PITTSBURGH’S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY
7/4/98
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Dow Carnahan
(412) 279-RACE/www.ppms.com
IMPERIAL, PA…."The Rockets Red Glare" was hovering over Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway on the Fourth of July. Tim Hitt of Weston, WV drove his red, rocket chassis to his first Late Model win at Dirt’s Monster Half Mile since he captured the Pittsburgher 100 in September 1996. Pittsburgh’s Dave Wade followed suit Saturday by piloting his red, rocket Zoresco Limited Late Model to his third win of the season. Points leader Wayne Tessean of Austintown, OH collected his fourth M. Stahl Modified feature win, as did Shippingport’s Ralph Hysong Jr. in the Spectator Stocks.
From the pole, Lou Bradich took the lead at the start of the 25-lap Late Model feature. Tim Hitt moved from fifth to second on lap two and immediately began pressuring the race leader. On lap four, Hitt made his move into the top spot as plenty of jockeying for positions continued behind him. Points leader Mark Banal unseated Bradich for second on lap seven, but could never seriously threaten Hitt. Bradich retired near the midway point with fuel pressure problems, and Lynn Geisler, Mike Johnson, Steve Baker and B.A. Malcuit battled hard behind the two leaders. At the finish, Hitt was followed by Banal, defending track champion Malcuit - in his first start this season, Baker and Johnson. Geisler, Bill Knepper, Ed Ferree, Dennis Curry and Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger Jim Zarin. Geisler, Hitt and Banal won the heat races.
Dave Wade wasted no time in the Zoresco Limited Late Model 20-lapper, moving from fifth to first on lap one. Duane Popham stayed in striking distance, but settled for second. Chris Angelicchio charged from fifteenth to third. Alex Ferree came from the back following a lap four caution to finish fourth. Points leader Pete Loria was fifth. Completing the top ten were: Willie White, Mike Cecere, Kirk Young, Joe Johnson and John Pavlik. Loria, Wade and Ferree captured the preliminaries. Angelicchio was the Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger.
Wayne Tessean led wire-to-wire in the M. Stahl Modified 15-lap feature. Darrin Miller came home second, Larry Kugel third, Logan Dernoshek fourth and Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger Tommy Beck fifth. Scott Gunn, Joe Hopkinson, Russ Matejka, Stush Sadowski and Jeff Haefke rounded out the top ten. Kugel and Dernoshek were the heat race winners.
Once again the Spectator Stocks put on a dynamite show. Ralph Hysong Jr. held off the late race charge of Al Atallah for the win. Frankie Schneider was third, Rick Heim fourth and Len Dobrosielski fifth. Six through ten were: Charlie DiLoreto, Dave Beck, Stacie White, Rich Apolito and Fred Schneider. Newcomer Dave Greenwald was the Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger. Hysong and Frankie Schneider won the heat races.
A demolition derby ended the evening with Jerry Rig and Don Morley finishing tied for first.
This Saturday, July 11th, is kids night with all kids under 12 admitted free. There will also be kids’ bike races plus racing for the Late Models, Zoresco Limited Late Models, M. Stahl Modifieds, Spectator Stocks and the Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Advantra Senior Series. 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 SUMMARY (7/4/98)
LATE MODELS ZORESCO LIMITED LATE MODELS
HEAT WINNERS: Lynn Geisler, HEAT WINNERS: Pete Loria, Dave Wade,
Tim Hitt, Mark Banal. Alex Ferree.
FEATURE (TOP TEN) FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Tim Hitt, Weston WV 1. Dave Wade, Pittsburgh
2. Mark Banal, St. Clairsville OH 2. Duane Popham, Carnegie
3. B.A. Malcuit, Strasburg OH 3. Chris Angelicchio, Greensburg
4. Steve Baker, Fairmont WV 4. Alex Ferree, Saxonburg
5. Mike Johnson, Imperial 5. Pete Loria, Castle Shannon
6. Lynn Geisler, Cranberry Twp. 6. Willie White, Heidelberg
7. Bill Knepper, Clinton 7. Mike Cecere, Baldwin
8. Ed Ferree, Saxonburg 8. Kirk Young, Pittsburgh
9. Dennis Curry, Pittsburgh 9. Joe Johnson, Monaca
10. Jim Zarin, Glenwillard 10. John Pavlik, Youngstown OH
M. STAHL MODIFIEDS SPECTATOR STOCKS
HEAT WINNERS: Larry Kugel, HEAT WINNERS: Ralph Hysong Jr,
Logan Dernoshek. Frankie Schneider.
FEATURE (TOP TEN) FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Wayne Tessean, Austintown OH 1. Ralph Hysong Jr, Shippingport
2. Darrin Miller, Hookstown 2. Al Atallah, Carnegie
3. Larry Kugel, E. Liverpool OH 3. Frankie Schneider, Sheraden
4. Logan Dernoshek, Cecil 4. Rick Heim, Pittsburgh
5. Tommy Beck, Delmont 5. Len Dobrosielski, Kennedy Twp.
6. Scott Gunn, W. Mifflin 6. Charlie DiLoreto, S. Fayette
7. Joe Hopkinson, Girard OH 7. Dave Beck, Imperial
8. Russ Matejka, Monaca 8. Willie White, Heidelberg
9. Stush Sadowski, Hill Station 9. Rich Apolito, Carnegie
10. Jeff Haefke, Austintown OH 10. Fred Schneider, S. Fayette