ANDY McKISSON, KEVIN BOLLAND, BRENT RHEBERGEN, DOUG IORIO II AND JEFF MANNERS CAPTURE FEATURE WINS AT TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY
by Brian Spaid
June 11, 2006
FRANKLIN, PA ... After a rainout the week before, Tri-City Speedway was back in action on a sunny and cool Sunday evening as Andy McKisson (4 Your Car Connection Super Sprints), Kevin Bolland (Schwab’s Ford DIRT Modifieds), Brent Rhebergen (RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods), Doug Iorio II (E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks) and Jeff Manners (Klapec Auto Body Thundercars) captured feature wins on Little League Night at the Venango County half-mile oval.
Andy McKisson of Strattanville, Pa., inherited his first win of the season in the 20-lap Super Sprint feature after three-time track champion Rod George faltered while leading the race. Taking the lead from George on the 14th circuit, McKisson dashed to his third career win at Tri-City aboard his Eagle Golf Pro Shop No. 0.
“You never know what to expect when you start up front,” said McKisson. “It was lucky for me, not so for Rod. Winning this early in the season is always a confidence booster. In the past, our team hasn’t been able to follow-up an early season win with strong performances. Hopefully, we’ll be able to carry this one forward for a good year.”
George and McKisson led the field to the green flag after two aborted starts, and George jumped into an immediate lead. Behind him, McKisson fended off Bob Felmlee, who suffered from a loose race car. Felmlee spun on the third lap in turn two, but kept his car running without causing a caution. Felmlee lost a lot of ground to the lead pack as a result and Todd Bauer and Andy Priest moved into third and fourth. Felmlee spun again on the eighth lap in the same corner as before and this time the caution flew. McKisson tried to use the high groove to pass George for the lead on the restart, but it was to no avail. George appeared headed for his third win of the season when his engine suddenly faltered on the 14th circuit. McKisson dashed by George to take command. Two laps later, George pulled into the infield out of the race. Bauer and Priest engaged in a stirring duel for second over the last two circuits. They exchanged the position twice behind McKisson, who won by 1.356 seconds. Bauer passed Priest on the final circuit to regain second by inches at the finish line. Priest finished third ahead of Felmlee and New Hampshire driver Riki Likowski. George and McKisson won the Super Sprint heats.
Kevin Bolland of New Brighton, Pa., ended a stellar weekend with a record performance at Tri-City. On Friday night at Lernerville Speedway, Bolland led every lap of the 25-lap Schwab’s Ford Big Block Modified Challenge Series race. Then at Tri-City, Bolland turned the same trick to lead the entire 20-lap DIRT Modified main for his second win of the season. The victory also tied Bolladnd with Lou Blaney and Ed Lynch atop the all-time DIRT Modified feature win list at Tri-City with 24 victories each.
“It means a lot to be tied with two legends like that, but we’re really focused on that Super DIRT Series race on Wednesday at Lernerville,” said Bolland in victory lane beside his Cintas Uniform/Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe Bicknell No. 777. “We’re really pumped to do well.”
Similar to the Super Sprint feature, the DIRT Modified feature began with two aborted starts, including one that involved a four-car melee and a rollover by Dave Walters, who was uninjured. Once the action settled down, Bolland easily took command of the race and Rex King moved into second. Those two remained out front the entire distance. Behind them, the race for third was a barnburner. At first, Lenny Leibold Jr. held off Joe Crawford for a few laps before Crawford took the position on the seventh circuit. Leibold fell out of contention as Del Rougeux Jr. and Andy Priest raced by him on the ninth circuit. Rougeux stayed in fourth while Leibold zipped back around Priest for fifth one lap later. Priest finally returned the favor on the 16th circuit. Ahead of them, Rougeux caught and passed Crawford for third on the 16th circuit. By then, however, Bolland and King were gone. At the finish, Bolland beat King by 2.222 seconds. Rougeux scored a season-best third over Priest and Chris Schiffer, both of whom passed Crawford in the late stages of the race with Schiffer’s pass coming off turn four on the last lap. Priest and Rougeux won the DIRT Modified heats.
Brent Rhebergen of Clymer, N.Y., continued his domination of the E Mod division at Tri-City with his second win of the season aboard Shawn Shingledecker’s Lucky Hills Golf Course/Madara Equipment Pierce No. 45S. Taking the lead from his teammate Shingledecker on the fifth circuit, Rhebergen raced unchallenged in the non-stop event for his 43rd career E Mod feature win at Tri-City. Shingledecker finished second to make it a 1-2 finish for the team.
“I’ve really got to thank Shawn and his entire family for their support and this excellent race car,” said Rhebergen. “Shawn didn’t want to try that high groove, but it worked great tonight. It feels good to be in such great equipment.”
Defending track champion Matt Lux and Shingledecker led the field at the start of the E Mod feature. Shingledecker secured the front spot from Lux while Rhebergen raced around Lux on the second circuit. Rhebergen then reeled in Shingledecker and assumed command on the fifth circuit with an outside move at the line. Rhebergen raced away from Shingledecker, who eventually had to fend off Lux. On the 11th circuit, Lux managed to sneak under Shingledecker in turn three, but Rhebergen’s teammate had other ideas and retained control. Then, Mike Potosky made a charge at Lux with only two laps to go, but Lux held him off. At the finish, Rhebergen collected the win over Shingledecker, Lux, Potosky and Jeff Taylor. Aurie Weaver, Todd Roncaglione and Potosky won the E Mod heat races. Darrell Bossard and Scott Stiffler won the B mains.
Doug Iorio II of Kennerdell, Pa., continued his winning ways at Tri-City with his third consecutive win in the 15-lap Pro Stock feature event. Starting on the front row, Iorio outclassed the field leading every lap in his Gil Dahlstrom Iron & Metal Pontiac No. 28. Dave Ferringer raced close to Iorio and showed his nose to “The Kennerdell Kid” a couple of times, but Iorio maintained his composure and the lead for his sixth career win at Tri-City.
“This one is for the team,” said Iorio, who was involved in a heavy crash the night before at Mercer Raceway Park. “The car was pretty well trashed, and they worked hard for us to make it here tonight. I knew Dave was there and he rattled me a little bit, but I just kept my line. Nothing was gonna stop us tonight.”
Iorio took command of the race from polesitter Jeff Lockhart as they entered the third turn on the first circuit. One lap later, Ferringer was running second. With Iorio down low and Ferringer up high, the two drivers dominated the competition, which reflects of the year-to-date as the two drivers have won every feature race. By the halfway point, Iorio and Ferringer led Matt Thomas, Rusty Kellogg and Bobby Whilting. Two cautions slowed the pace at midrace, but they failed to slow Iorio who raced on to the win. Ferringer finished second despite heavy engine smoke coming out of his car on the final circuit. Thomas finished a career-best third over Whitling and Joe Lockhart. Joe Lockhart and Whitling won the Pro Stock heats. In the first heat, rookie Bobby Sutley took a horrifying series of barrel rolls in the first turn while dueling with Jason Engles for the lead. Sutley was uninjured, but his car appeared to be destroyed.
Jeff Manners of Cherrytree, Pa., collected his second win of the season in the 12-lap Thundercar feature. Piloting his Jerry’s Auto Repair/Cherrytree General Store Buick No. 16, Manners took the lead from Charlie McMillen on the third circuit and was never headed from there as he topped Josh Seippel for his seventh career win at Tri-City.
“Josh showed me that high line around the track two weeks ago, and it’s fast,” said the fost spoken Manners.
McMillen outdueled Manners to take the lead on the opening circuit. Manners quickly disposed of McMillen to take command on the third circuit before McMillen spun in turn two. Seippel assumed second from McMillen at this time. With both cars racing the high line around the track, Seippel never got close to Manners. In the end, Manners won over Seippel, Myers, Joe Blake and Ed Deloe. Myers and Manners won the Thundercar heats.
At the end of the night, Tim Brown of Grand Valley, Pa., won the car division of the One-on-One Spectator Races for the third time in his 1994 Cadillac. James Hutcheson Jr. won the truck division aboard his 1997 GMC truck.
Tri-City Speedway celebrates Father’s Day next Sunday June 18th with a special event that includes the Victim’s Resource Center Ladies E Mod Charity Race on Cranberry Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change Night. In addition, the 4 Your Car Connection Super Sprints, Schwab’s Ford DIRT Modifieds, E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks and Klapec Auto Body Thundercars will be in action. The DIRT Modifieds will compete in the Schwab’s Ford Big Block Modified Challenge Series. The 25-lap event will pay $1,200-to-win. The night will conclude with a Lowry Auto Wrecking Compact Car Demo Derby. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m. Adult grandstand admission will be a family friendly $11.
SUPER SPRINTS (20 Laps): 1. ANDY McKISSON, 2. Todd Bauer, 3. Andy Priest, 4. Bob Felmlee, 5 Riki Likowski, 6. Sheila Rankin, 7. Gale Ruth, 8. Butch Beasley, 9. Scott Rodgers, 10. Jason Jacoby, 11. Rod George, 12. Gary Rankin, 13. Brent Covell. DNS: Russ Sansosti.
DIRT MODIFIEDS (20 Laps): 1. KEVIN BOLLAND, 2. Rex King, 3. Del Rougeux Jr., 4. Andy Priest, 5. Chris Schiffer, 6. Joe Crawford, 7. Chanda Reitz, 8. Lenny Leibold Jr., 9. Russell King, 10. Dave Murdick, 11. Jeremiah Shingledecker, 12. Skip Moore, 13. Jeremy Paup, 14. Carl Murdick, 15. Dave Schrader, 16. Kevin Hoffman, 17. Mike Turner, 18. Rex King Jr., 19. Travis Shingledecker, 20. Dave Walters. DNS: Jason Reagle.
E MODS (15 Laps): 1. BRENT RHEBERGEN, 2. Shawn Shingledecker, 3. Matt Lux, 4. Mike Potosky, 5. Jeff Taylor, 6. Carl McKinney, 7. Jim Frontz, 8. Aurie Weaver, 9. Russ Dempsey, 10. Matt Swanson, 11. Dave Willoughby, 12. Dale Applebee, 13. Bill Thomas, 14. Howard Fraley, 15. Jason Johns, 16. Bruce Powell, 17. Scott Stiffler, 18. Travis Asel, 19. Darrell Bossard, 20. Butch Lambert, 21.David Atkinson, 22. Evan Taylor, 23. Bill Cunningham, 24. Mike Samuelson, 25. Joe Gabrielson, 26. Todd Roncaglione. DNS: Andy Sweetland, Billy Cunningham, Mike Butler, Dustin Fraley, Joe Smith, Alan Dellinger, Jamie Shetler, Arthur Edwards.
PRO STOCKS (15 Laps): 1. DOUG IORIO II, 2. Dave Ferringer, 3. Matt Thomas, 4. Bobby Whitling, 5. Joe Lockhart, 6. Scott Myers, 7. Andy Buckley, 8. Terry Wheeler, 9. Jason Engles, 10. Jeff Lockhart, 11. Ronnie Davis, 12. Jackson Humanic, 13. Rusty Kellogg, 14. Gary Proper, 15. Chad Myers, 16. Denny Crawford, 17. Matt Keith, 18. John Winters. 19. Dave Shook, 20. Randy Wyant, 21. Mike Miller. DNS: Bobby Sutley, Tim Engles.
THUNDERCARS (12 Laps): 1. JEFF MANNERS, 2. Josh Seippel, 3. Bill Myers, 4. Joe Blake, 5. Ed Deloe, 6. Bill Kluck Jr., 7. Charlie McMillen, 8. Jon Huff, 9. Bill Hale, 10. John K. Miller II, 11. Wearne Cook, 12. Cody Manners, 13. Kenny Alcorn, 14. Curt Bish Sr., 15. John K. Miller, 16. Bill Winters. DNS: Ken Klock, Gary Bedow, Curt Bish Jr., Jeremy Gates.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 18 – Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds (Schwab’s Ford Big Block Modified Challenge Series 25 Laps, $1,200-to-win), E Mods (Victim’s Resource Center Ladies E Mod Charity Race), Pro Stocks, Thundercars and Lowry’s Auto Body Compact Car Demo Derby (Cranberry Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change Night)
June 25 – Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds, E Mods, Pro Stocks, Thundercars and Pittsburgh Circle Track Senior Series Pro Stocks (WDDH 97.5 The Hound Night)
July 2 – Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds, E Mods (Fame RV Center E Series), Pro Stocks and Thundercars (Giant Eagle/Edward Jones Investments Fireworks Extravaganza) (Clarion RRR Roadhouse Road Cruise III)
July 9 – Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds, E Mods (Fame RV Center E Series), Pro Stocks and Thundercars (Buyer’s Fair/Pennzoil Night) (Scout Night – All Scouts in Uniform Receive Free Grandstand Admission)