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Hawkins dominates the twenty-ninth annual Jook George Steel City Classic

Saturday, August 11, 2018 for immediate release

Imperial, PA

The inaugural Kids Fest 2018 was a huge success. PPMS was able to raise $1,836 dollars for the Ronald McDonald House of Pittsburgh with the Dunk a Driver event. John Watters (11) from Whitesville, New York was first up in the tank. He was followed by Daryl Charlier (12C) from Midway, Ben Policz (14B) from Rices Landing, and track owner Matt Miley. PPMS was also able to have 20 toiletries donated for the wish list from people wanting to throw, dunking their favorite driver. PPMS is already planning Kids Fest 2019.

It was an exciting night of racing for the twenty-ninth annual Jook George Steel City Classic at PPMS for the Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model Dirt Series,  with qualifying, eight heat races, three b-mains, a six-lap dash, a non-qualifiers race, and three feature events. PPMS would see its highest Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model car count of the season and a new car count record for the Jook George Memorial at 51 cars. Two cars were disqualified during pre-race tech inspection. John Mollick (60M) from Toronto, Ohio was disqualified for an illegal fuel cell and Josh Stoica (22J) from New Cumberland, West Virginia was disqualified for an unknown motor issue. Jacob Hawkins (13H) from Fairmont, West Virginia dominated the A-main and won his first Jook George Memorial, while Wayne Robertson (20) from Corning, Ohio picked up the win in the Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model non-qualifiers feature. Greg Beach (33X) from Chicora made it five wins in four weeks as he continued his domination in the PPMS Pro Stocks class, and Stephen Shelpman (17S) is back on top of the Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock class, as he picked up his sixth win of the season.

In the Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model Dirt Series Jook George Memorial Steel City Classic, Nico Dabecco (F1) from Bethel Park set the fast-time in qualifying with a time of 19.333. The “Midway Missile” Charlier (12C) wasn’t far behind him with a time of 19.419, a 0.086-second difference, and Hawkins (13H) was only 0.111 seconds behind Dabecco (F1) with a time of 19.444. In the six-lap dash, Mike Pegher Jr. (1C) from Wexford would start on the pole and he would also pick up the win, giving him the pole position in the 40-lap Jook George Memorial feature, which had 26 cars starting the event. Starting to Pegher’s outside in second was Dabecco (F1), while Hawkins (13H) started in third, Charlier (12C) started in fourth, Christian Schneider (1ST) from Pittsburgh started in fifth, Russ Matejka (17M) from Aliquippa started in sixth, Jared Miley (99) from Pittsburgh started in seventh, Jeremy Wonderling (3J) from Wellsville, New York started in eighth, Dan Angelicchio (14A) from Greensburg started in ninth, and Garrett Paugh (03) from Elkins, West Virginia rounded out the top 10. When the green flag dropped, Pegher (1C) would keep an early lead, while Miley (99) moved up to fifth. By lap seven, Pegher (1C) began to pick his way through lapped traffic and Hawkins (13H) was on the move taking the second spot from Dabecco (F1) on lap 11. The caution came out on lap 18 for Dabecco (F1) that had an unknown issue which knocked him out of the event. Pegher (1C) would lead the field on the restart but Hawkins (13H) would make his move and steal the lead from Pegher (1C) once the field returned to green. Charlier (12C) briefly stole the second spot from Pegher (1C) coming out of turn two, but Pegher (1C) would take the spot back on the backstretch, then heading into turn three the 12C of Charlier and Miley (99) made incidental contact and Charlier (12C) hit the wall, knocking him out of the event. Angelicchio (14A) got caught up in the crash as well which also ended his night. The restart had Hawkins (13H) leading the field with Pegher (1C) in tow. Miley (99) would pass Pegher (1C) eventually for second place but the night belonged to Hawkins (13H), who led the field to his first Jook George Steel City Classic Victory. He was followed to the line by Miley (99) in second, Pegher (1C) in third, Wonderling (3J) in fourth, Policz (14B) in fifth, Paugh (03) in sixth, Damian Bidwell (1/2P) in seventh, Schneider (1ST) in eighth, Schirnhofer (8S) in ninth, and Jason Genco (29J) completed the top ten. Heat race winners were Dabecco (F1), Charlier (12C), Hawkins (13H), Schneider (1ST), Pegher (1C), and Matejka (17M).

In the Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model non-Qualifier 12-lap feature, Wayne Robertson (20) from Corning, Ohio would start on the pole, while David Pangrazio (136) started to his outside in second place. Robertson (20) would lead all 12 laps of the event with Pangrazio (136) behind him in second. Following this duo to the line was Bill Kessler (09) in third, Zach Gunn (114G) in fourth, Mike Duritsky (90J) in fifth, Matt Dobnak (42) in sixth, Joey Zambotti (948) in seventh, Cory Sines (9S) in eighth, J.J. Mazur in ninth, and Chuck Medved (2M) rounded out the top ten.

In the PPMS Pro Stock 15-lap feature, Todd Weldon (45) from Monongahela started on the pole. Starting to his outside and starting in second was A.J. Poljak from Baldwin, while Rob Shook (64S) started in third and Jacob Billyk (4) started in fourth. When the green flag waved, Weldon (45) retained an early lead and fifth-starting Dave McManus (114) from Elizabeth took the fourth spot from Shook (64), but the man on the move was Greg Beach (33X) from Chicora. Beach (33X) was up to fourth place by lap five and then he moved into third place on the next lap. Weldon (45) was leading the field with Beach (33X) in tow on lap 13 when he was forced to pit with a motor issue which ended the race for him, giving Beach (33X) the lead. Beach (33X) would lead the field to his fifth PPMS victory in four weeks. Following him to the line was Poljak (36) in second, Shook (64) in third, Jeff Broniszewski (08) in fourth, Ryan Newman (12) in fifth, Eric Piotrowski (7) in sixth, Mike Harris (18H) in seventh, Bob Egley (30) in eighth, Jacob Billyk (4) in ninth, and Bobby Heim (92) completed the top 10. Beach (33X) and McManus (114) won the heat races.

In the Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock 12-lap feature, Randy DeBerdinis (121) started on the pole. Starting in second was Marcus Simmons (68X), while Ben Anton (13) from Jefferson Hills started in third, and Stephen Shelpman (17S) from Pleasant Hills completed the top two rows. Shelpman (17S) would take the lead on lap two of the event with Casey Grumling (77X) from Elrama following him into second place. Lap six saw the first caution for the 17P of Steve Pyritz. Shelpman (17S) and Grumling (77X) would lead the field, while last weeks winner Adam Ferree (29) from Jefferson Hills was threatening from third. Another caution would come on lap 10. When the field returned to green, Shelpman (17S) would lead the remaining two laps en route to his sixth PPMS victory of the season. He was followed to the line by Ferree (29) in second, Grumling (77X) in third, Simmons (68X) in fourth, Kayla McManus (14) in fifth, DeBerdinis (121) in sixth, Pyritz (17P) in seventh, and Anton (13) rounded out the eight-car field.

RESULTS 

Jook George Memorial (40)-laps

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

1 - 3 - Jacob Hawkins (13H) - Fairmont, WV

2 - 7 - Jared Miley (99) - South Park

3 - 1 - Mike Pegher Jr. (1C) - Wexford

4 - 8 - Jeremy Wonderling (3J) - Wellsville, NY

5 - 17 - Ben Policz (14B) - Rices Landing

6 - 10 - Garrett Paugh (03) - Elkins, WV

7 - 15 - Damian Bidwell (1/2P) - Eldred

8 - 5 - Christian Schneider (1ST) - Pittsburgh

9 - 11 - Tommy Schirnhofer (8S) - Dormont

10 - 16 - Jason Genco (29J) - Jamestown, NY

11 - 13 - John Waters (11L) - Whitesville, NY

12 - 23 - Troy Shields (11) - Acme

13 - 12 - Logan Zarin (1Z) - Moon

14 - 14 - Justin Lamb (93X) - Findlay Township

15 - 26 - Chad Sines (15) - Orwell, OH

16 - 22 - Zachary Kane (10) - Washington

17 - 20 - Jamie Wrightsman (21J) - Cortland, OH

18 - 18 - Adam Ferri (66) - Port Colborne, OH

19 - 6 - Russ Matejka (17M) - Aliquippa

20 - 21 - Logan Robertson (17R) - Waynesboro, VA

21 - 24 - Brady Wonderling (Z1) - Scio, NY

22 - 19 - Colton Flinner (75) - Allison Park

23 - 25 - Cory Lawler (93) - Hanover

24 - 4 - Daryl Charlier (12C) - Midway

25 - 9 - Dan Angelicchio (14A) - Greensburg

26 - 2 - Nico Dabecco (F1) - Bethel Park

Qualifying

1 - Nico Dabecco (F1) - 19.333

2 - Daryl Charlier (12C) - 19.419

3 - Jacob Hawkins (13H) - 19.444

4 - Christian Schneider (1ST) - 19.517

5 - Ben Policz (14B) - 19.520

6 - Ron Hall (01) - 19.601

7 - Jared Miley (99) - 19.678

8 - Colby Beighey (36B) - 19.712

9 - Damian Bidwell (1/2P) - 19.787

10 - Garrett Paugh (03) - 19.797

11 - Tommy Shirnhofer (8S) - 19.802

12 - Russ Matejka (17M) - 19.834

13 - Zachary Kane (10) - 19.878

14 - Jeremy Wonderling (3J) - 19.880

15 - Dan Angelicchio (14A) - 19.896

16 - Jason Genco (29J) - 19.897

17 - Logan Roberson (17R) - 19.914

18 - Logan Zarin (1Z) - 19.944

19 - John Waters (11L) - 19.980

20 - Justin Lamb (93X) - 20.070

21 - Matt Dobnak (42) - 20.148

22 - Jamie Wrightsman (21J) 20.169

23 - Mike Pegher Jr. (1C) - 20.193

24 - Cory Lawler (93) - 20.198

25 - Corey McPherson (C33) - 20.205

26 - Colton Flinner (75) - 20.252

27 - David Pangrazio (136) - 20.262

28 - Chad Sines (15) - 20.315

29 - Bryan Hoffman (15H) - 20.342

30 - Mike Duritsky (90J) - 20.375

31 - Wayne Robertson (20) - 20.384

32 - Bill Kessler (09) - 20.390

33 - Chuck Medved (2M) - 20.395

34 - Troy Shields (11) - 20.432

35 - Brady Wonderling (Z1) - 20.503

36 - Pete Wearing (111) - 20.511

37 - Brian Gobel (12G) - 20.537

38 - Cory Sines (9S) - 20.882

39 - Bruce Hordusky (3H) - 20.885

40 - Joey Zambotti (948) - 20.907

41 - Jabo Jablonski (3J) - 20.931

42 - D.J. Nakutis (31) - 21.254

43 - J.J. Mazur (13J) - 21.296

44 - Chris Lander (18L) - 21.427

45 - W.L. Stile (51W) - 22.148

46 - Zach Gunn (114G) - 22.520

47 - Adam Ferri (66) - 0.0000

Heat 1 (8)-laps

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

1.) Nico Dabecco - F1 - [1];  2.) Jared Miley - 99 - [2]; 3.) John Waters - 11L - [4];  4.) Zachary Kane - 10 - [3]; 5.) Wayne Robertson - 20 - [6];  6.) Brian Goebel - 12G - [7]; 7.) Corey McPherson - C33 - [5];  8.) D.J. Nakutis - 31 - [8];

Heat 2 (8)-laps

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

1.) Daryl Charlier - 12C - [1];  2.) Jeremy Wonderling - 3J - [3]:  3.) Justin Lamb - 93X - [4]; 4.) Colton Flinner - 75 - [5];  5.) J.J. Mazur - 13J - [8]; 6.) Bill Kessler - 09 - [6]; 7.) Cory Sines - 7 - [7];  8.) Colby Beighey - 36B - [2];

Heat 3 (8)-laps

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

1.) Jacob Hawkins - 13H - [1];  2.) Dan Angelicchio - 14A - [3];  3.) Damian Bidwell - 1/2P - [2]; 4.) David Pangrazio - 136 - [5];  5.) Matt Dobnak - 42 - [4]; 6.) Bruce Hordusky - 3H - [7]; 7.) Chuck Medved - 2M - [6];  8.) Chris Lander - 18 - [8];

Heat 4 (8)-laps

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

1.) Christian Schneider - 1ST - [1];  2.) Garrett Paugh - 03 - [2]; 3.) Jason Genco - 29J - [3];  4.) Jamie Wrightsman - 21J - [4]; 5.) Troy Shields - 11 - [6];  6.) Joey Zambotti - 948 - [7]; 7.) W.L. Stile - 51W - [8]; 8.) Chad SInes - 15 - [5];  

Heat 5 (8)-laps

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

1.) Mike Pegher Jr. - 1C - [4];  2.) Tommy Schirnhofer - 8S - [2];  3.) Ben Policz - 14B - [1]; 4.) Logan Roberson - 17R - [3];  5.) Brady Wonderling - Z1 - [6]; 6.) Bryan Hoffman - 15H - [5];  7.) Zach Gunn - 114G - [7]; DNS Paul Jablonski - 3J -

Heat 6 (8)-laps

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

1.) Russ Matejka - 17M - [2];  2.) Logan Zarin - 1Z - [3]; 3.) Adam Ferri - 66 - [7];  4.) Mike Duritsky - 90J - [5]; 5.) Cory Lawler - 93 - [4];  6.) Pete Wearing - 111 - [6]; 7.) Andy Spooner - 3S - [8]; 8.) Ron Hall - 01 - [1];  DNS Scott Gunn - 14G -

B-main 1 (10)-laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name, car number

1 - 2 - Colton Flinner (75)

2 - 1 - Zachary Kane (10)

3 - 3 - Wayne Robertson (20)

4 - 6 - Bill Kessler (09)

5 - 9 - Colby Beighey (36B)

6 - 4 - J.J. Mazur (13J)

7 - 8 - Cory Sines (9S)

8 - 7 - Corey McPherson (C33)

9 - 5 - Brian Goebel (12G)

DNS D.J. Nakutis (31)

B-main 2 (10)-laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name, car number

1 - 2 - Jamie Wrightsman (21J)

2 - 4 - Troy Shields (11)

3 - 1 - David Pangrazio (136)

4 - 10 - Chad Sines (15)

5 - 3 - Matt Dobnak (42)

6 - 6 - Joey Zambotti (948)

7 - 5 - Bruce Hordusky (3H)

8 - 7 - Chuck Medved (2M)

9 - 9 - Chris Lander (18)

10 - 8 - W.L. Stile (51W)

B-main 3 (10)-laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver name, car number

1 - 1 - Logan Roberson (17R)

2 - 3 - Brady Wonderling (Z1)

3 - 2 - Mike Duritsky (90J)

4 - 5 - Bryan Hoffman (15H)

5 - 7 - Zach Gunn (114G)

6 - 4 - Cory Lawler (93)

7 - 6 - Pete Wearing (111)

8 - 8 - Andy Spooner (3S)

DNS Ron Hall (01)

DNS Scott Gunn (14G)

DNS Jabo Jablonski (3J)

Dash (6)-laps

Finishing spot, starting spot, driver, (car number)

1 - 1 - Mike Pegher Jr. (1C)

2 - 3 - Nico Dabecco (F1)

3 - 4 - Jacob Hawkins (13H)

4 - 6 - Daryl Charlier (12C)

5 - 5 - Christian Schneider (1ST)

6 - 2 - Russ Matejka (17M)

RUSH Late Model non-qualifier (12)-laps

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

1 - 1 - Wayne Robertson (20) - Corning, OH

2 - 2 - David Pangrazio (136)

3 - 4 - Bill Kessler (09) - Freedom

4 - 7 - Zach Gunn (114G) - McDonald

5 - 3 - Mike Duritsky (90J) - Masontown

6 - 6 - Matt Dobnak (42) - West Mifflin

7 - 9 - Joey Zambotti (948) - Kittanning

8 - 10 - Cory Sines (9S) - Orwell, OH

9 - 8 - J.J. Mazur (13J) - Batavia, NY

10 - 12 - Chuck Medved (2M) - Imperial

11 - 11 - Corey McPherson (C33) - Pittsburgh

12 - 13 - Andy Spooner (3S)

13 - 14 - Brian Goebel (12G) - Beaver Falls

14 - 15 - Chris Lander (18) - Burgettstown

15 - 5 - Colby Beighey (36B) - Fombell

DNS Bryan Hoffman (15H) - Imperial

DNS Pete Wearing (111) - Evans City

DNS Bruce Hordusky (3H) - Erie

DNS W.L. Stile (51W) - Muse

DNS D.J. Nakutis (31) - Pittsburgh

DNS Ron Hall (01) - Hanover

DNS Jabo Jablonski (3JX) - Carnegie

DNS Jake Gunn (14G) - McDonald

Pro Stock feature 15 laps

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

1 - 8 - Greg Beach (33X) - Chicora

2 - 2 - A.J. Poljak (36) - Baldwin

3 - 3 - Rob Shook (64S)

4 - 9 - Jeff Broniszewski (08) - Coraopolis

5 - 12 - Ryan Newman (12) - Lemont Furnace

6 - 11 - Eric Piotrowski (7)

7 - 10 - Mike Harris (18H) - Bridgeville

8 - 13 - Bob Egley (30) - Kittanning

9 - 4 - Jacob Billyk (4) - New Castle

10 - 7 - Bobby Heim (92) - Allison Park

11 - 1 - Todd Weldon (45) - Monongahela

12 - 5 - Dave McManus (114) - Elizabeth

13 - 6 - Gary Koteles (64K)

Heat 1 (8)-laps

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

1.) Dave McManus - 114 - [2];  2.) A.J. Poljak - 36 - [6]; 3.) Gary Koteles - 64K - [5];  4.) Jacob Billyk - 4 - [3]; 5.) Jeff Broniszewski - 08 - [1];  6.) Eric Piotrowski - 7 - [4]; DNS Nick Kocuba (10) DNS Jake Matthew (6)

Heat 2 (8)-laps

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

1.) Greg Beach - 33X - [2];  2.) Rob Shook - 64S - [4]; 3.) Todd Weldon - 45 - [7];  4.) Bobby Heim - 92 - [3]; 5.) Mike Harris - 18H - [1]; 6.) Ryan Newman - 12 - [5];  7.) Bob Egley - 30 - [6];

Hobby Stock feature 12-laps

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

1 - 4 - Stephen Shelpman (17S) - Pleasant Hills

2 - 8 - Adam Ferree (29) - Jefferson Hills

3 - 6 - Casey Grumling (77X) - Elrama

4 - 2 - Marcus Simmons (68X)

5 - 7 - Kayla McManus (14) - Elizabeth

6 - 1 - Randy DeBerdinis (121)

7 - 5 - Steve Pyritz (17P)

8 - 3 - Ben Anton (13) - Jefferson Hills

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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