After several weeks off, Tri-City Raceway roared back to life this past Sunday and fans were treated to what most are calling the most exciting win of the year at the Venango County oval.
(Pictured above: Bob Felmlee after an extremely popular win Sunday at Tri-City. Photo by Rick Rarer.)
Sprint Car veteran and local favorite Bob Felmlee ended a two year winless streak with a masterful performance by leading all 25 laps and holding off some of the area’s best.
Over the first half of the feature Felmlee would hold off arguably the fastest western Pa car this season in Brandon Spithaler. After Spithaler suffered a flat tire on lap sixteen the 61-year-old driver would hold off central Pa hot shoe Mark Smith, fresh off a win Friday night at Clinton County Speedway for the final nine laps, and the area’s winningest driver, AJ Flick who would settle for third.
“It has been tough, I was counting the laps down,” Felmlee stated in victory lane, after struggling for a good part of this season. “With the 2 (Flick), 22 (Spithaler), 23 (Sodeman), and Mark Smith here tonight, I didn’t think I had a chance.”
But Felmlee looked like he had turned back the clock 30 years as he drove a perfect 25 laps for his 33rd career Tri-City win.
Other winners Sunday night at Tri-City included New York’s Nick Joy in the 358 modifieds, Josh Seippel in the pro stocks, and Matt Urey in the mini stocks.
Jake Whitling, 17-year-old son of Bobby, made his debut in a full size racecar and finished an impressive seventh in the pro stock feature.
Seneca’s Jake Whitling made his stock car debut Sunday at Tri-City. Photo by Rick Rarer.
This Sunday, the regular four divisions will be joined by the FAST Sprint Car Series as they invade to take on our western Pennsylvania regulars. The night before Tri-City, the FAST Series will be at Wayne County Speedway across the border in Ohio.
Look for quite a few local teams to be in competition there with the series.
For stock car fans, Sharon Speedway will be the place to this weekend when they present the Steel Valley Pro Stock Nationals. The 410 Sprint Cars will make a rare Friday night appearance and then the pro stocks will take center stage on Saturday.
The Penn-Ohio Championship Steel Valley Pro Stock Nationals will present twin features paying $3,500 to-win each. The UMP modifieds will also be in action racing for $1,000 to-win.
Fab 4 racing will take this Friday off at Lernerville Speedway and in its place will be the RUSH Summer Showcase. The RUSH wingless sprints, RUSH limited late models, and RUSH limited modifieds will all be in action along with the super late models, the only regular class on the card this Friday.
Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway held the highest paying dirt rack race this past weekend where Pennsylvania native and World of Outlaws regular Logan Schuchart took home the win worth $1,002,023!
On Saturday, 10-time Outlaws champ Donny Schatz took home $175,000 for winning the 40th annual Kings Royal.
Rick’s Racing Roundup is brought to you by:
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Kerle Tire Company
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