EL CAJON, CA. Even though he is just eight short years away from being eligible for Social Security, Cajon Speedway racer Bo Lemler figures he has finally found his niche in racing.
"I'll stick with this till the day I can't get in the car anymore," the 57-year-old Bonita resident said recently. "I don't plan on retiring anytime soon. As a matter of fact, I feel I'm just reaching my peak as a race car driver. I have a lot more to learn. I think there is a place for an old man. I don't think the kids have got it all. I think there are sponsors out there that want to deal with us."
Lemler and the rest of the Grand American modified racers will be back in action this Saturday night at Cajon Speedway for NASCAR Weekly Racing Series action. Sharing the 3/8-mile-paved oval will be the local late model sportsman and bomber stocks. The American Race Trucks and legend cars will make their monthly appearance. Race time is 6:45 PM. Qualifying runs will start at 5:15. The late model sportsman will run a 30-lap main event. The remaining three divisions will feature 20-lap features.
Lemler currently sits sixth in the Grand American modified point standings. The veteran racer would no doubt be higher in the chase had he chosen not to pass on some contests earlier this season. A year ago he finished second in the hunt behind champion Lance Biggers and enjoyed his best season. He had 11 top five finishes, failing to crack that block only twice all year. He had three runner-up finishes, six third place runs, and a pair of fourths. About the only the missing beside a championship was a visit to Cajon's victory lane.
That finally came two months ago on May 13. It capped the biggest week of Lemler's 57 years here on earth. "Got married on May 11 on my birthday," Lemler smiled. "We went to Las Vegas and had a really nice wedding. She (the former Eva Cline) knew we were going to get married (there). But she didn't know how extravagant it was going to be. That was on a Thursday. I had to fly back here and test the car on Friday. She hung right in there because she knew she wasn't going to get a honeymoon (right away). Saturday we came out, did well, won the heat race, and won the main. It was a clean sweep for the whole week. I won't repeat that week for a long time." In the late model sportsman action, Ron Overman, Jerry Gay, John Tyczki, and Gary Tamborelli will continue their battle for the number one spot in the standings.
