Herb Scott Memorial Next At PPMS

By Rich Berry
June 14, 2017

Racing action continues at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 17, with the running of the Fifth Annual Herb Scott Memorial, honoring the popular Pittsburgh area racing legend. The Super Late Models will take top billing, featuring Race 1 of the Diehl Automotive Super Series with the Zimmer’s Service Center United Late Model Series, as the winner will earn $3,000. Also joining the card for a special event will be the Big Block Modifieds, for the first of their three race mini-series at the track this season. The Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models and Sunoco Sportsman will compete in weekly point racing, as the RUSH Modifieds will also be visiting. There will be no racing at the track on Saturday, June 24.

Saturday night’s Late Model card will see drivers earning points for the weekly Diehl Automotive Super Late Model standings plus the Diehl Automotive Super Series, along with earning ULMS Series points. John Flinner leads the weekly standings by nine points over Jon Hodgkiss, with Tony Musolino two points behind. Keith Barbara, Colton Flinner, and Jared Miley are the feature winners in 2017. Dave Hess, Jr. leads the ULMS points with Greg Oakes and Damian Bidwell tied for second, ahead of Max Blair and Kyle Knapp.

Daryl Charlier lost the division point lead in last week’s feature event for the Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, after suffering a flat tire with a few laps remaining in the race. He now sits ten points behind Justin Lamb and last Saturday’s feature winner John Mollick, who are tied for the division lead. All three drivers have a feature win to their credit so far this season.

A.J. Poljak took over the point lead in the Sunoco Sportsman division after last week’s events. Dave McManus scrambled to stay two points behind in the standings after being involved in an incident in hot laps, as a backup car was utilized due to the damage to his primary car. Bob Schwartzmiller earned last Saturday’s win over Danny Rich, after Todd Weldon suffered mechanical issues while leading.

Saturday’s Modified race will be event 44 in track history. Deek Scott, Herb Scott’s son, won the first Modified event held at the track on Wednesday, June 13, 1979. The second Modified race at the track was held in 1980 and was won by Ed Lynch, Sr. There would not be another Modified race at the track until 1987 when the division was added weekly. The first race in 1987 was won by Bob Wearing, Sr., and the weekly racing ended in 1990 with an event won by Scott Gurdak. The class would not return until May 23, 2009, when Kevin Bolland was the winner. There have been 19 different winners in the 43 events, as Wearing is the all time win leader with 13. Next on the win list are Ralph Spithaler and Bob Wearing, Jr. with four wins each. The late Lou Blaney and Dave Murdick are next on the list with three wins, with Murdick being the active driver with the most victories at the track. Bolland and New York driver Chad Brachmann are next on the win list with two wins at the track, and Bolland is planning on competing on Saturday. The last Modified event at the track was held on July 16 of last year with Garrett Krummert the winner.

The RUSH Modifieds will be making their second of six visits this season, as Rocky Kugel was the winner of their initial visit this season over a 14 car field. It will be the tenth visit by the RUSH Modifieds, as New York driver Greg Martin leads with three wins. Kugel and Nick Ritchey have a pair of wins, as Adam Hilton and Chas Wolbert have single wins.

The 2017 fuels incentive continues to race on at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Sponsored by Brian Bazell of Bazell Race Fuels, the fuel incentive program is open to each week to any race team in the RUSH Late Models and Sunoco Sportsman division. This week it will be open to the RUSH Modifieds as well. To be entered in each week, teams must purchase at least five gallons of fuel at the track to be eligible, plus carry a Sunoco decal. The highest finishing car that is entered and eligible will earn five gallons of the fuel that they purchased. Winners of five gallons of free Sunoco Racing Fuels from last week are John Mollick in the RUSH Late Models, and Sportsman driver Danny Rich.

For all racing programs, the gates open at 5:00 PM, with warm-ups at 6:00 PM and racing at 7:00 PM. Follow us on Facebook at @PAMotorSpeedway or on Twitter at @PAMotorSpeedway for timely information updates. The Twitter account is used extensively on race nights for live updates. Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway is located west of the city of Pittsburgh, just south of the Noblestown exit of U.S. Route 22, or 170 Kelso Road in Imperial, PA, for GPS purposes. The track phone is 724-695-3363 on race days, or call 412-279-RACE. For complete information including ticket information, please visit the track website at www.ppms.com .

2017 Remaining Schedule of Events:

Saturday, June 17, 2017 – The Fifth Annual Herb Scott Memorial, featuring Race 1 of the Diehl Automotive Super Series with the Zimmer’s Service Center United Late Model Series. Plus Big Block Modifieds, Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sunoco Sportsman, and RUSH Modifieds.

Saturday, June 24, 2017 – No racing, PPMS Employees June Vacation.

Saturday, July 1, 2017 – Berks/Nickles presents Dollar Dog Night with Diehl Automotive Driver Autograph Night, featuring the Rick’s Trucks and Equipment BOSS Sprint Series for traditional non-winged sprints. Plus Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sunoco Sportsman, Super6 Late Models, Miley Truck Rental Hobby Stocks, Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns, CruiseAmerica Open Fours. Twin State Auto Racing Club Night.

Saturday, July 8, 2017 – Lantern Fest, no racing.

Saturday, July 15, 2017 – Race 2 for the Diehl Automotive Super Series, featuring the Ultimate Super Late Model Northeast Tour for Super Late Models, $3000 to win and $400 to start. Plus Big Block Modifieds, Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sunoco Sportsman, and RUSH Modifieds.

Saturday, July 22, 2017 – Tony Stewart’s Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions Winged Sprints, presented by Falconi’s Moon Township Automotive, plus a Sizzler Series event for the Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, and RUSH Modifieds.

Saturday, July 29, 2017 – “Action Event” featuring a Sizzler Series race for Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, plus Diehl Automotive Super Late Models, Sunoco Sportsman, Super6 Late Models, Miley Truck Rental Hobby Stocks, Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns, and CruiseAmerica Open Fours.

Saturday, August 5, 2017 – “Action Event” featuring the Wee Willie White Sportsman Showdown for the Homak Manufacturing Penn Ohio Pro Stock Series for Sunoco Sportsman. Plus Diehl Automotive Super Late Models, Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Super6 Late Models, Miley Truck Rental Hobby Stocks, Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns, and CruiseAmerica Open Fours.

Saturday, August 12, 2017 – The 28th Annual Jook George Steel City Classic for Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models and the Sweeney Chevrolet RUSH Dirt Late Model Series, plus Diehl Automotive Super Late Models and Sunoco Sportsman.

Saturday, August 19, 2017 – No racing, PPMS Employees August Vacation.

Saturday, August 26, 2017 – The 11th Annual Red Miley Rumble, with Race 3 for the Diehl Automotive Super Series. Ultimate Super Late Model Northeast Tour for Super Late Models, $3000 to win and $400 to start. Plus Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sunoco Sportsman, Super6 Late Models, Miley Truck Rental Hobby Stocks, Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns, and CruiseAmerica Open Fours.

Saturday, September 2, 2017 – The “Fall Wing Fling, featuring 410 Outlaw Winged Sprints and Alternative Power Sources Outlaw 305 Sprints. Plus Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sunoco Sportsman, Super6 Late Models, Miley Truck Rental Hobby Stocks, Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns, and CruiseAmerica Open Fours.

Saturday, September 9, 2017 – Colussy Chevrolet night, featuring an “Action Event” with Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sunoco Sportsman, Miley Truck Rental Hobby Stocks, Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns, and CruiseAmerica Open Fours. Plus the CarSmile Wiper Blades “Thunder on the Dirt” Vintage Racing Series. AAA presents Bike Races for kids.

Saturday, September 16, 2017 – Modasaures X featuring the Big Block Modifieds, with a Sizzler Event for the Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, plus Super6 Late Models, Miley Truck Rental Hobby Stocks, Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns, and CruiseAmerica Open Fours.

Saturday, September 23, 2017 – Open Wheel Mania for Alternative Power Sources Outlaw 305 Sprints, and RUSH Modifieds. Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sunoco Sportsman, Miley Truck Rental Hobby Stocks, Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns, and CruiseAmerica Open Fours.

Saturday, September 30, 2017 – “Action Event” with the final point race for 2017, featuring the Tune Up 20 for Diehl Automotive Super Late Models, plus Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sunoco Sportsman, Super6 Late Models, Miley Truck Rental Hobby Stocks, Imperial Heights Garage Young Guns, and CruiseAmerica Open Fours. As an added attraction, RUSH Modifieds.

Friday, October 6 – Qualifying events for the $20,000 to win 29th Annual Pittsburgher 100 featuring the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, plus the Bill Hendren Memorial for the Sweeney Chevrolet RUSH Dirt Late Model Series, and the Cruise America PENNational for the Homak Manufacturing Penn/Ohio Pro Stock Series.

Saturday, October 7 – The $20,000 to win 29th Annual Pittsburgher 100 featuring the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, plus the Bill Hendren Memorial for the Sweeney Chevrolet RUSH Dirt Late Model Series, and the Cruise America PENNational for the Homak Manufacturing Penn/Ohio Pro Stock Series.