PITTSBURGH'S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY
5/16/98
By Dow Carnahan
(412) 279-RACE on the net at http:// www.ppms.com
IMPERIAL, PA.... Steve Baker of Fairmont, WV broke his string of bad luck by winning his first Late Model feature of the season Saturday at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Dave Wade of Pittsburgh returned to the winner's circle for the first time since opening night in the Zoresco Limited Late Models. East Liverpool, OH's Larry Kugel continued his winning ways in the M. Stahl Modifieds, and Len Dobrosielski of Kennedy Township was in the right place at the right time to capture the Spectator Stock victory. Twice earlier this season Steve Baker appeared to be on his way to feature wins only to have misfortune strike late in the race. After starting eleventh, Baker methodically worked his way toward the front in the 25-lap Late Model feature. Rick Wachter, who took the lead from Jim Zarin on lap four, had opened up a big lead over Mark Banal by the midway point. Baker passed Banal for second on the 1 4th circuit and set his sights on the race leader Wachter. With time running out, Baker made a high side pass for the lead on lap 24 and claimed his twelfth career PPMS win. Wachter, Banal, Ed Ferree and Bill Knepper completed the top five. Six through ten were: Jim Zarin, Lynn Geisler, Ben Miley, Lou Bradich and Jim Lepro Doug Dodd, Baker and Free won the heat races, and Baker was the Monarch CilI WoIf's Head Hard Charger. Rookie John Pavlick set the pace for the first six laps of the Zoresco Limited Late Model 20-lapper before Dave Wade made what proved to be the winning pass. A fast closing Mark Moats settled for second, with Kirk Young third, Willie White fourth and Pavlick fifth. Pete Loria, Duane Popham, Mike Cecere, Chris Angelicchio and Mike Morgan completed the top ten. Cecere and Travis Geisler were the heat race winners while Young was the Monarch Oil Wolf's Head Hard Charger. Larry Kugel led all but the first two laps of the M. Stahl Modified 15-lap feature to secure his third win this season. Monarch OilIWolfs Head Hard Charger Wayne Tessean came from twelfth to second. Bootie Petsko was third, Logan Dernoshek fourth and Russ Matejka fifth. Jimmy Plance was sixth, Darrin Miller seventh, John Myrgo eighth, Jim Plance ninth and Larry Walters tenth. Dernoshek and Kugel won the preliminaries. For the second week in a row the Spectator Stock feature ended in controversy. Danny Rich was trying to pass Joe Vacca for the lead coming off of turn four for the checkered flag when his car moved up across the race track and hit Vacca. Both cars struck the wall and continued, but Rich was disqualified for rough driving and the win went to Len Dobrosielski, who had been running third. Frankie Schneider was second, Bob Damron third, Vacca came across the line fourth and Ralph Hysong Jr. was fifth. Rick Heim, Rich Apolito, Jeff Broniszewski, Andy Koteles and Willie White completed the top ten. Schneider and Al Atallah were the heat race winners. Adam Stasko was the Monarch Oil Wolk's Head hard Charger.
Regular racing continues Saturday, May 23rd for the Late Models, Zoresco 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 home page on the Internet at www.ppms.com.
PITTSBURGH'S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY (6/16/98)
LATE MODELS
Heat Winners: Doug Dodd, Steve Baker, Ed Ferree.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Steve Baker, Fairmont WV
2. Rick Wachter, Beaver
3. Mark Banal, St. Clairsville OH
4. Ed Ferree, Saxonburg
5. Bill Knepper, Clinton
6. Jim Zarin, Glenn Willard
7. Lynn Geisler, Cranberry Twp.
5. Ben Miley, Venetia
9. Lou Bradich, Chester WV
10. Jim Lepro, Midway
M. STAHL MODIFIEDS
Heat Winners: Logan Dernoshek, Larry Kugel.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Larry Kugel, E. Liverpool, OH
2. Wayne Tessean, Austintown OH
3. Bootie Petsko, Brookville OH
4. Logan Dernoshek, Cecil
5. Russ Matejka, Monaca
6. Jimmy Plance, Georgetown
7. Darrin Miller, Hookstown
8. John Myrgo, Canonsburg
9. Jim Plance, Georgetown
10. Larry Walters, Evans City
ZORESCO LIMITED LATE MODELS Heat Winners: Mike Cecere, Travis Geisler.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Dave Wade, Pittsburgh
2. Mark Moats, Hookstown
3. Kirk Young, Pittsburgh
4. Willie White, Heidelberg
5. John Pavlick, Youngstown OH
6. Pete Loria, Castle Shannon
7. Duane Popham, Carnegie
5. Mike Cecere, Baldwin
9. Chris Angelicchio, Greensburg
10. Mike Morgan, Bridgeville
SPECTATOR STOCKS Heat Winners: Len Dobroslelski, Al Atallah
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Len Dobrosielski, Kennedy Twp.
2. Frankie Schneider, Pittsburgh
3. Bob Damron, Wintersville OH
4. Joe Vacca, Carnegie
5. Ralph Hysong Jr., Shippingport
6. Rick Heim, Pittsburgh
7. Rich Apolito, Carnegie
8. Jeff Broniszewski, Coraopolis
9. Andy Koteles, Finleyville
10.Stacie White, Heidelberg
NOTE: The M. Stahl Modifieds also competed Sunday, May 17th at PPMS along with the Hav-A-Tampa Late Models. The HAV-A-TAMPA release is listed on the press release. The Modified win went to Wayne Tessean. Larry Kugel was second, Logan Dernoshek third, Darrin Miller fourth, Jim Plance fifth, Chuck Kennedy sixth, Jimmy Plance seventh, Russ Matejka eighth, Bootie Petsko ninth and Scott Gunn tenth.
1998 Pittsburgh's PA. Motor Speedway Press Releases Page