Jeremiah Shingledecker of Polk, Pa., captured his third feature win in a row in the 20-lap DIRTcar Big Block Modified main passing early race leader Rex King late in the race. With the win in his Village Auto/Hard’s Welding/Steve’s Teez Bicknell No. 37MD, Shingledecker captured his 19th career feature win at Tri-City tying the late Jeff Hoffman for fourth on the all-time DIRTcar Big Block Modified win list at the track. Shingledecker also tied the modern record for three wins in a row in the division.
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“I want to dedicate this win to the Hoffman family,” said Shingledecker. “They helped us out when we first started, and it’s an honor to tie Jeff’s win record and be mentioned in the same breath with him. That was a great race, and the track was amazing. Rex ran a great race. I tried to make the low line work and he blocked me off. I took the high side and it worked.”
Dave Murdick and King led the field to the green flag, and ran side-by-side for the first circuit with King leading at the line. Gradually, King pulled ahead while Shingledecker worked past Kevin Hoffman for third on the fourth circuit. Two laps later, Shingledecker passed Murdick for second. Two cautions in the middle of the race slowed the race. On each restart, Shingledecker could not pass King. With King high and Shingledecker low, the duo fought for the win. On the 16th circuit, Shingledecker almost made a pass stick on the low side of turn three. The following lap, King blocked the same move, but Shingledecker swung to the outside lane and used his momentum to pass King off turn four at the line. Another caution occurred, but King was not able to muster the power to pass Shingledecker, who raced to the popular win. King finished second followed by Hoffman. Driving the Shingledecker team car, Chris Haines passed Murdick for fourth on the last lap.