2017 Blastoff Season Opener is Ready to Go at PPMS
Imperial, PA (April 12) The beginning of the 2017 racing season at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway is quickly approaching. The 2017 Blastoff Season Opener will take place on Saturday, April 29, with the running of the 11th Annual Red Miley Rumble. Presented by DIEHL Automotive, the opening night Super Late Model special event will feature the Zimmer’s Service Center United Late Model Series vs. PPMS own UFO DIEHL Super Late Models. Moving from its traditional August date, the Red Miley Rumble will now start the season of point competition for the six weekly divisions, DIEHL Automotive Super Late Models, Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, and Open Fours.
The highlight of the 2017 season will be the season ending 29th Annual Pittsburgher 100 featuring the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, which will be taped and later be televised. Also a part of the weekend will be 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. This big weekend takes place on Friday and Saturday, October 6 and 7.
The Super Late Models will be busy this season, as the ULMS will make a second visit for the Fifth Annual DIEHL Automotive Herb Scott Championship on June 17. These two events will also be ULMS vs. UFO DIEHL challenge races. Additional UFO DIEHL special events will take place on July 15 and August 26. A total of 13 point racing events are scheduled for the Super Late Model class as DIEHL Automotive returns as the divisional title sponsor.
Numerous sprint car races are on the 2017 schedule. The 410 Outlaw Winged Sprints will make four visits, highlighted by Tony Stewart’s Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions Winged Sprints, presented by Falconi’s Moon Township Automotive, on Saturday, July 22. Other visits by the fastest cars on dirt will take place on May 20, June 10, and September 2. The Rick’s Trucks and Equipment BOSS Sprint Series, featuring the traditional non-winged sprints will make their annual visit on July 1 to highlight Dollar Dog night, presented by Berks/Nickles. The limited sprints of the Alternative Power Sources Allegheny Sprint Tour have added a fifth visit on September 2, to the previously announced visits on May 6, May 27, July 29, and September 16.
Precise Racing Products returns to sponsor the RUSH Late Models in 2017, as they will be in competition during every racing program. The highlight of their season will be the August 12 running of the 28th Annual Jook George Steel City Classic, which will now be a Sweeney Chevrolet RUSH Dirt Late Model Series Touring Series event. The division will also compete in a series of Sizzler events, which starts on K&N Air Filters/ Hoosier Racing Tire Champions Night on May 13. Other Sizzler events will be on the July 22 Falconi’s Moon Township Automotive Night, July 29, September 16.
The Northeast Style Big Block Modifieds returned to PPMS last season for a single race after a three year absence. This season, that total will be tripled, as they make three visits in 2017. They will be a part of the Herb Scott Championship on June 17. They are also scheduled for July 15, and on September 16 for the running of “Modasaurus X.” Their crate engine powered cousins, the RUSH Modifieds, will visit six times this coming season, with scheduled dates on May 20, June 17, July 15, July 22, September 23, and September 30. The vintage modifieds also have a date, a September 9 visit by the CarSmile Wiper Blades “Thunder on the Dirt” Vintage Racing Series.
The biggest race of the season for the Sportsman division will take place on Saturday, June 3, featuring the Sixth Annual Ed Laboon Memorial. This race will be sanctioned by the Homak Manufacturing Penn Ohio Pro Stock Series, as will the Wee Willie White Sportsman Showdown on August 5, and the season ending Cruise America PENNational event on October 6-7.
The Hobby Stock class will return for the 2017 season, as will the Young Gun division for teenage drivers. New for 2017 will be a standard Four Cylinder division, with cars similar to the Young Gun division, but competition will be open to all drivers.
For all racing programs, the gates open at 5:00, with warm-ups at 6:00 and racing at 7:00. Follow us on Facebook at @PAMotorSpeedway or on Twitter at @PAMotorSpeedway for timely information updates. The track 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 please visit the track website at www.ppms.com .
2017 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday, April 29, 2017 – 2017 Blastoff Season Opener, presented by DIEHL Automotive, featuring the 11th Annual Red Miley Rumble with ULMS vs. UFO DIEHL Super Late Models. Plus Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, Open Fours. First night for 2017 track points.
Saturday, May 6, 2017 – Wahl Family Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing presents an “Action Event” with DIEHL Automotive Super Late Models, Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, Open Fours. As an added attraction, the Alternative Power Sources Allegheny Sprint Tour.
Saturday, May 13, 2017 – “Action Event” as K&N Air Filters presents Hoosier Racing Tire Champions Night, featuring the Spring Sizzler for Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, plus DIEHL Automotive Super Late Models, Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, Open Fours. Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Night.
Saturday, May 20, 2017 – 410 Outlaw Winged Sprints plus DIEHL Automotive Super Late Models, Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sportsman, plus RUSH Modifieds.
Saturday, May 27, 2017 – DIEHL Automotive Night featuring an “Action Event” with Driver Autograph Night. DIEHL Automotive Super Late Models, Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, Open Fours. As an added attraction, the Alternative Power Sources Allegheny Sprint Tour.
Saturday, June 3, 2017 – “Action Event” featuring the Sixth Annual Ed Laboon Memorial for the Homak Manufacturing Penn Ohio Pro Stock Series for Sportsman, plus Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, Open Fours.
Saturday, June 10, 2017 – 410 Outlaw Winged Sprints plus DIEHL Automotive Super Late Models, Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, Open Fours.
Saturday, June 17, 2017 – The Fifth Annual Herb Scott Memorial, featuring the ULMS vs. UFO DIEHL Super Late Models, plus Big Block Modifieds, Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sportsman, and RUSH Modifieds.
Saturday, June 24, 2017 – No racing, PPMS Employees June Vacation.
Saturday, July 1, 2017 – Berks/Nickles presents Dollar Dog Night featuring the Rick’s Trucks and Equipment BOSS Sprint Series for traditional non-winged sprints, plus Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, Open Fours. Twin State Auto Racing Club Night.
Saturday, July 8, 2017 – Lantern Fest, no racing.
Saturday, July 15, 2017 – UFO DIEHL Super Late Model special, plus Big Block Modifieds, Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, 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 for Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, plus DIEHL Automotive Super Late Models, Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, Open Fours. As an added attraction, the Alternative Power Sources Allegheny Sprint Tour.
Saturday, August 5, 2017 – “Action Event” featuring the Wee Willie White Sportsman Showdown for the Homak Manufacturing Penn Ohio Pro Stock Series for Sportsman, plus DIEHL Automotive Super Late Models, Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, 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 Sportsman.
Saturday, August 19, 2017 – No racing, PPMS Employees August Vacation.
Saturday, August 26, 2017 – UFO DIEHL Super Late Model special, plus Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, Open Fours.
Saturday, September 2, 2017 – 410 Outlaw Winged Sprints and the Alternative Power Sources Allegheny Sprint Tour, plus Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, Open Fours.
Saturday, September 9, 2017 – “Action Event” with Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, 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 Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, Open Fours.
Saturday, September 23, 2017 – “Action Event” with Precise Racing Products RUSH Late Models, Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, Open Fours, plus RUSH Modifieds.
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, Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Young Guns, 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.
Sources: Miley Motor Sports, Inc.