Bowser Wins Again While Connor Grabs First Win At PPMS

It was a crisp fall evening at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway when the fastest cars on dirt invaded Dirt’s Monster Half-Mile for their final show of the season. PPMS would see qualifying, nine heat races, and seven feature events. Carl Bowser (11), from Freeport, picked up another win in the Falconi’s Moon Township Automotive 410 Outlaw Winged Sprint Car 20-lap feature after making a late-race pass in lapped-traffic to steal the win from Dan Kuriger (08), New Brighton, who led most of the race. Connor King (19), from Morgantown, picked up his first career win at PPMS in the RUSH Sportsman Modified 20-lap feature, while John Mollick (60M), from Toronto, Ohio, was able to shake the bad luck he has been having and park the 60M in Victory lane for the third time this season. In the PPMS Pro Stock feature, A.J. Poljak (36), from Baldwin, picked up his first win of the season, while Stephen Shelpman (17S), from Pleasant Hills, took home his sixth win of the season in the Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock 12-lap feature. Phillip Bubeck (2L), from Washington, picked up the win in the Four Cylinder division, ending Andy Garlingers (R88) winning streak, but Garlinger (R88) wasn’t in attendance to defend the streak. Susie Rudolph (55), from Steubenville, Oho, picked up win number 11 on the season after being disqualified last week for contact.

Like clockwork, Bowser (11) would set the fast time in qualifying for the Falconi’s Moon Township Automotive 410 Outlaw Winged Sprint Car Series with a time of 15.846. Brandon Matus (13), from Wampum, qualified in second with a time of 16.045, which was 0.199 seconds behind Bowser (11). Kuriger (08) qualified in third with a time of 16.104, while Brandon Spithaler (22) qualified fourth with a time of 16.275, and Darin Gallagher (12) rounded out the top five with a time of 16.341. In the 20-lap feature event, Kuriger (08) would start on the pole. Starting to his outside and in second place was Jack Sodeman Jr (91), from North Jackson, Ohio. Making up the second row was James Morris iii (4N) and Spithhaler (22). Bowser (11) would start in fifth, and Brandon Matus (13) would complete the top three rows. When the green flag dropped, Kuriger (08) would pull out to an early lead with Sodeman Jr (91) in second and Bowser (11) in third. This trio would remain the same through lap seven and then on lap eight, Bowser (11) would pass Sodeman Jr (91) for second place. Lap nine would see Kuriger (08) and the front runners contending with lapped-traffic. On lap 12, Bowser (11) began to close the gap on Kuriger (08) as the pair danced through the lapped-traffic. With five laps to go in the event, Bowser (11) would take the lead away from Kuriger (08) and lead the remaining laps of the event, picking up another PPMS victory. He was followed to the line by Kuriger (08) in second, Sodeman Jr. (91) in third, Spithhaler (22) in fourth, Brandon Matus (13) in fifth, Gallagher (12) in sixth, Malcuit (70) in seventh, Brent Matus (33) in eighth, Morris iii (4N) in ninth, and Frankie Nervo (21N) rounded out the top ten. The 20-lap feature event when green to checkered in record fashion. Spithhaler (22) and Malcuit (70) won the heat races.

In the RUSH Modified 20-lap feature, Rob Kristyak (00), from Bristolville, Ohio, would start on the pole. To his outside and ssstarting in second was Connor King (19). Jessica Kriegisch (63), from Ellwood City, started in third, and Kole Holden (2), from Tiona, completed the top two rows. When the green flag waved, King (19) would take the early lead with Holden (2) in second, Kristyak (00) in third, Garrett Krummert (10S) in fourth, and Chas Wolbert (C3) in fifth. The top five spots would remain the same for most of the event. Lap eight would see Kristyak (00) and the front runners beginning to deal with lapped-traffic. King (00) would lead all laps of the event, going the distance to pick up his first career PPMS RUSH Modified victory. He was followed to the line by Holden (2) in second, Kristyak (00) in third, Krummert (10S) in fourth, Wolbert (C3) in fifth, Eric Gabany (4S) in sixth, Joshua Alan Deems (9D) in seventh, Jessica Kriegisch (63) in eighth, Jim Bryce (44) in nine, and Cameron Nastasi (615) in tenth. The heat race winners were King (19) and Gabany (4S).

The Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model Dirt Series 20-lap feature saw Mollick (60M) as the pole-sitter. Two-time defending champion Justin Lamb (93X), from Findlay Township, would start to his outside and in second place. Josh Stoica (22J), from New Cumberland, West Virginia, would start on the inside of the second row in third place, and Ron Hall (01), from Hookstown, would start to his outside and in fourth place. Brandon Lott (47) would start in fifth place, and Bobby Springer (42S), from Clinton, would complete the top three rows. When the green flag dropped, Mollick (60M) would keep the early lead with Hall (01) in second, Lamb (93X) in third, and Stoica (22J) in fourth. By lap six, Mollick (60M) had already built half of a straightaway lead over the field. The event’s first caution would slow the pace on lap 10 for a car that hit the wall in turn four. Mollick (60M) would take the outside on the restart and when green replaced yellow, Mollick (60M) would again retain the lead with ninth-starting Tommy Schirnhofer (8S) in second, Lamb (93X) in third, and fourteenth starting Ben Policz (14B) in fourth. Another caution would come with five laps to go in the event for a car that was off the pace on the front stretch. Mollick (60M) would lead the field on the restart with Lamb (93X) in second, Christian Schneider (1ST) in third, and Policz (14B) in fourth. Again, Mollick (60M) would keep the lead when the field returned to green flag conditions and he would go the distance, leading all laps of the event, en route to his third PPMS win of the season. He was followed to the line by Lamb (93X) in second, Policz (14B), in third, Schneider (1ST) in fourth, Hall (01) in fifth, Springer (42S) in sixth, Stoica (22J) in seventh, Paul Jablonski (3J) in eighth, Nico Dabecco (F1) in ninth, and Brandon Lott (47) completes the top 10. The heat race winners were Schneider (1ST) and Schirnhofer (8S).

In the PPMS Pro Stock 12-lap feature, A.J. Poljak (36) would start on the pole. To his outside and starting in second was Josh Langer (11), from Imperial. Joel Johns (M5), from Murrysville, would start in third, while Heath Close (77), from Shaler, started in fourth, Mike Harris (18), from Bridgeville, started in fifth, and Danny Rich (67X), from Imperial, rounded out the six-car field. When the green flag dropped, Poljak (36) would take the early lead. As the field was coming out of turn four, Harris (18) would get loose and out of control. Rich (67X) with nowhere to go, would plow into Harris (18), bringing out the caution. Both drivers were okay but their cars were not. With both drivers retiring to the pits, Poljak (36) would lead the field on the restart and would keep the lead when green replaced yellow. Langer (11) would pass Johns (M5) for second place on lap five with Poljak (36) leading the field. Poljak (36) would lead all laps of the event, en route to his first PPMS win of the season. He was followed to the line by Langer (11) in second, Johns (M5) in third, Close (77) in fourth, Harris (18) in fifth, and Rich (67X) in sixth. The heat race winner was Poljak (36).

The Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stocks always put on quite the show with some of the best racing of the evening. In the 12-lap feature, 16 cars would start the event with Ben Anton (13), from Jefferson Hills as the pole-sitter. His dad, Tom Anton (313), also from Jefferson Hills, would start to his outside in second place. Kayla McManus (00K), from Elizabeth, started in third and Ed Shelpman (17P), from Pleasant Hills, started in fourth. When the green flag waved, B Anton (13), would keep the early lead but S. Shelpman (17S) was the man on the move, coming from his tenth place starting spot. B. Anton (13) would lead the first three laps of the event when S. Shelpman (17S) would steal the lead from him coming off of turn four. Also on the move was Tyler Fox (39F), from Pittsburgh, who started in ninth. Fox (39F) was up to third place by lap five, and by lap seven, he was in second place behind S. Shelpman (17S). S. Shelpman had to content with lapped-traffic by lap eight and Fox (39F) was beginning to close the gap between the pair. S. Shelpman (17S) would lead the remaining laps of the event, en route to his sixth PPMS win of the season. He was followed to the line by Fox (39F) in second, B. Anton (13) in third, E. Shelpman (17P) in fourth, Marcus Simmons (68X) in fifth, McManus (00K) in sixth, Joe Anthony (221K), driving Karlee Kovacs car, in seventh, Cody Koteles (1K) in eighth, T. Anton (313) in ninth, and Matt Bernard (15B) would round out the top 10. S. Shelpman (17S) and Anthony (221K) were the heat race winners.

In the Four Cylinder division, Andy Garlinger (R88) had won every Four Cylinder feature this season, heading into Saturday night. Garlinger (R88) was not in attendance on Saturday night, which paved the way for Phillip Bubec (2L), from Washington. P. Bubeck (2L) was the only car in the division. He would start on the pole, lead all laps of the event, and picked up the Four Cylinder victory. The Four Cylinders did not run a heat race.

Susie Rudolph (55) was looking for redemption after being disqualified for contact last week in the Young Guns division. In the Young Guns eight-lap feature, Noah Bubeck (2), from Washington would start on the pole. To his outside and starting in second was Kyle Janas (88), from Coraopolis. Rudolph (55) would start in third and last week’s winner, Tony Magill (05), from Jefferson Hills, would round out the four-car field. When the green flag dropped, N Bubeck (2) would retain the early lead. Lap two had N. Bubeck (2L), still leading, Rudolph (55) up to second, Janas (88) in third, and T. Magill (05) in fourth. Coming off of turn four on lap three, Rudolph (55) would take the lead. The event’s lone caution would come on lap five and Rudolph (55) would lead the field on the restart. Rudolph (55) would keep the lead, and lead the remaining laps of the event, en route to another PPMS victory. She was followed to the line by Janas (88) in second, N. Bubeck (2L) in third, and T. Magill (05) completes the four-car field. The Young Guns did not run a heat race.

Racing resumes at Dirt’s Monster Half-Mile on Saturday, September 21, when the RUSH Sprint Car Series comes to town for an action event. PPMS will also be featuring the Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model Dirt Series, the PPMS Pro Stocks, the Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stocks, the Four Cylinders, and the Young Guns. Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps begin at 6 p.m., and the racing action will commence at 7 p.m. Visit our schedule section for pricing and tickets. There are only two points races left for all divisions before the 31st Annual Pittsburgher 100. The season finale, Pittsburgher 100 is on Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5 with the 31st Annual Pittsburgher 100 for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, paying $20,000 to win. Friday, October 4 will see the qualifying events for all divisions except for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. Saturday, October 5 will see the qualifying events for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. Plus, features for all divisions. Reserve your tickets now on our schedule section. Let’s go racing!

RESULTS

Falconi’s Moon Township Automotive 410 Sprint feature (20) – laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name (car number) – hometown

1 – 5 – Carl Bowser (11) – Freeport

2 – 1 – Dan Kuriger (08) – New Brighton

3 – 2 – Jack Sodeman Jr (91) – North Jackson, OH

4 – 4 – Brandon Spithaler (22)

5 – 6 – Brandon Matus (13) – Wampum

6 – 7 – Darin Gallagher (12) – Butler

7 – 8 – Henry Malcuit (70)

8 – 10 – Brent Matus (33) – Wampum

9 – 3 – James Morris iii (4N) – Fowler, OH

10 – 11 – Frankie Nervo (21N) – Stow, OH

11 – 12 – Eric Williams (4W) – New Waterford, OH

12 – 13 – Steve Haefke Jr. (12X)

13 – 14 – Gerald Harrhogan (23C)

14 – 9 – Russ Sanscsti (23)

410 Sprint Qualifying

Driver name, car number – time

1 – Carl Bowser (11) – 15.846

2 – Brandon Matus (13) – 16.045

3 – Dan Kuriger (08) – 16.104

4 – Brandon Spithaler (22) – 16.275

5 – Darin Gallagher (12) – 16.341

6 – Jack Sodeman Jr. (91) – 16.829

7 – James Morris iii (4N) – 16.933

8 – Russ Sanscsti (23) – 17.013

9 – Henry Malcuit (70) – 17.074

10 – Frankie Nervo (21N) – 17.354

11 – Brent Matus (33) – 17.647

12 – Eric Williams (4W) – 18.448

13 – Steve Haefke Jr. 19.981

14 – Gerald Harrhogan (23C) – 24.491

410 Sprint heat 1 (8) – laps

Finishing spot, driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. Brandon Spithaler – 22 – [4]; 2. Carl Bowser – 11 – [1]; 3. Brandon Matus – 13 – [2]; 4. Dan Kuriger – 08 – [3]; 5. Jack Sodeman Jr. – 91 – [6]; 6. Darin Gallagher – 12 – [5]; 7. James Morris iii – 4N – [7];

410 Sprint heat 2 (8) – laps

Finishing spot, driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. Henry Malcuit – 70 – [2]; 2. Russ Sanscti – 23 – [1]; 3. Brent Matus – 33 – [4]; 4. Frankie Nervo – 21N – [3]; 5. Eric Williams – 4W – [5]; 6. Steve Haefke Jr. – 12X – [6]; 7. Gerald Harrhogan – 23C – [7];

RUSH Sportsman Modified feature (20) – laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name (car number) – hometown

1 – 2 – Connor King (19) – Morgantown

2 – 4 – Kole Holden (2) – Tiona

3 – 1 – Rob Kristyak (00) – Bristolville, OH

4 – 5 – Garrett Krummert (10S) – Ellwood City

5 – 11 – Chas Wolbert (C3) – Howland, OH

6 – 8 – Eric Gabany (4S) – Mercer

7 – 7 – Joshua Alan Deems (9D)

8 – 3 – Jessica Kriegisch (63) – Ellwood City

9 – 6 – Jim Bryce (44) – Harmony

10 – 13 – Cameron Nastasi (615) – Hubbard, OH

11 – 14 – Tony Tatgenhorst (63T) – Columbiana, OH

12 – 12 – Jacob Jordan (28J) – Aliquippa

13 – 10 – Chelsie Kriegisch (10) – Ellwood City

14 – 15 – Clayton Deans (55)

15 – 18 – Joe Gibson (19G)

16 – 19 – Greg Porter (25) – Bristolville, OH

17 – 16 – Gage Priester (71)

18 – 17 – Nathan McDowell (11G) – Greenville

DNS Teddy Williams ii (818)

RUSH Sportsman Modified heat 1 (8) – laps

Finishing spot, driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. Connor King – 19 – [5]; 2. Rob Kristyak – 00 – [2]; 3. Chas Wolbert – C3 – [4]; 4. Kole Holden – 2 – [1]; 5. Jessica Kriegisch – 63 – [9]; 6. Jacob Jordan – 28J – [7]; 7. Tony Tatgenhorst – 63T – [10]; 8. Gage Priester – 71 – [8]; 9. Teddy Williams ii – 818 – [3]; 10. Greg Porter – 25 – [6];

RUSH Sportsman Modified heat 2 (8) – laps

1. Eric Gabany – 4S – [5]; 2. Garrett Krummert – 10S – [3]; 3. Chelsie Kriegisch – 10 – [2]; 4. Jim Bryce – 44 – [4]; 5. Joshua Alan Deems – 9D – [7]; 6. Cameron Nastasi – 615 – [6]; 7. Clayton Deans – 55 – [1]; 8. Nathan McDowell – 11G – [8]; 9. Joe Gibson – 19G – [9];

Diehl Auto RUSH Late Model feature (20) – laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name (car number) – hometown

1 – 1 – John Mollick (60M) – Toronto, OH

2 – 2 – Justin Lamb (93X) – Findlay Township

3 – 14 – Ben Policz (14B) – Rices Landing

4 – 7 – Christian Schneider (1ST) – Warren, OH

5 – 4 – Ron Hall (01) – Hookstown

6 – 6 – Bobby Springer (42S) – Clinton

7 – 2 – Josh Stoica (22J) – New Cumberland, WV

8 – 8 – Paul Jablonski (3J) – Carnegie

9 – 10 – Nico Dabecco (F1) – Verona

10 – 5 – Brandon Lott (47) – Plum

11 – 11 – Eric Hamilton (33)

12 – 9 – Tommy Schirnhofer (8S) – Dormont

13 – 12 – Bill Kessler (09) – Freedom

DNS D.J. Nakutis (31) – Beallsville

DNS Bryan Hoffman (15H) – Imperial

Diehl Auto RUSH Late Model heat 1 (8) – laps

Finishing spot, driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. Tommy Schirnhofer – 8S – [2]; 2. Ron Hall – 01 – [1]; 3. Justin Lamb – 93X – [5]; 4. Paul Jablonski – 3J – [4]; 5. Brandon Lott – 47 – [8]; 6. D.J. Nakutis – 31 – [3]; 7. Bill Kessler – 09 – [7]; 8. Ben Policz –

Diehl Auto RUSH Late Model heat 2 (8) – laps

Finishing spot, driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. Christian Schneider – 1ST – [2]; 2. Nico Dabecco -F1 – [3]; 3. John Mollick – 60M – [7]; 4. Bobby Springer – 42S – [4]; 5. Josh Stoica – 22J – [5]; 6. Eric Hamilton – 33 – [1]; 7. Bryan HOffman – 15H -[6];

PPMS Pro Stock feature (12) – laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name (car number) – hometown

1 – 1 – A.J. Poljak (36) – Baldwin

2 – 2 – Josh Langer (11) – Imperial

3 – 3 – Joel Johns (M5) – Murrysville

4 – 4 – Heath Close (77) – Shaler

5 – 5 – Mike Harris (18) – Bridgeville

6 – 6 – Danny Rich (67X) – Imperial

Pro Stock heat 1 (8) – laps

Finishing spot, driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. A.J. Poljak – 36 – [2]; 2. Josh Langer – 11 – [1]; 3. Danny Rich – 67X – [3]; 4. Joel Johns – M5 – [6]; 5. Heath Close – 77 – [5]; 6. Mike Harris – 18 – [4];

Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock feature (12) – laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name (car number) – hometown

1 – 10 – Stephen Shelpman (17S) – Pleasant Hills

2 – 9 – Tyler Fox (39F) – Pittsburgh

3 – 1 – Ben Anton (13) – Jefferson Hills

4 – 4 – Ed Shelpman (17P) – Pleasant Hills

5 – 6 – Marcus Simmons (68X) – Beaver Falls

6 – 3 – Kayla McManus (00K) – Elizabeth

7 – 8 – Joe Anthony (221K) – Pittsburgh

8 – 7 – Cody Koteles (1K)

9 – 2 – Tom Anton (313) – Jefferson Hills

10 – 5 – Matt Bernard (15B) – Oakdale

11 – 11 – Matt Miller (77X)

12 – 16 – Frank Magill (05) – Jefferson Hills

13 – 13 – Mike Betsch (222) – Monaca

14 – 14 – Kaleb Behanna (79) – Finleyville

15 – 15 – Jeff Cencarik (6)

16 – 12 – Andrew Sutton (16A) – Monaca

Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock heat 1 (8) – laps

Finishing spot, driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. Joe Anthony – 221k – [1]; 2. Ben Anton – 13 – [3]; 3. Tom Anton – 313 – [2]; 4. Cody Koteles – 1K – [4]; 5. Kayla McManus – 00K – [7]; 6. Matt Miller – 77X – [6]; 7. Mike Betsch – 222 – [5];

Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock heat 2 (8) – laps

Finishing spot, driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. Stephen Shelpman – 17S – [5]; 2. Tyler Fox – 39F – [6]; 3. Ed Shelpman – 17P – [1]; 4. Marcus Simmons – 68X – [4]; 5. Matt Bernard – 15B – [3]; 6. Andrew Sutton – 16A – [8]; 7. Kaleb Behanna – 79 – [2]; 8. Jeff Cencarik – 6 – [9]; 9. Frank Magill – 05 – [7];

Four Cylinder feature (4) – laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name (car number) – hometown

1 – 1 – Phillip Bubeck (2L)

The Four Cylinders did not run a heat race

Young Guns feature (8) laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name (car number) – hometown

1 – 3 – Susie Rudolph (55) – Steubenville, OH

2 – 2 – Kyle Janas (88) – Coraopolis

3 – 1 – Noah Bubeck (2)

4 – 4 – Tony Magill (05) – Jefferson Hills

The Young Guns did not run a heat race

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