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BRIAN SWARTZLANDER WINS BRP MODIFIED TOUR KODIAK MEMORIAL AT TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY; BOBBY POWELL, CARL McKINNEY, DAVE FERRINGER AND CURTIS E. BISH ALSO WINNERS
by Brian Spaid
July 13, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRANKLIN, PA ... Brian Swartzlander captured the BRP Modified Tour 16th Annual Kodiak Memorial on Sunday night at Tri-City Speedway ending a seven-year winless streak in the Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds at the Venango County half-mile oval.
In other action, Bobby Powell (4 Your Connection FASTRAK Late Models), Carl McKinney (RPM Auto Sales/Sherry Shawgo Real Estate E Mods), Dave Ferringer (E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks), and Curtis E. Bish (Klapec Auto Body Thundercars) captured feature wins on Atkinson Fire Safety Equipment Night. Track officials waited out heavy morning rain and were blessed with brilliant sunshine and warm temperatures for the racing events.
Brian Swartzlander of Leechburg, Pa., last won at Tri-City on July 29, 2001. The four-time DIRTcar Big Block Modified track champion has not competed weekly at the track since then, but has been a mainstay in BRP Modified Tour competition at the track. He also never won the Kodiak Memorial until 2008.
After a stirring duel with Joe Crawford, Swartzlander survived a huge miscue to take the lead on the 25th circuit of the 30-lap Kodiak Memorial following a restart, and he raced to his 16th career feature win at Tri-City. Greeted in victory lane by the family of the late Bob "Kodiak" Graham, Swartzlander was all smiles beside his McCutcheon Enterprises/Precise Racing Products Teo No. 83.
"I'm tired hearing about that winless streak," said Swartzlander. "I wanted to win this Kodiak Memorial race for years, and I finally won it. Joe ran a great race. I got too low in turn one and slid real high after hitting the water down there, and I thought that my shot at the win was done. We really needed that caution, and I was surprised that Joe left the high side open on the restart. I have to thank the crew, my team and our fans for all their support."
Crawford took command of the race at the start from his pole position. Only three cautions slowed the event, and two of them occurred in the first couple of laps. That allowed Swartzlander to race up to second. Crawford ran a steady pace and Swartzlander gradually reeled him in, and they started to really battle for first at the halfway mark. Swartzlander led the 15th circuit, but Crawford got back under him in turn two to resume command. Bouncing off the front wall, Swartzlander gave it his all battling with Crawford as they entered lapped traffic with 10 laps to go. Behind them, Russell King was driving his father's car in third and closed on the lead duo to start a three-car battle for the win.
The next three circuits produced amazing racing. Swartzlander appeared to have the faster car, and took the lead on the 20th circuit. Using the high groove in turn three, Crawford stole the lead back from Swartzlander on the 21st lap. Then, entering turn one on the next circuit, Swartzlander hit the inside berm spraying rainwater onto the track. That allowed Crawford to escape with a big lead as Swartzlander slid high and nearly lost second to King. At that point, it appeared like Crawford would take the biggest win of his career until J.R. McGinley stopped in turn two on the 24th circuit.
The restart was Crawford's undoing as Swartzlander had another chance at victory. At the green, Crawford stayed low in turns one and two, which opened the top lane for Swartzlander. Building momentum on the top groove, Swartzlander circled around Crawford in turns three and four as Crawford slid into the final corner too hard. That bobble was all Swartzlander needed to take final command of the race on the 25th circuit.
At the checkered flag, Swartzlander was the winner over Crawford, King, Les Myers and Kevin Bolland. Myers was driving a backup car provided by the Kevin Hoffman team. Myers, Bolland and Rex King Jr. won the DIRTcar Big Block Modified heats for the 30-car field. Hoffman won the B Main. Bolland set a new track record for the division during the second heat race at 18.358 seconds for an average speed of 98.050 mph on the tacky track surface.
Last week, Bobby Powell of Waterford, Pa., earned his first feature win in the FASTRAK Late Models. This week, he continued his hot streak aboard Scott Bidwell's Fame RV Center/Maloney Tool & Mold Rocket No. B1D. Passing 2005 Thundercar champion Chad Myers with four laps remaining in the 20-lap feature, Powell scored his second career win in the division at Tri-City. It also continued a strong week during which Powell won a FASTRAK Late Model Northeast Touring Series race at Expo Speedway on Thursday. Three wins in one week proves the team is strong heading through the midway point of the 2008 season.
"We learned something last week," said Powell. "We put on a harder tire this week, and it just fired and the car ran real well tonight. I have to thank Scott, the crew, and all the people that support this team. It's a dream to have a team like this."
Myers appeared to be on his way to an upset win after taking command at the start of the race. Having never led a feature in FASTRAK Late Model competition before, Myers was consistent as he hit his marks around the half-mile oval. Behind him Powell gradually worked his way through the top five. He first passed Steve Hollabaugh for fourth on the fifth circuit. Then, he battled close friends Max Blair and Bobby Whitling. Powell took third from Blair on the eighth lap, and second from Whitling on the 11th circuit.
Reeling in Myers, Powell raced under the local favorite to take the lead on the 16th circuit. Myers tried to stay with Powell, but bobbled in the second corner, which allowed Powell to secure the lead and the win. At the finish, Powell topped Myers, Whitling, Blair and Hollabaugh. It was Myers' career best finish in the class. Blair won the lone FASTRAK Late Model heat race as a season low 10 cars were on hand.
Carl McKinney of Cranberry Township, Pa., continued his recent dominance of the E Mod division capturing his fourth feature win of the 2008 season. The defending track champion inherited the lead after Mike Potosky pitted with a flat tire on the sixth circuit. Once out front, McKinney was peerless in Mike Hendrickson's Townsend Gas and Oil/Whitehill's Garage Pierce No. 6M and scored his 10th career win at Tri-City.
"We're trying to dial in our FASTRAK Late Model, but it's a struggle, so it's always great to run Mike's E Mod after those races because it makes the ride home a happier one," quipped McKinney in victory lane. "This car was hooked up tonight, and Evan Taylor ran a great race. He's gonna win one someday. I guess Mike Potosky got a flat tire, and I like running with him for the win, so that was a tough break."
Starting on the pole position, Potosky jumped into an immediate lead at the start of the 15-lap affair. Taylor secured second, but all eyes were on McKinney, who quickly worked through the top five into third. He charged under Taylor for second on the fifth circuit, then assumed command of the race when Potosky suffered his flat tire. Due to an unrelated caution, Potosky was able to change the deflated shoe and return to the race to eventually finish seventh and continue his chase for the track title.
McKinney was able to outgun the competition the rest of the way. Behind him, Shawn Shingledecker raced under Taylor at the halfway mark for second, but could not mount a challenge against McKinney. At the finish, McKinney was the winner over Shingledecker, Taylor, Justin Carlson and Tom Hagberg. Potosky and Taylor won the E Mod heats.
Dave Ferringer of Cochranton, Pa., survived a late-race onslaught of spinning race cars to win the 18-lap Pro Stock feature for his first victory of the 2008 season. Driving his Donovan & Bauer Auto Group/Lowry Auto Body Chevrolet No. 02, Ferringer held off point leader Jason Reagle for his 19th career Pro Stock feature win at Tri-City.
"I thought I'd never get here," said Ferringer in victory lane. "Those cautions at the end reminded me of my win last weekend at Raceway 7. We made it though. I knew Jason was back there, but we have a good setup for this car when the track is tacky and a little rough. I have to thank everyone involved with this team."
Taking command at the start, Ferringer first held off Don Kramer, who spun out of second place on the third circuit. At that point, Reagle moved into second, but he could not get close to Ferringer, who was on cruise control until three consecutive cautions extended the race by three circuits due to the need for a green-white-checkered finish. On each restart, Ferringer held off Reagle and eventually scored the win. Reagle finished second over Denny Crawford, Rod Laskey and Chris Haines. Reagle and Kramer won the Pro Stock heat races.
Curtis E. Bish of Dempseytown, Pa., finally joined his father and brothers as Thundercar feature winners at Tri-City. The teen driver captured the 12-lap Thundercar feature piloting his Beast Boutique/Grandview Auto Body Chevrolet No. 30. Bish nosed out Charlie McMillen at the finish after nearly losing control of his car out of turn four. The two leaders collided as they crossed the line, but Bish had the edge in the racing incident.
"This is great," said Bish in victory lane. "I have to thank my father and brothers for this win. The track was a little rough tonight from all the rain, and I got a little high on that final corner. I got into Charlie as we crossed the line, but it was unintentional. This is just a great win for our team."
Mike Dobrick took the lead at the start of the race, which was slowed by three cautions in the opening laps. On a restart, Dobrick lost control of his car in turn two, which allowed Ed Deloe to take the lead on the third circuit. Bish moved into second at that point. Joined by McMillen, Bish chased after Deloe, who has yet to score his first feature win at Tri-City despite his strong runs. Unfortunately, Deloe's chances for victory deflated with a flat tire on the eighth lap. Bish drove around Deloe in turn four to take command, and Deloe then slowed on the next lap stopping in turn four and causing the final caution.
Bish continued to pace the field after the final restart and hit his marks every lap until the final one. Racing out of turn four, Bish's car washed up the track, and McMillen raced for the opening in the low groove. Bish lost momentum and raced back down the track to gain control, which caused the two cars to hit as they crossed the line. Bish was winner by a few feet over McMillen. Bill Myers finished third to pad his point lead. Dobrick finished a career-best fourth over 2004 track champion Don Blake Jr. Myers and Cody Manners won the Thundercar heats.
Next Sunday July 20th, Joy Employee Fund Presents Five-Star Racing featuring the Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, RPM Auto Sales/Sherry Shawgo Real Estate E Mods, E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks and Klapec Auto Body Thundercars. The Pro Stocks will compete in the first William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series. In addition, the first Lowry Auto Wrecking Mid-Sized Car Demo Derby will complete the action. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m. Adult grandstand admission will be $11 for those 20 and older. It will be Teen Night at Tri-City as teenagers ages 13 to 19 will receive free grandstand admission. Children 12 and under will also be admitted free.
BRP MODIFIED TOUR 2008 (30 Laps): 1. BRIAN SWARTZLANDER, 2. Joe Crawford, 3. Russell King, 4. Les Myers, 5. Kevin Bolland, 6. Dave Schrader, 7. Rex King Jr., 8. Kevin Hoffman, 9. Gary Smoker, 10. Tom Mattocks Jr., 11. Rick Hall, 12. Matt Baker, 13. Carl Murdick, 14. Mike Turner, 15. Tommy Kristyak, 16. Brian Sadler, 17. J.R. McGinley, 18. Steve Barr, 19. Kyle Fink, 20. Mark Flick, 21. Brad Rapp, 22. Del Rougeux Jr., 23. Skip Moore, 24. Dave Murdick, 25. Andy Priest, 26. Jeremiah Shingledecker. DNQ: Chris Hartman, Ron Eperthener Jr., Jeremy Paup, Steve Feder.
FASTRAK LATE MODELS (20 Laps): 1. BOBBY POWELL, 2. Chad Myers, 3. Bobby Whitling, 4. Max Blair, 5. Steve Hollabaugh, 6. Butch Lambert, 7. Carl McKinney, 8. Chris Haines, 9. Kyle Zimmerman, 10. Dave Lyon.
E MODS (15 Laps): 1. CARL McKINNEY, 2. Shawn Shingledecker, 3. Evan Taylor, 4. Justin Carlson, 5. Tom Hagberg, 6. Jim Frontz, 7. Mike Potosky, 8. Bruce Powell, 9. Tim Engles, 10. Butch Lambert, 11. Jonathan Taylor, 12. Rick Pratschler, 13. David Atkinson, 14. Chip Mahood, 15. Jeff Deeter, 16. Jared Domhoff. DNS: Billy Henry.
PRO STOCKS (15 Laps): 1. DAVE FERRINGER, 2. Jason Reagle, 3. Denny Crawford, 4. Rod Laskey, 5. Chris Haines, 6. Matt Thomas, 7. Jason Johns, 8. Russ Coyne, 9. Bob Sloss, 10. Jim Keith, 11. A.J. MacQuarrie, 12. Josh Seippel, 13. Arthur Edwards, 14. Mark Sanders, 15. Bobby Sutley, 16. Jackson Humanic, 17. Gerry Bruce, 18. Randy Wyant, 19. Don Kramer, 20. Kevin Carson. DNS: Jeff Manners.
THUNDERCARS (12 Laps): 1. CURTIS E. BISH, 2. Charlie McMillen, 3. Bill Myers, 4. Mike Dobrick, 5. Don Blake Jr., 6. Regina Deloe, 7. Joe Blake, 8. Bill Winters, 9. Joe Sloss, 10. Jon Huff, 11. Jason Swartz, 12. John K. Miller, 13. Ed Deloe, 14. Cody Manners, 15. Cody Carson, 16. Dave Baker, 17. Alan Perry, 18. Bill Baker, 19. Greg Myers, 20. Kenny Alcorn. DNS: Ed Roberts.
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 20 - Joy Employee Fund Presents Five-Star Racing with DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, E Mods, William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series, Thundercars and Lowry Auto Wrecking Mid-Sized Car Demolition Derby (Teen Night: Ages 13-19 Receive Free Grandstand Admission)
July 27 - Speedway Closed
Aug. 3 - Coors Brewing Presents Bonus Bucks Night and Five-Star Racing with DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, E Mods, William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series and Thundercars
Aug. 10 - Barr's Insurance and McDonald's Present Kids Night and Five-Star Racing with DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, E Mods, Pro Stocks and Thundercars (Kids Bike Races: Children 12 and Under)
Aug. 17 - Pittsburgh Circle Track Club and Twin State Auto Racing Fan Club Present Club Night and Five-Star Racing with DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, E Mods, Pro Stocks and Thundercars with One-on-One Spectator Races and 2008 Tri-City Speedway Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies (Points End)
Aug. 24 - Speedway Closed
August 30 & 31 - Oil Region Labor Day Classic Weekend
August 30 - Oil Region Labor Day Classic Weekend Night 1: World of Outlaws Late Model Series (50 Laps; $10,000-to-win); 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models; RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods (Welding Technologies E Series 20 Laps); E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks (William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series 20 Laps) also 4th Annual Ghetto South Party Sponsored by Ray's Racing Specialties and Engles Trucking
August 31 - Oil Region Labor Day Classic Weekend Night 2: World of Outlaws Late Model Series (50 Laps; $10,000-to-win); 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models; RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods (United E Mod Series (UEMS)/Welding Technologies E Series All Star 30); E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks (William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series 20 Laps)
BOTH NIGHTS: Gates Open at 2 p.m.; Time Trials at 4 p.m.; Racing Starts at 6 p.m.
September 7 - 12th Annual CSOnline Applefest 100 (William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series), 8th Annual Apple Core 20 (Klapec Auto Body Thundercars) and Lowry Auto Wrecking Mid-Sized Car Demo Derby (Gates Open at 2 p.m.; Time Trials at 4 p.m.; Racing Starts at 6 p.m.)
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