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BARN BURNING SEASON OPENER WITH TWO FIRST TIME WINNERS

Imperial, PA

The 2022 season opener at Dirt’s Monster Half-Mile was a barn burner! Beautiful spring weather blessed the track, drivers, and fans alike. Sunshine and warm spring air made for a beautiful night out at the track and the drivers put the icing on the cake with some of the best racing the “Monster” has ever seen. PPMS would see nine heat races, six feature events, and two first-time winners. 2021 Rohrich RUSH Late Model track champion Daryl Charlier (3RK), from Midway, would out-pace a stellar field of RUSH Late Models to pick up his first win of the season. Justin Shea (14), from Sharpsville, would pick up the win for the RUSH Sportsman Modifies, as the race went green to checkers in record fashion. Chris Schneider (55), from Lower Burell, would come from his fifth-place starting spot to take over the lead and score his first win of the season for the PPMS Penn Ohio Pro Stocks. Matt Benard (15), from Oakdale, was able to fend off multiple drivers and pick up his first career win for the Cheplic Packing Hobby Stocks. After Benard’s first win, Lucas Weaver (11W), from California, PA, would follow suit and also pick up his first career win for the Crawford Auto Repair Four-Cylinders. In the All Ways Safe Young Guns feature, Emmerson Laboon (114), from Elizabeth, would charge to the front when the green flag dropped, and she never looked back, picking up her first win of the season. With the beautiful weather, and the drivers putting on an amazing show racing side by side multiple times throughout the evening, made for an amazing season opener, and one that will be remembered for years to come.

The action heated up quickly in the Rohrich RUSH Late Model 25-lap feature event when Tom Duratz (55) and Eric Hamilton (23) got together in between turns one and two. Hamilton (23) was able to drive away, and tag the field, however, Duratz (55) had to be towed to the pits and was done for the evening. This crash happened at the start of the race as the pack made their way through turns one and two. As the field was under caution, it was noted by Super Snuffers that Kassidy Kamicker (72B) had a torn-up right rear quarter panel, and the Super Snuffers sent her to the pits to have it fixed. Kamicker (72B) would come back and join the field. Because of the crash, a complete restart would ensue. Zach Morrow (60), from Gibsonia, and Kyle Lukon (184) from Burgettstown would lead the field on the restart. When green replaced yellow, Lukon (184) and Morrow (60) would battle for the lead as they ran side by side battling it out for the lead as they completed lap two. Another caution would slow the pace on lap three when the 17G of Zach Gunn, from Mcdonald, would spin out in turn two. Lukon (184) and Morrow (60) would lead the restart with Cole Petrelle (84) in third, D. Charlier (3RK) knocking on the door in fourth, and Mike Reft (9R) in fifth. When the green flag waved, Lukon (184) would now battle Petrelle (84) for the lead, as Morrow (60) fell off the pace and eventually retired to the pits. Lukon (184) would eventually take the lead with Petrelle (84) in second. Lukon (184) was flying and would enter lapped traffic by lap seven. Lap nine would see another caution when Jake Gunn (14G) would fall off the pace due to a flat tire. Lukon (184) would take the outside on the restart with D. Charlier (3RK) now in second, Petrelle (84) now in third, Reft (9R) in fourth, and Noah Brunell (31) in fifth. The field wouldn’t even complete a lap before the yellow was back out due to a car that spun out in turn two. A complete restart would ensue with Lukon (184) and D. Charlier (3RK) leading the charge. When the green flag dropped, D. Charlier (3RK) made his move and had an amazing restart to take over the lead with Lukon (184) now in second. With each lap D. Charlier (3RK) would complete, he would increase his lead over the field, and by lap 14 he had a half of a straightaway lead. D. Charlier (3RK) would begin to dance his way through lapped traffic on lap 16, but the pace would slow on lap 18 for another caution due to due to a car spinning out in turn two. When the field came back under green, D. Charlier (3RK) would keep his lead as he began to pull away from the field once again. By lap 23 D. Charlier (3RK) had another half of a straightaway lead, and he would cruise his way to victory picking up his first PPMS win of the season. He was followed to the line by Lukon (184) in second, Reft (9R) in third, Philip Bubeck (4) in fourth, and Zach Gunn (17G) would round out the top five. The heat race winners were Zach Gunn (17G), and Philip Bubeck (4). Jake Gunn (14G) would be the hard charger, as he started in P14 and finished in P6, gaining eight spots during the race.

The RUSH Sportsman Modifieds would have nine cars in their 15-lap feature event. Justin Shea (14) would start on the pole with Benjamin Easler (02), from Linesville, starting to his outside in second place. When the flagman waved the green, Shea (14) would take off and retain his lead over the field. Fifth-starting Tony Tatgenhorst (63T) would be on Shea’s (14) rear bumper by lap two. Shea (14) and Tatgenhorst (63T) would battle for the lead, but Shea (14) would shut the door and keep his lead. Shea (14) would enter lapped traffic with two laps to go and he would go the distance to pick up his first PPMS RUSH Sportsman Modified win of the season. The race when green to checkers in record fashion. Following Shea (14) to the line was Tatgenhorst (63T) in second, Easler (02) in third, JC Boyer (12) in fourth, and Kole Holden (2) would complete the top five. The heat race winner was Jacob Jordan (28J). The hard charger was Tatgenhorst (63T) as he gained three spots starting in P5 and finishing in P2. Jerry Shaffer Racing added 100, 50, 25 to the RUSH Sportsman Modified Series purse

In the PPMS Penn Ohio Pro Stock 15-lap feature event, Dale Touche (310) would start on the pole. Heath Close (77) would start to his outside in second place. When the green flag dropped, the field completed one lap before the first caution was out when Nick Kocuba (10) and Noah Brunell (18) got tangled up in turn two. Brunel (18) was able to drive away, but Kocuba (10) wasn’t as lucky and had to be towed to his pit stall. Brian Huchko (60H) had taken over the lead before the caution came out so he would lead the restart by choosing the inside lane, and he had AJ Poljak (36) to his outside. When green replaced yellow, Huchko (60H) and Chris Schneider (55) would battle for the lead, and Schneider (55) would take over the lead on lap two with Huchko (60H) falling back to second. On lap four, Huchko (60H) seemed to have car trouble as he fell off the pace and went to the pits. Lap five would see another caution for debris on the track. Schneider (55) would lead the restart and retain his lead over the field. Despite one more caution, Schneider (55) would lead the remaining laps of the event to pick up his first PPMS Penn Ohio Pro Stock win of the season. He was followed to the line by Poljak (36) in second, Steve D’Apolito (84) in third, Huchko (60H) in fourth after he came back out of the pits and passed seven cars after having to tag the field, and Heath Close (77) would round out the top five. The heat race winners were AJ Poljak (36) and Noah Brunell (18). Huchko (60H) was the hard charger passing seven cars after tagging the field.

The Cheplic Packing Hobby Stocks always put on quite a show and they certainly didn’t disappoint for the season opener on Saturday night. Jacob Wiser (OU2), from Mckees Rocks, would start on the pole for the 15-lap main event. Starting to his outside was Matt Benard (15). When the green flag waved, Benard (15) would stick to the high side of the track and take over the lead, but he now had Stephen Shelpman (17S) on his tail. A caution on lap two would slow the pace and reset the field for the 44 of Cameron Hollister when he spun out in turn two. Benard (15) and Shelpman (17S) would lead the restart and they would race side by side for the lead. Benard (15) was able to keep his lead but Shelpman (17S) was pressing him and trying to steal the lead. Another yellow would come on lap 4 when Frank Magill (05) had car trouble and stopped low on the backstretch. Right before the caution came out, Shelpman (17S) had a slight lead over Benard (15) so he would lead the restart choosing the inside, and Benard (15) would be to his outside. When green replaced yellow, Benard would stick to the high side coming through turns one and two but Shelpman (17S) would keep the lead for now. Lap five saw another caution when Logan Koteles (64) hit the wall between turns one and two. Shelpman (17S) and Benard (15) would lead the restart again. Shelpman (17S) would again keep his lead, but Gary Koteles (65K) was now fighting him for the lead. As the pair came through turn two, contact was made which sent both cars spinning out. Shelpman (17S) was upset and under caution the track officials black-flagged Shelpman (17S) for intentionally hitting the 65K under yellow. Shelpman (17S) was forced to retire to the pits and was done for the evening. On the restart, G Koteles (65K) had to tag the field for being one of the caution cars which gave Benard (15) the lead on the restart, and Cody Koteles (1K) was lined up next to him in second place. Benard (15) would retain his lead over the field when green replaced yellow. Benard (15) quickly found himself in a battle with C. Koteles (1K). Benard (15) stayed on the high side while C. Koteles (1K) stayed on the low side. Despite two more cautions and restarts, including a two-lap shoot-out at the end of the race, Benard (15) was able to hold onto first place to score his first-ever Cheplic Packing Hobby Stock race. He was followed to the line by Gary Koteles (65) in second, Cody Koteles (1K) in third, Tony Magill (5) in fourth, and Cody Tokarski (26T) rounds out the top five. The heat race winners were Stephen Shelpman (17S) and Adam Ferree (29). The hard charger goes to Cody Koteles (1K) after he was forced to tag the field he passed nine cars to finish third.

The Crawford Auto Repair Four-Cylinders were up next on the card and they had a three-car eight-lap feature. Starting on the pole was Susie Rudolph (55) who made her return to racing on Saturday evening after taking a year off to focus on other things. Lining up next to her in second place was Lucas Weaver (11W). When the green flag dropped, Weaver (11W) took off and S. Rudolph (55) took off with him. Despite S. Rudolph’s efforts, Weaver (11W) was able to hold on to pick up his first career PPMS win. S. Rudolph (55) finished second, and C. Rudolph (5R) in third. The heat race winner was Weaver (11W).

The All Ways Safe Young Guns six-lap feature had seven cars entered to race. Sadie Snatchko (56), from Oakdale, would start on the pole. Emmerson Laboon (114), from Elizabeth, would start on her outside in second place, and Travis Clark (05T) would start in third. When the green light turned on, Laboon (114) smashed the gas pedal and took off like a rocket right into first place by the first turn. Lap two had Laboon (114) in the lead, Clark (05T) in second, and Snatchko (56) in third. This trio which made up the top three stayed the same way for the entire race with Laboon (114) picking up her first win of the season and her second career win overall. Snatchko (56) came in second, Clark (05T) in third, Kiersten Chernik (5X) in fourth, and Gavin Kokolis (91) completed the top five. Sadie Snatchko’s father presented the winner of the race, Laboon, with 50 dollars in cash! The heat race winner was Clark (05T).
Racing resumes at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway this coming Saturday, May 7 for an action-packed night of family entertainment. PPMS will be featuring the Cheplic Packing Hobby Stock Series race #1 paying $500 to win. PPMS will also be featuring the RUSH Sprint Car Series, the Rohrich RUSH Late Models, the PPMS Penn Ohio Pro Stocks, the Crawford Auto Repair Four-Cylinders, and the All Ways Safe Young Guns. Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps begin at 6 p.m., and the racing action will begin at 7 p.m. Come feel the excitement! Visit our schedule section to purchase tickets or view upcoming events. Happy Racing :)

 

RESULTS 

 

Rohrich RUSH Late Model Feature (25) - Laps 

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

1 - 7 - Daryl Charlier (3RK) - Midway 

2 - 2 - Kyle Lukon (184) - Burgettestown 

3 - 8 - Mike Reft (9R) - Pittsburgh 

4 - 3 - Philip Bubeck (4) - Washington 

5 - 6 - Zach Gunn (17G) - McDonald 

6 - 14 - Jake Gunn (14G) - McDonald 

7 - 10 - Noah Brunell (31) - New Alexandria 

8 - 9 - Eric Hamilton (23) - Imperial 

9 - 5 - Cole Petrelle (84) - Follansbee, WV

10 - 5 - Kassidy Kamicker (72B) - Aliquippa 

11 - 12 - Kayla McManus (00K) - Elizabeth 

12 - 13 - Tom Klein (77) - Rochester 

13 - 16 – Greg Goble (21G) - Aliquippa 

14 - 1 - Zach Morrow (60) - Gibsonia 

15 - 4 - Andrew Koenig (33K) - New Stanton 

16 - 11 - Tom Duratz (55D) - Pittsburgh

 

Rohrich RUSH Late Model Heat-1 (8) - Laps

Finishing Spot - Driver Name - Car Number [Starting Spot];

Zach Gunn - 17G - [2];   2. Mike Reft - 9R - [5];  3. Daryl Charlier - 3RK - [7];  4. Andrew Koenig - 33K - [6];  5. Eric Hamilton - 23 - [9];  6. Tom Duratz - 55D - [1];  7. Greg Goble - 21G - [8];  8. Jake Gunn - 14G - [3];  9. Kassidy Kamicker - 72B - [4]; 

 

Rohrich RUSH Late Model Heat-2 (8) - Laps

Finishing Spot - Driver Name - Car Number [Starting Spot];

Philip Bubeck - 4 - [1];  2. Kyle Lukon - 184 - [4];  3. Zach Morrow - 60 - [2];  4 Cole Petrelle - 84 - [6];  5. Noah Brunell - 31 - [7];  6. Kayla McManus - 00K - [8];  7. Tom Klein - 77 - [5];  8. Dan Lepro - 2L - [3];  

 

RUSH Modifides Feature (15) - Laps 

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

1 - 1 - Justin Shea (14) - Sharpsville 

2 - 5 - Tony Tatgenhorst (63T) - Columbiana, OH 

3 - 2 - Benjamin Easler (02) - Linesville 

4 - 4 - JC Boyer (12) - Burghill, OH

5 - 7 - Kole Holden (2) - Tiona 

6 - 6 - Chelsie Kriegisch (10) - Ellwood City 

7 - 3 - Jacob Jordan (28J) - Aliquippa

8 - 8 - Jordan Ehrenberg (JD57) - New Castle 

9 -9 - Lucas Canon (2LC) - 

 

RUSH Sportsman Modifieds Heat 1 (8) - Laps 

Finishing Spot - Driver Name - Car Number [Starting Spot];

Jacob Jordan - 28J - [1];  2. Justin Shea - 14 - [4];  3. JC Boyer - 22 - [8]; 4.  Benjamin Easler - 02 - [5];  5. Tony Tatgenhorst - 63T - [10];  6. Chelsie Kriegisch - 10 - [2];  7. Kole Holden - 2 - [6];  Jordan Ehrenberg - JD57 - [3];  7. Lucas Canon - 2LC - [8];  

 

Penn Ohio Pro Stock Feature (15) - Laps 

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

1 - 5 - Chris Schneider (55) - Lower Burrell 

2 - 3 - AJ Poljack (36) - Baldwin 

3 - 7 - Steve D’Apolito (84) - Youngstown, OH 

4 - 2 - Brian Huchko - McDonald 

5 - 2 - Heath Close (77H) - Shaler 

6 - 4 - Jeff Broniszewski (08) - Coraopolis 

7 - 1 - Dale Tuche (310) - Cheswick 

8 - 6 - Noah Brunell (18) - New Alexandria 

9 - 9 - Tanya Charlier (21) - Midway 

10 - 8 - Nick Kocuba (10) - Burgettstown 

DNS - Jordan Perkins (13J) - New Castle 

DNS - Todd Weldon (45) - Monongahela 

DNS - Brett Hutira (4) - Latrobe 

 

PPMS Penn Ohio Pro Stock  Heat 1 (8) - Laps

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

AJ Poljak - 36 - [1];  2. Chris Schneider - 55 - [2];  3. Brian Huchko - 60H - [4];  4. Steve D’Apolito 5. Nick Kocuba - 10 - [3];  6. Heath Close - 77H - [5];  7. Tanya Charlier - 21 - [7];

 

PPMS Penn Ohio Pro Stock  Heat 2 (8) - Laps  

Finishing Spot - Driver Name - Car Number [Starting Spot];

Noah Brunell - 18 - [4];  2. Jordan Perkins - 13J - [3];  3. Dale Tuche - 310 - [1];  4. Jeff Broniszewski - 08 - [6];  5. Todd Weldon - 45 - [2];  6. Brett Hutera - 4 - [5];

 

Cheplic Packing Hobby Stock Feature (15) - Laps 

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

1 - 2 - Matt Benard (15) - Oakdale *** FIRST TIME WINNER ***

2 - 7 - Gary Koteles (65K) - Stockdale 

3 - 12 - Cody Koteles (1K) - Stockdale 

4 - 8 - Tony Magill (5) - Jefferson Hills 

5 - 11 - Cody Tokarski (26T) - Hickory 

6 - 1 - Jacob Wiser (OU2) - McKees Rocks

7 - 3 - Frank Magill (05) - Jefferson Hills 

8 - 5 - Jonathan Koteles (2K) - Stockdale 

9 - 13 - Cameron Hollister (44) - McDonald 

10 - 10 - Marc Corio (14) South Fayette 

11 - 9 - Ed Shelpman (17P) - Pleasant Hills

12 - 6 - Stephen Shelpman (17S) - Pleasant Hills

13 - 4 - Logan Koteles (64) - Stockdale 

DNS - Jeff Cencarik (6) - Midway 

DNS - Adam Ferree (29) - Jefferson Hills

 

Cheplic Packing Hobby Stock Heat 1 (8) - Laps

Finishing Spot - Driver Name - Car Number [Starting Spot];

Stephen Shelpman - 17S - [1];  2. Matt Benard - 15 - [2];  3. Gary Koteles - 65K - 4];  4. Frank Magill - 05 - [5];  5. Tony Magill - 5 - [6];  6. Marc Corio - 14 - [7];  7. Cody Koteles - 1K - [3];  8. Jeff Cencarik - 6 - [8]; 

 

Cheplic Packing Hobby Stock Heat 2 (8) - Laps

Finishing Spot - Driver Name - Car Number [Starting Spot];

Adam Ferree - 29 - [1];  2. Jonathan Koteles - 2K - [6];  3. Logan Koteles - 64 - [2];  4. Jacob Wiser - OU2 - [5];  5. Ed Shelpman - 17P [7];  6. Cody Tokarski - 26T - [3];  7. Cameron Hollister - 44 - [4];     

 

Crawford Auto Repair Four-Cylinder Feature (8) - Laps 

Finishing Spot - Driver Name - Car Number [Starting Spot];

1 - 2 - Lucas Weaver (11W) - California - *** FIRST TIME WINNER ***

2 - 1 - Susie Rudolph (55) - Steubenville, OH 

3 - 3 - Craig Rudolph (5R) - Steubenville, OH 

DNS - John Steele (33) - North Fayette 

DNS - Jimmy Mechenbier (420T) - Bethel Park

 

Crawford Auto Repair Four-Cylinder Heat 1 (6) - Laps

Finishing Spot - Driver Name - Car Number [Starting Spot];

Lucas Weaver - 11W - [5];  2. Susie Rudolph - 55 - [4];  3. Craig Rudolph - 5R - [1]; 4. Jimmy Mechenbier - 420T - [3];  Derek Quigley - 65Q - [2];  DNS - John Steele - 33 - [DNS];  

  

 

All Ways Safe Young Guns Feature (6) - Laps 

1 - 2 - Emmerson Laboon (114) - Elizabeth 

2 - 3 - Travis Clark (05T) - Pittsburgh 

3 - 1 - Sadie Snatchko (56) - Oakdale 

4 - 6 - Kiersten Chernick (5X) - Oakdale 

5 - 4 - Gavin Kokolis (91) - Oakdale 

6 - 5 - Zoey Knight (78Z) - Plum 

DNS - Abby Gindlesperger (05) - Pittsburgh 

 

All Ways Safe Young Guns Hea 1 (6) - Laps 

Finishing Spot - Driver Name - Car Number [Starting Spot];

Travis Clark - 05T - [2];  2. Emmerson Laboon - 114 - [5];  3. Sadie Snatchko - 56 - [1];  4. Gavin Kokolis - 91 - [6];  5. Zoey Knight - 78Z - [4];  6. Kiersten Chernik - 5X - [BLACK FLAGGED] DNS - Abby Gindlesperger - 05 - [DNS];  

 

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