Newsmaker: Tony Krivda

Noteworthy: Krivda has qualified for the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association's national championships on Saturday and Sunday in Delaware, Ohio. He's entered in the FX category — “Factory Experimental” — where lawn mowers minus blades reach speeds of more than 40 miles per hour.

Age: 32

Residence: Belle Vernon

Family: Sons, Anthony, 10, and Dylan, 9.

Education: Graduated from California Area High School in 1998.

Occupation: Mechanic in Bentleyville, Washington County.

Background: Krivda builds and sprints souped-up tractors that look like lawn mowers but really are closer to stock cars, including special drive-trains and clutches. A veteran of motocross and go-kart racing, he debuted his mower at the 2011 Westmoreland County Fairgrounds, placing third. He practices on a course he built in his backyard.

Quote: “For the Westmoreland County race, I got the lawn mower done just in time. I took one ride down the road, passed a car, put it on the trailer and took third. I'd never been in a race before!”