Point Championships and More on Tap at Tri-City Raceway Park Over Labor Day Weekend

(Franklin, PA August 29, 2023):  It seems like it was only yesterday that track owner Merle Black and his staff were getting ready for the 2023 season, and now they will be presenting the final two nights of racing at the Venango County oval. “It will a big weekend on and off the track,” Black said. “Point championships are on the line and there will be extra money for the winners in the core classes that make up the Sunday Thunder programs. “But there will be live music and a bonfire after the races on Sunday, so there will be fun activities in addition to the racing,” he added.

The action gets started with a practice session for all classes on Friday night. Pit Passes will be $25 for this part of the weekend program, but the spectators can observe things for free from the grandstand.

On Saturday evening, the BRP Modified Tour will make its second appearance of the 2023 season and the Pitt Stop Pub 358 Modifieds will be eligible to compete against their more powerful cousins. Joining the Big Block/Small Block challenge will be Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks racing for $1,000 to win, and the 4 Your Car Connection Four Cylinder Mini Stocks going for $500. And, as an added attraction, the Old Skool Kool Vintage Tour will have three divisions of vintage cars to bring the memories back to the fans.

On Sunday evening, The Diehl Chevrolet 410 Sprint Cars will take center stage. They will race for $2,500 to win. The Pitt Stop Pub 358 Modifieds will have their finale, and $900 will be on the line. The Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks and the 4 Your Car Connection Four Cylinder Mini Stocks Stocks will conclude their seasons as well. Their pay-offs will be the same as on Saturday night. The A & MP electric, Inc. UMP Modifieds will finish their mini series, too. And, once again, the Old Skool Kool Vintage Tour will present their nostalgic three divisions.

After the final checkered flag on Sunday night, there will be a bonfire and live music to celebrate the end of Summer.

And, remember that there will be free camping at Tri-City Raceway Park for the entire weekend. There will be no hook-ups available.

The Pit gates will open at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with spectator admission starting at 4 p.m. Racing will commence at 6 p.m. both nights.

Single night ticket prices will be $20 for adults (ages 16 and up) and $35 for Pit Passes. Children will be admitted free. There will be no Family Passes for these events.

Fans and competitors can save by purchasing combination tickets. Two-Day general admission for adults (ages 16 and up) will be $35. Three-day Pit Passes will be $90.

A.J. Flick saw his point lead in the Diehl Chevrolet Sprints shrink to 23 on Sunday by finishing behind Bob Felmlee in both the heat race and the feature event. Jack Sodeman, Jr. still has a mathematical chance of unseating Flick and Felmlee, but he will need to sweep the Sunday contest and both Flick and Felmlee need to get shut out for that to happen. Last week’s winner, Matt Farnham is expected to tow down from the Empire State to see if he can go back-to-back.

In the Pitt Stop Pub 358 Modifieds, young Ayden Cipriano leads veteran Chad Reitz by 17 markers. Tom Holden needs to have some good luck come his way if he is going to overtake them. Additional competitors are expected with the Big Block/Small Block challenge kicking off the weekend.

The Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks also present a close contest. Teenager Tyler Wyant leads veteran Pat Fielding by 38 points heading into the holiday double. Both encountered difficulties last week, as did the third place contender, Hot Rod Laskey.  

Matt Urey also encountered trouble last weekend in the 4 Your Car Connection Four Cylinder Mini Stocks. He dropped out while leading the race! So, Chad Greeley closed in a bit. With two races this weekend, Greeley could eliminate the 62 point differential with some success. Dillon Morrison vaulted into third on the strength of his win. But it is doubtful whether he can move further ahead in the rankings.

Further information about Tri-City Raceway Park can be obtained by calling the track office at 724-967-4601, or by e-mailing the office at tricityracewaypark2020@gmail.com. Or, you can check the web at Tri-CityRacewayPark.com, or the Facebook page at Tri City Raceway Park. Tri-City Raceway Park is located just a few miles north of Franklin, PA, at 3430 State Route 417 in Oakland Township. Professional auto racing will be presented in a family friendly atmosphere most Sunday evenings from May through Labor Day weekend.

Media Contact:  Lou Long (412-760-9755)