NORTHERN TIER INC ULMS LATE MODELS HEAD TO TRI CITY ON MAY 3rd
When Rich Hetrick of Hetrick Racing Inc. purchased the Tri City Speedway oval in Franklin, Pennsylvania over the winter, one of the first things on his agenda was to add more dirt late model events at the half mile oval that sits north of Oil City. The Northern Tier Inc. United Late Model Series gracefully accepted a three race package for events in 2009. The first event will be on Sunday, May 3rd and it will be 30 lap $2000 to win event and it will be co-sanctioned with UMP DIRTcar. The event will under ULMS rules. With this event being co-sanctioned with DIRTCar and UMP weekly points being available a good field of cars from Lernerville Speedway and Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway are expected with the northern ULMS stars.
Tri City Speedway has hosted twenty eight super late model events since 1996 with the sanctioning of NEWS, MACS and the World of Outlaws gracing the facility. Former two time ULMS late model champion, Dick Barton is tied with national star, Chub Frank with five wins at Tri City. Barton is planning on being at Tri City with the Bolt Place #28 machine. Frank is a uncertainty with the World of Outlaw tour, but with the event located close to his Bear Lake, PA shop, anything is a possibility. Rob Blair of Titusville is a former track champion and his son Max is the defending FASTRAK Late Model Champion, will no doubt be on hand to defend his home turf and attempt to pick up his fourth career ULMS win. All time Tri City Emod feature winner, Brent Rhebergen will no doubt be looking to grab his first ever ULMS win at the track he has dominated at in the Emod division. Rhebergen finished second in the 2008 ULMS points will be looking to step up to become the 2009 title.
Other drivers expected are two time ULMS champion and all-time ULMS winner, Bob Close of Eldred, PA. Ron Davies of Warren, PA is tied with Close with five ULMS wins should also be on hand. Former MACS champion, Mike Blose along with 2007 World of Outlaw winner, Dan Stone of Thompson, PA has stated he will be on hand along with the Bear Lake Banzai, Boom Briggs of Bear Lake, PA. 2009 World of Outlaw Rookie of Year candidate, Russ King of Bristolville, Ohio will be on hand along with BRP Modified Tour driver, James Rasey, veteran dirt late model driver Al Brewer of Belfast, NY, Jason Dupont, Greg Oakes, Centerville, Pennsylvania driver Darrell Bossard, defending two time Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway champion, Jared Miley. Jeff Hoffman of Clarendon, PA won at Tri City in 1996 and has been a avid follower of the ULMS series will be looking to find the magic to return to Tri City victory lane. Milton, Pennsylvania star, Bobby Stokes has expressed interest in attending as well.
Northern Tier Inc. ULMS teams are reminded that raceceivers will be mandatory and they can be purchased at Tri City prior to the event. Transponders will also be available at the track as well as the electronic scoring will be used. The Northern Tier Inc ULMS Late Models will revisit Tri City Speedway on Sunday, May 31 for a $2500 to win event. That event will also be co-sanctioned with UMP DIRTCar.
Adult ticket prices are $18 for all adults ages 16 or over. Students ages 13-15 will be charged, $10 and all children under the age of 12 will be admitted free. Pit passes will be $35 and there is the standard $20 ULMS entry fee for competitors. The sprint cars, emods, thunder cars and pro stocks will join the ULMS/DIRTCar series competitors. Gates open at 4pm with hotlaps at 5:15 and racing begins at 6PM.
For more information, check the tracks website out at www.tricityspeedway.com or the ULMS website at www.unitedlatemodelseries.com.
