5/16/2021
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway
THREE FIRST-TIME WINNERS DURING THE ACTION EVENT AT PPMS ON SATURDAY NIGHT
Imperial, PA
It was a beautiful Spring evening for some racing at Dirt’s Monster Half-Mile on Saturday. PPMS would see eight heat races, five feature events, plus three first-time winners. Dan Lepro (2L), from Midway, would pick up his first career win for the RUSH Late Model Dirt Series. Nick Kocuba (10), from Bulger, would bring home his first win of the season in the ADMAR Penn Ohio Pro Stock division, while Kayla McManus (00K), from Elizabeth, would also pick up her first career win in the Hobby Stock division. Bill Tennant (2), from Colliers, WV, would bring home his second win of the season for the Crawford Auto Repair Four Cylinders, and Logan Koteles (5K), from Stockdale, would pick up his first career victory in the All Ways Safe Young Guns feature.
13 cars would enter for the RUSH Late Model Dirt Series with the top 3 from each heat entering the redraw, giving Lepro (2L) the pole position in the 20-lap feature. Noah Brunell (31), from New Alexandria, would start to his outside in second place, while Bill Kessler (09), from Freedom, would start in third and Zach Morrow (48), from Gibsonia, would complete the top two starting rows. When the green flag waved, Brunell (31) would take the early lead with Lepro (2L) in second. The event’s first caution would slow the pace on lap six when a car spun out in turn two and there was also debris in turn two. Brunell (31) and Lepro (2L) would lead the field on the restart with Brunell (31) choosing the outside, but Lepro (2L) would steal the lead when the green flag dropped. At the halfway point, Lepro (2L) was still leading with Brunell (31) in second, Joe Long (71) in third, Morrow (48) in fourth, and defending track champion, Ben Policz (14B) in fifth. Lepro (2L) would hit lapped traffic by lap 12 and by lap 15, it was apparent that Lepro (2L) was on a rail, but with three to go, a late-race caution would make things interesting when two cars spun out together in turn two and there was antifreeze on the track. Lepro (2L) would choose the inside on the restart and when the green flag dropped, he would retain the lead. Lepro (2L) would lead the remaining three laps of the event, picking up his first career victory. Following him to the line were Policz (14B) in second, Morrow (48) in third, Daryl Charlier (114) in fourth, Kessler (09) in fifth, Dave Goble (20G) in sixth, Ricky Steigerwald (3JR) in seventh, Long (71) in eighth, Josh Stoica (22J) in ninth, and Brunell (31) in tenth. The heat race winners were Lepro (2L) and Brunell (31).
The ADMAR Penn Ohio Pro Stocks would have eight cars entered with one heat race, and the top four making the redraw for the 15-lap feature. Doug Iorio III (28) would be the pole-sitter with Kocuba (10) starting to his outside in second place. Brian Hutchko (60H), from McDonald, would start in third, and Mike Harris (18), from Bridgeville, would complete the top two starting rows. When the green flag waved, Kocuba (10) would take the early lead. Lap four had Kocuba (10) still leading with Hutchko (60H) in second, Harris (18) in third, A.J. Poljak (36) in fourth, and Bill Slade (A22) in fifth. Kocuba (10) was still leading with three laps remaining and he would go the distance, picking up his first win of the season. He was followed to the line by Harris (18) in second, Poljak (36) in third, Slade (A22) in fourth, Hutchko (60H) in fifth, Pete Loria (11C) in sixth, and Iorio III (28) completed the seven-car field, as Dale Touche (310) was a DNS. The heat race winner was Hutchko (60H)
23 Hobby Stocks were entered and they were broken up into three heat races. The top four from each heat would enter the redraw for the 15-lap feature and Tony Magill (05), from Jefferson Hills, would start on the pole. His brother, Frank Magill (05), also from Jefferson Hills, would start to his outside in second place, while John Cain (06), from North Versailles, would start in third, and Matthew Benard (15), from Oakdale, would complete the top two starting rows. When the green flag dropped, the Magill brothers were battling for the lead on lap two when T.Magill (5) hit the wall on the front stretch bringing out the yellow. F. Magill (05) would choose the outside on the restart and he would retain the lead, with Cody Koteles (1K) in second, Stephen Shelpman (17S) in third, and Cain (06) in fourth on lap five. Another caution would slow the pace on lap five when F. Magill (05) hit the wall on the front stretch. Shelpman (17S) would lead the restart with him and C. Koteles (1K) battling for the lead when another caution would come on lap seven, slowing the pace yet again. Shelpman (17S) would choose the outside on the restart and he would retain the lead when the field returned to green-flag conditions. Shelpman (17S) would lead through lap 14 when another caution would come out, as the 1K of C. Koteles was spun out. Shelpman (17S) was sent to the rear of the field by track officials for rough driving, as he spun out C. Koteles (1K). Cain (06) would now lead the restart which would bring us to lap 15 when a car spun out coming off of turn four and collected a few other cars in the process. Mcmanus (00K) and Cain (06) would lead the restart and McManus (00K) would keep the lead when the green flag dropped and she would hold off the masses for her first career Hobby Stock victory. She was followed to the line by Cain (06) in second, C. Koteles (1K) in third, Chloie Jones (76) in fourth, Matthew Benard (15) in fifth, Jacob Wiser (OU2) in sixth, Tom Anton (64) in seventh, James Huff (83X) in eighth, F. Magill (05) in ninth, and Richard Ours (70) would complete the top 10. Marc Corio (14) was a DNS. The heat race winners were C. Koteles (1K), Adam Ferree (29), and F. Magill (05).
The Crawford Auto Repair Four Cylinders had nine cars entered with the top four from the heat race making the redraw for their 12-lap feature. Matt Kiesel (3K) would be the pole-sitter. Starting to his outside and in second place was Lucas Weaver (11W), while Noah Bubeck (2B) would start in third, and Tennant (2) would start in fourth, completing the top two starting rows. When the green flag dropped, Kiesel (3K) would keep the early lead. Tennant (2) would take over the lead on lap four. Lap six had Tennant (2) still leading with Kiesel (3K) in second, Bubeck (2B) in third, Weaver (11W) in fourth, and John Gill (19G) in fifth. Tennant (2) would enter lapped traffic as he took the white flag and he would hold on to pick up his second win of the season. He was followed to the line by Kiesel (3K) in second, Weaver (11W) in third, Gill (19G) in fourth, Justin Pellegrini (29P) in fifth, Craigh Rudolph (5R) in sixth, Bubeck (2B) in seventh, Eric Reynolds (53) in eighth, and Travis Corbin (42) completed the nine-car field. The heat race winner was Tennant (2).
The All Ways Safe Young Guns had five cars entered on Saturday night. They would run a four-lap heat race with a straight-up start for their eight-lap feature. L. Koteles (5K) would win the heat race, ensuring him the pole position in the feature. Cameron Lambert (223) would start in second, while Gavin Kokolis (91) would start in third, Liv Hicks (05) would start in fourth, and Cameron Hollister (44) would complete the four-car field. When the green flag dropped, L. Koteles (5K) would keep the early lead with Hollister (44) making his way up to second place rather quickly which dropped the rest of the field behind him down one spot. The lineup would remain the same for the rest of the race which went green to checkered in record fashion. L. Koteles (5K) had a full straightaway lead when he took the checkered flag and picked up his first career victory. He was followed to the line by Hollister (44) in second, Lambert (223) in third, Kokolis (91) in fourth and Hicks (05) in fifth.
Racing resumes at Dirt’s Monster Half-Mile next Saturday, May 22, 2021, with Pittsburgh Circle Track Club and Twin State night. PPMS will be featuring the Rohrich RUSH Late Model Dirt Series, the RUSH Sportsman Modified Series, the ADMAR Penn Ohio Pro Stocks, the Hobby Stocks, the All Ways Safe Young Guns, and the Crawford Auto Repair 4 Cylinders. PCTC & Twin State members receive free grandstand admission with a valid photo ID. Visit our website for pricing and tickets.
Happy Racing!
RESULTS
RUSH Late Model Dirt Series Feature 20 - (Laps)
Finishing Spot, Starting Spot, Driver Name, (Car Number) - Hometown
1 - 1 - Dan Lepro (2L) - Midway
2 - 6 - Ben Policz (14B) - Rices Landing
3 - 4 - Zach Morrow (48) - Gibsonia
4 - 7 - Daryl Charlier (114) - Midway
5 - 3 - Bill Kessler (09) - Freedom
6 - 9 - Dave Gobel (20G) - Aliquippa
7 - 11 - Ricky Steigerwald (3RJ) - Moon
8 - 5 - Joe Long (71) -
9 - 10 - Josh Stoica (22J) - New Cumberland
10 - 2 - Noah Brunell (31) - New Alexandria
11 - 8 - Eric Hamilnton Jr. (33X) - Imperial
12 - 12 - Philip Bubeck - Washington
DNS Cole Petrelle (184P) - Follansbee, WV
RUSH Late Model Dirt Series Heat 1 (8) - Laps
Finishing Spot, Driver Name - Car Number - [Starting Spot]
Dan Lepro - 2L - [2]; 2. Bill Kessler - 09 - [1]; 3. Zach Morrow - 48 - [4]; 4. Daryl Charlier - 114 - [5]; 5. Dave Goble - 20G - [3]; 6. Ricky Steigerwald - 3RJ - [6]; 7. Philip Bubeck - 2 - [7];
RUSH Late Model Dirt Series Heat 2 (8) - Laps
Finishing Spot, Driver Name - Car Number - [Starting Spot]
Noah Brunell - 31 - [1]; 2. Ben Policz - 14B - [2]; 3. Joe Long - 71 - [5]; 4. Eric Hamilton Jr. - 33x - [6]; 5. Josh Stoica - 22J - [3]; 6. Cole Petrelle - 184P - [4];
Admar Penn Ohio Pro Stock Feature - (15 - Laps)
Finishing Spot, Starting Spot, Driver Name, (Car Number) - Hometown
1 - 2 - Nick Kocuba (10) - Bulger
2 - 4 - Mike Harris (18) - Bridgeville
3 - 7 - AJ Poljak (36) - Baldwin
4 - 6 - Bill Slade (A22)
5 - 3 - Brian Hutchko (60H) - McDonald
6 - 5 - Pete Loria (11C) - Pittsburgh
7 - 1 - Doug Iorio III (28)
DNS Dale Touche (310)
ADMAR Pro Stock Heat 1 (8) - Laps
Finishing Spot, Driver Name - Car Number - [Starting Spot]
Brian Hutchko - 60H - [2]; 2. Nick Kocuba - 10 - [3]; 3. Doug Iorio III - 28 - [5]; 4. Mike Harris - 18 - [4]; 5. Pete Loria - 11C - [7]; 6. Bill Slade - A22 - [6]; 7. Dale Touche - 310 - [1]; DNS AJ Poljak - 36 -
Hobby Stock Feature (15) - Laps
Finishing Spot, Starting Spot, Driver Name, (Car Number) - Hometown
1 - 9 - Kayla McManus (00K) - Elizabeth
2 - 3 - John Cain (06) - North Versailles
3 - 8 - Cody Koteles (1K) - Stockdale
4 - 13 - Chloie Jones (76)
5 - 4 - Matthew Benard (15B) - Oakdale
6 - 20 - Jacob Wiser (OU2)
7 - 17 - Tom Anton (64) - Jefferson Hills
8 - 10 - James Huff (83X)
9 - 2 - Frank Magil (05) - Jefferson Hills
10 - 21 - Richard Ours (70) - East Liverpool, OH
11 - 12 - Stephen Shelpman (17S) - Pleasant Hills
12 - 19 - Cody Tokarski (26T) - Hickory
13 - 6 - Karlee Kovacs (221K) - Carnegie
14 - 10 - Jonathan Koteles (2K) - Stockdale
15 - 15 - Joe Anthony (69X) - Pittsburgh
16 - 14 - Cody Behanna (25) - Finleyville
17 - 22 - Ken Heasley Jr (57) - Pittsburgh
18 - 11 - Robert Betz (22) - South Heights
19 - 5 - Tyler Fox (39) - Pittsburgh
20 - 16 - Mike Tropeck (47) - McDonald
21 - 7 - Adam Ferree (29) - Jefferson Hills
22 - 1 - Tony Magill (5) - Jefferson Hills
DNS Marc Corio (14)
Hobby Stock Heat 1 (6) - Laps
Finishing Spot, Driver Name - Car Number - [Starting Spot]
Cody Koteles - 1K - [2]; 2. Kayla McManus - 00K - [1]; 3. Robert Betz - 22 - [4]; 4. Matthew Benard - 15 - [5]; 5. Chlole Jones - 76 - [6]; 6. Mike Tropeck - 47 - [3]; 7. Cody Tokarski - 26T - [7]; 8. Richard Ours - 70 - [8];
Hobby Stock Heat 2 (6) - Laps
Finishing Spot, Driver Name - Car Number - [Starting Spot]
Adam Ferree - 29 - [1]; 2. Stephen Shelpman - 17S - [3]; 3. Tony Magill - 5 - [2]; 4. Karlee Kovacs - 221K - [4]; 5. Cody Behanna - 25 - [5]; 6. Tom Anton - 64 - [7]; 7. Jacob Wiser - OU2 - [6]; 8. Ken Heasley Jr. - 57 - [8];
Hobby Stock Heat 3 (6) - Laps
Finishing Spot, Driver Name - Car Number - [Starting Spot]
Frank Magill - 05 - [1]; 2. Tyler Fox - 39 - [4]; 3. John Cain - 06 - [5]; 4. Jonathan Koteles - 2K - [3]; 5. Joe Anthony - 69X - [2]; 6. James Huff - 83X - [6]; DNS Marc Corio - 14 -
Crawford Auto Repair Four Cylinder’s Feature (12) - Laps
Finishing Spot, Starting Spot, Driver Name, (Car Number) - Hometown
1 - 4 - Bill Tennant (2) - Colliers, WV
2 - 1 - Matt Kiesel (3K)
3 - 2 - Lucas Weaver (11W)
4 - 5 - John Gill (19G) - Burgettstown
5 - 8 - Justin Pellegrini (29P)
6 - 6 - Craig Rudolph (5R) - Steubenville, OH
7 - 3 - Noah Bubeck (2B) - Washington
8 - 7 - Eric Reynolds (53)
9 - 9 - Travis Corbin (42)
Four Cylinder Heat 1 (6) - Laps
Finishing Spot, Driver Name - Car Number - [Starting Spot]
Bill Tennant - 2 - [4]; 2. Noah Bubeck - 2B - [6]; 3. Matt Kiesel - 3K - [3]; 4. Lucas Weaver - 11W - [7]; 5. John Gill - 19G - [8]; 6. Craig Rudolph - 5R - [1]; 7. Eric Reynolds - 53 - [5]; 8. Justin Pellegrini - 29P - [9]; 9. Travis Corbin - 42 - [2];
All Ways Safe Young Guns Feature (8) - Laps
Finishing Spot, Starting Spot, Driver Name, (Car Number) - Hometown
1 - 1 - Logan Koteles (5K) - Stockdale
2 - 5 - Cameron Hollister (44) - McDonald
3 - 2 - Cameron Lamber (223) - Mars
4 - 3 - Gavin Kokolis (91) - Oakdale
5 - 4 - Liv Hicks (05) - Jefferson Hills
Young Guns Heat 1 (4) - Laps
Finishing Spot, Driver Name - Car Number - [Starting Spot]
Logan Koteles - 5K - [5]; 2. Cameron Hollister - 44 - [1]; 3. Cameron Lambert - 223 - [2]; 4. Gavin Kokolis - 91 - [4]; 5. Liv Hicks - 05 - [3];
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