TURNING BACK THE CLOCK: TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY 1977
by Brian Spaid

July 27, 2007

   This season at Tri-City Speedway, fans are wondering if anyone can stop Rod George. The three-time Super Sprint track champion is in line to win a fourth title in five seasons and has scored eight feature wins. Yet, “The Kittanning Komet” is not the only racer to have dominated the Route 417 half-mile oval.

   In 1977, one driver set records at Tri-City that may never be broken. “The Apollo Rocket” Ed Lynch won 18 feature races on his way to winning nearly 40 regional feature event that season. Lynch accomplished his feat in two divisions, the Sprints and Modifieds. It is rare nowadays to find a driver competing in two major divisions in the same season. In the 1970s, it was commonplace in western Pennsylvania. In fact, four times that season, Lynch won the Sprint and Modified features on the same night.

   Thirty years ago, Tri-City was under new ownership and control. Sprint car owner Ralph Clark acquired the track and Jean Lynch, the wife of the top winner, promoted for Clark. Larry Mattingly was the public relations director and Jack Haubrich remained as starter. Barry Bagnato was the track announcer. In the refreshment stand, a hot dog and fries cost $1.05, and a pack of cigarettes was just 65 cents.

   One year earlier, former promoter Bud Miller had the winged Super Sprints, Semi Lates, Hooligans and Mini Stocks on the weekly card. Clark and Lynch altered that schedule in 1977. Although the Sprint division remained, the wings of 1976 were removed again as the class ran wingless. The Modifieds replaced the Mini Stocks. The Semi Lates were still on the card, and the Hooligan division name was changed to Stocks.

   On the track, Lynch, who is the father of modern era superstar Ed Lynch Jr., dominated the Sprint division. Driving Attilio Benamati’s No. 44, Lynch captured eight feature wins at Tri-City. Despite that win record, Lynch lost the track title to perennial favorite Ed Murphy of Coraoplis. On the strength of numerous top five finishes, Murphy eclipsed Lynch without winning a single feature. So consistent was Murphy, Lynch lost the point lead late in the season when his luck soured

   Two other incidents occurred during the season that caused setbacks for Lynch. On May 22, Lynch and 1976 Super Sprint track champ Lou Blaney executed a wild double flip in the backstretch during the feature race knocking them both out of competition. Then, following the races on July 24, Lynch was suspended for one week for reasons undisclosed in Tri-City’s historical records.

   In the end, Murphy was the champion over Lynch. Other feature winners included Gus Linder (2 wins), Steve Travers (2), Ralph Quarterson (1), Bobby Allen (1), Johnny Beaber (1), Jerry Matus (1), Blaney (1), and Paul Kekich (1).

   Allen and Beaber won 25-lap twin features in the July 13 Northern Sprint Car Classic. Rick Ferkel was the actual star of that show. After setting a new track record of 20.22 seconds (89.16 mph) in time trials, the Ohioan slowed on the last lap of the first feature when he thought the checkered flag flew, which allowed Allen to pass. In the second feature, he lost a tire while leading. A young Beaber took the lead and eventual win.

   Of note, Bob Felmlee of Franklin set the new track record for Super Sprints at Tri-City on May 27 this season. At 14.805 seconds, the new time measured at a speed of 121.581 mph, which is over 20 mph faster than Ferkel’s 1977 mark.

   Lynch was even more dominant in the Modified division capturing 10 feature races. Driving Lynn Momburger’s Gremlin No. 88, Lynch easily captured the track title. His wins included the 50-lap Western Pennsylvania Challenge Cup on Aug. 31. In that race, Lynch passed the legendary Dick Tobias with six laps to go.

   In one race, Lynch’s victory caused a major rule change. In the 25-lap midseason championship on July 10, he was leading on the final circuit when he spun to avoid a stopped lapped car. Under the rules in force at that time, when a caution came out on the final lap, the field was frozen as they crossed the line at the white flag, and the leader was declared the winner. As a result, Lynch won to a chorus of boos. One week later, the rule was changed for good requiring a green-white-checkered finish.

   Among the other Modified winners were Tom Johnson (3), Ralph Quarterson (2), Steve Wiser (1) and Vic George (1). Johnson, who won the track title at Raceway 7 in 1976, came of age at Tri-City in 1977. Then, late that season, the Jefferson, Ohio, driver was involved in an accident that required medical treatment. From that time on, Johnson was never a major force at Tri-City.

   In the Semi Late division, Mark Weaver of Franklin earned the track championship without winning a single feature race. Gary Coon captured three victories, all of which occurred within the last month of action. Lou Morocco also won three features. Other victors included Dave Pegher (2), Gerry Littlefield (2), Bootie Petsko (2), Chuck Reynolds (1), Mel Keener (1), Tom Bauer (1), Don Gamble (1), and defending track champion Lou Steadman (1).

   Like Lynch, Dick Allen of Centerville dominated the Stock division. Allen won nine features and the track title. Defending track champion Randy Brandon and second generation hotshoe Randy Littlefield won two features each, but could not keep pace with Allen. Les Myers and Jim Sullivan each scored one win.