RPW Exclusive: 2026 Pre-Season Questions Lebanon Valley Speedway Big Block Modifieds: Keith Flach

Column By: Stephen Durham / RPW – WEST LEBANON, NY – Each spring, there comes a time, where all race-fans, drivers, team owners, and track owners are just about ready for the first green flag of the season. With Lebanon Valley’s annual banquet this coming weekend, what’s a better way then talking with the top 10 guys from the DIRTcar big block modified division.

Keith Flach had a very strong season in 2025, coming away with five top 5s and 11 top 10s on the season, picking up a 3rd place finish in the championship standings. Flach finished just 1 point ahead of Haas in 4th, and 50 points behind big block champion Andy Bachetti.

Here is Keith Flach’s thoughts on the 2026 season ahead.

Q: How do you feel the 2025 Season was?

Keith Flach: “2025 overall went well in my opinion.  Big adjustment going back to handling all work ourselves, fell short on wins, but brought some fun back into it.”

Q: What’s new for this upcoming season with your team?

Keith Flach: “Same Schedule; weekly Lebanon Valley Speedway, throwing in what we can on top throughout the year. New 2026 BRP chassis.”

Q: What are your team’s expectations for 2026?

Keith Flach: “We hope to get back in the win column, but more importantly we hope to be more consistent than last season.”

Q: Thoughts on Fonda Speedway and Lebanon Valley working together in 2026?

Keith Flach: “I think it can only help the sport in general.  I’ve personally always had good experience with Deyo and his program.  Hopefully this sets an example for other promoters to reach out and work together in the future.”

Q: Thoughts on Lyle Devore and what he meant to the racing in the capital region

Keith Flach: “Lyle was one of a kind.  I knew him from my first years at the valley; both there and A-S he had a drive and determination to give a great product that seems hard to come by in many people.  It truly is a loss to the racing community with his passing.”

Q: What part of the 2026 season schedule are you most looking forward to?

Keith Flach: “Hopefully hitting a few more races than we have the last couple seasons, so long as scheduling allows.  I’m interested in seeing how the sail panels work on the new Lebanon Valley configuration.”

Q: If you had to predict, who’d you think would be the 2026 champion? 

Keith Flach: “Obviously we hope to be in the running again, but the car to beat over the last several years is the 4 team.”

Lebanon Valley Speedway opens the gates for warm-ups April 4th, with opening night for the DIRTcar big block modifieds being April 25th.