PITTSBURGH’S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY
7/18/98
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Dow Carnahan
(412) 279-RACE/www.ppms.com
IMPERIAL, PA….Tim Hitt of Weston, WV blistered the field to capture the STARS Racing Series sanctioned "5th Annual Penn National 100" Saturday at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Driving the Rocket/Draime #68 Hitt led all 100 laps for his first STARS win of the year worth $10,000, and joins Rick Aukland as the only drivers to win both the Penn National 100 at Pittsburgher 100 at PPMS. Gary Stuhler was second with STARS points leader Steve Francis third, Rick Aukland fourth and Todd Andrews fifth. Six through ten were: Bart Hartman, Darrell Lanigan, Rod Conley, Mike Balzano and Bob Salathe.
Hitt took the lead at the drop of the green with Stuhler not far behind. Sixth starting Todd Andrews was up to third on lap two with Steve Francis fourth and Darrell Lanigan fifth. Hitt started to lap the back of the field on lap 12 as Stuhler stayed in striking distance. By lap 25, Francis and moved to third, Andrews was fourth and Bart Hartman was up to fifth. The order would be the same at the halfway fuel stop.
Fifteen cars were still on the lead lap when the race restarted. Hitt again pulled away as Francis challenged Stuhler for second. Stuhler was able to keep Francis at bay as Rick Aukland, who was running ninth at the fuel stop, mounted a charge. Aukland took the fifth spot from Hartman on lap 86 and moved by Andrews for fourth on lap 91. Aukland quickly closed in on Francis and Stuhler but had to settle for fourth. But no one could handle Hitt who’s lead was nearly a half-track at the finish.
Hitt set quick time over the 58 car field with his lap of 21.147 seconds around Dirt’s Monster Half Mile. Borla Exhaust heat race wins went to Hitt, Hartman, Conley and Shaver with Stuhler winning the Isky Racing Cams dash. Steve Lucas and Lynn Geisler won the Pro Shocks "B" mains.
PENN NATIONAL 100 FINISH
1. Tim Hitt 14. Barry Bragdon
2. Gary Stuhler 15. Rick Eckert
3. Steve Francis 16. Dave Groves
4. Rick Aukland 17. Chris Angelicchio
5. Todd Andrews 18. Steve Shaver
6. Bart Hartman 19. Mike Johnson
7. Darrell Lanigan 20. John Mason
8. Rod Conley 21. B.A. Malcuit
9. Mike Balzano 22. Lynn Geisler
10. Bob Salathe 23. Lou Bradich
11. Steve Lucas 24. Steve Baker
12. Ed Ferree 25. Davey Johnson
13. Donnie Moran
PITTSBURGH’S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY
7/18/98
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Dow Carnahan
(412) 279-RACE/www.ppms.com
Editors: Attached is the STARS press release from the Penn National 100 Saturday, July 18th at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Below is the release for the Zoresco Limited Late Model, M. Stahl Modified and Spectator Stock divisions.
IMPERIAL, PA….Saxonburg’s Alex Ferree won his third Zoresco Limited Late Model feature Saturday at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Wayne Tessean of Austintown, OH edged Logan Dernoshek for his fifth M. Stahl Modified main event, and Len Dobrosielski of Kennedy Township won the thrilling Spectator Stock feature.
Eighth starting Alex Ferree wasted little time in moving to the front of the Zoresco Limited Late Model 20-lap feature. Ferree overtook Jim Stephans for the top spot on lap five and was in control the rest of the distance. Mike Cecere was second, Travis Geisler third, Joe Johnson fourth and Stephans fifth. Pete Loria, Dave Wade, Kirk Young, John Pavlik and Chuck Mowry completed the top ten. Ferree was the Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger.
Wayne Tessean passed Logan Dernoshek for the lead coming off the fourth turn of the final lap to win the 15-lap M. Stahl Modified feature. Jeff Haefke was third, Dale Fuller (subbing for Bootie Petsko in car #00) fourth and Danny Burns fifth. Completing the top ten were: Darrin Miller, Stush Sadowski, Dennis Neiderriter, Bobby Bongiorni and Bruce Dreistadt. Tessean was also the Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger.
Four cars battled for the lead all 15-laps of the Spectator Stock feature. When the checkered flag waved, Len Dobrosielski had his third win this season. Frankie Schneider was second, Ralph Hysong Jr. third, Rick Heim fourth and Al Atallah fifth. Six through ten were: Charlie DiLoreto, Doug Foster, Neal Isminger, Stacie White and Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger Andy Koteles.
This Saturday, July 25th is Quaker Steak and Lube Fan Appreciation/Drivers Autograph night. Adult General Admission is reduced to $6. Students 13-16 are $4 and under 12 are free. In addition to regular racing for the Late Models, Zoresco Limited Late Models, M. Stahl Modified and Spectator Stocks, fans will have a chance to get autographs from all drivers. 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 (7/18/98)
ZORESCO LIMITED LATE MODELS M. STAHL MODIFIEDS
FEATURE (TOP TEN) FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Alex Ferree, Saxonburg 1. Wayne Tessean, Austintown OH
2. MikeCecere, Baldwin 2. Logan Dernoshek, Cecil
3. Travis Geisler, Cranberry Twp. 3. Jeff Haefke, Austintown OH
4. Joe Johnson, Monaca 4. Dale Fuller, Girard OH
5. Jim Stephans, Brentwood 5. Danny Burns, Imperial
6. Pete Loria, Castle Shannon 6. Darrin Miller, Hookstown
7. Dave Wade, Pittsburgh 7. Stush Sadowski, Hill Station
8. Kirk Young, Pittsburgh 8. Dennis Neiderriter, Burgettstown
9. John Pavlik, Youngstown OH 9. Bobby Bongiorni, Burgettstown
10. Chuck Mowry, Natrona Heights 10.Bruce Dreistadt, West Mifflin
SPECTATOR STOCKS
FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Len Dobrosielski, Kennedy Twp.
2. Frankie Schneider, Sheridan
3. Ralph Hysong Jr., Shippingport
4. Rick Heim, Pittsburgh
5. Al Atallah, Carnegie
6. Charlie DiLoreto, S. Fayette
7. Doug Foster, McKees Rocks
8. Neal Isminger, Washington
9. Stacie White, Heidelberg
10. Andy Koteles, Finleyville
1998 Pittsburgh's PA. Motor Speedway Press Releases Page
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: BRET EMRICK
HITT STRIKES IN "PENN NATIONAL 100"!!!
(Pittsburgh,PA 7-18-98)
Tim Hitt of Weston,WV dominated the field Saturday at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway lapping up to the eighth place finisher in route to his $10,000 payday in the STARS Racing Series sanctioned "5th Annual Penn National 100". Driving the Rocket Chassis/Draime Racing Engines No. 68 Monte Carlo, Hitt grabbed the lead from the outside front row and was never challenged running away to a nearly 11 second advantage at the finish. Pole sitter Gary Stuhler finished second with Steve Francis third, 13th starting Rick Aukland fourth and Todd Andrews fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Bart Hartman, Darrell Lanigan, Rod Conley, 19th starting Mike Balzano and Bob Salathe. "We've been running too good lately not to finally win one of these", stated the very happy winner. "The car was just simply great all night". What an understatement! Hitt started off the night setting quick time, won his heat from fourth and finished second in the dash after starting sixth, the only thing stopping him from a clean sweep, before demolishing the feature field. Only one caution slowed the event, that on lap 25 when Lou Bradich suffered engine problems coming to a stop in turn four. Outside of the mandatory halfway fuel stop and the lone caution, Hitt was able to run away from the drop of the green with Stuhler, Lanigan, Andrews and Ed Ferree trailing. Francis grabbed fifth from Ferree on lap 2 with Andrews taking third from Lanigan one lap later. Hitt opened up a healthy margin by lap 10 when he entered lapped traffic. By lap 15 Stuhler had closed to within five car lengths but that was the closest anyone would get to Hitt the remainder of the race. At the halfway point fuel stop, Hitt was trailed by Stuhler, Francis, Andrews, Hartman, Lanigan, Conley, John Mason, Aukland and Salathe. Mason fell from the race on lap 53 when he was struck by debris stunning him briefly. Aukland made a late race charge moving into fifth on lap 86 and then took fourth on lap 91. 58 drivers were on hand for the $38,000 event with Hitt's quick time of 21.147 seconds around the high-banked 1/2 mile setting the standard. Grabbing BORLA EXHAUST heat race wins were Hitt, Hartman, Conley, who pocketed the SCOTT PERFORMANCE WIRE heat race bonus, and Steve Shaver. Stuhler claimed the ISKY RACING CAMS dash while Steve Lucas and Lynn Geisler copped the PRO SHOCKS "B" Mains.
STARS RACING SERIES RACE REPORT
RACE NO. 20-1998 SEASON-"5TH ANNUAL PENN NATIONAL 100"
PITTS. PA. MOTOR SPEEDWAY-PITTSBURGH,PA-1/2 MILE OVAL
JULY 18, 1998-$38,000 PURSE
100 LAP-$10,000 TO WIN
Fin. Str. Car# Driver Laps Purse Reason Out
Pos. Pos.>
1 2 68 Tim Hitt 100 $10,080 Running>
2 1 19 Gary Stuhler 100 $ 5,100 Running>
3 5 15 Steve Francis 100 $ 3,040 Running>
4 13 12 Rick Aukland 100 $ 2,000 Running>
5 6 42 Todd Andrews 100 $ 1,535 Running>
6 7 75 Bart Hartman 100 $ 1,400 Running>
7 4 29 Darrell Lanigan 100 $ 1,350 Running>
8 8 71R Rod Conley 100 $ 1,200 Running>
9 19 E1 Mike Balzano 99 $ 1,140 Running>
10 10 RG3 Bob Salathe 99 $ 1,000 Running>
11 17 5L Steve Lucas 99 $ 940Running>
12 3 4 Ed Ferree 99 $ 860Running>
13 12 99 Donnie Moran 99 $ 700Running>
14 11 77 Barry Bragdon 99 $ 650Running>
15 24 24 Rick Eckert 99 $ 640Running>
16 20 0 Dave Groves 99 $ 590Running>
17 23 54 Chris Angelicchio 95 $ 540Running>
18 9 30 Steve Shaver 78 $ 500Handling>
19 22 2J Mike Johnson 64 $ 540Handling>
20 15 72 John Mason 53 $ 500Injury>
21 14 04 B.A. Malcuit 49 $ 500Handling>
22 18 1C Lynn Geisler 35 $ 500Engine>
23 25 5 Lou Bradich 25 $ 540Engine>
24 16 84 Steve Baker 22 $ 500Handling>
25 21 1J Davey Johnson 3 $ 540Handling>
TIME OF RACE: 55 Mins.
YELLOW FLAGS: One-Lap 25
RED FLAGS: None
FAST QUALIFIER: Hitt 21.147 secs.
BORLA EXHAUST HEAT RACE WINNERS: Hitt,Hartman,Conley,Shaver
SCOTT PERFORMANCE WIRE HEAT RACE BONUS WINNER: Conley ($200)
ISKY RACING CAMS DASH WINNER: Stuhler
PRO SHOCKS "B" MAIN WINNERS: Lucas,Geisler
LAP LEADERS: One-Hitt 1-100
ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Lucas
PROVISIONAL STARTERS: Angelicchio,Eckert,Bradich
NEXT RACE: JULY 24,1998-RACEWAY 7-CONNEAUT,OH
$22,000 PURSE-$5,000 TO WIN-40 LAPFEATURE
JULY 25,1998-WAYNE COUNTY SPEEDWAY-ORRVILLE,OH
$28,000 PURSE-$6,000 TO WIN-50 LAP FEATURE
JULY 26,1998-SHARON SPEEDWAY-HARTFORD,OH
$22,000 PURSE-$5,000 TO WIN-40 LAP FEATURE
SUMMARY
Qualifying: 1)#68 Tim Hitt 21.147; 2)#15 Steve Francis 21.218; 3)#19 Gary Stuhler 21.535; 4)#29 Darrell Lanigan 21.684; 5)#4 Ed Ferree 21.725; 6)#42 Todd Andrews 21.780; 7)#5L Steve Lucas 21.830; 8)#7 Bill Adler 21.885; 9)#54 Chris Angelicchio 21.982; 10)#24 Rick Eckert 22.032; 11)#71R Rod Conley 22.038; 12)#77 Barry Bragdon 22.040; 13)#RG3 Bob Salathe 22.178; 14)#75 Bart Hartman 22.211; 15)#99 Donnie Moran 22.226; 16)#30 Steve Shaver 22.236; 17)#1J Davey Johnson 22.249; 18)#5 Lou Bradich 22.256; 19)#9C Doug Crawford 22.263; 20)#1C Lynn Geisler 22.266; 21)#E1 Mike Balzano 22.269; 22)#0 Dave Groves 22.298; 23)#72 John Mason 22.301; 24)#1Z Jim Zarin 22.337; 25)#96F Keith Berner 22.358; 26)#04 B.A. Malcuit 22.404; 27)#1K Jim Kutas 22.418; 28)#09 John Flinner 22.468; 29)#12 Rick Aukland 22.500; 30)#12D Doug Dodd 22.522; 31)#49 Brian Ruhlman 22.525; 32)#99T Rick Thomas 22.543; 33)#8 Dennis Curry 22.553; 34)#48 Mark Moats 22.579; 35)#6 Jim Lepro 22.592; 36)#84 Steve Baker 22.604; 37)#75G Don Gross 22.613; 38)#61 Dan Armbruster 22.633; 39)#32 Scott Hartley 22.644; 40)#2J Mike Johnson 22.663; 41)#80 Bryan Durig 22.679; 42)#1* Chub Frank 22.745; 43)#07R Brent Rhebergen 22.774; 44)#44 Marvin Winters 22.807; 45)#21 Jason Montgomery 22.923; 46)#12C Cortney Clewell 22.941; 47)#99M Ben Miley 22.972; 48)#29S Ken Schaltenbrand 22.977; 49)#10 Gary Lyle 23.176; 50)#9 Frankie Plessinger 23.252; 51)#20C Jason Cisson 23.290; 52)#1 Bob Wearing Sr. 23.331; 53)#00H Chuck Harper 23.441; 54)#75M Mel Minnick 23.599; 55)#87R Chad Ruhlman 23.787; 56)#59 Dub Barnhouse 26.302; 57)#93X Rick Wachter NT; 58)#55 Bill Knepper NT
BORLA EXHAUST HEAT #1: Hitt,Salathe,Ferree,Aukland,Balzano,D. Johnson,Curry,Angelicchio,Berner,Gross,Montgomery,Lyle,Durig,Harper,NS-Wachter (Top 4 transfer to feature)
BORLA EXHAUST HEAT #2: Hartman,Francis,Andrews,Malcuit,Groves,Bradich, Dodd,Frank,Armbruster,Clewell,Minnick,Eckert,Plessinger,Moats, NS-Knepper
(Top 4 transfer to feature)
BORLA EXHAUST/SCOTT PERF.WIRE HEAT #3: Conley,Stuhler,Moran,Mason, Lucas,Crawford,Rhebergen,B. Ruhlman,Lepro,Kutas,Hartley,Cisson,Miley,C. Ruhlman (Top 4 transfer to feature)
BORLA EXHAUST HEAT #4: Shaver,Bragdon,Lanigan,Baker,Geisler,M.Johnson,Thomas,Flinner,Winters,Schaltenbrand,Wearing,Barnhouse,Zarin,Adler (Top 4 transfer to feature)
ISKY RACING CAMS DASH: Stuhler,Hitt,Ferree,Lanigan,Francis,Andrews (Finish determines first three rows of feature)
PRO SHOCKS "B" MAIN #1: Lucas,Balzano,D. Johnson,Crawford,Rhebergen,B Ruhlman,Lepro,Curry,Kutas,Angelicchio,Lyle,Berner,Hartley,Gross,Durig,C.
Ruhlman,Cisson,Montgomery, NS-Miley,Harper,Wachter (Top 3 transfer to feature)
PRO SHOCKS "B" MAIN #2: Geisler,Groves,M. Johnson,Thomas,Bradich,Frank,Armbruster,Eckert,Dodd,Flinner,Clewell,Minnick,Plessinger,Moats,Schaltenbran
d, Barnhouse,Winters,NS-Wearing,Zarin,Adler,Knepper (Top 3 advance to feature)
1998 STARS RACING SERIES POINT STANDINGS>
(after 7-18-98>
1. #15 Steve Francis Ashland,KY 5,300>
2. #E1 Mike Balzano Parkersburg,WV 4,940>
3. #19 Gary Stuhler Greencastle,PA 3,960>
4. #5L Steve Lucas Charleston,WV 3,740>
5. #24 Rick Eckert York,PA 3,690>
6. #71R Rod Conley Wheelersburg,OH 3,200>
7. #12 Rick Aukland Fargo,ND 3,160>
8. #30 Steve Shaver Parkersburg,WV 2,860>
9. #77 Barry Bragdon Wheelersburg,OH 2,660>
10. #75 Bart Hartman Zanesville,OH 2,530>
11. #68 Tim Hitt Weston,WV 2,250>
12. #42 Todd Andrews Eldred,PA 1,590>
13. # 1 Clint Smith Senoia,GA 1,290>
14. #71 Delmas Conley Wheelersburg,OH 1,190>
15. #RG3 Bob Salathe Bedford,PA 1,160>
16. #9F Mark Frazier Chillicothe,OH 1,080>
17. #72 John Mason Millersburg,OH 1,000>
18. #2J Mike Johnson Imperial,PA 1,000>
19. #71C R.J. Conley Wheelersburg,OH 930>
20. #89 Steve Barnett Franklin,IN 930>
1998 STARS RACING SERIES "ROOKIE OF THE YEAR" POINTS>
1. #5L Steve Lucas Charleston,WV 3,740>
2. #9F Mark Frazier Chillicothe,OH 1,080>
3. #51 Craig Leist Waverly,OH 860>
4. # 8 Shane Yoder Holland,OH 680>
5. #66 Shawn Holliday Kitts Hill,OH 370>
6. #96 Terry English Benton,KY 290>
7. #1KC Frank Wilson Jr. St. Marys,WV 250>
8. #B1 Paul Wilmoth Jr. Clarksburg,WV 200>
9. #15 Shane Beegle Everett,PA 100>
1998 PRO SHOCKS "B" MAIN POINT STANDINGS>
1. #00H Chuck Harper Beverly,WV 550>
2. # 8 Shane Yoder Holland,OH 550>
3. #72 John Mason Millersburg,OH 520>
4. #2J Mike Johnson Imperial,PA 480>
5. #77 Barry Bragdon Wheelersburg,OH 450>
1998 STARS RACING SERIES FEATURE WINNERS>
#19 Gary Stuhler Greencastle,PA 7>
#75 Bart Hartman Zanesville,OH 4>
#E1 Mike Balzano Parkersburg,WV 2>
#12 Rick Aukland Fargo,ND 2>
#15 Steve Francis Ashland,KY 1>
#68 Tim Hitt Weston,WV 1>
#02 Keith Nosbisch Valrico,FL 1>
#11 Joe Meadows Beckley,WV 1>
#F1 Mike Duvall Cowpens,SC 1>
#18 Shannon Babb Decatur,IL 1>
1998 Pittsburgh's PA. Motor Speedway Press Releases Page