Local dirt track ‘totally COVID compliant’, allowing fans to watch racing in person

SARVER, Pa. — Saturday night featured the annual back-to-school bus and bike races at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver. State officials said the racetrack was not given an exemption to allow more than 250 people to watch the races live, but track officials told our partners at TribLive.com that the facility is “totally COVID compliant.”

Cars began lining up hours before the event that typically raises thousands of dollars for charity. All proceeds go to autism awareness. A thousand people were expected to attend the races.

Channel 11 reached out to the Department of Health to find out how the speedway got around the state restrictions. A department spokesperson said, in part, “Lernerville Speedway did not receive an exemption from the Commonwealth to exceed the larger gathering orders. Local law enforcement does have the authority to take appropriate enforcement actions in this instance.”

When Channel 11 asked the Buffalo Township Police Department if any officers were going to take action, a spokesperson said they would not be at the speedway unless they were needed.

You can now customize your WPXI News App to receive news alerts. CLICK HERE to find out how.

Several people said off camera that they were not happy with the speedway defying the state’s orders. The owner said all guests had to sign a waiver and have their temperatures checked before entering the track Saturday. Masks were required and groups had to social distance from others in the stands.

Police: Man caught on surveillance vandalizing, trashing Freedom Corner Police: Man caught on surveillance vandalizing, trashing Freedom Corner

Cox Media Group