Tim Shaffer of Aliquippa is known as the "Steel City Outlaw," a moniker earned while racing sprint cars with the World of Outlaws.

Shaffer, a former Lernerville track champion and a past winner of the Don Martin Memorial, found himself without a World of Outlaw ride early last season. Without a ride, Shaffer was without a job.

Not one to give up, Shaffer found Bryan Grove from Ohio, who was looking for a driver for Ohio Sprint Car Speedweek. The underfunded team didn't win any races but performed well under the circumstances.

Aaron Call noticed and Shaffer landed a job driving for a well-funded team in Ohio. It wasn't a full-time WoO ride, but it was a good car that had plenty of potential with mechanic Brian Kemenah.

Shaffer made his debut in the Call Motorsports number 83 July 4, 2008, at Terre Haute, Ind. When the checkered flag fell, Shaffer had a full straightaway lead over the second-place car and had lapped more than half the field.

The Steel City Outlaw won four All-Star features in 2008 for the Call-Kemenah team. So far this year, Shaffer has visited victory lane three times for Call and his new partner Janet Holbrook.

In seven All-Star races since May 23, Shaffer has two wins (Lernerville and Elkins) and has not finished out of the top five. It's easy to see why the Steel City Outlaw leads another former Lernerville track champion, Dale Blaney, by 163 points. The duo will go head-to-head during Ohio Sprint Car Speedweek, kicking off today at Attica Raceway Park into Ohio.

Today, Lernerville Speedway holds fan appreciation night with fireworks. The WoO Late Models will compete in the Firecracker 100 next Thursday with a make-up feature. ... Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown will offer Scouts in uniform free admission today with all divisions in action. ... Shawn Pilla won the Super Late Model 100-lap event at Motordrome Speedway in Smithton. The victory was Pilla's first in six years of competition in the Super Late Models. All five divisions will be in action tonight at Motordrome. ... The fifth-annual Curt George Memorial and the Chrysler Classic return to Pittsburgh Raceway Park today through Sunday at the drag strip in New Alexandria. ... At Pittsburgh's Pa. Motor Speedway, Colton Flinner registered his first career win in the Pro Late Models. Flinner of Allison Park picked up the win the day before his 15th birthday. Tomorrow at PPMS, children 12 and under, accompanied by a paying adult, get in free and Scouts in uniform are also admitted free. ... At Mercer Raceway Park in Mercer, Dan Kuriger of Freedom, Pa., scored his first career sprint car feature win. Tomorrow at MRP, New Castle residents with proper identification are admitted free. ... In nearby Hartford, Ohio, at the Sharon Speedway tomorrow, it's Kids Night, fireworks and bike races and family discounts. ... Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex will have all divisions in action tomorrow. ... Tri-City Speedway hosts the Extreme Dirt Track ATVA Nationals today and tomorrow. There will be no oval track racing Sunday.