JASON JACOBY BREAKS GEORGE-LYNCH STREAK AT TRI-CITY.

ROUGEUX, RHEBERGEN, SMITH AND SWITZER ALSO WIN

by Walt Wimer

August 17, 2003

Finally the domination of Rod George and Ed Lynch, Jr. in the NorthPointe Automotive Sprint Cars came to a end Sunday night when hometown favorite Jason Jacoby won his first ever race at Tri-City Speedway. Also winning on the weekly five division program were Del Rougeux, Jr. (Schwab's Ford Modifieds), Brent Rherbegen (RE/Max 1st Oil Country Real Estate E-Mods), Bruce Smith (E.F. Rogers Pluming and Heating Pro-Stocks) and Robby Switzer (Victory Lane Graphics Thunder Cars)

Second generation driver Jason Jacoby started sixth in the Sprint Car feature but was on the move at the drop of the green, moving into second on the opening lap. The Franklin driver trailed early leader Andy McKisson for one more round of the fast half-mile and then took command on lap three. Ed Lynch, Jr. a six time winner this year, moved to second place on the sixth lap but would spend the next 14 rounds chasing Jacoby's silver racer. But it was to no avail, as Jacoby had everyone covered on this night for his first ever win at his hometown track. Lynch settled for a solid second after an all night haul from Knoxville, Iowa after running the famed Knoxville Nationals. Rod George. Lynch's arch rival in the pair's two year domination of the Sprint Car class, came home third over Scott Bonnell and early leader McKisson. The victory by Jacoby was the first in over two years in a regular Sunday night by anyone other than George or Lynch. The last time another driver won was on August 12, 2001 when Mark Cassella scored his only Tri-City win. Heats to Jarod Larson and Rod George.

In the DIRT big block Modifieds it was the "Frenchville Flyer" Del Rougeux, Jr. adding a tad of insurance to the point lead he took over last week. Rougeux started on the pole but lost the top spot to defending track champ Josh Skarzenski on a lap three restart. But Rougeux, driving his older Bicknell built racer, came back to regain the lead on the sixth round. He was in control the rest of the 20 lap race for his third victory of 2003. Ohio driver Jim Rasey took second from Skarzenski on lap 15 but was unable to make a serious challenge to Rougeux. Skarzensik had to settle for third over Joe Crawford (from 17th) and Andy Priest. All of the top five but Skarzenski, are in contention for the track title which well be decided next Sunday night. Heats to George Hobaugh and Kevin Bolland

Clymer, New York driver Brent Rehbergan kept up his winning ways in the E-Mods to post his ninth win of the year and 32nd career win in the class at Tri-City. Rhebergen drew the outside pole for the start and led every lap. However, it was not that easy as Jim Frontz and Jeff Taylor gave him a run for it for several laps after each of the three restarts. But Rhebergen and the Bruce Steadman owned #69 were in control with Frontz and Taylor finishing second and third. Mike Samuelson and Kari Gasser rounded out the top five. Heats to Mike Potosky and Jeff Taylor.

In the Pro-Stock class Franklin driver Bruce Smith turned in a dominating performance to win his third of the season in his red & white #36. Again the outside pole was the key with Smith leading all 15 laps. Former champ Doug Iorio and Andy Buckley gave chase, but that was all they could do and the pair finished second and third. Point leader Darrell Bossard rode home fourth over former two-time champ Gary Norman, who came from tenth starting position. Heats to Dave Ferringer, Bob Sloss and Gary Norman.

Robby Switzer won his sixth race in the trophy only Thunder Car class, taking the lead from Curt Bish on lap four. Switzer kept his 1984 Monte Carlo in front the rest of the way while point leader Jeff Manners came up for second. Joe Blake came home third over Kevin Cooper and Bish.

Travis Norman, son of Pro-Stock driver Gary Norman, drove a borrowed Cadillac to victory in the one-on-one Spectator Drags. Lincoln Electric and their western Pennsylvania dealer Welding Supply of Erie awarded four lucky drivers $100 cash each with the special bonus going the Gale Ruth, Jr. (Sprints), Andy Priest (Modifieds), Jim Frontz (E-Mods) and Scotty Carbourgh (Pro-Stocks)

This coming Sunday August 24 Tri-City Speedway will host another five-star racing program of the NorthPointe Automotive Sprints, Schwab's Ford DIRT Modifieds, RE/MAX 1st Oil Country Real Estate E-Mods, E. F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro-Stocks and Victory Lane Graphics Thunder Cars. It will be the last "regular" night of racing with point champions in all five classes decided and it will be fan appreciation night with just $5 admission to the grandstand. There will be a mechanics race for the Pro-Stocks and kids night as well with bicycle races on the front stretch for those 12 years of age and under.

SPRINTS (20 LAPS) JASON JACOBY, Ed Lynch, Jr., Rod George, Scott Bonnell, Andy McKisson, Jarod Larson, Kevin Schaeffer, Wayne McPeek, Chad Hill, Scott Priester, Brent Matus, Todd Bauer, Gary Rankin, Gale Ruth, Jr., Butch Beasley, Larry McPeek, Bill Jones, Russ Sansosti, Sheila Rankin, Robert Van Tassel DNS Ralph Engle, Jr., Randy Kriegisch.

DIRT MODIFIEDS (20 LAPS) DEL ROUGEX, JR., Jim Rasey, Josh Skarzenski, Andy Priest, Joe Crawford Kevin Bolland, Chanda Reitz, Skip Moore, George Hobaugh, Garrett Krummert, Dave Schrader, Carl Murdick, Jeremy Paup, Steve Toth, Conny Allen, Dan Weaver, Andy Nicols, Kevin Latshaw, Nick Ritchey, Rick Kress.

E-MODS (15 LAPS) BRENT REHEBERGEN, Jim Frontz, Jeff Taylor, Mike Samuelson, Kari Gasser, Shawn Domhoff, Shawn Shengledecker, Butch Lambert, Bruce Powell, Jamie Shetler, Matt Swanson, Mike Potosky, Dave Ferry, Jim Long DNS Bruce Crouch, Rick Robinson

PRO-STOCKS (15 LAPS) BRUCE SMITH, Doug Iorio, Andy Buckley, Darrell Bossard, Gary Norman, Bobby Whitling, Bob Sloss, Jason Johns, Terry Wheeler, Doug Calvert, Ron Iorio, Rusty Kellog, Brent McCarthy, Arthur Edwards, John Sutley, Matt Thomas, John Shetler, George Kafautris, Sean Shook, Bill Exley, Jr., Dave Ferringer, Don Baughman, Russ Coyne, Scott Carbourgh DNS Dick Pascorell.

THUNDER CARS (12 LAPS) RODNEY SWITZER, Jeff Manners, Joe Blake, Kevin Cooper, Curt Bish, Jr., Wearne Cook, Dave Phillips, Rick Miller, Jr., John Miller.