ROD GEORGE COMPLETES WEEKEND SPRINT SWEEP
by Brian Spaid
June 17, 2007
FRANKLIN, PA) Hot and dry conditions dominated Father’s Day at Tri-City Speedway, and the action was just as hot on the track as Rod George (4 Your Car Connection Super Sprints) captured the feature win on Cranberry Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change Night at the Venango County half-mile oval.
For the fourth time in 2007, Rod George of Kittanning scored the win in the 20-lap Super Sprint feature aboard his Notary Express/Dr. John Crawford III Family Practice Maxim 4. Combined with wins Friday night at Lernerville Speedway and Saturday night at Mercer Raceway Park, George completed a weekend sweep. It was George’s 44th career win at Tri-City.
Battling with track champion Bob Felmlee and last week’s winner Rob Eyler, the three drivers swapped the top three spots nearly the entire race. Waiting in the wings was 2006 All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Series champion Greg Wilson, who made a stop at Tri-City in preparation for the series race on July 3rd. On the 16th circuit, George used a quick move off turn four to sweep under Felmlee. George’s slide job sent him in front of Felmlee at the line. Felmlee then charged into turns one and two, but his outside bonsai run ended against the water barrels and he collected Eyler in the process. From there, George raced home the winner.
“What a great race,” said George. “There were four guys going at it out there. The bottom of the track was great tonight. This pit crew is awesome. I’d like to thank the fans for coming out and I’d also like to wish a Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers.”
Felmlee took the lead from polesitter Brent Covell on the opening lap. George and Wilson raced into second and third within the first two laps. George actually drove around Felmlee on the sixth circuit, but a caution slowed the action. Reverting to the last completed lap, Felmlee resumed command of the race and opened a comfortable lead on the restart. At the same time, Eyler used an extreme high groove to rocket past George for second. George would not be outdone, however. He patiently allowed the lower groove to come to him. On the 13th circuit, as all three drivers diced among lapped traffic, George took back second. He almost passed Felmlee too, but lapped traffic slowed his pace and Eyler zoomed back by for second on the 14th lap. One lap later, George dove under Eyler off turn four and took second again.
On the next round, he made the same move on Felmlee to take the lead for the first time. Felmlee crashed and collected Eyler shortly thereafter. As the final laps ticked off, George cruised to a comfortable win. Wilson finished second.
Australian Troy Little completed a weekend trip through Western Pennsylvania with a third place finish in his first visit to Tri-City.
Tri-City Speedway continues its season next Sunday, June 24 with 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 in another five-star racing program. The Pro Stocks will compete in their second William R. Karns Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Detroit Iron Pro Stock Series event of the season after taking a week off for the charity race. It will also be Red Express Fan Appreciation Night and Fisher & Father Kids Night at Tri-City as children 12 and under will be able to compete in the annual bike races. Helmets are required. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m. Adult grandstand admission will be a family friendly $11.
July 1 – Super Sprints, DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, E Mods (Allegheny Toyota E Series), Pro Stocks and Thundercars (Edward Jones Investments Fireworks Extravaganza by Cartwright Fireworks
July 3 – “The Freedom Fifty” Featuring All Star Circuit of Champions Sprints and Limited Sprints
July 8 – Super Sprints, DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, E Mods, Pro Stocks and Thundercars (Buyer’s Fair Pennzoil Night) Scout Night All Scouts in Uniform Receive Free Grandstand Admission)
Heat 1) Greg Wilson
Heat 2) Rod George
A-main (20 laps) 1 ROD GEORGE 4, 2 Greg Wilson W20, 3 Troy Little 20, 4 Todd Bauer, 5 Rob Eyler 5e, 6 Gale Ruth Jr 5jr, 7 Brent Covell 81, 8 Matt Heimbach 14, 9 Russ Sansosti, 10 Bill Jones Jr, 11 Bob Felmlee 6, 12 Nate Stein, 13 Jody Keegan (Rudzik 49) 410w