Charlier Takes Top Honors In PPMS Jook George Classic

August 23, 2014

Daryl Charlier of Midway took top honors in the Jook George Classic Precise Racing Products Rush Late Model division Saturday night at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Other feature winners were Alex Ferree in the Diehl of Robinson Super Late Model class, Chris Schneider (filling in for Christian Schneider) in the Sunoco Race Fuels Sportsman division, Steve Pyeritz in the Miley BP Car Wash Hobby Stock class, Devin Black in the Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns division, and Kelvin Kohan in the ¾ Late Models.

The evening started off with qualifying for the Precise Racing Products Rush Late Models, and Waynesburg’s Ben Policz earned the fastest qualifying time. Two heats followed, and Russ Kolesar and Daryl Charlier each finished first, both looking like strong contenders for the feature event. As the green flag dropped, Corey McPherson took the lead after starting on the pole position. However, after a number of cautions starting on lap 9, McPherson fell back and never regained the momentum he opened up with. Meanwhile, Charlier took over the lead on lap 10 and was able to hold on to earn the win in the Jook George Classic. At the finish, he was followed by Tommy Schirnhofer, Ben Policz, Kyle Lukon and Josh Holtgraver. The 8C of Dusty Curry finished 12th in the main event, but was penalized and moved to last place after it was discovered that a driver change took place (Dennis Curry was driving), and race officials were not notified.

John Mollick and Colton Flinner each took first in their heats in the Diehl of Robinson Super Late Model class. Flinner and Steve Baker started the feature event in the top two spots. After the first lap, Ben Miley was involved in a hard crash going into turn one. The veteran driver was done for the evening. As the field lined up to take the green flag again, Alex Ferree rocketed to first and held on to take the checkered flag, his 16th career victory at PPMS. Rounding out the top five were Mollick, Brandon Burgoon, Baker and Flinner.

The Sunoco Race Fuels Sportsman heats were won by Chris Schneider, who was driving the M5 for Christian Schneider, and Bill Robertson. The main event displayed some great racing and jockeying for position with Schneider taking the lead on lap 5. At the finish, it was Schneider, Nick Kocuba, Bill Robertson, Todd Weldon and Drew Koteles in the top positions.

Points leader Steve Pyeritz continued his winning ways, earning the win in both the heat and feature in the Miley BP Car Wash Hobby Stock division. Pyeritz started in the top spot, and on lap 4 Dave Sheriff made a pass and took over the lead until Pyeritz took it back on lap 11. Hannah Ramsey finished third, followed by John Wiser and Dylan Bolind.

Oakdale’s Devin Black took the lead on the first lap in the Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns feature and was able to hold on for the win and add to his points lead. Four time feature winner Karlee Kovacs retired to the pits with a flat tire, and Michael Jackson of South Park also experienced car trouble. Black held off a challenge from O.B. Huff, who finished second. Marc Simmons, Dale Tuche, and David Ostrander followed at the finish.

Kelvin Kohan earned the win in both the heat and feature in the ¾ Late Model race. Carl Kohan and Colton Flinner both had car troubles and did not start the feature; Chris Kohan and Jim Thompson finished second and third respectively.

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