Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway

5/12/2019

Defending Champs Steal the Show at PPMS

For immediate release,

Imperial, PA

It was a chilly spring evening at Dirt’s Monster Half Mile for the 2019 season opener. PPMS would see eight heat races and six features. Chad Ruhlman (87R), from Bemus Point, New York, picked up where he left off last season by taking home the win in the RUSH Sprint Car division. Justin Lamb (93X), from Findlay Township, brought home the checkered flag in the Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model Dirt Series Summer Sizzler number one. A.J. Poljak (36), from Baldwin, picked up the win in the PPMS Pro Stocks division, while Adam Ferree (17S), from Jefferson Hills, got the win in the Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock Division as he was subbing for Stephen Shelpman (17S). “The Dominator” Andy Garlinger (R88), from Hopedale, OH, also picked up where he left off last season by taking the win in the Four Cylinder division, while Tony Magill (05), from Jefferson Hills, picked up his first career win in the Young guns division.

The RUSH Sprint Car 20-lap feature would start 14 cars with Ruhlman (87R) and Zach Morrow (27M), from Gibsonia, on the front row. When the green flag dropped, Morrow (27M) would pull out to an early lead. On lap two, fifth-starting John Mollick (4J), from Toronto, OH, was already up to third place. Ruhlman (87R) would take the lead from Morrow (27M) on lap five and would have a half of a straightaway lead by lap nine. The event’s first caution would come on lap 10 when Matthew Sherlock (55), from Beaver Falls, would spin out exiting turn four. Ruhlman (87R), Morrow (27M), and Mollick (4J) would lead the field on the restart but the pace would slow once again on the next lap when Sherlock (55) spun out again. The restart would remain the same with Ruhlman (87R) keeping the lead. Mollick (4J) would leave the race on lap 11 with an unknown issue, giving Kevin Ruhlman (23), from Bemus Point, New York, his third place spot. C. Ruhlman (87R) and Morrow (27M) would battle for the lead with C. Ruhlman (87R) keeping it. C. Ruhlman (87R) began to pull away from the field with five laps to go and would lead the field to his first RUSH Sprint Car feature win of the season. Following him to the line were, Morrow (27M) in second place, K. Ruhlman (23) in third place, Arnie Kent (18) in fourth place, Bryan Woodhall (8) in fifth place, David Hawkins (27D) in sixth place, Andy Feil (9J) in seventh place, Frank Wilson Jr. (13) in eighth place, Bradley Blackshear (19) in ninth place, and Scott Hawkins (37) would complete the top 10. Heat race winners were C. Ruhlman (87R) and Morrow (27M).

In the 25-lap Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model Dirt Series Summer Sizzler feature, Mike Duritsky (90J), from Masontown, would start on the pole and to his outside was Lamb (93X). The second row was made up of Mike Reft (9R), from Whitehall, starting in third, and Garrett Paugh (03), from Elkins, West Virginia starting in fourth. When the green flag waved, Duritsky (90J) would keep an early lead with Lamb (93X) and Paugh (03) in tow. Sixth-starting Ben Policz (14B), from Rices Landing, would pass Paugh (03) for third place on lap four and Paugh (03) would then give up the fourth spot to Tony Musolino (3JX), from Carnegie, on the following lap. Duritsky (90J) was already into lapped traffic on lap five and then on lap nine, the event’s lone caution would slow the pace for the 58B of John Boring. Duritsky (90J) would lead the field on the restart but on the next lap, Lamb (93X) would take over the lead. Lamb (93X) would continue to lead through lap 14 when he began to enter lapped-traffic. Lamb (93X) continued to dominate the remaining 11 laps of the race, enroute to his first PPMS win of the season and his first opening night victory. He was followed by, Policz (14B) in second, Duritsky (90J) in third, Reft (9R) in fourth, Nico Dabecco (F1) in fifth, Musolino (3JX) in sixth, Paugh (03) in seventh, Christian Schneider (1ST) in eighth, Bill Kessler (09) in ninth, and Logan Zarin (1Z) would round out the top 10. Heat race winners were Josh Stoica (22J) and Schneider (1ST).

In the PPMS Pro Stock 15-lap feature, Bryan Wagner (56), from New Wilmington, would start on the pole. To his outside was Heath Close (77), from Shaler. The second row had A.J. Poljak (36), from Baldwin, starting in third, and Josh Langer (11), from Imperial, starting in fourth. When the green flag dropped, Wagner (56) would retain the early lead. Sixth-starting Danny Rich (67X), from Imperial, would take over the third spot on lap two and Rich (67X) would take over the second spot on the next lap. The caution would come out on lap five when Robert Betz (81), from South Heights, would spin out in turn four. The restart would have Wagner (56) leading the field, while Rich (67X) was in second, Close (77) was in third, and Poljak (36) was in fourth. Rich (67X) would take over the lead on the next lap and would continue to lead until he spun out in turn two with three laps to go. The restart would have Wagner (56) leading the field, Poljak (36) in second, Close (77) in third, and Langer (11) in fourth. When the green flag dropped, Poljak (36) would take over the lead and not look back, picking up his first PPMS win of the season. He was followed to the line by, Wagner (56) in second, Langer (11) in third, Close (77) in fourth, Mike Harris (18H) in fifth, Robert Betz (81) in sixth, Rich (67X) in eighth, and Daryl Charlier (112) in ninth with a DNF. The heat race winner was Rich (67X)

In the Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock 12-lap feature, Karlee Kovacs (221K), from Carnegie, would start on the pole. To her outside and starting in second was Jason Garchak (46), from Pittsburgh. Making up the second row was Ed Shelpman (17P), from Jefferson Hills, in third, and starting fourth was Andrew Sutton (16A), from Monaca. Kovacs (221K) would retain the early lead but a caution on the first lap for Garchak (46) would slow the pace as fast as the event started. Kovacs (221K) would lead the restart but Ferree (17S) would move into second place behind her and then take over the lead on the next lap. Ferree (17S) continued to lead on lap seven with Kovacs (221K) in second, Matt Bernard (15B), from Oakdale, in third, and Sutton (16A) in fourth. Dave McManus (171) moved into fifth place on lap eight after starting last. With Ferree (17S) still leading, Bernard (15B) would move into second place on lap nine. By lap 10, Ferree (17S) had a whole straightaway lead over the field and he wouldn't look back, picking up his first PPMS victory of the season. Following him to the line was, Marcus Simmons (68X) in second, McManus (171) in third, Bernard (15B) in fourth, Eric Goldberg (X) in fifth, Kovacs (221K) in sixth, Sutton (16A) in seventh, Ed Shelpman (17P) in eighth, Ben Anton (13) in ninth, and Tom Anton (313) would complete the top 10. Heat race winners were Casey Grumling (77X) and Adam Ferree (17S). Adam Ferree was subbing for Stephen Shelpman (17S).

In the PPMS Four Cylinder six-lap feature, Dustin Dietrich (65D), from Hopwood, started on the pole. To his outside and starting in second place was his dad, Todd Dietrich, also from Hopwood. Garlinger (R88) started in third, and Paul Koffler III (48) rounded out the four car field. When the green flag dropped, Garlinger (R88) had taken over the lead by the backstretch. At the halfway point, Garlinger (R88) continued to dominate the event with D. Dietrich (95D) in second, T. Dietrich (65D) in third, and Koffler (48) in fourth. Garlinger would lead the remaining three laps of the event, picking up his first PPMS victory of the season. He was followed to the line by D. Dietrich (95D) in second, T. Dietrich (65D) in third ,and Koffler (48) finished out the field. Garlinger (R88) won the heat race.

In the Young Guns six lap feature, T. Magill (05) started on the pole. To his outside and starting in second was Kyle Janus (88), from Coraopolis. Starting in third was Susie Rudolph (55), from Steubenville, Ohio and Cameron Hollister (44), from McDonald, rounded out the four car field. When the green flag dropped, T. Magill (05) would keep the early lead. Rudolph (55) had car trouble on the first lap and was forced to pit, putting her out for the remainder of the race. Also, on the first lap, C. Hollister (44), hit the wall between turns one and two, bringing out the caution. With only two cars remaining in the race, T. Magill (05) would lead the restart with Janus (88) in tow, and that’s how they would finish the remaining five laps of the race with T. Magill (05) picking up his first career victory. Janus (88) would finish in second place, Hollister (44) in third, and Rudolph (55) in fourth place. Young Guns did not run a heat race.

RESULTS

RUSH Sprints feature (20) laps

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

1 - 1 - Chad Ruhlman (87R) - Bemus Point, NY

2 - 2 - Zach Morrow (27M) - Gibsonia

3 - 4 - Kevin Ruhlman (23) - Bemus Point, NY

4 - 3 - Arnie Kent (18) - New Castle

5 - 6 - Bryan Woodhall (8) - Apollo

6 - 11 - David Hawkins (27D) - Lower Burrell

7 - 7 - Andy Feil (9J) - Youngstown, OH

8 - 10 - Frank Wilson Jr. (13) - Belmont, OH

9 - 8 - Bradley Blackshear (19) - Brookefield, OH

10 - 12 - Scott Hawkins (37) - Lower Burrell

11 - 9 - Brandon Blackshear (10) - Brookefield, OH

12 - 14 - Brain Hartzell (69) - Oil City

13 - 13 - Matthew Sherlock (55) - Beaver Falls

14 - 5 - John Mollick (4J) - Toronto, OH

DNS Brandon Hawkins (27H) - Salina

Heat 1 (8) laps

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

Chad Ruhlman - 87R - [8]; 2. Arnie Kent - 18 - [2]; 3. Andy Feil - 9J - [4]; 4. Bryan Woodhall - 8 - [7]; 5. Bradley Blackshear - 19 - [1]; 6. Frank Wilson Jr. - 13 - [6]; 7. Scott Hawkins - 37 - [5]; 8. Brian Hartzell - 69 - [3]

Heat 2 (6) laps

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

Zach Morrow - 27M - [5]; 2. John Mollick - 4J - [1]; 3. Kevin Ruhlman - 23 - [2]; 4. Brandon Hawkins - 27H - [3]; 5. Brandon Blackshear - 10 - [7]; 6. David Hawkins - 27D - [4]; 7. Matthew Sherlock - 55 - [6];

Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Models Summer Sizzler #1 (25) laps

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

1 - 2 - Justin Lamb (93X) - Findlay Township

2 - 6 - Ben Policz (14B) - Rices Landing

3 - 1 - Mike Duritsky (90J) - Masontown

4 - 3 - Mike Reft (9R) - Whitehall

5 - 13 - Nico Dabecco (F1) - Bethel Park

6 - 5 - Tony Musolino (3JX) - Carnegie

7 - 4 - Garrett Paugh (03) - Elkins, WV

8 - 7 - Christian Schneider (1ST) - Pittsburgh

9 - 9 - Bill Kessler (09) - Freedom

10 - 12 - Logan Zarin (1Z) - Moon Township

11 - 8 - Josh Stoica (22J) - New Cumberland, WV

12 - 14 - Ron Hall (01) - Hookstown

13 - 11 - Zachary Kane (10) - Washington

14 - 17 - Bobby Springer (42) - Clinton

15 - 19 - Chuck Recker (6R) - West View

16 - 16 - Brian Gobel (12G) - Beaver Falls

17 - 10 - John Mollick (60M) - Toronto, OH

18 - 15 - Tony White (27T) - Hopewell

19 - 20 - John Boring III (58B) - Valley Grove, WV

20 - 18 - Pete Wearing (111) - Evans City

Heat 1 (8) laps

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

Josh Stoica - 22J - [2]; 2. Ben Policz - 14B - [9]; 3. Garrett Paugh - 03 - [3]; 4. Justin Lamb - 93X - [5]; 5. Bill Kessler - 09 - [7]; 6. Zachary Kane - 10 - [4]; 7. Nico Dabecco - F1 - [8]; 8. Tony White - 27T - [6]; 9. Bobby Springer - 42 - [10]; Chuck Recker - 6R - [1];

Heat 2 (8) laps

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

Christian Schneider - 1st - [2]; 2. Tony Musolino - 3JX - [3]; 3. Mike Reft - 9R - [5]; 4. Mike Duritsky - 90J - [8]; 5. John Mollick - 60M - [6]; 6. Logan Zarin - 1Z - [7]; 7. Ron Hall - 01 - [4]; 8. Brian Goebel - 12G - [1]; 9. Pete Wearing - 111 - [9]; 10. John Boring III - 58B - [10];

PPMS Pro Stocks feature (15) laps

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

1 - 3 - A.J. Poljak (36) - Baldwin

2 - 1- Bryan Wagner (56) - New Wilmington

3 - 4 - Josh Langer (11) - Imperial

4 - 2 - Heath Close (77) - Shaler

5 - 5 - Mike Harris (18H) - Bridgeville

6 - 7 - Robert Betz (81) - South Heights

7 - 6 - Danny Rich (67X) - Imperial

8 - 8 - Daryl Charlier (112) - Midway

DNS Dave McManus (114) - Elizabeth

Heat 1 (8) laps

Danny Rich - 67X [8]; 2. A.J. Poljak - 36 - [5]; 3. Bryan Wagner - 56 - [3]; 4. Mike Harris - 18H - [7]; 5. Heath Close - 77 - [9]; 6. Josh Langer - 11 - [4]; 7. Robert Betz - 81 - [2]; 8. Daryl Charlier - 112 - [1]; 9. Dave McManus - 114 - [6]; DNS Nick Kocuba - 10 -

Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stocks feature (12) laps

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

1 - 7 - Adam Ferree (17S) - Jefferson Hills

2 - 6 - Marcus Simmons (68X) - Beaver Falls

3 - 14 - Dave McManus (171) - Elizabeth

4 - 5 - Matt Bernard (15B) - Oakdale

5 - 9 - Eric Goldberg (X) - Pittsburgh

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

7 - 4 - Andrew Sutton (16A) - Monaca

8 - 3 - Ed Shelpman (17P) - Pleasant Hills

9 - 13 - Ben Anton (13) - Jefferson Hills

10 - 11 - Tom Anton (313) - Jefferson Hills

11 - 8 - Casey Grumling (77X) - Elrama

12 - 10 - Mike Betsch (222) - Monaca

13 - 2 - Jason Garchak (46) - Pittsburgh

14 - 12 - John Hollister (11) - McDonald

DNS Frank Magill (05) - Jefferson Hills

Heat 1 (6) laps

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

Casey Grumling - 77X - [5]; 2. Marcus Simmons - 68X - [3]; 3. Matt Bernard - 15B - [7]; 4. Karlee Kovacs - 221K - [2]; 5. Jason Garchak - 46 - [1]; 6. Frank Magill - 05 - [4]; 7. Mike Betsch - 222 - [6]; DNS John Hollister - 11 -

Heat 2 (6) laps

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

Adam Ferree - 17S - [4]; 2. Kayla McManus - 171 - [1]; 3. Andrew Sutton - 16A - [5]; 4. Eric Goldberg - X - [6]; 5. Ben Anton - 13 - [3]; 6. Ed Shelpman - 17P - [2]; 7. Tom Anton - 313 - [7]; 8. Jacob Wiser - OU2 - [8];

Four Cylinders feature (6) laps

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

1 - 3 - Andy Garlinger (R88) - Hopedale, OH

2 - 1 - Dustin Dietrich (95D) - Hopwood

3 - 2 - Todd Dietrich (65D) - Hopwood

4 - 4 - Paul Koffler III (48) - Connesville

DNS John Gill (19G) - Burgettstown

DNS Craig Rudolph (5R) - Steubenville, OH

Heat 1 (6) laps

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