Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway

9/2/2018

Kugel wins the inaugural Betsy Kriegisch Memorial for the RUSH Sportsman Modified Dirt Series

Imperial, PA

Despite rain threatening to derail the program, it was a beautiful evening for racing at Dirt’s Monster Half Mile for the inaugural Betsy Kriegisch Memorial for the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds. PPMS would see qualifying, seven heat races, a six-lap dash, and seven feature events. Rocky Kugel (83) from East Liverpool, Ohio took the win in the inaugural Betsy Kriegisch memorial feature event for the RUSH Sportsman Modified division. Justin Lamb (93X) from Findlay Township picked up his first win of the season in the Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model Dirt Series feature, while Daryl Charlier (114) picked up the win in the Pro Stock Class, as he was subbing for Dave McManus. Stephen Shelpman (17S) from Pleasant Hills picked up the win in the Open Hobby Stock Class and Dave Sheriff (8) from Imperial picked up the win in the regular Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock division. Andy Garlinger (R88) from Hopedale, Ohio picked up win number 10 on the season in the Open Four Cylinder division, while Susie Rudolph (55) from Steubenville, Ohio picked up another win in the Young Guns Division.

Tony Tatgenhorst (63T) from Columbiana, Ohio was the RUSH Sportsman Modified fast qualifier with a time of 21.324, while Garrett Krummert (10S) from Ellwood City was only 0.057 seconds behind Tatgenhorst (63T) with a time of 21.381. Chelsie Kriegisch (10) from Ellwood City was only 0.090 seconds behind Tatgenhorst (63T) with a time of 21.414. In the six-lap dash, Jeremy Weaver (35W) from Stoneboro would start on the pole with Kugel (83) alongside. Kugel (83) would pull out to an early lead with Krummert (10S) following him into second. Weaver (35W) would eventually pass Krummert (10S) to regain a spot, while Kugel (83) took the checkered and would start on the pole in the 25-lap feature. Starting to his outside was Weaver (35W). Making up the second row was Krummert (10S) in third and Tatgenhorst (63T in fourth. When the green flag dropped, Kugel (83) would retain an early lead over the field, while second-starting Weaver (35W) would fall back to fourth place by lap four. Kugel (83) began to pick his way through lapped traffic by lap eight with Krummert (10S) not far behind him in second place. Krummert (10S) would press Kugel (83) for the lead on lap 13 and he would take over the top spot on the next lap. Lap 15 had Krummert (10S) leading the field with Kugel (83) in tow, while Tatgenhorst (63T) was in third, Weaver (35W) was in fourth and Brian Schaffer (41) from Slippery Rock was in fifth. Lap 17 saw trouble and the caution would come out for the 5 of Brian Sadler from Apollo. Krummert (10S) would lead the field on the restart, choosing the inside with Kugel (83) on the outside. When the green flag dropped with eight laps to go, Krummert (10S) and Kugel (83) would go side by side into turns three and four with Krummert (10S) coming out on top once again, but the caution would slow the pace again with seven laps remaining in the event. Krummert (10S) would choose the inside on the restart with Kugel (83) to his outside. When the green flag waved, Kugel (83) would retake the lead on lap 19 and lead the remaining six laps, en route to his first PPMS win of the season and winner of the inaugural Betsy Kriegisch Memorial. Following him to the line was Krummer (10S) in second, Weaver (35W) in third, Chas Wolbert (C3) in fourth, Schaffer (41) in fifth, Kyle Martel (8M) in sixth, Tatgenhorst (63T) in seventh, Joshua Alan Deems (9D) in eighth, Steve Slater (29S) in ninth, and C. Kriegisch (10) would round out the top 10. Heat race winners were Tatgenhorst (63T), Weaver (35W), and Schaffer (41).

In the Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model Dirt Series 20-lap feature, Josh Stoica (22J) from New Cumberland, West Virginia would start on the pole with John Mollick (60M) from Toronto, Ohio to his outside. Points leader Lamb (93X) would start in third, while Chuck Medved (2M) from Imperial would start in fourth. On the first attempt at a green flag, Ron Hall (01) from Hookstown was docked two spots for passing before the cone and track officials called a no start, forcing the field to line up for a second attempt. It would take at least three attempts to get the race under green flag conditions. Once the field was finally under green, Mollick (60M) would keep an early lead and by lap three points leader Lamb (93X) would move into second place. Lap three saw the caution for the 114G of Zach Gunn from McDonald and it was already his third caution of the race so he was forced to park it in the pits. Mollick (60M) would choose the outside on the restart with Lamb (93X) to his inside. Tommy Schirnhofer (8) from Dormont was in third and Stoica (22J) was now in fourth. When the race returned to green, Mollick (60M) would retain the lead but Lamb (93X) was right beside him, ready to strike, and on lap six, Lamb (93X) would take over the lead. By lap 12 Lamb (93X) was leading by a half straightaway with Mollick (60M) in second and Schirnhofer (8S) in third. With Lamb (93X) leading the field, a battle for second was brewing between Mollick (60M) and Schirnhofer (8S). On lap 18, Schirnhofer (8S) would throw a slider on Mollick (60M) in turn one, taking over the second spot, but the night belonged to Lamb (93X) who led the field to his first PPMS victory of the season. He was followed to the line by Schirnhofer (8S) in second, Mollick (60M) in third, Christian Schneider (1ST) in fourth, Colby Beighey (36) in fifth, Stoica (22J) in sixth, Jim Zarin (1Z) in seventh, Medved (2M) in eighth, Hall (01) in ninth, Matt Dobnak (42) in tenth, and Gunn (114) rounded out the 11 car field. Heat race winners were Zarin (1Z) and Lamb (93X).

In the PPMS Pro Stock 15-lap feature, Ryan Moyer (13X) from Portersville started on the pole. To his outside was Cam Kraisinger (47) from Mount Pleasant. Making up the second row was Eric Piotrowski (7) from Evans City in third, and Charlier (114) who was subbing for Dave McManus, while Greg Beach (33X) from Chicora started in fourteenth after six wins in a row. When the green flag waved, The “Midway Missile” Charlier (114) took the lead by lap two with Kraisinger (47) still in second, and Moyer (13X) had fallen to third. By lap four, Charlier (114) had a whole straightaway lead over the field with Kraisinger (47) still in second. Beach (33X) was already up to fifth by lap six, and then on lap seven, Beach (33X) would take over the fourth spot. Lap 10 saw the caution when the 64K of Gary Koteles hit the wall hard under the flag stand and came to rest at the entrance to turn one. Charlier (114) chose the outside on the restart with Kraisinger (47) still in second, Moyer (13X) still in third, and Beach (33X) threatening from fourth. When the field returned to green, it was a drag race to turn one but Beach (33X) didn’t have a good restart and Charlier (114) would begin to pull away from the field once again. Beach (33X) would take over the third spot with three laps remaining in the event, and then with two laps to go, he would take over the second spot behind Charlier (114). When Charlier (114) took the white flag, he had a half of a straightaway lead over the field and he would pick up his first PPMS Pro Stock win of the season. Beach (33X) would finish second after a very impressive performance, while Kraisinger (47) would finish in third, Moyer (13X) in fourth, Joel Johns (M5) in fifth, Danny Rich (67X) in sixth, Bill Robertson (1B) in seventh, Piotrowski (7) in eighth, Bob Egley (30) in ninth, and Heath Close (77) would round out the top 10. Heat race winners were Beach (33X) and Moyer (13X).

In the Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock eight-lap feature, Dave Sheriff (8) from Imperial would start on the pole. To his outside was Matt Bernard (15B) from Oakdale. When the green flag dropped, Sheriff (8) would take an early lead with Bernard (15B) in two. Bernard (15B) would fall off the pace on lap two, allowing Sheriff (8) to extend his lead. Sheriff (8) would lead all eight laps of the event en route to his first PPMS victory of the season. He was followed to the line by Bernard (15B) in second. Hobby Stocks did not run a heat race.

In the Open Hobby Stock class eight-lap feature, Casey Grumling (77X) from Elrama would start on the pole. To his outside was Marcus Simmons (68X). Starting in third was Karlee Kovacs (221K) from Carnegie, while Ben Anton (13) from Jefferson Hills started in fourth, Andrew Sutton (16A) started in fifth, and Stephen Shelpman (17S) from Pleasant Hills rounded out the six-car field. When the green flag dropped, Grumling (77X) would retain the lead early on. On lap three, Shelpman (17S) would push Grumling (77X) for the lead and would take the lead at the line. Shelpman (17S) would lead the remaining five laps of the event, picking up another Hobby Stock victory. Following him to the line was Grumling (77X) in second, Kovacs (221K) in third, Sutton (16A) in fourth, B. Anton (13) in fifth, and Simmons (68X) in sixth. The Open Hobby Stocks did not run a heat race.

In the Open Four Cylinder eight-lap feature, Tom Anton (64) from Jefferson Hills started on the pole. To his outside was Josh Hollister (11), while Andy Garlinger (R88) from Hopedale, Ohio started in third. Garlinger (R88) would take the lead by lap two with T. Anton (64) in tow, and Hollister (11) in third. By lap four, Garlinger (R88) had a whole straightaway lead over the field and he wouldn’t look back, picking up his tenth PPMS win of the season and also clinching the Open Four Cylinder points championship. He was followed to the line by T. Anton (64) in second, and Hollister (11) in third. Open Four Cylinders did not run a heat race.

In the Three Rivers Karting Young Guns eight-lap feature, Tony Magill (44) from Jefferson Hills would start on the pole. To his outside was Susie Rudolph (55) from Steubenville, Ohio, while Kyle Janus (88) from Coraopolis started in third, and Frank Magill (05) from Jefferson Hills rounded out the four-car field. When the green flag waved, Rudolph (55) would shoot out to an early lead. Janus (88) would take the third spot from T. Magill (44) on lap two. Lap three saw the caution when some of the lights went out on the front stretch coming out of turn four. Rudolph (55) would lead the field on the restart and would lead the remaining four laps, picking up her fifth PPMS win of the season. She was followed to the line by F. Magill (05) in second, T. Magill (44) in third, and Janus (88) in fourth. Young Guns did not run a heat race.

RESULTS

Betsy Kriegisch Memorial feature RUSH Sportsman Modified 25-laps

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

1 - 1 - Rocky Kugel (83) - East Liverpool, OH

2 - 3 - Garrett Krummert (10S) - Ellwood City

3 - 2 - Jeremy Weaver (35W) - Stoneboro

4 - 10 - Chas Wolbert (C3) - Howland, OH

5 - 5 - Brian Sadler (41) - Slippery Rock

6 - 14 - Kyle Martel (8M) - Rootstown, OH

7 - 4 - Tony Tatgenhorst (63T) - Columbiana, OH

8 - 8 - Joshua Alan Deems (9D) - Volant

9 - 13 - Steve Slater (29) - Butler

10 - 9 - Chelsie Kriegisch (10) - Ellwood City

11 - 19 - Jeff Schaffer Jr. (14S)

12 - 11 - Kevin Long (22)

13 - 17 - David Kalb Jr. (11J) - Aurora, OH

14 - 12 - Blaze Myers (43JR)

15 - 25 - Lucas DeGroat (03)

16 - 20 - Jessica Kriegisch (63) - Ellwood City

17 - 22 - Brandon Michaud (132) - Medina, NY

18 - 21 - Jacob Jordan (28J) - Aliquippa

19 - 15 - Jordan Ehrenberg (JD57) - New Castle

20 - 16 - Anthony Gillespie (3G)

21 - 23 - WIll Schaffer (4)

22 - 18 - Joshua Seippel (43X)

23 - 7 - Brian Sadler (5) - Apollo

24 - 6 - Kole Holden (2) - Tiona

25 - 24 - Lexi Couch (AR51)

DNS Brandon Ritchey (17) - Seneca

Qualifying RUSH Modifieds

Finishing spot, driver name, car number, time

1 - Tony Tatgenhorst (63T) - 21.324

2 - Garrett Krummert (10S) - 21.381

3 - Chelsie Kriegisch (10) - 21.414

4 - Chas Wolbert (C3) - 21.485

5 - Joshua Alan Deems (9D)

6 - Brian Schaffer (41) - 21.606

7 - Brian Sadler (5) - 21.614

8 - Jeremy Weaver (35W) - 21.634

9 - Brandon Ritchey (17) - 21.639

10 - Anthony Gillespie (3G) - 21.659

11 - Kevin Long (22) - 21.696

12 - Kole Holden (2) - 21.764

13 - Rocky Kugel (83) - 21.801

14 - Kyle Martel (8M) - 21.871

15 - Jacob Jordan (28J) - 21.872

16 - Steve Slater (29) - 21.896

17 - Jessica Kriegisch (63) - 21.932

18 - Blaze Meyers (43JR) - 21.980

19 - Jeff Schaffer Jr. (14S) - 22.007

20 - David Kalb Jr. (11J) - 22.051

21 - Jordan Ehrenberg (JD57) - 22.067

22 - Brandon Michaud (132) - 22.220

23 - Will Schaffer (4) - 22.336

24 - Joshua Seippel (43X) - 22.636

25 - Lexi Couch (AR51) - 22.666

26 - Lucas DeGroat (03) - 23.545

Dash 6-laps RUSH Modifieds

Finishing spot, starting spot, drivers name, car number

1 - 2 - Rocky Kugel (83)

2 - 1 - Jeremy Weaver (35W)

3 - 4 - Garrett Krummert (10S)

4 - 5 - Tony Tatgenhorst (63T)

5 - 6 - Brian Schaffer (41)

6 - 3 - Kole Holden (2)

Heat 1 (8)-laps

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

1.) Tony Tatgenhorst - 63T - [4]; 2.) Rocky Kugel - 83 - [5]; 3.) Brian Sadler - 5 - [2]; 4.) Chas Wolbert - C3 - [3]; 5.) Steve Slater - 29 - [6]; 6.) Anthony Gillespie - 3G - [1]; 7.) Jeff Schaffer Jr. - 14S - [7]; 8.) Brandon Michaud - 132 - [8]; 9.) Lexi Couch - AR51 - [9];

Heat 2 (8)-laps

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

1.) Jeremy Weaver - 35W - [2]; 2.) Garrett Krummert - 10S - [4]; 3.) Joshua Alan Deems - 9D - [3]; 4.) Kevin Long - 22 - [1]; 5.) Kyle Martel - 8M - [5]; 6.) David Kalb Jr. - 11J - [7]; 7.) Jessica Kriegisch - 63 - [6]; 8.) Will Schaffer - 4 - [8]; 9.) Lucas DeGroat - 9 - [9];

Heat 3 (8)-laps

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

1.) Brian Schaffer - 41 - [3]; 2.) Kole Holden - 2 - [1]; 3.) Chelsie Kreigisch - 10 - [4]; 4.) Blaze Meyers - 43JR - [6]; 5.) Jordan Ehrenberg - JD57 - [7]; 6.) Joshua Seippel - 43X - [8]; 7.) Jacob Jordan - 28J - [5]; 8.) Brandon Ritchey - 17 - [2];

RUSH Late Model Dirt Series feature 20-laps

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

1 - 3 - Justin Lamb (93X) - Findlay Township

2 - 8 - Tommy Schirnhofer (8S) - Dormont

3 - 2 - John Mollick (60M) - Toronto, OH

4 - 6 - Christian Schneider (1ST) - Pittsburgh

5 - 11 - Colby Beighey (36) - Fombell

6 - 1 - Josh Stoica (22J) - New Cumberland, WV

7 - 5 - Jim Zarin (1Z) - Moon

8 - 4 - Chuck Medved (2M) - Imperial

9 - 7 - Ron Hall (01) - Hookstown

10 - 9 - Matt Dobnak (42) - West Mifflin

11 - 10 - Zach Gunn (114G) - McDonald

Heat 1 (8)-laps

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

1.) Jim Zarin - 1Z - [3]; 2.) John Mollick - 60M - [4]; 3.) Tommy Schirnhofer - 8S - [6]; 4.) Chuck Medved - 2M - [1]; 5.) Matt Dobnak - 42 - [2]; 5.) Colby Beighey - 36B - [5];

Heat 2 (8)-laps

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

1.) Justin Lamb - 93X - [2]; 2.) Ron Hall - 01 - [5]; 3.) Christian Schneider - 1ST - [1]; 4.) Josh Stoica - 22J - [3]; 5.) Zach Gunn - 114G - [4];

Pro Stocks feature 15-laps

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

1 - 4 - Daryl Charlier (114) - Midway

2 - 14 - Greg Beach (33X) - Chicora

3 - 2 - Cam Kraisinger (47) - Mount Pleasant

4 - 1 - Ryan Moyer (13X) - Portersville

5 - 5 - Joel Johns (M5) - Murrysville

6 - 13 - Danny Rich (67X) - Imperial

7 - 8 - Bill Robertson (1B) - Upper Saint Clair

8 - 3 - Eric Piotrowski (7) - Evans City

9 - 12 - Bob Egley (30) - Kittanning

10 - 6 - Heath Close (77) - Shaler

11 - 10 - Brent McDonald (25M) - Saxonburg

12 - 9 - Mike Harris (18H) - Butler

13 - 11 - Bill Slade (A22) - Bethel Park

14 - 7 - A.J. Poljak (36) - Baldwin

15 - 15 - Gary Koteles

Heat 1 (8)-laps

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

1.) Greg Beach - 33X - [7]; 2.) Daryl Charlier - 114 - [4]; 3.) Cam Kraisinger - 47 - [1]; 4.) Joel Johns - M5 - [5]; 5.) Eric Piotrowski - 7 - [3]; 6.) Brent McDonald - 25M - [6]; 7.) Bob Egley - 30 - [8]; 8.) Gary Koteles - 64K - [2];

Heat 2 (8)-laps

1.) Ryan Moyer - 13X - [3]; 2.) A.J. Poljak - 36 - [4]; 3.) Bill Robertson - 1B - [7]; 4.) Heath Close - 77 - [2]; 5.) Mike Harris - 18H - [6]; 6.) Bill Slade - A22 - [5]; 7.) Danny Rich - 67X - [1];

Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock feature 8-laps

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

1 - 1 - Dave Sheriff (8) - Imperial

2 - 2 - Matt Bernard (15B) - Oakdale

Hobby Stocks did not run a heat race

Hobby Stock open feature 8-laps

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

1 - 6 - Stephen Shelpman (17S) - Pleasant Hills

2 - 1 - Casey Grumling (77X) - Elrama

3 - 3 - Karlee Kovacs (221K) - Carnegie

4 - 5 - Andrew Sutton (16A)

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