5/27/2007 Franklin,PA (Tri-City) ROD GEORGE (Crawford 4)
by Brian Spaid
Despite heavy rains through mid-afternoon and a 38-minute rain delay during the feature races, Tri-City Speedway worked extra hard and completed its fourth show of the season in celebration of Memorial Day Weekend at the Venango County half-mile oval.
Using a daring move in lapped traffic, Rod George of Kittanning raced to his third win of the season in the 4 Your Car Connection Super Sprint feature. Taking the lead from Brent Covell with five circuits remaining, George raced to his 43rd career win in his Notary Express/Dr. John Crawford III Family Practice Maxim.
“Brent did a super job all night,” said George. “He just made one little bobble and I got by. My wife and crew chief told me not to screw around tonight. The track was racy. I’ve got to congratulate my mom and dad because it’s their anniversary and Dr. Crawford because it’s his birthday.”
Covell leaped into the lead from his pole position at the start of the race. George was immediately on his tail, but Covell held off some stout challenges from the three-time track champion.
After a Mike Dehner spin on lap six, the ensuing restart resulted in a red flag when five cars crashed on the frontstretch and Todd Bauer’s racer ended up with its left rear tire on the wall.
After a long cleanup, the race went to the end without stopping. Covell continued to pace the field in a stirring performance. Then, lapped traffic became his nemesis. Catching the rear of the field with five laps to go, George dove under Covell in turn three and took the lead. One lap later, Bob Felmlee and Rob Eyler made the same move under Covell, but by then George was gone.
George was the winner over Felmlee, Eyler, Covell and Jody Keegan, who recovered from a flat tire in the sixth lap accident.
Tri-City Speedway will return to action next Sunday, June 3 with a five-star racing program that includes the 4-Your Car Connection Super Sprints, Schwab's Ford DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods, E.F Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks and Klapec Auto Body Thundercars. The E Mods will run their first Allegheny Toyota E Series for the 2007 season. It is also Little League Night at the track as all Little League members in uniform will receive free grandstand admission. Gates open at 4pm and racing starts at 6.m. Adult grandstand admission will be a family friendly $11.
June 10) Super Sprints, DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, E Mods, Pro Stocks (William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series), Thundercars and One-on-One Spectator Races (WDDH 97.5 “The Hound” Night)
June 17) Super Sprints, DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, E Mods, Thundercars, PPC Violence Free Network/Family Services Ladies Pro Stock Charity Race and Lowry Auto Wrecking Compact Car Demo Derby (Cranberry Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change Night)
June 24) Super Sprints, DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, E Mods, Pro Stocks (William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series) and Thundercars (Kids Night Bike Races) Fisher & Father Night (Red Express Customer Appreciation Night)
Heat 1) Bob Felmlee (NTR 14.805 or 121.581mph)
Heat 2) Todd Bauer
A-main (20 laps) 1 Rod George (Crawford 4), 2 Bob Felmlee 6, 3 Rob Eyler, 4 Brent Covell 81, 5 Jody Keegan 49, 6 Scott Rodgers, 7 Mike Dehner 17, 8 Brian Grove 45, 9 Chris Shuttleworth 11, 10 Cory Good, 11 Gale Ruth Jr 5jr, 12 J.C Sodeman 23, 13 Todd Bauer, 14 Russ Sansosti. DNS Danny Holtgraver D4. 410w