PITTSBURGH'S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY
5/30/98
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Dow Carnahan
(412) 279-RACE http://www.ppms.com
IMPERIAL, PA... When the going gets tough the tough get going, and that was certainly the case for St. Clairsville, OH's Mark Banal Saturday night at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. With a star-studded field of 25 Late Models on hand, Banal beat back the competition to claim his second win of the season, and 22nd of his career Duane Popham of Carnegie used his experience to edge rookie Travis Geisler for his first Zoresco Limited Late Model feature of the season. Wayne Tessean of Austintown, OH registered his third M. Stahl Modified victory, and Ralph Hysong Jr. of Shippingport did the same in the Spectator Stocks.
Lou Bradich grabbed the lead from pole-sitter Davey Johnson at the start of the 25-lap Late Model feature. While Bradich led and Johnson faded, seventh starting Mark Banal quickly moved forward, taking third on lap three and second the next circuit. Qnce Banal moved to second on the fifth lap he wasted no time in reeling in Bradich. After a few sideby-side trips around Dirt's Monster Half Mile by the leaders, Banal took the top spot for good on lap 10. Once in front Banal stood tall in the saddle and roared to the win despite a couple of late race cautions. Bradich was second, Steve Baker third, Ed Ferree fourth and Ricky Thomas fifth. Bill Knepper was sixth, Rick Aukland seventh, Doug Crawford eighth, Ben Miley ninth and John Mason tenth. Tim Hitt, Banal and Baker won the preliminaries. Miley was the Monarch Oil/Wolf's Head Hard Charger.
Duane Popham withstood several challenges from Travis Geisler and led wire to wire in the Zoresco Limited Late Model 20-lap feature. Geisler made a great save after nearly spinning his car in the closing laps to finish a career best second. Chris Angelicchio was third, Pete Loria fourth and Mike Cecere fifth. Kirk Young, Willie White, Monarch Qil/Wolfs Head Hard Charger Mark Moats, Alex Ferree and Charlie Jasinski completed the top ten. Jasinski and Cecere won the heat races.
The M. Stahl Modified 1 5 lap feature saw Wayne Tessean start seventh and take the lead from Logan Dernoshek on lap four. Once in front, Tessean cruised to the win with Dernoshek second, Larry Kugel third, Jeff Johnson fourth and Russ Matejka fifth. Rounding out the top ten were. Rick Heim, Dennis Neiderriter, Darrin Miller, and Jim Glass. Monarch Qil/WoIf's Head Hard Charger kugel and Tessean won the heats. By the luck of the draw Ralph Hysong Jr. started on the pole and led flag4o-flag in the Spectator Stock 1 5-lap feature. Rick Heim was second, Frankie Schneider third, Charlie DiLireto fourth and Len Dobrosielski fifth. Dave Beck was sixth, Rich Apolitto seventh, Danny Rich eighth, Dave Krumanack ninth and Neal Isminger tenth.
Hysong and DiLireto won the heat races, and Rich was the Monarch Oil Wolf's Head Charger.
This Saturday, June 6th is Frisbee toss night at PPMS with regular racing for the Late Models, Zoresco Limited Late Models, M. Stahl Modifieds and Spectator Stocks. Gates open at 5pm with racing at 7pm. Coming Saturday, June 13th are the All Star Sprints for their Western Pennsylvania Speedweek. In addition to the All Star Sprints, the Late Models will have a regular show on June ~ 3th with feature events only for the Zoresco Limited Late Models, M. Stahl Modifieds and Spectator Stocks. For more information call (412) 279-RACE, or visit our Internet home page at www.ppms.com.
PITTSBURGH'S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY SUMMARY (5/30/98)
LATE MODELS
Heat Winners: Tim Hitt, Mark Banal, Steve Baker.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Mark Banal, St. Clairsville OH
2. Lou Bradich, Chester WV
3. Steve Baker, Fairmont WV
4. Ed Ferree, Saxonburg
5. Ricky Thomas, Carnegie
6. Bill Knepper, Clinton
7 Rick Aukland, Fargo ND
8. Doug Crawford, Castle Shannon
9. Ben Miley, Venetia
10. John Mason, Millersburg OH
M. STAHL MODIFIEDS
Heat Winners. Larry Kugel, Wayne Tessean.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Wayne Tessean, Austintown OH
2. Logan Dernoshek, Cecil 2
3. Larry Kugel, E. Liverpool OH
4. Jeff Johnson, Mineral Ridge OH
5. Russ Matejka, Monaca
6. Jeff Haefke, Austintown OH
7. Dennis Neiderriter, Burgettstown
5. Darrin Miller, Hookstown
9. Jim Glass, Girard OH
10. Tom Duratz, Carnegie
ZORESCO LIMITED LATE MODELS Heat Winners: Charlie Jasinski, Mike Cecere.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Duane Popham, Carnegie
2. Travis Geisler, Cranberry Twp.
3. Chris Angelicchio, Greensburg
4. Pete Loria, Castle Shannon
5. Mike Cecere, Baldwin
6. Kirk Young, Pittsburgh
7 Willie White Heidelberg
8. Mark Moats, Hookstown
9. Alex Ferree, Saxonburg
10. Charlie Jasinksi, Struthers OH
SPECTATOR STOCKS
Heat Winners. Ralph Hysong Jr., Charlie Di Lireto.
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Ralph Hysong Jr, Shippingport Rick Heim, Pittsburgh
3. Frankie Schneider, Sheridan
4. Charlie DiLireto, South Fayette
5. Len Dobrosielski, Kennedy Twp.
6. Dave Beck, Imperial
7. Rich Apolitto, Carnegie
8. Danny Rich, Imperial
9. Doug Foster, McKees Rocks
10.Neal Isminger, Washington
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