The Sternberg Brothers - "Going Around in Circles"

Thursday, July 12, 2007
By Scott BrandenburgChronicle correspondent

After spending the past decade traveling to different tracks, Ralph and Rob Sternberg made the decision to focus on Winston Motor Speedway this summer.

Midway through the season, the Sternberg brothers are happy to call Winston home.

Through the first 10 weeks, Ralph and Rob have combined to win six feature races -- three apiece in the Sportsman Division.

Although it isn't cut-throat competition, Rob makes it clear that "he got to three wins first."

"Ralph had to catch up to me," joked Rob, who is seven years younger than his brother.

Ralph maintains his sense of humor in the sibling rivalry.

"I think I'll get the tie-breaker," said Ralph, who is engaged to be married to Tami Kieft after the racing season. "I need the points more."

Ralph recently moved into second in the Sportsman Division standings -- 22 points behind Chad Weinrick. Rob is in fifth place after missing a few weeks early in the season.

The thing that matters most is they're finishing races and competing for top honors each week.

"It's been a while since we were both doing this well at the same time," said Rob. "That's really made this a fun year. In recent years, we'd be up there from time to time together, but mostly one of us would do well and the other one wouldn't."

The highlight of the season for Rob this year has been the auto racing version of a turkey -- winning the fast dash, a heat and the feature in the same day.

"That, and the time I started seventh and ended up winning, are the highlights of the year," said Rob, who has two sons -- Robbie and Damian -- his wife Rhonda. "When you can come from behind, you really feel like you've earned it."

Ralph is the more consistent, smooth and aggressive driver of the two, while Rob likes to adapt his game to the conditions of the race and the drivers. Last year, the elder Sternberg brother capped off the racing season by winning his third Great Lake National title at Crystal Motor Speedway. He is the only racer to win three.

"That's a pretty cool accomplishment," said Ralph. "To do something no one's ever done before feels pretty good."

Both Sternberg brothers got their driving skills from their dad, Ralph Sr.

Their dad raced at Winston and Thunderbird and earned several wins while driving the No. 73 car. Both younger drivers have driven that since, although Rob has currently switched to No. 37.

Ralph Sr., who owns Stern's Towing, sponsors both of his sons and doesn't play favorites when rooting for a winner.

"If they're both up there, I say just make sure you get the money," said the elder Sternberg, who turns 65 next week. "They're both doing real well. Every race is different and they're both doing good every race."

The Sternbergs also have a family feel to their pit crews.

Robbie, and nephew Josh, help both cars and Damian's getting a feel for it as well.

"He's just learning, but he's going to be the next one," said Rob. "He's learning fast."

Nelson, Sprague, Sternberg, and Erickson are Top Guns at Winston

Modified #1 Andy Sprague
Friday, July 11
Nelson, Sprague, Sternberg, and Erickson are Top Guns at Winston

The top drivers at Winston Speedway did not let “Friday the 13th’ be a sign of bad luck as many of them became multi-time feature winners. Fans were treated to comfortable weather and some great racing as the second half of the season got under way.

Outside front row starter Rich Neiser looked like he was going to dominate the main event in Integra Racing Shocks and Springs Late Model division. Neiser led the first seventeen laps and kept himself on the point for five caution restarts. Kevin Nelson put Neiser’s victory circle plans on hold. After racing his way into second from his sixth place starting position Nelson put a sling shot move on Neiser going into turn one and coming out of turn two that would have made Dale Earnhardt proud. Once out front Nelson pulled away to pick up the win. Matt Pickard followed suit passing Neiser on the low line with six laps to go to garner the runner-up spot. Neiser settled for third over Tom Sprague Jr and Kevin Nelson Jr. Heat races were won by Tom Dusen and Pickard. Kevin Nelson swept the Dash and Qualifying events.

The UMP Modified division has become the John McCaul and Andy Sprague show. Derek Poland did his best early to hold off the dynamic duo but that only lasted until lap eight. Sprague and McCaul were out front the rest of the race like many weeks before battling bumper to bumper. This week it was Sprague’s turn in victory lane. Sprague’s win was his fifth of the season at Winston. McCaul finished a close second followed by Poland, Dan Dykman and Eddie Reyes. Daryl Woodring and Poland took checkered flags in Heat races. Sprague was the Dash winner. McCaul was the fastest in Time trials.

Rob Sternberg gained bragging rights over his brother Ralph Sternberg by becoming the first driver to pick up four wins in the Port City Racing Sportsman division. Rob Sternberg patiently used the low line to get to the front from his sixth place starting position. Kyle Borgman set the early pace but bumping and banging among the front-runners gave Rob Sternberg a clear path on the bottom side of the track. The paint swapping continued with Rob Sternberg out front. When the dust settled Stan Dodds was the runner-up followed by Bob Shirk, Larry Passeneir, and Chad Weinrick. Heat race winners went to Rob Sternberg and Weinrick. Dash Honors went to Ralph Sternberg.

Last Saturdays Demolition Derby action carried over into the Factory Stock division. Twenty-one cars were on hand but only twelve started the main event. Tony Weinrick and Tim Epplett were winners of the “Crash Fest” Heat Races. The main event saw Robert Erickson pull off a power slide in front of Tim Epplett in turn two with just two laps to go to gain the top spot. Erickson’s power move helped him capture his fifth feature win of the season at Winston and his ninth over all in the UMP Factory stock National Point Standings. Epplett was second followed across the line by Jamie Lorenz, Justin Gilmore and Dash winner Tony Weinrick.

Luke Near pulled off racing’s version of the “Turkey” winning the Main Event, Heat Race and Dash events in the Sprague’s Auto Parts Mini Stock division. Don Keech raced his way to second in the Main Event followed by Carl McCann, April Spriggs, and Nathan Tarte.

Young Gun driver CJ Rector picked up his second feature win in the last three weeks by besting Seth Moody, Andrew Bartoszek, Glen Parker and Eric Harrald. Parker took Heat Race Honors. Moody won the Dash event.

Friday July 20th the Michigan Traditional Sprints will be on hand making their second appearance of the season at Winston. The Late Models will not be running that night, but the five other divisions of Winston will be on had for another excitement filled evening. For the best in Family Entertainment along the Lakeshore make your way to Winston Speedway.