Johns Nips Whitling By .007 Seconds To Score Pro-Stock Victory; Shingledecker, Pegher, Jr., McKinney and Manners Repeat

By: Marcie L. Barlow

July 26, 2009

Despite the threat of thunderstorms Tri-City Speedway completed another “Five-Star” Racing program on Sunday, July 26^th.  Jason Johns defeated Bobby Whitling by just .007 seconds to score his first victory of the season in E.F. Rodgers Plumbing and Heating Pro-Stock action.  In addition Jeremiah Shingledecker claimed his fourth DIRTcar Modified victory with Mike Pegher, Jr. (4-Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models), Carl McKinney (RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E-Mods) and Jeff Manners (Klapec Auto Body Thudercars) also scoring repeat wins.

Jeremiah Shingledecker and Kevin Bolland led the 18-car Engles Trucking DIRTcar Modifed feature event to the green.   Bolland led the first two circuits before Shingledecker took command on lap three and went on to score a five second victory and his fourth Tri-City win of the season. 

Del Rougeux, Jr. got by Bolland on the white flag lap to capture the runner-up spot.  Brian Swartzlander and Rex King, Sr. rounded out the top five.

“Today is my grandparent’s 59^th wedding anniversary and this victory is for them.   In addition I also want to thank my brother Travis as he has done an excellent job of setting this car up all season,” stated a very happy Shingledecker.  “We learned alot at the DIRTcar event last week in New York and it definitely helped us this evening.”   

Shingledecker’s victory in the Morton Buildings/Hard’s Welding/Steve’s Tees Bicknell Chassis also increased his points lead to 36 digits over Bolland.

The 20-lap 4-Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Model feature saw Kyle Zimmerman take command at the start with Bryan Salisbury in the second spot.  By lap three Mike Pegher, Jr. moved by Salisbury for the second spot and set his sights on Zimmerman.   

The duo waged an exciting side by side battle for the next several laps.    Pegher, Jr. managed to wrestle the top spot away from Zimmerman on lap six but Zimmerman regained the lead on the next circuit.  Pegher, Jr. beat Zimmerman to the start/finish line on lap ten and stayed in front for the remainder of the event.

It was Pegher, Jr.’s third victory at the Venango County oval this season.

Zimmerman had a great run to bring home the second spot.  Salisbury finished in the third spot with Carl McKinney and Joe Martin finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

Mike Blose and current divisional points leader Max Blair won the FASTRAK Late Model heat events.

Carl McKinney led the 15-lap E-Mod feature event from start to finish to score his second victory of the season.  The non-stop event, which was completed in just over six minutes, saw Mike Potosky capture the second spot over Gary Sullivan, Rich Pratschler and Evan Taylor

McKinney and Jeff Deetar captured the RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate   E-Mods prelims.

Pro-Stocks drivers Jason Johns and Bobby Whitling waged and exciting side-by-side for the entire distance of the E.F. Rodgers Plumbing and Heating Pro-Stock feature event.  Johns jumped into the lead at the start of the event with third place starter Whitling following right behind.  The duo traded the lead several times on each circuit with Johns maintaining the advantage at the start/finish line until lap 11.

Whitling gained the top spot on lap 11 with Johns regaining it on the following circuit.  Johns held the top spot on laps 12 and 13 but Whitling pulled ahead on lap 14.  Johns pulled along Whitling as the two exited turn and the drag race to the checkered flag was on.

Johns crossed the start/finish line first to score his first Tri-City victory of the year.  In addition, Johns scored the win by the narrowest margin in speedway history, as he was just .007 seconds ahead of Whitling.

“After the terrible crash here last Sunday, my crew worked all week to get this car back together.  This victory is for them.  In addition I want to thank my sponsors. Cherrytree Mini-Storage, Changing Times Telephone Service and 4-Your Car Connection,” stated an ecstatic Johns.    

The win also gave Johns a very small eight point lead over defending divisional champion Jason Reagle in the season long points chase.

Matt Thomas, Randy Wyant and Leigh Wheeler, who was subbing for Chris Haines, rounded out the top five.

Wyant and Whitling scored the wins in the Pro-Stock heats. 

Bill Winters led the opening lap of the Klapec Auto Body Thundercar feature event before Jeff Manners took over.  Manners weathered two cautions and held off Greg Myers to pick up his fourth victory of the season.  In addition it was Manners’ 16^th career divisional victory and he is now the leading Thundercar winner at the speedway.

Myers, Josh Seippel and Don Blake, Jr. completed the top five.

Myers and Dave Baker were victorious in the Thundercar preliminaries.

“Five-Star” Racing action continues next Sunday, August 2^nd as the Pittsburgh Circle Track Club and the Twin State Auto Racing Fan Club will be presenting trophies to the feature winners.  In addition it will be Coors Bonus Bucks Nights as any feature winner who displays the Coors sticker on his car will win additional $100.00.  Adult Grandstand Admission is just $11.00.  Gates open at 2:30PM with racing at 6:00PM.

      DIRTcar BIG BLOCK MODIFIED (20 Laps): 1. JEREMIAH SHINGLEDECKER, 2. Del Rougeux Jr., 3. Kevin Bolland, 4. Brian Swartzlander, 5. Rex King, 6. Kevin Hoffman, 7. Phil Vigneri Jr., 8. Dean Pearson, 9. Jeremy Paup, 10. Dave Murdick, 11. Joe Crawford, 12. Andy Priest, 13. Rex King Jr., 14. Brad Rapp, 15. Mike Turner, 16. Carl Murdick, 17. Randy Chronister, 18. Steve Barr. DNS: Ryan Hall.

   FASTRAK LATE MODELS (20 Laps): 1. MIKE PEGHER JR., 2. Kyle Zimmerman, 3. Bryan Salisbury, 4. Carl McKinney, 5. Joe Martin, 6. Max Blair, 7. Bobby Powell, 8. Les Lyon, 9. Mike Blose, 10. Butch Lambert, 11. Steve Hollabaugh, 12. Brian Booher, 13. Matt Cobb, 14. Jamie Brown, 15. Tyler Barris.

   E MODS (15 Laps): 1. CARL McKINNEY, 2. Mike Potosky, 3. Gary Sullivan, 4. 4. Rick Pratschler, 5. Evan Taylor, 6. Al Cressley, 7. Shawn Shingledecker, 8. Ron Roncaglione, 9. Jeff Deeter, 10. Butch Southwell, 11. Tim Engles, 12. Jonathan Taylor, 13. Tyler Powell, 14. Butch Lambert.

   PRO STOCKS (15 Laps): 1. JASON JOHNS, 2. Bobby Whitling, 3. Matt Thomas, 4. Randy Wyant, 5. Leigh Wheeler, 6. Dave Ferringer, 7. Bob Sloss, 8. Bill Myers, 9. Rod Laskey, 10. Russ Coyne, 11. Arthur Edwards, 12. Jim Keith, 13. Les Myers, 14. Jason Reagle, 15. Terry Wheeler.