DIRTcar NORTHEAST ANNOUNCES WEIGHT BREAK FOR 358 MODIFIEDS AT LERNERVILLE AND TRI-CITY SPEEDWAYS
By Brian Spaid with Eric Westendorf

April 16, 2008

   FRANKLIN, PA … In an attempt to encourage more 358 Modified drivers to join the DIRTcar Modified fields at Lernerville Speedway and Tri-City Speedway this season, DIRTcar Northeast Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning Cory Reed announced a weight break for the 358 Modified competitors.

   “The 358 Modifieds have always been able to enter the Big Block Modified fields at Lernerville and Tri-City, but with less horsepower, they have had very little possibility to actually be competitive,” said Reed. “The weight break should give them a more level playing field.”

   Per DIRTcar Rule 5.26.3: “During any Big Block event, all 358’s racing with the Big Block Modifieds must weigh a minimum of 2500 lbs. (tsp) and also abide by all rules, as written for the 358’s in the 2007 rule book.”  Rule 5.26.3 goes on to state: “For the sake of fair competition, some tracks may establish a variation to this procedure with permission from DIRT MotorSports.”

   That permission has been granted by Reed.  As such, the new weight minimum for 358 Modifieds at both Lernerville and Tri-City Speedways will heretofore be 2400 lbs. (tsp) and those teams must continue to abide by all DIRTcar rules and procedures.

   Lernerville Speedway General Manager Gary Risch Jr. believes this will be a win-win-win situation.

   “From the track’s perspective, this rule amendment should increase the car counts [at both tracks],” said Risch. “That in turn will give the fans a better show for their money. Most importantly, for the drivers it gives them a better chance to be competitive against the big guns in the division like Brian Swartzlander, Del Rougeux Jr., Dave Murdick, Jeremiah Shingledecker and Kevin Bolland.”

   At Tri-City Speedway, Co-Promoter Mike Graham noted that the decision will expand opportunities for area 358 Modified teams to compete with their Big Block Modified cousins and race more often.

   “This is excellent news for these race teams,” said Graham. “Most of them compete at Mercer Raceway Park on Saturday nights. Now they have three tracks where they can race and be competitive. We also hope to see some teams outside the area travel a little farther to compete at Lernerville and Tri-City.”

   The Ferrante Motor Cars and Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds will be on the track at Lernerville on April 18^th and Tri-City on April 27^th for the start of the new racing season.

   As previously announced, the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series will make its return, after a two-year hiatus, to Lernerville for “Modified Madness” on Friday September 12 as part of the two-day Advance Auto Parts Autumn-Motive Fest.  Currently, the series is not scheduled to compete this season at Tri-City.

   For more information, please contact the Tri-City Speedway track office at (814) 473-4038.

    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 DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, 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.