SWARTZLANDER WINS THREE IN A ROW AT TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY;

LYNCH AND FERRINGER REPEAT TOO

by Brian Spaid

FRANKLIN, PA .... A beautiful spring Father's Day night graced Tri-City Speedway on Sunday as Ed Lynch Jr. (CarMate Trailer Super Sprints), Brian Swartzlander (Titusville Motor & Auction Co. DIRT Modifieds) and Dave Ferringer (Knox Auto Supply Pure Stocks) won the main events on Titusville Motor & Auction Co. Night at the half-mile Venango County dirt oval. Over 3,500 filled the grandstands on Fan Appreciation and Kids Night.

In the 20-lap Super Sprint main, Mike Marano II and Jason Jacoby made up the front row and Marano led the initial circuit before Jimmy Hawley charged from his eighth starting spot to the lead on the second lap. Once in front, Hawley pulled out to a huge advantage as Ed Lynch Jr. passed Marano for second on the third lap. Lynch started ninth.

Following a spin by Bruce Powell on the sixth lap, the restart found Lynch under Hawley in turn one, but Hawley held off the charge. Another caution for spins by Powell and Franklin rookie Rob Eyler on the seventh circuit gave Lynch one last shot at the lead. After the restart, Lynch made a daring "slide job" pass through turns three and four to snag the front spot. Lynch then vaulted out to a huge margin as the right rear tire on Hawley's car blistered and prevented him from making a move by the Apollo, PA racer.

At the checkered flag, Lynch was the winner over Hawley, Craig Rankin, Jacoby and Daryl Stimeling. The win was Lynch's second of the weekend after a victory Friday night at Lernerville Speedway. It was also his fifth career triumph at Tri-City and second of the season. Rankin and David Scott won the heats.

Brian Swartzlander of Leechburg, PA led every circuit of the 20-lap DIRT Modified feature after starting on the pole position. The field was aligned according to the current point standings and the two-time defending track champion led going into the night's action. At the start of the race, Swartzlander held off the challenges of outside polesitter Jeff Hoffman to the lead the first lap. Swartzlander then continued to open the gap between himself and Hoffman, who had a stirring duel with Jim Weller. Hoffman and Weller passed each other four times before Weller secured the runnerup position on the final lap.

Only two cautions slowed the race, and neither restart gave Weller and Hoffman the opportunity to pass Swartzlander, who dominated. The win came despite running the last two laps with a broken right rear suspension. Weller finished second over Hoffman, Scott Gurdak and Josh Skarzenski, who was preparing to travel to Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway this Wednesday night to compete in the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Modified Series opener. Of note, Swartzlander's win tied him with Jeff Hoffman on the overall win list at Tri-City. Both drivers have won 12 feature events since the track reopened in 1996. Retired racer Ed Lynch has 24 victories to lead the list over Lou Blaney with 17. Swartzlander and Hoffman are tied for third.

Joe Crawford won a special 10-lap Titusville Motor & Auction Co. Heat Race. Crawford collected an extra $100 for the win in a race that featured the top 10 point leaders in the DIRT Modified division. Andy Priest captured the other heat race.

In the caution-plagued 15-lap Pure Stock feature, Dave Ferringer of Cochranton, PA came home the winner despite the fact that the race was slowed five times. Tom Scott led the first lap before Bruce Smith assumed command. Smith's lead was shortlived, however, as mechanical problems dropped him from competition on the fourth lap.

With Smith out, Ferringer led over Matt Lux and five-time winner Bobby Whitling. Whitling dashed under Lux following a restart on the sixth lap. Whitling then tried several times to pass Ferringer. With four laps left, Whitling got sideways in turn two and Lux reassumed the second spot.

By then, Ferringer had a large lead and he held on to the end for his seventh career win at Tri-City and his second of the season. Lux finished second followed by Whitling, Matt Cummings and Scott. Ferringer, Danny Exley and Lux won the heats.

Next Sunday night June 27th, Tri-City Speedway hosts another Thrilling Three program of Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds and Pure Stocks. The Super Sprints will be running their Mid Season Championship event. Capping the evening will be the second Sligo Auto Salvage Demolition Derby of 1999. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. and racing starts at 6:00 p.m.

SUPER SPRINTS (20 Laps): 1. ED LYNCH JR., 2. Jimmy Hawley, 3. Craig Rankin, 4. Jason Jacoby, 5. Daryl Stimeling, 6. David Scott, 7. Brent Covell, 8. Rob Eyler, 9. Mike Marano II, 10. Gale Ruth Jr., 11. Bruce Powell, 12. Mike Roxberry. DNS: Skip Dougherty.

DIRT MODIFIEDS (20 Laps): 1. BRIAN SWARTZLANDER, 2. Jim Weller, 3. Jeff Hoffman, 4. Scott Gurdak, 5. Josh Skarzenski, 6. Les Myers, 7. Andy Priest, 8. Tommy Kristyak, 9. Chris Schiffer, 10. Tim Engles, 11. Joe Crawford, 12. Dean Pearson, 13. Jason Engles, 14. Tom Glenn, 15. Tom Smith, 16. Randy Myers, 17. Tommy Mason, 18. T.J. Fleck, 19. Danny Perrett, 20. Chanda Reitz, 21. Rick Hoctor. DNS: Dave Reges.

PURE STOCKS (15 Laps): 1. DAVE FERRINGER, 2. Matt Lux, 3. Bobby Whitling, 4. Matt Cummings, 5. Tom Scott, 6. Jamie Shetler, 7. Russ Dempsey, 8. Ben Blake, 9. Earl Van Valkenberg, 10. John K. Miller II, 11. Brian Counselman, 12. Jay Feely, 13. Mike Dolecki, 14. Billy Beiter, 15. David Atkinson, 16. Danny Exley, 17. Jim Slater, 18. Doug Calvert, 19. Bruce Smith, 20. Tom Vincent, 21. Barry Wilson, 22. Bud Shontz, 23. Dale McGinnis Sr., 24. Craig Curfman. DNS: Terry Feely.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

June 27 - Super Sprint Midseason Championship, DIRT Modifieds, Pure Stocks and Demo Derby

July 4 - Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds, Pure Stocks, York Triathlon UMP Modified Series and Giant Eagle Fireworks Extravaganza by Cartwright Fireworks

July 11 - Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds, Pure Stock Midseason Championship, Pure Stocks Powder Puff Race and Little League Night