August 16, 2014
Starting on the outside pole position, John Mollick quickly roared to the lead on the first lap and held on to take the checkered flag in the 8th annual Red Miley Rumble 53 lap Diehl of Robinson Super Late Model feature event. Starting in the 8th spot, Pittsburgh’s Josh Holtgraver took the lead on lap 9 and earned the victory in the Precise Racing Products Rush Late Model feature. Christian Schneider in the Sunoco Race Fuels Sportsman division and Karlee Kovacs in the Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns division each continued their winning ways, earning their 5th and 4th feature events respectively this season. Dave Sheriff claimed the top spot in the Miley BP Car Wash main event.
The night started off with qualifying time trials in the Diehl of Robinson Super Late Model class. The top qualifying spot went to Saxonburg’s Alex Ferree. Three heat races followed; Keith Barbara, John Mollick, and Mason Zeigler, from Chalk Hill, PA, all earned the win in their heat. Twenty cars started the featured 53 lap Red Miley Rumble, and as the green flag dropped, Toronto, Ohio’s John Mollick rocketed to the lead, lapping all but the second and third place cars to earn his second win of the season at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Mollick developed an impressive 2/3 lap lead over John Flinner and Colton Flinner, who finished second and third. Early in the race, Mollick and Davey Johnson battled it out in some great side by side racing, until Johnson dropped out after lap 15. The next challenges came from Jared Miley and Zeigler, both ending up in the pits after car troubles. After that, Mollick cruised on to victory, with a top lap time of 17.722. Mike Johnson and Lynn Geisler rounded out the top five. After his victory lane interview, John Mollick graciously accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge and dumped a large bucket of ice cold water over his head, much to the enjoyment and appreciation of the race fans. Miley Motorsports will make a donation to an ALS charity on his behalf to support ALS research.
In the Precise Racing Products Rush Late Model feature event, Josh Holtgraver charged to the front to take the lead from Hookstown’s Ron Hall, who ended up finishing in the 5th spot. Daryl Charlier maintained his starting position throughout the race and finished second. Season point leader Nico DaBecco was third and Justin Lamb was fourth. Holtgraver also earned the top spot in his heat, and last week’s winner, Russ Kolesar, was first in his heat.
Fan favorite Nick Kocuba of Imperial was first in his heat, but in the Sunoco Race Fuels Sportsman main event, he was unable to hold off the challenge of Christian Schneider, who cruised to his 5th victory of the season in this division. Vince Laboon, Drew Koteles and Josh Langer followed.
Dave Sheriff (who formerly was known as driver Chase Evans) took the checkered flag in the Miley BP Car Wash Hobby Stock feature. Steve Pyeritz was black flagged for rough driving and sent to the pits. Hannah Ramsey finished in the second spot and was followed by Chad Gorring and Jacob Wiser.
The Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns drivers continue to impress, with Carnegie’s Karlee Kovacs charging to the front after starting last and earning her 4th win in a row in this starter division. Kovacs and Oakdale’s Devin Black did a little bit of banging back and forth as Kovacs passed Black for the lead but both drivers maintained control and led the rest of the pack to the finish. They were followed by Michael Jackson, Jarrett Sugar, Marc Simmons, O.B. Huff, Dale Tuche, and Jonathan Miller.
The 26th Pittsburgher 100 is fast approaching; Dirt’s Monster Half Mile will host an open practice session on Friday, September 12. The two day racing extravaganza will start on Saturday, September 13 and will showcase a 50 lap $5,000 to win Diehl of Robinson Super Late Model event. A Rush Tour Event will follow that night, along with racing in the Sportsman, Hobby Stock, Young Guns and ¾ Late Model features. Sunday, September 13 will be the $5,000 to win Herb Scott Memorial, and features in the Rush Pro Late Model, Sportsman, Hobby Stock, Young Guns and ¾ Late Model divisions. All tickets are available online at www.showclix.com/event/pittsburgher Camping permits must be printed and registered; details are available on www.ppms.com
Diehl of Robinson Super Late Models