FELMLEE SCORES THIRD SPRINT WIN IN A ROW AT TRI-CITY;
WELLER AND WHITLING REPEAT WINNERS TOO
by Brian Spaid
FRANKLIN, PA .... Sunny, humid conditions dominated Tri-City Speedway on Sunday night as Bob Felmlee (CarMate Trailer Super Sprints), Jim Weller (Titusville Motor & Auction Co. DIRT Modifieds) and Bobby Whitling (Knox Auto Supply Pure Stocks) won the Thrilling Three feature events on Clarion Western Auto Night. With the threat of rain to the west, the three division show was completed by 8:50 p.m. after a 6:00 p.m. start.
For the third consecutive week, Bob Felmlee of Franklin, PA captured the 20-lap Super Sprint feature. Only two caution periods hampered Felmlee's run to victory after a bold move at the start of the race. Felmlee started third behind Gale Ruth Jr. and Rick Anderson. At the drop of the green, Felmlee dove low into the first turn and immediately assumed command of the race. Behind him, Ed Lynch Jr. and Jimmy Hawley were running second and third by the fourth circuit of the half-mile Venango County dirt oval.
Despite a harried drive through lapped traffic in the middle of the race, Felmlee held onto the lead. Lynch tried valiantly to stay on Felmlee's bumper as they wove in and out of traffic. When Rob Eyler of Franklin hit the front wall and blew a tire on the 16th lap, the ensuing yellow flag gave Felmlee a clear track for the final laps to gather his 16th career win at Tri-City in his World of Wheels/Lutz Auto Body Maxim No. 6. Lynch placed second over Hawley, Ruth and Daryl Stimeling. Lynch and Hawley won the heats.
In the 20-lap DIRT Modified feature, Jim Weller of Hubbard, OH won his second main of the season in his Liberty Steel Bicknell No. 31. Andy Priest appeared to be on his way to his first career DIRT Modified feature win at Tri-City, but Weller foiled his opportunity. Priest led the first 12 laps of the race, which featured three caution periods. Racing side-by-side on the 13th lap, Weller drove under Priest for the lead at the line. Racing into turn one, however, Weller cut too low and made contact with Priest's front end. The two cars slowed dramatically and Josh Skarzenski and Chris Schiffer of Franklin spun out to avoid the potential crash and the yellow flag waved again. When racing resumed, Weller held onto the lead and withstood pressure from defending track champion Brian Swartzlander to grab his fifth career win at Tri-City. Following Weller and Swartzlander to the line were Priest, Tommy Kristyak and Scott Gurdak. Schiffer, Kristyak and Swartzlander won the heats with Jason Engles capturing the consi.
In the final race of the evening, Bobby Whitling of Seneca, PA and last week's feature winner Dave Ferringer engaged in a stirring duel for the win in the 15-lap Pure Stock feature. Matt Cummings led the initial five laps of the race. A restart following a spin by Barry Wilson of Titusville taught Cummings a lesson as Whitling dove low and Ferringer raced high to sandwich Cummings and pass him for first and second.
Once out front, Whitling had to contend with Ferringer the entire race. On numerous occasions, Ferringer raced beside Whitling, but was unable to make a pass for the win. At the finish, Whitling defeated Ferringer for his 10th career win at Tri-City. Matt Lux, Gary Norman and Bruce Smith rounded out the top five. Tom Scott, Lux and Whitling won the heats and Rich Apolito won the consolation race.
Next Sunday night May 30th, Tri-City Speedway will celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with the CarMate Trailer Super Sprint Pennzoil Pennsylvania Motorsports Hall of Fame Race, the Titusville Motor & Auction Co. DIRT Modified/Bicknell Racing Products Modified Tour '99 Race and a regular show of the Knox Auto Supply Pure Stocks. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. and racing starts at 6:00 p.m.
SUPER SPRINTS (20 Laps): 1. BOB FELMLEE, 2. Ed Lynch Jr., 3. Jimmy Hawley, 4. Gale Ruth Jr., 5. Daryl Stimeling, 6. Jason Jacoby, 7. Bruce Powell, 8. Skip Daugherty, 9. Michael Marano II, 10. David Scott, 11. Rick Anderson, 12. Mike Roxberry, 13. Rob Eyler, 14. Scott Bonnell. DNS: Brent Matus.
DIRT MODIFIEDS (20 Laps): 1. JIM WELLER, 2. Brian Swartzlander, 3. Andy Priest, 4. Tommy Kristyak, 5. Scott Gurdak, 6. Les Myers, 7. Jeff Hoffman, 8. Randy Myers, 9. Tom Glenn, 10. Chris Schiffer, 11. Josh Skarzenski, 12. Tom Smith, 13. Brian Fink, 14. Tim Engles, 15. T.J. Fleck, 16. Joe Crawford, 17. Del Rougeaux Jr., 18. Danny Perrett, 19. Mark Flick, 20. Gerry Bruce, 21. Merle Mealy Jr., 22. Dean Pearson, 23. Jason Engles, 24. Andy Nicols. DNQ: Dean Ruth, Mark Sevin, Chanda Reitz, Dick Rankin, Scott Kay, Marty Kristyak, Jeff Miller.
PURE STOCKS (15 Laps): 1. BOBBY WHITLING, 2. Dave Ferringer, 3. Matt Lux, 4. Gary Norman, 5. Bruce Smith, 6. Matt Cummings, 7. Andy Buckley, 8. Rich Apolito, 9. Danny Exley, 10. Dick Pascorell, 11. Dan Speer, 12. Ben Blake, 13. Jim Slater, 14. Pat Hile, 15. Willie Aley, 16. Tom Scott, 17. Michael Aley, 18. Brian Counselman, 19. Tom Vincent, 20. Billy Beiter, 21. Dale McGinnis Sr., 22. Jamie Shetler, 23. Barry Wilson. DNS: Jay Feely. DNQ: John K. Miller, Bud Shontz, Ken Alcorn, Joe Drusko, Craig Curfman.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
May 30 - Sprints Hall of Fame Race, DIRT Modifieds Bicknell Racing Products Modified Tour '99 Event and Pure Stocks
June 6 - Sprints, DIRT Modifieds, Pure Stocks and End of School Bus Races (Twin State Auto Racing Club Night)
June 13 - A. Crivelli Chevrolet Western Pennsylvania All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Speedweek, Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Senior Series and Vintage Racing Series