Local Racing
Dewease Does it Again at Port Royal Speedway
PORT ROYAL, PA (September 12, 2020): Seven was the lucky number for Lance Dewease, as he scored yet another victory in the Tuscarora 50 at Port Royal Speedway. The breaks went his way on this momentous night and he cashed in to the tune of $53,000. He inherited the lead in his heat race when Cale Thomas retired early and that put Dewease into the redraw for the feature event. He drew the pole position. And then, while chasing the leader with thirteen laps remaining, Rico Abreu’s car broke, putting Dewease on the point for the restart.
“Sometimes you have the fastest car but you still don’t win if the breaks don’t go your way. Tonight, the breaks went in our favor,” Dewease said. Dewease quickly added, though, that his team gave him a good car again this night. “I could drive it,” he said confidently.
Dewease was a little disappointed with his performance during the first half of the race. Although he led the first 17 laps, “I got a little too conservative with the lapped cars and I let Rico get by me,” said Dewease. “I thought that I’d be OK when we got back to traffic again.” Dewease was right. He was closing in on Abreu, but the clash of fan favorites never materialized because Abreu’s car broke before Dewease got back to within a car length or two.
Dewease’s seven wins in the Tuscarora 50 took place in four different decades. “To do it in four decades (actually, only 26 years) means two things,” he said. “I’m old. and I’ve been pretty good at his for a pretty long time.” Dewease added that he has been fortunate to drive for some very good people over that span. “I was here when they almost closed this place down,” Dewease recalled. “Steve O’Neil came in as promoter and he started to turn things around, and then they ran him off. They brought him back a few years later and he’s really improved this place.” Dewease was quick to acknowledge the contributions of the hard-working track crew, the dedicated Fair Board, and the loyal fans for making it all possible.
Dewease and Abreu were on the front row for the fifty lapper. T.J. Stutts made repairs to his motor after the heat race and lined up third, with Tyler Courtney next to him. The home town hero, Dylan Cisney started fifth, with the remaining re-draw position going to Anthony Macri. Tony Stewart and Kerry Madsen were in row four, with Danny Dietrich and night one winner, Cory Eliason, in row five. Then came Freddie Rahmer, Jr., and defending race champion, Aaron Reutzel. Buried deep in the pack were track points champion, Logan Wagner, and Kyle Larson. They rolled off in nineteenth and twenty-second respectively.
As anticipated, Dewease surged ahead of Abreu at the drop of the green. Stutts settled into third, but his night ended early. Just four laps into the race, his engine failed him again, and he was through for the night. On the ensuing restart, Dewease again cruised ahead of Abreu, with Macri now holding down the third position. Courtney and Kerry Madsen held down fourth and fifth. Then came Cisney, Tony Stewart, Eliason, Rahmer, and Reutzel.
Larson was climbing through the pack with relative ease. He reached twelfth by the lap four restart and within a couple of laps, he cracked the top ten. His forward progress slowed a bit, as he may have shifted into a conservation mode to save his equipment for the second half of the race.
With ten laps complete, Dewease was into traffic and Abreu started to challenge him for the lead. Soon thereafter, Abreu made his first bid for the lead in turn one, but Dewease calmly turned back under him in turn two to regain the lead as they raced off the corner. Abreu continued to apply the pressure and he succeeded in sliding ahead of Dewease while the two were picking their way through the slower cars.
Abreu led Dewease to the halfway mark, when the race was stopped for fuel. Dewease sat calmly in his car under the red while his veteran crew made some minor adjustments to the car. They also ground the tires to prevent them from sealing up during the stoppage, which was a trick employed by several of the racers, including Abreu, Macri, and Cisney. Meanwhile, Reutzel’s team was making a wing change and some major adjustments in an effort to find more speed for the All Stars points leader.
When racing resumed, Abreu had the point followed by Dewease, Macri, Courtney, Cisney, Madsen, Eliason, Larson, Reutzel, and Rahmer.
Abreu took off, but Dewease was close enough to try a slider for the lead. It did not work, as Abreu kept his momentum up by racing hard on the cushion. Abreu opened a few car lengths advantage over Dewease, but as he started to close in on the slower cars, Abreu’s car began to get loose in the corners. Dewease began to close in as Abreu bounced his car off the outer walls a couple of time.
The impacts, while seemingly minor, took their toll on Abreu’s car. With Dewease closing in, the leader slowed drastically and the caution was displayed for him on lap 37.
Dewease took the point, with Macri second, Courtney third, Cisney fourth, and Madsen fifth. Larson was up to sixth and Logan Wagner was next in line. Eliason, Reutzel, and Spencer Bayston were racing in the top ten at that point.
When the green light flashed on again, Macri spun his tires, and Dewease was able to open up a comfortable advantage. Cisney bolted into third and he started to press Macri for second Courtney was fending off the advances of Larson, while Reutzel was struggling with Madsen and Eliason. Reutzel’s attempt for the repeat ended a few laps later when he slowed after striking the wall one too many times.
This set up a ten lap run to the checkers, which Dewease was able to complete without difficulty. Macri and Cisney had the fans excited as the two young lions traded slide jobs several times per lap. Their contest, while entertaining, kept them both from chasing down the leader.
Macri finally broke free of Cisney with three or four laps left in the race. By then, Dewease had an insurmountable lead. Cisney had his hands full with Larson in the final few rounds of the speedway, but he was able to maintain third for an all-Posse podium. Larson claimed fourth and he also earned the hard charger bonus, with Eliason getting fifth. Logan Wagner was sixth, followed by Courtney, Bayston, Kerry Madsen, and Rahmer.
The heat winners were Macri, Dewease, Stutts, Abreu, Courtney, and Cisney. Remarkably, both Macri and Stutts nursed damaged engines to the finish line in their respective heats. Macri’s crew made an engine change and Stutts’ team made repairs to make the A Main grid.
The B Main win went to Logan Wagner. The race was marred by two major crashes. Instead of throwing the checkered flag with two cars spun to the inside of turn two on the last lap, All Stars officials called for a yellow, requiring the field to complete two more laps before the finish would be official. While several racers were fighting for the final transfer spots on what would have been the last lap, three cars entered turn three side by side. Unfortunately, several cars flipped, one leaving the track. At least three cars were destroyed and several others were heavily damaged. So, the field again tried a green-white-checker finish. This time, as the cars were headed to the checkered flag, there was contact between the ones fighting for the last transfer position. Both cars tumbled wildly into the first turn, collecting yet another car. Both the sixth and seventh place cars were destroyed. Fortunately, no drivers were hurt in either wreck.
The C Main winner was Shane Stewart.
Macri was the night’s fastest qualfier, turning a lap of 15.271 in Group A. Group B’s fastest racer was Kerry Madsen, at 15.478.
A non-qualifiers race was held before the A Main in an effort to widen the track and to slick it off for the feature. Lucas Wolfe picked up the win, which was worth $2,000 and a guaranteed starting spot in the 2021 Tuscarora 50. Brett Michalsk, Tyler Walton, Curt Stroup, and Tyler Bear completed the top five.
Port Royal will be idle until October 9-10, when the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series comes to town. The following week will be the first Speed Showcase 200 for the Modifieds of the Short Track Super Series. The fun will start Thursday, October 15 with a 40 lap feature. Friday will be qualifications and the 200 lapper will be held Saturday. Sportsmen will be the support division each night. The Blue Collar Nationals for the 305 Sprints and Limited Late Models will be pushed back a week to October 24 to accommodate the STSS Modifieds.
PITTSBURGH, PA (May 20, 2024) FastTrack Pittsburgh is setting a new record in the fight to end Huntington’s Disease, raising $32,000 on Sunday at their 17th annual event in North Park.
“We are overwhelmed by the support we received this year,” said Morgan McLane, Founder of FastTrack Pittsburgh. “Our community haas once again shown its incredible generosity and commitment to helping those affected by Huntington’s Disease. We couldn’t have achieved this without our dedicated volunteers, drivers & supporters.”
The funds raised will go towards various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of individuals and families affected by Huntington’s Disease, including providing essential supplies, educational resources and youth support services.
Huntington’s Disease (HD) is an inherited, degenerative brain disorder that leads to progressive loss of control over both mind and body.
McLane founded FastTrack Pittsburgh, known formally as ‘Barbara Lee’s Fast Track to a Cure for Huntington’s Disease’ in honor of his Aunt Barbara, who was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease in December 1999 and lost her battle in April 2010.
“FastTrack Pittsburgh extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s event and looks forward to continuing its mission of raising funds and awareness for Huntington’s Disease,” added McLane, who has raised over $255,000 since its inception.
To help FastTrack Pittsburgh put Huntington’s Disease on a ‘Fast Track’ to the finish line of finding a cure, visit www.fasttrackpgh.com.
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
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.
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.
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.
“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.
FastTrack Pittsburgh’s 2024 Event Breaks Previous Record
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
Scott McLaughlin Wins Pole Position For 108th Indianapolis 500
Team Penske and Chevrolet Dominate Day 1 of Indy 500 Qualifying
Courtney Conquers Port Royal; Flinner Emotional Late Model Winner; Zook Zooms in LLMs
Historic Stock Cars to run at Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix
Team Penske Penalized for St. Pete Infractions. Newgarden Stripped Of Win
Scott Dixon on top of INDYCAR Championship Standings after Team Penske Penalty
Scott Dixon Good To The Last Drop at INDYCAR Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
