another driver in turns 1 and 2. |
After a long wait, Leiby made an appearance in the 358 feature, starting in 7th place. He fought for a higher place the whole race and finished in 6th place out of 21 cars. The majority of the people Leiby races against are at least 15-20 years older than him. When asked if he was pleased with the results of the last race of 2014, Leiby replied, “It wasn’t the best outcome, but I was happy to bring it home in one piece.”
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| Thanks to all of his sponsors and pit crew, Leiby ended as the Susquehanna Speedway track champion for 2014. |
All of Leiby's sponsors and everyone on his pit crew made the track championship possible at Susquehanna Speedway. His sponsors include Leiby Seal Coating and Line Painting, Matco Tools, Filson Water, Frank's Tire & Auto, Mach 1 Chassis, Lawrence Chevrolet, Fastener Specialties, B&G Storage, Butler Built, Fisher Auto Parts, Russ's Auto & Trailer Sales, Integrity Hearing Aid Solutions, and Shippensburg University. His pit crew includes Ole Greg, Pyscho, Smackpappy, Lightning Larry, Stinky Steve and Krazy Kooter.
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