ROD GEORGE TO START SEASON AT TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY
by Brian Spaid

April 5, 2003 

     Rod George may defend his title at Tri-City Speedway after all.

     For most of this offseason, the NorthPointe Automotive Super Sprint star maintained his intention to cut back on his racing endeavors. In 2002, George won track titles at Lernerville Speedway and Tri-City. He was also the York Triathlon Sprint Series champion. With 14 feature wins under his belt, including a modern record of seven at Tri-City, George’s family and business obligations were going to keep him away from the Venango County half-mile oval in 2003.

     Last week, however, the Kittanning, Pa., fan favorite indicated that he would run the same schedule he raced last season, which will include Sunday nights at Tri-City.

     "We’re going to try to do the same thing as last year," said George, who jokingly claims to be 33 despite over 20 years of racing experience. "We’re definitely running at Lernerville each week. If we’re running well at Tri-City, we’ll keep racing there all season."

     That plan worked to perfection in 2002. George earned his first win at Tri-City on the first night of weekly racing. More wins came, including a modern Super Sprint record of four wins in a row from June 23 to July 21. Those victories carried him to his first championship at Tri-City.

     “Last season we had a great year,” said George. “It was a fun year. It was super to win races, but our consistency was an important part. Once you’re consistent, the wins come along with it.”

     In fact, he nearly completed a stellar season until his final race at Hagerstown Speedway in October.

     “We ran one race too many,” said George, who destroyed his winning racer in a violent flip at the Maryland track. “We lost the car in that one. All the money we made last season, we ended up pouring back into a new car.”

     As a result of the accident, George acquired a 2003 Gambler chassis based on the same design he won with last season. His crew chief, Rick Libeccio, will return to wrench the steed with a crew loyal to the veteran driver. In addition, some of his sponsors will return, but he’s lost a few too. The Kittanning Dairy Queen and Dr. Marty Foot Care of Kittanning will still grace the side of George’s silver and white Gambler No. 4

     “Money is always tough to come by in this sport,” added George. “I’ve never been good at asking people for money. We’re happy though with folks that are supporting us again, and we’re looking forward to the start of the new season.”

     Early last year, George was tied to Dr. John Crawford. The Hastings car owner fielded cars for West Middlesex driver Jimmy Hawley for three years, and the pair raced to 61 feature wins. After Hawley and Crawford severed ties before the start of the 2002 season, Crawford started to appear in George’s pit, and his name was added to the side of George’s car.

     Crawford was ready to put George behind the wheel of his machine when George changed his mind. He turned down his final chance to run the tough central Pennsylvania circuit. Crawford later hired Len Thompson for the 2003 season at Port Royal Speedway.

     “I don’t regret my decision at all,” noted George, who owns and operates George’s Trailer Sales in Kittanning. “If it was ten years ago, I wouldn’t pass up the chance to race for John. My career’s winding down, and I’m happy to race where I’m at now.”

     With the speed he demonstrated in the early season events, there is no doubt that George will be a force on the Super Sprint scene in 2003.