The 2016 racing season once again featured a "specials only" format that was designed to provide competitors from many different divisions the opportunity to compete at the Oakland Township facility.  The highlight of the season was the inaugural I-79 Summer Shootout which featured the return of Tony Stewart's All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprints.  Fans who attended this event witnessed a great battle between youngsters Kraig Kinser and Sheldon Haudenschild in the 30 lap main event.  Kinser made a daring fourth turn pass of Haudenschild to score the $5,000 victory.  The event was definitely the most successful of the 2016 season and speedway owners Sam and Mark Tatalovic and Operations Manager Chad Wagner are working with Series' officials to secure the event's return in 2017.

 

The 2016 season also featured two RUSH Late Model marquee events (the Bill Emig Memorial on June 19th and the RUSH Manufacturers Night on September 11th).  Bryce Davis was the victor of the Bill Emig Memorial while Max Blair scored an impressive win over the 58 cars in competition on September 11th.  The RUSH Late Model competitors in attendance that evening also shared in more than $45,000.00 in products and services that were distributed by the RUSH Series.  The RUSH Late Models were also in action as part of the I-79 Summer Shootout and Mike Pegher, Jr. claimed that victory.

 

The Pro-Stock Division competed at the Venango County oval twice this summer with William Hurrellbrink picking up the win on June 19th.  The 2016 Homak Penn-Ohio Pro-Stock Champion Chris Schneider scoring the victory on September 11th.

 

Other winners in 2016 were Cody Bova, who scored a very popular 305 Sprint victory on June 19th and Erick Rudolph, who picked up the BRP Modified Tour event on September 11th.  Local favorite Shawn Shingledecker was the victor in the only E-Mod event that was held at the raceway on July 31st.  In addition, Adam Hilton scored the RUSH Modified victory on June 19th.

 

Tri-City Raceway Park management will announce the 2017 schedule in the next several weeks and fans will be excited to hear that when possible each event will have a raindate.  "If Mother Nature forces us to cancel an event we will reschedule it if possible." stated Operations manager Chad Wagner.  "This should make a lot of our fans and race teams happy; we have battled the rain the past two season and hopefully a new raindate policy will be well received by everyone."  Race teams and fans should note that when a Tri-City Raceway Park is sanctioned by a major Regional or National Series a raindate may not be available due to the prior scheduling commitments of the Series'.    

 

Tri-City Raceway Park would like to wish everyone a Happy and Safe 2016 Holiday Season.   We hope you enjoy the time you will be spending with your family and friend over the next several weeks and we look forward to seeing everyone at the track in 2017.