Briggs Captures ULMS Feature Event in Borrowed Car, Thomas Scores Career First Pro-Stock Victory,

Shingledecker, Blair and Bish Also Score Wins
by Marcie Barlow

Franklin, PA —Boom Briggs captured his first Tri-City Speedway victory in ULMS Late Model action at the speedway Sunday evening.  In addition to Briggs, Matt Thomas withstood the challenges of Jason Johns to score his first ever feature win in Pro-Stock action.  Shawn Shingledecker claimed the Welding Technologies/Shaw Industries E-Mod E-Series feature event with Max Blair (4-Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Model) and Curtis J. Bish (Klapec Auto Body Thundercar also visiting victory lane.

Boom Briggs picked up his first ever feature victory at the Tri-City Speedway as he defeated Robbie Blair to capture the 30-lap ULMS Late Model feature event.   Veterans Dick Barton and Bob Close led the 21 car field to the green with Close immediately taking the lead.  Close then led the first nine circuits until a spin by Jason DuPont slowed the action.

When racing action resumes local favorite Robbie Blair was right on Close’s bumper and took command on lap nine.  Blair was determined to pick up his second consecutive ULMS victory at the Franklin, PA oval but Briggs was plotting his strategy and was quietly closing the gap between himself and Blair.  Briggs overtook Blair on lap 17 and although the two would wage a “side by side battle” for the remainder of the event it was Briggs who was able to score the victory.

“We picked up a win last night in Michigan but the car was sidelined with motor problems.  When we got back to the shop we “swapped” cars and “borrowed” this one from my cousin, Chub Frank.  Since we were able to pick up a win, I am sure he won’t be upset with us,” stated Briggs.  “We wanted to try some things for the All State Late Model event here in a few weeks and we certainly learned some valuable information tonight.”

Blair, who captured the ULMS event at Tri-City on May 3^rd, settled for the runner-up spot over Jared Miley, Close and Matt Lux.

Heat events earlier in the evening were captured by Ron Davies, Briggs, Mike Blose.

Matt Thomas lost to Chris Haines by a few inches several weeks ago as he attempted to claim his first ever feature win.  Tonight there was no denying Thomas as he battled Haines and Jason Johns for the entire 15-lap event, to capture his first-ever feature win.

Thomas got by Haines and Jackson Humanic on the initial start to lead the first circuit.  Haines used both grooves as he attempted to get by Thomas, but the Grand Valley driver masterfully warded off the challenges.  Sixth place starter Jason Johns was able to use the top groove to get by Haines on lap nine.  Johns then dogged Thomas for the remained of the event but Thomas never lost his composure and went on to capture a hard fought win.

“I need to thank David Scott for his assistance during the off season.  In addition the support of my parents has been instrumental in picking up this unforgettable win and I want to acknowledge them for all they have done,“ said Thomas.

Johns, Randy Wyant, Haines and Jason Reagle followed Thomas.   

Johns and Reagle picked up the EF Rodgers Plumbing and Heating Pro-Stock preliminary events.

Popular Franklin driver Shawn Shingledecker was the beneficiary of Brent Rhebergen’s mechanical misfortune as he captured the Welding Technologies/Shaw Industries E-Series feature event.  Defending RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E-Mod Champion Carl McKinney led the first two circuits of the 20-lap E-Series feature event before Rhebergen took command.  Rhebergen, who has 45 divisional wins to his credit, appeared to be en-route to number 46, when a mechanical problem slowed the Clymer, NY driver with just two laps remaining.  Shingledecker inherited the top spot and went on to claim his third Tri-City feature win of 2009.  McKinney, Justin Carlson, Jonathan Taylor and Tim Engles completed the top five.     

Shingledecker and Tim Peterson were victorious in heat race action earlier in the evening.

Teenager Max Blair “redeemed” his father, who lost to Briggs in the ULMS feature event, as the Titusville youngster defeated Briggs’ cousin, Jim Frank, in 4-Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Model feature action.  Frank led the first five laps before Blair got by the wily veteran on lap six.  Once in front Blair cruised to his third FASTRAK win of the season at the Venango County oval.  Frank captured the runner-up position for his best career finish at Tri-City with Carl McKinney, Mike Pegher, Jr. and Stephen Hollabaugh finishing second through fifth.

Blair and John Watson garnered the FASTRAK heat events.   

Like Shawn Shingledecker did earlier in the evening, Curtis J. Bish was in the right place at the right time as he capitalized on the misfortune of Cody Manners in the Klapec Auto Body Thundercar finale, Manners led the first 11 laps of the feature event before he was spun by fellow competitor Greg Meyers.  Myers was then disqualified from the event and Bish moved from the third spot to first.  Bish held off the challenges of Dave Baker for the final two laps to capture his third career victory in Thundercar action.  Baker, Joe Sloss, Mike Dobrick and Jace Ferringer rounded out the top five.

Baker and Bish picked up the heat victories.

Racing action at the speedway resumes next Sunday, June 7^th as Fisher and Father present Five-Star Racing action featuring the Engles Trucking DIRTcar Modifieds, 4-Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, EF Rodgers Plumbing and Heating Pro Stocks and the Klapec Auto Body Thundercars.  In addition the Changing Times Mod Lite Mini Series returns.  In addition it will be D.A.R.E Night as local Drug Abuse and Resistance Education program directors will be in attendance.

Racing action begins at 6:00PM and Adult Grandstand Admission is just $11.00.

Join us as the Oil Region’s #1 Sunday Night track present and exciting six division racing program.

ULMS LATE MODEL SERIES (30 Laps): 1. RICK “BOOM” BRIGGS, 2. Robbie Blair, 3. Jared Miley, 4. Bob Close, 5. Matt Lux, 6. Dave Hess Jr., 7. John Mollick, 8. Mike Blose, 9. Brent Rhebergen, 10. Jeff Hoffman, 11. Jason Dupont, 12. Denton Boyer, 13. Ron Davies, 14. Dick Barton, 15. John Volpe, 16. Bobby Stokes, 17. Luke Hoffner, 18. Mickey Wright, 19. Darrell Bossard, 20. Billy Henry, 21. Dave Norton Sr.

FASTRAK LATE MODELS (20 Laps): 1. MAX BLAIR, 2. Jim Frank, 3. Carl McKinney, 4. Mike Pegher Jr., 5. Steve Hollabaugh, 6. Bryan Salisbury, 7. Bobby Powell, 8. John Watson, 9. Derek Frank, 10. Kyle Zimmerman, 11. Joe Martin, 12. Josh Double, 13. Tyler Deitz, 14. Jason Fosnaught, 15. Jamie Brown, 16. Dave Norton Jr., 17. Jason Seekings, 18. Garrett Mott, 19. David Scott.

E MOD E SERIES (21 Laps): 1. SHAWN SHINGLEDECKER, 2. Carl McKinney, 3. Justin Carlson, 4. Jonathan Taylor, 5. Tim Engles, 6. Al Cressley, 7. Tim Peterson, 8. Ron Roncaglione, 9. Gary Sullivan, 10. Jeff Deeter, 11. Rick Pratschler, 12. Kevin Miller, 13. Chip Mahood, 14. Brent Rhebergen, 15. Bret McCarthy, 16. Tyler Powell, 17. Dana Wellington, 18. Mike Potosky. DNS: Ron Boardman, Todd Roncaglione.

PRO STOCK (15 Laps): 1. MATT THOMAS, 2. Jason Johns, 3. Randy Wyant, 4. Chris Haines, 5. Jason Reagle, 6. Bobby Whitling, 7. Jackson Humanic, 8. Les Myers, 9. Dave Ferringer, 10. Josh Seippel, 11. Arthur Edwards, 12. Shawn Fawcett.