Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway
Imperial, PA

Double Dominance: Shelpman and Burgoon Conquer the Track
464
7/20/2025

7/20/2025

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway


Double Dominance: Shelpman and Burgoon Conquer the Track

The roar of engines vibrated through the grandstands, a symphony of power building under the Saturday night lights for the Auto House Hobby Stock Stephen W Johnson Triple Crown and the "Wee" Willie White Memorial. Anticipation hung thick in the air, promising an evening of raw speed and unforgettable moments at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway.

Seven heat races ignited the track, each turn a blur of metal and dirt. Then, a four-wide salute for the Hobby Stocks filled the air, a breathtaking display of unity as fireworks erupted, painting the sky in bursts of color.

But the night offered more than just racing thrills. Berks $1 hotdog night fueled the hungry crowd, a delicious aroma mingling with the scent of exhaust.

And for the truly competitive, a hotdog eating contest tested limits, adding another layer of spectacle to the evening.

Four feature races awaited, each a chapter in the night's unfolding drama.

Stephen Shelpman, in his 17P, carved through the Auto House Hobby Stocks field with relentless precision. This was no ordinary race; it was the second round of the Stephen W Johnson Triple Crown and the "Wee" Willie White Memorial, adding extra weight to every turn.

He claimed his third victory of the season, leaving rivals in his dust.

The RUSH Sprint Car Series brought its own brand of thunder to Dirt’s Monster Half Mile. "Jammin" Johnny Mollick, piloting the 4J, seized the lead early.

Mollick didn't just win; he blew the field away, securing his first RUSH Sprint Car Series victory at PPMS this season. His dominance left spectators wondering what he'd do next.

In the Rohrich Automotive/Chevrolet Performance RUSH Late Model feature, Brandon Burgoon, in the 5X, found himself in a familiar position. A late-race restart offered a crucial opportunity.

Burgoon capitalized, making it two wins in a row, a testament to his strategic prowess. What was his secret to back-to-back triumphs?

Nick Timberlake, in the 13T, from Caldwell, Ohio, delivered a surprise in the Crawford Auto Repair Four Cylinder feature. He fought hard for his first win of the season.

His victory marked a new chapter, a testament to perseverance. The crowd buzzed, eager to see if this was the start of a new winning streak.

The Rohrich Automotive/Chevrolet Performance RUSH Late Model 20-lap feature promised high stakes. Kassidy Kamicker, the 2024 PPMS Champion, started on pole, with Brodie Oravetz flanking her outside.

Tom Klein and Clinton Hersch completed the second row, poised for the green flag. The tension was palpable as engines revved, waiting for the signal.

When the green flag waved, Hersch, from his fourth starting spot, surged forward, seizing the early lead. Klein followed close behind, settling into second.

Oravetz held third, but Michael Norris, starting fifth, quickly made his move. By lap two, Norris had claimed third, leaving the field to chase Hersch.

Hersch maintained his lead, a master of the track, until a lap seven caution brought the race to a crawl. Daryl Charlier's car trouble on the front stretch forced a rerack.

Hersch chose the outside lane for the restart, with Klein on his inside. The restart was clean, and Hersch once again pulled ahead, holding his dominant position.

Laps ticked by, a relentless pursuit under the lights. Then, on lap 14, Brandon Burgoon, in the 5X, snatched second from Klein, closing in on the leader.

Just as the battle intensified, another caution flag flew on lap 14, freezing the action. This pause set the stage for a dramatic final act.

Burgoon lined up next to Hersch on the front row for the restart, a direct challenge. With only five laps remaining, the outcome hung in the balance.

Burgoon seized the moment, taking over the lead and never looking back. He dominated the final laps, securing his second consecutive win and third of the season.

Hersch crossed the line in second, a hard-fought battle. Norris finished third, with Klein and Kamicker rounding out the top five.

Earlier, Tom Klein and Michael Norris had claimed victory in their respective heat races. Their early performances hinted at the thrilling main event to come.

Eleven Auto House Hobby Stocks lined up, each driver eyeing the prize: the second round of the Stephen W Johnson Triple Crown and the "Wee" Willie White Memorial. Stephen Shelpman, in his 17P, drew the coveted pole position, a stroke of luck that could change everything.

Jimmy Snatchko, in the 56, settled on the outside, ready to challenge Shelpman from the start. Leroy Brown and Danny Rich formed the second row, their engines humming with anticipation.

After the Hobby Stock 4-wide salute and a burst of fireworks, the green flag dropped, unleashing a torrent of horsepower. Shelpman seized the early lead, his 17P a blur of speed.

But behind him, Snatchko's 56 faltered, dropping to tenth on the first lap. What caused his sudden loss of pace?

Shelpman continued to dominate, with Brown in second and Rich in third, a relentless pursuit unfolding. By lap seven, Shelpman was already navigating lapped traffic, a testament to his blistering pace.

His lead stretched, a full straightaway by lap twelve, leaving the competition far behind. Shelpman secured his third Auto House Hobby Stock win of the season, a commanding performance.

Rich claimed a hard-fought second place, a testament to his consistent drive. Then, a late-race spectacle: Tom Anton, in the 64, executed a daring three-wide move.

This bold maneuver secured him third at the checkers, a thrilling finish for the crowd. Marc Corio finished fourth, with Brown rounding out the top five.

Earlier, Stephen Shelpman and Leroy Brown had proven their speed, each winning a heat race. Their early victories foreshadowed the intense main event.

The RUSH Wingless Sprint Car Series 15-lap feature promised a blur of speed, a green-to-checkers sprint. Wyatt Long, in the 63L, started on pole, his gaze fixed on the track ahead.

Luke Mulichak, in the 55, lined up beside him, ready to challenge. Zach Morrow and Arnie Kent completed the second row, their engines growling with anticipation.

When the green flag dropped, it was a mad dash, a chaotic ballet of roaring machines. The front runners battled fiercely, each vying for the coveted lead.

But by the start of lap two, a new leader emerged: "Jammin" Johnny Mollick, in the 4J. How did he surge to the front so quickly?

Mollick commanded the next thirteen laps, a masterclass in control and speed. He secured his first RUSH Wingless Sprint Car Series win of the season, a dominant display.

Long, despite his pole position, finished a strong second, a testament to his resilience. Kent claimed third, while Mulichak and Morrow rounded out the top five.

Earlier, Zach Morrow and John Mollick had each earned a heat race victory. Their early triumphs hinted at the intense competition that would unfold in the main event.

Finally, the Crawford Auto Repair Open Four Cylinder 12-lap feature took center stage. Cameron Hollister, in the 44, started on pole, with David Seibert Jr., in the 777, poised beside him.

Noah Bubeck, in the 2, and Nick Timberlake, in the 13T, completed the second row, a quartet ready for battle. The crowd leaned forward, eager for the final showdown.

When the green flag waved, Seibert Jr. surged ahead, snatching the early lead. C. Hollister settled into second, with Bubeck close behind on lap one.

But the lead was fleeting. By the end of lap two, Timberlake had taken command, his 13T now at the front. How did he make such a swift ascent?

C. Hollister remained in second, Bubeck in third, a tight formation. This trio held their positions, a relentless chase unfolding lap after lap.

Their consistent performance secured them the top three spots at the checkered flag. Seibert Jr. finished a respectable fourth, while Anthony Uddstrom, in the 18, rounded out the top five.

Earlier, Nick Timberlake had proven his mettle, claiming the lone heat race victory. His early win foreshadowed his dominant performance in the main event.

Imagine the roar. The ground-shaking thunder of engines, the scent of burning rubber, and a spectacle so intense it only happens once a year.

What if I told you that very experience is about to ignite Dirt’s Monster Half Mile this Saturday, July 26th?

This isn't just any race; it's the 36th Jook George Steel City Classic, a legendary showdown for the RUSH Late Model Touring Series & the Rohrich Auto/Chevy Performance RUSH Late Models.

But what makes this year different? And what hidden drama awaits as the pit gates swing open at 3 PM, followed by the grandstands at 5 PM, hot laps at 6 PM, and the green flag dropping precisely at 7 PM?

You won't want to miss discovering how this chapter of racing history unfolds!

Visit ppms.com/schedule and get your tickets NOW!

RESULTS

10 entries
RUSH Late Models

A Feature 1: 1. 5X-Brandon Burgoon[6]; 2. 16-Clinton Hersh[4]; 3. N1-Michael Norris[5]; 4. 77-Tom Klein[3]; 5. 72B-Kassidy Kamicker[1]; 6. 91-Brodie Oravetz[2]; 7. 15-Matthew Benard[7]; 8. 38-Michael Stephans[8]; 9. 2M-Chuck Medved[9]; 10. 42-Daryl Charlier[10]

Heat 1: 1. 77-Tom Klein[2]; 2. 72B-Kassidy Kamicker[1]; 3. 16-Clinton Hersh[4]; 4. 15-Matthew Benard[3]; 5. 2M-Chuck Medved[5]

Heat 2: 1. N1-Michael Norris[5]; 2. 91-Brodie Oravetz[4]; 3. 5X-Brandon Burgoon[3]; 4. 38-Michael Stephans[2]; 5. 42-Daryl Charlier[1]

11 entries
Hobby Stocks

A Feature 1: 1. 17P-Stephen Shelpman[1]; 2. 221K-Danny Rich[4]; 3. 64-Tom Anton[6]; 4. 14-Marc Corio[5]; 5. 40B-Leroy Brown[3]; 6. 88-Kyle Janas[9]; 7. 25-Garrett O'Patchen[7]; 8. 22-Robert Betz[10]; 9. 02-Justin Clark[8]; 10. 56-Jim Snatchko[2]; 11. 206-Daniel Horne[11]

Heat 1: 1. 17P-Stephen Shelpman[2]; 2. 221K-Danny Rich[4]; 3. 64-Tom Anton[5]; 4. 25-Garrett O'Patchen[3]; 5. 88-Kyle Janas[1]; 6. 206-Daniel Horne[6]

Heat 2: 1. 40B-Leroy Brown[2]; 2. 14-Marc Corio[4]; 3. 56-Jim Snatchko[1]; 4. 02-Justin Clark[3]; 5. 22-Robert Betz[5]

9 entries
Open Four Cylinders

A Feature 1: 1. 13T-Nick Timberlake[4]; 2. 44-CAMERON HOLLISTER[1]; 3. 2-Noah Bubeck[3]; 4. 777-David Seibert Jr[2]; 5. 18-Anthony Uddstrom[6]; 6. 19G-John Gill[8]; 7. 64-John Hollister[9]; 8. 6-Mike Kelley[5]; 9. 69-Tyler Hollister[7]

Heat 1: 1. 13T-Nick Timberlake[9]; 2. 2-Noah Bubeck[2]; 3. 44-CAMERON HOLLISTER[6]; 4. 777-David Seibert Jr[4]; 5. 6-Mike Kelley[1]; 6. 18-Anthony Uddstrom[7]; 7. 69-Tyler Hollister[5]; 8. 19G-John Gill[3]; 9. 64-John Hollister[8]

12 entries
RUSH Wingless Sprints

A Feature 1: 1. 4J-John Mollick[5]; 2. 63L-Wyatt Long[1]; 3. 9-Arnie Kent[4]; 4. 55-Luke Mulichak[2]; 5. 68-Zach Morrow[3]; 6. 1-Zack Wilson[6]; 7. 17-Trent Marshall[7]; 8. 29-Brandon Shughart[9]; 9. 57C-Cooper Fritz[11]; 10. 21N-Samantha Priest[8]; 11. 23-Charlie Utsinger[10]; 12. 54-Devon Deeter[12]

Heat 1: 1. 68-Zach Morrow[2]; 2. 55-Luke Mulichak[1]; 3. 63L-Wyatt Long[6]; 4. 17-Trent Marshall[4]; 5. 29-Brandon Shughart[5]; 6. 57C-Cooper Fritz[3]

Heat 2: 1. 4J-John Mollick[4]; 2. 1-Zack Wilson[3]; 3. 9-Arnie Kent[5]; 4. 21N-Samantha Priest[1]; 5. 23-Charlie Utsinger[2]; 6. 54-Devon Deeter[6]


Article Credit: Steve Skarupa

Submitted By: Steve Skarupa

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