2023 Season Kicks Off At PPMS

Imperial, PA (May 7, 2023)

After a long off-season, and a delayed opening night thanks to Mother Nature, the RUSH Sprint Car Series would headline an Action Event at Dirt’s Monster Half Mile to kick off the 2023 racing season. PPMS would see nine heat races and six feature events spread across six divisions.

John Mollick (4J), from Toronto, Ohio, would eventually take the lead away from Chad Ruhlman (68) in the RUSH Sprint Car feature to pick up the victory. Brandon Burgoon (5X), from McDonald, would pick up his first career win for the RUSH Late Models when he won their 20-lap feature event. Jordan Perkins (13J), from New Castle, would get the win for the Penn Ohio Prostocks, while Stephen Shelpman (17P), from Pleasant Hills, would come out of retirement to get the win for the Hobby Stocks. Kyle Janas (88), from Coraopolis, would win the Crawford Auto Repair eight-lap feature, while Gavin Kokolis (91), from Oakdale, would pick up his first career win for the All Ways Safe Young Guns.

Chad Ruhlman (68), from Bemus Point, New York, would start on the pole in the RUSH Sprint Car Series 15-lap feature with Mollick (4J) starting to his outside. Ruhlman (68) has been very dominant at PPMS in recent years, winning almost every feature he has competed in for the RUSH Sprint Cars, and he would jump out to an early lead. Mollick (4J) would pass Ruhlman (68) for the lead just under the flag stand but Ruhlman (68) would retake the lead as they exited turn two. The duo would continue this trade-off through lap six when Mollick (4J) would become the sole race leader and begin to distance himself from the field. Mollick (4J) would lead the field through lap 10 with Ruhlman (68) still in second, and Zach Wilson (01), from Belmont, West Virginia in third. The race would go green to checkers in record fashion as Mollick picked up win number one on the season. Ruhlman (68) and Wilson (01) would finish second and third respectively, while Gale Ruth Jr finished fourth and Blaze Meyers (43JR) would round out the top five. The heat race winners were Wilson (01) and Mollick (4J).

Tommy Schirnhofer (8S), from Dormont, would start on the pole in the RUSH Late Model (20) – lap feature with the 4J of John Mollick to his outside. Jake Gunn (14G), from McDonald, would start in second, while Burgoon (5X) started in fourth and Zach Gunn (17G), from McDonald, would start in fifth. When the green flag dropped, the field wouldn’t complete a lap before the first caution was out for the 17G of Zach Gunn who spun out low in turn two. A complete restart would ensue and this time, Mollick (4J) would take the lead, and the field would get one lap completed before another caution was out for Brian Huchko (60H). On the restart, Mollick (4J) would retain his lead, but Burgoon (5X) was now behind him in second. Another caution would slow the pace on lap four for the 05 of Frank Magill who couldn’t make it into the pits after tagging the outside wall. When green replaced yellow, Burgoon (5X) would take over the lead on lap five and the field would finally begin to record some laps. Eventually, Cole Petrelle (184) who was in last place at the start of the event, moved into second place but Burgoon (5X) was on a rail with a full straightaway lead by lap 18. Burgoon (5X) would lead the final laps of the event and pick up his first career RUSH Late Model win. He was followed by Petrelle (184), in second, Mollick (4J) in third, Mike Reft (9R) in fourth, and Schirhofer (8S) in fifth. The heat race winners were Reft (9R) and Burgoon (5X).

The Hobby Stock (15) – lap feature was up next and Justin Clark (02), from Pittsburgh, would start on the pole with Marc Corio (14), from South Fayette to his outside. The second row consisted of Matt Benard (15), from Oakdale, in third, and Tyler Fox (39F), from Pittsburgh, in fourth. When the green flag dropped, Gary Koteles (65K), from Stockdale, would pull away with the early lead. Lap two had Koteles (65K) still leading, Benard (15) in second, Garrett O’Patchen (25) in third, and Stephen Shelpman (17P) already up to fourth after starting last. Shelpman (17P) would move into third on the next lap and then the event’s first caution would slow the pace. On the restart, Shelpman (17P) would take over the lead with Koteles (65K) now in second, and O’Patchen (25) in third. By lap nine, Shelpman (17P) had a half-straightaway lead over the field but the event’s final caution would come on lap 12 for Corio (14) who spun out between turns three and four. When green replaced yellow, Shelpman (17P) would keep his lead, lead the final laps of the event, and pick up his first Hobby Stock win of the season. He was followed by Benard (15) in second, Koteles (65K) in third, Tyler Fox (39F) in fourth, and O’Patchen (25) would complete the top five. The heat race winners were Benard (15) and O’Patchen (25).

2022 Penn Ohio Pro Stock Champion, AJ Poljak (36), from Baldwin, would start on the pole for their 15-lap feature with Jordan Perkins (13J) to his outside. When the green flag waved, Poljak (36) would take the early lead as Perkins (13J) was right behind him in second. Poljak (36) would lead through lap two but Perkins (13J) would take over the lead on lap three. The field pretty much stayed the same the entire race and it went green to checkers. Perkins (13J) would pick up his first win of the season followed by Poljak (36) in second, Jason Fosnaught (25) in third, Dale Tuche (310) in fourth, and Nick Kocuba (10) would complete the top five. The heat race winner was Fosnaught (25).

The Crawford Auto Repair Four Cylinder eight-lap feature was up next and Kyle Janas (88) would start on the pole with Eric Reynolds (53) starting to his outside in second. When the green flag dropped, Janas (88) would pull away with the early lead. Janas (88) and Reynolds (53) would run one and two almost the entire race with all eight laps being completed in record fashion. Janas (88) picked up his first win of the season while Tyler Cuneo (11) finished second, Reynolds (53) finished third, Travis Clark (05T) finished fourth, and Tony Kloss (97) completed the top five. The heat race winner was Janas (88).

Last but not least were the All Ways Safe Flagging And Traffic Control Young Guns and Gavin Kokolis (91) would start on the pole with Paige Jones (67) starting to his outside. The second row had Sadie Snatchko (56) starting in third, and AJ Manganello (50) starting in fourth. When the green flag waived, Kokolis (91) would pull away with the early lead, and Manganello (50) would settle into second. At the halfway point of the event, Kokolis (91) had already built a nice half-straightaway lead over the field. Kokolis (91) would lead the remaining laps of the event and go on to win his first All Ways Safe Young Guns race. He was followed to the line by Manganello (50) in second, Snatchko (56) in third, Zoey Knight (78Z) in fourth, and Sumara Weaver (112W) completed the top five. The heat race winner was Snatchko (56).

Racing resumes at Dirt’s Monster Half Mile next Saturday, May 13, 2023, when the PA Thunder On The Dirt Vintage Modifieds come to PPMS for an Action Event. Also on the card with the Vintage Modifieds are the Rohrich RUSH Late Models, the Hobby Stocks, the Penn Ohio Pro Stocks, the Crawford Auto Repair Four Cylinders, and the All Ways Safe Flagging And Traffic Control 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. Visit our schedule section for pricing and tickets!

RESULTS

RUSH Sprint Car Feature (15) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Starting Spot – Driver Name (Car Number) – Hometown

1 – 2 – John Molkick (4J), Toronto, OH

2 – 1 – Chad Ruhlman (68) – Bemus Point, NY

3 – 4 – Zach Wilson (1) – Belmont, WV

4 – 6 – Gale Ruth Jr (24)

5 – 8 – Blaze Meyers (43JR) – Franklin

6 – 3 – Brian Hartzell (69) – Oil City

7 – 7 – AJ MacQuarrie (69X) – Titusville

8 – 11 – Brian Cressley (41) – Erie

9 – 5 – Jeff Metsger (20) – Connesville

10 – 9 – Hunter Exley (5E) – Franklin

11 – 12 – Brandon Shughart (29)

12 – 10 – Charlie Utsinger (23) – Boardman, OH

13 – 13 – Joe Buccola (5B) – Falconer, NY

14 – 14 – Trent Marshall (17) – Smicksburg

RUSH Sprint Heat 1 (8) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Driver Nam – Car Number – [Starting Spot];

Zack Wilson – 1 – [1]; 2. Brian Hartzell – 69 – [7]; 3. Jeff Metsger – 20 – [2]; 4. AJ MacQuarri – 69X – [4]; 5. Hunter Exley – 5E – [3]; 6. Brian Cressley – 41 – [6]; 7. Joe Buccola – 5B – [5];

RUSH Sprint Heat 2 (8) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Driver Nam – Car Number – [Starting Spot];

John Mollick – 4J – [3]; 2. Gale Ruth Jr – 24 – [1]; 3. Chad Ruhlman – 68 – [4]; 4. Blaze Meyers – 43JR – [2]; 5. Charlie Utsinger – 23 – [6]; 6. Brandon Shughart – 29 – [5]; 7. Trent Marshall – 17 – [7];

Rohrich RUSH Late Model Feature (20) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Starting Spot – Driver Name (Car Number) – Hometown

1 – 4 – Brandon Burgoon (5X) – McDonald

2 – 14 – Cole Petrelle (184) – Follansbee, WV

3 – 2 – John Mollick (4J) – Toronto, OH

4 – 7 – Mike Reft (9R) – Pittsburgh

5 – 1 – Tommy Schirnhofer (8S) – Dormont

6 – 10 – Tony Musolino (42) – Carnegie

7 – 6 – Tom Klein (77) – Rochester

8 – 8 – Kassidy Kamicker (72B) – Aliquippa

9 – 12 – Cody Koteles (1K) – Stockdale

10 – 11 – Frank Magill (05) – Jefferson Hills

11 – 5 – Zach Gunn (17G) – McDonald

12 – 3 – Jake Gunn (14G) – McDonald

13 – 13 – Brian Huchko (60H) – McDonald

14 – 9 – Dave Goebel (20G) – Aliquippa

RUSH Late Model Heat 1 (8) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Driver Nam – Car Number – [Starting Spot];

Mike Reft – 9R – [3]; 2. Jake Gunn – 14G – [7]; 3. Kassidy Kamicker – 72B – [2]; 4. John Mollick – 4J – [5]; 5. Dave Gobel – 20G – [4]; 6. Frank Magill – 05 – [1]; 7. Brian Huchko – 60H – [6];

RUSH Late Model Heat 2 (8) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Driver Nam – Car Number – [Starting Spot];

Brandon Burgoon – 5X – [5]; 2. Tom Klein – 77 – [4]; 3. Tommy Schirnhofer – 8S – [6]; 4. Zach Gunn – 17G – [2]; 5. Tony Musolino – 42 – [3]; 6. Cody Koteles – 1K – [7]; 7. Cole Petrelle – 184 – [1];

Penn Ohio Pro Stock Feature (15) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Starting Spot – Driver Name (Car Number) – Hometown

1 – 3 – Jordan Perkins (13J) – New Castle

2 – 1 – AJ Poljak (36) – Baldwin

3 – 4 – Jason Fosnaught (25) – Tarentum

4 – 6 – Dale Tuche (310) – Chewick

5 – 2 – Nick Kocuba (10) – Burgettstown

6 – 5 – Heath Close (77H) – Shaler

7 – 7 – Emmerson Laboon (114) – Elizabeth

DNS – Tony Magill (M5) – Jefferson Hills

Penn Ohio Pro Stock Heat 1 (8) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Driver Nam – Car Number – [Starting Spot];

Jason Fosnaught – 25 – [1]; 2. AJ Poljak – 36 – [5]; 3. Jordan Perkins – 13J – [6]; 4. Nick Kocuba – 10 – [2]; 5. Heath Close – 77H – [4]; 6. Dale Tuche – 310 – [7]; 7. Emmerson Laboon – 114 – [7]; DNS – Tony Magill – 05 –

Hobby Stock Feature (15) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Starting Spot – Driver Name (Car Number) – Hometown

1 – 13 – Stephen Shelpman (17P) – Pleasant Hills

2 – 3 – Matt Benard (15) – Oakdale

3 – 5 – Gary Koteles (65K) – Stockdale

4 – 4 – Tyler Fox (39F) – Pittsburgh

5 – 6 – Garrett O’Patchen (25) – Pittsburgh

6 – 8 – Leroy Brown (40B) – Aliquippa

7 – 11 – Steve Pyeritz (05)

8 – 10 – Jacob Wiser (0U2) – Mckees Rocks

9 – 9 – Cole Cochran (72)

10 – 12 – Mike Tropeck (47T) – McDonald

11 – 1 – Justin Clark (02) – Pittsburgh

12 – 2 – Marc Corio (14) – South Fayette

13 – 7 – Karlee Kovacs (221K) – Carnegie

DNS – Logan Koteles (64K) – Stockdale

DNS – Jonathan Koteles (2K) – Stockdale

DNS – Joe Brown (74) – Aliquippa

DNS – Cameron Hollister (44) – McDonald

DNS – Joe Brown (48) – Aliquippa

Hobby Stock Heat 1 (8) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Driver Nam – Car Number – [Starting Spot];

Matt Benard – 15 – [2]; 2. Leroy Brown – 40B – [3]; 3. Tyler Fox – 39F – [7]; 4. Justin Clark – 02 – [4]; 5. Cole Cochran – 72 – [8]; 6. Steve Pyeritz – 05 – [5]; 7. Logan Koteles – 64K – [1]; DNS – Jonathan Koteles – 2K – ; DNS – Cameron Hollister – 44 –

Hobby Stock Heat 2 (8) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Driver Nam – Car Number – [Starting Spot];

Garrett O’Patchen – 25 – [4]; 2. Gary Koteles – 65K – [3]; 3. Marc Corio – 14 – [2]; 4. Karlee Kovacs – 221K – [6]; 5. Jacob Wiser – OU2 – [5]; 6. Mike Tropeck – 47T – [7]; 7. Stephen Shelpman – 17P – [1]; DNS – Joe Brown Sr – 74 – ; DNS – Joe Brown Jr – 48 – ;

Crawford Auto Repair Open Four Cylinder Feature (8) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Starting Spot – Driver Name (Car Number) – Hometown

1 – 1 – Kyle Janas (88) – Coraopolis

2 – 3 – Tyler Cuneo (11)

3 – 2 – Eric Reynolds (53)

4 – 4 – Travis Clark (05T) – Pittsburgh

5 – 5 – Tony Kloss (97)

6 – 6 – Craig Rudolph (5R) – Steubenville, OH

7 – 7 – Tyler Hollister (69) – McDonald

Four Cylinder Heat 1 (6) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Driver Nam – Car Number – [Starting Spot];

Kyle Janas – 88 – [4]; 2. Tyler Cuneo – 11 – [2]; 3. Eric Reynolds – 53 – [1]; 4. Travis Clark – 05T – [3]; 5. Tony Kloss – 97 – [6]; 6. Craig Rudolph – 5R – [7]; 7. Tyler Hollister – 69 – [5];

All Ways Safe Young Guns Feature (6) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Starting Spot – Driver Name (Car Number) – Hometown

1 – 1 – Gavin Kokolis (91) – Oakdale

2 – 4 – AJ Manganello (50)

3 – 3 – Sadie Snatchko (56) – Oakdale

4 – 5 – Zoey Knight (78Z) – Plum

5 – 6 – Sumara Weaver (112W) – Daisy Town

6 – 2 – Abby Gindelsperger (05) – Jefferson Hills

Young Guns Heat 1 (6) – Laps

Finishing Spot – Driver Nam – Car Number – [Starting Spot];

Sadie Snatchko – 56 – [3]; 2. Paige Jones – 67 – [1]; 3. AJ Manganello – 50 – [6]; 4. Gavin Kokolis – 91 – [7]; 5. Zoey Knight – 78Z – [5]; 6. Sumara Weaver – 112W – [4]; 7. Cheyenne Hollister – 29M – [8]; 8. Abby Gindlesperger – 05 – [3];