2008 TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE
by Brian Spaid

MAY 25 – MEMORIAL DAY SPECIAL: DICK RANKIN MEMORIAL BRP MODIFIED TOUR 2008

   Memorial Day Weekend at Tri-City Speedway will once again feature the Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big Block Modified stars as Rankin & Son Excavating Presents The 5^th Annual Dick Rankin Memorial for the Bicknell Racing Products (BRP) Modified Tour 2008. The 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods, E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks and Klapec Auto Body Thundercars will also be in action.

   The BRP Modified Tour started in 1998 in order to support local DIRTcar Big Block 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., was the champion in 2001. Then, for three consecutive seasons, former Sharon Speedway champion Ron Smoker of Hamburg, N.Y., triumphed as the series champion. Smoker retired from competition at the end of the 2004, but returned to action in 2007. Rex King of Bristolville, Ohio, stepped forward and triumphed as the BRP Modified Tour champion in 2005 and 2006. In 2007, King's son and young phenom Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, became the seventh champion in Tour history.

   Kevin Bolland of New Brighton, Pa., is the two-time defending DIRTcar Big Block Modified champion at Tri-City. He will fend off the former champions as well as top Tri-City contenders like Jeremiah Shingledecker of Polk, Pa., Andy Priest of New Castle, Pa., Joe Crawford of Polk, Pa., Del Rougeux Jr. of Frenchville, Pa., Tommy Kristyak of Stoneboro, Pa., Dave Murdick of Slippery Rock, Pa., Skip Moore of Jackson Center, Pa., and Dave Schrader of Endeavor, Pa.

   This event honors the memory of famed DIRTcar Big Block Modified driver Dick Rankin. The Fairmount City, Pa., veteran died in a non-racing accident in 2003. The 2000 Super Sprint track champion Craig Rankin and his mother, Connie Rankin, will bring additional sponsorship to the 30-lap event through the family business, Rankin & Son Excavating. Past winners of the Dick Rankin Memorial include Del Rougeux Jr. (2004), Kevin Bolland (2005) and Russell King (2006 and 2007). In last year's race, King drove a backup car owned by Dave Schrader to a stirring win.

   Gates open on Sunday May 25^th at 4:00 p.m. and racing starts at 6:00 p.m. Adult grandstand admission will remain a family friendly $11.00.

JUNE 1 – E SERIES BEGINS

   For the fifth year in a row, Tri-City Speedway officials will run a series of events for the RPM Auto Sales/Sherry Shawgo Real Estate E Mods. The four-race Welding Technologies E Series will commence on Sunday June 1^st at Tri-City with other events on July 6^th, August 30^th and 31^st. Each race will be an extra distance event and will pay additional purse money throughout the field. 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 points will be combined in order to determine the series champion.

   The early favorite for the Allegheny Toyota E Series title is defending series champion Carl McKinney of Cranberry Township, Pa. McKinney made a clean sweep of both series events during the Oil Region Labor Day Classic Weekend to defeat E Mod veteran Jim Frontz of Cambridge Springs, Pa., and rookie Bobby Whitling of Seneca, Pa. Frontz and two-time E Series champion Mike Potosky of Guys Mills, Pa., are expected to challenge McKinney for the 2008 title along with Shawn Shingledecker of Franklin, Pa., Justin Carlson of Clymer, N.Y., Evan Taylor of Saltsburg, Pa., Russ Dunn of Fenelton, Pa., Ron and Todd Roncaglione of Linesville, Pa., and Bruce Powell of Cochranton, Pa. Past series champions include Potosky (2004, 2006), Matt Lux (2005) and McKinney (2007).

   In addition to the Welding Technologies E Series, the Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks and Klapec Auto Body Thundercars will be in action. Gates open on Sunday June 1^st at 4:00 p.m. and racing starts at 6:00 p.m. Adult grandstand admission will remain a family friendly $11.00.

JUNE 15 – PPC VIOLENCE FREE NETWORK LADIES CHARITY LADIES ONLY MID-SIZED CAR DEMO DERBY

   The Father’s Day racing program at Tri-City Speedway will feature the 7^th Annual PPC Violence Free Network Charity Event, which will be a unique Ladies Only Mid-Sized Car Demo Derby.

   Originally started as an event that featured the Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, the charity event was run with the RPM Auto Sales/Sherry Shawgo Real Estate E Mods in 2006 and E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks in 2007. This event is a fan favorite at the half-mile Venango County oval as the female racers really strut their stuff. In 2002, Cheri Schiffer of Franklin, Pa., drove her husband’s DIRTcar Big Block Modified to victory while 2005 Miss Tri-City Speedway Megan Greenlee of Cochranton, Pa., piloted the DIRTcar Big Block Modified of her current husband, Chad Reitz, to the win in 2003 and 2004. In 2005, Alexis Shingledecker of Polk, Pa., drove her husband’s DIRT Modified to the team’s first-ever win at Tri-City in a prelude to three eventual wins by Jeremiah. In 2006, Shingledecker returned to action in Brent Rhebergen’s E Mod to capture the event for the second year in a row. Last year, Cammille Ferringer of Cochranton, Pa., drove the Pro Stock owned by her father, Dave, to win the charity event.

   In 2007, over $7,000 in sponsorships and donations was collected to benefit PPC Violence Free Network. With offices in Franklin, Pa., Oil City, Pa., and Titusville, Pa., PPC Violence Free Network provides 24-hour assistance to the victims of domestic violence and child abuse. The Ladies Only Mid-Sized Car Demo Derby is now the largest benefit event of the year for the non-profit agency.

   The Schwab’s Ford DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, RPM Auto Sales/Sherry Shawgo Real Estate E Mods, E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks and Klapec Auto Body Thundercars will be in action on the same night. Gates open on Sunday June 15^th at 4:00 p.m. and racing starts at 6:00 p.m. Adult grandstand admission will remain a family friendly $11.00. 

JUNE 22 – DETROIT IRON PRO STOCK SERIES BEGINS

   For the seventh year in a row, Tri-City Speedway officials will run a series of events for the E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks. The five-race William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series will commence on Sunday June 22^nd at Tri-City with other events on August 3^rd, 30^th and 31^st, and the 12^th Annual CSOnline Applefest 100 on September 7^th. Each race will be an extra distance event and will pay additional purse money throughout the field. 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 points will be combined in order to determine the series champion.

   The early favorite for the Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series title is Chris Haines of Sandy Lake, Pa., who was the division rookie in 2007, and came out the gate with a win and third this season. He is expected to be a top contender in the Pro Stock class all season along with veterans Jason Reagle of Oil City, Pa., and Rod Laskey of Seneca, Pa. Former Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series champions Gerry Bruce of Franklin, Pa., and Bobby Whitling of Seneca, Pa., will challenge Iorio, although Whitling will only compete on occasion as he focuses his efforts on his new FASTRAK Late Model team. Other title challengers include Dave Ferringer of Cochranton, Pa., Jason Johns of Oil City, Pa., Jackson Humanic of Titusville, Pa., Don Kramer of Meadville, Pa., Bobby Sutley of Cooperstown, Pa., and Terry Wheeler of Stoneboro, Pa.

   Past Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series champions include Gary Norman (2002), Bobby Whitling (2003, 2007), Bruce Smith (2004), Terry Wheeler (2005), and Gerry Bruce (2006).

   In addition to the William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series, the Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods, and Klapec Auto Body Thundercars will be in action. Gates open on Sunday June 22^nd and August 3^rd at 4:00 p.m. and racing starts at 6:00 p.m. Adult grandstand admission will remain a family friendly $11.00.

JUNE 29 – EDWARD JONES INVESTMENTS FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA/E SERIES

   Independence Day Weekend will feature a stellar show for the entire family that includes the annual Edward Jones Investments Fireworks Extravaganza presented by Cartwright Fireworks of Franklin, Pa.

   Marking the midpoint of the 2008 season, the Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, RPM Auto Sales/Sherry Shawgo Real Estate E Mods, E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks and Klapec Auto Body Thundercars will all be in action.

   Gates open on Sunday June 29^th at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m. Adult grandstand admission will remain a family friendly $11.00. The fireworks will occur after the racing program concludes. The raindate for the Edward Jones Investments Fireworks Extravaganza is July 6^th.

JULY 3 & 4 – ATVA EXTREME DIRT TRACK NATIONALS 2008

   The All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA) will invade Tri-City Speedway for the third consecutive year, this time for the fourth round of the seven-race Extreme Dirt Track Nationals on Thursday and Friday July 3^rd and 4^th. Featuring 28 different classes of ATV racing action, Hetrick Racing of Oil City, Pa., will be promoting this event along with the ATVA. In 2006 and 2007, the event was run in September, and Tri-City and Hetrick Racing officials are expecting a huge turnout for this midsummer two-day event.

   The classes include Pro, Pro Am Unlimited, Pro-Am Production, 265A, 265B, 265C, Open A, Open B, Open C, 4-Stroke A, 4-Stroke B, 4-Stroke C, Production A, Production B, Production C, 16-24 Years, Plus 25+, Veteran 30+, Senior 40+, Women, Youth Production (13-15), 90cc Production Sr. (12-15), 90cc Production Junior (8-11), 90cc Modified (8-15), 70cc Shifter (6-11), 70cc Production (6-11), 50cc Production (6-8), and 50cc Stock Limited (4-6).

   Over 300 riders and machines are expected to appear for the Extreme Dirt Track Nationals, which will feature the ATVs on a combination of the half-mile track and a special road course through the infield.

   Times for each event as well as adult, student and child grandstand ticket prices will be announced at a later date.

JULY 13 – KODIAK MEMORIAL BRP MODIFIED TOUR

  The Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds will compete in the 16^th Annual Kodiak Memorial on Sunday July 20^th. The race honors the memory of his father, Bob “Kodiak” Graham. For more information about the BRP Modified Tour and the Big Block Modified Challenge Series, please scroll up to the May 27^th special event information.

   In addition to this show, the 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, RPM Auto Sales/Sherry Shawgo Real Estate E Mods, E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks, and Klapec Auto Body Thundercars will be in action at the Venango County half-mile oval.

   Past winners of the Kodiak Memorial at Tri-City include the late Jeff Hoffman of Franklin, Pa., (1996, 1997, 1999, 2000), Ron Smoker of Hamburg, N.Y., (2001, 2003), Kevin Bolland of New Brighton, Pa., (2002, 2006), Del Rouguex Jr. (2004, 2007), Tommy Kristyak of Stoneboro, Pa. (1998), and Andy Priest of New Castle, Pa. (2005) The first Kodiak Memorial events were held at Lernerville Speedway, and the winners included Bob Kraus of Erie, Pa., (1993), Scott Gurdak of Corry, Pa., (1994), and the late Dick Rankin of Fairmount City, Pa., (1995).

   Gates open on Sunday July 13^th at 4:00 p.m. and racing starts at 6:00 p.m. Adult grandstand admission will remain a family friendly $11.00.

AUGUST 30 & 31 – OIL REGION LABOR DAY CLASSIC WEEKEND (WORLD OF OUTLAWS LATE MODEL SERIES/FASTRAK LATE MODELS/E SERIES ALL STAR 30/DETROIT IRON PRO STOCK SERIES)

   For the fourth year in a row, the Oil Region Labor Day Classic Weekend will be a two-day affair, but it will expand to include four divisions of racing action over the course of Saturday and Sunday August 30^th and 31^st.

   The highlight of the weekend will be the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, which will run complete shows on each night featuring time trials, qualifying events and a 50-lap main event paying $10,000-to-win. Led by local favorite and 2006 race winner Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., the World of Outlaws Late Model Series contracted drivers for 2008 include defending series champion and 2007 Saturday race winner Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., surprise 2007 Sunday race winner Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., and former Tri-City race winners Rick Eckert of York, Pa. and Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga. Shannon Babb of Mowequa, Ill., Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., Josh Richards of Shinniston, W.Va., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga, will also be among the World of Outlaws Late Model Series stars.

   A number of local Late Model hotshoes should be in action as well, including 2003 Pro Stock champion Darrell Bossard of Centerville, Pa., three-time E Mod track champion and 45-time E Mod feature winner Brent Rhebergen of Clymer, N.Y., David Scott of Garland, Pa., Dick Barton of Ashville, N.Y., John Flinner of Zelienople, Pa., Todd Andrews of Eldred, Pa., Alex Ferree of Pittsburgh, Pa., Keith Barbara of Bethel Park, Pa., Dave Hess Jr. of Waterford, N.Y., Jared Miley of South Park, Pa., Chad Ruhlman of Bemis Point, N.Y., and Lynn Geisler of Cranberry Township, Pa. Depending on their other obligations, it is possible that 1997 Tri-City Speedway Late Model track champion and 2004 MACS Late Model Series champion Robbie Blair of Hydetown, Pa., and 2005 E Mod track champion Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., may appear as well.

   The 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models will race at the Oil Region Labor Day Classic for the first time ever. Debuting as a weekly division at Tri-City in 2008, the FASTRAK Late Models offer huge fields and excellent competition week in and week out. Top contenders in the class include Max Blair of Titusville, Pa., Tom Snyder Jr. of Ringgold, Pa., Dave Lyon of Corry, Pa., Bobby Whitling of Seneca, Pa., Carl McKinney of Cranberry Township, Pa., Alan Dellinger of Hermitage, Pa., Mike Pegher Jr. of Wexford, Pa., Butch Lambert of Mars, Pa., Chad Myers of Oil City, Pa., Bobby Powell of Waterford, Pa., Scott Myers of Reno, Pa., Steve Hollabaugh of Guys Mills, Pa., and Dave Airgood Jr. New Wilmington, Pa. Blair is the third generation of his family to compete. Whitling, McKinney, Powell and Chad Myers are all former track champions at Tri-City in other classes.

   The RPM Auto Sales/Sherry Shawgo Real Estate E Mods and the E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks will run on Saturday and Sunday as well. On both days, the E Mods will compete in the Welding Technologies E Series, with Sunday’s event to be the E Series All Star 30. Likewise, on both days, the Pro Stocks will be featured in the William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series. For more information about the E Series, please scroll up to the special events information for June 1^st. For more information about the Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series, please scroll up to the special events information for June 22^nd.

   On Saturday night, the 4^th Annual Ghetto South Party will return. Featuring food, a bonfire and free entertainment for all race fans, everyone will be able to enjoy a full night of racing and fun at Tri-City Speedway. Free camping is available on the race track grounds.

   Gates open on both days at 2:00 p.m., time trials start at 4:00 p.m., and racing starts at 6:00 p.m.  Adult grandstand admission for ages 16 and over will be $30 each day or a two-day ticket price at $50. Student grandstand admission for ages 13 to 15 will be $15 each day or a two-day ticket price at $25. Children 12 and under will still receive free grandstand admission. Pit admission will be $35 each day or a two-day ticket price at $60.

SEPTEMBER 7 – 12TH ANNUAL CSONLINE APPLEFEST 100

   The final event of the 2008 season at Tri-City Speedway will be the 12^th Annual CSOnline Applefest 100 for the E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks. Run before the Applefest celebration in nearby Franklin, Pa., the CSOnline Applefest 100 will be the culmination of a fine season of Pro Stock competition at the Venango County half-mile oval as well as the final race of the 2008 William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series.

   To date, the CSOnline Applefest 100 has featured some of the best racing each season at Tri-City. In 1997, Sharon Speedway’s perennial winner Rick Prosser Jr. of Geneva, Ohio, won the inaugural race. Two-time track champion Gary Norman of New Castle, Pa., won the 1998 race. In 1999, Matt Lux, who at that time hailed from Reno, Pa., held off Tri-City’s top Pro Stock feature winner Bobby Whitling of Seneca, Pa.  Whitling finally captured his elusive first race win in 2000, and repeated that feat in a stellar race before a large crowd in 2001. In 2002, Darrell Bossard of Centerville, Pa., won the presitigous event. Whitling returned to score an unprecedented third win in 2003. In 2004, Dave Ferringer of Cochranton, Pa., scored a popular first win in the 100-lap affair. In 2005, Jason Reagle of Oil City, Pa., edged Whitling to win over $2,000 and his first-ever CS Online Applefest 100. In 2006, Ferringer repeated after finishing second and initial race winner Alan Dellinger of Hermitage, Pa., was disqualified. Steve D’Apolito of Boardman, Ohio, became only the second invader to enter the event and defeat all the top names in the 2007 edition of the race.

   The CSOnline Applefest 100 event is now the most prestigious race for Pro Stock drivers throughout Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. Paying $1,500 to the winner, over $1,000 in lap money is also collected each year to distribute to the leaders of each lap of the century grind.

   In addition to the Pro Stocks, the Klapec Auto Body Thundercars will return to Tri-City for the 6^th Annual Apple Core 20. This is the longest race of the season for the Thundercars, which normally run 12-lap features. Although the extra eight laps seem small, the difference is evident, and only hardy drivers and fully-prepared teams will be at the top of the score sheets when the checkered flag falls. Past winners include Robby Torrens of Kennedy Township, Pa., (2003), Jeff Manners of Cherrytree, Pa. (2004), Chad Myers of Oil City, Pa. (2005), Eric Goldberg of Pittsburgh, Pa. (2006), and Cody Manners of Cherrytree, Pa. (2007).

   The final Lowry Auto Wrecking Mid-Sized Car Demo Derby will conclude the season at the end of the evening.

   Gates to the track open on September 7^th at 2:00 p.m. and racing starts at 4:00 p.m. in the special twilight show. Adult grandstand admission for this event will be a family friendly $11.00.