10th Annual Pittsburgher 100
IMPERIAL, PA...The STARS Late Models are ready to invade Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway for the "10th Annual Pittsburgher 100" Friday, September 18th-Sunday, September 20th. The biggest Late Model race in Pennsylvania will pay $21,000 to win and $1,000 to start.
The events begin Friday with Fan Appreciation night. The Late Models will practice from 6:30 to 7:30 and at different times during the course of the evening. The racing program will include a York Triathlon 20-lap special for the M. Stahl Modifieds and racing for the Spectator Stocks. Pit gates open at 5pm and grandstand gates at 6pm. Adult general admission is $6 and kids under 12 are free. Pit admission is $10.
Saturday will find Late Model practice at 2pm with time trials and qualifying heat races starting at 4pm. The M Stahl Modifieds will also be on the card with Mygro All-Star 50 paying $1,200 to win. Pit gates open at 11am and the grandstands will open at noon.
On Sunday, two B-Mains are scheduled for the Late Models at 2pm with the 100-lap A-Main to follow. Both pit and grandstand gates open Sunday at 11am. General admission two-day adult tickets are $35. Saturday only is $20 and Sunday only is $35. Kids 9-14 are $7 each day. Under 9 are free. Pit admission is $45 for a two-day pass. Saturday only is $25 and Sunday only is $45. No tickets will be sold in advance. The rain dates are October 2nd-4th.
"The Pittsburgher" will mark the 22nd time that STARS has sanctioned an event at "Dirt's Monster Half Mile" with ten different drivers earning wins. Rick Auckland edged Scott Bloomquist to win his first Pittsburgher last September. It was Auckland's second STARS win at PPMS as he also took the 1996 "Penn National 100". Tim Hitt is the only driver who has won both races at PPMS. Bloomquist is the lone three time Pittsburgher winner. Davey Johnson has won the lucrative event twice, and Donnie Moran and Bob Wearing, Jr. once.
Four drivers will be hoping to extend their streak of having started every Pittsburgher. The "Fantastic Four" consists of former STARS champion Mike Balzano, Bloomquist, recent PPMS winner Chub Frank, and Gary Stuhler, the leading STARS winner in '98.
As the STARS season heads into mid-September, Steve Francis leads the points race in pursuit of his third straight series championship. Balzano is second in the point standings with last year's Pittsburgher fast qualifier Rick Eckert third. STARS rookie Steve Lucas stands an impressive fourth with Stuhler fifth. Six through ten are: Steve Shaver, Rod Conleyk, Auckland, Barry Bragdon, and Hitt.
The very talented field of weekly PPMS competitors is looking forward to the challenge presented by the STARS invaders. As we start September, Mark Banal, Ed Ferree and Johnson have three wins this season. Lynn Geisler, Steve Baker, B.A. Malcuit, Hitt and Skip Arp have all found the winner's circle twice.
Fans bringing RV's are reminded that there is free camping, but no hook-ups. For more information call (412) 279-RACE or visit our home page on the internet at www.ppms.com.
1998 Pittsburgh's PA. Motor Speedway Press Releases Page