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November 2023 by Ralph Harlan
If you loved racing at Heidelberg Raceway, then Pittsburghs Pennsylvania Motor Speedway has some of the actual features of Heidelberg being used at PPMS since the track closed. Drivers doing it in the dirt since June 10th, 1979.Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway (PPMS)TRACK HISTORYWhen was the first race in PPMS history? There’s not an easy answer to that question, as that is best answered by the phrase “it depends.”On Sunday, June 10, 1979, the scheduled grand opening was a three-division program featuring the Late Models in a 50 lap main event. Also on the card was Semi-Lates and Street Stocks, which were also known as Flyers. However, when the heats were finished, rain moved in and canceled the rest of the program, setting up double features for the next regularly scheduled race night on Sunday, June 17.However, that would not be the next race. The next scheduled event was on Thursday, June 14, titled the “Open Wheel 100,” featuring Sprints and Modifieds. The scheduled 50 lap events for both classes were shortened to 35 laps due to excessive heat that day. Keith Kauffman was the Sprint winner that warm evening as Central Pennsylvania drivers dominated the event. Richard Lupo led from the start, leading the first 14 laps. Steve Smith passed Lupo for the lead on lap 15. Kauffman passed Lupo for second on lap 17, and went by Smith for the lead on lap 19. At the checkered flag it was Kauffman the winner over Smith, Lupo, Bobby Allen, and Steve Siegel. Ed Faulkner suffered injuries after his driveshaft broke, and he was transported to the hospital. Sprint cars at the time had not fully transitioned to predominantly winged cars, and this race was run without wings. Deek Scott took the lead from Ralph Quarterson on lap 10 of the Modified feature and went on to win the event. Deek’s father, legendary driver Herb Scott for whom we have a memorial event in honor of, was the flagman at the track. It was a special family moment in victory lane that night. Bob Wearing finished second in the Modified feature, with Blackie Watt third. The Stocks were also on the card with Rich Britton winning the feature event over Tim College.So the first races were run on June 10, 1979, but not any feature events. The first features were run on June 14, 1979, the first regularly scheduled features on June 17, 1979.Now let’s get to that June 17 show. The night started with the makeup features, followed by heats for the regularly scheduled show. The Late Model feature was first up, but an incident on lap 3 would bring the evening to an early end. Driver Herm Myers hit the inside wall in turns three and four, climbing the wall and hitting a light pole. The incident knocked out the lights along the length of the two turns, and repairs were too extensive to allow racing to continue. This forced another double feature program on June 24.The 50-lap main event from the grand opening started with Brian Muehlman taking the early lead. Muehlman led the first 30 laps, before being passed by Bob Wearing on lap 31. Dave Hoffman, aboard the Brockett Spirit of ‘76 took second from Muehlman a lap later, and but was unable to challenge Wearing for the lead. Instead he battled with L.J. Dennis for second as they swapped the spot several times. Wearing was the winner, but Hoffman’s car slowed with issues as the white flag was waving. That gave second place to Dennis, with Muehlman third. Fourth was Chuck Maloney, with Jim Bertges fifth. Bob Puz was sixth, followed by “Ed Faulkner’s car,” Frank Perpetua, the “Jook’s Body Shop car” in ninth for whom we have the Jook George classic race, with Hoffman limping home tenth. This information came from an old copy of Tri-State Auto Racing News, shared online. The other makeup feature winners were John Johnson in the Semi-Lates, and Joe Gombach in the Street Stocks.The makeup feature on June 24 was won by Joe Mihalic, Herb Scott’s arch rival in the PRA racing days. Lynn Geisler won the regular Late Model feature, the first of his track leading 76 career Late Model feat
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November 2023 by Megan Setters
All had great time our son won costume prize, alot of great costumes n vendors.
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November 2023 by Randy Reamer
Great track and great racing.
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October 2023 by Mike Leonard
First time at the track this past weekend. Really nice track.
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October 2023 by Al Baldwin
Love the track
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October 2023 by T. Eiselman Jr
Good Racing!
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October 2023 by Elizabeth Stile
Had a really nice.time. New owner made many improvements in the short time he has had it. Plans many more. Really nice person. We will be back.
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October 2023 by Casey Kunf
The new owners have been absolutely moving mountains on the ground maintenance! Have been going to PPMS for years and have never seen it looking so great! The experience is so much more enjoyable now. The kids have the best time when we go. Absolutely recommend it for a fun family night out!
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September 2023 by bry hor
Great place to spend a Saturday night with family and Friends. The track was recently sold and the new owners are making a ton of improvements like new bleacher boards, Led lighting, landscaping, cleaning the grounds up, ect. Every thing people wanted in the past so get out to the track and show your support! The girl who runs the main off is one of the nicest people you will meet! Looking forward to 2024.
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September 2023 by Mudlark Racing
Raced here 2 years ago and just recently went back, the new owners put in a lot of work in such little time and made so many improvements. The overgrown weeds that where taken care of was nice, a victory lane they added was cool. Can't wait to see what the track looks like by next season. Car counts look good!!! Keep up the hard work and we can't wait to come back.
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September 2023 by Emily Heasley
The track looks amazing started to bring the family out as often as we can. The kids love it! So many improvements have been made in such a short time. Can't wait to see this place become the new place to be, every weekend. They just had a dunk tank and we got to dunk the new owner, he is breath of fresh air.
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September 2023 by April B.
Such a fun place for the whole family! The new owners are fantastic and making much needed improvements. We attended the event where kids were able to race their bikes on the track, my son was thrilled! It was a memorable experience and I’m looking forward to creating many more. Highly recommend!
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September 2023 by Melissa Dailey
I have been coming to this track for years. The track was recently bought my a young husband and wife. They have great plans for the track. They have been updating the bleachers with new wood and taking care of the landscaping. They have also held numerous community events for everyone. Most recently a 1st responder night. They care about the track and are investing in to its future. I have seen so many bad reviews of the track over the Monster Truck shows. That is a private event and not ran by Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway staff or owners. Please come see what has been done to the track in the last few months and take in a race and see the different atmosphere. I will return every weekend and enjoy what is being done.
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September 2023 by Mckenna Gamble
Such a fun family outing!! My kids loved it! The new owners are showing a lot of attention to the improvements that were needed and we’re excited to see what else they’ll be doing. We will definitely be coming back again!
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September 2023 by Le Terr
LOVE THIS PLACE!! we bring our family here all the time! great prices, a bunch of new stuff recently, great owners! my kids want to go every weekend. i love the hotdogs and funnel cakes ?
