2010 TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE
by Brian Spaid 

MAY 2 –  Cranberry Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change DIRTcar CHALLENGE SPRINT SERIES

   During the offseason, Goodyear Tires stepped up to the plate and offered a sprint car tire deal to various tracks throughout Western Pennsylvania.  Tri-City Speedway was among those tracks that signed with the Akron, Ohio, tire supplier requiring local Super Sprint teams to bolt Goodyear rubber on both rear tires of their winged machines.  In addition, Tri-City agreed to expand its 2010 schedule to feature more Super Sprint races that include three DIRTcar Challenge Sprint Series events.  The first DIRTcar Sprint Challenge Series race at Tri-City is scheduled on Sunday May 2^nd.  That will be followed by events on Sunday July 4^th and Sunday September 5^th.

   The region’s winged warriors will travel to Tri-City for the DIRTcar Challenge Sprint Series events, including four-time track champion Rod George of Kittanning, Pa., and three-time track champion Bob Felmlee of Franklin, Pa. George has 48 Super Sprint feature wins at Tri-City throughout his illustrious career, and he will be searching for at least two more to finally reach the mid-century mark. Andy Priest of New Castle, Pa., Ed Lynch Jr. of Apollo, Pa., Carl Bowser of Sarver, Pa., Danny Holtgraver of Pittsburgh, Pa., Gary Edwards of Brookville, Ohio, Kevin Shaeffer of Kittanning, Pa., Jack Sodeman Jr. of North Jackson, Ohio, and many other local stars will be at each event.  Special appearances are also anticipated by such stars as 2009 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year Brian Ellenberger of Butler, Pa., and four-time All Star Circuit of Champions titlist Dale Blaney of Hartford, Ohio.

   Other DIRTcar Challenge Sprint Series events will occur at Lernerville Speedway (April 23^rd, July 23^rd and October 30^th), Mercer Raceway Park (July 31^st and September 11^th), and Sharon Speedway (July 7^th and August 7^th).

MAY 2 – MINI SERIES BEGIN

   In addition to the Cranberry Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change Super Sprints, Tri-City Speedway officials decided to make racing a little more special on certain nights throughout the 2010 season for the 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, Welding Technologies/Shaw Industries E Mods and E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks.  On nights when the Super Sprints are in competition, the pit admission will rise due to increased costs.  In recognition of the additional cost to the smaller teams and competitors, those three divisions will compete in special Mini Series of races with point funds offered at the end of the season for each series.  The Mini Series are patterned after the popular E Series and Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series offered over the last several years.  The top five in Mini Series points will be offered a $1,500 point fund in the FASTRAK Late Models and E Mods, and a $1,200 point fund in the Pro Stocks.

   The FASTRAK Late Model Mini Series races wil run on May 2^nd, May 23^rd, June 27^th, August 1^st and August 15^th.  Track officials are still hoping to obtain a sponsor for the 2010 FASTRAK Late Model Mini Series.

   The RPM Auto Sales E Mod Mini Series will run on May 2^nd, June 6^th, July 4^th, August 1^st and August 15^th.

   The Klapec Auto Body Pro Stock Mini Series will run on May 2^nd, June 13^th, August 1^st, August 15^th and September 12^th.

MAY 30 – WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT SERIES/UNITED E MOD SERIES (UEMS)/BRAD DOTY HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

   In 2010, Memorial Day Weekend will feature the biggest race in the history of Tri-City Speedway as the World of Outlaws Sprint Series makes its first-ever appearance at the Venango County half-mile oval.  Featuring winged Super Sprints at incredible speeds, these professional racers will offer race fans awesome and jaw-dropping action on one of the fastest tracks they will race on all season.  The event will be the richest Super Sprint race in track history with $10,000 paid to the winner of the 30-lap affair.

   Leading the World of Outlaws Sprint Series stars to Tri-City will be four-time defending champion Donny Schatz of Fargo, N.D.  Driving for a team owned by NASCAR Sprint Cup star Tony Stewart, Schatz will compete for the first time at Tri-City.  His main nemesis will be 20-time World of Outlaws Sprint Series champion and teammate Steve Kinser of Bloomington, Ind.  Kinser scored a win in his maiden voyage to Tri-City in 2006 racing with the now defunct National Sprint Tour.

   Another series regular is Brian Ellenberger of Butler, Pa., who will be in action as well. The 2009 World of Outlaws Sprint Series Rookie of the Year is a former winner at Tri-City. His lone win came in 2000. Ellenberger will be the most well-known Keystone State racer at Tri-City. Second generation racer Lucas Wolfe of Mechanicsburg, Pa., will be there as well racing as a 2010 series regular.

   Joey Saldana of Brownsburg, Ind., also has past winning experience at Tri-City. Currently racing for another NASCAR Sprint Cup driver, Kasey Kahne, Saldana won a 1998 All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Series event at the track. Saldana won 20 feature races on the World of Outlaws Sprint Series in 2009, and he is the favorite for this season’s title in an effort to unseat Schatz.

   Additional World of Outlaws Sprint Series competitors expected to compete include Jason Sides of Bartlett, Tenn., Jason Meyers of Clovis, Calif., Paul McMahan of Nashville, Tenn., Terry McCarl of Altoona, Iowa, Danny Lasoski of Dover, Mo., Kraig Kinser of Cornelius, N.C., Chad Kemenah of Findlay, Ohio, Tim Kaeding of San Jose, Calif., Jac Haudenschild of Wooster, Ohio, Sam Hafertepe Jr. of Sunnyvale, Tex., and Craig Dollansky of Elk River, Minn.

   There is the strong possibility that a number of the Central Pennsylvania Super Sprint stars, nicknamed “The Pennsylvania Posse,” will challenge the Outlaws. Those drivers include Tyler Walker, Lance DeWease, Fred Rahmer, Daryn Pittman, Greg Hodnett and Doug Esh.  Even some All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Series stars like Tim Shaffer of Aliquippa, Pa., and Dale Blaney of Hartford, Ohio, could be in competition.

   Of course, Tri-City Super Sprint favorites like Bob Felmlee, Rod George, Ed Lynch Jr., Andy Priest and Carl Bowser should be on hand to try to upset the Outlaws.

   In addition to the World of Outlaws Sprint Series, the United E Mod Series (UEMS) will be in action in an event paying $1,000-to-win. Top drivers like Brent Rhebergen of Clymer, N.Y., Shawn Shingledecker of Franklin, Pa., Randy Hall of Olean, N.Y., Dave Hess Jr. of Waterford, Pa., Joel Watson of Conneaut, Ohio, Carl McKinney of Cranberry Township, Pa., Rich Michael Jr. of Ischua, N.Y., and Justin Carlson of Sherman, N.Y., will lead the best E Mod drivers in the region into competition at Tri-City.

   Rounding out the show will be a special appearance by 1980 Tri-City Speedway Super Sprint track champion Brad Doty.  The Buckeye State favorite competed for years on the World of Outlaws Sprint Series until he suffered paralyzing injuries in an accident at Eldora Speedway.  Now in a wheelchair, Doty became more popular in his role as chief spokesman for Super Sprint drivers and fans on nationally televised sprint car races.  Doty will be inducted into the Tri-City Speedway Hall of Fame.

   The raindate for this event is Monday, May 31^st (Memorial Day).

JUNE 27: 4-STAR RACING/REDNECK NIGHT

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JULY 4 – DAVE BLANEY NIGHT/DIRTcar CHALLENGE SPRINT SERIES/BRP MODIFIED TOUR 18^th ANNUAL KODIAK MEMORIAL/E MOD MINI SERIES

   NASCAR Sprint Cup driver and Sharon Speedway track owner Dave Blaney of Hartford, Ohio, will compete for the first time at Tri-City Speedway since the early 1980s on Sunday July 4^th. Expected to be joined by his younger brother, Dale, Blaney will travel from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Coke Zero 400 race at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night in order to compete at one of his old Super Sprint stomping grounds.

   Blaney’s special appearance and induction into the Tri-City Speedway Hall of Fame will highlight the Independence Day Special at Tri-City as the former World of Outlaws Sprint Series champion climbs back behind the wheel of a sprint car.  The Hall of Fame Classic will feature the Cranberry Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change DIRTcar Challenge Sprint Series.  For more information about that series, please scroll up to May 2^nd.

   In addition to the Cranberry Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change Super Sprints, the BRP Modified Tour will make its lone appearance of the 2010 season at Tri-City Speedway to compete in the 18^th Annual Kodiak Memorial, which honors the memory of former car owner Bob “Kodiak” Graham.  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 Rougeux Jr. of Frenchville, Pa., (2004, 2007), Tommy Kristyak of Stoneboro, Pa. (1998), Andy Priest of New Castle, Pa. (2005), Brian Swartzlander of Leechburg, Pa., (2008), and Dave Murdick of Slippery Rock, Pa. (2009). 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).

   The 2010 Kodiak Memorial will pay $2,000-to-win, which is a strong winner’s purse for the BRP Modified Tour event.  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.  Past Tour champions include Brian Swartzlander (1998, 1999, 2008), Ron Smoker (2002, 2003, 2004), Rex King (2005, 2006, 2009), the late Jeff Hoffman and Rodney Beltz of Ellwood City, Pa. (2000 tie), Dave Murdick (2001), and Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio (2007).

JULY 18 – ALL STAR CIRCUIT OF CHAMPIONS SPRINT SERIES/FASTRAK NORTHEAST LATE MODEL TOURING SERIES/UNITED E MOD SERIES (UEMS)

   The All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Series will return to Tri-City Speedway on Sunday July 18^th as part of a special three-division show at the fast Venango County half-mile oval that will include the FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series and the United E Mod Series (UEMS).

   Tim Shaffer of Aliquippa, Pa., will lead the All Stars to Tri-City as the 2009 series champion. Other top runners with the All Stars in 2010 include Dale Blaney, Byron Reed, Danny Smith, Cole Duncan, Lance DeWease, Daryn Pittman, David Gravel, Bill Rose, Cap Henry, Brandon Wimmer and Dean Jacobs.

   The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series will compete in a 25-lap, $1,200-to-win event at Tri-City. Past series champions Max Blair of Centerville, Pa., (2008) and David Scott of Garland, Pa., (2009) will head the pack in this event. Blair is also the 2008 and 2009 FASTRAK Late Model track champion at Tri-City. Other top runners on this series include Bud Watson, Mike Pegher Jr., Carl McKinney, Josh Holtgraver, Butch Lambert, Dan Angelicchio, Jim Frank, Mike Blose, Bobby Whitling and Chad Myers.

   For more information about the UEMS event, please scroll up to May 30^th.

SEPTEMBER 4 & 5 – OIL REGION LABOR DAY CLASSIC WEEKEND (WORLD OF OUTLAWS LATE MODEL SERIES/DIRTcar CHALLENGE SPRINT SERIES/FASTRAK LATE MODEL NORTHEAST TOURING SERIES/UNITED E MOD SERIES)

   The most popular event all season at Tri-City Speedway is the Oil Region Labor Day Classic Weekend.  This year’s show will be a three-day affair starting with practice on Friday, September 3^rd and the annual Engles Trucking/Ray’s Racing Collectibles Labor Day Kickoff Party, which will occur on Friday night this year.

   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 favorites Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., and Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series contracted drivers for 2010 include defending series champion Josh Richards of Shinniston, W.V., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., Tim McCreadie and Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., and Brent Robinson of Winchester, Va.

   Past winners of the popular gas pump trophies during Labor Day competition with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series include Steve Francis (2007, 2008, 2009), Shane Clanton (2006, 2008), Rick Eckert (2005), Chub Frank (2006), Dan Stone (2007) and Tim Fuller (2009).

   A number of local Late Model hotshoes should be in action as well, including Robbie Blair of Titusville, Pa., Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., Dave Hess Jr. of Waterford, Pa., Mike Knight of Ripley, N.Y., Alex Ferree of Pittsburgh, Pa., Darrell Bossard of Centerville, Pa., Brent Rhebergen of Clymer, N.Y., and John Flinner of Zelienople, Pa.

   For the first time in Oil Region Labor Day Classic Weekend history, the Cranberry Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change Super Sprints will be in action on Saturday and Sunday night.  The Sunday show will feature the DIRTcar Challenge Sprint Series.  For more information about this series, please scroll up to May 2^nd.

   The FASTRAK Late Models will be in action both nights with the Sunday show the annual stop for the FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series.  For more information about this series, please scroll up to July 18^th. 

   The UEMS will round out the weekend competition with action on both nights. For more information about this series, please scroll up to May 30^th.

SEPTEMBER 12 – 14TH ANNUAL CSTECHNOLOGIES PLUS APPLEFEST 100

   More information will be released about the 14^th Annual CSTechnologies Plus Applefest 100 in coming weeks.