Thursday, June 28, 2007

Tri-City Speedway: All Star Sprints Invade on July 3rd


by Brian Spaid

June 27, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FRANKLIN, PA …. Tri-City Speedway celebrates Independence Day on Tuesday July 3rd when the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Series invades the Venango County half-mile oval for The Freedom Fifty. Joined by Sharon Speedway’s Limited Sprints and the Klapec Auto Body Thundercars, the All Stars will race at Tri-City for the first time since 2002.
“We are looking forward to this event,” said Tri-City Co-Promoter Mike Graham. “We were able to put together a deal that will be a neat race for the fans and provide more exposure for the Super Sprints in our region.”
Led by defending series champion Greg Wilson and current point leader Danny Smith, the All Stars will travel to Tri-City after completing an eight-day stretch of racing that includes the 25th Annual Ohio Sprint Speedweeks. Other top contenders on the All Stars include Dale Blaney, Brian Paulus, Brandon Martin, Craig Mintz, Paul May, Brock Mayes and local hotshoe Brian Ellenberger.
Those men will face some stiff competition from Tri-City’s top dogs, including former track champions Rod George and Bob Felmlee along with Brent Covell, Todd Bauer, Rob Eyler and Cory Good. In addition, Ed Lynch Jr., who recently won his 200th career feature race, is expected to compete along with other area racers.
The All Stars will compete in time trials, preliminary races and a 30-lap main event. Past All Star winners at Tri-City include Jeff Shepard, Dale Blaney, Steve Smith, Danny Smith, Bobby Allen, Keith Kauffman, Rocky Hodges, Joey Saldana, and Greg Wilson. NASCAR Nextel Cup star Jeff Gordon raced in a 1985 All Star event at Tri-City at 14-years-old.
The Limited Sprints compete weekly at Sharon Speedway. Previously known as the Green Flag Sprints, this will be the first event outside of the Hartford, Ohio, oval for the class. Top contenders include Guy Griffin, Nate Stein, Eric Williams, Jason Scoville, Brandon Spithaler, and Nick Miller.
The Limited Sprints will compete in preliminary events and a 20-lap feature race.
The Thundercars will also race in this special midweek show. The event will offer appearance points only for the class, which includes top guns like Bill Myers, Curtis E. Bish, Cody Manners, Regina Deloe, Charlie McMillen, Josh Seippel, Joe Blake and many more.
In addition, Jim’s Super Market of Cooperstown, Pa., will offer a special dash event called “The Hoagie Haul” that includes lucky race fans and the top six Thundercar drivers in track points. The winner of the dash will collect $100, which is huge money for the trophy-only division, and the fan will receive a party pack of food at an upcoming event courtesy of the event sponsor.
Gates open at 4 p.m. on Tuesday July 3rd with time trials slated for 6 p.m. Adult grandstand admission will be $20.
For more information, contact the track office at (814) 473-4038.

Tri-City Speedway is owned and operated by Roger and Susie Crick and Mike and Margaret Graham. They have promoted Sunday night racing at the popular facility since they reopened it in 1996. The Super Sprints, DIRT Modifieds, E Mods, Pro Stocks and Thundercars race each week at the Venango County half-mile dirt oval. Tri-City is located seven miles north of Franklin, Pa., off State Route 417.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Ohio Sprint Speedweek Celebrates 25 Years of Great Racing


CAMARGO, IL - The 25th Annual UNOH Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by RacingJunk.com is just about ready to kick into high gear in the Buckeye State. Always a week to look forward to for the past 25 years, this year proves to be no different as a $15,000 point fund is in place to be distributed amongst the Top 10 in points at the end of the week. In addition, the Speedweek promoters have offered a $50,000 bonus to any driver who can win 4 of the 7 events. Will there be a $50,000 winner in 2007?


Drivers were required to pre-register to be eligible for the Speedweek point fund and the bonus money and currently there are 48 drivers scheduled to compete for the additional money at week’s end. There is over $197,000 up for grabs just in scheduled purse money alone. In addition, HoserVille Ohio has stepped up to sponsor the All Star Dash which will pay money to the top dash finishers from the week in a special dash event at the Eldora finale. Ohio Sprint Speedweek is one of the richest weeks of racing in the United States and has attracted many of the top names of the sport from across the country and as far away as Australia.


The week kicks off (unofficially) at K-C Raceway on Saturday June 23rd for the annual “Night The Stars Come Out”. This event does not pay points toward the Speedweek point fund, but is always a good warm-up for the following 7 straight nights of racing through Ohio. The official Speedweek kickoff is on Sunday June 24th at Attica Raceway Park, then on Monday it’s on to Wayne County Speedway. From there the series moves to Waynesfield Motor Sports Park for the first time and will then travel to Hilltop Speedway on Wednesday for another first ever visit. On Thursday, it’s back to familiar Fremont Speedway and then on to Limaland Motorsports Park on Friday. Saturday’s $10,000 to win Speedweek finale will be held at the monster ½ mile Eldora Speedway. Visit www.ohiospeedweek.com for more information on the Speedweek tracks and for the Driver Pre-Entry List.


As twenty-four Ohio Sprint Speedweeks have already come and gone, fans remember the heroes who have made a lot of left turns in the state of Ohio. Kinser, Saldana, Wolfgang, Swindell, Hood, Huntley, Jacobs, Kerr, and Blaney are just a few of the names who have captured the attention of Ohio fans over the years during Ohio Speedweek. More names will be entered into the history books at the end of next week when the action concludes, signaling the mid-point of the All Star season. It is then that many teams start thinking seriously about trying to win the All Star Championship - depending where they land in the point standings at the end of the grueling week. Currently Danny Smith holds a 26 point lead over defending champion Greg Wilson and is 47 points ahead of 3rd place Brian Paulus. That can all change drastically in one week depending on luck and a lot of hard work.For more information on the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions visit www.allstarsprint.com or http://www.ohiospeedweek.com/


*2007 Ohio Sprint Speedweek Stat Pack – 7 tracks, 7 nights, 1 champion*_*K-C Raceway (6/23/07)*- All Time All Star Wins – Kenny Jacobs (8)- Other All Star Winners – Kelly Kinser (6), Dale Blaney (3), Greg Wilson (2), Rob Chaney, Dean Jacobs, Byron Reed, Danny Smith-Most Recent All Star Winner – Tom Busch (6/24/06)*Attica Raceway Park (6/24/07)*-All Time All Star Wins – Frankie Kerr (8)-Other All Star Winners –Dale Blaney (7), Greg Wilson (7), Kenny Jacobs (4), Mark Keegan (4), Kelly Kinser (3), Danny Smith (3), Byron Reed (2), Rob Chaney, Dean Jacobs, Brock Mayes- Most Recent All Star Winner – Dale Blaney (6/8/07)- Attica Speed Week History:1990 – Sammy Swindell1991 – Sammy Swindell1992 – Terry Shepherd1993 – Gary Wright1994 – Frankie Kerr1995 – Mark Keegan1996 – Frankie Kerr1997 – Joey Saldana1998 – Dean Jacobs1999 – Kenny Jacobs2000 – Jeff Shepard2001 – Byron Reed2002 – Greg Wilson2003 – Chad Kemenah2004 – Dale Blaney2005 – Greg Wilson2006 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.*Wayne County Speedway (6/25/07)*-All Time All Star Wins – Joey Saldana (4)- Other All Star Winners – Dale Blaney (2), Dean Jacobs (2), Kenny Jacobs (2), Byron Reed (2), Mark Keegan, Kelly Kinser, Danny Smith-Most Recent All Star Winner – Greg Wilson (7/2/05)-Wayne County Speed Week History:1985 – Doug Wolfgang1987 – Doug Wolfgang1988 – Rocky Hodges1989 – Dave Blaney1990 – Bobby Allen1991 – Steve Siegel1992 – Kevin Huntley1993 – Rocky Hodges1994 – Mark Keegan1995 – Frankie Kerr1996 – Dale Blaney1997 – Keith Kauffman1999 – Joey Saldana2000 – Byron Reed2001 – Travis Rilat2002 – Byron Reed2003 – Kelly Kinser*Waynesfield Motor Sports Park (6/26/07)****This will be the first race for the All Star Circuit of Champions at Waynesfield****Hilltop Speedway (6/27/07)****This will be the first race for the All Star Circuit of Champions at Hilltop****Fremont Speedway (6/28/07)*-All Time All Star Wins – Jack Hewitt (10)-Other All Star Winners – Dale Blaney (4), John Ivy (4), Kelly Kinser (3), Mark Keegan (2), Dean Jacobs, Kenny Jacobs, Jason Johnson, Danny Smith, Shane Stewart, Greg Wilson-Most Recent All Star Winner – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (6/29/06)-Fremont Speed Week History:1983 – Steve Kinser1984 – Steve Kinser1985 – Doug Wolfgang1986 – Dave Blaney1988 – Keith Kauffman1989 – Dave Blaney1990 – Tom Basinger1991 – Sammy Swindell1992 – Kevin Huntley1993 – Rocky Hodges1997 – Frankie Kerr2000 – Frankie Kerr2001 – Mark Keegan2002 – Kelly Kinser / John Ivy2003 – Dale Blaney / Jason Johnson2004 – John Ivy / Dale Blaney2005 – Chad Kemenah2006 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.*Limaland Motor Sports Park (6/29/07)*-All Time All Star Wins – Dale Blaney (3) & Kelly Kinser (3)- Other All Star Winners – Kenny Jacobs, Danny Smith, Greg Wilson-Most Recent All Star Winner – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (6/30/06)-Limaland Speed Week History:1995 – Kelly Kinser1996 – Van Gurley Jr.1997 – Tyler Walker1998 – Kevin Huntley1999 – Joey Saldana2000 – Phil Gressman2001 – Greg Wilson2002 – Dale Blaney2004 – Tim Kaeding2005 – Jac Haudenschild2006 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.*Eldora Speedway (6/30/07)*-All Time All Star Wins – Kenny Jacobs (21)-Other All Star Winners – Danny Smith (4), Dale Blaney (3), Dean Jacobs (3), Greg Wilson (2), Shane Stewart, Gus Wasson- Most Recent All Star Winner – Shane Stewart (5/19/07)-Eldora Speed Week History:1983 – Steve Kinser1984 – Steve Kinser1985 – Kenny Jacobs1986 – Doug Wolfgang1987 – Doug Wolfgang1988 – Rickey Hood1989 – Rocky Hodges1990 – Sammy Swindell1991 – Rickey Hood1992 – Kevin Huntley1993 – Kevin Huntley1994 – Kevin Huntley1995 – Joey Saldana1996 – Craig Dollansky1997 – Kenny Jacobs2000 – Kenny Jacobs2004 – Jac Haudenschild2006 – Dale Blaney

Monday, June 18, 2007

2007 Ohio Speedweek Pre-Entry List


List updated: 6/18/07 - FINAL 2007 PRE-ENTRY LIST
Car No.
Driver
Hometown
Owner
1
X
Mark Keegan
Fremont, OH
Mark Keegan
2
0
Gus Wasson
Lincolnton, NC
Rick Ferkel
3
1b
Keith Baxter
Chillicothe, OH
Keith Baxter
4
1w
Paul Weaver
Fremont, OH
De Genzman
5
02
Mike Reinke
Elkhart Lake, WI
Scott Cowman
6
2
Dale Blaney
Lockbourne, OH
George Fisher
7
2h
Tim Hunter
Millersburg, OH
Hunter Racing
8
2m
Dustin Daggett
Portland, MI
Mott Racing
9
3
Scott Young
Union Grove, WI
Young Autosports
10
4
Danny Smith
Danville, IN
Danny Smith
11
4k
Kelly Kinser
Bloomington, IN
Kelly Kinser
12
4m
Jamie Miller
Fostoria, OH
Miller Motorsports
13
5
Byron Reed
Monclova, OH
B&S Racing
14
5b
Chad Blonde
Litchfield, MI
Blonde Motorsports
15
5w
Lucas Wolfe
Mechanicsburg, PA
Allebach Racing
16
6
Bill Rose
Plainfield, IN
Bill Rose
17
6au
David Doherty
Sydney, NSW
Kears Speedshop
18
7k
Dean Jacobs
Wooster, OH
Dave Jessup
19
8h
Shane Stewart
Indianapolis, IN
Holbrook/Wood
20
8j
Kenny Jacobs
Holmesville, OH
Barry Jackson
21
09
Craig Mintz
Gibsonburg, OH
TGE Motorsports
22
11b
Brock Mayes
Bucyrus, OH
Brock Motorsports
23
11m
Brandon Martin
Attica, OH
John Martin
24
11n
Ed Neumeister
Upper Sandusky, OH
Neumeister Racing
25
11t
Tyler Thompson
Cape Giradeau, MO
Thompson & Son
26
15c
Chris Andrews
Sandusky, OH
Andrews Racing
27
16
Lee Jacobs
Holmesville, OH
Burmeister Racing
28
16s
Lee Stark
Sidney, OH
Lee Stark
29
17t
Jeff Taylor
Cherry Hill, NJ
Jeff Taylor
30
w20
Greg Wilson
Benton Ridge, OH
Verl Warnimont
31
20e
Brian Ellenberger
Butler, PA
Brian Ellenberger
32
20t
Troy Little
New South Wales, AUS
Troy Little
33
24
Rob Chaney
Millersburg, OH
Randy Hammer
34
25
Lance Dewease
Fayetteville, PA
Pete's Motorsports
35
27
Cody Jacobs
Wooster, OH
Dean Jacobs
36
28
Brian Paulus
Cave Creek, AZ
P&P Motorsports
37
37z
Bryan Scott
Clyde, OH
Ken Meggitt
38
41
Jason Johnson
Eunice, LA
Shop Motorsports
39
44g
Kaley Gharst
Decatur, IL
Gharst Motorsports
40
45
Bryan Grove
Beach City, OH
Grove Motorsports
41
49t
Gregg Dalman
Grand Ledge, MI
Gregg Dalman
42
51
Aaron Higgins
Waverly, OH
Higgins Motorsports
43
53
John Ivy
Fremont, OH
De Genzman
44
71c
Jack Helget
Franklinville, NJ
Jeff Taylor
45
71m
Paul May
Terre Haute, IN
May Motorsports
46
96au
Bruce White
New South Wales, AUS
Bruce White