Bowser Picks Up 2nd Win In A Row At PPMS

BY STEVE SKARUPA
SEPTEMBER 16, 2018
Imperial, PA

With a rainout the previous week, PPMS was back in action with the final Outlaw 410 Winged Sprint Car show of the season. Only three points separated first through third place at the beginning of the night with Brandon Matus (13) from Wampum in first place but the Matus Motorsports Team would race elsewhere, leaving the points race wide open. PPMS would see qualifying, eight heat races, and eight features. Carl Bowser (11) from Cabot would pick up where he left off on August 25, 2018, with another Outlaw 410 Sprint Car feature win. Chas Wolbert (C3) from Howland, Ohio would pick up the win in the RUSH Sportsman Modified division, while Scott Gunn (14G) from McDonald would pick up the win in the Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model Feature. Dave McManus (114) from Elizabeth took the win in the PPMS Pro Stock division, while Marcus Simmons (68X) would pick up his first career win in the Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock division and Justin Shipley (47) from Portvue picked up the win in the Open Motor Hobby Stock division. April Tennant (95) from Colliers, West Virginia took the win in the Open Four Cylinder division and Susie Rudolph (55) from Steubenville, Ohio grabbed another win in the Three Rivers Karting Young Guns division.

Jack Sodeman Jr. (23JR) from North Jackson, Ohio would set the fast time during qualifying with a time of 15.929. Bowser (11) was only 0.339 seconds behind him with a time of 16.268. During the 20-lap feature, George Hobaugh (40) from Chicora would start on the pole. To his outside was Bowser (11). Making up the second row was Sodeman Jr. (23JR) in third, and Dan Kuriger (08) from New Brighton in fourth, while Sye Lynch (2L) from Apollo rounded out the top five. When the green flag dropped, Hobaugh (40) would retain an early lead with Bowser (11) right behind him. Bowser (11) would briefly take over the lead on lap three but Hobaugh (40) would take it right back. Hobaugh (40) would continue to lead on lap seven with Bowser (11) in tow, while Sodeman Jr. (23JR) was in third, Kuriger (08) was in fourth, and Lynch (2L) was in fifth. Bowser (11) would take over the lead between laps eight and nine and Sodeman Jr. (23JR) would take over the second spot, knocking Hobaugh (40) back to third around the middle of the event. Lap nineteen had Bowser (11) still in the lead when the event’s lone caution came out for the 27K of Jeremy Kornbau and the field would see a two-lap shootout. Bowser (11) would lead the single-foul restart and when the green flag waved, he would retain the lead. Bowser (11) would lead the remaining two laps, en route to his second PPMS win of the season. Following him to the line was Sodeman Jr. (23JR) in second, Hobaugh (40) in third, Jordan Harble (5) in fourth, Kuriger (08) in fifth, John Garvin (51) in sixth, Lynch (2L) in seventh, Mike Bauer (33) in eighth, Frankie Nervo (21N) in ninth, and Jared McFarland (250) would round out the top ten. Heat race winners were Nervo (21N) and Bowser (11).

In the RUSH Sportsman Modified 15-lap feature, Jeremy Weaver (35W) from Stoneboro would be the pole-sitter. To his outside was Brian Schaffer (41) from Slippery Rock. The second row consisted of David Kalb Jr. (11J) from Aurora, Ohio starting in third, and Kole Holden (2) from Tiona started in fourth. When the green flag dropped, Weaver (35W) would keep an early lead through lap five when the caution would come out for the 03 of Lucas DeGroat who tagged the wall on the front stretch. Weaver (35W) would lead the field on the restart and retain the lead but fifth-starting Wolbert (C3) was now right behind him in second place. On lap nine Wolbert (C3) would take over the lead and on the same lap, the field would see another caution. Wolbert (C3) chose the outside on the restart with Weaver (35W) in second, Tony Tatgenhorst (63T) in third, and Kalb Jr. (11J) in fourth. Wolbert (C3) would keep the lead when the green flag dropped and then on lap 11 another caution would slow the pace. This time Wolbert (C3) chose the inside on the restart and when the green flag waved, Tatgenhorst (63T) would take over the lead on lap 12 but again, another caution would slow the pace for a three-car pile up in turn one. The 24P of Preston Cope had his third caution of the race and was sent to the pits by track officials. Tatgenhorst (63T) led the field on the restart but on lap 13 Wolbert (C3) would regain the lead and he wouldn’t look back, leading the field to the checkered flag. Following him to the line was Tatgenhorst (63T) in second, Joshua Alan Deems (9D) in third, Weaver (35W) in fourth, Rocky Kugel (83) in fifth, Kalb Jr. (11J) in sixth, Brandon Michaud (132) in seventh, Jacob Jordan (28J) in eighth, Holden (2) in ninth, and Brandon Ritchey (17) completed the top 10. Heat race winners were Tatgenhorst (63T) and Wolbert (C3).

In the Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model Dirt Series 20-lap feature, Russ Matejka (17M) from Hopewell would start on the pole. To his outside was Tommy Schirnhofer (8S) from Dormont. Starting in third was Brian Goebel (12G) from Beaver Falls and starting in fourth was Scott Gunn (14G) from McDonald. On lap one, Schirnhofer (8S) would steal an early lead over the field, while Matejka (17M) would fall back to sixth. Lap three saw the event’s first caution when the 31 of D.J. Nakutis jumped a safety tire and crushed the inside guardrail on the front straight near the pit booth. Nakutis (31) was ok but his car sustained substantial damage from a very hard hit. Schirnhofer (8S) would choose the outside on the restart with Gunn (14G) in second, Christian Schneider (1ST) in third, and John Mollick (60M) in fourth. Schirnhofer (8S) kept the lead through lap five when another caution slowed the pace once again. Schirnhofer (8S) would lead the field on the restart and would go three-wide into turn one with Gunn (14G) and Schneider (1ST) with Schirnhofer (8S) coming out on top once again. Lap 10 saw another caution when Josh Stoica (22J) and Ben Policz (14B) got together in turn two. When the field returned to green, Schirnhofer (8S) was still leading with Gunn (14G) on his rear bumper making it an awesome race and now Daryl Charlier (12C) was threatening from third after starting twelveth. On lap 16, Gunn (14G) would steal the lead from Schirnhofer (8S) and on the same lap, the field would see another caution. With four laps to go, Gunn (14G) led the field on the restart with Schirnhofer (8S) in second and Charlier (12C) in third. Gunn (14G) would lead the remaining four laps picking up his first PPMS win of the season. Following him to the line was Charlier (12C) in second, Schirnhofer (8S) in third, Logan Zarin (1Z) in fourth, Ron Hall (01) in fifth, Zachary Kane (10) in sixth, Justin Lamb (93X) in seventh, Mollick (60M) in eighth, Policz (14B) in ninth, and Chuck Medved (2M) rounded out the top 10. Heat race winners were Gunn (14G), Stoica (22J) and Charlier (12C).

In the PPMS Pro Stock 15-lap feature, Danny Rich (67X) would start on the pole. To his outside was Greg Beach (33X) from Chicora. Bill Slade (A22) from Bethel Park started in third, and Vince Laboon (18H) completed the top two rows. When the green flag dropped, Rich (67X) pulled out to an early lead but it wouldn’t last long. Beach (33X) would take over the lead on lap two knocking Rich (67X) back to second. Beach (33X) had a whole straightaway lead by lap six. Lap seven saw trouble when a fire broke out under Beach’s (33X) car due to leaking oil. The fire was out when Beach (33X) stopped for the PPMS Super Snuffers team to check out his car. He wanted to continue to race and since it was a safety issue that brought out the yellow, Beach (33X) was able to keep the top spot. When the field returned to green flag action, Beach (33X) would be black flagged for another fire under his car which gave the lead to McManus (114). McManus (114) would lead the remaining seven laps, picking up another PPMS victory. Following him to the line was Rich (67X) in second, Bill Robertson (1B) in third, Laboon (18H) in fourth, Slade (A22) in fifth, Beach (33X) in sixth, and Robert Betz (81) in seventh. The heat race winner was Beach (33X).

In the Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock 12-lap feature, Karlee Kovacs (221K) would start on the pole. To her outside was Marcus Simmons (68X). The second row consisted of Andrew Sutton (16A) in third, and Ben Anton (13) in fourth. Simmons (68X) would take an early lead with Kovacs (221K) in tow. In the open motor side of the race, Shipley (47) was leading. Simmons (68X) and Kovacs (221K) were trading paint on lap eight when Simmons (68X) spun out, bringing out the yellow. Kovacs (221K) was leading the field on the restart with Shipley (47) leading the open motors. The yellow came out again on lap 10 when Kayla McManus (14) hit the wall near the back gate and at the same time, Kovacs (221K) and Dave Sheriff (8) crashed in turn three, knocking both of them out of the race. When the field returned to green, Shipley (47) would lead the open motor Hobby Stocks, and Simmons (68X) would lead the legal motors and that’s how they would finish the event. Following them to the line was Matt Bernard (15B) in third, Frank Magill (17F) in fourth, B. Anton (13) in fifth, Kovacs (221K) in sixth, K. McManus (14) in seventh, Sheriff (8) in eighth, Sutton (16A) in ninth, Randy Deberardinis (77X) in tenth, and Stephen Shelpman (17S) in eleventh. The Hobby Stocks did not run a heat race.

In the Open Four Cylinder 10-lap feature, John Gill (19G) from Burgettstown started on the pole. To his outside was Kevin Criswell (KC44). Chris Knight (78) from Plum started in third and April Tennant (95) from Colliers, West Virginia started in fourth. Tom Anton (64) from Jefferson Hills started in fifth, while Jason Romine (71) started in sixth, Andy Garlinger (R88) from Hopedale, Ohio started in seventh, and Bill Tennant (2) from Colliers, West Virginia completed the eight-car field. When the green flag dropped, Gill (19G) fell to last place by turn one with possible car trouble, while Criswell (KC44) would take an early lead. At the end of lap two, A. Tennant (95) would take over the lead. She would lead the remaining eight laps of the event, picking up her first PPMS win of the season. She was followed to the line by her husband, Bill Tennant (2) in second, Garlinger (R88) in third, Criswell (KC44) in fourth, Knight (78) in fifth, T. Anton (64) in sixth, Gill (19G) in seventh, and Romine (71) in eighth. The Open Four Cylinders did not run a heat race.

In the Three Rivers Karting Young Guns 10-lap feature, Tony Magill (44) from Jefferson Hills started on the pole. To his outside was Kyle Janus (88) from Coraopolis. Starting in third was Frank Magill (05) from Jefferson Hills and rounding out the field was Susie Rudolph (55) from Steubenville, Ohio. When the green flag dropped, Rudolph had an awesome start and was leading the race by turn one. Rudolph (55) would lead the entire race, picking up her sixth victory of the season. She was followed to the line by F. Magill (05) in second, Janus (88) in third, and T. Magill in fourth.

RESULTS

Outlaw 410 Sprints feature (20)-laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name, car number, hometown

1 – 2 – Carl Bowser (11) – Cabot

2 – 3 – Jack Sodeman Jr. (23JR) – North Jackson, OH

3 – 1 – George Hobaugh (40) – Chicora

4 – 13 – Jordan Harble (5)

5 – 4 – Dan Kuriger (08) – New Brighton

6 – 6 – John Garvin (51) – Sarver

7 – 5 – Sye Lynch (2L) – Apollo

8 – 11 – Mike Bauer (33)

9 – 10 – Frankie Nervo (21N)

10 – 12 – Jared McFarland (250)

11 – 9 – David Jones (76) – Warrendale

12 – 14 – Eric Williams (4W) – New Waterford, OH

13 – 15 – Bob McMillan

14 – 8 – Jeremy Kornbau (27K)

15 – 18 – Brett Brunkenhoefer (12X)

16 – 17 – Gerald Harrhogan (23C)

17 – 7 – Ralph Spithaler (56) – Evans City

18 – 16 – Mike Lutz Jr. (86)

Outlaw 410 Sprints Qualifying

1 – Jack Sodeman Jr. (23JR) – 15.929

2 – Carl Bowser (11) – 16.268

3 – John Garvin (51) – 16.461

4 – Dan Kuriger (08) – 16.598

5 – Sye Lynch (2L) – 16.716

6 – Ralph Spithaler (56) – 16.993

7 – George Hobaugh (40) – 17.024

8 – David Jones (76) – 17.032

9 – Jeremy Kornbau (27K) – 17.047

10 – Mike Bauer (33) – 17.160

11 – Eric Williams (4W) – 17.327

12 – Bob McMillan (5M) – 17.473

13 – Frankie Nerro (21N) – 17-477

14 – Jordan Harble (5) – 17.510

15 – Jared McFarland (250) – 17.704

16 – Brett Brunkenhoefer (12X) – 19.424

17 – Mike Lutz Jr. (86) – 19.634

18 – Gerald Harrhogan (23C) – 20.280

Outlaw 410 Sprints Heat 1 (8)-laps

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

1.) Carl Bowser – 11 – [2]; 2.) Jack Sodeman Jr. – 23JR – [1]; 3.) John Garvin – 51 – [3]; 4.) Sye Lynch – 2L – [5]; 5.) Dan Kuriger – 08 – [4]; 6.) George Hobaugh – 40 – [7]; 7.) Ralph Spithaler – 56 – [6]; 8.) Jeremy Kornbau – 27K – [9]; 9.) David Jones – 76 – [8];

Outlaw 410 Sprints Heat 2 (8)-laps

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

1.) Frankie Nervo – 21N – [4]; 2.) Mike Bauer – 33 – [1]; 3.) Jared McFarland – 250 – [6]; 4.) Jordan Harble – 5 – [5]; 5.) Eric Williams – 4W – [2]; 6.) Bob McMillan – 5M – [3]; 7.) Mike Lutz Jr. – 86 – [8]; 8.) Gerald Harrhogan – 23C – [9]; 9.) Brett Brunkenhoefer – 12X – [7];

RUSH Modifieds feature (15)-laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name, car number, hometown

1 – 5 – Chas Wolbert (C3) – Howland, OH

2 – 10 – Tony Tatgenhorst (63T) – Columbiana, OH

3 – 8 – Joshua Alan Deems (9D) – Volant

4 – 1 – Jeremy Weaver (35W) – Stoneboro

5 – 12 – Rocky Kugel (83) – East Liverpool, OH

6 – 3 – David Kalb Jr. (11J) – Aurora, OH

7 – 7 – Brandon Michaud (132) – Medina, NY

8 – 15 – Jacob Jordan (28J) – Aliquippa

9 – 4 – Kole Holden (2) – Tiona

10 – 9 – Brandon Ritchey (17) – Seneca

11 – 14 – Lexi Couch (AR51)

12 – 13 – Chelsie Kriegisch (10) – Ellwood City

13 – 2 – Brian Schaffer (41) – Slippery Rock

14 – 16 – Steve Slater (29) – Butler

15 – 11 – Jessica Kriegisch (63) – Ellwood City

16 – 6 – Preston Cope (24P) – Champion, OH

17 – 18 – Lucas DeGroat (03)

18 – 17 – Kevin Long (22)

RUSH Sportsman Modified heat 1 (8)-laps

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

1.) Tony Tatgenhorst – 63T – [2]; 2.) Joshua Alan Deems – 9D – [1]; 3.) Kole Holden – 2 – [3]; 4.) Jeremy Weaver – 35W – [4]; 5.) Rocky Kugel – 83 – [6]; 6.) Brian Schaffer – 41 – [5]; 7.) Chelsie Kriegisch – 10 – [8]; 8.) Jacob Jordan – 28J – [9]; 9.) Kevin Long – 22 – [7];

RUSH Sportsman Modified Heat 2 (8)-laps

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

1.) Chas Wolbert – C3 – [7]; 2.) Brandon Ritchey – 17 – [5]; 3.) Jessica Kriegisch – 63 – [2]; 4.) Brandon Michaud – 132 – [6]; 5.) David Kalb Jr. – 11J – [3]; 6.) Preston Cope – 24P – [1]; 7.) Lexi Couch – AR51 – [8]; 8.) Steve Slater – 29 – [4]; 9.) Lucas DeGroat – 03 – [9]:

RUSH Late Model feature (20)-laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name, car number, hometown

1 – 4 – Scott Gunn (14G) – McDonald

2 – 12 – Daryl Charlier (12C) – Midway

3 – 2 – Tom Schirnhofer (8S) – Dormont

4 – 8 – Logan Zarin (1Z) – Moon

5 – 10 – Ron Hall (01) – Hookstown

6 – 19 – Zachary Kane (10) – Washington

7 – 11 – Justin Lamb (93X) – Findlay Township

8 – 5 – John Mollick (60M) – Toronto, OH

9 – 7 – Ben Policz (14B) – Rices Landing

10 – 14 – Chuck Medved (2M) – Imperial

11 – 6 – Christian Schneider (1ST) – Pittsburgh

12 – 15 – Matt Dobnak (42) – West Mifflin

13 – 18 – Bill Kessler (09) – Freedom

14 – 1 – Russ Matejka (17M) – Hopewell

15 – 3 – Brian Goebel (12G) – Beaver Falls

16 – 21 – Ricky Steigerwald (3JX) – Pittsburgh

17 – 16 – Chris Lander (18) – Burgettstown

18 – 13 – Zach Gunn (114G) – McDonald

19 – 17 – Chuck Recker (6R) – West View

20 – 9 – Josh Stoica (22J) – New Cumberland, WV

21 – 20 – D.J. Nakutis (31) – Plum

RUSH Late Model heat 1 (8)-laps

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

1.) Josh Stoica – 22J – [3]; 2.) Justin Lamb – 93X – [7]; 3.) Logan Zarin – 1Z – [4]; 4.) Brian Goebel – 12G – [6]; 5.) Zach Gunn – 114G – [2]; 6.) Chris Lander – 18 – [5]; 7.) Zachary Kane – 10 – [1];

RUSH Late Model heat 2 (8)-laps

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

1.) Daryl Charlier – 12C – [3]; 2.) Russ Matejka – 17M – [1]; 3.) Tommy Schirnhofer – 8S – [5]; 4.) Ben Policz – 14B – [4]; 5.) Chuck Medved – 2M – [6]; 6.) Chuck Recker – 6R – [7]; 7.) D.J. Nakutis – 31 – [2];

RUSH Late Model heat 3 (8)-laps

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

1.) Scott Gunn – 14G – [1]; 2.) Ron Hall – 01 – [2]; 3.) John Mollick – 60M – [4]; 4.) Christian Schneider – 1ST – [6]; 5.) Matt Dobnak – 42 – [3]; 6.) Bill Kessler – 09 – [5]; 7.) Ricky Steigerwald – 3JX – [7];

Pro Stocks feature (15)-laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name, car number, hometown

1 – 5 – Dave McManus (114) – Elizabeth

2 – 1 – Danny Rich (67X) – Imperial

3 – 6 -Bill Robertson (1B) – Upper Saint Clair

4 – 4 – Vince Laboon (18H)

5 – 3 – Bill Slade (A22) – Bethel Park

6 – 2 – Greg Beach (33X) – Chicora

7 – 7 – Robert Betz (81) – South Heights

DNS John Dotten (88), DNS Gary Koteles (64K), DNS A.J. Poljak

Pro Stock heat 1 (8)-laps

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

1.) Greg Beach – 33X – [2]; 2.) Dave McManus – 114 – [3]; 3.) Vince Laboon – 18H – [1]; 4.) Danny Rich – 67X – [8]; 5.) A.J. Poljak – 36 – [5]; 6.) Bill Slade – A22 – [4]; 7.) Bill Robertson – 1B – [7]; 8.) Drew Koteles – 64K – [6]; 9.) John Dotten – 88 – [9];

Hobby Stock feature (12)-laps

*** Denotes open Hobby Stock

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name, car number, hometown

1 – 11 – Justin Shipley (47) *** – Portvue

2 – 2 – Marcus Simmons (68X)

3 – 5 – Matt Bernard (15B) – Oakdale

4 – 10 – Frank Magill (17F) *** – Jefferson Hills

5 – 4 – Ben Anton (13) – Jefferson Hills

6 – 1 – Karlee Kovacs (221K) – Carnegie

7 – 9 – Kayla McManus (14) *** – Elizabeth

8 – 7 – Dave Sheriff (8) – Imperial

9 – 3 – Andrew Sutton (16A)

10 – 8 – Randy DeBerardinis (77X) – Monongahela

11 – 6 – Stephen Shelpman (17S) – Pleasant Hills

DNS Casey Grumling (177X)*** – Elrama

Hobby Stocks did not run a heat race

Open 4’s (10)-laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name, car number, hometown

1 – 4 – April Tennant (95) – Colliers, WV

2 – 8 – Bill Tennant (2) – Colliers, WV

3 – 7 – Andy Garlinger (R88) – Hopedale, OH

4 – 2 – Kevin Criswell (KC44)

5 – 3 – Chris Knight (78) – Plum

6 – 5 – Tom Anton (64) – Jefferson Hills

7 – 1 – John Gill (19G) – Burgettstown

8 – 6 – Jason Romine (71)

Open 4’s did not run a heat race

Young Guns feature (10)-laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name, car number, hometown

1 – 4 – Susie Rudolph (55) – Steubenville, OH

2 – 3 – Frank Magill (05) – Jefferson Hills

3 – 2 – Kyle Janus (88) – Coraopolis

4 – 1 – Tony Magill (44) – Jefferson Hills

Young Guns did not run a heat race

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