All Star Kemenah Wins At PPMS

BY STEVE SKARUPA
Imperial, PA

It was a beautiful late summer evening at Dirt’s Monster Half-Mile with the Falconi’s Moon Township Automotive 410 Outlaw Winged Sprint Car Series in town. With a field of 19 sprint cars, PPMS would see qualifying, seven heat races, and six feature events. Chad Kemenah (4), from Alvada, Ohio, would take home the win in the Falconi’s Moon Township Automotive 410 Outlaw Winged Sprint Car 20-lap feature. In the Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model Dirt Series 20-lap feature, points leader Ben Policz (14B), from Rices Landing, picked up his second win of the season. In the PPMS Pro Stock division, Danny Rich (67X), from Imperial, picked up his fourth win of the season, while Tyler Fox (39F), from Pittsburgh, made it two wins in a row in the Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock division. Andy Garlinger (R88), from Hopedale, Ohio, and Susie Rudolph (55), from Steubenville, Ohio, both continued their winning streaks in the Four Cylinder and Young Guns divisions respectively.

Darrin Gallagher (12), from Butler, would set the fast-time in qualifying for the 410 Sprints with a time of 16.819. Carl Bowser (11), from Freeport, was a close-second with a time of 16.823, a 0.004-second difference.

In the Falconi’s Moon Township Automotive 410 Outlaw Winged Sprint Car 20-lap feature, John Garvin (4J) would start on the pole. Gallagher (12) would start to his outside in second place. Sye Lynch (42), from Apollo, would start in third and Chad Kemenah (4) would complete the top two rows. When the green flag dropped, Garvin (4J) would lead the field into turns one and two. Trouble would come in the middle of turns one and two when Layton Wagner (38) and Bob McMillian (5M) would get together, bringing out the red flag when one of the cars flipped. Both drivers appeared to be okay. Once the carnage was cleaned up, Garvin (4J) would lead the restart and would keep the lead when the field returned to green-flag conditions. Lap four saw lapped traffic for the front-runners and Kemenah (4) would begin to make his way to the front of the field. Eventually, Kemenah (4) would take the lead and pick up his first PPMS win of the season with the event going green to checkered after the red light crash on lap four. Kemenah (4) had an impressive 7.417-second win over the field. He was followed to the line by Bowser (11) in second, Lynch (42) in third, Garvin (4J) in fourth, Jack Sodeman Jr (23JR) in fifth, Gallagher (12) in sixth, Brandon Matus (13) in seventh, Dan Kuriger (08) in eighth, Frankie Nervo (21N) in ninth, and Gary Kreiss Jr. (55) completes the top 10. The heat race winners were Kemenah (4) and Kreiss Jr. (55).

In the Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model Dirt Series 20-lap feature Ben Policz (14B) would start on the pole. Next to him starting in second was John Mollick (60M), from Toronto, Ohio. Christian Schneider (1ST), from Warren, Ohio, would start in third, and Tim Shaffer (45), from Aliquippa, would complete the top two rows. When the green flag waved, Policz (14B) would keep the early lead. Lap six had Policz (14B) still leading, Mollick (60M) in second, and Christian Schneider (1ST) in third. Lap seven had Policz (14B) entering lapped-traffic with Mollick (60M) and Schneider (1ST) soon to follow. Lap 10 still had Policz (14B), Mollick (60M), and Schneider (1ST), First, Second, and Third, respectively. The event’s first caution would come on lap 12 for the 22J of Josh Stoica who got into the wall on the front stretch. Policz (14B) would lead the field on the restart and as fast as the green flag waved, the caution was out again for debris in turns one and two. Again, Policz (14B) would lead the field on the restart and retain the lead when green replaced yellow. Policz (14B) would lead the remaining laps of the event, en route to his second PPMS win of the season. He was followed to the line by Mollick (60M) in second, Logan Zarin (1Z) in third, Mike Duritsky (90J) in fourth, Ryan Frazee (11F) in fifth, Schneider (1ST) in sixth, Justin Lamb (93X) in seventh, Mike Ott (21M) in eighth, Dale Charlier (42S) in ninth, and Paul Jablonski (3JX) would round out the top ten. The heat race winners were Policz (14B) and Mollick (60M).

In the Pro Stock 15-lap feature, Bill Slade (A22), from Bethel Park, would start on the pole. To his outside and starting in second was Nick Kocuba (10), from Bulger. Points leader, Danny Rich (67X), from Imperial, would start in third, while A.J. Poljak (36), from Baldwin, would start in fourth, Mike Harris (18), from Bridgeville, would start in fifth, and Ryan Moyer (13X), from Portersville, would complete the six-car field. When the green flag dropped, Kocuba (10) would take the early lead with Rich (67X) following him into second place. Kocuba’s (10) lead was short-lived, as Rich (67X) would take the lead on lap two with Moyer (13X) already up to third. The caution came out on lap five when a car was spun-out on the backstretch. Rich (67X) would lead the field on the restart with Kocuba (10) in second, Moyer (13X) in third, Poljak (36) in fourth and Slade (A22) in fifth. When the green flag waved, Rich (67) would keep the lead and Moyer (13X) would take the second spot from Kocuba (10). Moyer (13X) would challenge Rich (67X) for the lead for the rest of the event, but Rich (67X) would hold on for his fourth Pro Stock win of the season. Following him to the line was Moyer (13X) in second, Poljak (36) in third, Kocuba (10) in fourth, Harris (18) in fifth, and Slade (A22) in sixth. The heat race winner was Rich (67X).

In the Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock 12-lap feature, Matt Bernard (15B), from Oakdale, would be the pole-sitter. To his outside and starting in second was Andrew Sutton (16A), from Monaca. Two-time defending point champion, Stephen Shelpman (17S), from Pleasant Hills, would start in third, and Marcus Simmons (68X), from Beaver Falls, would finish the top two rows. When the green flag dropped, S. Shelpman (17S) would take the early lead. Eighth-starting Tyler Fox (39F) was already up to third place by lap two with S. Shelpman (17S) still leading the field, and on the following lap, Fox (39F) would move into the second spot right behind S. Shelpman (17S). Fox (39F) would challenge S. Shelpman (17S) for the lead on lap five, and on lap six, the pair would enter lapped-traffic with six laps remaining in the event. Fox (39F) would steal the lead from S. Shelpman (17S) with three laps to go. Fox (39F) would lead those remaining three laps of the event, en route to his second Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock win in a row. During those three remaining laps, Fox (39F) was able to build an impressive 2.045 second lead over S. Shelpman (17S), who finished in second. Following the pair to the line was Frank Magill (05) in third, Simmons (68X) in fourth, Joe Anthony (221K) in fifth, Bernard (15B) in sixth, Ed Shelpman (17P) in seventh, Kayla McManus (00K) in eighth, Sutton (16A) in ninth, Tom Anton (13) in tenth, and Kaleb Behanna (79) would complete the 11-car field. The heat race winners were Fox (39F) and S. Shelpman (17S).

In the Four Cylinder eight-lap feature, John Gill (19G), from Burgettstown, would start on the pole, while Jason Romine (71) would start in second, Tanya Charlier (21), from Midway, would start in third, and “The Dominator” Andy Garlinger (R88) would round out the four-car field. When the green flag waved, Gill (19G) would keep the early lead but it wouldn’t last long. Garlinger (R88) would go to the low side and take the lead coming off of turn four. Lap two had Garlinger (R88) leading, Gill (19G) in second, Charlier (21) in third, and Romine (71) in fourth. By lap four, Garlinger (R88) had a half of a straightaway lead over the field. Garlinger (R88) began to lap the four-car field as he took the white flag and he would lead the field to another PPMS Victory. Following him to the line was Gill (19G) in second, Charlier (21) in third, and Romine (71) in fourth. Garlinger (R88) has won every Four Cylinder feature this season at PPMS. The Four Cylinders did not run a heat race.

In the Young Guns six-lap feature, Noah Bubeck (2) would start on the pole, while Tony Magill (05), from Jefferson Hills, started in second, Kyle Janas (88), from Coraopolis, started in third, Cameron Lambert (223), from Mars, would start in fourth, Cameron Hollister (44), from McDonald, would start in fifth, and the division points leader, Susie Rudolph (55) would complete the six-car field. When the green flag waved, Rudolph (55) began to march her way to the front of the field, and she took the lead on lap two. The event’s lone caution would come on the third lap and Rudolph (55) would choose the inside on the restart with Janas (88) in second, Bubeck (2) in third, and Hollister (44) in fourth. When the green flag dropped, Rudolph (55) would keep the lead, while Bubeck (2) would take the second spot from Janas (88), knocking him back to third. Janas (88) would take the second spot back off of Bubeck (2) on lap five. Rudolph (55) would continue to lead the field and led all eight laps of the event, en route to her eighth win on the season and seventh win in a row. She was followed to the line by Janas (88) in second, Hollister (44) in third, Bubeck (2) in fourth, T. Magill (05) in fifth, and Lambert (223) rounds out the six-car field. The Young Guns did not run a heat race.

Racing will resume at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 31, when the RUSH Sportsman Modified Series comes to Dirt’s Monster Half-Mile for an action event. PPMS will also be featuring, the Diehl Automotive RUSH Late Model Dirt Series, the PPMS Pro Stocks, the Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stocks, the Four Cylinders, and the Young Guns. Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps begin at 6 p.m., and the racing action will commence at 7 p.m. Visit the schedule section for pricing and tickets.

RESULTS

Falconi’s Auto 410 Sprint feature (20) – laps

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

1 – 4 – Chad Kemenah (4) – Alvada, OH

2 – 6 – Carl Bowser (11) – Freeport

3 – 3 – Sye Lynch (42) – Apollo

4 – 1 – John Garvin (4J)

5 – 5 – Jack Sodeman Jr. (23JR) – North Jackson, OH

6 – 2 – Darrin Gallagher (12) – Butler

7 – 7 – Brandon Matus (13) – Wampum

8 – 8 – Dan Kuriger (08)

9 – 12 – Frankie Nervo (21N)

10 – 11 – Gary Kreiss Jr. (55)

11 – 14 – Brent Matus (33) – Wampum

12 – 10 – Jim Morris (4N)

13 – 15 – Eric Williams (4W)

14 – 17 – George Frederick (22)

15 – 18 – Alan Free (00)

16 – 13 – David Jones (76)

17 – 19 – Gerald Harrhogan (23C)

18 – 9 – Layton Wagner (38)

19 – 16 – Bob McMillan (5M)

410 Sprint qualifying

Finishing spot – driver name (car number) – qualifying time

1 – Darrin Gallagher (12) – 16.819

2 – Carl Bowser (11) – 16.823

3 – Jack Sodeman Jr. (23JR) – 16.903

4 – Chad Kemenah (4) – 16.953

5 – Brandon Matus (13) – 17.076

6 – Dan Kuriger (08) – 17.424

7 – Layton Wagner (38) – 17.439

8 – John Garvin (4J) – 17.528

9 – Jim Morris (4N) – 17.567

10 – Sye Lynch (42) – 17.617

11 – Gary Kreiss Jr. (55) – 17.695

12 – Frankie Nervo (21N) – 17.845

13 – David Jones (76) – 17.971

14 – Brent Matus (33) – 18.038

15 – Bob McMillan (5M) – 18.119

16 – Eric Williams (4W) – 18.614

17 – George Frederick (22) – 18.769

18 – Gerald Harrhogan (23C) – 23.320

19 Alan Free (00) – 0.00

410 Sprint heat 1 (8) – laps

Finishing spot – driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. Chad Kemenah – 4 – [4]; 2. Carl Bowser – 11 – [2]; 3. Sye Lynch – 42 – [10]; 4. Jack Sodeman Jr. – 23JR – [3]; 5. John Garvin – 4J – [8]; 6. Darin Gallagher – 12 – [1]; 7. Brandon Matus – 13 – [5]; 8. Dan Kuriger – 08 – [6]; 9. Layton Wagner – 38 – [7]; 10. Jim Morris – 4N – [9];

410 Sprint heat 2 (8) – laps

Finishing spot – driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. Gary Kreiss Jr. – 55 – [1]; 2. Frankie Nervo – 21N – [2]; 3. David Jones – 76 – [3]; 4. Brent Matus – 33 – [4]; 5. Eric Williams – 4W – [6]; 6. Bob McMillian – 5M – [5]; 7. George Frederick – 22 – [7]; 8. Alan Free – 00 – [9]; 9. Gerald Harrhogan – 23C – [8];

Diehl Auto RUSH Late Model feature (20) – laps

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

1 – 1- Ben Policz (14B) – Rices Landing

2 – 2 – John Mollick (60M) – Toronto, OH

3 – 10 – Logan Zarin (1Z) – Moon

4 – 5 – Mike Duritsky (90J) – Masontown

5 – 7 – Ryan Frazee (11F) – Addison

6 – 3 – Christian Schneider (1ST) – Warren, OH

7 – 13 – Justin Lamb (93X) – Findlay Township

8 – 6 – Mike Ott (21M)

9 – 17 – Dale Charlier (42S) – Midway

10 – 8 – Paul Jablonski (3JX) – Carnegie

11 – 14 – Eric Hamilton (33X)

12 – 16 – John Boring (58B) – Valley Grove, WV

13 – 12 – Brian Gobel (12G) – Beaver Falls

14 – 9 – Tom Duratz (55D) – Carnegie

15 – 11 – Heath Close (77H) – Shaler

16 – 15 Josh Stoica (22J) – New Cumberland, WV

17 – 4 – Tim Shaffer (45) – Aliquippa

DNS D.J. Nakutis (31)

RUSH heat 1 (8) – laps

Finishing spot – driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. Ben Policz – 14B -[2]; 2. Logan Zarin – 1Z – [1]; 3. Mike Duritsky – 90J – [5]; 4. Tim Shaffer – 45 – [4]; 5. Tom Duratz – 55D – [7]; 6. Christian Schneider – 1ST – [6]; 7. Justin Lamb – 93X – [3]; 8. Josh Stoica – 22J – [8]; 9. Dale Charlier – 42S – [9];

RUSH heat 2 (8) – laps

Finishing spot – driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. John Mollick – 60M – [4]; 2. Paul Jablonski – 3JX – [2]; 3. Mike Ott – 21M – [3]; 4. Ryan Frazee – 11F – [8]; 5. Heath Close – 77H – [6]; 6. Brian Goebel – 12G – [5]; 7. Eric Hamilton – 33X – [1]; 8. John Boring – 58B – [9]; 9. DJ Nakutis – 31 – [7];

Pro Stock feature (15) – laps

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

1 – 3 – Danny Rich (67X) – Imperial

2 – 6 – Ryan Moyer (13X) – Portersville

3 – 4 – A.J. Poljak (36) – Baldwin

4 – 2 – Nick Kocuba (10) – Bulger

5 – 5 – Mike Harris (18) – Bridgeville

6 – 1 – Bill Slade (A22) – Bethel Park

Pro Stock heat 1 (8) – laps

Finishing spot – driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. Danny Rich – 67X – [2]; 2. Ryan Moyer – 13X – [4]; 3. Mike Harris – 18 – [3]; 4. Nick Kocuba – 10 – [5]; 5. A.J. Poljak – 36 – [6]; 6. Bill Slade – A22 – [1];

Keystone Coach Works Hobby Stock feature (12) – laps

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

1 – 8 – Tyler Fox (39F) – Pittsburgh

2 – 3 – Stephen Shelpman (17S) – Pleasant Hills

3 – 6 – Frank Magill (05) – Jefferson Hills

4 – 4 – Marcus Simmons (68X) – Beaver Falls

5 – 10 – Joe Anthony (221K) – Pittsburgh

6 – 1 – Matt Bernard (15B) – Oakdale

7 – 5 – Ed Shelpman (17P) – Pleasant Hills

8 – 9 – Kayla McManus (00K) – Elizabeth

9 – 2 – Andrew Sutton (16A) – Monaca

10 – 7 – Tom Anton (13) – Jefferson Hills

11 – 11 – Kaleb Behanna (79) – Finleyville

Hobby Stock heat 1 (8) – laps

Finishing spot – driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. Stephen Shelpman – 17S – [2]; 2. Frank Magill – 05 – [1]; 3. Ed Shelpman – 17P – [3]; 4. Andrew Sutton – 16A – [4]; 5. Kayla McManus – 00K – [6]; 6. Kaleb Behanna – 79 – [5];

Hobby Stock heat 2 (8) – laps

Finishing spot – driver name – car number – [starting spot];

1. Tyler Fox – 39F – [2]; 2. Marcus Simmons – 68X – [3]; 3. Matt Bernard – 15B – [5]; 4. Tom Anton – 13 – [1]; 5. Joe Anthony – 221K – [4];

Four Cylinder feature (8) – laps

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

1 – 4 – Andy Garlinger (R88) – Hopedale, OH

2 – 1 – John Gill (19G) – Burgettstown

3 – 3 – Tanya Charlier (21) – Midway

4 – 2 – Jason Romine (71)

The Four Cylinders did not run a heat race.

Young Guns feature (6) – laps

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

1 – 6 – Susie Rudolph (55) – Steubenville, OH

2 – 3 – Kyle Janas (88) – Coraopolis

3 – 5 – Cameron Hollister (44) – McDonald

4 – 1 – Noah Bubeck

5 – 2 – Tony Magill (05) – Jefferson Hills

6 – 4 – Cameron Lambert (22G) – Mars

The Young Guns did not run a heat race.