TODD WELDON WINS HOMAK PENN OHIO SERIES ED LABOON MEMORIAL AT PPMS
Sandy Lake, PA (July 9, 2016) Todd Weldon captured the biggest payday of the season winning the Fifth Annual Ed Laboon Memorial for the Homak Penn Ohio Pro Stock Championship Series on Saturday night at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Weldon earned $3,017 for his winning drive presented by Brougher’s Machine Shop.
The Fifth Annual Ed Laboon Memorial race started on Saturday, June 4th; however, rain dampened the evening’s festivities only after 52 stock cars completed time trials and six qualifying heat races. With those races being official, the event picked up on July 9th where it left off with three B Main events, a dash, the A Main, and a Non-Qualifiers Race. Six additional entries added to the event and pushed the total car count to 58 stocks. The three B-Mains sported 9 cars each and determined the 28 car starting field. B Main winners were Ricky Stigerwald, Bill Robertson, and Wayne Carbo. The Penn Ohio provisional went to Joe Stajnrajh.
Heat winners Brent Johnson, Corey McPhearson, Andy Buckley Chris Schneider, Todd Weldon, and Rusty Moore competed in a six lap dash for $100 to-win. Brent Johnson would lead the dash for two laps before Chris Schneider gained control and cruised to the victory over the 6 car-field.
Schneider and Johnson would lead the 28 car-field to the green flag with Schneider taking the early lead for the 20-lap event. Schneider had a big lead built before the first caution flag flew on lap 3. Schneider maintained the lead on the restart, while fourth starting Todd Weldon passed Johnson for second. The next restart came on lap 8. Schneider held onto the lead but Weldon stayed close enough to make it an interesting race. Johnson, Andy Buckley, and 21st starting Wayne Carbo battled closely behind the leaders for the third through fifth positions. Weldon was as close to Schneider as he had been the entire race on lap 18, when the lead was just .028 seconds, however the yellow flag waved and set up a two lap dash to the finish.
Schneider chose the inside for the double file restart, giving Weldon the opportunity to use the outside to his advantage. Weldon made the pass in turn two to take the lead at the white flag. Weldon had the checkered flag in sight, but a caution prolonged Weldon’s victory lane visit. Track rules state that a feature must end with two consecutive laps so a two lap battle was in store. As a result, Weldon would have to hold onto the lead for two laps over Schneider. The end of the race was certainly interesting as two more restarts on lap 19 would occur. However, the young driver showed control on both restarts to take the prestigious victory. Schneider was second, 1.139 second behind. Third went to Carbo in an incredible effort from the 21st starting spot and earlier from the tail of the B-Main. Buckley maintained a solid run finishing fourth. Fifth went to A.J. Poljak, advancing from starting position 23. Ricky Steigerwald from 19th, Johnson, Jackson Humanic from 15th, Jason Fosnaught from 18th, and Corey McPherson completed the top ten.
Daryl Charlier took the win over the 17 car-field in the 15-lap Dobs Non-Qualifiers Race, earning $517. Charlier started the event on the outside pole and led from lap 1 to lap 15. Bryan Wagner came in the second spot with Brett McDonald in third, Bob Egley in fourth, and Eric Piotrowski finishing in fifth.
PPMS FIFTH ANNUAL ED LABOON MEMORIAL RACE Finishing Positions (20 laps, $3,017 to-win): 1. *TODD WELDON (45) 2. *Chris Schneider (55) 3. *Wayne Carbo (54) 4. *Andy Buckley (965) 5. A.J. Poljak (36) 6. Ricky Steigerwald (4S) 7. *Brent Johnson (92X) 8. *Jackson Humanic (17K) 9. Jason Fosnaught (73) 10. Corey McPhearson (c33) 11. Bill Robertson (1B) 12. *Bob Schwartzmiller (28S) 13. *Ryan Newman (12) 14. Jake Simmons (68x) 15. *Bobby Whitling (7W) 16. *Rusty Moore (17M) 17. *Rusty Martz (16M) 18. Steve D’Apolito (84) 19. *Joe Stajnrajh (04) 20. *Nick Kocuba (10) 21. *Dave McManus (114) 22. *Brian Rhed (69R) 23. *Randy Wyant (11T) 24. Kyle Shannon (1S) 25. Moore (48M) 26. *Jeff Broniszewski (08) 27. *Rob Shook (64) 28. *Joey Zambotti (948)
DOBS NON-QUALIFIER RACE Finishing Positions (15 laps, $517 to-win) 1. Daryl Charlier (14) 2. Bryan Wagner (56) 3. Brett McDonald (25) 4. Bob Egley (30) 5. Eric Piotrowski (7) 6. *Rob Laskey/Bob Sloss (1R), 7. *Bobby Heim (92) 8. Joey Koteles (33) 9. Justin Lamb (25x) 10. *Jesse Brock (22B) 11. Bill Slade (A22) 12. Bryan Mitchell (M1) 13. *Jacob Billyk (4) 14. Davey Lee (96) 15. Gary Miller (1M) 16. Mark Lee (25) 17. Steve Pyeritz (36J)
* - designates registered Homak Penn Ohio Pro Stock Championship Touring Series Member
Penn Ohio Drivers not listed above: DNS-Tim Bish (1B); DNS-Curtis Bish (29); DNS-Fuzzy Fields (28) DNS-Leigh Wheeler (717); DNS-William Hurrelbrink (c8); DNS-Nate Smith (28N); DNS-Terry Wheeler (2W); DNR-Brian Carothers (02c); DNR-Jason Longwell (7S); DNR-Jamie Scharba (11S); DNR-William Phillips Jr. (23JR); DNR-Jim Bloom (37A); DNR-Jamie Colwell (54J); DNR-Shaun Hooks (65); DNR-Paul Petrovich (74); DNR-Sonny Baker (94B); DNR-Rob Bates (99B); DNR-Bruce Hartzfeld (101); DNR-Tony Brown (9-11)
Thanks to Vince Laboon, the Laboon Family, the Miley Family, PPMS officials/workers for the great job of memorializing Ed Laboon through this great racing event. The Homak Penn Ohio Pro Stock Championship Series is honored to be a part of it.
The next Homak Penn Ohio Pro Stock Championship Series’ event will be Friday, July 15th for the Touring Series at Dog Hollow Speedway worth $1,000 to-win. Any questions regarding the Series can be directed to Shaun Hooks, Series Director, at 724-730-1623.
