FRANKLIN, PA- The Rick and Rob Ryder Memorial was held at Tri City Raceway Park. It marked the first showdown between the BRP Modified Tour and the 21st Century Energy Group Modifieds. Getting the win at the end of forty laps, and $4,018 plus contingencies, was Rex King, Jr. This makes him the odds-on favorite in the double feature program that will be held over the Labor Day weekend.
Also picking up victories were Brandon Spithaler (Krill Recycling 410 Sprint Cars), Chas Wolbert (RUSH Modifieds), and Pat Fielding (Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks).
In addition, seasonal championships were announced for A.J. Flick (Krill Recycling 410 Sprint Cars, Chad Reitz (21st Century Energy Group Modifieds), Rod Laskey (Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks), and John Mollick (4 Your Car Connection RUSH Sprint Cars).
King received the pole position in the re-draw. Next to him was Dr. Brad Rapp. Shannon Whaley and Jim Rasey were in row two, with Shawn Kosar and Will Thomas lined up in the third row. Row four belonged to Chas Wolbert, who was doing double duty, and Garrett Krummert. In row five, Mike Kinney was paired up with Erick Rudolph. Hayden Holden and Peter Britten made up row six.
Rapp got the edge entering turn one on the opening lap, and he cleared King coming off turn two. Rasey, Thomas, Rudolph, and Kozar followed. Rapp set a brisk pace in the opening laps, and King also separated himself from the battle for third between Rasey and Krummert.
A caution on lap nine for Colton Walters bunched the field back up again. However, Rapp was up to the task and he maintained his lead over King. Krummert secured third with Rasey, Rudolph, Thomas and Britten trailing.
After the race passed the quarter mark, King powered off turn two to take the lead from Rapp. They continued as the leaders, with Krummert and Rudolph battling for the third position. Britten moved into fifth by the time the field saw the crossed flags.
On lap twenty-five, a two car tangle involving Kyle Fink and Steve Feder in turn two required a red flag for the clean-up. At that time, King led Krummert, Rapp, Britten, Rudolph, and Thomas.
After the race resumed, Britten advanced to second. A caution for Ayden Cipriano halted the action on lap thirty-four.
It took a couple of tries to get the race going again. On the second try, Britten spun in two and collected Rapp, moving Krummert up to second for the restart.
Nonetheless, King resumed his lead over Krummert. Thomas raced along in third, followed by Tyler Willard and Rudolph.
A flagman’s caution on lap thirty-eight slowed the pace one last time. The culprit was Rasey, who was facing oncoming traffic but nevertheless managed to keep the car moving. Thus, he was awarded his position again despite the miscue.
King had the point for the single file restart and he completed the final two circuits without incident. Krummert took second, with Willard, Thomas, and Rasey in the top five. Rudolph, Wolbert, Dave Murdick, Whaley, and Kinney completed the top ten.
The BRP Modified Tour squared off against the 21st Century Energy Group Modifieds in four heat races. The checkers fell for Rex King, Jr., Chas Wolbert, Garrett Krummert, and Peter Britten. The B Main winner was Jeff Miller. Colton Walters captured the Dash.
In the Krill Recycling 410 Sprint Cars, Brandon Spithaler drew the pole, with Matt Farnham by his side. Chase Metheney and Bob Felmlee were in row two, followed by Dusty Larson and Mark Smith. Dale Blaney and last week’s winner, A.J. Flick made up row four. Jack Sodeman, Jr. and Michael Bauer occupied row five, with Jazlyn Boyles and Andy Cavanaugh in row six.
Farnham fought off Spithaler on the opening lap, with Felmlee, Metheney, Flick, Smith, and Sodeman racing ahead of Larson and Bauer. Larson brought out the first caution, on lap two.
Farnham retained the lead on the restart, but Spithaler was persistent. He searched high and low for an opportunity to pass, but nothing materialized. A caution for Boyles on lap seven bunched the field back up again.
Once again, Farnham raced out front under the green, but Spithaler was even more determined. He finally got by Farnham near the halfway mark. In the second half of the contest, Spithaler pulled away with ease. He did slack off a bit when he encountered lapped traffic, but his lead was so substantial that Farnham could not challenge for the win.
Spithaler took the checkers ahead of Farnham, Blaney, Flick, and Smith. Felmlee, Sodeman, Metheney, Bauer, and Michael Lutz, Jr. rounded out the top ten.
The pair of heat races for the Krill Recycling Sprint Cars went to A.J. Flick and Matt Farnham. There was no B Main.
In the RUSH Sportsmen Modifieds, Kole Holden jumped from second on the grid to lead the opening lap. He was scored ahead of Chas Wolbert and the pole man, J.C. Boyer. Ayden Cipriano and Brandon Ritchey followed.
A caution eight laps in for Troy McGregor bunched the field up, but Holden moved out to the lead again when the green lights came on. Four laps later, Wolbert powered ahead coming off turn two and he led the rest of the way to collect the win.
Wolbert, Cipriano, Holden, Karston King, and Ritchey made up the top five. Logen Lockhart, Todd English, Aaron Mulrouney, McGregor, and Boyer were the final finishers.
The pair of RUSH Sportsmen Modified heat races were won by Chas Wolbert and Kole Holden. There was no B Main.
Pat Fielding used the pole position to stake himself to an early lead in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stock finale for the night. Rod Laskey raced from third to the lead several laps into the contest, but he spun on his own while leading to end his chances for the win.
Fielding was back in control for the restart and he completed the remaining laps without interference. Jason Black, Andrew Hammond, Russ Coyne, and Doug Iorio, II, completed the top five. Cody Koteles, aaron Smith, Dale Tuche, Ron Boardman, and Tony Spaghetti completed the top ten.
The Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks also presented a couple of heats, which belonged to Pat Fielding and Jimmy Fosnaught. There was no B Main.
At the conclusion of the night’s racing, the unofficial point champions were recognized. Taking the top honors in the Krill Recycling 410 Sprint Cars was A.J. Flick for the third consecutive season. Bob Felmlee was second in the final standings. Andy Cavanaugh, Jeremy Weaver, and Bodey McClintock clinched top five positions. In the 21st Century Energy Group, it was Chad Reitz over Steve Slater. Brandon Ritchey, Erick Rudolph, and Hayden Holden rounded out the top five. The Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stock title went to Rod Laskey over Pat Fielding. Josh Seippel, Doug Iorio, II, and Russ Coyne made the top five. The 4 Your Car Connection RUSH Sprint Car championship belonged to John Mollick. Blaze Myers, Arnie Kent, Brent Rhebergen, and Joe Buccola completed the top five.
Leading the way in the Marsh Heating & Cooling Heat Race Challenge is John Mollick with seven checkers to his credit.
Next week, Tri City Raceway Park will present the Oil Region Labor Day Classic. The opening night will be on Sarurday, August 31, with racing for the RUSH Late Model Touring Series. Tthe Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks, including a King of the Hill race, and the RUSH Sportsmen Modifieds will also be on the card. After the racing is concluded, there will be live music, a bonfire, and fireworks. Then, on Sunday, September 1, there will be a smorgasbord of racing, with the Krill Recycling 410 Sprint Cars, double features for the BRP Modified Tour and the 21st Century Energy Group Modifieds, the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks, the 4 Your Car Connection RUSH Sprint Cars, and the Allegheny Sprint Tour 305 Sprint Cars.
Coming up on September 7, 20, and 21, the action will shift to the infield moto cross track.
Then, on October 19, the American Big Rig Racing Series will be in for the first time. The Mini Stocks will also be in action that weekend.
Additional moto cross events are planned for the Fall.
The divisional sponsors of Tri City Raceway Park for 2024 are: Krill Recycling, LLC(410 Sprint Cars),21st Century Energy Group(Modifieds),Hovis Auto & Truck Supply(Pro Stocks), and4 Your Car Connection(RUSH Sprint Cars).
All competitors at Tri City Raceway Park will be eligible for theMarsh Heating & 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 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, andHards 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 Parkis located just a few miles north of Franklin, PA, at 3430 State Route 417 in Oakland Township. Professional auto racing is presented in a family friendly atmosphere most Sunday evenings from May through Labor Day weekend.
BRP Modified Tour and 21st Century Energy Group Modifieds: Rex King, Jr., Garrett Krummert, Tyler Willard, Will Thomas, Jim Rasey, Erick Rudolph, Chas Wolbert, Dave Murdick, Shannon Whaley, Mike Kinney, Colton Walters, Rick Regalski, Hayden Holden, Rodney Beltz, Steve Feder, Shawn Kozar, Jeff Miller, Jordan Ehrenberg, Brandon Ritchey, Brad Rapp, Peter Britten, Ayden Cipriano, Kyle Fink, Kevin Green, Jeff Walters, Eric Beggs, Chad Reitz. DNQ: Clyde Gumpp, Steve Slater, Austin Eyler, Lenny Liebold, III, Steve Barr, Tom Holden, Max Smoker.
Krill Recycling 410 Sprint Cars: Brandon Spithaler, Matt Farnham, Dale Blaney, A.J. Flick, Mark Smith, Bob Felmlee, Jack Sodeman, Jr., Chase Metheney, Mike Bauer, Michael Lutz, Jr., Andy Cavanaugh, Ron Aurand, Natalie Brannon, Jazlyn Boyles, Dusty Larson, Bodey McClintock.
RUSH Sportsmen Modifieds: Chas Wolbert, Ayden Cipriano, Kole Holden, Karston King, Brandon Ritchey, Logen Lockart, Todd English, Aaron Mulrouney, Troy McGregor, J.C. Boyer.
Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks: Pat Fielding, Jason Black, Andrew Hammond, Russ Coyne, Doug Iorio, II, Cody Koteles, Aaron Smith, Dale Tuche,Ron Boardman, Tony Spaghetti, Rod Laskey, Jimmy Fosnaught, Gary Miller, Jr.
