Saturday was my first trip to PPMS with much excitement. Left work early so I could make the 2 hour drive and get there for the start of TT which was to be 5:00. NOT they started about 7:00 uncalled for, they used the excuse a hauler got stuck entering the track which pushed the show back, they were all in when we got there. Talked to a local and he said the crowd was very good so they were there to see sprint cars, not a support division. Why do you run a support division feature first? I never saw a flagman wave off more restarts than last night, probably put 30+ extra laps ideling around the big track. Lack of push trucks which I can understand, not running sprints regularly. Was great to see sprints flying around that place inches from the wall racing for the lead, that made it all worth it. I'll give the place a c- for my first trip, will be back if they run another sprint show but they need to tighten up a lot of things. on a final note do the always have the annoying hum coming out of the pa system, sounded like bottle rockets all night long. JMO
My first trip to PPMS Renegade sprint Show
#1
Posted 28 September 2014 - 07:03 AM
#2
Posted 28 September 2014 - 08:13 AM
#3
Posted 28 September 2014 - 08:39 AM
Why wouldn't you run a support division feature first??? Those guys come every week and put on a show- for pretty much nothing. How bout supporting the backbone of local racing- the weekly guys. Plus it's supposed to be a build up to the special event. I will admit the cautions kill me every time I'm there!
Because you are holding the people hostage that came to see the real show...but honestly, if this needs explained there was no real reason to even attempt to explain it to you.
- longtimeracefan101 and jmmr like this
#4
Posted 28 September 2014 - 11:10 AM
For the first time in 25 years I made the trip to PPMS.
I thought the surface was pretty decent and VERY FAST. The Renegades put on quite a show.
Unfortunately, the facilities really need some serious maintenance. A good cleaning is needed all around.
None of the front straight lightpoles had all of their lights working. The weeds need to be chopped down.
A coat of paint on the guardrails would do wonders. And what is with the plywood on the guardrails ?
All in all, I enjoyed the racing and the place has the potential to be a premier facility but it needs work.
#5
Posted 28 September 2014 - 11:11 AM
It could be worse! We had to sit through junk at Eriez last night until 1:00 AM when the LM feature finally hit the track. What you had to sit through last night was nothing!
#6
Posted 28 September 2014 - 11:13 AM
For the first time in 25 years I made the trip to PPMS.
I thought the surface was pretty decent and VERY FAST. The Renegades put on quite a show.
Unfortunately, the facilities really need some serious maintenance. A good cleaning is needed all around.
None of the front straight lightpoles had all of their lights working. The weeds need to be chopped down.
A coat of paint on the guardrails would do wonders. And what is with the plywood on the guardrails ?
All in all, I enjoyed the racing and the place has the potential to be a premier facility but it needs work.
That's been the case for years but the Miley's think their facility is one of the best in country, and it isn't. If they would take off the blinders and talk to some fans they would realize that the place is in dire need of maintenance and with some effort it could be one of the best facilites in the area. The place hasn't been properly maintained since Red passed away.
#7
Posted 28 September 2014 - 11:32 AM
Mr. Potter, that was a very fair review of the situation at PPMS. Great racing, but definitely rough around the edges. The bathrooms could be among the best at any racetrack if they were cleaned every week. It doesn't matter so much to me, but to the casual fan these are things that will discourage you from coming back. Regarding the delay, it took almost 90 minutes to get that hauler unstuck, and since it was blocking a large part of the track, the final watering was delayed. Besides, it was a beautiful late September night with no chance of rain. The racing was all over around 10:30, so I don't think anyone was held "hostage."
Edited by flash49, 28 September 2014 - 11:46 AM.
- Rusty_Nuts likes this
L7
#9
Posted 28 September 2014 - 01:53 PM
#10
Posted 28 September 2014 - 01:55 PM
Anyone know why they gave the #15 sprint like 8 caution laps to change a tire early in the feature? Odd to me.
#11
Posted 02 October 2014 - 03:09 PM
October 2, 2014
By Matt Miley
Miley Motor Sports
Pleasant Surprises still do happen in our Sport!...September 27 Renegade Sprint Series at PPMS!
1,2,3,4,5,6 wide they paraded around the Monster for the INAGURAL Steel City "Renegade Sprint Monster" run at Dirt's Monster Half Mile. Thirty one Renegade Sprint cars showed up to see if they could slay the the Monster, more than anyone anticipated. PPMS Sprint Car Racing history was rewritten September 27, 2014. It was only fitting that the, "Apollo Rocket" Ed Lynch JR, the first 140 mph+ man a few seasons back would be the first to destroy the track record at a new average speed of 146.896, 15.317 seconds around the Monster .625 mile oval! Well that didn't last long and in the end Randy Hannagan became the fastest man in PPMS HISTORY, HE NIPPED Tim Shaffer's 15.183 with a 15.182, a sign of how close things would be the balance of the evening. Hannagan toured the Monster Half Mile (actually .625 mile) at a breathtaking average speed of 148.202 MPH. The Renegade drivers made it look easy, up on the wheel, flat out flying around the semi banked 90 feet wide sweeping cornered Monster in their lane of their choice. Time trials had just ended and we had already seen a show of speed and talent for the ages.
The preliminaries, heat winners Philo, Jacobs, Spithaler, Helms, B winner -Matus, Dash-Holtgraver, Hannagan, Haudenschild, George, Harble, Lynch! You have to live under a racing rock not to know these household Sprint Car Names, even this 46 year fendered Car chaser could not help but know those names! Some cagey veterans, some youngsters in the sport carrying on the family tradition...it was marvelous! They were at the monster ready for battle and that's exactly what they did, battle and real FAST!
One of the reasons we (Miley Motor Sports) had to stop and reflect on the inaugural Renegade Sprint Monster at PPMS is because it was more than just a great race, it was a great event, with drivers and series officials treating racers, fans, track owners, and home track officials with more respect than I've witnessed in quite some time. We ALL worked together and very hard to make the event happen in a short timeframe and it was worth every second. The racers all sported K&N hats (they cared for our sponsor) as they graciously signed autographs for every fan that wanted one, and in they end the podium finishers to a man THANKED the fans for coming, thanked the track crew for a great multi-groove surface, thanked the event organizers for making it happen. THANK YOU RENEGADE TEAMS!
The inaugural Renegade Sprint Monster:
Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway is an older facility, so not everything's perfect, we have a to do list bigger than the Monster that never ends as the PPMS sits in the middle of 225 acres. However, a few things were near perfect, the smooth, wide, multi groove racing surface and the Renegade Sprint Teams that put on a show that left the grouchy old Monster smiling!
An obvious concern of Sprint Cars is fuel mileage at a track the size of PPMS, so we thought we had to forgo the coveted only at the Monster 6 wide parade lap...it's been done with the Late Models at the Pittsburgher. Renegade Race Director, Larry Helms didn't get that message, when he snapped the field into a perfect 6 wide, 4 rows deep, everyone in the place knew we were in for a special treat, it was game on, the Renegades had come to play in the Steel City and they were playing for keeps. Fans were smiling wider than a butchers dog as not 2, not 4, but 6 wide Sprint Cars roared by and gave them a wave. It was a sight to behold...the race was better.
Randy Hannagan took off like a jackrabbit with Holtgraver in pursuit. Meanwhile, Wilson methodically used the bottom lane of the Monster to reel everyone in from the 7 hole! The trio racing 3 wide at over 140 MPH was a sight to see...you just don't see Sprint cars going that fast racing so close, so much. The trio ran up on lapped traffic with about 7 to go setting us up for a barnburner. The caution came out for a spin which gave Wilson the clean air he needed to sail to victory over the final laps. Holtgraver squeaked by Hannagan as the trio ended up on the podium. Kenemah, Haudneschild, Matus, Wagner, Lynch Jr, Duncan, and Shaffer from the tail followed. Who? Yep even long time late model folks at Miley Motor Sports know those names! Great names, a few national, a few regional, a few local, all stars in our book. Thank You.
So we have come full circle. Pleasant Surprises still do happen in our Sport!...September 27 Renegade Sprint Series at PPMS! Forty six years Miley Motor Sports has been at this game, the Renegades made us feel like we have 46 more left...very refreshing, plan on seeing them at PPMS in 2015!
Notes: Not everything was perfect, we started late which is rare and a NO NO. We had some other growing pains, but nothing that can't be corrected for 2015. The event was a pleasure to host and watch, a lot of folks seemed to have the same opinion. Renegades gave away 4 bikes, 2 TVs & a driver autographed helmet! We can't thank the Renegade Teams enough, class act, good luck with the series. Join us for the 2015 Renegade Sprint Monster, where the only surprises are good ones!
6 wide!
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#12
Posted 05 October 2014 - 09:19 PM
. Tracks all over run big events with support divisions present the same night. They keep the show moving! People that come only to see the big events will not sustain a track. Perhaps they shouldn't run any local divisions- only open it up for the big events- that always works well for tracks- but hey if that needs explained there's no real reason to attempt to explain that to you.
Because you are holding the people hostage that came to see the real show...but honestly, if this needs explained there was no real reason to even attempt to explain it to you.
#13
Posted 06 October 2014 - 06:18 AM
. Tracks all over run big events with support divisions present the same night. They keep the show moving! People that come only to see the big events will not sustain a track. Perhaps they shouldn't run any local divisions- only open it up for the big events- that always works well for tracks- but hey if that needs explained there's no real reason to attempt to explain that to you.
Wrong. Again.
The Firecracker 100 three day show is a stand alone event at Lernerville and it is packed. Both WoO Sprint events at Lernerville were packed this year....the Silver Cup and the Commonwealth Clash. Tracks like PPMS want the back gate dollars, because they think that is the only formula for survival. Big names, both local and national, get people into the stands, not four support classes.
#14
Posted 06 October 2014 - 06:32 AM
#15
Posted 06 October 2014 - 07:28 AM
They seemed to help widen the racing grove out though.
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