Local Racing
Williamson Whips Port Royal Foes
PORT ROYAL, PA (October 17, 2020): Mat Williamson picked the perfect time to score his first win in the Short Track Super Series for Modifieds. The driver, who earned the nickname “Money” after scoring some big victories in the rival DIRTcar Super Series, carried $53,000 out of Port Royal Speedway. His share of the bounty would go back to St. Catharines, ONT, where he and his fiance are planning to build a home.
COVID travel restrictions kept Williamson on the northern side of the Canadian border for most of the 2020 racing season. While he did get to race several times (successfully), the purses were much smaller, and he never got into a rhythm like he could do when he was able to cross the border at will. Williamson, who said that he was “tired of eating Ramen noodles,” came into the United States for a few weeks, starting with OctoberFAST (the Super DIRTweek substitute) and concluding with the Eastern States 200. “It sucks that we cannot celebrate with family and friends after a win like this,” Williamson said. He and his two traveling companions planned to party hearty and then start to prepare the car for the upcoming Eastern States race. He plans to serve out his quarantine deer hunting upon his return to Canada.
Second place finisher, Stewart Friesen, who is also Canadian by birth, did not face such restrictions, as he is now a permanent resident of Sprakers, NY.
Both drivers overcame some mechanical difficulties to get to the front of the highest paying race of the 2020 Modified season. Friesen’s problems came during Friday night’s qualifications. He blew the engine in his primary car, which was powered by a 430 cubic inch open small block. He switched to a back-up car that was equipped with a 360 cubic inch small block, and used a provisional to start 39th in the talent-laden field. While the car was down on power, series rules allowed it to race at a light 2300 pounds, and Friesen was able to get the most out of the machine. Williamson’s difficulty came during the open red at the halfway mark of the big race. The team decided to change front shocks to improve forward bite. They broke a critical part in the process and they had to scramble to find a replacement in the infield hot pit area, as crossing the track to retrieve one from the hauler was not allowed. They found the piece in Anthony Perrego’s toolbox. Perrego was leading at the break and would go on to finish fourth in the final tally.
The first ten starters were lined up by the luck of the draw. Alex Yankowski started on the pole and Danny Bouc was next to the rapid teen. Aussie Peter Britten and Mike Gular were in row two. Erick Rudolph and Matt Sheppard, a pre-race favorite, were in row three. Max McLaughlin and Mike Maresca were in row four, with Maresca driving a borrowed car after suffering a terminal engine failure at the checkers in his Friday heat race. Williamson lined up next to Billy Pauch, Jr. in row five. Perrego and Mike Mahaney were in row six.
Yankowski blasted out to the lead over Bouc and Britten while Maresca and Rudolph were fighting for position. Just as the leaders crossed for lap one, veteran Billy Van Pelt brought out the first caution of the double century contest.
Yankowski held the advantage through lap 16, when Williamson surged to the front. Although Sheppard and Bouc would also pass Yankowski, the youthful driver held his own reamining in or just outside the top five for most of the first half of the race.
Meanwhile, Friesen was methodically passing cars using the highest groove possible. He was able to roll up beside cars and pass them off the corner before they even realized that he was out there. He reached 13th by lap 20 and was positioned to assault the top ten when drama unfolded.
Billy Pauch, Jr., who was biding his time riding just outside the top ten, had his throttle stick going down the long back chute. Although he tried desperately to shut the car down, he was unable to do so, and he collided massively with the turn three fence. He punched a hole in that as the car burst into flames and then tumbled to a stop yards away. The car lost its roof and the top of the cage was exposed to oncoming traffic, but all others were able to avoid contact with Pauch. Pauch climbed from the demolished car unscathed. It took track crews over an hour and fifteen minutes to make repairs to the fence.
After that break, Williamson continued to lead, but the car was not performing up to its full potential. Perrego, who would become Williamson’s savior a short time later, rode the rim to the front on lap 86. Soon thereafter, a caution came out, and Friesen surrendered P4 to pit for tires and fuel. This enabled him to play out a strategy that would give him track position over Perrego, Williamson, Sheppard, and others.
Perrego led to the halfway mark, with Williamson, Sheppard, McLaughlin, Britten, Ryan Godown, Yankowski, Alan Johnson, Ryan Susice, and Billy Dunn making up the top ten.
Dramatic interlude number two began with drivers declaring their intentions with regard to the mandatory pit stop. Drivers that elected to stay on the track could get fuel only. Drivers entering the hot pits could make any adjustments they wanted, including changing tires. Perrego stayed on the track, while almost all others came into the pits. After his crew looked over the tires, Perrego chose to enter the pits, losing only a minute or two of worktime. The racers who stayed out got the preferred starting positions, while those that went into the hot pits lined up behind them according to running order. So, Fiesen and his cohorts got track position with tires only 14 laps old, while Perrego, Williamson, et al. were ninth on back, albeit with fresh tires.
“We had a plan going into the race, but we threw it out the window,” Williamson said. Because the car was hot handling properly, his team switched the front shocks and almost took the car out of the race. Perrego’s team came through for them in the pinch, though, and Williamson was able to rejoin the field for the second half. “We made the right calls,” Williamson said with a sigh of relief.
It only took Friesen six laps to take the lead. He began to stretch his advantage while Perrego, McLaughlin, Sheppard, and Williamson began their march to the front. Perrego reached second on lap 128, with Andy Bachetti sitting in third. He, like Friesen, opted for the earlier pit stop to gain track position. Then came McLaughlin, Sheppard, and WiIlliamson.
With Friesen and Perrego racing the high groove, Williamson moved forward by running about a car width off the inside fence. He reached third by lap 150. Sheppard was also moving forward, but he suddenly stopped on the track with 168 completed. He pitted for a pair of fresh rear tires. “I’m sure that the fresh tires helped,” he noted. “We had a tire going down so I pitted and put two new ones on.” Indeed, in the remaining laps, Sheppard had one of the fastest cars on the track, but he did not have enough time to catch Williamson and Friesen.
Friesen continued to lead Perrego, but they had another racer to contend with as the laps wound down. Williamson took second on lap 175 and the issues became whether and when he would make a move on Friesen.
It only took eleven more circuits for the fans to know. Williamson drove by the leader on lap 186. While Williamson did open up a several car length advantage, Friesen continued to flog the cushion in an effort to chase him down. Aided by a yellow on lap 194, Friesen did get his shot at the leader. However, Williamson held his line and rode home with the lucrative win.
“I tried to beat the heck out of it,” Friesen explained. “I was starting to come back before the last yellow. I may have been able to come back if we had some traffic. I think my tore cooled off and it didn’t come back after that last caution.”
At the finish, it was Willaimson over Friesen, Sheppard, Perrego, and Larry Wight. McLaughlin, Godown, Bachetti, Yankowski, and Billy Decker rounded out the top ten. Decker’s machine bore the battle scars of an early race skirmish, but it continued to function satisfactorily.
Just over half of the field completed all 200 laps.
Port Royal and STSS officials announced that the Modifieds would return in 2021, with a Spring race contemplated. No announcement was made whether the big Fall classic would be on the docket. That decision may await further developments as STSS boss Brett Deyo also promoted Fonda Speedway where the 2019 edition of the 200 was held. COVID limitations in the Empire State forced him to move the race to Port Royal.
Port Royal Speedway will hold its final race of the season on October 24. It will be the Ninth Annual Keystone RaceSaver Challenge for 305 Sprints. Limited Late Models and Mini Stocks will also be on the card. General admission will be a mere $5, as the speedway celebrates a fan appreciation day. Racing will start at 3 p.m.
SARVER, PA (September 14, 2024): Tyler Courtney survived and won the Commonwealth Clash for the High Limit Racing Series at the Lernerville Speedway. He was racing in third when the early leader, Corey Day, crashed spectacularly coming through turn two. Two laps later, Courtney moved up another notch when the new leader, Brent Marks, sustained a flat right rear. The racing luck was with Courtney over the second half of the contest, though, as he fought off several challenges from Sye Lynch. In the final stage of the race, Courtney used lapped traffic to distance himself from Lynch, who was having difficulties negotiating the slower cars.
Courtney explained that “taking fifty grand out of here is maybe a little bit of redemption. We were going for it the last time that we were here.” He was leading the Don Martin Memorial earlier this season when he tangled with James McFadden while fighting for the lead. Both drivers were knocked out from that incident.
“This race was anything but boring. Corey (Day) crashed while leading. Sye (Lynch) was giving it all on the bottom. I had to get up in the seat for that one.”
Courtney appreciated the efforts that his crew put forth. They did not have a good run at the Tuscarora 50 the week before. “These guys never gave up. They kept their heads down.”
For Lynch, who finished second for the second consecutive night before a partisan crowd, was pleased with his performance. He noted that although the track may have looked the same, “it was a lot different from (his) perspective. It raced way different all night long. We weren’t very good early in the evening. We made some adjustments and the car was better.”
McFadden seemed to be climbing the same mountain throughout the race. “I went from eleventh to fifth. Then on every restart I’d go back to eleventh and I’d have to battle my way back.” He commented that he got a hole in his right rear tire with about seven laps remaining, and that may have defeated his chances to overtake Lynch in the run to the checkers.
Logan Wagner was the pole sitter for the forty lap A Main. Next to him was the preliminary night winner, Corey Day. Brent Marks and Tyler Courtney were in row two. Anthony Macri and Sye Lynch made up row three. Jacob Allen and Skylar Gee were in row four, with Spencer Bayston and Brad Sweet in row five. Behind them were Ja,ed McFadden and Justin Peck.
Day turned down under Wagner in turn two of the opening lap to take the lead. Wagner remained in second, followed by Marks, Courtney, Lynch, Allen, Macri, Gee, Bayston and McFadden. Marks moved into second on lap three, moments before the first caution.
There was a multi-car tangle coming off turn two on lap three that damaged several cars. Getting the worst of it was Rico Abreu, whose fuel tank was leaking badly following some contact. Others whose nights were ended in the melee included T.J. Stutts and Cody Bova.
When the race resumed, Day sped away from Marks and Wagner, Courtney held fourth once again, followed by Lynch and McFadden.
On lap nine, Justin Peck took a wild ride coming entering turn two. He was not hurt in the crash.
Day separated himself from the pack at the drop of the green again. However, the bad luck came his way on lap seventeen, when he had a commanding lead. His right rear tire sheared off and that sent the car into a spectacular series of tumbles. He came to a stop at the base of the hill way below turn two. Despite the heavy damage, Day was not harmed.
Marks inherited the lead for the restart and he established himself as the man to be reckoned with. Meanwhile, Lynch was fighting with Courtney for the second position. They swapped it several times before Courtney took control a couple of laps into the run. Soon thereafter, Marks flattened his right rear, giving Courtney the point for the second half of the event.
On the restart, Lynch was applying pressure to Courtney. Back a few positions, Wagner and McFadden touched wheels, but both drivers were able to maintain control of their machines.
With Courtney on the cushion and Lynch using the low line, there were several lead changes, However, Courtney always managed to regain the lead before they reached the scoring loop.
The final twenty laps ran without interruption. Courtney stayed out front. Once he got into lapped traffic, he pulled away from Lynch, who had to move up the track to try to pass the slower traffic. This change of lines was not to his favor. Lynch had trouble with the the new line. McFadden closed in on Lynch, but he could not challenge for second.
At the checkers, it was Courtney over Lynch and McFadden. Tanner Thorsen nipped Bayston for fourth at the scoring loop. Brad Sweet, Allen, Emerson Axsom, Zeb Wise, and Chris Windom completed the top ten.
Track champion A.J. Flick dropped out with damage to his radiator during the extended stoppage after Day’s flip. Flick was driving the Bernie Steubgen 71 once again.
The forty-three car field ran four heat races. The wins belonged to Skylar Gee, Logan Wagner, Brent Marks, and Jacob Allen. The Dash winner was Logan Wagner.
Cory Eliason prevailed in the B Main. Hunter Schuerenberg topped the C Main.
The fastest qualifier overall came from Group B. It was Brent Marks, who circled the track in 13.235 seconds. Skylar Gee was best in Group A, with a time of 13.266 seconds.
SARVER, PA (September 13, 2024): Corey Day went from third to first near the midpoint of the non-stop thirty lapper that opened the Commonwealth Clash weekend for the High Limit Racing Series at the Lernerville Speedway. Day’s seventh series victory of the season was worth $10,000 and it locked him into the finale to be held on Saturday evening.
Day said that it was good to be back at the track for the second time of the season. He had a strong run on the first occasion, The Don Martin Memorial, but he came home second to Rico Abreu. This time around, Day had the advantage.
“I did not know where they (the lapped cars) were at or where I needed to be. I got up to Rico (Abreu) and he started to get away from me. I went down but I couldn’t make any speed, so I went back up.”
Day claimed that he “saw Sunshine’s nose (Tyler Courtney) like maybe twenty-five times, but maybe it was a lapped car.” He was right, the car that he saw was the similarly styled car of Chris Windom, a lapped car, for after Day passed Courtney for the lead, he easily distanced himself from the other lead pack cars.
The pole position belonged to Sye Lynch, a third generation driver with deep roots at Lernerville Speedway. Next to him was Anthony Macri. Day and Courtney shared row two. Behind them were Brent Marks and James McFadden. Brad Sweet and Jacob Allen made up row four. Emerson Axsom made his Lernerville debut from the inside of row five, with Danny Sams as his runningmate. A.J. Flick started in row six aboard the Sreubgen 71, with Brian Brown as his dancing partner.
Lynch got the drop on Macri, who stayed close on the opening lap. Behind them were Courtney, Day, McFadden, Marks, Allen, Sweet, Sams, and Axsom. After just a couple of laps, Courtney worked his way into second and, by lap seven, Day was third and closing.
Meanwhile, Lynch, the favorite son, continued to lead. However, his time out front ended on lap twelve, when Courtney swept past. Day soon followed into second. Courtney got sideways in turn four just one lap paper, almost colliding with the lapped car of Cody Bova. That miscue was enough to allow Day to jump ahead.
At the halfway mark, it was Day ahead of Courtney, Lynch, Macri, and McFadden. Macri moved up a notch on lap eighteen, but Lynch rebounded on lap twenty to regain third place.
The leaders were working hard through heavy lapped traffic in the final third of the race. Day maintained the lead nonetheless. Lynch continued his march forward, taking second by lap twenty-five. Lynch narrowed the margin somewhat in the final five laps, but he was no match for Day.
At the checkers, it was Day over Lynch, Courtney, and Macri for the transfer spots into the Saturday A Main. McFadden was fifth, followed by Marks, Sweet, Allen, Spencer Bayston, and new father Tanner Thorson.
Lynch was disappointed that he could not bring home the win before the highly partisan crowd. He admitted that he is his hardest critic. “You can’t make mistakes, you need to be on kill every lap. I made some mistakes for several laps.” Fortunately for Lynch and his ‘underdog team,’ as he put it, he was able to recover and to race his way back to second in the stretch run.
Courtney noted that things got “pretty hectic” during the race “We were pretty good in the beginning, but I almost spun out and gave it all up.”
The forty car field competed in four heat races, with wins going to James McFadden, Anthony Macri, Brad Sweet, and Tyler Courtney. Logan Wagner won the B Main. The Dash victory went to Sye Lynch. Rico Abreu was the best in Group A and overall, with a time of 12.794 seconds. Jacob Allen topped Group B with a time of 13.012 seconds.
- 14-Corey Day[3]; 2. 42-Sye Lynch[1]; 3. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[4]; 4. 39M-Anthony Macri[2]; 5. 83-James McFadden[6]; 6. 19-Brent Marks[5]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet[7]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen[8]; 9. 5-Spencer Bayston[14]; 10. 88-Tanner Thorson[16]; 11. 27-Emerson Axsom[9]; 12. 55-Chris Windom[13]; 13. 2KS-Hunter Schuerenberg[15]; 14. 9P-Parker Price Miller[17]; 15. 24-Rico Abreu[22]; 16. 21-Brian Brown[12]; 17. 24D-Danny Sams III[10]; 18. 13-Justin Peck[24]; 19. 8-Cory Eliason[23]; 20. 1-Brenham Crouch[20]; 21. 6-Ryan Smith[19]; 22. 71-AJ Flick[11]; 23. 20B-Cody Bova[18]; 24. 69K-Logan Wagner[21]
FRANKLIN, PA (July 10, 2024): This Sunday, July 14, the spotlight will shine on the Pro Stock division at the Tri City Raceway Park. The region’s top runners will be on hand, as the event will be part of the Penn Ohio Pro Stock Series. Of course, the track’s regulars will be there representing the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks.
“The Pro Stock class has long been part of the tradition at Tri City Raceway Park, and we are proud to have this battle among the best in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio at our track,” said the new owner Josh Shiffer.
“And, last week’s feature was a great example of the competitiveness that the Pro Stocks bring,” he added. Rod Laskey scored his first win of the season by holding off a strong challenge from Jackson Humanic, who was subbing for Josh Seippel. Seippel will be back from vacation in time for the invasion of the Penn Ohio series, in which he also competes. And, we know that Humanic will be hungry for a win after his strong finish last week.
Another track regular expected to be on hand will be Bobby Whitling. The “Seneca Slider” missed the last race due to a fuel pump failure detected at his garage. Tim Bish, a multi-time winner at Tri City this season, may return as well. He has been sidelined by an engine failure.
There will be plenty other talented drivers also carrying the Tri City flag, too. Pat Fielding, Doug Iorio, II, Russ Coyne, Jason Kimmy, Aaron Smith, Andrew Hammond, Jake Whitling, Charlie McMillen, Matt Bernard, and Hunter Exley are some whose names will be familiar to the Tri City fans.
The invaders will include Chris Schneider, who has already been a winner at Tri City this year. Tyler Dietz, Joey Zambotti, Chase Lambert, Brandon Connor, Jason Fosnaught, Brett Hutira, and Tommy Dembowski are among the Penn Ohio Series regulars who are expected as well.
This will be a unique opportunity for the Pro Stock fans to see many of the top stars on the track together, as the Sunday race date eliminates schedule conflicts for so many of the competitors.
But, there will be three other classes in action also. The Krill Recycling 410 Sprint Cars will be on the card, along with the 4 Your Car Connection RUSH Sprints. And, the 21st Century Energy Group 358 Modifieds will be back after their brief hiatus.
On Sunday evening, Matt Farnham and Michael Bauer provided a last lap thrill in the 410 Sprint Car ranks, while A.J. Flick was closing in on them both! John Mollick picked up his second win of the season with young Blaze Myers right behind him in the Rush Sprinters.
While many of his competitors were enjoying the week off from racing, 358 Modified point leader Chad Reitz was at Tri City helping his friend, Bob Felmlee. Felmlee is the points leader in the Krill Recycling 410 Sprints. Reitz will be ready with his Ford powered Modified, the only Blue Oval among the Bowtie Brigade. Eric Gabany will probably be at the controls of Steve Slater’s car once again, as medical issues have kept Slater out of the seat for the last couple of weeks. Hayden and Jimmy Holden, Kyle Fink, Lenny Liebold, III, Makayla Shannon, Frank Guidace, Eric Beggs, Troy McGregor, and many others will be looking for their first wins this season.
Regular event ticket pricing will apply for this exciting event. That means adult admission will be $15. Seniors (ages 62 and up), students (ages 11 through 16), and military will be $13, all with proper identification. The children (ages 10 and under) will be admitted for free, as usual at Tri City. The Pit Passes will be $35, with the exception of those required for the infants (ages 2 and under). The youngsters will be pitside for just $15.
The pit gates will be open at 2 p.m. and the spectator gates will open at 4 p.m. Racing will begin at 6 p.m. There will be practice for the Pro Stocks before the racing begins in earnest.
If you cannot make it to Tri City Raceway Park this week, consider the weekend doubleheader coming up on July 20 and 21. Saturday will feature a Demolition Derby and an Enduro. Next will be a Sunday Thunder program, along with Bike races for the children. Helmets will be required for all riders.
Also, mark your racing calendars for the return of the FAST on Dirt Sprint Car Series on July 28.
The divisional sponsors of Tri City Raceway Park for 2024 are: Krill Recycling, LLC (410 Sprint Cars), 21st Century Energy Group (358 Modifieds), Hovis Auto & Truck Supply (Pro Stocks), and 4 Your Car Connection (RUSH Sprint Cars).
All competitors at Tri City Raceway Park will be eligible for the Marsh Heating & Cooling Heat Race Challenge. The driver that wins the most heat races over the courseof the season, regardless of the class, will receive a special award. Currently leading in that category is Tim Bish.
Other marketing partners of Tri City Raceway Park for 2024 include: Erie Beer, Wab-Tec (manufacturer of locomotive engines), Schaeffer Lubricants, Keystone Transit (school buses), Blue Ox Timbers (buyers of timberland timber land management), Constable Refuse (residential and commercial garbage collectors), First Rate Realty (real estate sales), Landscape Connection (portable toilets and landscape supplies), KEI-Klapec Express Inc. (trucking company), BKI-Bert Klapec Inc. (excavation and demolition), Shambaugh Towing, Gibson Hill Automotive (auto repair), McCandless Ford Sales (located in Mercer and Meadville), McCandless Trailer Sales (located in Mercer and Meadville), Big Dog RC (remote controlled cars and race track), McGregor Excavating, Les Frickshun (lubricants and undercoating), Bish Heating & Cooling, Wet Hose LLC (pressure washing), Heffern Septic Service, Tionesta Builders Supply (located in Tionesta and Shippenville), UCIP-United Community Independence Program (housing and services for the handicapped), Close Racing Supply, Billy’s Garage & Towing, Oakland-Rampart Equipment (makers of centrifugal dryers, wash systems, and separators), Shaw Industries (machine shop), Welding Technologies, Froggie Radio, and Hards Welding.
Remember that you will need to check the Facebook page, Tri City Raceway Park, for current information. The former website is not updated and will soon be replaced.
Tri-City Raceway Park is located just a few miles north of Franklin, PA, at 3430 State Route 417 in Oakland Township. Professional auto racing will be presented in a family friendly atmosphere most Sunday evenings from May through Labor Day weekend.
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Seized the Day
