PITTSBURGH’S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY
1/17/99
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Dow Carnahan
(412) 279-RACE/www.ppms.com
PITTSBURGH, PA….Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway hosted its 10th annual awards banquet Saturday, January 16th at the Bradley House in Pittsburgh. Late Models - Mark Banal; Zoresco Limited Late Models - Dave Wade; and M. Stahl Modifieds - Wayne Tessean received their first championship rings, while Ralph Hysong Jr. - Spectator Stocks collected his second straight black onyx circlet.
St. Clairsville, OH’s Banal had his best season at Dirt’s Monster Half Mile. He won four times and held a 144 point margin over second place finisher Steve Baker. Pittsburgh’s Wade won six times and overtook Alex Ferree on the final night for his title. Tessean of Austintown, OH won eight times and never finished worse than seventh in ending Larry Kugel’s three year championship streak. Shippingport’s Hysong won four times and was also a model of consistency in defending his title.
Late Model driver Bill Knepper of Clinton was presented the 10th Annual Sportsman of The Year Award.
Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Chargers of The Year were: Ben Miley - Late Models, Alex Ferree - Zoresco Limited Late Models, Wayne Tessean - M. Stahl Modifieds, and Rich Apolito - Spectator Stocks.
Jim Lepro - Late Models, Pete Loria and Mike Cecere - Zoresco Limited Late Models, Jeff Haefke - M. Stahl Modifieds, and Rich Apolito - Spectator Stocks were honored as Rookies of The Year.
Late Model Champion Banal received a new Rocket Chassis by Steve Baker of Mark Richards Racing for being the top point finisher running a Rocket. Late Model sixth place point finisher Ricky Thomas received a Bullitt Chassis from Ray Callahan for being the best finishing Bullitt.
The 1999 season begins Saturday, April 3rd at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway with the same four divisions - Late Models, Limited Late Models, E-Modifieds and Spectator Stocks. The new Amateur Strictly Stocks class will debut in June. The STARS Late Models and All-Star Sprints are scheduled for return appearances this year along with special events for the Limited Late Models, E-Mods and Spectator Stocks.