2004 Tri-City Speedway modified champion Andy Priest will return to the Ted Hull #41 big block modified weekly at Tri-City as well as his own #21N 410 Sprint Car at select events. Viewers can keep track of Andy's 2010 season by viewing results, photos, announcements, and where he will be in action. Be sure to keep up to date with Andy's happenings on the new "Updates" page

Andy's appearance on DirtNation from December 19, 2005 can be heard at
http://www.pitwall.com/dirt/audio/DN-12-19.wma

Priest Scores Hall of Fame Classic Victory
By: Marcie L. Barlow

September 20, 2009

FRANKLIN, PA ... Modified veteran Andy Priest claimed his second Sprint car victory in less than 30 days as he captured the Hall of Fame Classic at Tri-City Speedway on Sunday, September 20th.  In addition to Priest, Russ Dunn (RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E-Mods), Randy Wyant and Bobby Whitling (E.F. Rogers Plumbing and Heating Pro-Stocks) and Patrick Fielding (Klapec Auto Body Thundercars) also visited victory lane. 

Andy Priest and Bob Felmlee paced the 20-car Sprint car field to the start.  Priest immediately pulled into the lead and set a torrid pace for the first nine laps until a caution for Jack Sodeman, Jr. slowed the field.  

When racing resumed it was Priest followed by Bob Felmlee and Danny Holtgraver.  Priest pulled away from the field, while Felmlee and Holtgraver battled for the second spot.  Unfortunately Holtgraver’s run would end on lap 13 when the steering broke and he tagged the fourth turn fence. 

Just three short laps later Felmee’s bid for victory ended when his rearend exploded and the World of Wheels machine slowed on the back stretch.  Priest went on to weather two more cautions as he went on to collect the $3,000 first place prize as the victor of the Hall of Fame Classic. 

All-Star driver Daryn Pittman got by Mike Lutz on lap 29 to claim the runner-up spot with Ed Lynch, Jr and Kevin Schaeffer completing the top five.  

Pittman, Rod George and Priest captured the Super Sprint heat events. 

SUPER SPRINTS (30 Laps): 1. ANDY PRIEST, 2. Daryn Pittman, 3. Mike Lutz, 4. Ed Lynch Jr., 5. Kevin Schaeffer, 6. Andy McKisson, 7. Charlie Holben, 8. Rod George, 9. Todd Bauer, 10. Ralph Spithaler Jr., 11. Brandon Spithaler, 12. Brent Matus, 13. Paul Kish, 14. Gale Ruth Sr., 15. Brandon Matus, 16. Scott Priester, 17. Bob Felmlee, 18. Dan Kuriger, 19. Danny Holtgraver, 20. Jack Sodeman Jr. DNS: Rob Eyler, Gale Ruth Jr.

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Priest Scores Emotional First Ever Sprint Victory

 By: Marcie L. Barlow

Oyler Photo

 August 16, 2009

 

FRANKLIN, PA ... New Castle veteran Andy Priest has 11 Tri-City Modified victories to his credit and he finally picked up that elusive career first Sprint car victory on August 16th as H&H Motorsports, R.K. Virgile Scrap Metals and Clarion Bathware presented the Hall of Fame Classic Qualifier.  In addition to Priest, David Scott (4-Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models), Matt Thomas (EF Rodgers Plumbing and Heating Pro-Stocks), Rod Jones (Changing Times Mod Lites) and Jeff Manners (Klapec Auto Body Thundercars) returned to Donovan Bauer Victory Lane.   

Kevin Schaeffer and Priest led the 21 car field to the green.  Priest used the high side of the speedway to grab the top spot and built up a commanding over Schaeffer.  Priest began lapping the slower cars by lap eight as Schaeffer, Cole Duncan and Mike Lutz battled for the second position.

Lutz took the second spot from Schaeffer on lap 16 and then set his sights on Priest.  The event’s only caution flew on lap 26 when Scott Bonnell slowed in turn four and provided Lutz with the opportunity to restart on Priest’s rear bumper.

Lutz waged a valiant battle but a determined Priest held off the challenges.  Just as Lutz crossed the start/finish line on lap 29, his motor expired and he coasted into the infield.  Lutz’s misfortune allowed Priest to complete the final lap without any further challenge and pick up his first ever Sprint victory.

Ohio youngster Duncan captured the runner-up spot with Bob Felmlee, Rod George and Schaeffer rounding out the top five.

Priest was overcome with emotion in victory lane as the $2,500 paycheck was the biggest of his career.  “I have been dreaming of this (a Sprint Car victory) since I was 12 years old and I finally achieved it,” stated the popular New Castle veteran.  “This is the best equipment I have ever had and due to limited funding we don’t compete on a weekly basis.  I want to thank H&H Motorsports as well as RK Virgile and Clarion Bathware for putting this event together.”

Priest’s victory was also worth an additional $250 courtesy of Jim’s Supermarket as a lucky fan, Autumn, had selected Priest as her “Lucky Driver” earlier in the evening.

Priest and Rod George won the Sprint heat events earlier in the evening.  Rob Eyler captured the Sprint Car “Dash For Cash” over Priest, Felmlee and George.

SUPER SPRINTS (30 Laps): 1. ANDY PRIEST, 2. Cole Duncan, 3. Bob Felmlee, 4. Rod George, 5. Kevin Schaeffer, 6. Charlie Holben, 7. Gale Ruth Jr., 8. Rob Eyler, 9. Andy McKisson, 10. Dan Kuriger, 11. Scott Priester, 12. Mike Lutz, 13. Brent Matus, 14. Eric Williams, 15. Chris Best, 16. Brad Knab, 17. Jack Sodeman Jr., 18. Gale Ruth Sr., 19. Brandon Matus, 20. Scott Bonnell, 21. Arnie Kent.

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ANDY PRIEST SCORED 100th CAREER WIN IN TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY MODIFIED RUN
by Brian Spaid

Oyler Photo

July 12, 2009

   FRANKLIN, PA  ... Under beautiful weather conditions, Tri-City Speedway hosted another five-star racing show on Sunday night as Andy Priest (Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds), Bobby Powell (4 Your Connection FASTRAK Late Models), Carl McKinney (RPM Auto Sales/Sherry Shawgo Real Estate E Mods), Bobby Whitling (E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks), and Jeff Manners (Klapec Auto Body Thundercars) captured feature wins on Ultra-Graph-X and National City/PNC Bank Night.

   Andy Priest of New Castle, Pa., celebrated a special win in the 20-lap DIRTcar Big Block Modified main event as he scored his 100th overall career feature win. Over the years, Priest scored the majority of his wins in Big Block, Small Block, and Sportsman Modified classes throughout the region. On this night, Priest led every lap aboard Ted Hull’s Specialty Products/Image Factory Signs & Graphics Teo Pro Car No. 41, and earned his 11th career DIRTcar Big Block Modified win at Tri-City. It was his first since September 4, 2005, however.

   “It’s been a long time,” said Priest, who dominated the race leading by 5.336 seconds at the finish. “We’ve been sitting at 99 wins for a long time, and I have to thank everyone involved over my career. I also want to thank all the fans here tonight. Without your support, I could not do this.”

   Priest leapt into the lead from the pole position at the start of the race, which was marred by three cautions in the first five laps. On one of those cautions, point leader Jeremiah Shingledecker and Kevin Bolland collided off turn four sending Shingledecker airborne into the front wall and collecting Brian Swartzlander, Brad Rapp and Rob Curtis. All cars continued at the rear of the field, and the fans were treated to a dazzling display of driving talent as all of those drivers charged back through the field, although Shingledecker’s run was stymied by a flat tire late in the race.

   Out front, Priest controlled the race from start-to-finish. Bolland worked his way through the pack taking second on the final circuit after a stirring inside-outside duel with Dean Pearson. At the finish, Priest was the winner over Bolland, Pearson, Tommy Kristyak and Dave Murdick, who barely edged Swartzlander at the finish. Bolland and Joe Crawford won the DIRTcar Big Block Modified heat races.