PITTSBURGH'S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY
4/11/98
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Dow Carnahan
(412) 279RACE
http://www.ppms.com
Victory Lane Pictures (Click here)
IMPERIAL, PA.... It was a record setting night in more ways than one Saturday at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. All-time leading winner Lynn Geisler of Cranberry Township added to his record setting career at Dirt's Monster Half Mile by notching his 6th Late Model feature, and continued his streak of winning at least one feature every year at the speedway since it opened in 1979.
While Geisler was writing another chapter in his successful career, 18-year old Chris Angelicchio of Greensburg claimed his first career win in the Zoresco Limited Late Models. Larry Kugel of East Liverpool, Ohio ,added to his career leading M. Stahl E-Mod win total of 25 with his first victory of the young season. Kurt Halbedl of Imperial became the first driver to win feature events in five divisions at PPMS when he visited victory lane in the Spectator Stocks. Halbedi has also been victorious in past years in the Semi-Lates, UMP Modifieds, Street Stocks and 4-Cylinders.
Pole-sitter Rich Curry paced the non-stop 25-lap Late Model feature for the first eight circuits. Steve Baker, who had been running third, made an aggressive pass on Lynn Geisler for second on lap eight and then overtook Curry for the lead the next go round. Geisler followed Baker to second as Curry began to fade. Baker seemed to have things under control until rear-end problems sidelined him on lap 22. Baker's misfortune put Geisler in the lead with Ed Ferree and Doug Dodd closing in. As the white flagged waved, Ferree was on Geisler's bumper and pulled even entering turn three, but Geisler was able to hold him off by a half a car length for the hard fought win. Dodd crossed the line third, Bill Knepper fourth, and 24th starting Davey Johnson fifth. However, Knepper was disqualified for running an illegal tire. Moving Monarch OilI Wolfs Head Hard Charger Johnson to fourth and opening night winner Mark Banal to fifth. Completing the top ten were: Ben Miley, Jim Lepro, Curry, John Johnson and Rick Wachter. D. Johnson, Ferree and Dodd won the heat races, but Johnson was DQ'ed after his heat when the rear deck height on his car was found to be to high.
Just like misfortune struck Baker in the Late Model feature, early race leader Pete Loria dropped from the Zoresco Limited Late Model feature with engine problems while leading. This gave the top spot to Limited Late rookie Chris Angelicchio who held off opening night winner Dave Wade for the impressive win. Duane Popham was third, Kirk Young fourth and Jim Stephans fifth. Mike Cecere, Mark Moats, Willie White, Joe Johnson and Wayne Gaither completed the top ten. Wade was the Monarch Oil Wolfs Head Hard Charger. Loria and Stephens won the preliminaries.
The caution filled 15-lap M. Stahl Modified feature found three time defending track champion Larry Kugel back in the winner's circle. Kugel inherited the lead on the ninth lap after making contact with then leader Jeff Sharp, who hit the turn three wall. Jeff Rudrick put on a late race charge for second. Wayne Tessean, Logan Dernoshek and
Scott Gunn completed the top five. Six through ten were: Jeff Covelli, D.J. Miller, Bootie Petsko, Russ Matejka and Jeff Johnson. Tessean, Kugel and Miller won the heats, and Petsko was the Monarch Oil/Wolfs Head Hard Charger. Kurt Halbedl held off the late race charge of Joe Vacca to claim the Spectator Stock 15 lap feature. Vacca got slowed by lapped traffic on the final lap and settled for second. Al Atallah was third, Bob Damron fourth and Len Dobrosielski fifth. France Schneider, Rick Heim, Ralph Hysong Jr, Stacie White and Nil Isminger rounded out the top ten. Heim and Schneider won the heat races. Doug Foster was the Monarch Oil Wolf's Head Hard Charger. Regular racing continues this Saturday, April 18th, for the Late Models, ZorescQ Limited Late Models, M. Stahl Modifieds and Spectator Stocks. Gates open at 5pm with racing at 7pm. For more information call (412) 279-RACE or visit our website at http://www.ppms.com.
PITTSBURGH'S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY SUMMARY (411 81~8)
LATE MODELS
HEAT WINNERS: Steve Baker, Ed
Ferree, Doug Dodd.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Lynn Geisler, Cranberry Twp.
2. Ed Ferree, Saxonburg
3. Doug Dodd, Cambridge OH
4. Davey Johnson, Greensburg
5. Mark Banal, St. Clairsville OH
6. Ben Miley, Venetia
7. Jim Lepro, Midway
8. Rich Curry, Pittsburgh
9. John Johnson, Scott Twp
10. Rick Wachter, Beaver
M. STAHL MODIFIEDS
HEAT WINNERS: Wayne Tessean,
Larry Kugel, DJ Miller.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Larry Kugel, E. Liverpool OH
2. Jeff Rudrick, Columbiana OH
3. Wayne Tessean, Austintown OH
4. Logan Dernoshek, Cecil 4.
5. Scott Gunn, West Mifflin
6. Jeff Covelli, New Castle 6.
7. D.J. Miller, Hookstown
5. Bootie Petsko, Brookville OH
ZORESCO LIMITED LATE MODELS
HEAT WINNERS: Pete Loria, Jim Stephans.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Chris Angelicchio, Greensburg
2. Dave Wade, Pittsburgh
3. Duane Popham, Carnegie
4. Kirk Young, Pittsburgh
5. Jim Stephans, Brentwood
6. Mike Cecere, Baldwin
7. Mark Moats, Hookstown
5. Willie White, Heidelberg
9. Joe Johnson, Monaca
10. Wayne Gaither, N. Lima OH
SPECTATOR STOCKS
HEAT WINNERS: Rick Heim, France Schneider.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Kurt Halbedl, Imperial
2. Joe Vacca, Carnegie
3. Al Atallah, Carnegie
Bob Damron, Wintersville OH
5. Led Dobrosielski, Kennedy Twp
6. Frankie Schneider, Pittsburgh
7. Rick Heim, Pittsburgh
8. Ralph Hysong Jr, Shippingport
9 Russ Matejka, Monaca
10. Jeff Johnson, Mineral Ridge OH
9. Stacie White, Heidelberg
10.Neal Isminger, Washington