Leinbach Motorsports

Leinbach Motorsports actually began in October of 1954. At that time, 44-year-old Russ (Pappy) Leinbach decided to build a jalopy stock car for his 18-year-old son Russ to drive at Sanatoga and Hatfield Speedways located in Eastern Pennsylvania. Before their career ever began a change was made when the R.S.C.A.scheduled racing at the Reading Fairgrounds for the 1955 season. The original cars were numbered 13 and 131.

Opening day 1955 was at the Circle M Speedway located in Auburn, Pa. Young Russ was a victim of a violent flip which ended his driving career.

The Russ and Russ show along with a very young Ronnie continued to field cars for such early legends as Charley Baily, Harvey Richards, Red Lesher, Jack Rudy, Kurt Sherman,Chris Skias, and Eddie Haldeman just to name a few.

At the end of the 1959 season Pappy decided it was time to bid the owning ranks good-bye. The 1960 season brought a new alliance, Russ teamed up with Ralph Blankenbiller, a local restaurant owner to form a new team. A young Dave Marburger was named to fill the driver's seat. The car carried the #9. Forty-five years have passed and the number remains the same. Much success came to the Leinbach, Blankenbiller, and Marburger team.

At the end of the 1967 season, Blankie wanted to end his racing career and told Russ it would be great if he could find a buyer for his half of the team or Russ could buy it himself. After a search, Russ came up with a perfect partner. His 17-year-old brother, Ronnie purchased the Blankenbiller half and the Leinbach Brothers Racing Team was born. They struggled through their rookie season with Mose Moore and Blaine Sadler at the controls. A new car was built for Blaine in 1969. Halfway through the 1969 season, the Brothers decided to put their old friend Davey Marburger back in the car. By 1970 Davey had given Russ and Ronnie their only Reading feature win. From 1971 to 1976 the Brothers provided rides for many great drivers, The Fitzcharles Brothers (Paul and Glenn), Tony Matta from Australia, Red Coffin, Billy Ellis, Hal Browning, Butch Green, Dizzy Dean, Russ Delp, and Ronnie Dunstan to name a few.

From 1976 to 1983 the driving chores were taken over by Ronnie. Ronnie just lost the Rookie of the Year honors to former Cup Driver Jimmy Horton in 1976. Even Russ returned to the seat for a brief stint in a team car to Ronnie. From 1983 to 1986 Ronnie continued to compete at various tracks in both the 9 and for other owners.

For the 1987 season, Russ' health began to fail forcing him into an advisor role with the team. With Russ stepping back, Ronnie's wife Gayle took over the manager role and Leinbach Motorsports, as it is known today began. A crushing crash in June forced the team out early in 1987.

For 1988 a late model was purchased for Silver Spring Speedway. After ten races Ronnie retired and the seat was turned over to Craig Shover of Etters, Pa. After Craig, numerous drivers filled the seat of the NINE car. Jeff Leiphart, John Provenza, Kenny Riland, Carl Billet, Carl Graves and third generation driver Russ Leinbach, Jr. Carl Graves has been with the team for 10 of the last eleven seasons, and together have built a successful alliance. The NINE team had scored in the top 10 in points 12 out of 13 seasons. Won 7 features and holds the 20-lap track record at Silver Spring Speedway.

In 2001 Ross Leinbach took over the Asst. Crew Chief position and has taken over many of the day-to-day operations of the team. Ross also served as driver for the 2002 and 2003 seasons, finishing 12^th in points at Linda Speedway in 2002.

The Leinbach name has been synonymous with racing through six decades. The Leinbach team was the only team to race all 25 years under the R.S.C.A banner at the Reading Fairgrounds. 2006 will mark the 20th season the team will be at Silver Springs, if they remain open, and we aren't done yet.