HOMAK PENN OHIO PRO STOCK SERIES MID-SEASON RECAP AND UPCOMING EVENTS
For Immediate Release
August 1, 2019 (Sandy Lake, PA) As we have a lull in racing action, we can take time to recharge our batteries, reflect on the season to this point and gear up for the rest of the season. To date, the Homak Penn Ohio Pro Stock Championship Series powered by Can-Am has completed 5 shows with a different Series member visiting victory lane in each event.
The first show of the season, on May 11th, was a non-points make-up to last season that granted the winner automatic qualification into the $10,000 to-win Steel Valley Pro Stock Nationals. Four-time Penn Ohio Pro Stock Series Point Champion, Chris Schneider picked up the $2,000 win and secured his spot in the biggest pro stock race of the season.
The 8th Annual Ed Laboon race had 43 drivers battling for a $4,017 prize on June 1st. As dark skies hovered the race track for a good portion of the event, Mother Nature took the checkered flag during the pro stock main event with 3 laps complete and 27 laps to go. The make-up event will take place when the Series returns to PPMS on August 17th for the “Wee” Willie White event. Drivers will have a formal introduction on the front stretch prior to Chris Schneider, leader at lap 3, and Daryl Charlier leading the 28 car field to green, picking up at lap 3.
The Steel Valley Pro Stock Nationals at Sharon Speedway was scheduled on June 14 and 15. The two day event for pro stocks paying $10,000 to-win began on Friday with drivers going through pre-tech, participating in practice sessions, and completing qualifying. Chris Schneider set track record with a 17.577 earning $500 from Zimmer’s Service Center, Inc. against the 62-car field. With heat race line ups set, drivers were pumped to get racing underway on day 2. However, Mother Nature had other plans and forced track officials to reschedule day 2 of the event to Saturday, September 7. New cars will be permitted to tag heat races and show up points for Series Members will be awarded.
On June 22nd, the Penn Ohio Pro Stock Series traveled to Michael’s Mercer Raceway for the first of two “Little Guy Nationals” shows in the 2019 season. Designated as the “2nd Annual Ray’s Race,” a memorial tribute to Ray Virgile, 46 pro stock drivers competed for $2,011. Tim Bish was confident in finding his way back to victory lane after winning both nights of the Little Guy Nationals in October 2018. Driver of the 11B out of Ringgold, PA had no problem leading all 25 laps to take home the $2,011 pay check. In a non-qualifier 12-lap race, Chris Withers #21 W picked up the win over a 12 car field taking home $250.
Rounding out the month of June, 42 pro stocks invaded Eriez Speedway on June 30th. Driver of the #65, Shaun Hooks was victorious in taking home the $1,000 prize. The Sandy Lake, PA driver picked up his second victory at the Speedway in as many attempts, as he captured the Penn Ohio Series win back in 2014. The non-qualifier race had 12 drivers battling for 12 laps for a chance to win $250 with Noah Brunell picking up the win.
A new track added to the 2019 schedule for the Homak Penn Ohio Pro Stock Series powered by Can-Am had drivers anxious to travel to Latrobe Speedway for a $1,000 to-win event. Unfortunately about an hour before racing action began, Mother Nature forced track officials to call it quits after a hard down pour soaked the track and pit area. Due to conflicting schedules, the Latrobe Speedway Penn Ohio Pro Stock Series event is cancelled for 2019 and will not be made up.
After races in PA and Ohio, the Series traveled to New York to compete for $1,000 at the New Stateline Speedway on July 13. With 35 pro stocks on hand, Hunter Exley visited victory lane in his #23HJR Slider Chassis for the first time in a dominating performance. Douglas Eck brought home $250 in the non-qualifier 8 lap race.
Six days after the New Stateline event, drivers returned to Ohio for the Penn Ohio Series event at Raceway 7 on July 19. Weather conditions were not favorable for racing, as a ten-minute down pour soaked the track around 5 p.m., drivers endured one of the hottest days of the summer, and storms surrounded the track all evening. Making the best of it, 26 pro stock drivers battled for $1,000 and Kyle Couchenour #299 made his way to victory lane over Rusty Moore in a last lap pass for the win.
The very next day, the Penn Ohio Series was scheduled to host the annual “Crew Chief” race at Sharon Speedway paying $100 to-win. As per the usual Mother Nature wreaked havoc on racing plans and the event was rescheduled to Saturday, August 3rd. The “Crew Chief” race will give crew members an opportunity to race in a 10-15 lap race (number of laps is dependent on number of participants) and experience what their drivers do. Not only does the winner take home $100 but bragging rights are inevitable.
With four complete point races, the point championship paying $3,000 is still very much up for grabs. Current leader, Tim Bish with 363 points has a mere 8 point lead over Hunter Exley. Jason Fosnaught is in 3rd just 13 points out of the lead. One point behind Fosnaught in 4th is Kyle Couchenour. Tied for fifth and 16 points from the leader are Rusty Moore and Shaun Hooks. A three-way tie for 7th, between Jackson Humanic, Chris McGuire, and 2017 Penn Ohio Point Champion Bobby Whitling, shakes things up as they have a 23 point difference from the lead. Settling into 10th with 322 point is Paul Davis. One race (lowest points) will be dropped for each driver to determine the final point championship standings.
Pro stock drivers can join the Series and reap the benefits all season – a $15,000 point fund with $3,000 going to the point champion, over $13,000-$15,000 in contingency prizes given away at Penn Ohio events, and over $20,000 in driver prizes given away at the banquet. The cost to join is $200 and forms are available online at -http://www.pennohiop...EGISTRATION.pdf.
Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennohioprostocks and follow us on Twitter @Pennohiostocks. For more information on the Series visit our website at www.pennohioprostocks.com, email info@pennohioprostocks.com or call 724-730-1623. Correspondence can also be sent to 172 Tent Hill Road, Sandy Lake, PA 16145.
The 2019 Penn Ohio Pro Stock Championship Series is brought to you by Homak, “Globally Known & Professionally Trusted since 1947” and powered by Can-Am, “We’re built for this”; along with the support of Wrapz by Reiser, Hoosier Tire, Precise Racing Products, American Racer, Lias Tire, E & K Equipment, Timber Lake Lodge, Les Frickshun, SS Chassis & Supply, Bish Heating & Cooling, Dirt Defender LLC, Blue Ox Timber, Close Racing Supply, Genesis Racing Shocks, ARbodies, Trick Shot Penetrating Lubricant, R & R Enterprise Auto Sales & Garage, Wedge Motorsports, Animal Graphics & Signs, Big Daddy’s Speed Center, Ultra Shield Race Products, Joe Willcox Performance Automatics, Phantom Signs & Shirts, Three Rivers Karting, Power of Bowser and Jacob’s Towing.
