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2024 Schedule : New Shows, Bigger Events, Community Involvement Await Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway

2023 will always remain a historic season for Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway (PPMS) and Western Pennsylvania racing as a whole. A season that began with both doubt and unanswered questions quickly transformed into an unlikely revival, blossoming into one of the most celebrated speedway comebacks in recent memory. With the 2024 season less than 100 days away, an exciting new venture awaits Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway Inc. and new owner Blair Cress Jr., as he enters his first full season as the owner of the famed "Dirt's Monster Half Mile".

A 29 race schedule is on tap, starting with a highly anticipated and unconventional March 16th start date. The season will draw to a close the first weekend of October with the 36th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Pittsburgher 100 Weekend.

"We had a great turnout for the Pittsburgher last season and we want to keep the momentum rolling into this upcoming season," states owner Blair Cress Jr. He continued "The response that we got from our fans really influenced what went into creating the 2024 schedule. Whether it was sprint cars, late models, modifieds or other suggestions such as lengthening the season, we want our fan base to know that we do listen and that we will take what they want to see into consideration."

Community

As stated in the title, community will be one of the primary focuses as PPMS continues to grow under new ownership. Several events will be sprinkled in throughout the year, including an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 24th, the 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat at the Track, and the 2nd Annual Race to Christmas Tree Lighting event. Other events are in the works, including more vendor shows during racing programs, a swap meet, kid-focused activities, and more. Last year, PPMS and its competitors made it a priority to support local events around the surrounding communities. This trend will continue and perhaps increase in 2024 with touch-a-trucks, car shows, parades, etc. "We are honored to have such willing competitors that take time out of their schedules to attend community events," states speedway representative Tabetha Coppola. Coppola continues "We want the community to know that we are here for them. Whether it's to provide entertainment or to provide support, or both. We are here."

2024 Season Highlights

New Additions

Pot of Gold 75 (March 16th) : A show that has been a heavy topic of conversation will come to fruition as the FAST on Dirt 410 Sprint Car Series, ULMS Racing Series, and SCDRA Northeast Sport Compacts all join PPMS in beginning each of their respective seasons. Irish food, a bagpiper and wheelbarrow races are just a short list of the excitement that awaits the St. Patrick's Day weekend season opener.

The ULMS Racing Series returns for their first visit since 2017, highlighting a $4,000 to win 30 lap feature event with $500 start money on the line. The FAST on Dirt Sprint Cars will compete in a 20 lap A-Main, also paying $4,000 to the winner with $400 guaranteed to each starter. The SCDRA Northeast Sport Compacts make their first ever visit to the facility. Two successful Sport Compact Shootout events have proven the the sport compacts have every chance to steal the show from the sprint cars and late models. They will compete for a $2,500 to win top prize in a 25 lap feature event.

UEMS E-Mod Touring Series (April 13th) : A division of cars that was a speedway staple in years past returns for the first time since 2019. UEMS Series Director Trevor Zuvor brings the UEMS E-Mods back for the first time since 2013. An astonishing $3,000 to win show awaits the regional traveling series as they, too, choose PPMS to kick-off their 2024 racing season. "Fans have clamored for the return of E-mods since I started at the speedway in 2020," states speedway announcer Tyler Harris. "Drivers, too. We see it all of the time on social media. We're happy to provide a race and hopefully we see the support. I can see this being an annual show should it be successful."

BRP Modified Tour (May 4th) : Known as the "Ground-Pounders" or "Beasts of the North East", the Big Block Modifieds will also make a return this season. Similar to the RUSH Sportsman Modifieds that are traditionally seen at the speedway, these center-steer cars produce some excellent racing action throughout Western Pennsylvania. The wide, sweeping turns of PPMS have historically provided an excellent racing surface for the big blocks. Pair that with a Cinco De Mayo Fiesta, fans will be in for a great experience for this show.

Heat Wave 25 (August 10th) : It's no secret that Super Late Models have been in high demand at the speedway. Fans will be thrilled as they return for an unsanctioned show, featuring a 25 lap A-Main feature with a minimum of $2,000 to win. However, a guaranteed starting spot in the $50,000 to win Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Pittsburgher presented by Big River Steel is also on the line for the winner, just to spice things up a bit. They say that August brings the heat, but this one is sure to accomplish the same feat. Special thanks to Marion Center Raceway for accommodating a night off for their Super Late Model competitors. RUSH Late Models have been given the night off for this event and are encouraged to support the RUSH Late Model Touring Series race taking place that night at Marion Center Raceway.

Returning Favorites

Young Guns "Choice For Change" Charity Race (May 25th) : Our teenage division is really something special. Since 2005, this division has produced some of the future starts of Western Pennsylvania racing and will continue to do so in 2024. Last year was the inaugural running of this event, as Matt Kokolis and Glassworks came forward with an idea for our Young Gun competitors to help a local organization of their choice. The winner of this event will donate the proceeds raised to their selected organization in victory lane.

Western PA Sprint Speedway (Thursday, May 30th) : This show produced some of the best sprint car racing to ever grace our racing surface. To have a show on the 5-race schedule is a treat and we hope that fans will make the extra effort on a Thursday night to be a part of it.

13th Annual Ed Laboon Memorial (June 8th) : What can we say? The Ed Laboon Memorial is one of the most prestigious Pro Stock events on the schedule each and every year. With the Penn Ohio Pro Stock Championship Series re-emerging, and the adaptation of allowing quick change rear-ends, this event should continue to host the very best Pro Stock drivers in our region while paying homage to the late Ed Laboon.

35th Annual Jook George Steel City Classic (July 29th) : Cleetus Motorsports the the George family have certainly ironed out an electrifying, must see annual event with the RUSH Late Model Touring Series. This illustrious event was founded on historically good racing. Through the years, high car counts and stout competition have made this race a must for regional competitors. Now, the fans see it to. "The Jook" features one of the best crowds that we will experience all year. The magic that was last years event will certainly carry over into 2024.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 36th Annual Pittsburgher 100 Weekend presented by Big River Steel (Friday, October 4th & Saturday, October 5th) : You may have noticed "100". We'll explain.

The "Chase for the Championship" was arguably the most heavily discussed topics in all of dirt racing last season. PPMS was right in the middle of it and we're thrilled to be a part of it again in 2024. The Pittsburgher returns to a two-night show in 2024, touting a $10,000 to win complete program on Friday and a $50,000 to win show on Saturday. Saturday's show will feature the richest purse in the history of the speedway.

Now, back to what "100" means. The Friday night portion for the Lucas Oil Late Models will host a 30 lap A-Main feature event. The following night will be host to a 70 lap A-Main feature event, for a total of 100 A-Main laps of racing on the weekend for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.

It wouldn't be a Pittsburgher Weekend without the RUSH Late Model Touring Series and two nights of the Bill Hendren Memorial. On Friday, the RUSH Late Models will joust in a $4,000 to win complete show. They will return on Saturday for a $10,000 to win event, keeping the Bill Hendren Memorial as one of the top races on the entire RUSH Late Model Touring Series schedule.

The Bob Walters Memorial has become a welcomed tradition of the Pittsburgher. The first two years of the event has shown promising growth. The 3rd Annual running of this event will now take its proper place in the National spotlight, streaming live on FloRacing. The Penn Ohio sanctioned Pro Stocks will be featured in the Friday night program only, but will race for a respectable minimum of $1,042 to win.

Additional Information

Tickets, pricing, and streaming information will all be released in the coming weeks. Please stay connected with us at ppms.com and on most social media platforms by searching @PAMotorSpeedway. For a printable schedule, please visit our schedule page.

 

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