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BOB FELMLEE,
DEL ROUGEUX JR., JOSH SKARZENSKI, JASON REAGLE AND JOSH SEIPPEL WIN
FEATURES AT TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY; ROD GEORGE, ROUGEUX, MATT LUX AND GERRY
BRUCE TAKE TITLES August 28, 2005 FRANKLIN, PA ... The final five-star show of the 2005 season was held under gorgeous skies on Sunday night at Tri-City Speedway as Bob Felmlee (Northpointe Automotive Super Sprints), Del Rougeux Jr. (Schwab’s Ford DIRT Modifieds), Josh Skarzenski (RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods), Jason Reagle (E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks) and Josh Seippel (4 Your Car Connection Thundercars) earned feature wins. Track champions were also declared with Rod George (Super Sprints), Del Rougeux Jr. (DIRT Modifieds), Matt Lux (E Mods), and Gerry Bruce (Pro Stocks) each taking season-long point chases. Chad Myers clinched the Thundercar championship the week before. For the third week in a row, Bob Felmlee of Franklin, Pa., captured the 20-lap Super Sprint feature. Piloting his World of Wheels Maxim No. 6F, Felmlee zipped past Jason Jacoby to take the lead on the 10th circuit. He then held off the hard charging Rod George of Kittanning, Pa., for this fourth victory of the 2005 season. “We tried something a little different tonight, and the car didn’t run as well in turns three and four,” said Felmlee. “Winning three races is a great way to end the season. It’s too bad it’s over. Congratulations to Rod and his team. We park next to them each week and they deserve the title.” George, who ended the season with a record-tying nine feature wins, was gracious in defeat. He was closing on Felmlee before a late caution closed the field. He was unable to use either the inside or outside lane to his advantage over the last three laps. Despite his loss, he earned his third track championship in four seasons. “It’s been a dream season for our team,” said George, who also won the track title at Mercer Raceway Park. “All the guys have done a great job all season. Bob’s been tough here late in the season. I just wish this one wouldn’t end.” Jason Jacoby jumped into the lead from his outside pole position to pace the first half of the race. Behind him, New York racers Jared Zimbardi and John Schuyler were running second and third by the fifth circuit. However, Felmlee and George were on the charge. It took Felmlee two tries to get by Schuyler on the sixth circuit. He raced past Zimbardi on the seventh circuit. George followed Felmlee into third while the eventual winner tracked down Jacoby. On the 10th circuit, Felmlee beat Jacoby to the line. Two laps later, George was in second. At first, Felmlee opened a huge lead, but, as the laps wound down, George started to close the gap at the rate of three-tenths a second. A caution three laps from the end gave George an excellent opportunity to steal a win, but he could not make a move by his archrival despite his efforts. At the finish, Felmlee beat George by 0.335 seconds. Jacoby finished a season-best third followed by Andy McKisson and Jarod Larson, who used the late race caution to move into the top five. McKisson and Andy Priest won the Super Sprint heats. Putting an exclamation point on a championship season, Del Rougeux Jr. of Frenchville, Pa., scored his fourth win of 2005 in the 20-lap DIRT Modified feature. Taking the lead on the 14th circuit, Rougeux was unstoppable in his Vinyl Graphics Unlimited No. 20D as he captured his 12th career win. Rougeux earned his second DIRT Modified track championship at Tri-City. His first came in 2003. “I wanted to win on the last night,” said Rougeux. “We went back to our books and changed the setup on our car. This car could run anywhere on the track tonight. I’d like to thank Dean Pearson and his entire family and crew. We wrecked pretty bad a few weeks ago at Sharon Speedway, and they helped us get the car back together for racing here. That made the difference in this championship. They are great people. Of course, I always have to remember Charlie DeAngelis.” Chris Schiffer beat Jim Weller into the first turn at the start of the race to claim the lead. Schiffer rocketed out front for three circuits. On a restart, he elected to take the outside line, which allowed Weller to race under him and take command on the fourth circuit. While Weller led Schiffer out front, Rougeux worked his way into fifth. He dueled with Lenny Leibold Jr. for a few laps before he secured fourth. At the halfway point, Rougeux’s car was clearly superior as he took third from Chanda Reitz. Using a deep inside pass in turn three on the 13th circuit, Rougeux took second from Schiffer. One lap later, he raced under Weller off turn four into the lead. From there, Rougeux’s car was on a rail. He went on to win by 4.869 seconds. Rex King charged through the top five over the last five circuits using the same inside lane as Rougeux. King finished a stellar second over Weller, Schiffer and Reitz. Andy Priest and Kevin Bolland captured the DIRT Modified heats. At the start of the first heat race, Dave Schrader spun in the frontstretch at the head of the pack and was struck by rookie Dave Walters. Both drivers were uninjured, but their cars were eliminated for the night. Josh Skarzenski of Erie, Pa., finally made it to victory lane in the 15-lap E Mod feature. Driving around the outside of an ailing Matt Lux, Skarzenski took the lead on the final lap of the race and scored his first career E Mod feature win in Jay Ore’s 955 Automotive/Bob Ore Restoration Throwin Dirt No. 9J. “We got a lucky break there,” said Skarzenski, who was the 2002 DIRT Modified track champion. “I’ve had a lot of fun in the E Mod this season, and I’ve got to thank my car owner, Jay Ore, and all our sponsors and crew. It’s been a long time since I raced these cars and the technology is a lot different than I remember from about 10 years ago. I told Jay that I like to run hard for the last two laps of the race. We pulled it off tonight and hat’s off to Matt for his title.” Although he finished second to Skarzenski, Lux scored more than enough points to earn his first career track championship at Tri-City. Known for his exploits in Late Models and Pro Stocks over the years, Lux propelled Scott Bidwell and his team of teenagers to their first title as well. “I’m glad to win this title for these guys,” said Lux. “Scott’s a great guy to drive for. I love to race and he does too. These guys really deserve this championship for all that they do. Tonight, the gears started to go on the car. I tried to drive with both feet on the pedals, but I couldn’t hold onto the car and lead. Josh has been knocking on the door for a win and congratulations to him.” David Atkinson and Lux started on the front row of the race, and Lux immediately charged into the lead. Atkinson dropped out on the fourth circuit when his engine blew, which moved Jim Frontz into second. Behind Lux and Frontz, however, Randy Hall was on the move. On the fifth circuit, following the restart after Atkinson’s mishap, Hall used the outside lane to move from sixth to third. One circuit later, Hall drove around the outside of Frontz off turn two to take second. Meanwhile, Skarzenski came into the picture too. He took third from Frontz on the ninth circuit, and tried valiantly to catch Lux and Hall. Three separate spins forced three restarts on the 11th circuit, but Lux held his own against Hall. Then, the final caution waved on the 12th circuit when Hall stopped with mechanical woes in turn two. Now running second, Skarzenski tried to run down Lux, but the seven-time feature winner looked well on his way to another win. Then, on the 14th circuit, it became obvious that Lux was having problems with his racer. Sensing it, Skarzenski pounced. He passed Lux on the outside of turn one on the final circuit and raced home the winner by 1.239 seconds over Lux, who crawled across the line. Frontz finished third over Shawn Shingledecker and Mike Potosky. Shingledecker, Skarzenski and Todd Roncaglione won the E Mod heat races. Jeff Walters won the B Main. Jason Reagle of Oil City, Pa., led every circuit of the 15-lap Pro Stock main to win his second feature of the season in his R.K. Virgile Scrap Metals/Lowry Auto Wrecking Pontiac No. Triple 8. After purchasing his car from former track champion Ron Iorio earlier this season, Reagle has improved dramatically, which bodes well for his team with special events on the horizon. “We put a new tire on the car tonight and the track was perfect,” said Reagle following his third career win at Tri-City. “I’ve got to thank Ron Iorio. I purchased this car from him this season, and it’s run real well for our team.” Despite a crash that relegated him to a 23rd place finish, Gerry Bruce of Franklin, Pa., captured the 2005 Pro Stock title. A former DIRT Modified and Sportsman Modified racer, Bruce teamed with Ken Humanic in late 2003 to produce a formidable championship team. “Tonight’s not the way we wanted to end our championship run, and I’ll take the blame for that wreck,” said Bruce. “This title means a lot. To drive for a car owner like Ken is an honor. This crew has worked hard all season long. I’m real happy we did this.” Reagle outgunned all-time Pro Stock feature winner Bobby Whitling at the start of the feature. Reagle held onto the lead through the first three circuits despite three cautions. One of those cautions was for a crash on the second circuit when Bruce tangled with second place Doug Iorio II in turn two. Iorio II continued, but Bruce was unable to restart the race because his car suffered damage when another racer hit it. Once the race settled down, it was apparent that Reagle was peerless. Doug Iorio moved around Whitling for second on the fifth circuit, but he was unable to run down Reagle. In a race similar to Reagle’s win two weeks ago, the laps clicked off while the leaders used their momentum to remain single file most of the way. At the finish, Reagle defeated Iorio by 1.600 seconds. Whitling finished third followed by Jason Johns and Andy Buckley. Reagle, Whitling and Iorio II won the Pro Stock heats. Jason Engles won the B Main. Josh Seippel of Franklin, Pa., earned his first career win in the 12-lap Thundercar feature. Taking the lead on the eighth circuit, Seippel was able to hold off 2005 track champion Chad Myers for his initial visit to victory lane in his Monaco Cycle Sales/Shook’s Garage Chevrolet No. 84. For the full-time pizza deliveryman, it was a dream come true. “I drive like this every day (for my job),” joked Seippel. “This win means a lot to my team and my family.” After polesitter Kenny Alcorn avoided injury in a wild flip on the opening lap of the race, Regina Deloe took command on the first circuit. Seippel quickly moved into second, but he could not find a way past Deloe. Trying to become only the second female driver to win a feature race at Tri-City, Deloe seemed destined. Behind her, Seippel tried to fend off Joe Blake, who took second on the sixth circuit before Seippel fought back around him on the seventh circuit. Deloe’s dream ended on the eighth circuit, however, when the right rear tire flew off her car off turn four. She avoided a rollover and accepted the hearty cheers from the crowd for her effort when she climbed from her car. With Deloe out, Seippel took the lead. He held off Blake until the 11th circuit, when Blake blew a tire off turn two. This moved Myers into second. At the finish, Seippel held off the eight-time feature winner for a popular victory. Myers finished second over Ed Deloe, Jeff Manners and Duke Winters, who earned a best career finish. Blake and Manners captured the Thundercar heats. Three Thundercar drivers raced in the Terry White Memorial Hot Dog Race. Bill Winters of Franklin, Pa. captured the $100-to-win event, in which the drivers ran two laps in the opposite direction from one another, stopped at victory lane and climbed out of their cars to eat a hot dog and drink a Pepsi, then ran the last two laps in the other direction. Next weekend, Tri-City Speedway hosts the Oil Region Labor Day Classic on Saturday and Sunday night. On Saturday September 3rd, Tri-City will feature four divisions of racing action. The RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods will highlight the show with the All Star 50. The final E Series race of the season will pay $1,000-to-win out of a $10,000 purse that includes lap money and bonus bucks. In addition, the Schwab’s Ford DIRT Modifieds and E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks will compete in Twin 20 Qualifiers for their main events to be held on Sunday. The DIRT Modifieds, E Mods and Pro Stocks will each run time trials as well. Rounding out the show will be the 4 Your Car Connection Thundercar Clash, which will feature the trophy-only division in a 20-lap main event that offers a $2,000 purse collected by the race teams. Gates open at 4 p.m. and time trials start at 6 p.m. Adult grandstand admission will be $10. At the end of the night, Engles Trucking and Ray’s Racing Collectibles are sponsoring “South Ghetto.” The huge racing party and bonfire will offer music from the rock band “Intent.” On Sunday September 4th, the World of Outlaws Stacker 2® Late Model Series invades Tri-City for the Bossard GM Store Todd Donovan Memorial 50. The 50-lap event pays $10,000-to-win out of a purse in excess of $42,000. Time trials, heats and qualifying events will precede the race. The DIRT Modifieds and Pro Stocks will return with B Mains and their feature events. The DIRT Modifieds will compete in the Schwab’s Ford Kodiak Memorial 30, which pays $2,000-to-win. The Pro Stocks will run the Detroit Iron 30, the third race for Tri-City’s William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Series. The event pays $700-to-win. Gates open at 4 p.m. and time trials start at 6 p.m. Adult grandstand admission is $25. SUPER SPRINTS (20 Laps): 1. BOB FELMLEE, 2. Rod George, 3. Jason Jacoby, 4. Andy McKisson, 5. Jarod Larson, 6. Andy Priest, 7. Jared Zimbardi, 8. John Schuyler, 9. Mike Kaminski, 10. Gary Rankin, 11. Tracy Potter, 12. Sheila Rankin, 13. Terry Young, 14. Butch Beasley, 15. Todd Bauer, 16. Scott Bonnell. DNS: Russ Sansosti. DIRT MODIFIEDS (20 Laps): 1. DEL ROUGEUX JR., 2. Rex King, 3. Jim Weller, 4. Chris Schiffer, 5. Chanda Reitz, 6. Jeremiah Shingledecker, 7. Kevin Bolland, 8. Lenny Leibold Jr., 9. Joe Crawford, 10. Jim Rasey, 11. Andy Priest, 12. Russell King, 13. Mark Frankhouser, 14. Dean Pearson, 15. Mark Chiddy, 16. Carl Murdick, 17. Garrett Krummert, 18. Skip Moore. DNS: Dave Schrader, Dave Walters, Tom Mattocks Jr., Kevin Hoffman. E MODS (15 Laps): 1. JOSH SKARZENSKI, 2. Matt Lux, 3. Jim Frontz, 4. Shawn Shingledecker, 5. Mike Potosky, 6. Bruce Powell, 7. Todd Roncaglione, 8. Russ Dempsey, 9. Mike Samuelson, 10. Carl McKinney, 11. Max Blair, 12. Kevin Miller, 13. Butch Lambert, 14. Andy Sweetland, 15. Ron Roncaglione, 16. Jeff Walters, 17. Jeff Taylor, 18. Kari Gasser, 19. Jeff Longwell, 20. Randy Hall, 21. Dale Applebee, 22. Bootie Petsko, 23. Rick Robinson, 24. David Atkinson. DNQ: Bill Cunningham, Robert Double, Matt Swanson, Jamie Shetler, Chip Mahood, Jeff Johnson, Evan Taylor, Paul Phillips, Jeff Hassay, Tim Henrich. PRO STOCKS (15 Laps): 1. JASON REAGLE, 2. Doug Iorio, 3. Bobby Whitling, 4. Jason Johns, 5. Andy Buckley, 6. Terry Wheeler, 7. Rod Laskey, 8. Dave Ferringer, 9. Denny Crawford, 10. Scott Myers, 11. Mike Clark, 12. Doug Iorio II, 13. Jason Engles, 14. Charlie DiLoreto, 15. Dave Willoughby, 16. Rusty Kellogg, 17. Jeff Lockhart, 18. Rick Lanigan, 19. Bobby Heim, 20. Ronnie Davis, 21. Russ Coyne, 22. Matt Thomas, 23. Gerry Bruce, 24. John Winters. DNQ: Gary Proper, Arthur Edwards, Bret McCarthy, Tom Scott, Bill Fox, Matt Keith, Bob Sloss, Butch Lambert. THUNDERCARS (12 Laps): 1. JOSH SEIPPEL, 2. Chad Myers, 3. Ed Deloe, 4. Jeff Manners, 5. Duke Winters, 6. Tom Kistler, 7. Gary Bedow Jr., 8. Curt Bish Sr., 9. John K. Miller II, 10. Joe Blake, 11. Bill Winters, 12. Regina Deloe, 13. John K. Miller, 14. Kenny Alcorn, 15. Charlie McMillen. DNS: Patrick Fielding, Curtis J. Bish. DISQ: Jeremy Gates. UPCOMING EVENTS OIL REGION LABOR DAY CLASSIC Sept. 3 – E Mods (All Star 50 for E Mods/E Series, $1,000-to-win, Over $10,000 in Purse, Bonus Bucks and Lap Money), DIRT Modifieds (Twin 20 Qualifiers), Pro Stocks (Twin 20 Qualifiers) and Thundercar Clash (20 Laps, $350-to-win) Sept. 4 – World of Outlaws Late Models (Bossard GM Todd Donovan Memorial 50, $10,000-to-win), DIRT Modifieds (Schwab’s Ford Kodiak Memorial 30, $2,000-to-win) and Pro Stocks (William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series 30, $700-to-win) Sept 11 – 9th Annual CSOnline Applefest 100 (William R. Karns Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series, $2,000-to-win), Thundercars (Apple Core 20) and Lowry Auto Wrecking Compact Car Demo Derby (Gates Open at 2 p.m.; Racing Starts at 4 p.m.)
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