By: Mike Ackelson
June 12, 2026 – For Immediate Release:

Matus, Bish, Ruth, and Baker Take Victory Lane on Fan Appreciation Night at Tri-City Raceway Park

FRANKLIN, PA –– A large crowd turned out for Fan Appreciation Night at Tri-City Raceway Park Friday night, and the Venango County track delivered great racing action from start to finish. When the night concluded, Brandon Matus, Curt J. Bish, Gale Ruth Jr., and William Baker were all parked in victory lane. Along with the competitive racing, drivers spent the evening praising the excellent track conditions and the strong turnout of local race fans.
The Hovis Auto & Truck Supply 410 Sprint Car feature was filled with drama before the green flag even dropped. Pole-sitter and points leader Bob Felmee saw his night end before turning a competitive lap, as a mechanical failure forced him to the pits during the warmup lap. When the race got underway, 16-year-old Nash Gierke grabbed the early lead, with Brandon Matus on his heels and Brandon Spithaler in pursuit. Gierke, driving out of Newbury, Ohio, set a fast pace early on, building a four-and-a-half-second lead by the eighth lap. From there, the battle for second started to heat up. Spithaler used the high line around the speedway to close in on Matus, but Matus quickly moved up to take that line away. With both drivers running well, they began reeling in Gierke, cutting his lead down to about five car lengths by lap 10. On lap 14, Matus made his move to take over the lead, with Spithaler following him into second. As the laps wound down, Matus began pulling away from the field. When the checkered flag waved, the Wampum driver held a five-second advantage, securing his first win at Tri-City since 2021.

In victory lane, Matus reflected on the win, stating, “Man, this feels so good to finally put it all together. It’s so tough to win in this division, and I knew the 22 car was there, so I just kept my foot in the gas. Sometimes it’s mental, and I was trying not to overthink and just race. This is big. We couldn’t have asked for a better racetrack; it was awesome. It’s great seeing all the fans here, what a night.” Spithaler finished in the runner-up spot, while Gierke came home third for a career-best finish. Dusty Larson and Jeremy Korbau rounded out the top five.

Next up, the RK Virgile Iron and Steel Pro Stock 15-lap feature belonged to Curt J. Bish. He grabbed the lead right at the start, but he had to earn every bit of it with Josh Seippel right on his bumper for all 15 laps. Seippel tried several times to make a move using the low lane in turns three and four, but Bish was up to the task and held his line. Bish kept his composure through the caution-free race to claim his 9th career win at the track.

The victory carried a lot of meaning for Bish, who dedicated the performance to his late car owner. “This race is for Bob Tarr, my car owner who passed away last fall,” Bish said. “It means so much to win here and for him. It just feels good to get a great finish with all the fans here tonight. I couldn’t do this without my family and crew.” Seippel settled for second place, with Jake Whitling, Pat Fielding, and Jason Kimmy completing the top five.

The 21st Century Energy Group RUSH Sprint Car 20-lap feature got off to a rough start. Going into turn one, pole-sitter Zach Morrow made contact with Lucas Roessner’s wheel, sending Morrow into a flip. It was a hard crash, but fortunately, the Gibsonia driver walked away okay from his damaged race car. On the second attempt at the start, Roessner grabbed the lead for the first two laps. By lap three, veteran Gale Ruth Jr. took command, using the high side of the track to perfection to set the pace. Blaze Myers, looking for his fourth win of the season, put on a charge, but Ruth’s car was working incredibly well. Ruth built up a four-and-a-half-second lead, though Myers began closing the distance as they worked through lapped traffic. Myers appeared to get the break he needed on lap 18 when the caution flag flew for Jayden Shiffer and Grayson Bayle, who spun in turn four after making contact. With two laps to go, Ruth stayed steady and hit his marks perfectly to hold off Myers, claiming his second win of the year and 8th overall in the division.

“It’s been a rough couple of months since my mom passed away, but I know she’s watching from above,” Ruth said after parking in the winner’s circle. “This means so much to come here and win. John McConnell and the entire crew work so hard, and I’m just happy to park this car in the winner’s circle.” Myers finished in second place, followed by Joe Buccola, Lucas Roessner, and Devon Detter. The Kenny’s Cash $100 bonus—donated at each RUSH Sprint event by Arnie Kent in memory of his brother Kenny—was awarded to eighth-place finisher Logan Lockhart.

The Complete Car Care Center RUSH Stock Car 15-lap feature turned into a great battle between Raidden Wilson and William Baker. When the green flag dropped, the two raced side-by-side for the first couple of laps, with Wilson leading by just a few feet. By lap three, the defending track champion gained a clear advantage over Baker and held that lead through the first eight laps. The only caution of the race came out when Jim Buchanan spun his car in turn one. On the double-file restart, Wilson took the inside lane with Baker on the outside. The two dueled down the straightaway, but heading into turn three, Baker managed to grab the lead. Wilson threw everything he had at Baker over the final six laps, but the Centerville driver never blinked, taking his third win in four races this season.

Baker credited the restart for helping him secure the win, saying, “That caution was huge for us. I’m not sure we would have gotten by the 77 machine if it stayed green. This was a real nice, hard-fought win for me and my team. The track was excellent; the improvements the Shiffer family has made are paying off.” Wilson finished second, with Billy Myers Sr., Cole Laskey, and Jim Buchanan rounding out the top five.

Tri-City Raceway Park extends a special thank you to the Waters family, who added money to the purse for each division in memory of their son, Michael. Additionally, appreciation goes out to PJ’s Excavating and Concrete for adding extra money to the RUSH Stock Car purse.

Hovis Auto & Truck Supply 410 Sprint Car 25 Lap Feature Finish: 1. (13) Brandon Matus, 2. (22) Brandon Spithaler, 3. (56N) Nash Gierke, 4. (47L) Dusty Larson, 5. (32) Jeremy Kornbau, 6. (X7) Andy Cavanaugh, 7. (33) Brent Matus, 8. (30) Jazlyn Boyles, 9. (55) Scott Rogers, 10. (6) Bob Felmlee, DNS (86) Michael Lutz

1st Heat Race Finish: 1. (13) Brandon Matus, 2. (22) Brandon Spithaler, 3. (32) Jeremy Kornbau, 4. (X7) Andy Cavanaugh, 5. (33) Brent Matus, DNS (86) Michael Lutz

2nd Heat Race Finish: 1. (6) Bob Felmlee, 2. (56N) Nash Gierke, 3. (47L) Dusty Larson, 4. (30) Jazlyn Boyles, 5. (55) Scott Rogers

RK Virgile Iron & Steel Pro Stock 15 Lap Feature Finish: 1. (29) Curt J Bish, 2. (84S) Josh Seippel, 3. (07) Jake Whitling, 4. (23) Pat Fielding, 5. (57) Jason Kimmy, DNS (11B) Tim Bish, DNS (69H) Mark Hopkins

Heat Race Finish: 1. (84S) Josh Seippel, 2. (07) Jake Whitling, 3. (29) Curt J Bish, 4. (11B) Tim Bish, 5. (23) Pat Fielding, 6. (57) Jason Kimmy, 7. (69H) Mark Hopkins

21st Century Energy Group RUSH Sprint Cars 20 Lap Feature Finish: 1. (24) Gale Ruth Jr., 2. (41) Blaze Myers, 3. (5B) Joe Buccola, 4. (213) Lucas Roessner, 5. (54) Devon Deeter, 6. (7) Cooper Macormac, 7. (1t) Ricky Tucker III, 8. (58) Logan Lockhart, 9. (23) Charlie Utsinger, 10. (16) Jayden Shiffer, 11. (21) Grayson Bayle, 12. (17M) CJ McClintock, 13. (68) Zach Morrow, DNS (10) Brayden Blackshear, DNS (21N) Samantha Priest

1st Heat Race Finish: 1. (213) Lucas Roessner, 2. (58) Logan Lockhart, 3. (23) Charlie Utsinger, 4. (54) Devon Deeter, 5. (21N) Samantha Priest, 6. (16) Jayden Shiffer, 7. (21) Grayson Bayle, 8. (10) Brayden Blackshear

2nd Heat Race Finish: 1. (68) Zach Morrow, 2. (24) Gale Ruth Jr., 3. (7) Cooper Macormac, 4. (41) Blaze Myers, 5. (5B) Joe Buccola, 6. (1t) Ricky Tucker III, 7. (17M) CJ McClintock

Complete Car Care Center RUSH Stock Cars 15 Lap Feature Finish: 1. (620) William Baker Jr., 2. (77) Raidden Wilson, 3. (43M) Billy Myers Sr., 4. (2C) Cole Laskey, 5. (22) Jim Buchanan, 6. (76) Devan Jones, 7. (22S) Michael Smiley

Heat Race Finish: 1. (620) William Baker Jr., 2. (77) Raidden Wilson, 3. (43M) Billy Myers Sr., 4. (76) Devan Jones, 5. (2C) Cole Laskey, 6. (22) Jim Buchanan, 7. (22S) Michael Smiley

Upcoming Races

June 19 – 4 Star Racing + Mini Stocks

June 21 – BRP Modifieds – FAST $10 Sprints – RUSH Sportsman Modifieds – RUSH Sprint Cars

June 26 & July 3 – No Racing

July 10 – 4 Star Racing + Mini Stocks

July 17 – 4 Star Racing Kids Night Give Aways & Bike Races

July 24 – Summer Sizzler – Andy & Billie Lutz Memorial FAST 410 Sprint Series – Pro Stocks – RUSH Stocks

Race Day Information at Tri City Raceway Park
Fridays: Racing begins at 7:00 PM
Sundays: Racing starts at 6:30 PM
Pit Gates Open at 3:00 pm
Grandstands Gates Open at 4:00 pm

Ticket Pricing
General Admission
Adults (17+) $15.00
Students / Seniors/ Military $13.00
Kids 10 and Under FREE
Pit Passes (3+) $35.00

Special Races
General Admission
Adults (17+) $20.00
Students / Seniors/ Military $15.00
Kids 10 and Under FREE
Pit Passes (3+) $40.00

Marketing Partners
Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, 21st Century Energy Group, RK Virgile Iron & Steel, Complete Car Care Center, Marsh Heating & Cooling, Erie Beer, KEI Klapec Express Trucking, Shambaugh Towing, McCandless Ford, United Community Independence Program, Close Racing Supply, Schaeffer’s Oil, BKI Bert Klapec INC, Clarion County Community Bank, McCandless Trailer Sales, Heffren Septic systems, Gates & Burns Reality, Bernards Electrical Service & Troubleshooting, Sunbelt Rental Meadville, MAD Tree Service, Friedhaber’s Appliances, PJ’S Excavating & Concrete, Top Notch Tree and Stump Services, Vape Shop & Game Room, Tionesta Builders Supply, First Rate Reality, Log Cabin Restaurant, MAD MAC BBQ, Bish Heating and Cooling, Forbidden Fantasies Adult Cabaret, Triple Sanitation, Franklin Service & Supply and Oil Creek Family Campground, Flea Flickers, Allegheny Toyota, American Legion Post 0334

Tri-City Raceway Park is proudly owned and operated by Josh and Kyrsten Shiffer and is located at 3430 State Route 417 in Franklin, Pennsylvania. The historic half-mile dirt oval offers competitive racing and special events in a welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere.

For the complete 2026 schedule, ticket information, and updates throughout the season, visit http://www.racetri-city.com and follow Tri-City Raceway Park on Facebook.