FRANKLIN, PA – Friday night at Tri City Raceway Park had a little bit of everything — a major career milestone, dominant drives, dramatic comebacks, and some future stars putting on a show of their own. When it was all said and done, Dave Hess Jr. grabbed his 400th career feature win in the Flea Flickers Super Late Models, Erick Rudolph put on a clinic in the 21st Century Energy Group Big Block Modifieds, Blaze Myers added to his already incredible year in the Complete Car Care Center RUSH Sprint Cars, and William Baker outlasted the field in a wild Clarion County Community Bank RUSH Stock Car finish.
In 21st Century Energy Group Big Block Modified action, it was all Erick Rudolph. The Ransomville, New York native got the jump on track champ Brad Rapp off turn two on the opening lap and never looked back. Rudolph led flag-to-flag and built up more than a half-lap lead by the time he hit the checkers. Rapp held on for second, with Jim Rasey in third, and 14-year-old Brayden Beatty showing again why he’s one to watch — finishing fourth. Rick Regalski completed the top five.
“We’ve been struggling a bit lately,” Rudolph said. “This win was big for us. My crew works so hard, and we really needed this to get back on track. The surface was fast and fun tonight — hats off to the track crew. You can tell they’re putting in the effort here.”
21st Century Energy Group Big Block Modified 25 Lap Feature Results:
1. (25) Erick Rudolph, 2. (11R) Brad Rapp, 3. (32) Jim Rasey, 4. (B4) Brayden Beatty, 5. (13) Rick Regalski, 6. (18) Colton Walters, 7. (5A) Austin Eyler, 8. (3K) Shawn Kozar, 9. (60) Thomas Holden, DNS (44V) Phil Vigneri III
Heat Race Results: 1. (25) Erick Rudolph, 2. (B4) Brayden Beatty, 3. (32) Jim Rasey, 4. (11R) Brad Rapp, 5. (18) Colton Walters, 6. (5A) Rob Eyler, 7. (13) Rick Regalski, 8. (3K) Shawn Kozar, 9. (60) Thomas Holden, 10. (44V) Phil Vigneri III