September 13, 2014
The Pittsburgher 26 did not disappoint with great racing action among some of the area’s best late model drivers; Gregg Satterlee took home the top prize by finishing first in the field in the Diehl of Robinson Super Late Model $5,000 to win event. The Precise Racing Products Pro Lates held a 25 lap feature event with Colton Flinner earning the victory in the last lap of the exciting race. Also featured for the night was an open rules race in the Sunoco Race Fuels Sportsman division and had Ricky Steigerwald earning his first win of the year in that event. Joe Podilinsky and Karlee Kovacs both added to their win totals for the year in the Miley BP Car Wash and Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns classes.
Davey Johnson posted the fastest time in the qualifying runs, with a lap time of 20.202. Qualifying determined how the 4 heats were lined up. During qualifying, Tony Musolino had to retire to the pits for the night after the front end of his car sustained some serious damage. Johnson, Gregg Satterlee, Mason Ziegler and Jared Miley all finished in the top spot in their heats. Heat 2 saw Michael Davis take a hard turn into the wall coming out of turn 3 thus ending his chances to take the win in the feature event. Satterlee started on the outside pole as the green flag waved and quickly moved to the top spot and maintained that position to easily lead all 50 laps in the Diehl of Robinson Super Late Model Pittsburgher 26. At one point, PPMS track champion Alex Ferree made an impressive charge to try and pass Satterlee, but he couldn’t quite complete the pass and ended up finishing 2nd. Lynn Geisler worked his way through the pack and finished 3rd after starting in the 13th spot. Dylan Yoder and local track favorite Jared Miley rounded out the top five.
The Precise Racing Products Rush Late Models showcased some great racing, starting with their three heat qualifying events. Tommy Schirnhofer, Ryan Montgomery and Chad Ruhlman were winners in their heats. Next up was a 10 lap B-Main event and John Waters earned the win in that event. A four lap dash followed and Chad McClelland placed first at the checkers. The 25 lap feature event had 27 drivers scheduled to start, but before the race started track champion and Rookie of the Year driver at PPMS Corey McPherson dropped out due to car troubles. The 1W of William Stile was also a scratch. Josh Holtgraver started on the pole but quickly fell toward the back of the lead pack, as did Jason Rider who also led a few laps. Points leader Ryan Montgomery was in a hard crash that took him out before the race reached the halfway point. However, it was Chad Ruhlman who made the charge to the front and looked to have the win in the bag until his car experienced motor trouble on the white flag lap. This allowed Colton Flinner, who started in the 11th spot and worked his way toward the front of the pack, to take the checkered flag at the finish. Daryl Charlier, John Waters, Nico DaBecco and 13 year old sensation Michael Lake followed.
An open rule event was held for the Sunoco Race Fuels Sportsman feature, and Ricky Steigerwald, who struggled during the regular season, earned his first win in that division. He held off charges by Nick Kocuba, who had another strong night of racing. Joey Koteles, Jake Simmons and Bryan Mitchell finished in the remaining top spots. Koteles and Bill Robertson finished first in their heats. Robertson lost a drive shaft early in the feature and had to drop out for the night.
The Miley BP Car Wash Hobby Stocks 12 lap feature was won by Joe Podolinsky. He was followed by Jacob Wiser, Steve Pyeritz and Dave Sheriff.
Sixteen year old Chartiers Valley High School student Karlee Kovacs earned her 7th feature win in the Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns feature event. Kovacs shot to the lead on the first lap and held off a run by O.B. Huff, who finished second. Michael Jackson and 34 year old newcomer Michael Kirkpatrick followed at the finish. Marc Simmons dropped out due to car issues after lap one.
Sunday, September 14 features another night of great racing with the 50 lap $5,000 to win Herb Scott Memorial Diehl of Robinson Super Late Model event. The Precise Racing Products Rush Late Models, Miley BP Car Wash Hobby Stocks, Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns and a $1,000 to win feature event in the Sunoco Race Fuels Sportsman division will also be showcased. Gates open at 3, qualifying at 5 and racing begins at 6.
And just added to the schedule on Saturday, September 27 is the inaugural Steel City Sprint Monster $5,000 to win Renegade Sprints car event! So far, 29 cars have registered for the event, including Tim Shaffer and Danny Holtgraver. Gates will open at 4 p.m. and qualifying will start at 5 p.m. More information is available on www.ppms.com