PITTSBURGH’S PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY
8/8/98
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Dow Carnahan
(412) 279-RACE/www.ppms.com
IMPERIAL, PA….Former track champion Steve Baker of Fairmont, WV ended a nearly three month dry spell by winning Saturday’s Late Model feature at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Just like Baker, Mike Cerere of Baldwin in the Zoresco Limited Late Models, and Carnegie’s Al Atallah in the Spectator Stocks also won their second features this season. Larry Kugel of E. Liverpool, OH notched his eighth M. Stahl Modified main event, and Ron O’ Patchin of Scott Township returned to the winner’s circle in the Advantra Senior Series.
With plenty of wrecks behind him, the pole starting position was definitely a benefit to Baker. The "West Virginia Rim Rider" led wire to wire in the 25 lap Late Model feature, outdistancing teammate B.A. Malcuit for the victory. Mark Banal finished third after starting eleventh. Lou Bradich was fourth and Ricky Thomas fifth. Completing the top ten were: Doug Dodd, Ben Miley, Dennis Curry, John Flinner and Lynn Geisler. Thomas, Banal and Flinner won the heat races. Rick Wachter was the Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger.
The Zoresco Limited Late Model 20-lap feature turned into a caution-filled marathon. Mike Cecere weathered many restarts after taking the lead from Chris Angelicchio on the seventh lap and held off the late race charge of Travis Geisler for the win. Alex Ferree was third, Angelicchio fourth and Kirk Young fifth. Six through ten were: Wayne Gaither, Duane Popham, John Pavlik, Eric Roberts and Mike Morgan. Heat race wins went to Angelicchio and Charlie Jasinski. Ferree was the Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger.
Larry Kugel overtook Logan Dernoshek for the top spot on lap six of the M. Stahl Modified feature and led the final nine circuits to take the checkered flag. Points leader Wayne Tessean was involved in an early race accident, but still managed a second place finish. Dernoshek, Jeff Johnson and Jim Petrelle completed the top five. Rounding out the top ten were: Danny Burns, Kari Petrosky, Mark Auberzinski, Bruce Dreistadt and Stush Sadowski. Kugel and Tessean won the prelminaries. Petrosky was the Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger.
The 15-lap Spectator Stock feature was action packed from start to finish. Al Atallah, Ralph Hysong Jr., Frankie Schneider and Rick Heim put on an amazing display of driving with side-by-side and three wide battles the norm. When the checkered flag waved, Atallah had the win, Hysong was second, Schneider third, Heim fourth and Danny Rich fifth. Charlie DiLoreto, Neal Isminger, Stacie White, Dave Beck and Rich Apolito completed the top ten. Schneider and Monarch Oil/Wolf’s Head Hard Charger Heim were the heat race winners.
Ron O’Patchen overtook Bob Stanford for the lead early in the Advantra Senior Series feature, and drove to the win. Stanford, Tom Knight, Don Luffy and Don Gamble were next in line. Rounding out the top ten were: Dave Greenawald, Rich Apolito, Stacie White, John Crawford and Duane Mohney.
This Saturday, August 15th, the HAV-A-TAMPA Late Models return to PPMS for the $10,000 to win "Keystone 100". It’s the second appearance this season for the "cigar series" to Pittsburgh. In their inaugural visit in May, Skip Arp pocketed the top prize. The Zoresco Limited Late Models are also on Saturday’s card. Pit gates open at 3:30pm and grandstand gates open at 4:30pm. Practice is set for 5:30pm with time trials and racing to follow. 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 (8/8/98)
LATE MODELS ZORESCO LIMITED LATE MODELS
HEAT WINNERS: Ricky Thomas, Mark HEAT WINNERS: Chris Angelicchio,
Banal, John Flinner. Charlie Jasinski.
FEATURE (TOP TEN) FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Steve Baker, Fairmont WV 1. Mike Cecere, Baldwin
2. B.A. Malcuit, Strasburg OH 2. Travis Geisler, Cranberry Twp.
3. Mark Banal, St. Clairsville OH 3. Alex Ferree, Saxonburg
4. Lou Bradich, Chester WV 4. Chris Angelicchio, Greensburg
5. Ricky Thomas, Carnegie 5. Kirk Young, Pittsburgh
6. Doug Dodd, Cambridge OH 6. Wayne Gaither, N. Lima OH
7. Ben Miley, Venetia 7. Duane Popham, Carnegie
8. Dennis Curry, Dormont 8. John Pavlik, Youngstown OH
9. John Flinner, Cranberry Twp 9. Eric Roberts, Export
10. Lynn Geisler, Cranberry Twp 10. Mike Morgan, Bridgeville
M. STAHL MODIFIEDS SPECTATOR STOCKS
HEAT WINNERS: Larry Kugel, Wayne HEAT WINNERS: Frankie Schneider,
Tessean. Rick Heim.
FEATURE (TOP TEN) FEATURE (TOP TEN)
1. Larry Kugel, E. Liverpool OH 1. Al Atallah, Carnegie
2. Wayne Tessean, Austintown OH 2. Ralph Hysong Jr, Shippingport
3. Logan Dernoshek, Cecil 3. Frankie Schneider, Sheridan
4. Jeff Johnson, Mineral Ridge OH 4. Rick Heim, Pittsburgh
5. Jim Petrelle, Weirton WV 5. Danny Rich, Imperial
6. Danny Burns, Imperial 6. Charlie DiLoreto, S. Fayette
7. Kari Petrosky, Vienna OH 7. Neal Isminger, Washington
8. Mark Auberzinski, Library 8. Stacie White, Heidelberg
9. Bruce Dreistadt, W. Mifflin 9. Dave Beck, Imperial
10. Stush Sadowski, Hill Station 10.Rich Apolito, Carnegie