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Larson Doubles at Port Royal

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Trent Gower

PORT ROYAL, PA (October 10, 2020): Kyle Larson did it again at Port Royal Speedway, beating the best of the World of Outlaws and the Pennsylvania Posse in the Nittany Showdown. After scoring the his 41st dirt win of the COVID affected season, Larson admitted that his goal is get to 50 by the end of the year. To reach that number, he will probably need to go on another rampage in the Midgets like he did in the run up to his first Chili Bowl title.

Larson had a little luck on his side this night. Brent Marks blew by him on the rim in turn two with three laps remaining. The pass was nullified, however, when Kerry Madsen brought his car to a stop in the middle of the back stretch. Because the new leader did not get back to the scoring loop before that happened, Larson regained the lead for the restart. “I definitely got really luck there,” Larson said with a sigh of relief. “I got trapped behind Spencer (Bayston). He was running the top and I went down and so did he and Brent went ripping around us and then the yellow came out.”

Once installed again as the leader, Larson started looking for his crew to give him some signals as to how he should approach the remaining three laps. Larson got help form his car owner and crew chief, Paul Silva. “Paul just told me get on top and let it rip,” Larson said. Continuing, he added, “Marks came down early (off turn four) and showed me his nose. I pinched him down and maybe messed up his line so he couldn’t slide me. I never saw him after that.”

It was an all-Pennsylvania front row for the start of the thirty lapper. Lance Dewease and Brent Macri had the Posse faithful in a frenzy. It was a California second row, with Gio Scelzi joined by Larson. The Outlaws held down row three, with Sheldon Haudenschild and Brad Sweet carrying their colors. Carson Macedo and Marks were in row four, with Kyle Reinhart and Brock Zearfoss in row five. Dylan Cisney and Logan Schuchart started in row six.

Dewease pulled away from Macri at the exit of turn four to lead the way into the first corner. However, Larson slipped to the inside of Macri and took second coming off turn two. Haudenschild tucked in behind Macri, with Scelzi and Marks fighting for fifth.

Three Rivers Karting

Dewease opened up a comfortable margin over his friend, Larson, and the fans were loving every minute of it. Several alps into the contest, though, Dewease made a rare mistake. He got his right rear over the narrow ledge in turns one and two and struck the wall. He was able to keep the car moving and did not lose a position, but something was amiss. Larson reeled him in. The two put on a remarkable battle for the lead for several laps, but Larson claimed the lead by lap ten.

“I really didn’t know who was second,” Dewease said. “I clobbered the wall and the car wasn’t very good after that. I thought about pulling off.” But, Dewease soldiered on. He held second until lap 18, when Marks went by on the high side of turn one. Haudenschild did likewise several laps later after an intense duel with Dewease. However, Dewease showed that his superior knowledge of the track could make up for some deficiencies in the performance of his car. He was able to slide Haudenschild on the restart to regain third and Dewease ran an inspired three laps to close out the race, almost catching Marks for second at the finish.

Larson’s win ensured that the Pennsylvania drivers were shut out on their home turf for the first time in over a decade. Marks had mixed emotions following his second place finish. “I’m a little disappointed. For once we had a better car than he did. We’re proud to be standing up here after the mistake I made last night.” Marks was confessing error for the five car melee in turn four that knocked several cars out of contention for top ten positions.

Following Larson, Marks, and Dewease were Schuchart and Haudenschild. Scelzi, Zearfoss, Sweet, Macedo, and Logan Wagner completed the top ten.

Scelzi, Sweet, Macedo, and Marks were the heat winners. Michael Bauer was best in the Non Qualifiers race. The C Main victory went to T.J. Stutts. Danny Dietrich topped the B Main. Dewease won the dash. The evening’s fastest qualifier was Scelzi, with a lap of 16.095 seconds in Group A. Macedo was quickest in Group B with a time of 16.233.

Port Royal Speedway will be back in action next weekend with a three-day program for the STSS Modifieds and Sportsmen. Thursday will be a 40 lapper for the Modifieds. Friday will be qualifying night with semi-features for both Modifieds and Sportsmen. Saturday will be a 200 lap feature for the Modifieds paying $53,000 to the winner. Sportsmen will race 50 laps for $2,500. The season will conclude at the Speed Palace on October 24, when the Ninth Annual Keystone RaceSaver Challenge will be held for the 305 Sprint Cars. Limited Late Models and Mini Stocks will also be on that card.

Dirt Racing

Snyder Surprises in Thrilling Speedweek Finale at Tri City

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FRANKLIN, PA (June 1, 2025): In just his fifth winged 410 Sprint Car start ever, Steven Snyder, Jr. of Rising Sun, MD scored the big win at Tri City Raceway. The victory was his first in the class, and, most likely, his first top five finish as well. The highly successful driver of 600 Micros was the 100th 410 Sprint Car driver to grace victory lane at the Venango County oval. He earned $4,000 for the impressive effort and he secured second place in the points for the Western PA Speedweek series, which was abbreviated due to wet weather.

Blaze Myers and Jake Gomola won the support races for RUSH (Crate) Sprints and Allegheny Sprint Tour 305s, respectively.

“I didn’t expect to win,” Snyder said modestly. He explained that he had just finished some Midget racing in Illinois and it took him some time to get adjusted to the winged Sprint Car. The first night of Western PA Speedweek, at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, may well have been his first race of the year in a Winged Sprint.

Snyder came on strong in the closing laps, chasing down and then passing Jeremy Weaver in the final 50 feet, or less. “I hope that you (the fans) enjoyed that,” Snyder exclaimed. “He (Weaver) was kinda bound up front. I saw him enter high down there (gesturing toward turns three and four). We were good in three and four.” Snyder then won the dash to the scoring loop.

What is even more remarkable about Snyder’s win is that he survived a kamikaze attack by Ricky Peterson on lap nine. Snyder was leading at the time, with a lapped car separating him from Peterson, who was then racing in second. Peterson dove low entering turn three to get under the lapper, and his extreme momentum carried him well past the slower car and directly into Snyder. The two collided side to side very forcefully and, amazingly, they both maintained control of their cars. They bounced away from each other and kept on going. In the confusion, Weaver snuck by them both, grabbing the lead which he held until the stretch run on the last lap.

“I don’t know what that guy (Peterson) was thinking,” Snyder mused. “He about cleared us out.”

Weaver, who also ran second to Brandon Spithaler in the opening round of Speedweek, noted “I’m trying not to pout too bad. That’s two (races) that I gave away in traffic this week.” Weaver, who was running his old faithful mount this night, chalked it up to experience. His disappointment with the individual race results was assuaged by his achievement in the abbreviated series. His pair of second place finishes clinched the point championship by eight markers over Snyder. The adjusted point fund paid him $2,000.

Taking third was another unexpected competitor, Brock Hallett. His first outing at the track was a successful one for the Australian pilot. “That was different,” he said. Elaborating, he mentioned that the tracks in his homeland are much smaller than Tri City. He added, “I would have liked a few more laps. I like it in traffic.” He was able to reel in Snyder and Weaver in the closing laps as he negotiated the slower cars.

The luck of the draw placed Weaver and Snyder on the front row for the twenty-five lap finale. Behind them were Hallett and Peterson. In the third row were Brandon Spithaler and Adam Kekich. Then came Matt Farnham and Michael Bauer. Zane Devault and Brandon Matus were the last two racers eligible for the drawing. To be eligible, one had to finish first or second in the heat or be first or second in qualifying time.

Snyder used the middle of the track to race out to the early lead over Weaver. They were followed by Peterson, Hallett, Kekich, Spithaler, Bauer, Farnham, Devault, and Brandon Matus. Spithaler soon slowed to a stop, bringing out the only caution of the race on lap two. His misfortune eliminated him from any chance of taking the overall Speedweek title.

On the restart, Snyder resumed control, with Peterson holding second over a trio of cars numbered five: Weaver, Hallett, and Kekich. Farnham moved ahead of Bauer. Devault, Matus, and A.J. Flick closely followed.

Three Rivers Karting

Snyder maintained his lead despite encountering some lapped cars. However, on lap nine, he averted disaster. After being struck by Peterson, Snyder relinquished the lead to Weaver, who ducked low to avoid any involvement with them. In the aftermath of that incident, Hallett also advanced past Peterson. Kekich remained in fifth.

In the second half of the event, three racers moved forward. Farnham and Flick moved into the top five and Logan McCandless reached the top ten. Peterson faded, due in part to wing damage he sustained in his shunt with Snyder. Kekich also drifted out of the top ten.
Although Snyder’s car was leaking some oil, it continued to run smoothly. He chased down Weaver, who was having some difficulty with lapped traffic. Snyder made his dramatic move coming off turn four, nipping Weaver by just 0.079 seconds at the line.

Following Snyder, Weaver, and Hallett were Farnham and a fast closing Flick. Positions six through ten went to Devault, Peterson, McCandless, Bauer, and Brandon Matus.

Farnham, Devault, Bauer, and Hallett won their respective heats. Brent Matus prevailed in teh B Main. The evening’s fastest qualifier was Brandon Spithaler, with a lap of 15.104 seconds.

In the RUSH Sprint Car twenty lapper, Cooper Fritz used his front row starting spot to grab the early lead. However, eighth starting Blaze Myers zipped past him four laps into the fray. Gale Ruth, Jr. moved into second by the halfway mark.

Myers led the ramaining laps to earn his second victory of the season at Tri City. Ruth was second, followed by Fritz, Curt Emings, and Zach Morrow. Luke Mullichak, Arnie Kent, Ricky Tucker, III, Lucas Roessner, and Devon Deeter completed the top ten.

Ruth, Morrow, and Myers scored in the preliminaries. There was no B Main.

The Allegheny Sprint Tour closed out the night of open wheeled action. Jake Gomola, the founder of the AST, swept the heat and feature events. On the fifteen lap main, Gomola took the lead on the opening round. Although a caution wiped out his substantial lead, he was again able to build up a comfortable margin over Jim Pattock in the final six circuits.

Vivian Jones fought off Jeremy Kornbau in the second half of the race to earn the third position. Arnie Kent came on late for fifth. Roman Jones and Jazlyn Boyles were the final two finishers. Nolan Groves and Brandon McWilliams did not finish. Seth Harrelson did not start the contest.

Western PA Speedweek Round 2 Official Finish: Steven Snyder, Jr., Jeremy Weaver, Brock Hallett, Matt Farnham, A.J. Flick, Zane Devault, Rocky Peterson, Jr., Logan McCandless, Michael Bauer, Brandon Matus, Adam Kekich, Carl Bowser, Dalton Rumbaugh, Cody Bova, D.J. Christie, Jacob Begenwald, Dusty Larson, Todd Hoddick, Chase Metheny, Bodey McClintock, Andy Cavanaugh, Brent Matus, Brandon Spithaler, Michael Lutz, Jr. DNQ: Jimmy Morris, Jack Sodeman, Jr., Steve Bright, Louie Mattes, IV, Natalie Brannon, David Kalb, Jr., Davey Jones, Cale Thomas, Logen Lockhart.

RUSH Sprint Cars: Blaze Myers, Gale Ruth, Jr., Cooper Fritz, Curt Emings, Zach Morrow, Luke Mullichak, Aenie Kent, Ricky Rucker, III, Lucas Roessner, Devon Deeter, Grayson Bayle, Charlie Utsinger, T.J. Rosario, Cooper Macormac, Zach Wilson, John Mollick, Wyatt Long, Samantha Priest, Joe Buccola (DNS), Jesse Armstrong (DNS).

Allegheny Sprint Tour 305 Sprint Cars: Jake Gomola, Jimmy Pattock, Vivian Jones, Jeremy Kornbau, Arnie Kent, Roman Jones, Jazlyn Boyles, Nolan Groves, Brandon McWilliams, Seth Harrelson (DNS).

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Dirt Racing

Christian Schneider Sweeps Two at PPMS

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IMPERIAL, PA (May 31, 2025): Christian Schneider had a perfect night at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. He captured heat and feature wins in the top two divisions, RUSH (Crate) Late Models and Penn Ohio Pro Stocks. Also reaching victory lane were Leroy Brown in the Hobby Stocks and Cameron Hollister in the Open Four Cylinders.

After the RUSH Late Model win, Schneider said, “this thing has been a rocket ship since we got it. We’re still learning.”

Daryl Charlier and Clinton Hersh brought the RUSH Late Models to the green flag. They were followed by Brandon Burgoon and Kassidy Kamicker. In row three were Schneider and Brian Huchko. Timmy Shaffer and Jacob Billyk lined up in row four.

Hersh drove by Charlier in turns one and two to take the early lead, with Schneider up to third on the opening lap. Burgoon, Kamicker, and Huchko trailed. Charlier used the high line to take the lead away from Hersh on lap seven. Schneider soon followed into second.

Schneider also used the outside line in turn four to grab the lead on lap eleven. He pulled away from Charlier in the remaining nine laps.

Following Schneider and Charlier at the checkers were Hersh, Burgoon, and Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr. Kamicker, Huchko, Matthew Bernard, Billyk, and Michael Stephens completed the top ten.

Charlier and Schneider took the heat wins. There was no B Main.

Three Rivers Karting

In the Penn Ohio Pro Stock fifteen lapper, Stephen Shelpman blasted from the pole to the early lead. However, Christian Schneider claimed the second position on the opening lap, followed by Cody Koteles, Chris Schneider, and A.J. Poljak.

Christian Schneider grabbed the lead on lap four and Poljak took over second two laps later. Christian Schneider maintained a comfortable margin for the balance of the event.

At the checkers, it was Christian Schneider ahead of Poljak, Chris Schneider, Shelpman, and Cody Koteles. Daryl Charlier, Nick Cocuba, Logan Koteles, Jason Fosnaught, and Jackson Billyk were the next five finishers.

Poljak and Christian Schneider claimed the preliminaries. There was no B Main.

Leroy Brown went wire to wire for his win in the Hobby Stocks. Young Mark Corio was second, followed by Garrett O’Patchen, Joe Brown, Jr., and Kyle Janas. The next five to cross the scoring loop were Devan Jones, Tom Anton, Karlee Kovacs, Cole Cochran, and Sadie Snatchko.

O’Patchen and Kovacs were the heat winners. There was no B Main.

Cameron Hollister was the feature victor in the Open Four Cylinders, with Anthony Udderstrom, Mike Kelly, Jacob Wiser, and J.R. Matthess in the top five. Gavin Kokolis, Lucas Weaver, Nathan Olenik, Curtis Mohney, and Ray Tichnor were sixth through tenth. Heat wins belonged to Tyler Hollister and Mohney. There was no B Main.

On June 7, PPMS will present the 14th Annual Ed Laboon Memorial, one of the region’s biggest events for the Penn Ohio Pro Stocks. All of the top competitors are expected for the prestigious race. Joining the Pro Stocks will be the RUSH Late Models, Hobby Stocks, Open Four Cylinders, and Young Guns.

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Dirt Racing

Spithaler Strikes First at PPMS Speedweek Show

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Photo: Paul Arch

IMPERIAL, PA (May 29, 2025): With the cancellation of Michaels Mercer Raceway’s event on Wednesday, Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway once again played host to the first night of Western Pennsylvania Speedweek. Taking the win in the twenty-five lapper was Brandon Spithaler. It was his career win first at the speedway, and he positioned himself at the top of the points heading into round two to be held at Lernerville Speedway. He cleared $3,500 for the race.

The luck of the draw set the starting line-up for the A Main. The racers eligible for the draw were the top three finishers in the heat races and the fastest car to qualify.

Mark Smith nabbed the pole, but his luck ended when the cars pushed off for the finale. He had a mechanical problem, which required him to stop on the track, relegating him to the final row for the green. Jeremy Weaver slipped to the inside of row one, with Brandon Spithaler taking over P2.

Steven Snyder, Jr. and Michael Bauer were the new occupants of row two. Brandon Matus and A.J. Flick claimed row three. Ryan Smith and Matt Farnham followed. Carmen Perigo, Jr. had row five with Dan Kuriger as his running mate in the realignment. The sixth was populated by Ricky Peterson, Jr. and Carl Bowser.

On the initial green, Flick aggressively rolled around the top in turns one and two, establishing the lead entering upon the back stretch. However, his effort went for naught, as Jimmy Morris came to a stop along the outside of turn one.

Spithaler took note of the dazzling move by A.J. Flick, racing from sixth to the lead on the initial start. However, when that was called back due to the caution for Morris, Spithaler and others moved to the outside. Spithaler was unable to get the immediate advantage, though, because the pole sitter, Weaver, slid up to take command.

Thus, Weaver held the early lead, followed by Spithaler, Bauer, Snyder, and Flick. With the top line unavailable to Flick, his momentum suffered. He did reach fourth in the early going, but he gradually fell back in the running order thereafter.

Several laps into the race, Weaver encountered lapped traffic, and that was his undoing. Spithaler chased him down and rolled around the top to take the lead. Spithaler maintained control through the rest of the non-stop affair, but Weaver began to close in the stretch run.

Farnham showed early speed and followed Spithaler and Weaver across the finish line. Bowser advanced to fourth, earning the hard charger award. Bauer held on for fifth. Flick, Snyder, Ryan Smith, Peterson, and Brandon Matus completed the top ten.

After the aborted start, Spithaler “knew that the top was available, but I knew that Weaver would try to slide me.” Weaver’s move did not affect the ultimate outcome because Spithaler was able to race by him in traffic. Nonetheless, Spithaler became concerned about the slower cars as the race progressed. “I thought that I was wasting time with (Mark) Smith and (Adam) Kekich.” However, Spithaler’s margin was big enough that Weaver could not completely close the gap in the final laps.

Three Rivers Karting

“I kinda kicked myself, there,” Weaver said. “That race was won on experience.” He explained, “when I got to the lapped traffic, I had trouble and he (Spithaler) got me.” Nonetheless, it was a strong outing for Weaver and car owner Bob McMillan, as they rolled out an entirely new car for the race.

Farnham, who was third, commented that “pretty much the redraw won that race. Hopefully, I can get a better number for the next race.”

Three heat races were staged for the twenty-seven car field. Wins went to Matt Farnham, Ryan Smith, and Brandon Spithaler. Mike Lutz, Jr. was unhurt in a spill during his heat race.

Jimmy Morris took the B Main.

The evening’s fastest qualifier was Ryan Smith, with a lap of 17.365 around Dirt’s Monster Half Mile.

Timmy Bittner and Jim Pattock paced the field for the fifteen lapper for the Allegheny Sprint Tour for IMCA 305 Sprint Cars. Jake Gomola and Kruz Kepner made up row two, followed by Jeremy Kornbau and Jarrett Cavalet. Robbie Bartchy tagged the tail.

Bittner jumped out to the early lead and completed the non-stop fifteen race without any challenge. Kepner ran second until the midpoint of the contest before surrendering the position to Jim Pattock. After Pattock and Kepner came Kornbau, Gomola, and Cavalet. Bartchy did not finish the race.

Jimmy Pattock and Jake Gomola won the heats for the AST 305s. There was no B Main.

Speedweek Round One Official finish: Brandon Spithaler, Jeremy Weaver, Matt Farnham, Carl Bowser, Michael Bauer, A.J. Flick, Steven Snyder, Jr., Ryan Smith, Ricky Peterson, Brandon Matus, Logan McCandless, Carmen Perigo, Jr., Danny Smith, Cody Bova, Jacob Begenwald, Adam Kekich, Mark Smith, John Mollick, Andrew Cavanaugh, Danny Kuriger, Brent Matus, Jack Sodeman, Jr., Bob Felmlee, Jimmy Morris. DNQ: Michael Lutz, Jr., Louie Mattes, IV, and Davey Jones.

AST Sprints Official Finish: Timmy Bittner, Jim Pattock, Kruz Kepner, Jeremy Kornbau, Jake Gomola, Jarrett Cavalet, Tobbie Bartchy.

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