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Saturday, May 22, 2004
Mercer Raceway park still on for tonight
After last week's rain out and early morning storms, skies are clearing as we head into action tonight (5/22) at Mercer Raceway Park! It's a full show of Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Campbell- Peterson Trail & Turf Big-Block Modifieds, Tire Express Sportsman Modifieds, Stock Cars, and the Strictly Stocks. Tonight is "Meet the Boys" with a meet and greet session with Nickelodeon's "Hey Arnold" & "Jimmy Neutron" presented by Armstrong & The Meadville Tribune. The stock cars will be featured in the first "Meet Your Heroes" autograph session presented by Grove City Auto Mall between 6-6:30 p.m. Kids bike races will be held at intermission. Pits open at 3:30, grandstands at 4:30, hot laps at 6:15, and racing at 7 p.m. Adult admission is $10. Students 6-15 are $5. Children five and under are free. The Family Pass is $25. Pit passes are $22. For more info, call the track at 724-662-1310. See ya' at The Park! Friday, May 21, 2004
OVER $20,000 UP FOR GRABS FOR BIG-BLOCK MODIFIEDS JUNE 5 IN BILL EMIG MEMORIAL IN FIRST OF TWO BRP TOUR EVENTS AT MERCER
By Mike Leone May 21, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mercer, PA… Mercer Raceway Park will be the site of the region’s richest modified event of the season Saturday night, June 5. Sponsored by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, the Bill Emig Memorial “Legacy Series” will feature three 25-lap Campbell-Peterson Trail & Turf Big-Block Modified features each paying $1,500 to-win and $150 to-start. The Tire Express Sportsman Modifieds, Stock Cars, Strictly Stocks, and a “Gladiator Series” Demo Derby will also be on the card. “I think my father would be proud of the quality of this event we will be holding in his memory,” said sixth-year owner Vicki Emig. “Unfortunately the triple 25 portion of the event was rained out last year, but this show has become an event that fans and drivers look forward to each year. I’m proud that all of the money goes back into the local racers’ hands.” This year’s event will be sanctioned by the B.R.P. Tour for the first time. A total of $19,920 will be posted for the three features alone. Car counts are always excellent and this year’s show should be no different as a field in upwards of 50 cars is expected to do battle in one of the most unique nights of the season. The past two season’s Tour events in September have drew 51 cars and 45 cars respectively. The first feature will utilize a pill draw to determine the first 12 starters. The second feature will be completely inverted from the first feature’s results with the feature winner starting last and the last place finisher starting first. And the third feature will invert the top 12 point cars from the evening with the high point man starting twelfth and the twelfth point man starting first. The “Legacy Series” point champion will receive a commemorative watch. In 2001, Brian Swartzlander won two of three features, finished second in the other, and was the “Legacy Series” point champion. Dean Pearson was the winner of the second feature. Then in 2002, Ron Smoker took two of three victories and finished third in the other to be crowned the “Legacy Series” point champion. Alan Dellinger was victorious in the first feature for his first career big-block win. As mentioned, last year’s triple 25s were rained out; however, the Bill Emig Memorial was brought back as part of The Main Event, which was won by Lonny Riggs. The $2,000 victory was the biggest of Riggs’ career and first ever win in a Bill Emig Memorial. The Tire Express Sportsman Modifieds and the Stock Cars will battle in $600 to-win special events. A strong field of cars is expected. The second of four “Gladiator Series” Demolition Derbies will close out the evening’s activities. Martin Cron, Jr. was the winner of the first demo. There will also be 100 admission tickets to the Pro Football Hall of Fame & Museum given away throughout the night to ticket holders. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m., hot laps at 6:15 p.m., and racing at 7 p.m. Adult admission is $15. The Family Pass is $35, which admits mom, dad, and up to four kids. Students 6-15 are $7. Children five and under are free. Pit passes are $30. For the fourth straight year, Hovis Auto and Truck Supply has helped make this huge night possible. Owner Cliff Hovis is a big fan of this event and is a great supporter of Mercer Raceway Park. Hovis is the only auto parts store that gives you service, selection, competitive prices, and experienced and knowledgeable sales people. Check out their large inventory of high quality auto parts including heavy-duty truck parts and paint and auto body supplies. Anything you need to keep your car or truck running at it’s best can be found at Hovis’ ten convenient western Pennsylvania locations in New Castle, Hermitage, Grove City, Franklin, Oil City, Emlenton, Meadville, Erie, Titusville, and the new location in Zelienople. Mercer Raceway Park is located minutes from both Interstate 79 and 80 just off Route 19 on Fairground Road in Mercer, Pa. Dirt track racing and quality family entertainment are presented weekly April through October. The office in New Bedford, Pa. is open year-round after 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call the office at 724-964-9300 or the track on race day at 724-662-1310. Check out our website at www.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest. Thursday, May 20, 2004
DICK RANKIN MEMORIAL SET AT TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY ON MAY 30TH
by Brian Spaid May 19, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRANKLIN, PA …. On Sunday May 30th, Tri-City Speedway will celebrate Memorial Day Weekend as Rankin & Son Excavating presents the Inaugural Dick Rankin Memorial, which will be the first race of the season for the BRP Modified Tour 2004. To complete a five-star racing program, in addition to the Schwab’s Ford DIRT Modifieds, the Northpointe Automotive Super Sprints, RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods, E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks and Victory Lane Graphics Thundercars will be in action. The E Mods start the first-ever E Series at Tri-City, and the Pro Stocks commence the third annual Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series. The Dick Rankin Memorial BRP Modified Tour 2004 race will feature the top open-wheel big block modified stars in a 30-lap event paying $1,500 to the winner. The BRP Modified Tour started in 1998 in order to support local DIRT Modified competitors, and it has increased in popularity each season. Brian Swartzlander of Leechburg, Pa., was the BRP Modified Tour champion in 1998 and 1999. The late Jeff Hoffman of Franklin, Pa., shared the 2000 title with Ellwood City, Pa., driver Rodney Beltz. Dave Murdick of Slippery Rock, Pa., won the point title in 2001. Then, in 2002 and 2003, Sharon Speedway track champion Ron Smoker of Hamburg, N.Y., triumphed as the BRP Modified Tour champion. Del Rougeux Jr. of Frenchville, Pa., is the defending DIRT Modified track champion at Tri-City, and he already has one feature win in the books at the Venango County half-mile oval in 2004. He will fend off the former BRP Modified Tour champions as well as top Tri-City contenders like Andy Priest of New Castle, Pa., Rex King of Bristolville, Ohio, Kevin Bolland of New Brighton, Pa., Josh Skarzenski of Erie, Pa., Jim Rasey of Southington, Ohio, Joe Crawford of Polk, Pa., Skip Moore of Jackson Center, Pa., Dave Schrader of Endeavor, Pa., Chris Schiffer of Franklin, Pa., and Chad and Chanda Reitz of Dempseytown, Pa. This year’s event will honor the memory of famed DIRT Modified driver Dick Rankin. The Fairmount City, Pa., veteran died in a non-racing accident on August 13, 2003. Tri-City’s 2000 Super Sprint track champion Craig Rankin and his mother, Connie Rankin, will bring additional sponsorship to the event through the family business, Rankin & Son Excavating. This season, Tri-City officials decided to institute a series of events for the E Mods similar to the successful Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series. The three-race E Series commences on May 30th, and will also run on June 20 and August 22. Each 20-lap race will pay additional purse money throughout the field with the winner to collect $500. Standard track points will be maintained for the series. This means points will be awarded for the heat races, consolations and feature events. Show points will also be maintained. The early favorite for the first E Series title is two-time defending track champion Brent Rhebergen of Clymer, N.Y. Rhebergen has 33 E Mod feature wins over the last four seasons aboard Bruce and Kathy Steadman’s Pierce No. 69. This season, however, Harmony, Pa., driver Shawn Domhoff was fast out the gate with two feature wins. Other top contenders include Jim Frontz of Cambridge Springs, Pa., Shawn Shingledecker of Franklin, Pa., Kari Gasser of Girard, Ohio, Mike Potosky of Guys Mills, Pa., Jamie Shetler of Cochranton, Pa., Mike Samuelson of Conewango Valley, N.Y., and Bruce Powell of Cochranton, Pa. The 2004 Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series will also start on May 30th. That series will be in action at Tri-City on three additional dates: June 20th, September 5th and September 12th. Each race will be an extra distance event and will pay additional purse money throughout the field. On May 30th, the 20-lap affair will pay $400 to the winner. Standard track points will be maintained for the series. Like the E Series, this means points will be awarded for the heat races, consolations and feature events, including the final series race, the 8th Annual CSOnline Applefest 100. Show points will also be maintained. Past Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series champions include Gary Norman of New Castle, Pa., (2002) and Bobby Whitling of Seneca, Pa., (2003). Gates open on Sunday May 30th at 4:00 p.m. and racing starts at 6:00 p.m. Adult grandstand admission will remain a family friendly $10.00 Tri-City Speedway is owned and operated by Roger and Susie Crick and Mike and Margaret Graham. They have promoted Sunday night racing at the popular facility since they reopened it in 1996. The Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds, E Mods, Pro Stocks and Thundercars race each week at the Venango County half-mile dirt oval. Tri-City is located seven miles north of Franklin, Pa., off State Route 417. Wednesday, May 19, 2004
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT SHARON SPEEDWAY SATURDAY
Pure Stock driver autographs, Super Saturday ticket giveaway, Kids Crew and great racing on tap HARTFORD, Ohio (May 19, 2004) – It seems the most contested battle at Sharon Speedway this season has been against Mother Nature, but drivers look to resume their on-track contests against each other this Saturday during EELL’S Used Cars night. After rain has cancelled two of the three scheduled events so far this year, drivers in Sharon’s four divisions – Sunburst Environmental Sprints, Gibson-Governor Insurance Modifieds, Coy Brothers Trucking E-Mods and City Disposal Services Pure Stocks – are more than ready to continue the 2004 season and their quest for a championship title. “I know it’s probably frustrating for the drivers to finally get the season started and then have to wait two weeks to race – it’s frustrating for us, too,” said Dave Blaney, Sharon Speedway co-owner. “The weather is one of those things we can’t control, but it’s looking good for this Saturday and we should see a lot of great on-track action.” Prior to the on-track action this Saturday drivers competing in the City Disposal Services Pure Stocks division will be available to sign autographs. Also as part of pre-race activities, Kids Crew will hold its second meeting of the season. Kids Crew is open to all young race fans in kindergarten through fourth grade and meets at the speedway from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. eight times during the season for various activities prior to the evening’s races. There is a $15 membership fee per child for the season, and each Kids Crew member receives a T-shirt and a membership pin along with other items. Kids Crew activities include games; crafts, like painting a race car and making gifts for the campers at Victory Junction Gang Camp; and attendance at a World of Outlaws driver’s meeting. Due to last week’s rain out, this Saturday is also a “Super Saturday” at Sharon Speedway, which means the track will be giving away tickets or discounts to various area attractions like the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, the Rangos Omnimax Theater at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh for “NASCAR: The IMAX Experience” and Eracers Go Kart Park in Butler, Pa. This Saturday, as well as every week of the track’s year-long, 75th Anniversary Celebration, Thom Duma Fine Jewelers of Warren, Ohio, will be giving away a Bulova watch worth $100. During “Duma Time” of the nightly intermission, a number will be drawn from the weekly program and the winner will receive the timepiece on the spot. Again this week, the East ticket gate (near the track’s back stretch) will be open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. only. The speedway also will offer limited concessions on the East side. Full concessions and restrooms are available in the speedway’s new three-story building located on the front stretch. This Saturday’s races will be taped live and then aired on Youngstown’s FOX 17/62 on Friday, May 28, at 10:30 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m., on Saturday, with racing at 6:30 p.m. Tickets, available at the gate, are $10 for adults (16 and older), $5 for kids (12-15) and free for children 11 and under. Coolers less than 14 inches are permitted with cans only – no glass containers permitted. Fans can call (330) 772-5481 or visit www.sharonspeedway.com for more information and directions. About Sharon Speedway Celebrating 75 years in 2004, Sharon Speedway is one of the oldest, continuously running weekly racetracks in the United States. Located 10 miles north of I-80 in Hartford, Ohio, the speedway is owned by NASCAR driver Dave Blaney, Jim Weller Sr., Ron Kirila and Bill Kirila, and operated by their families. The newly renovated facility features a 3/8-mile dirt racing surface and seating for approximately 6,500 and holds weekly racing every Saturday night from May to September. This season, the track also will feature several special events, including the World of Outlaws sprint cars; the World of Outlaws late models; the All Star Circuit of Champions as part of Ohio Speedweek; the Victory Junction Gang Camp Fundraiser with Tony Stewart, Dave Blaney, Ken Schrader and Kyle Petty; and the annual Sharon Nationals during Labor Day weekend Tuesday, May 18, 2004
5-DIVISION PROGRAM PLUS AN APPEARANCE BY “HEY ARNOLD” & “JIMMY NEUTRON”, FREE GENERAL ADMISSION FOR MEADVILLE, PA RESIDENTS, AND MUCH MORE SATURDAY AT MERCER
By Mike Leone May 18, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mercer, PA…After the second weather cancellation of the season last Saturday night, Mercer Raceway Park is set to swing back into action with a complete show of Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Campbell-Peterson Trail & Turf Big-Block Modifieds, Tire Express Sportsman Modifieds, Stock Cars, and the “Redneck Racers Shotgun Series” for Strictly Stocks this Saturday night, May 22. The first special family event of the season will be held. “Meet the Boys” presented by Armstrong and The Meadville Tribune will feature the first ever appearance by Nickelodeon’s “Hey Arnold!” and “Jimmy Neutron – Boy Genius”. The characters will first appear around 5 p.m. and continue throughout the evening. “We had “Hey Arnold” and “Jimmy Neutron” scheduled to appear last year in August,” explained owner Vicki Emig. “That event was rained out so we decided to bring the duo back this year for the first special family event of the season.” The Stock Cars will bring their cars behind the grandstands from 6-6:30 p.m. for “Meet Your Heroes” autograph night presented by Grove City Auto Mall. Fans will receive a custom, color autograph card when they enter the speedway to obtain their favorite drivers’ autographs. Also, the first of four kids bike races will be held at intermission. Kids up to 12 years old can bring their bikes, but must have a helmet to compete. All Meadville, Pennsylvania residents will be admitted free into the grandstand area for general admission by showing one’s driver’s license with Meadville address. All children accompanied by a Meadville, Pa. adult resident will be admitted free as well. Rod George has jumped to an early lead in the Sprint Car points over perennial front-runners Jamie Smith and Arnie Kent as the Kittanning driver is in search of his first Mercer crown. George has one victory and is a perfect five-for-five in top five finishes in his Rodeway Inn #4. In the Big-Block Modifieds, Andy Priest has gotten off to a strong start with 24-point lead over Carl Weatherby. The New Castle native already has a win along with four top 5s and five top 10s in five starts in his McElwain Motors #21N. Jeff Schaffer, the 1996 Big-Block Champion, scored his first career sportsman win early in the year and is now poised on the title. The Fombell, Pa. driver is a perfect five-for-five in top five finishes driving his brother Jerry’s Approved Toilet Rentals #14. The Stock Car point race is one again a nip and tuck battle. Rusty Moore, who is still winless, has been consistent to set the early standard in his Rich & Freed Auto Parts #17. The New Castle, Pa. veteran holds a 10-point margin over Andy Thompson and 11 points over Andy Buckley. Positions four through nine in points are separated by just six points. The question in the Strictly Stocks is who can knock Curt Bish, Sr. and Jr. out of the winners circle? Bish, Sr. of Oil City, Pa. has four wins in five tries and leads the “Redneck Racers Shotgun Series” points by 57 over his son, Curt, Jr., who has the other lone win. The Bishs perfect mark on the circuit ended last Sunday at Tri-City Speedway when Don Blake, Jr. became the first non-Bish to win in 2004. In the Moore CDL Driving Academy “Pegasus” 360 Sprint Car points, Coshocton, Ohio’s Jason Dolick has made the long tow in to gain the early point advantage in his #70 over Chris Shuttleworth, who makes the three and half hour tow weekly from his home in Wellsville, New York. Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. Grandstands open at 4:30 p.m. Hot laps are slated for 6:15 p.m. and the first green flag will wave at 7 p.m. Adult admission is $10. Students 6-15 are $5. Children five and under are free. The family pass is $25. Pit passes are $22. Mercer Raceway Park is located minutes from both Interstate 79 and 80 just off Route 19 on Fairground Road in Mercer, Pa. Dirt track racing and quality family entertainment are presented weekly late March through early October. The office in New Bedford, Pa. is open year-round Monday through Friday after 12:30 p.m. For more information call the office at 724-964-9300 or the track on race day at 724-662-1310. Check out our website at www.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest.
CAMERON DODSON CLAIMS FIRST CAREER SPRINT CAR VICTORY
FLIES AWAY FROM THE COMPETITION IN MID AMERICAN SPRINT SERIES EVENT AT TRI STATE SPEEDWAY, HAUBSTADT, IN GREENFIELD, IN – May 17, 2004 – It was just a matter of time before Cameron Dodson, one of the winningest drivers in U.S. quarter midget and mini-sprint racing, took a full-size, fire-breathing 410-winged sprint car to victory lane. The 16 year-old Memphis, TN native served notice Sunday night in only his 16th A-Main start in sprint car competition, the Greenfield, IN resident held off a hard-charging Kelly Kinser, leading all 35 laps to score his first career win in the inaugural Mid American Sprint Series event at Tri State Speedway, Haubstadt, IN. “This is the most incredible feeling,” said an elated Dodson in victory lane. “What an honor for me to capture my first win over experienced and talented drivers like Kelly Kinser, Randy Hannagan, Danny Smith, Critter Malone and others. “I concentrated on hitting my marks and focused on staying consistent even through lapped traffic. I knew I couldn’t make too many mistakes with those guys behind me. “My crew chief Troy (Hollingsworth) had the car about as perfect as it could be all night. We have tremendous support from our sponsors, The Joie of Seating, Simpson Performance Products, Hoosier Tire, Penske Racing Shocks Midwest, Olson Paint and Body, Doty Graphics, Weld Racing Wheels, NGK Spark Plugs, Hedman Headers, Auto Meter Products, Tanner Racing Products, Benic Enterprises, Outwear, Inc. and our other associates and supporters including Gaerte Racing Engines and Maxim Chassis. They give us the tools we need to run competitively each and every race. “I want to thank my parents as well for all of the support they have given me to pursue my dream to be a professional race driver.” Dodson earned the right to start on the pole of the A-Main by winning the dash earlier in the evening. He started the night of fast and furious competition with a third place finish in the first heat race. The win came on the heels of a second place A-Main feature Saturday night at Butler Battleground Speedway in Quincy MI. In his first visit to the track in 2004, Dodson qualified eighth, won his heat race and the runner-up spot in the feature. The race ended with the fans on their feet as, local hot-shoe, Jeff Rankin and Dodson taking the checkered flag side by side with Rankin winning by a nose. Dodson’s crowd-pleasing performances of the weekend followed directly behind his impressive first-ever World of Outlaws competition on Saturday, May 8th at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway, Calvert City, KY. After qualifying sixth out of the 32 stars of the national touring series, Dodson finished sixth in his heat race, one spot out of an automatic transfer to the A-Main. His second place finish in the B-Main transferred him to the 18th starting spot in the feature where he raced the likes of the King of the Outlaws, Steve Kinser, Danny Lasoski, Donny Schatz, Mark Kinser and others to post a respectable 16th place at the end of the 35-lap race. “This season has already far exceeded our expectations,” concluded the winged sprint car rookie. “All I can say is I am very fortunate to have the tremendous support of our sponsors, a great crew chief and my family so I can race.” Of course, it was business as usual on Monday morning for Dodson as he returned to his studies as an honor student at Greenfield (IN) Central High School. Log on to www.camerondodson.com for Dodson’s schedule of upcoming events as well as stories and results from previous races. Monday, May 17, 2004
Gamblers Raceway Park officials have announced a major racing change, the Saturday, June 5th, race will be moved to Sunday, June 6th, and so we can reschedule the ULMS touring series. On June 6th, at 5PM Gamblers Raceway Park will have Moyers Auto Body Trophy Night featuring United Late Model Series along with Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub Street Stocks and DBY Motorsports & West View Motors Micro Sprints.
The ULMS “Smartie Jones 30” $1500 to win $200 to start Budweiser Super Late Model 30 lap feature starting 20 cars. The race is in honor of Pennsylvania’s best racing thoroughbred, Smarty Jones, going for Horse Racing’s “Triple Crown” this weekend, free candy smarties for everyone. Gates open at 2:30 with hot laps at 4:45. Admission: Adults $11, Kids (6-15) $4 Family Ticket $25 (Mom, Pop and up to three kids) and Pits $22
Sixteen year old Cameron Dodson captured the inaugural event sanctioned by the Mid American Sprint Series Sunday night at the beautiful Tri State Speedway in Haubstadt, Indiana. The hot shoe from Greenfield, Indiana led all 35 laps as he beat some of sprint car racings top drivers. Dodson drove to his first ever 410 win as he raced through heavy lapped traffic on the fast ¼ mile high-banked speed plant. Finishing second was Kelly Kinser, third went to Kyle Cummins, fourth place went to Randy Hannagan and the fifth place finisher was Kevin Briscoe
Tri-City pictures
Congratulations to KB.Com Scott Myers on his first ever heat win. Scott was running a solid 3rd in the feature before retiring to the pits. Scott opened some eyes this week. Hopefully we'll see the #10 in victory lane before the year is over. Don't forget to check out his website for the latest on Myers Racing. Also don't forget about the new shirts you can pick up from Scott. JAROD LARSON AND DEL ROUGEUX JR. TOP WINNER'S LIST AT TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY; SHAWN DOMHOFF UPSETS KING BRENT IN E MODS; BRUCE SMITH AND DON BLAKE JR. ALSO SCORE by Brian Spaid May 16, 2004 FRANKLIN, PA ... Sunny and warm conditions prevailed at Tri-City Speedway on Sunday night, and Jarod Larson (Northpointe Automotive Super Sprints), Del Rougeux Jr. (Schwab's Ford DIRT Modifieds), Shawn Domhoff (RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods), Bruce Smith (E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks) and Don Blake Jr. (Victory Lane Graphics Thundercars) scored feature wins at the Venango County half-mile oval. Jarod Larson of Rock Creek, Ohio, scored his first Super Sprint win at Tri-City since August 20, 2000. One week after that win, Larson flipped and suffered a neck injury. Since then, he has struggled at the Venango County half-mile oval. Last week, he finished second before completing the job this time around in his Clemson Excavating/Mark Thomas Ford Eagle No. 47. "Usually, you're not supposed to run the top here," said Larson, "but it worked for us tonight. I knew some fast cars were coming behind me, and the lapped traffic was tough. I haven't run well here for some time, probably due to that injury, but it worked well tonight." Andy McKisson jumped into the early lead with Larson zipping to the front on the second circuit off turn two. Larson took off from the pack while the rest of the field battled behind him. Former track champion Bobby Clark ran second by the fifth lap and set his sights on Larson. A mid-race caution allowed Clark to close the gap, but Larson ran superb on the restart. Near the end of the race, however, Clark caught and nearly passed Larson in traffic. The five-time Sharon Speedway champion held onto the lead, then raced on to his fourth career win at Tri-City. Defending track champion Rod George ran third over the last half of the race, but he was no match for the leaders. Jason Jacoby finished fourth over Ed Lynch Jr., who nearly collided with a spinning McKisson on the ninth circuit. Scott Bonnell and Lynch won the Super Sprint heats. Del Rougeux Jr. of Frenchville, Pa., collected his first win of the season in the 20-lap DIRT Modified feature. Taking the lead on the second lap, Rougeux was unchallenged the rest of the way for his fifth career win at Tri-City in his Vinyl Graphics Unlimited Bicknell No. 20D. Rougeux also collected an extra $100 for winning the first Coors DIRT Modified Bonus Bucks race of the season. "The crew put a lot of time into the car this week, and they made it a rocket ship," said the defending track champion. "Last week, we had a tough run, but we wrote it off and came back tonight to win. We want to repeat as champion, and we know we just need to win races and the points will come." A wild first lap wreck punctuated the race. Steve Young slammed the outside retaining wall while racing three-wide for position. With over half of the pack behind Young, many drivers took evasive action, but the accident collected a total of seven cars and stopped the race. No one was injured. Once the race restarted, it ran non-stop and Rougeux passed polesitter Rex King for the lead. While Rougeux opened a comfortable advantage, the battle for second was a barnburner. On the 12th lap, Chris Schiffer, back racing after a one-year hiatus, used the outside cushion to vault into the runner-up slot. It appeared that Schiffer was closing the gap to Rougeux, however, lapped traffic entered the mix. On the 16th circuit, last week's winner Andy Priest dashed under Schiffer and King for second. Priest went on to finish there over King and Schiffer, who swapped positions on the last lap. Jim Weller finished fifth. Brian Swartzlander, Rougeux and Dave Schrader won the DIRT Modified heat races. After suffering a driveshaft vibration in his heat race, Dave Murdick topped Nick Ritchey in an excellent B Main race. In what can easily be termed a shocker, Shawn Domhoff of Harmony, Pa., defeated two-time defending track champion Brent Rhebergen in the 15-lap E Mod feature to score his second win in a row. On opening night, Domhoff was victorious while Rhebergen was out-of-town at the Alltel 100 at Batesville Speedway in Arkansas. This week, Rhebergen started on the pole position, but Domhoff, who started sixth, proved up for the challenge. Domhoff even did the unthinkable by passing the 33-time feature winner for the third win of his career at Tri-City. "We beat him tonight," said Domhoff, who drives the Domhoff Racing Engines Cyclone No. 13. "The car worked well and the track was hooked up. Brent gave me room and I gave him room. I may have pinched him a little bit in turn four, but you gotta do what you gotta do." From outside the third row, Domhoff immediately vaulted into second behind Rhebergen on the first circuit. He looked for racing room under the division king, and used a restart on the sixth circuit to his advantage. Rhebergen elected to restart the race from the outside of the front row. Domhoff used the inside lane to blast out front, then outdistanced Rhebergen through one more caution period for the upset win. Rhebergen finished second over Jim Frontz, Kari Gasser and Mike Potosky. Domhoff and Shawn Shingledecker captured the E Mod heats. As a result, Domhoff has two heat race and feature wins in two weeks of competition. What a difference a week made for Bruce Smith of Rocky Grove, Pa. On opening night, Smith was involved in a turn two wreck on the opening lap of the Pro Stock feature, which knocked him from contention. This week, he stated on the outside pole and led every circuit of the 15-lap Pro Stock main and collected his seventh career win at Tri-City. The victory was not an easy one. Smith survived four cautions for minor incidents and a mid-race challenge from Bobby Whitling. Gary Norman ran second the first three laps before Whitling, who failed to qualify for the opening night race due to a blown engine, moved into the position. On the 11th circuit , Smith pushed high in turn one, and nearly lost the lead to Whitling. He managed to regain the advantage through turns three and four. From there, Smith raced on to his first win of the season in his D/B&S Cabinets/J&A Tool Pontiac No. 36. "I pushed up in turn one, and I realized I needed to calm down," said Smith. "Then, I saw someone under me in turn three and I just hunkered down and drove it home." Behind Smith, Whitling held off the late-race charge of Danny Exley to finish second. Norman and defending track champion Darrell Bossard rounded out the top five finishers. Norman, Scott Myers, Smith and Bob Sloss scored wins in the Pro Stock heat races. Doug Calvert and last week's feature winner Dave Ferringer won the B Mains. In the 12-lap Thundercar main, Don Blake Jr. of Titusville, Pa., took advantage of Robby Switzer's misfortune to score his first feature win of the season and the second of his career at Tri-City. Switzer took command on the opening lap, but lost a tire on the fourth circuit. Blake inherited the lead and was unchallenged the rest of the race. "The track was slick with oil in turn two on the last lap," said Blake beside his Monaco Cycle/Townville Auto & Equipment Chevrolet No. 43. "It was a little hairy, but we got the win." Kevin Cooper matched a career best finish in second. Cooper took the position on the fourth circuit when Switzer dropped out. Robby Torrens passed Cooper for the slot on the seventh lap. Then, Torrens unexpectedly spun in the second turn on the eighth lap. Cooper regained the spot as a result and held off Curt Bish Sr. in the end. Joe Blake and last week's winner, Curt Bish Jr., rounded out the top five. The turn two oil slick referenced by Blake was from the engine of defending track champion Jeff Manners, which blew with less than two laps to go. Tri-City Speedway will be back in action next Sunday May 23rd with a five-star racing program of the Northpointe Automotive Super Sprints, Schwab's Ford DIRT Modifieds, RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods, E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks and Victory Lane Graphics Thundercars on Coors Brewing Night. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m. Adult grandstand admission will be $10. SUPER SPRINTS (20 Laps): 1. JAROD LARSON, 2. Bobby Clark, 3. Rod George, 4. Jason Jacoby, 5. Ed Lynch Jr., 6. Scott Bonnell, 7. Chad Hill, 8. Andy McKisson, 9. Rob Eyler, 10. Jimmy Weller, 11. Arnie Kent, 12. Todd Bauer, 13. Brent Covell, 14. Phil Mott, 15. Butch Beasley, 16. Brad Knab, 17. Mike Dehner, 18. Jerry Yoder, 19. Sheila Rankin, 20. Mel Straley, 21. Gale Ruth Jr., 22. Curtis Stroup, 23. Chris Matthews. DNS: Jeff Kasbee. DIRT MODIFIEDS (20 Laps): 1. DEL ROUGEUX JR., 2. Andy Priest, 3. Rex King, 4. Chris Schiffer, 5. Jim Weller, 6. Brian Swartzlander, 7. Kevin Bolland, 8. Dave Schrader, 9. Joe Crawford, 10. Lenny Leibold Jr., 11. Chanda Reitz, 12. Josh Skarzenski, 13. Chad Reitz, 14. Gary Rankin, 15. John Buchanan, 16. Pete Simpson, 17. Steve Barr, 18. Jeremy Paup, 19. Dave Murdick, 20. Nick Ritchey, 21. Skip Moore, 22. Steve Young, 23. J.R. McGinley, 24. Garrett Krummert. DNS: Jason Longwell. DNQ: Russell King, Conny Allen, Dave Reges, John Boyer, Ed Alcorn, Tommy Kristyak, Jerry Schaffer. E MODS (15 Laps): 1. SHAWN DOMHOFF, 2. Brent Rhebergen, 3. Jim Frontz, 4. Kari Gasser, 5. Mike Potosky, 6. Russ Dempsey, 7. Shawn Shingledecker, 8. Mike Samuelson, 9. Carl McKinney, 10. Rick Robinson, 11. Tim Rhoades, 12. Jeff Walters, 13. Ron Roncaglione, 14. Jeff Johnson, 15. Kenny Smith, 16. Bootie Petsko, 17. Chip Mahood, 18. Fred Bratchie, 19. Jamie Shetler, 20. Bruce Powell. PRO STOCKS (15 Laps): 1. BRUCE SMITH, 2. Bobby Whitling, 3. Danny Exley, 4. Gary Norman, 5. Darrell Bossard, 6. Doug Iorio, 7. Shaun Hooks, 8. Dave Ferringer, 9. Jason Johns, 10. Rich Allen, 11. Joe Drusko, 12. Doug Calvert, 13. Rusty Kellogg, 14. Gary Sullivan, 15. Arthur Edwards, 16. Jack Keesey, 17. Doug Iorio II, 18. Scott Myers, 19. Rod Laskey, 20. Jamie Duncan, 21. Bob Sloss, 22. Gary Robinson, 23. Joe Lockhart, 24. Andy Buckley. DNS: Tim Balach, Ronnie Davis. DNQ: Dave Myers, Russ Coyne, George Kafantaris, Terry Wheeler, Denny Crawford, Matt Keith, Bob Gabrielson, Dave Gadley, Matt Thomas, Chris Brown, Ron Iorio, Chester Raup. THUNDERCARS (12 Laps): 1. DON BLAKE JR., 2. Kevin Cooper, 3. Curt Bish Sr., 4. Joe Blake, 5. Curt Bish Jr., 6. Chad Myers, 7. Robby Torrens, 8. Wearne Cook, 9. John Miller II, 10. Jesse Deloe, 11. John K. Miller, 12. Regina Deloe, 13. Jeff Manners, 14. Matt Zinz, 15. Robby Switzer, 16. Carl Feely. UPCOMING EVENTS May 23 - Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds, E Mods, Pro Stocks and Thundercars (Coors Brewing Night/Coors DIRT Modified Bonus Bucks Event) May 30 - Rankin & Sons Excavating Presents 1st Annual Dick Rankin Memorial (Super Sprints, BRP Modified Tour 2004, E Mod E Series, Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series, Thundercars) June 6 - Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds, E Mods, Pro Stocks, Thundercars and Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Senior Series Robbie Blair Wins Inaugural PONY Series Race on COORS Night at Eriez Speedway By Glenn Slocum Erie, Pa: Eriez Speedway held the inaugural event for the COORS sponsored P.O.Ny Series as Raceway 7 was rained out on Friday and Stateline on Saturday. Raceway 7 had yet to reschedule the event but Stateline will have its PONY makeup next Saturday May 21st. Thirty-seven Super Late Models were on hand to try for one of the twenty-six starting spots in the 35 Lap PONY main event. Seven cars were taken from each heat and five from the consolation event. John Lobb had a drive shaft come into the drivers compartment during warm-ups for the event and was transported to the hospital and Wendell Pinckney make hard contact with the back stretch guardrail during his warm up laps. Bill Cunningham won the consolation with Pinckney fighting back from his warm up incident to finish second, Mile Stitszinger was third Eleven Super Late Models reported to the speedway for the consolation event and there last try for the five remaining spots in feature event. Miles Stitszinger led the first lap with Wendell Pinckney second and Bill Cunningham third. Jason Morell sat in the fourth spot and Frank Ponitowski was in the last qualifying position. Andy Boozel brought out the yellow just after Dan Armbruster took the fifth spot from Ponitowski. Pinckney took the lead from Stitszinger on the restart. Boozel and Steve Halpainy tangled on lap nine for the second caution. Cunningham beat Pinckney to turn one on the restart and the win. Armbruster got the final transfer spot with Jason Morrell fourth and Stitszinger third. Dick Barton and Robbie Blair led out the twenty-six car starting field for the first PONY Series event. Rookie Paul Briggs was third with David Scott fourth followed by Ryan Markham and Scott Johnson. Blair beat Barton to turn one but veteran starter Spanky Hall did not like the start and the field was quickly realigned for another attempt. Wendell Pinckney had to be pushed into the pits after stalling before the restart. Blair was first across the line as Miles Stitszinger, Bill Cunningham and Jay Watson tangled on the backstretch. Stitszinger was up against the fence requiring a wrecker to return to the pits while Cunningham who sat facing the wrong way also required a wrecker, as did Watson sitting in the infield. Twenty cars remained and not one lap had been completed as Dan Armbruster and Mark Ramsey also went to the pits. Hall spoke to Blair on the next attempted start as Blair fired before Barton who sat on the pole. The next start worked as Blair once more set the pace with Barton second and Scott third followed by a distant Briggs. Three laps were quickly put in the books when Merle Terry stopped on the back straight forcing the yellow. The track was blocked on the restart after Scott Johnson was spun collecting eight cars including Alan Dellinger, Mike Isadore and Mickey Wright. Blair led lap four as Scott nearly pushed Barton across the line. Briggs was fourth followed by Markham and Rod Maloy. Blair started to build a lead as the race stayed under green with Barton and Scott a half a straight away behind by lap ten. Blair was into lap traffic by lap eleven. Blair maintained his lead of Barton for the next ten putting car after car down a lap. Wendell Pinckney did a quick spin on lap twenty-two and the yellow appeared allowing the field to close with Blair. Blair got a tremendous jump on the restart and Scott got by Barton in lap traffic for the number two spot. Alan Dellinger was fourth with Markham in the fifth spot. Maloy ruined his run with a spin into the infield on lap thirty-three and Blair once again lost his large lead. There were two lap cars between the first and second positions on the restart then the fifth place car of Markham, Maloy, Rich Gardner, Mike Wonderling and Mickey Wright were all involved in a incident in turn one. Blair led Scott by several car lengths with one to go and cruised to the victory as a spinning Mike Isadore cause the remainder of the field to take evasive action to reach the finish line. Scott Johnson was scored fifth with Dellinger fourth, Barton third and Scott second. John Swabik from Sherman NY and Dennis Lunger from Corry were the Spectator feature winners and Nathan Short from Niobie NY survived several cautions to win the Outlaw Cadet event. Dan Osborne from Lake City was the Four Cylinder winner. Ken Jackson had a ten-car length lead by lap two of the first Spectator feature when the first caution of the event was caused by Wade Watson with a spin on the front straight. Bob Kinne was second with John Swabik third. The caution appeared once again when Terry Lavery spun in turn two. Swabik was second on the restart with Fred McClanahan in the third spot and Kinne fourth. Water on the front straight caused problems for Matt Lozowski for the third caution. Early leader Jackson lost the handle on the restart and Lozowski lost his right rear tire for yellow number four. Swabik was the leader with McClanahan second and Brian Wagner moving into the third spot. McClanahan lost a spot to Wagner on the restart and the yellow flew once more for a spinner in turn four. Swabik held on for his first win at Eriez with Wagner second and Jackson third. Nate Lester started the second Spectator feature then fell to fourth on lap one with Ken Lamp taking the top spot followed by Dennis Lunger and Chris Couchenour. The top four quickly moved away from the rest of the field led by Mark Thompson and Brian Crandall. The yellow appeared for Steve Keith stopped on the front straight with five laps complete. Lunger used the restart to take the number one spot with Lamp falling to second. Couchenour was pressing Lamp hard on lap eight then slipped up the speedway in turn two allowing Lester by. Couchenour fought back to gain the runner up spot on the last lap as Lunger notched his first Eriez win of the season. Brian Zimmerly was out in front after one circuit of the Outlaw Cadet feature when Cliff Lamphere and Tom Hagberg had trouble in turn one for the first caution. Nathan Short took the lead from Zimmerly on the restart and Hagberg had more troubles for the third yellow. Short powered away from the field at the drop of the green and the yellow quickly appeared for Paul Norman who had slowed to a stop in turn one. Ron Seeley moved into the second spot on the lap next restart with Joe Weber third and Andy and Mike Knight fourth and fifth. Fiesler stopped in turn four with six laps completed for the fifth caution. Andy Knight took third from Weber on the restart then Matt Emmerling stopped in one for the sixth caution with just seven laps complete. John Cline moved by Weber for the fourth position on the restart. With five remaining Short was solidly the lead followed by Seeley being pressured by Andy Knight the several car lengths back was Cline. Seeley fought off Knight for the second spot while Short took the checkers. Dan Osborne survived several cautions to win the Four Cylinder event. Tom Bean finished second with Randy Luzier third. Chad Carlson led the first eight laps of the Budweiser Super Spotsman event then lost the lead to veteran Pat McGuire in lap traffic. Carlson challenged McGuire several times but could not find the way around. Don McGuire finished in the third spot. Spectators: Heat 1: Ken Jackson, John Swabik, Fred McClanahan Heat 2: Nate Lester, Dennis Lunger, Dana Wellington 1st Feature: John Swabik, Brian Wagner, Ken Jackson, Fred McClanahan, Terry Lavery, Larry Boumans, Rich Becker, Russ Cressley, Bob Kinne, Bob Johnson 2nd Feature: Dennis Lunger, Chris Couchenour, Nate Lester, Dana Wellington, Kevin Brumett, Matt Lozowski, Jeremy English, Bill VanVolkenburg, Brian Crandall, Bill Baker Jr. Outlaw Cadets: Heat 1: Brian Zimmerly, Louis DeDionisio, Bill Dunn Heat 2: Andy Knight, John Cline, Phil Knight Feature: Nathan Short, Ron Seeley, Andy Knight, John Cline, Mike Knight, Joe Weber, Rick Loomis, Phil Knight, Scott Lewis, Chuck Porter Four Cylinders: Heat 1: Dan Osborne, Tom Bean, Feature: Dan Osborne, Tom Bean, Randy Luzier, J.R. Cross, Brian Duryee, Doug Kirih, Stan Davis, Mike Weber, Scott Douglas Budweiser Super Sportsman: Heat 1: Bobby Rohrer, Don McGuire, Randy Parmenter Heat 2: John Boardman, Pete Volpe, Brent Crandall Feature: Pat McGuire, Chad Carlson, Don McGuire E-Mods: Heat 1: Dale Applebee, Joel Watson, Mike Hess Heat 2: Justine Carlson, Dave Hess Jr., Joe Hemme Heat 3: Kevin Decker, John Lacki, Bill Thomas, Feature: Super Late Model: Heat 1: Dick Barton, David Scott, Rich Gardner, Alan Dellinger, Mark Ramsey Heat 2: Robbie Blair, Ryan Markham, Rick Isadore, Doug Eck, Bump Hedman Heat 3: Paul Briggs, Scott Johnson, Mickey Wright, Chris Hackett, Mike Wonderling Consolation: Bill Cunningham, Wendell Pinckney, Miles Stitszinger, Jason Morell, Dan Armbruster Feature: Robbie Blair, David Scott, Dick Barton, Alan Dellinger, Scott Johnson Super Challenger: Heat 1: Jim Frank, Ryan Scott, Scott Jordan Heat 2: Bob Belson, Jason Genco, Derick Frank Feature: Feature: Tait Washburn, Wade Slaney, Jim Frank Sunday, May 16, 2004
SHARON'S SECOND NIGHT STOPPED BEFORE IT STARTED
(Hartford, OH -- May 15, 2004) Sharon Speedway's second night of the season was stopped before it ever got started. A slow-moving front that claimed the state of Ohio diagonally from Cincinnati to Erie, PA, was to have arrived on Friday and pass thru the area by noon Saturday. However, the rains came early Saturday morning and lingered into the early afternoon, dropping enough water to saturate the Hartford grounds. Showers continued sporadically throughout the afternoon and into the evening. "This sure isn't what we were hoping for tonight," said Dale Blaney. "I missed the opener last week and was really looking forward to tonight's races. I know the drivers and fans are disappointed, too, but there's not much we can do when we've had this much rain." EELLS Used Cars will sponsor next Saturday's events, including the second meeting of the Kids Crew and an autograph session by the Pure Stock drivers. Gates will open at 4:00 pm with racing scheduled for 6:30. A reminder to get your tickets for the upcoming June 4th World of Outlaw Sprint race. Seats are selling fast, but you still have time to reserve your seats in the new Speedway Club Building. Ticket office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10am - 3pm and you can order by calling 330-772-1186 or order online at www.sharonspeedway.com "Add A Little Dirt to Your Diet!" |
