Connect with us

Local Racing

Sodeman Scores Second Sprint Win of Season at Tri-City Raceway Park; Shingledecker, Whitling, and Thompson also Win

Published

on

Photo: Sodeman Racing

FRANKLIN, PA (May 16, 2021): Jack Sodeman, Jr. scored his second feature win in the Shawgo Real Estate LLC 410 Sprints to expand upon his point lead in his quest for a second straight championship.

Also celebrating wins were Jeremiah Shingledecker in the Krill Recycling LLC 38 Modifieds, Bobby Whitling in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks, and Andy Thompson in the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks.

“It feels good to end up in victory lane,” said the tired but happy winner 410 Sprint winner. “We gave up a few races when we had front row starting spots. We got up really early today and replaced the rear end. It was just my dad and me,” he explained. Sodeman gave props to the track crew for getting the surface prepared. “The track was beautiful, you could run the top or you could run the bottom.”

In the Shawgo Real Estate LLC feature, Kyle Colwell and Darin Gallagher led the field to the starting line in turn four. Brandon Matus and Logan McCandless were in the second row, with Chase Matheny and Jack Sodeman, Jr. in the third. Matt Farnham graced row four along with the last Sunday Thunder victor, A.J. Flick. Jeremy Weaver and veteran Bob McMillin were in row five for the 25 lapper.

Gallagher rolled into the lead on the opening lap, followed by Sodeman, who rode the rim to advance. Colwell, Brandon Matus, McCandless, and Flick remained close.

For the first several laps, it was the teacher who was the student, as Sodeman chased his protege, Gallagher. But Sodeman pulled the trigger on the inside of turns three and four to assume command on lap seven. Meanwhile, Flick was on the charge, advancing from eighth to third in the opening ten laps.

Disaster struck the third generation driver on lap 14, when Flick flipped his car in the third corner. During the caution period, Gallagher surrendered his second place starting spot, so that opened up positions in the top five for the restart.

Sodeman powered away and completed the remaining laps without interruption. Farnham came up to second, with Brandon Matus, Brent Matus, and Colwell completing the top five. Positions six through ten went to McMillin, Matheny, Gallagher, Flick, and McCandless.

The Donovan and Bauer Auto Group heat races for the Shawgo Real Estate LLC 410 Sprints went to Gallagher and Farnham. There was no B Main.
In the Krill Recycling LLC 358 Modifieds, Kyle Inman led the opening lap from his pole position, with Ryan Riffe challenging on the outside. But

Jeremiah Shingledecker had the inside line mastered and he crossed the scoring loop ahead of Inman just as the caution flag came out for Riffe, who spun from contention.

That put Shingledecker on the front row for the restart, with Inman beside him. Jimmy Holden was up to third with Lonny Riggs, and Kevin Hoffman, and Kyle Fink next.

There were two more cautions over the remainder of the race. But Inman was no match for Shingledecker on either restart. Holden fought off Hoffman for third and then he closed in on Inman as the laps wound down.

Shingledecker had nearly a six second advantage over Inman at the checkers. Holden was a close third, with Hoffman and Riggs in tow. Fink was sixth, with D.J. Schrader, Sid Unverzagt, Jr., Curt Bish, and Nathan McDowell completing the top ten.

Fink and Shingledecker took the qualifiers presented by Donovan and Bauer Auto Group. There was no B Main for the Krill Recycling 358 Modifieds this night.

In the Hovis Auto and Truck Supply Pro Stocks, It was a sibling rivalry with Curtis J. Bish and his brother, Curt, duking it out for the lead. Lurking in their shadows was the Seneca Slider, Bobby Whitling. Whitling snuck by Curt Bish on the inside midway through the race and then he drove up beside Curtis J. Bish within a lap or two. Whitling and Curtis J. Bish raced side by side for several laps.

Whitling used the inside line to take command with just a couple of laps remaining. Curtis J. Bish stayed close, but he could not get the momentum going on the top side to chase down Whitling.

After Whitling and the Bish brothers came Hunter Exley and Randy Wyant. Josh Seippel, Leigh Wheeler, William Hurelbrink, Mike Bordt, and Darr Diegelman completed the top ten.

The Donovan and Bauer Auto Group heat races for the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks went to Randy Wyant and Curtis J. Bish. There was no B Main.

Andy Thompson was the final leader of the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stock feature. He was chased across the line by Justin Bailey, Todd Hanlon, Dalton Speer, and Chad Greeley. Evan Sobieski, Pat Hanlon, Raymond Bailey, Michael Barr, and James Tasker completed the top ten.

Dalton Speer and Justin Bailey won the Donovan and Bauer Auto Group heat races for the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks. There was no B Main.

Tri-City Raceway Park will host the ULMS Late Models on Sunday, May 23, presented courtesy of the Donovan & Bauer Auto Group. Also on the card will be the 305 Sprint Cars. In addition to the full show for the winged warriors, there will be a make-up feature carried over from the 2020 season.

The following week will be a Sunday Thunder program consisting of the speedway’s normal divisions: the Shawgo Real Estate LLC 410 Sprint Cars, the Krill Recycling LLC 358 Modifieds, the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks, and the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks.

Tri-City Raceway Park is located on State Route 3430 in Oakland Township, which is a short ride outside the City of Franklin. Remember that you can get information regarding Tri-City Raceway Park by calling the track office, at 724-967-4601, or via e-mail at tricityracewaypark2020@gmail.com. You can also check out the website at www.Tri-CityRacewayPark.com, or the Facebook page at Tri City Raceway Park.

Shawgo Real Estate LLC 410 Sprint Cars: Jack Sodeman, Jr., Matt Farnham, Brandon Matus, Brent Matus, Kyle Colwell, Bob McMillin, Chase Matheny, Darin Gallagher, A.J. Flick, Logan McCandless, Jacob Gomola, Davey Jones, Steve Cousins, Jeremy Weaver.

Krill Recycling LLC 358 Modifieds: Jeremiah Shingledecker, Kyle Inman, Jimmy Holden, Kevin Hoffman, Lonny Riggs, Kyle Fink, D.J. Schrader, Sid Unverzagt, Jr., Curt Bish, Nathan McDowell, Tyler Clark, Eric Beggs, Ryan Riffe, Nick Joy.

Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks: Bobby Whitling, Curtis J, Bish, Curt Bish, Hunter Exley, Randy Wyant, Josh Seippel, Leigh Wheeler, William Hurelbrink, Mike Bordt, Darr Diegelman, Gary Miller, Jr., Billy Myers, Tyler Wyant, Doug Iorio, II, Josh Blum, Pat Fielding (DNS).

4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks: Andy Thompson, Justin Bailey, Todd Hanlon, Dalton Speer, Chad Greeley. Evan Sobieski, Pat Hanlon, Raymond Bailey, Michael Barr, James Tasker, Matt Daugherty, Phillip Birt, Howard Garlick, Diezel Marvin, Brody McClintock, D.J. McRae, Kevin Wice, Patrick Lane (DNS).

Dirt Racing

PA Posse Series Announced

Published

on

File Photo: Paul Arch

After much speculation and anticipation, the creation of the PA Posse 410 Sprint Series was announced just before Thanksgiving. The timing of the announcement, along with some sketchy plans for the ambitious undertaking, gave area fans and competitors much more to chew on than their traditional holiday feasts.

The new series will consist of 47 races spread across eleven tracks, from March until November. Each race will pay a minimum of $6,000 to win and $600 to start, with several shows paying higher purses, although the schedule did not specify which events will pay the premiums.

The series uses the highly successful PA Speedweek concept and expands upon it greatly.

The cornerstone of the series is the commitment that the participating tracks will not book any 410 Sprint Car race to overlap with a series contest. However, tracks are free to host races for other classes whenever series events are scheduled elsewhere, and the possibility does exist that participating tracks will still compete against one another on dates when the series has no scheduled races. So, the historic conflict between Lincoln Speedway and Port Royal Speedway will continue, albeit on a smaller scale, and the budding battle between Williams Grove Speedway and Selinsgrove Speedway will also survive the birthing of the new series.

The busy series schedule will not overlap with any of the area events sanctioned by either of the national touring series or the eastern swing for the resurrected All Stars Circuit of Champions. Because some of the participating tracks have yet to release their own schedules, it is possible that more than sixty high-dollar events could be held over the course of the 2026 season.

Comparison of the series schedule to those of the national series shows that there may be some conflicts outside the region. For example, two of the series events fall during the Knoxville Nationals, in August. When the World of Outlaws releases its entire schedule, there may be some other dates that interfere with the new series schedule.

As one might expect, the PA Posse 410 Sprint Series will draw heavily upon the three major tracks in the region for support. Williams Grove Speedway and Lincoln Speedway will each hold ten races. Port Royal Speedway checks in with nine of them. BAPS Motor Speedway and Selinsgrove Speedway have signed on for four events apiece. Clinton County Speedway, Path Valley Speedway, Bedford Speedway, and Bridgeport Speedway will each host two contests. Hagerstown Speedway and Grandview Speedway retained their traditional Speedweek dates, respectively.

Conspicuously absent from the series line-up are Big Diamond Speedway and the Action Track at Kutztown. It is unknown at this time whether these venues were overlooked or whether they declined to participate.

Action will commence on March 21 and 22, with races penciled in for Port Royal and Williams Grove Speedways. Port Royal will hold the next two events, weather permitting, of course. The schedule does not include any make-up dates for any events that are lost to weather.

Unlike PA Speedweek, the new series does not have a consistent format. Most races will use time trials, or possibly timed hot laps, to set heat race line-ups. Series announcements have not specified whether cars will time individually or in some group arrangement. Similarly, it has not been determined yet whether heat races will be heads up, with the exception for the fastest car being slotted into fourth position, as per the Speedweek format. Nor has it been disclosed whether any of the transfer cars will be eligible for a re-draw to obtain the preferred starting positions for the feature events. Neither of the series announcements thus far mentions any dashes as part of any series program. Tracks are free to use pill draws to set heat race lineups for some events, such as daytime shows, or others that present special circumstances due to weather, track conditions, and the like.

Otherwise, tracks will use their own rules and procedures for conducting and scoring the series events.

Unfortunately, series organizers did not take the opportunity to resolve any discrepancies in rules for the race cars. So, for example, some events will allow one cockpit-adjustable shock per car, while others will not permit any of them. Individual track rules will need to be consulted to determine what will or will not pass tech.

It is assumed, but unstated, whether Hoosier tires will be mandatory on all four corners for the series.

The series does boast a $200,000 point fund, with a quarter of it, $50,000, allocated for the champion. Points payouts will be available for the top fifteen racers. However, it is interesting to note that the posted payouts do not add up to $200,000! There is $30,000, or possibly more, that is not accounted for.

It is unclear where the point money will come from. Although the series announcements do not mention it, some chatter about the series has mentioned a $4,000 per race sanction fee. If so, that would amount to $188,000 if all scheduled races are held. Series announcements have not addressed the possibility of point fund reductions if any races are eliminated from the schedule for one reason or another. It is reasonable to assume that some of the funding to close any gaps may be derived from contributions from Hoosier Tire, or possibly other sponsors.

The point structure will be relatively simple. The winner will receive 70 points, second place 65, and third 62. Each position then drops by two points, down to 20 points for last place. Racers that do not make the A Main will receive 10 points. There is no mention so far of any provisionals or promoter’s choices.

It is assumed, but not stated, that racers will not be allowed to “borrow” a car number to earn points for any racer that is absent from a series race for whatever reason.

Racers will be allowed to “drop” three races for the purposes of calculating points. These races could be eliminated for poor finishes, or races that are not attended. So, if a racer elects to forgo the two mid-August series races to go to Knoxville, those could be two of the “drops.” The announcements do not indicate if the “drops” will still come into play if the racer does not attend all remaining series events.

There is no mention of any required minimum number of races to be eligible to receive any point fund distributions. Also, announcements so far do not suggest the possibility of reduced point fund distributions for any racers who do not have perfect, or near-perfect, attendance. There is no mention of any secondary distribution of any forfeited point money to other racers.

No statements have been released by the series or by any participating track regarding the impact of the new series upon any existing point championships at any participating tracks. Likewise, Williams Grove Speedway has yet to announce whether the Diamond Series will continue now that it  is a key player in the new series. So, it is unknown if a series race will also count toward any track or mini-series championships that survive the creation of the new series.

There has been no mention of any membership or registration fees for participating racers. Likewise, series announcements have not addressed any entry fees.

Another area of concern relates to streaming rights for the series events. While not entirely clear, it appears that participating tracks will retain their own streaming rights and arrangements. A new streaming platform announced by Lincoln Speedway may step in to fill the gaps for any tracks that presently lack established streaming arrangements.

While it is obvious that much time and energy have gone into the creation of the new series, it is obvious that there still are some unresolved issues and areas for improvement. Nonetheless, despite any of these shortcomings, early reactions have been positive, and best wishes are extended to all of the tracks and the racers for success in the new venture.

Continue Reading

Dirt Racing

Dietz Does It, Leads Posse Sweep

Published

on

Photo by Paul Arch

MECHANICSBURG, PA (October 3, 2025) – Chase Dietz, of York, PA, led a Posse sweep of four of the top five positions on night number one of the National Open Weekend at Williams Grove Speedway. Joining Dietz on the front stretch were second place finisher, Lance Dewease, and the third place runner, Danny Dietrich. Justin Whittall was fifth in the race. The only card carrying Outlaw was Carson Macedo, who led the first twenty-one laps before fading to fourth at the finish.

“I just want to soak it in,” Dietz said as he tried to catch his beath following the exhilarating victory, his first ever against the travelling band. Although Dietz noted that he had speed all year at the Grove, his team assembled a new car this week and, in doing so, they made a lot of changes. “The car was very maneuverable.”

Although Dietz ran most of the race in the top groove, he admitted, “I knew that the bottom was going to come in. I knew that I had to get down there before Lance (Dewease) did. I saw his nose.” As it turned out, Dietz barely got to the bottom ahead of Dewease, forcing the cagy veteran to move to the middle in the closing laps.

“We’re just extremely grateful to be here, this sport can be very humbling,” Dietz added. Even last year, when he was running his own cars, Dietz explained that they fought hard to be competitive with the Outlaws. Although they were winless, they showed good speed and had a podium finish against the Outlaws in the 2024 National Open. “I looked back at the nights when we didn’t win, and I tried to figure out what we needed to do to bet better.”

Dewease, who followed Dietz into second on lap twenty-two and wh briefly challenged him for the lead, commented, “the last three or four laps I wasn’t very good. The lapped cars made it interesting.”

Dietrich, who completed the podium for the Posse, felt that he may have had the fastest car in the final laps but, he added, “things didn’t go my way.” He explained that, when he did pass Dewease, he did not get enough of a gap on him, and that let him (Dewease) get back in.”

Macedo drew the pole for the Dash and his win in that event placed him on the pole for the twenty-five lap preliminary, which paid $12,000 to the winner. Dietrich lined up on his right, Dewease and Dietz made up row two, followed by David Gravel and Buddy Kofoid. Diason Pursley and Justin Whittall stacked our row four. Then came Daryn Pittman and Bill Balog. Row six paired Kody Hartlaub with Justin Peck.

The back of the field was almost as impressive as the first six rows. Back there were racers such as Kerry Madsen (fourteenth), Giovanni Scelzi (sixteenth), Brock Zearfoss (seventeenth), Brent Marks (eighteenth), Ryan Timms (nineteenth), Freddie Rahmer, Jr. (twentieth), Sheldon Haudenschild (twenty-first), Logan Schuchart (twenty-first), and Troy Wagaman (twenty-sixth).

Macedo held off Dietrich in turn one to assume control of the race. Dietz ran in third on the opening lap, but he drove under Dietrich in turn four to take over second one lap later. Dewease ran along in fourth, followed by Kofoid, Gravel, Whittall, Pittman, Pursley, and Balog in the early going.

The running order was pretty static through the first five or six laps. The top ten had a major shake-up on lap seven, though. Something broke on Pittman’s car in turn three, and he spun wildly toward the outside wall. In the process, he collected Pursley, Balog, and Hartlaub. Pittman and Pursely retired from the race due to the damage incurred, but Balog and Hartlaub were able to rejoin the field for the restart after pitting for repairs.

That fracas was the only caution of the race.

Macedo and Dietz resumed the battle for the lead on the restart. However, one lap later, Dewease moved into third, ahead of Dietrich, Kofoid, and Gravel. Whittall, Peck, Scelzi, and Rahmer made up the balance of the top ten. At that juncture, Wagaman was about six positions behind Rahmer in their race within the race for the point championship.

Through the middle stage of the race, Dietz began to close in on Macedo. Dewease continued in third, several car lengths behind the leaders. Dietrich was about the same distance back in fourth.

Dietz caught up to Macedo with about five or six laps remaining in the contest. He managed to pass Macedo on the inside of turn three on lap twenty-one, but Macedo countered in turn four to regain the lead.

Macedo dove to the inside heading into turn one, but he scrubbed off spme speed. Dietz was able to get some momentum coming through turn two and that propelled hin down the backstretch. He slid Macedo for the lead coming through turns three and four, and Dewease followed in his tire tracks to take over second coming off turn four.

Dietz missed the bottom entering turn one, and Dewease poked his nose under him going through the turn, Dietz recovered, and he got a good run off turn two to preserve his lead. Dietz then committed to the low line for the final laps, requiring Dewease to move more toward the middle of the track.

Dietrich dispatched Macedo and he got a run on Dewease near the end of the race. However, Dewease was able to reclaim second soon thereafter.

At the finish, it was Dietz by a tad under eight tenths of a second over Dewease. Dietrich was third, followed by Macedo and Whittall. Kofoid, Gravel, Scelzi,Peck, and Marks completed the top ten.

Rahmer was eleventh, and Wagaman sixteenth. Although Wagaman was the hard charger at plus ten, he lost valuable points to Rahmer. The two racers will be separated by 125 points, unofficially, heading into Saturday’s season finale.

Heat wins were scored by Gravel, Kofoid, Dewease, and Pursley. Ryan Newton won the non-qualifiers race. Kyle Spence recovered from a tipover in his heat race to capture the C Main. The B Main went to Haudenschild. Gravel was the evening’s fastest qualifier, with a lap of 16.409 seconds topping Group A. Dewease timed the best in Group B, with a lap of 16.760 seconds. Fifty-six cars participated in the event.

Continue Reading

Dirt Racing

Dale Blaney Wins World Of Outlaws At Sharon Speedway

Published

on

Photo by Paul Arch

HARTFORD, OH (September 27, 2025) – Dale Blaney had the hometown crowd on their feet and screaming after winning the World of Outlaws feature Saturday Night at Sharon Speedway, the track owned for years by the Blaney family.

Blaney started fifth and passed Cole Macedo on lap 11 for the lead then held off a furious last lap charge by Buddy Kofoid to win by just 0.136 seconds for the $12,000 payday!

The victory was Blaney’s first World of Outlaws victory in 10-years, becoming the oldest winner in Series history at 61 years 7 months and 28 days. Blaney broke the previous record set by his older brother Dave when he won at 58 years of age in 2021 at Sharon.

“There’re so many good young race car drivers out here, but to win a race at 61 (years old) is awesome,” said Blaney. ““I had the feeling that I was never going to win an Outlaw race ever again.  I don’t race much. This is our sixth race this year. I haven’t run in seven weeks. The car was awesome. We just got it back together this week. I don’t know what to say. It’s great and cool to win this at Sharon Speedway- it’s the only place I’ve run this year. This is a special freaking night. I know that.”

“I wanted traffic,” said Kofoid. “My car is usually amazing in traffic. He slipped up, and then I kind of got in his air and got me slipped up. And then I hit the wall coming to the checkered, and it shot me down the track. I tried to send it and was close. I’m just happy for Dale and Dave.”

Sheldon Haudenschild finished third follow by WoO points leader David Gravel in fourth.  Logan Schuchart rounded out the Top 5.

The night however belonged to the Blaney family, who fittingly closed out the the first year of the new ownership group of Dave Blaney, Ryan Blaney, and Will Thomas III in Victory Lane.

Continue Reading

Discover more from Pittsburgh Racing Now

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading