Driver who died after Lernerville crash identified as Chicora man

The driver injured Sunday in a crash at Lernerville Speedway has died, a family member and the speedway confirmed in social media posts. Both identified him as Shane Nolan of Chicora.

“Lernerville Speedway and the Tomson family are deeply saddened by the passing of Shane Nolan, a cherished member of our racing community,” the speedway said. “We ask that everyone honor him and his family by respecting their wish for privacy at this time.”

The dirt track, owned by local business Tomson Scrap Metal, had been hosting the first Geibel Fest Day of Destruction, an all-day event that featured a demolition derby, truck-boat and trailer race, and other contests. It was the final event of the year for the speedway in Buffalo Township.

Nolan crashed during the 100-lap Enduro race, Lernerville consultant Anthony Mariani previously told TribLive.

Emergency crews were dispatched shortly after 2:30 p.m., according to a Butler County 911 dispatcher. Nolan was then flown by helicopter to an area hospital, where he died.

Racing continued throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

It was Nolan’s fourth Enduro of the year at the speedway, according to his myracepass.com profile. His best finish was on Sept. 21, when he came in fourth place.

In a Facebook post, Nolan’s wife, Amanda, thanked the community for their support and asked for privacy.

“Please respect us all and let us navigate these next few days in peace,” she posted. “We will share more information if and when we have it and are ready to do so.”

Sunday wasn’t the first time a driver has died or been seriously injured in a wreck at Lernerville.

In October 1990, a driver died during an Enduro race on the final night of racing at Lernerville, according to Motorsport Memorial, an online site that documents racing deaths in the United States. Clifford Haas, 41, of Richland was killed when his car skidded out of control and flipped. His death was the first in Lernerville’s history.

In October 2015, driver William Henry, 51, of Gilpin died in a single-car crash after hitting a wall and rolling his car during the Steel City Stampede, a three-night stock car event, according to Motorsport Memorial.

In July 2012, sprint car driver Brian Steinman of Lucinda, Clarion County, was flown to a hospital after being involved in an accident during a preliminary race.

More than just about any sport, death is an occupational hazard for racers. Motorsports Memorial has logged 21 driver deaths — plus 17 marshal and spectator deaths — worldwide this year.

The site tallied more than 50 deaths each in 2022 and 2023, and goes back as far as 1897.

On Monday, Mariani said the speedway has checks in place to mitigate these risks.

However, Lernerville’s Enduro rules barred drivers from using “full blown roll cages,” a steel structure that reinforces a car’s frame in the event of a rollover or collision, despite allowing them for other events. Roll hoops, which go behind a headrest and perform a similar function, were required.

Nolan’s car landed on its roof after the crash.

Mariani did not return requests Tuesday for further comment on the mandate against full roll cages.

General manager Greg Geibel referred questions to Mariani.