HAWLEY, WELLER AND WHITLING REPEAT WINNERS AT TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY

by Brian Spaid

FRANKLIN, PA .... Despite rainy skies earlier in the day, Tri-City Speedway raced under sunny conditions on Sunday night as Jimmy Hawley (CarMate Trailer Super Sprints), Jim Weller (Titusville Motor & Auction Co. DIRT Modifieds) and Bobby Whitling (Knox Auto Supply Pure Stocks) snared feature event wins at the half-mile Venango County oval on Galaxy Federal Credit Union Night.

In the 21-lap Super Sprint main, Jimmy Hawley of West Middlesex, PA started sixth and his main nemesis Craig Rankin was in ninth. After two aborted starts, Jason Jacoby led the first two laps from the pole position before Hawley flew underneath him for the lead at the completion of the third lap. Rankin moved by Jacoby one lap later.

Once out front, Hawley blasted to his 10th career victory and fourth of the season at Tri-City. The victory came despite a red flag for a crash involving Brent Covell and Phil Mott in turn two on the 19th lap. Having to run two consecutive green flag circuits to end the race, the distance was increased to 21 laps, instead of the traditional 20. Hawley survived for the win in Dr. John Crawford's J&J No. CIII and stretched his point lead over Rankin, who finished second.

Bruce Powell made a last lap charge and nearly passed Rankin. He settled for third, which was his best career finish at Tri-City. Powell and Jacoby thrilled the crowd with a great midrace battle. Jacoby finished fourth followed by David Scott. Scott and Hawley won the heat races. Jim Weller of Hubbard, OH used the tacky track to his advantage to score his third 20-lap DIRT Modified feature win of the season at Tri-City. Joe Crawford led the initial four laps of the race from the pole position. On the fifth circuit, Weller dove underneath Crawford in the backstretch and overpowered him off the fourth corner for the lead. From there, Weller raced on to his sixth career win at Tri-City in his Liberty Steel Products Bicknell No. 31.

Behind Weller, point leader Brian Swartzlander and Josh Skarzenski engaged in a stirring duel for second after they both passed Crawford on a sixth lap restart. At first, Swartzlander had the runnerup spot. However, on an eighth lap restart, Skarzenski took advantage of Swartzlander and raced underneath him in turn two. Despite contact between both cars, Skarzenski and Swartzlander raced onward. On the 13th lap, Swartzlander passed Skarzenski for second before the third and final caution. They remained in those positions for the remainder of the race. Scott Gurdak and Jeff Hoffman battled for fourth over the last half of the event. Hoffman, who was piloting a brand new four-link Troyer DIRT Modified, had a stout run. Yet, Gurdak raced under Hoffman on the 14th lap to grab the fourth position at the checkered flag. Hoffman finished fifth allowing Swartzlander to break their tie at the top of the point standings. Weller and Skarzenski won the heats.

The 15-lap Pure Stock main proved to be another barnburner as Bobby Whitling of Seneca, PA outraced Matt Lux for his 13th career win and seventh victory of the season at Tri-City. Tom Scott led at the start of the race as Whitling and Lux quickly moved forward. On the fifth lap, Whitling and Lux both raced under Scott through turns three and four for first and second.

Lux tried numerous times during the rest of the race to pass Whitling for the lead. Over the last five circuits, Lux raced under Whitling off turn two where Whitling's car continually drifted high. Whitling held Lux off despite lapped traffic that nearly interfered with his racing line around the half-mile oval. With the win, Whitling increased his point lead.

In a solemn victory lane ceremony, Whitling dedicated the win to his cousin, Tom Whitling, who suffered fatal injuries in a Micro Sprint accident at Sportsman's Speedway on Saturday night. Whiting carried Tom's No. 3 on the side and hood of the E.F. Rogers Plumbing and Heating Chevrolet No. 7W.

Following Whitling and Lux at the finish were Barry Wilson, Matt Cummings and Dave Ferringer. Jerry Huff, Lux and Ferringer won the heats and newcomer Frank Burdette won the consolation.

Gale M. Ruth of Pleasantville won the car division title in the One-on-One Spectator Races. John Sutley of Franklin won the truck division title. There were 19 passenger cars and trucks that competed in the event.

Next Sunday night August 15, the Super Sprints will compete for $2,000-to-win in a special event. Track promoters, Mike Graham and Roger Crick, hope the show will generate strong support from local teams as well as other Super Sprint teams traveling from the Knoxville Nationals in Iowa. The DIRT Modifieds and Pure Stocks will also be in competition on the final Kids Night of 1999. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. with racing slated at 6:00 p.m.

SUPER SPRINTS (20 Laps): 1. JIMMY HAWLEY, 2. Craig Rankin, 3. Bruce Powell, 4. Jason Jacoby, 5. David Scott, 6. Rob Eyler, 7. Mike Roxberry, 8. Paul Kapuchuck, 9. Brent Covell, 10. Phil Mott, 11. Rod Jones, 12. Todd Bauer. DNS: Gale Ruth Jr., Rick Anderson.

DIRT MODIFIEDS (20 Laps): 1. JIM WELLER, 2. Brian Swartzlander, 3. Josh Skarzenski, 4. Scott Gurdak, 5. Jeff Hoffman, 6. Chris Schiffer, 7. Tim Engles, 8. Del Rougeaux Jr., 9. Joe Crawford, 10. Jason Engles, 11. Rick Hoctor, 12. Randy Myers, 13. Dan Campbell, 14. Steve Barr, 15. Mark Sevin, 16. Danny Perrett, 17. Andy Priest, 18. Ed Alcorn, 19. Dean Pearson. DNS: George Hobaugh.

PURE STOCKS (15 Laps): 1. BOBBY WHITLING, 2. Matt Lux, 3. Barry Wilson, 4. Matt Cummings, 5. Dave Ferringer, 6. Billy Beiter, 7. Jerry Huff, 8. Jamie Shetler, 9. David Atkinson, 10. Ben Blake, 11. Bruce Smith, 12. Michael Aley, 13. Mike Dolecki, 14. Dave Phillips, 15. Herb Gordon, 16. Craig Curfman, 17. John K. Miller II, 18. Tom Scott, 19. Bud Shontz, 20. Dave Harbaugh, 21. Dale McGinnis Sr., 22. Tom Tuite, 23. Frank Burdette, 24. Jay Feely. DNQ: Terry Feely, Danny Exley, Wayne Pyle, Arthur Edwards.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Aug. 15 - Super Sprints ($2,000-to-win), DIRT Modifieds, Pure Stocks and Kids Night

Aug. 22 - Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds, Pure Stocks and Demo Derby

Aug. 29 - Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds and Pure Stocks (Points End) and Bortner Tours NASCAR Trip Giveaway