Posted May 29, 2018 by Kyle McFadden Grassroots

Lance Dewease wheels the iconic No. 461 “Brickmobile” back to Victory Lane

Hall of Fame sprint car driver Lance Dewease put the famed 461 “Brickmobile” back in Victory Lane Saturday night at Port Royal Speedway. Photo: Kyle McFadden/The Racing Experts.

PORT ROYAL, Pa. — Lance Dewease coasted down the front stretch of Port Royal Speedway on Sunday night and parked his throwback-schemed No. 461 “Brickmobile” sprint car near the start-finish-line, in front of the long strip of grandstands packed with fans. The veteran driver stepped out and waved to the crowd as fans, the ones with track access, flocked over, sparking conversation and requesting photos with the 52-year-old wheelman who restored the glory days.

On Saturday night, Dewease romped the field in fitting fashion — winning the Walter Dyer Tribute in that Dyer Masonry No. 461 “Brickmobile,” the same ride that piloted his Hall of Fame racing career way back in 1991. He won the 30-lap feature by 4.307 seconds and was never challenged, putting the iconic ride back in Victory Lane like he did so many times before.

But during that moment Sunday night — after a modest second-place finish in the Bob Weikert Memorial — Dewease and fans around soaked in the scene that channeled fond memories.

“It means everything,” Dewease said of putting the “Brickmobile” back in Victory Lane. “As everybody knows, [Walter Dyer] did a lot for my crew. If it wasn’t for the 461, people wouldn’t know who I am. I owe my whole career to Walter Dyer and that whole family.”

It was a great weekend for me to be able to put a smile on this mans face by running the famous 461 all weekend for him. Finishes of 4th, 1st & 2nd. Also have to thanks the whole Kreitz team for all the hard work they to make this happen @KreitzRacing69K pic.twitter.com/PcEujDZKsl

— Lance Dewease (@LanceDewease) May 28, 2018

The Dyer “Brickmobile” dates back to the 1960s, fielding some of the most accomplished sprint car drivers in Pennsylvania. In 1991, Dyer and Dewease merged and started a legendary partnership that saw 132 wins over the next eight years. On special occasions, Dewease breaks out the 461 scheme, and this season its three appearances are in the books — Friday’s race at Williams Grove and the Weikert Memorial weekend at Port Royal, where he finished fourth, first and second.

“We tried so hard on Friday to get [a win] and fortunately [Saturday] night we were fortunate enough to give [Dyer] the win,” said Dewease, who normally runs the blue No. 69K.

Lance Dewease sits pit-side after Saturday evening practice at Port Royal Speedway. Photo: Kyle McFadden/The Racing Experts.

Saturday night marked Dewease’s 109th career victory at Port Royal and ninth in the last 12 races at the track. Dewease started third and blasted past Sunday night winner Lucas Wolfe and World of Outlaws regular Dylan Gravel coming off Turn 4 on Lap 1. He fended off two restarts — Laps 2 and 13 — choosing the bottom on the double-file restarts and setting sail on both of them. Before hitting lapped traffic, Dewease led by a whole straightaway and then some.

“We got the lead and stayed smooth from there,” he said.

Lance Dewease motors his throwback-schemed No. 461 around Turns 3 and 4 at Port Royal Speedway. Photo: Kyle McFadden/The Racing Experts.

On Sunday, Wolfe nipped Dewease by 1.264 seconds, but that didn’t put a damper on the blast-from-the-past. In every corner of Port Royal Speedway, legions of fans purchased and wore throwback-style Dewease “Brickmobile” shirts that were made for this special weekend. And Dewease and his fans weren’t let down.

“I’m really pleased with the weekend,” Dewease said. “Fourth Friday night, first Saturday night, [and] second [Sunday night]. Putting the 461 back in Victory Lane [Saturday] night was special. It’s been a great weekend.”