10/03/2026
โผ๏ธ ๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐๐พ๐๐๐๐๐ โผ๏ธ
After an amazing 7 year run, Advantage Motorsports team owner & former Lancaster modified champion Joe Stearns, has decided to retire from modified racing.
A newly founded ownership pairing of Billy Putney & Jim Lutz have acquired the #14 assets, and will be operating the revived Bandit Motorsports out of the familiar East Aurora based shop.
Bandit Motorsports pays homage to Bruce Putney, a staple in modified ownership in Western New York for nearly 30 years.
Jake Lutz will continue to drive in the now re-numbered #48, which was utilized in Jakeโs early racing career, consisting of (3) World Karting Association National Championships.
From what began as a life long dream by owner Joe Stearns in 2019, Advantage Motorsports quickly turned into reality. In only a few short years, Stearnsโ team turned into a premier Western New York operation that yielded a tremendous amount of success in Race of Champion, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and Open series competition including multiple victories in the Race of Champions 250 & Lancaster US OPEN, among many others. Joe Stearns retires as one of the most successful modified owners in the Western New York area over the last several years.
With Crew Chief Billy Putney at the helm, Advantage Motorsports consistently fielded cars capable of winning no matter what series or event.
Advantage Motorsports would like to thank the drivers that we shared success with over the last 7 seasons:
Scott Wylie
Patrick Emerling
Mike Leaty
Chuck Hossfeld
Blake Barney
Ryan Newman
Bobby Santos III
Ron Silk
Jake Lutz
Special thank you to the following (3) drivers for their tenure in the 14:
Scott Wylie: Scott helped build Advantage Motorsports from the ground up, and piloted the #14 from 2020-2021.
Patrick Emerling: Patrick brought Advantage Motorsports our first ROC 250 victory, along with (3) other ROC victories in a (2) year stretch from late 2021 until the end of 2023.
Jake Lutz: Jake joined the team in 2021 as a crew member, with no immediate plan of ever driving again after retirement from Legend Cars in 2013. Since 2022, Jake has amassed (10) victories in the #14, including a pair of Lancaster U.S. Open Victories, the ROC 250, and the Sportsman ROC 72 event.
To our partners throughout the years, this success would have never been possible without your support:
AdvantageTrucks.com
Anastasi Trucking
Washtronics Car Wash Equipment
County Line Stone
Emerling Ford
Double Clutch
Sublmtd
Pellets Shot Wire and Blasting
Thirty7 Pit Products
Bob Bruneau Engine Research
Robert Yates Racing Engines
Hutter Performance
Tim Reilly
Advantage Motorsports had numerous crew members over the years work tirelessly to provide our drivers with safe and competitive cars. We would like to graciously thank all of the pit crew members that lended a hand over the last 7 years, especially the core group which consisted of:
Billy Putney
Jim Lutz
Matt Wagner
Brian & Donna Schofield
Chuck & Mary Lou Rondeau
Jay Peplin
Paul French Jr
Jesse Kirschmeyer
Charlie Hackett
Matt Druar
To the fans and series in which Advantage Motorsports has both interacted with and participated in, THANK YOU!
We are extremely proud of the success we had & the friendships we have built with competitors, fans, and our partners.
These memories will be cherished forever.
