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ROD GEORGE
AND DOUG IORIO II CLINCH TITLES AT TRI-CITY WHILE BOB FELMLEE, KEVIN
BOLLAND, JUSTIN CARLSON, ROD LASKEY AND JON HUFF SCORE WINS August 12, 2007 FRANKLIN, PA ... Despite cloudy skies and the threat of rain, Tri-City Speedway completed its show on Sunday night as Bob Felmlee (4 Your Car Connection Super Sprints), Kevin Bolland (Schwab’s Ford DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds), Justin Carlson (RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods), Rod Laskey (E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks) and Jon Huff (Klapec Auto Body Thundercars) on Coors Brewing Bonus Bucks/Maurer’s Trading Post/Armed Forces Night at the Venango County half-mile oval. In addition, Rod George (Super Sprints) and Doug Iorio II (Pro Stocks) clinched track championships in their respective divisions. For George, it was his fourth track title at Tri-City in the last six seasons. Iorio earned his first career title and matched his father, Doug Iorio (1996), and uncle, Ron Iorio (2000), as a track champion in the Pro Stock division at Tri-City. Bob Felmlee of Franklin, Pa., traveled 13 hours from the Knoxville Nationals in Iowa in order to compete at Tri-City. Despite a tired crew and driver, Felmlee drove a stellar race in his World of Wheels Maxim No. 6. Taking the lead on the second circuit of the 20-lap Super Sprint main, Felmlee raced home to his third win of the season and 30th of his career at Tri-City. “Knoxville was awesome,” said Felmlee. “The track tonight was perfect. It was tacky just like I like it. We’re tired, but it was worth it to run here and win. I want to thank all of our sponsors and fans for their support.” In the non-stop race, Felmlee passed Brent Covell on the second circuit and simply pulled away from the rest of the field. Although Rod George was able to move by Covell for second on the fourth circuit, he was unable to close enough to challenge Felmlee. Lapped traffic appeared to slow Felmlee toward the end of the race, but he navigated it with quick moves and held on for the win. George finished second, which was enough to clinch the 2007 Super Sprint track championship. “We didn’t have anything for Bob tonight,” said George. “This has been an awesome year. Everyone from our sponsors to our crew and fans has been excellent all season. It’s a lot better than last year, when we had to end our season early due to mechanical troubles.” Jody Keegan finished third followed by Covell and Russ Sansosti. Todd Bauer won the lone heat for the nine-car field, which was down from the last several race nights. Ricky Ferkel took a nasty flip outside the ballpark as he tumbled off turn two in the heat race. Ferkel was uninjured in the wild melee. Kevin Bolland of New Brighton, Pa., was able to extend his point lead in the DIRTcar Big Block Modified division capturing the 21-lap feature event in his Northland Ford/Bolland Machine Bicknell No. 777. Bolland passed early race leader Skip Moore on the sixth circuit, and survived a late race caution to score his third win of the season as the back half of the field became involved in a wild seven-car melee at the finish line. “I can’t believe we’re in victory lane after such a bad pill draw to start the night,” said Bolland after his 29th career win at Tri-City. “We’ll take this one tonight. If the wins stack up, that’s what will win you championships.” Moore led at the start of the race with Bolland right behind him. Bolland methodically worked over Moore and completed a pass to the inside of Moore off turn four on the sixth lap. As he raced out front, Russell King worked his way through the top five. By the ninth circuit, King was running second, but he was no match for Bolland. Joe Crawford moved into third on the 14th circuit. Moore then did everything he could to hold off Dave Murdick for fourth before Jeremiah Shingledecker took fifth from Murdick. Shingledecker then spun on the 19th circuit. The lone caution of the race extended it by an additional circuit. However, Bolland held off King on the restart for the win. Crawford finished second over Murdick and Rex King, who finished fifth to continue to keep Bolland in his sights for the point title. As the checkered flag flew, a wild crash ensued off turn four that saw Del Rougeux Jr.’s car flying through the air across the finish line. Seven cars were involved in the crash, but no one was injured. Chris Schiffer and Dave Schrader won the DIRTcar Big Block Modified heats. Justin Carlson of Sherman, N.Y., has experienced great success in the E Mod division on the Stateline-Eriez circuit in the northern part of the region. However, until Sunday night, Carlson struggled to reach victory lane at Tri-City. That all changed with a first career win for the 2006 Stateline Speedway and Eriez Speedway champion in the 15-lap E Mod feature. Carlson held off all challenges from Jim Frontz for the win in his Erickson’s Restaurant/Creative Landscaping Crocket No. 16. “I thought we’d be here a lot faster this season,” said Carlson. “This division is so competitive here that 10 cars can win on any night. I saw the nose of the second place car a few times, and it scared me. But, we stayed focused and picked up the win.” Frontz led from the pole position at the start of the race. Carlson immediately assumed second and chased down Frontz. On the fourth circuit, Carlson took to the outside cushion off turn two to take the lead. For the rest of the race, Frontz made every effort he could to drive under Carlson in the corners to no avail. Behind them, Jason Johns and point leader Carl McKinney engaged in a stirring duel for third. While they battled, Shawn Shingledecker entered the fray on the seventh circuit. Three mid-race cautions slowed the pace before Johns nailed the outside wall on the 11th circuit. At that moment, Shingledecker passed McKinney and Johns for third. Out front, Carlson raced to the win. Frontz finished an admirable second ahead of Shingledecker, McKinney and Bobby Whitling. Shingledecker and Whitling won the E Mod heats. Shingledecker beat Mike Potosky to win the Maurer’s Trading Post rifle dash for the E Mods. Rod Laskey of Seneca, Pa., opened the season with a feature win in the Pro Stock division. Although it appeared to be a promising season for Laskey, engine woes hampered his efforts. He recovered Sunday night to win his second feature of the year in the 15-lap Pro Stock main evetn aboard his Specialty Tool Products/Anderson Physical Therapy Chevrolet No. 1R. “I really have to thank the crew for spending endless hours getting the car to work again,” said Laskey after his third career win at Tri-City. “Also, I have to thank Les Frickshun for building a great motor. We switched to a 358 cubic inch engine, and the weight break and car setup have started to give us an advantage. I’m thankful for everyone that’s helped us put this back together for a win after all our troubles this year.” Terry Wheeler jumped into the early lead before Laskey took the top spot on the third circuit following a restart. As Laskey crossed the line to complete the lap, Russ Coyne suffered no injuries in a tumble off turn four causing a red flag condition. Once the racing resumed, Jason Reagle slipped into second and made several lunges for the lead. However, a loose race car caused Reagle to nearly spin a couple of times. As a result, Laskey pulled away from Reagle. At the checkered flag, Laskey was the winner over Reagle, Chris Haines, Wheeler and Dave Ferringer. Doug Iorio II and Denny Crawford won the heats. Iorio also won the Maurer’s Trading Post rifle dash for the Pro Stocks. Iorio clinched the Pro Stock championship despite a 20th-place finish. While running in the top ten on the sixth circuit, Iorio’s car suffered a major engine vibration, and Iorio pulled his car pitside. Despite his bad luck, he still held a large enough point lead at the end of the race to secure his first track title at Tri-City. “I’ve been lucky to be able to race against my heroes at this track,” said Iorio, who was a youngster when his father won the track championship in 1996. “This championship probably means more to my crew than to me. They deserve this for all they do each and every week. I’d also like to thank all of my sponsors.” Jon Huff of Oil City, Pa., was the star of the nightcap, the 13-lap Thundercar main. Taking the lead on the ninth circuit from his teammate Charlie McMillen, Huff scored his second feature win of the season and his career at Tri-City aboard his Gil Dahlstrom Iron & Metal/Shook’s Garage Chevrolet No. 75. “We’ve had a tough season after that first win,” said Huff. “We blew an engine on one night. We also bent the frame on another. We’ve got this car finally working well again. It’s like it ran at the start of the season. I just hope Charlie isn’t mad at me because we hit kind of hard when I passed him.” McMillen took the lead from the pole position at the start of the race. On the third circuit, point leader Bill Myers passed McMillen off turn four to take command. Although most expected Myers to walk away with another victory, on the seventh circuit, Myers car suddenly slowed. McMillen and Huff dashed by Myers to assume first and second. Battling amidst lapped traffic, Huff drove under McMillen and took the lead two laps later. Josh Seippel did the same thing to McMillen on the 11th circuit. A late race caution allowed Seippel to restart the race on Huff’s rear bumper and extended the race an additional lap. However, Huff withstood the challenges to come home the winner. Seippel finished second over McMillen, Curtis E. Bish and Myers. Myers and Huff won the Thundercar heat races. Tri-City Speedway will host its final point race of the 2007 season on Sunday August 19th featuring the 4 Your Car Connection Super Sprints, Schwab’s Ford DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods, E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks, and Klapec Auto Body Thundercars. It will be the last races of the season for the Super Sprints and DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds. It will be McDonald’s/Pittsburgh Circle Track Club/Twin State Auto Racing Club Night at the track. One-on-one spectator races will round out the show featuring race fans in their passenger cars and trucks. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m. Adult grandstand admission will remain a family friendly $11. SUPER SPRINTS (20 Laps): 1. BOB FELMLEE, 2. Rod George, 3. Jody Keegan, 4. Brent Covell, 5. Russ Sansosti, 6. Todd Bauer, 7. Gale Ruth Jr., 8. Lindsay Enscoe. DNS: Ricky Ferkel. DIRTcar BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS (21 Laps): 1. KEVIN BOLLAND, 2. Russell King, 3. Joe Crawford, 4. Dave Murdick, 5. Rex King, 6. Skip Moore, 7. Chanda Leibold, 8. Del Rougeux Jr., 9. Rusty Smith, 10. Andy Priest, 11. Kevin Hoffman, 12. Dave Schrader, 13. Chris Schiffer, 14. Travis Shingledecker, 15. Jeremiah Shingledecker, 16. Butch Tittle, 17. Carl Murdick, 18. Jason Reagle, 19. Jay Priest, 20. Rex King Jr. E MODS (15 Laps): 1. JUSTIN CARLSON, 2. Jim Frontz, 3. Shawn Shingledecker, 4. Carl McKinney, 5. Bobby Whitling, 6. Mike Samuelson, 7. Mike Potosky, 8. Bruce Powell, 9. Evan Taylor, 10. Russ Dempsey, 11. David Atkinson, 12. Tim Engles, 13. Butch Lambert, 14. Jonathan Taylor, 15. Gary Sullivan, 16. Chip Mahood, 17. Jeff Deeter, 18. Tom Bean, 19. Jared Domhoff, 20. Ronnie Boardman, 21. Heidi Thomas, 22. Jason Johns. DNS: Eugene Stetson. PRO STOCKS (15 Laps): 1. ROD LASKEY, 2. Jason Reagle, 3. Chris Haines, 4. Terry Wheeler, 5. Dave Ferringer, 6. Don Kramer, 7. Jackson Humanic, 8. Denny Crawford, 9. Danny Exley, 10. Matt Thomas, 11. Andy Thompson, 12. Randy Wyant, 13. Rusty Kellogg, 14. Jeff Manners, 15. Jim Keith, 16. Bobby Sutley, 17. Arthur Edwards, 18. A.J. MacQuarrie, 19. Jeff Lockhart, 20. Doug Iorio II, 21. Mark Sanders, 22. Gerry Bruce, 23. Russ Coyne. DNS: Matt Keith. THUNDERCARS (13 Laps): 1. JON HUFF, 2. Josh Seippel, 3. Charlie McMillen, 4. Curtis E. Bish, 5. Bill Myers, 6. Chad Ubber, 7. Regina Deloe, 8. Curt Bish Sr., 9. Bill Winters, 10. Greg Myers, 11. John K. Miller II, 12. Joe Blake, 13. Bill Hale, 14. Mike Dobrick, 15. John K. Miller, 16. Howard Stucke, 17. Cody Manners, 18. Ed Deloe, 19. Everett Wade, 20. Bill Baker, 21. Joe Sloss, 22. Kenny Alcorn, 23. Don Blake Jr.
UPCOMING
EVENTS August 26 – Speedway Closed – No Races September 1 & 2 – Oil Region Labor Day Classic Weekend September 1 – Oil Region Labor Day Classic Weekend Night 1: World of Outlaws Late Model Series (50 Laps; $10,000-to-win); RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods (Allegheny Toyota E Series 20 Laps); E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks (William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series 20 Laps) also Racers for Tots and 3rd Annual Ghetto South Party Sponsored by Ray’s Racing Specialties and Engles Trucking September 2 – Oil Region Labor Day Classic Weekend Night 2: World of Outlaws Late Model Series (50 Laps; $10,000-to-win); RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods (Allegheny Toyota E Series All Star 30); E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks (William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series 20 Laps) September 7 & 8 – 2007 Extreme Dirt Track Series ATVA Quad Races September 16 – 11th Annual CSOnline Applefest 100 (William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series), 7th Annual Apple Core 20 (Klapec Auto Body Thundercars) and Lowry Auto Wrecking Compact Car Demo Derby (Gates Open at 2 p.m.; Racing Starts at 4 p.m.) |