Alex Ferree Claims 2013 PPMS Super Late Model Title
Nine Different Drivers Visit Victory Lane in Weekly Racing Action
PITTSBURGH, PA — Super Late Model racing has been an integral part of racing here at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway since the facility opened in 1979 and in 2013 the excitement continued with the rebirth of the 25th Silver Anniversary edition of the Pittsburgher. Late Model superstar Scott Bloomquist took home the $25,000 payday from the NDRL several weeks ago but the weekly action at the Imperial, PA oval was equally as exciting.
Michael Norris opened up the 2013 Diehl of Robinson Super Late Model season by scoring the win on opening day, Saturday, April 13th. The Sarver, PA resident, who was also the 2012 divisional champion, was definitely dominant in the earlier part of the season as he went on to claim four more victories including the Inaugural Herb Scott Memorial on June 15th. Norris’ impressive win on June 15th would find him lapping all but the top five competitors in the feature event.
Norris may have been the dominate force in the early part of the 2013 season but Saxonburg, PA resident Alex Ferree was the “Top Dog” in the Late Model Division during the second half of the season. Ferree scored his first victory at “Dirt’s Monster Half Mile” on June 22nd and followed that up with wins on July 13th, August 31st, September 13th and September 28th. Ferree’s late season domination enabled him to overtake Norris and claim the 2013 Diehl of Robinson Super Late Model championship in the Joe Corrado owned Frankland Racing Products/Range Resources sponsored Rocket Chassis.
2013 Diehl of Robinson Super Late Model Champion Alex Ferree and fiancée Brenda McCandless celebrate a victory
on August 31st.
Kyle Lukon has been a fixture in the Pro-Late Model Division for several years and in 2013 the Duquesne University graduate’s Saturday nights were very busy as he also competed in the Super Late Model Division. Lukon’s Super Late Model ride was just as competitive as his Pro-Late ride, and on May 4th he parked the Malcuit powered Isminger’s Pennzoil sponsored Rocket Chassis in Victory Lane. Unfortunately some late season motor woes forced the team to the sidelines but if they return to Super Late action in 2014 they will definitely be looking for more wins.
The “Old Guard” at “Dirt’s Monster Half Mile” continued to have a strong showing this season as Lynn Geisler, Steve Baker and Jim Stephans all visited Victory Lane. Geisler, a Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Member, who has piloted the #1 Cochran sponsored Rocket Chassis for more than 25 years, claimed his first win on May 25th. The Cranberry, PA resident followed up with another victory on August 3rd. Stephans made his first ever visit to Super Late Model Victory Lane on June 8th as he claimed the win when the Monster Trucks invaded the speedway. The popular Baldwin, PA driver enjoyed the “thrill of victory” so much the first time, that returned to Victory Lane on July 27th to record another win in the Colbert’s Collision/Advance Auto Parts sponsored Rocket Chassis. Not to be shown up by his fellow racing veterans; a determined Steve Baker and the crew of his Richard Construction/Bland Towing sponsored ride kept “plugging away” until they found the setup needed and were able to claim the win on August 10th. All three of these gentlemen are true ambassadors of the sport and we look forward to seeing them in the Winner’s Circle again in 2014.
Other winners of weekly racing action at “Dirt’s Monster Half Mile” included Jared Miley, who picked up three wins; Brandon Burgoon, who was victorious on two occasions and Gregg Satterlee, who was the victor in the 53 lap Red Miley Rumble. Satterlee, who hails from Rochester Mills, PA, had an excellent year as he also scored two wins in World of Outlaws action as well as victories in several other prestigious regional events.
Late Model veterans Jim Stephans, Lynn Geisler and Steve Baker all visited Victory Lane at PPMS in 2013
The racing action in the Diehl of Robinson Super Late Model Division promises to be just as exciting in 2014 as many of these competitors will once again be in action at PPMS. In addition, 2012 Pro-Late Model Champion Colton Flinner has indicated he is moving to the division next season and plans to make PPMS his Saturday evening stop. The Hampton Township, PA resident would like nothing better than to score his first ever Super Late Model win at his home track next season.
Veterans Ben Miley and Ed Ferree may have struggled a bit in 2013 but rebuilding in the coming months may just be what both need to rejuvenate their programs for 2014. In addition, Derek Stefanick, Tommy Beck and Daryl Charlier all showed improvement during the past season and should return next year. Throw in competitors like lady racer Kari Gasser, John Mollick, 2011 divisional champion Michael Davis and Tony Musolino and it looks like 2014 is tuning up to be a super competitive one in Diehl of Robinson Super Late Model action here at “Dirt’s Monster Half Mile.”