PITTSBURGH’S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY
6/6/98
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Dow Carnahan
(412) 279-RACE/www.ppms.com
IMPERIAL, PA….Mark Banal is on a roll! The St. Clairsville, OH driver blistered the competition to claim his second straight win and the 23rd of his Late Model career Saturday at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, tying Tye Long for fourth on the all-time win list.
Baldwin’s Mike Cecere won his first Zoresco Limited Late Model feature. Larry Kugel of East Liverpool, OH was back in victory lane for the fifth time this season in the M. Stahl Modifieds, and Frank Schneider Jr. of Sheradan notched his first Spectator Stock main event of ’98.
Dennis Curry set the pace at the start of the 25-lap Late Model feature, but eyes were focused on 12th starting Mark Banal who stormed to the front. While most cars seem to be good either running low or high, Banal is able to run which ever line he chooses and pass at will. Running fourth on lap three, Banal swept his way to the lead on the next circuit and the rest was history. Steve Baker was able to keep pace with Banal late in the race, but settled for second. Lou Bradich was third, Ed Ferree fourth and Doug Crawford fifth. Bill Knepper, Jim Kutas, Ben Miley, Curry and Jim Lepro completed the top ten. Bradich, Baker, and Banal won the heat races. Miley was the Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger.
Mike Cecere led wire to wire in the Zoresco Limited Late Model 20-lap feature, but it wasn’t easy. Travis Geisler hounded Cecere the distance, but finished in the runner-up spot for the second straight week. Alex Ferree was third, Kirk Young fourth and Pete Loria fifth. Six through ten were: Chris Angelicchio, Mark Moats, Dave Wade, Wayne Gaither and Don Dibert. Heat race wins went to Angelicchio and Charlie Jasinski. Dibert was the Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger.
John Myrgo led the first five laps of the M. Stahl Modified feature before Larry Kugel made his winning pass. Wayne Tessean came from 12th to second. Logan Dernoshek was third, Myrgo fourth and Russ Matejka fifth. Gary Scott, Bobby Bongiorni, Darrin Miller, Scott Gunn and Mark Auberzinski rounded out the top ten. Kugel and Dernoshek were the heat winners, and Tessean was the Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger.
Starting eighth, Frank Schneider Jr. stormed to the front of the Spectator Stock 15-lap feature. Schneider passed Ron O’ Patchin for the top spot on lap two and never looked back. Rick Heim charged to second, Ralph Hysong Jr. was third, Charlie DiLireto fourth and Len Dobrsielski fifth. Six through ten were: O’Patchin, Dave Beck, Bob Damron, Al Atallah, and Neal Isminger. Heim was the Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger. Atallah and Heim won the heat races.
This Saturday, June 13th, the All-Star Sprint cars invade PPMS as part of the their sixth annual Western Pennsylvania Speedweek. Along with a complete show for the All Star Sprints and Late Models, the Zoresco Limited Late Models, M. Stahl Modifieds and Spectator Stocks will run feature events only. Grandstand gates open at 5pm with racing at 7pm. Adult general admission is $20. Students 13-16 are $15. Kids 6-12 $4, and under six are free. Pit passes are $25. For more information call (412) 279-RACE or visit our home page on the Internet at www.ppms.com.
PITTSBURGH’S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY SUMMARY (6/6/98)
LATE MODELS ZORESCO LIMITED LATE MODELS
HEAT WINNERS: Lou Bradich, Steve HEAT WINNERS: Chris Angelicchio,
Baker, Mark Banal. Charlie Jasinski.
FEATURE (TOP TEN) FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Mark Banal, St. Clairsville OH 1. Mike Cecere, Baldwin
2. Steve Baker, Fairmont WV 2. Travis Geisler, Cranberry Twp.
3. Lou Bradich, Chester WV 3. Alex Ferree, Saxonburg
4. Ed Ferree, Saxonburg 4. Kirk Young, Pittsburgh
5. Doug Crawford, Castle Shannon 5. Pete Loria, Castle Shannon
6. Bill Knepper, Clinton 6. Chris Angelicchio, Greensburg
7. Jim Kutas, North Huntingdon 7. Mark Moats, Hookstown
8. Ben Miley, Venetia 8. Dave Wade, Pittsburgh
9. Dennis Curry, Dormont 9. Wayne Gaither, N. Lima OH
10. Jim Lepro, Midway 1 0. Don Dibert, Canonsburg
M. STAHL MODIFIEDS SPECTATOR STOCKS
HEAT WINNERS: Larry Kugel, HEAT WINNERS: Rick Heim, Al Atallah.
Logan Dernoshek.
FEATURE (TOP TEN) FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Larry Kugel, E. Liverpool OH 1. Frank Schneider Jr., Sheradan
2. Wayne Tessean, Austintown OH 2. Rick Heim, North Hills
3. Logan Dernoshek, Cecil 3. Ralph Hysong Jr, Shippingport
4. John Myrgo, Canonsburg 4. Charlie DiLireto, S Fayette Twp.
5. Russ Matejka, Monaca 5. Len Dobrosielski, Kennedy Twp.
6. Gary Scott, Swissvale 6. Ron O’Patchin, Scott Twp.
7. Bobby Bongiorni, Burgettstown 7. Dave Beck, Imperial
8. Darrin Miller, Hookstown 8. Bob Damron, Wintersville OH
9. Scott Gunn, W. Mifflin 9. Al Atallah, Carnegie
10. Mark Auberzinski, Library 10. Neal Isminger, Washington
1998 Pittsburgh's PA. Motor Speedway Press Releases Page