PITTSBURGH'S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY
4/25/98
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Dow Carnahan
(412) 279-RACE http://www.ppms.com
Victory Lane Pictures (Click here)
IMPERIAL1 PA... After more than a year's absence, Davey Johnson of Greensburg returned to the winner's circle at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway Saturday night. The third all time leading Late Model feature winner bagged his 30th career victory in an exciting duel with Mark Banal.
For the second time this season the Zoresco Limited Late Model feature was won by a high school senior as second generation driver Alex Ferree of Saxonburg gained his first career checkered flag. Larry Kugel of East Liverpool, OH added to his career leading win total in the M. Stahl Modifieds, and Len Dobrosielski of Kennedy Township claimed his first win of the season in the Spectator Stocks.
Mark Banal passed Lynn Geisler for the lead on lap two of the Late Model 25 lap feature, wtth Davey Johnson unseating Geisler for second on lap five. From that point on, Banal and Johnson waged a torrid battle with plenty of hard racing behind them. Through several cautions, Banal continued to lead and appeared to be on his way to victory. But with time running out Johnson closed on the race leader in traffic and edged in front as the white flag waved. Once in the lead, Johnson held on for the win. Banal was second and a hard charging Steve Baker third after pitting with a flat tire on lap 7. Geisler and Lou Bradich completed the top five. Ed Ferree was sixth, Keith Berner seventh, Ricky Thomas eighth, John Johnson ninth and Doug Crawford tenth. Ferree, D Johnson and Banal were the heat race winners. Jim Zarin was the Monarch Oil Wolf's Head Hard Charger.
Alex Ferree unseated Dave Wade for the lead on the twelfth lap of the Zoresco Limited Late Model feature. Once in command the second year driver did a commendable job in gathering his first feature victory. Last week's winner, Pete Loria, charged from twelfth to second. Mark Moats was third, Wade fourth and Mike Cecere fifth Wayne Gaither, Kirk Young, George Bland, Willie White and Jim Stephans rounded out the top ten. Monarch OiI WoIf's Head Hard Charger, Loria, and Moats captured the preliminanes
Stush Sadawski paced the first three laps of the M. Stahl Modified feature before Larry Kugel made what proved to be his winning pass. Wayne Tessean claimed second. Logan Demoshek come from twelfth to third. Sixteenth starting Jeff Rudrick was fourth ahead of D.J. Miller. six through ten were: Russ Matejka, Sadawski, John Myrgo, Bootie Petsko and Jim Petrelle Tessean and Kugel were the heat race winners, and Rudrick was the Monarch OiI, Wolf's Head Hard Charger.
Len Dobrosielski and Ralph Hysong Jr. demonstrated outstanding driving skill by running side.by side for more than ten laps of the Spectator Stock feature, and never touched once. When the checkered flag waved, Dobrosiciski was victorious with Hysong second, Rick Helm third, Al Atallah fourth and Frankie Schneider fifth. Stacie White was sixth, Joe Vacca seventh, Andy Koteles eighth, Neal Isminger ninth and Rich Apolito tenth. Dobrosielski and Heim were the heat race winners while Hysong was the Monarch Oil/Wolf's Head Hard Charger.
Regular racing continues this Saturday, May 2nd, with the Late Models, Zoresco Limited Late Models, M. Stahl Limited Late Models and Spectator Stocks back in action. Gates open at 5pm with racing at 7pm. Don't forget the Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Late Model Series invades PPMS for a $10,000 to win 100 lapper on Sunday, May 17th Practice will begin at 2pm with time trials and the race program to follow.
PITTSBURGH'S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY SUMMARY (4/25/98)
LATE MODELS
HEAT WINNERS: Ed Ferree, Davey Johnson, Mark Banal.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Davey Johnson, Greensburg
2. Mark Banal, St. Clairsville OH
3. Steve Baker, Fairmont WV
4. Lynn Geisler, Cranberry Twp.
5. Lou Bradich, Chester WV
6. Ed Ferree, Saxonburg
7. Keith Berner, Millersburg OH
8. Ricky Thomas, Carnegie
9. John Johnson, Scott Twp.
10. Doug Crawford, Castle Shannon
M. STAHL MODIFIEDS
HEAT WINNERS: Wayne Tessean, Larry Kugel.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Larry Kugel, E. Liverpool OH
2. Wayne Tessean, Austintown OH
3. Logan Dernoshek, Cecil 3.
4. Jeff Rudrick, Columbiana OH
5. D.J. Miller, Hookstown
6. Russ Matejka, Monaca
7. Stush Sadawski, Hill Station
8. John Myrgo, Canonsburg
9. Bootie Petsko, Brookville OH
10. Jim Petrelle Weirton WV
ZORESCO LIMITED LATE MODELS
HEAT WINNERS: Pete Loria, Mark Moats.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Alex Ferree, Saxonburg
2. Pete Loria, Pittsburgh
3. Mark Moats, Hookstown
4. Dave Wade, Pittsburgh
5. Mike Cecere, Baldwin
6. Wayne Gaither, N. Lima OH
7. Kirk Young, Pittsburgh
8. George Bland, Aliquippa
9. Willie White, Heidelberg
1O.Jim Stephans, Brentwood
SPECTATOR STOCKS
HEAT WINNERS: Len Dobrosielski, Rick Heim.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Len Dobrosielski, Kennedy Twp.
2. Ralph Hysong Jr, Shippingport Rick Heim, Pittsburgh
4. Al Atallah, Carnegie
5. Frankie Schneider, Pittsburgh
6. Stacie White, Heidelberg
7. Joe Vacca, Carnegie
5. Andy Koteles, Finleyville
9. Neal Isminger, Washington
10.Rich Apolito, Carnegie
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