JEREMIAH SHINGLEDECKER, MAX BLAIR, SHAWN SHINGLEDECKER, JASON JOHNS AND GREG MYERS RECEIVE 2009 TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS
by Brian Spaid

March 7, 2010

   FRANKLIN, PA …. Point funds and contingencies were distributed on Saturday March 6th at the Cranberry Mall Race Car Show as Tri-City Speedway officials honored their 2009 track champions before a large crowd of fans, drivers, crewmen, officials and sponsors. The new venue for the awards ceremony was established by H&H Motorsports during the off-season, and was deemed a success by H&H Co-Promoters Rich Hetrick and Roy Hill.

   Receiving their championship awards were Jeremiah Shingledecker (Engles Trucking Service DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds), Max Blair (4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models), Shawn Shingledecker (RPM Auto Sales/Sherry Shawgo Real Estate E Mods), Jason Johns (E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks) and Greg Myers (Klapec Auto Body Thundercars).
   For the first time in his career, Jeremiah Shingledecker of Polk, Pa., earned the DIRTcar Big Block Modified track title at the Venango County half-mile oval. Driving his Morton Buildings/Hards Welding/Steve’s Teez Bicknell No. 37MD, Shingledecker topped four-time track champion Kevin Bolland to capture the championship at his hometrack. Joe Crawford finished third in the final standings followed by Dave Murdick and Brad Rapp.

   Shingledecker, who also earned the 2009 DIRTcar Big Block Modified title at Lernerville Speedway, was on a pre-planned vacation and unable to attend the awards ceremony; however, he was present on Friday night and offered a few comments to the press and fans on hand.

   “I never expected us to get two championships in one season,” said Shingledecker. “We worked hard all season long, and we hope to pick it back up again when 2010 starts.”

   His brother, Travis Shingledecker, was designated to collect the championship awards on Saturday night, and followed up additional comments on their winning season, which also earned Shingledecker the 2009 Tri-City Speedway Outstanding Achievement Award.

   “It’s not a single person sport and it’s definitely a group effort,” said Travis Shingledecker. “We want to thank our dad for building the engines, and the entire crew for all their effort. Thank you also to Tri-City. The track is fantastic and we love racing here. Finally, I want to thank all our sponsors, and remind all the fans to support the sponsors on the race cars, and let them know that you heard about them at the track or saw them on the side of a car. That helps keep those sponsors involved in racing.”

   For the second year in a row, Max Blair of Centerville, Pa., accepted awards for the FASTRAK Late Model title. Blair’s father and 2009 All Star Late Model Champion Robbie Blair, was a major force behind his son’s efforts in the Specialty Products/Bossard’s Auto Sales & Service Rocket No. 111. Former Scott Bidwell driver Bobby Powell placed second behind Blair for the second consecutive season. Mike Pegher Jr., Bryan Salisbury and Carl McKinney rounded out the top five.

   “It gives you a real good feeling to beat these guys,” said Blair, a third generation driver at Tri-City, in reference to his fellow FASTRAK Late Model drivers. “In one year, the car count doubled and so did the competition. That makes this title real special. I’d like to thank, number one, my dad because I couldn’t do any of this without him. I want to thank all my sponsors, and the Hetricks and Hills because this is my favorite track of all the ones I run at.”

   Shawn Shingledecker of Franklin, Pa., was all smiles on Saturday night in celebration of his first-ever E Mod track championship at Tri-City. After falling short of the title the last five seasons, Shingledecker was finally able to break the ice aboard his Northwest Savings Bank/Five Star Equipment Pierce No. 54S. He topped 2007 and 2008 E Mod track champ Carl McKinney as well as Tim Engles, Mike Potosky and Jeff Deeter for the championship.

   “I’d like to thank my mom and dad, my wife (Stacy) and my kids, and the entire crew,” said Shingledecker as he thanked a long list of sponsors. “We have a good time racing. It feels real good to be the champion, but our whole team and family deserves this first title.”

   Car owner Terry Suppa was present to accept awards for the 2009 Welding Technologies/Shaw Industries E Series title earned by his driver, three-time track champion Brent Rhebergen of Clymer, N.Y. It was Rhebergen’s first-ever E Series title, which consisted of a special five-race series at Tri-City. Carl McKinney, Tim Engles, Shawn Shingledecker and Todd Roncaglione rounded out the top five series point fund winners.

   “This is my first year owning a car, and we had a good season,” said Suppa. “Brent could not be here due to family obligations, and I want to thank our crew and the track. We’ll be back this year to try to get Brent his 50th win at Tri-City.”

   Jason Johns of Oil City, Pa., accepted awards for this first-ever Pro Stock track title. Piloting his Changing Times Telephone Service/4 Your Car Connection Chevrolet No. 31, Johns finally captured the Tri-City championship that eluded him for a number of years. He topped Randy Wyant, Matt Thomas, Jason Reagle and Chris Haines for the title.

   “The competition makes it fun, and it’s why we do what we do,” said Johns amidst thanking all his sponsors. “If it was easy, we probably wouldn’t do it at all. I’d like to congratulate all the guys in the division. It’s been kind of rough for this division, and we just need to stand tall at it and keep doing what we’re doing. I want to thank my family for all their support as well, especially when we work late at night on these cars.”

   Following the footsteps of his brother, Bill, Greg Myers of Franklin, Pa., was honored with accolades for his first-ever Thundercar track championship in what proved to be the final season of competition for the class at Tri-City. Myers piloted his R.K. Virgile Scrap Metals/Corner Pocket Bar Chevrolet No. 44M to the title over Jon Huff, Dave Baker, Joe Sloss and Jeff Manners.

   “I have to thank Billy’s Garage for selling me the car, and R.K. Virgile for buying it for me,” said Myers. “Huff had a fast car and it’s too bad that he rolled.”

   Each division champion received a championship trophy and jackets. The Shingledeckers, who are racing cousins, Blair and Johns also received point fund money. Each division and series champion also gave his respective division sponsor a special award from the track.

   Thundercar track champion Greg Myers earned the 2009 Joe Taylor Ford Hard Charger Award. Honoring those drivers that complete the most passes in all divisional feature races combined, Myers topped FASTRAK Late Model and E Mod driver Carl McKinney, who finished second and third in two different race cars. DIRTcar Big Block Modified driver Kevin Bolland tied McKinney for third. FASTRAK Late Model track champion Max Blair rounded out the top five, all of whom received cash awards.

   E Mod driver Rick Pratschler of Saegertown, Pa., received the 2008 Most Improved Driver Award. Finishing in the top ten in points for the first time in his career, Pratschler progressed throughout the 2009 season earning two top five finishes and the attention of his fellow E Mod drivers. In accepting the award, Pratschler noted his excitement about the upcoming season and his intention to field two cars in 2010.

   On behalf of R.N. Goss Gas, Co-Promoter Rich Hetrick drew for the 2009 Ironman Award, and FASTRAK Late Model driver Bobby Powell was the lucky winner. Powell and Thundercar driver Joe Sloss were the only drivers to complete 100% of the laps in heat and feature race competition in their respective divisions, and both were eligible for the top prize, a free Lincoln Welder. Powell’s car owner, Scott Bidwell, accepted the award.

   Three drivers received rookie honors from track officials. Jamie Brown of Jamestown, N.Y., (FASTRAK Late Models), Tyler Powell of Cochranton, Pa., (E Mods), and Jace Ferringer of Cochranton, Pa., (Thundercars) were named Rookies of the Year in their respective divisions. There were no eligible rookies in the DIRTcar Big Block Modified and Pro Stock divisions.

   Regina Deloe of Cranberry, Pa., was named the winner of the 2009 Hard Luck Award. The popular Thundercar driver suffered a tough loss when she was headed for her first feature win and the accelerator cable broke off the transmission of her car on the final lap.

   The 2009 Tri-City Speedway Lifetime Dedication Award was presented to former track owners Mike and Margaret Graham of Rimersburg, Pa.  After Mike served a successful stint as a mechanic with the DIRTcar Big Block Modified team owned by his late father, Bob “Kodiak” Graham, the Grahams teamed with Roger and Susie Crick of Rimersburg, Pa., to reopen Tri-City in 1996 and operated it until 2008. For their contributions, the Cricks also received a Special Recognition Award.

   In addition to division and series sponsors, other contingencies and point fund sponsors included 4 Your Car Connection, Hoosier Racing Tires, DIRTcar, Big Daddy’s Speed Center, Cozumel Restaurant, Double Play Sports Bar, and the Oakland Township Volunteer Fire Department.

   Tri-City Speedway is owned and operated by H&H Motorsports. The modern era commenced in 1996, and Sunday night racing at the Venango County half-mile dirt oval continues this season with the DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, E Mods and Pro Stocks, and special events that include Super Sprints and Super Late Models. Tri-City is located seven miles north of Franklin, Pa., off State Route 417.