ALLSTAR: Western PA Speedweek Begins at Tri-City Speedway June 11

FRANKLIN, PA .... The All Star Circuit of Champions Sprints invade Tri-City Speedway on Sunday June 11th for the A. Crivelli Chevrolet/GMC Finale of the 2000 Western Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek. It will be the fifth year in a row that Tri-City hosts the Speedweek finale.

Led by 1999 All Star Sprint Champion Kenny Jacobs, the winged warriors will take part in the five-night tour through the Allegheny Mountain region of the Keystone State. Over $130,000 in purses and prizes will be awarded over the course of this year's Speedweek events, which begin on June 7th at Mercer Raceway Park. After the opening race, Speedweek proceeds to Port Royal Speedway, Lernerville Speedway, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway and Tri-City.

Jacobs will be the favorite to capture the this year's Speedweek championship. Last season, his brother, Dean Jacobs, eclipsed the competition on his way to the title. Multi-time All Star Sprint Champion Frankie Kerr will also be a contender. Many of Central Pennsylvania's favorites are also expected to be part of the action, including such stars as Fred Rahmer, Lance Dewease and Shawn Keen.

Of course, Tri-City's Ashland Homes Super Sprint drivers will be present to try to defeat the invaders. Current Super Sprint point leader Brian Ellenberger was the 1999 Rookie of the Year on the All Star trail. In addition, such stars as defending Tri-City Super Sprint Champion Jimmy Hawley, Ed Lynch Jr., Craig Keel, Craig Rankin, Jarod Larson, Jason Jacoby, Bruce Powell and Tommy Quarterson will be in action.

The Western Pa. Speedweek events Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun. will be broadcast live over the internet at RSBN.net starting at 7 pm each evening. You need Winamp to listen, go to www.allstarsprint.com for a link to download winamp.

The All Stars will compete in time trials to start the evening, then a full slate of heats will be run. After a dash and the remaining qualifying events, the 30-lap feature race will pay $5,000 to the winner. Past Speedweek winners at Tri-City include Dale Blaney (1996 and 1997) and Jeff Shepard (1998 and 1999).

Gates open at 4:00 p.m. at the Venango County half-mile oval. Time trials for the All Stars will occur at 6:00 p.m. with races slated for 7:00 p.m. Adult grandstand admission is $19.00.

For more information and tickets, please call the track office at (814) 473-4038 or (814) 676-1681.