JOE CRAWFORD, MAX BLAIR, ALAN DELLINGER, JASON JOHNS AND JON HUFF WIN FEATURES AT TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY; KEVIN BOLLAND, MAX BLAIR, CARL McKINNEY, JASON REAGLE AND BILL MYERS TAKE POINT TITLES
by Brian Spaid
August 17, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRANKLIN, PA ... Tri-City Speedway hosted the final night of five-division racing for the 2008 season on Sunday night under warm and cloudy conditions, and Joe Crawford (Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds), Max Blair (4 Your Connection FASTRAK Late Models), Alan Dellinger (RPM Auto Sales/Sherry Shawgo Real Estate E Mods), Jason Johns (E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks), and Jon Huff (Klapec Auto Body Thundercars) captured feature wins on Barr's Insurance/McDonald's Club Night with the Pittsburgh Circle Track Club and Twin State Auto Racing Fan Club hosting their fans and members at the Venango County half-mile oval.
In addition, track champions were crowned for 2008 as Kevin Bolland (DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds), Max Blair (FASTRAK Late Models), Carl McKinney (E Mods), Jason Reagle (Pro Stocks) and Bill Myers (Thundercars) earned titles in their respective divisions.
Joe Crawford of Polk, Pa., scored a popular and well-earned victory in the final 20-lap DIRTcar Big Block Modified feature of the season. Driving his Jolley Industrial Supply/Venango Glass/Crawford Chiropractic Bicknell No. 25, Crawford and his team suffered a blown engine on Saturday night at Mercer Raceway Park. They worked all night and into the day to make repairs, even struggling during hot laps. Crawford then led every lap of the feature event holding off the stout challenges of Kevin Bolland and Russell King to capture his first win of the season and the seventh of his career at Tri-City.
"This is great," whooped Crawford to the cheers of the crowd. "I have to thank my crew and family for all the hard work on this car last night and today. I'm glad to beat Bolland because he owes me one. I want to dedicate this win to Lou Blaney, who showed me a lot about racing when I was younger."
Bolland finished second and earned his fourth career track title beating Jeremiah Shingledecker by 23 points. Shingledecker finished sixth in a disappointing run. It was Bolland's third consecutive track title at Tri-City. His other DIRTcar Big Block Modified championships came in 2000, 2006 and 2007. With four titles, he matches Brian Swartzlander's modern era record.
"I can't say enough about my car and crew," said Bolland to the cheers and boos of the crowd as he puffed a cigar and played up his role as fan favorite to some and ruthless villain to others. "I have to thank this entire crew. To win three championships in a row is a major accomplishment. We have a lot of fans that cheer us and a lot that boo us. We like them all, and we are proud to win this title and represent Tri-City Speedway with the folks at DIRTcar Racing."
Crawford jumped into the lead at the start and first held off Russell King, who was driving for his father, Rex. Bolland quickly moved into third. Crawford almost lost the handle drifting high in turn two on the eighth circuit, then was the meat in a sandwich with Bolland inside and King outside on a restart on the ninth circuit. At each turn, Crawford was superior. Bolland admitted to protecting his position on the track in the late stages of the race when he realized that Crawford was fast. But it didn't matter because Crawford was unbeatable on this night.
At the finish, Crawford defeated Bolland and Andy Priest, who drove from 20th to third after suffering mechanical problems earlier in the night that relegated him to a last place start. Del Rougeux Jr. and King rounded out the top five. Dave Schrader and Bolland won the DIRTcar Big Block Modified heats.
Max Blair of Centerville, Pa., placed an exclamation point on his 2008 title season winning the 20-lap FASTRAK Late Model feature by a slim 0.045 seconds at the wire over friend and racing mate Bobby Powell. Driving his Bossard's Auto Parts/Donovan & Bauer Auto Group/Specialty Products Rocket No. 111, Blair raced to his sixth win of the year and his career at Tri-City also earning his first ever track title. He also matched his father, Robbie Blair, who won the 1997 Late Model title at Tri-City.
"That was a close one," said Blair. "I could hear a car on the high side, and I just stuck to the bottom because I knew that was the fastest way around. I realized it was Bobby when I saw the color of his car. Once he was there, it was a drag race to the finish. I set a goal to win the championship at Tri-City this year. Now that we've done it, anything that happens the rest of this year doesn't matter."
After the race was stopped for over 20 minutes following a opening lap crash into the third turn rail by Bobby Whitling, which damaged the fence and track safety lights requiring repairs, Blair took command on the restart. He led one lap before Alan Dellinger rocketed to the outside of Blair to take the lead on the second circuit. Blair continued to chase Dellinger, and his car's setup was perfect as he closed on Dellinger taking the lead back on the eighth circuit with an inside pass in turn two. Dellinger then dropped out with suspension problems during an ensuing caution.
Over the last half of the race, Blair continued to pace the field with Powell behind him. The rest of the top five produced a whale of a battle among several drivers. In the end, Blair edged Powell for the win. Mike Pegher Jr. finished third followed by Butch Lambert and Dave Lyon. Pegher and Dellinger won the FASTRAK Late Model heat races.
During the intermission, Lou Blaney, Ralph Quarterson, Jim Magill, Johnny Axe and Bud Miller were inducted into the Tri-City Speedway Hall of Fame.
Tri-City Speedway will be closed on Sunday August 24th in preparation for the Oil Region Labor Day Classis Weekend. With racing on Saturday and Sunday August 30th and 31st, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will be in action both nights with 50-lap, $10,000-to-win events. The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series will run a 30-lap, $2,000-to-win event on Sunday night with heat races on Saturday night and the B Mains and feature race on Sunday. The United E Mod Series (UEMS) will sanction the Welding Technologies E Series races on both nights, and Sunday's race will be the annual All Star 30. The William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series will complete both shows with 20-lap events each night. On Saturday night, Ray's Racing Collectibles and Engles Trucking will host the 4th Annual South Ghetto Party in the oak grove with a live band after the races. Gates open both days at 2 p.m., time trials are at 4 p.m., and racing starts at 6 p.m. Camping is free all weekend, and campers may start to enter the grounds on Thursday August 28th at 5 p.m. Adult grandstand admission each night is $30 and a two-day ticket will be available for $50.
DIRTcar BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS (20 Laps): 1. JOE CRAWFORD, 2. Kevin Bolland, 3. Andy Priest, 4. Del Rougeux Jr., 5. Russell King, 6. Jeremiah Shingledecker, 7. Dave Schrader, 8. Les Myers, 9. Kevin Hoffman, 10. Tommy Kristyak, 11. Chris Schiffer, 12. Mike Turner, 13. Rick Hall, 14. Rich Whitney, 15. Carl Murdick, 16. Rick Ryder, 17. Kyle Fink, 18. Scott Schrader, 19. Randy Chronister, 20. Rex King Jr.
FASTRAK LATE MODELS (20 Laps): 1. MAX BLAIR, 2. Bobby Powell, 3. Mike Pegher Jr., 4. Butch Lambert, 5. Dave Lyon, 6. Jim Frank, 7. John Lacki, 8. Steve Hollabaugh, 9. Bobby Whitling, 10. Chad Myers, 11. Carl McKinney, 12. Kyle Zimmerman, 13. Dereck Frank, 14. Chris Haines, 15. Dave Airgood Jr., 16. Scott Jones, 17. Bob Dorman, 18. Alan Dellinger.