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Dietrich Does It at Williams Grove

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Williams Grove Speedway

MECHANICSBURG, PA (Williams Grove Speedway July 31, 2020): Danny Dietrich capitalized upon a late race restart to earn his fist victory of the season at Williams Grove Speedway. The win marked the tenth consecutive season that the Gettysburg driver has taken the laurels at the historic venue.

“We haven’t been very good since we got back from Texas,” Dietrich said. “We have had some speed, but there were nights that things broke or I wasn’t very good.” But, Dietrich was both lucky and good this night. He explained, “I hit the bottom very good coming off two and Anthony (Macri) rolled into three on the high side. I guess he thought that he had enough of a lead, but I hit the inside really hard and I slid him. I have a lot of respect for Anthony, and it’s mutual. I was in a situation myself where Brock (Zearfoss) could have fenced me but he showed me some respect. It’s mutual. We’re all friends.”

Tyler Ross and Macri occupied the front row by virtue of their heat race wins. Behind them were Dietrich and points leader Justin Marks. Row three had Lucas Wolfe paired with Zearfoss. Freddie Rahmer, Jr. and Adrian Schaffer were in row four, followed by Ryan Smith and Jason Solwold.

Ross jumped out to the early lead, but Macri was not to be denied. He blew by Ross in turns three and four to lead the field to the scoring loop for lap two. From there, Macri built up a substantial lead. Over the next 16 laps or so, the battle was for second between Ross and Dietrich, while Marks, Rahmer, and Wolfe fought for positions in the top five.

Dietrich took over second with 18 laps in the books. Soon thereafter, Ross came to a stop in turn four wiping out Macri’s huge lead.

Three Rivers Karting

While the field was pacing under the caution, Dietrich drove up beside Macri. We will never know if the tactic rattled the younger driver, but this much we do know. Dietrich hung tough on the restart and, as he said, he got a good run at the leader coming off turn two. Dietrich completed the maneuver by sliding by Macri entering turn three.

Macri lost another position to Marks a lap later. Things could have been worse for Macri, as he made contact with Marks’ car coming off turn four after the pass. Fortunately, both drivers were able to gather it up and keep their cars moving forward without further incidents.

At the checkers, it was Dietrich over Marks by 2.616 seconds. Macri held on for third. Zearfoss and Wolfe completed the top five. Smith passed a faltering Rahmer for sixth. After Rahmer came Solwold, Chase Dietz, and Matt Campbell.

There was no B Main due to the short field.

Derek Locke scored his first career win in the 358 Sprints, leading the entire distance. Brett Wanner had a couple of shots at him on restarts, but Wanner could not get the nose ahead of the leader on either occasion. Dylan Norris, Jordan Strickler, and Scott Fisher completed the top five. Kevin Nouse was going for his third consecutive win of the season at the Grove, but he crashed between turns three and four on the opening lap. Nouse was fighting for second at the moment of impact.

Williams Grove will have 410 Sprints and Super Late Models next Friday, August 7. August 14 will be a Sprint Car triple header as the 410s and 358s will be joined by the USAC East Coast 360 Sprints. They race sans wings, so there will be a little something for everybody that night. That show was added to the schedule after the Knoxville Nationals were postponed due to the COVID-19 limitations.

Dirt Racing

Reitz Doubles Up in 358 Modifieds, and Felmlee Flies in 410 Sprints at Tri City Raceway Park; Tim Bish and Morrison Score in Pro Stocks and Mini Stocks

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FRANKLIN, PA (May 19, 2024): Chad Reitz, who lives just two miles from Tri City Raceway Park, became the first driver to tally two wins in the 2024 season. On lap fifteen of twenty, he swooped ahead of Rick Regalski, who led from the drop of the green in the 21st Century Energy Group 358 Modifieds. Bob Felmlee was untouchable in the Krill Recycling LLC 410 Sprint Cars. Also getting their first triumphs of the season were Tim Bish in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks and Dillon Morrison in the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks.

The first feature to hit the track was the twenty lapper for the 21st Century Energy Group 358 Modifieds.

Rick Regalski and Nick Joy were making their first starts of the 2024 season from the front row. Mark Sevin and Logan Lockhart were next in line. Jessica Kriegisch and Ron Cartwright were matched in row three. The fourth belonged to Jimmy Holden and Steve Slater. Last week’s winner, Chad Reitz, and Kole Holden made up row five. The sixth consisted of Don Cornelius and Hayden Holden.

Regalski opened up a modest lead over Joy, Kriegisch, Cartwright, and Lockhart on the opening lap. Regalski started to separate himself over the course of the first five or six laps. However, a caution on the sixth round of the big half mile eliminated Green and Sevin.

Regalski held control after the pair of restarts that were required to get the next round into the books. Joy continued in second, followed by Cartwright, Reitz and Kole Holden. Reitz was on the move when the race

Joy bought out cautions on laps fourteen and sixteen. Between those interludes, Reitz moved into the lead. He dipped to the inside to pass Regalski entering turn three.

Reitz complete the final four laps without incident. Regalski remained strong in second, ahead of Slater, Jimmy Holden, and Cartwright. The next five to cross the line were Kole Holden, Hayden Holden, Ryan Guthrie, Lockhart, and Jeremy Beichener.

Regalski’s car failed post-race tech, resulting in his disqualification. Brayden Beatty was moved up into the top ten.

Heat wins were scored by Slater, Kriegisch, and Reitz. There was no B Main.

In the Krill Recycling LLC 410 Sprint Cars, Logan McCandless and Bob Felmlee brought the field to the green for the start of the twenty-five lapper. Gale Ruth, Jr., and Brandon Matus were right behind. Matt Farnham and Jack Sodeman, Jr. presented in row three. The fourth consisted of last week’s winner, A.J. Flick, and Jeremy “Hollywood” Weaver. In row five, Zane DeVault and Michael “The Professor” Bauer. John Jerich and Andy Cavanaugh paired up in row six.

Felmlee won the race to turn pone and he dropped to the inside to secure the lead. McCandless settled into second, ahead of Ruth, Brandon Matus, and Flick. Felmlee set a brisk pace, and there were no significant changes in the running order through the first ten laps.

On lap eleven, Tommy Jasen brought out a caution that brought Felmlee and McCandless back to the rest of the field. Felmlee held control once again.

On lap seventeen, Farnham stopped in turn four to drop from the top ten.

Six more rounds were completed before the final stoppage, on lap twenty-three.

Felmlee kept his car straight and completed the final two laps ahead of McCandless, Brandin Matus, DeVault, and Ruth. Sodeman, Flick, Weaver, Bayer, and Brent Matus completed the top ten.

The trio of heat winners were Ruth, DeVault, and Weaver. There was no B Main.

In the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks, Tommy Dembowski and Matt Bernard led the way to the green. Doug Iorio, II, and Mike Miller had row two covered, while Tim Bish and Rod Laskey made up row three. The fourth duo was Pat Fielding and Josh Seippel. Following them were Aaron Smith and Jason Kimmy.

The early portion of the Pro Stock main was a three-car breakaway consisting of Dembowski, Iorio, and Bish. With Dembowski out front, Iorio and Bish were fighting intensely for the second position. Bish eventually took control of it before a caution realigned the field.

In the second half of the contest, Bish moved to the front of the line. Iorio faded and Dembowski dropped out.

Three Rivers Karting

Laskey came on for second, ahead of Fielding, last week’s winner, Chris Schneider, and Mike Miller. Seippel, Iorio, Bernard, Coyne, and Charlie McMillen rounded out the top ten.

Bish and Fielding shared the glory for the heat race wins. There was no B Main.

Dillon Morrison and Mike Kelley headed the field for the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks. Justin Forsythe and Tim Callahan were in the second row, ahead of Bill Fuchs and last week’s winner, Matt Urey. Ben Aley and Dillon Thorne held the fourth row.

Morrison bolted out to the lead in the twelve lapper, just as he did on opening night. Urey worked into second once again, but, this time, he was unable to chase down Morrison.

Joe Campbell came home in third, ahead of Forsythe and Aley. Chad Greeley, Matt Daugherty, Bill McCollums, Thorne, and Callahan completed the top ten.

The pair of heats went to Urey and Callahan. There was no B Main.

The Old Skool Kool Tour brought over a dozen assorted vintage race cars to Tri City Raceway Park. A pair of twelve lap features were contested. Wally Stock scored the win for the Modifieds, and Bob Alcorn captured the Modified Sportsmen. In the Late Model division, the winner was Bill Coada. Brian Lederhouse took the Stock Car go.

Tri City Raceway Park announced the Marsh Heating and Cooling Heat Race Challenge. All racers are eligible for a special award at the end of the season based upon the number of heat races won, regardless of the class. Leading the way with two wins each are Steve Slater, Tim Bish, Tim Callahan, and Matt Urey. Winners of a single heat race so far are Matt Farnham, A.J. Flick, Logan McCandless, Gale Ruth, Jr., Zane DeVault, and Jeremy Weaver, Jessica Kriegisch, Chad Reitz, Josh Seippel, Chris Schneider, and Pat Fielding.

Next weekend, Tri City Raceway Park will host the first visit of the BRP Modified Tour. Also on the card will be the 305 Sprint Cars, the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks, the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks, and the Vintage Modifieds.

21st Centyry Energy Group 358 Modifieds: Chad Reitz, Steve Slater, Jimmy Holden, Ron Cartwright, Kole Holden, Hayden Holden, Ryan Guthrie, Logen Lockhart, Jeremy Beichner, Brayden Beatty, Kyle Fink, Troy McGregor, Nick Joy, Don Cornelius, Jessica Kriegisch, Brandon Ritchey, Patrick Lane, Mark Sevin, Kenin Green, Thomas Rodgers, Tom Holden, Rick Regalski (DQ). DNS: Lenny Liebold, III, Ryan Kemery.

Krill Recycling LLC 410 Sprint Cars: Bob Felmlee, Logan McCandless, Brandon Matus, Zane DeVault, Gale Ruth, Jr., Jack Sodeman, jr., A.J. Flick, Jeremy Weaver, Michael Bauer, Brent Matus, Ricky Peterson, Andy Cavanaugh, Vivian Jones, John Jerich, Cameron Nastasi, Bodey mcClintock, Chase Metheney, Matt Farnham,Jacob Gomola, Timmy Jasen, Carl Bowser. DNS: Nathen McDowell.

Hovis Auto and Truck Supply Pro Stocks: Tim Bish, Rod Laskey, Pat Fielding, Chris Schneider, Mike Miller, Josh Seippel, Doug Iorio, Matt bernard, Russ Coyne, Charlie McMillen, Aaron Smith. Jason Kimmy, Tommy Dembowski. DNS: Jake Whitling, Gary Miller. Jr.

4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks: Dillon Morrison, Matt Urey, Joe Campbell, Justin Foirsyth, Ben Aley, Chad Greeley, Matt Daugherty, BillMcCollums, Dillon Thorne, Tim Callahan, Bill Fuchs, Mike Kelley.

Old Skool Kool Tour Vintage: Modifieds/Sportsmen: Wally Stock, Bob Alcorn (Sp.), Tom Warburton, Jim Kurpakus, Tim Beatty, Paul Bacchus, Nick Hessom (Sp.). Late Models/Stocks: Bill Coada, Larry Walters, Brian Lederhouse (St.), Gary Taylor (St.), Bill Stile.

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 and Truck Supply (Pro Stocks), and 4 Your Car Connection (Mini Stocks).

All competitors at Tri City Raceway Park will now be eligible for the Marsh Heating and Cooling Heat Race Challenge. The driver that wins the most heat races over the course of the season, regardless of the class, will receive a special award.

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 timber and timber land managment), 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 (lubricants and undercoating), Bish Heating and 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 and Towing, Oakland-Rampart Equipment (makers of centrifugal dryers, wash systems, and separators).

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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Dirt Racing

Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway and Latrobe Speedway Cancel Saturday Programs

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PITTSBURGH, PA (May 18, 2024) – Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway and Latrobe Speedway are cancelling their Saturday programs because of rain.

“We can’t get a break,” said SNB Promotions Dennis Bates. “The speedway grounds are too wet after Friday’s storms. We are looking forward to the next Blue Collar Night at the Races on August 10.”

Next Saturday Latrobe Speedway plans the Memorial Day Clash as the Penn Ohio Pro Stocks Touring Series returns to Latrobe.  They will be joined by the FASTrak Pro Late Models, the Joe’s Body Shop & Towing Pure Stocks, the Special T Metals LLC Modified 4 Cylinders, and the Marilungo Disposal LLC Strictly Stock 4 Cylinders.

Three Rivers Karting

“Heavy overnight rains and saturated grounds have forced us to cancel tonight’s Action Event + RUSH Sportsman Modifieds event,” PPMS said in a statement. “This marks our third consecutive cancelation.”

Next Saturday PPMS plans the Choice for Change Action Event + RUSH Sprint Cars.

They’re not the only ones.  Lernerville Speedway was forced to cancel Friday night, which was the third week in-a-row for ‘The Action Track’. The make up date for the BRP Modified Tour portion will be held on July, 26.

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Dirt Racing

Tri City Raceway Park To Go Again On Sunday

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Tri-City Raceway Park

FRANKLIN, PA (May 15, 2024): After a delayed, but highly successful opening event featuring the FAST on Dirt Sprint Cars, Tri City Raceway Park will be ready to present its second show of the season on Sunday, May 19. The program will consist of five exciting divisions, and the high speed thrills will start at 6 p.m.

“We were extremely happy with the support and encouragement of the racers and the fans for our first program,” Josh Shiffer said. “We learned some things that will make future events better and we will be ready to incorporate new ideas as we move forward,” the track’s new owner added.

Two time and defending track champion, A.J. Flick, served notice last Sunday that he is prepared to compete for a third consecutive title in the Krill Recycling 410 Sprint Cars. He romped to the win against the touring series and he will compete against the best that Western PA has to offer this week.

In the 21st Century Energy Group 358 Modifieds, Chad Reitz took his Ford powered car to victory lane. He held off the Chevrolet contingent, which was led by young Hayden Holden and veteran Steve Slater. They will be back to give the Bowtie fans something to cheer about.

There was a banner field in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks last week, too. Regional star Chris Schneider took the top prize, but the question on everybody’s mind is whether he will be back for a second crack at the fast half mile. Even if Schneider does not participate this week, top runners like Tim Bish, Hunter Exley, Josh Seippel, Rod Laskey, Pat Fielding, and many more will battle for top honors.

Matt Urey kicked off his title defense with a win in the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks. He made a late race pass to take the victory away from Dillon Morrison, who was driving a nearly identical Honda. They will face a dozen or more challengers.

Three Rivers Karting

Joining the fun will be the Old Skool Kool Tour vintage racers.

Pit gates will swing open at 2 p.m., and spectators can grab their favorite seats starting at 4 p.m. Practice sessions will begin at 5 p.m. and the races will start at 6 p.m.

The adult admission price will be $15. Seniors (ages 62 and up), students (ages 11 to 16), and military will be admitted for $13, all with proper I.D. The children (ages 10 and under) will be admitted for free. Pit passes will be $35, with the exception of children ages two and under, who will be admitted to the pits for $15.

If you cannot make it to Tri City Raceway Park this weekend, plan to come out Memorial Day weekend for the first appearance of the BRP Modified Tour. The 305 Sprint Cars, Pro Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Vintage racers will also be on the May 26 card.

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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