9/20/08 Pittsburgher 100



*20th Annual "Pittsburgher 100" - Steve Baker - Feature Winner - September 20, 2008*
Baker, of Fairmont, WV won this years Pittsburgher on this season ending Saturday night in Pittsburgh . While the record will show that Baker led all 100 laps in earning the $12,000 winner's share, it was anything short of a normal race where the winner leads every lap. Top five positions exchanged constantly throughout the entire race but most importantly, Baker held off a late race charge from Davey Johnson who was up to Baker's door at the white flag then fought off Johnson's last lap bid, earning every dollar of his winning payday.

ww Mark Banal checkin' out his brand new car.

20th Annual "Pittsburgher 100" - Steve Baker - Feature Winner - September 20, 2008

Baker, of Fairmont, WV won this years Pittsburgher on this season ending Saturday
night in Pittsburgh . While the record will show that Baker led all 100 laps in earning
the $12,000 winner's share, it was anything short of a normal race where the winner
leads every lap. Top five positions exchanged constantly throughout the entire race
but most importantly, Baker held off a late race charge from Davey Johnson who
was up to Baker's door at the white flag then fought off Johnson's last lap bid,
earning every dollar of his winning payday.

ww

Mark Banal checkin' out his brand new car.


Few race tracks have better infield pits, food, and racing excitement than PPMS.
In Friday night's action five heat races were run for the 48-car field, lined up by the luck of the draw. Lynn Geisler was the winner of Heat 1, from third starting position. Steve Baker came from the third starting spot to win Heat 2. Lou Bradich took the win in Heat 3, after starting sixth. Heat 4 went to Ed Ferree, from the pole. In Heat 5, starting ninth in the nine-car field, Josh Richards came through the pack to get the win. The top three finishers from each heat redrew for the top 15 starting positions of the 100 lap main event. Baker was the second driver to draw and pulled the outside front row. The pole position dropped way down in the redraw, as it went to the 14 th driver, Brandon Burgoon was the happy recipient. Two B-Mains were run to complete the starting grid, won by Al Atallah and Kyle Lukon.

Doug Dodd of Zanesville came ready to win this one.

L-R: Jared Miley, Ben Miley, Mike Johnson, Lynn Geisleroo o oo

ooKeith Berner gives his car the once over before the heat. "The Pittsburgher"
Steve Baker blasted into the lead to start the 20 th Annual Pittsburgher 100 ahead of Brandon Burgoon, Lou Bradich, Gregg Satterlee, and Lynn Geisler but a caution waved on lap 1 for a tangle off turn four. Though a few cars went pit side then returned, Keith Barbara and John Mollick were done. Baker mastered every double file restart to follow for a total of 14 cautions during the 100-lap event which set up some exciting racing evry time. Driving a team car to Baker, Bradich took second on lap 2 while Burgoon settled into third ahead of Gary Stuhler and Satterlee. Josh Richards started tenth and grabbed second over Bradich, Burgoon, and Stuhler by lap 10 followed by a long green flag run. Baker continuing to lead Richards, Bradich, Stuhler, and Geisler, the best battle up front for third. Baker began lapping cars at lap 17, as Stuhler moved to third on lap 20. Geisler passed Stuhler for fourth on lap 23, then passed Bradich for third. After being involved in the lap 1 incident, Al Atallah charged through the pack and was now in sixth at lap 32 followed by a caution flag. Track rules allow lapped cars to gain a lap back on each yellow and all 29 cars were now back on the lead lap. At lap 34 Baker was leading Richards and Doug Dodd got a good restart to get to third, Atallah fourth, and Lynn Geisler filling the top five. A lap 35 yellow waved for a tangle between Alex Ferree and Alan Sagi. Baker again took off on the restart, with Dodd and Burgoon slipping past Richards then Burgoon grabbed second from Dodd as Geisler and Atallah swapped fifth. Fourth running Richards slowed with a flat tire on lap 38 bringing out the caution. Dodd and Geisler battled for second as racing resumed with Davey Johnson and Satterlee battled for fourth, Satterlee taking the spot on lap 50. Caution at lap 51 came just past halfway as many drivers opted to make quick pit stop, 29 cars still running. Baker led Dodd on the restart, with Satterlee now grabbing third from Johnson. Geisler and Richards, back from the tail on lap 38, battled for fifth. At lap 56, Richards slowed with another flat. Alex Ferree, who had also charged back through the field, made contact with Richards slowing car, but the yellow saved his position in 11th. Back to green it was still Baker over Dodd and Johnson. Jeremy Miller's quiet charge forward has him in fourth, Satterlee race into fifth came to an end on lap 60 when his car broke a driveshaft. Ferree inherited fifth at this point. Baker now led Dodd, Miller, Johnson, and Ferree to the stripe when Jared Miley spun with 65 complete. The deck shuffled as Johnson passed Dodd for second ahead of Miller and Geisler. Ferree regained fifth before the next yellow at lap 68, with 25 cars still running. For the first time Johnson was able to hang with Baker and stayed within a few car lengths. Lapped traffic came into play at lap 77, once again Baker drove away from his pursuers. Johnson held on to second, with Ferree and Miller swapping third. Miller settled into third, as Dodd passed Ferree for fourth at lap 90. Baker's flawless run through traffic hit a snag on lap 94, as he made contact with Hodgkiss in turn one, spinning to bring out the 14 th caution.

Turns one and two at the big 1/2 mile. Steve Baker is on the outside, Davey Johnson on the inside lane and it's the LAST LAP! Both cars were specially built to win at Pittsburgh and it's still anybodys race.
When racing resumed, Johnson settled in a few car lengths behind Baker. While the rest of the top five was still being shuffled as it had throughout the event, all eyes were glued to the leaders. A couple car lengths apart, the two-to-go mark was given with 98 laps complete. Johnson charged low in turn two, and nosed ahead of Baker. But Baker charged back on the outside, regaining his lead down the backstretch. Johnson again tried the low side, and at the white flag it was Johnson with his bumper at Baker's door. Racing side-by-side for the entire last lap, it was Baker by a nose.
ooGary Stuhler and Lynn Geisler
Josh Richards and John Flinneroo
Davey Johnson settled for second, after starting eighth. Doug Dodd finished third, advancing from 18 th starting spot. Alex Ferree was fourth, back from the tail on lap 34. Josh Richards went to the tail twice during the event in finishing fifth. Jeremy Miller was sixth, running in the top five and ten throughout most of the event. From 24 th starting spot, hard charger Matt Lux advanced to finish seventh. Lynn Geisler ran in the top ten the entire distance, earning eighth. Al Atallah's early charge from the tail kept him in the top ten all the way, as he was ninth. Driving a solid race throughout the event, Dave Hess, Jr. was tenth.
Feature - with finish, start, car, driver, and hometown 1, 2, 0, Steve Baker, Fairmont , WV 2, 8, 1J, Davey Johnson, Latrobe , PA 3, 18, 12, Doug Dodd, Cambridge , OH 4, 7, 4, Alex Ferree, Saxonburg , PA 5, 10, 1R, Josh Richards, Shinston , WV 6, 12, 24, Jeremy Miller, Gettysburg , PA 7, 24, 21, Matt Lux, Franklin , PA 8, 6, 1C, Lynn Geisler, Cranberry Twp., PA 9, 21, 02, Al Atallah, Bridgeville , PA 10, 16, 44, Dave Hess, Jr., Waterford , PA 11, 1, 17B, Brandon Burgoon, McDonald , PA 12, 14, H1, Jared Miley, South Park , PA 13, 15, 2J, Mike Johnson, Imperial, PA 14, 22, 1L, Kyle Lukon, Burgettstown , PA 15, 29, 99, Ben Miley, Venecia , PA 16, 13, T8, Mark Banal, St. Clairsville , OH 17, 28, 8A, Alan Sagi, Hagerstown , MD 18, 11, 4E, Ed Ferree, Saxonburg , PA 19, 4, 0B, Lou Bradich, Chester , WV 20, 25, 17E, Lance Elson, Wellsburg , WV 21, 32, 84, Rodney Sweitzer, Stoystown , PA 22, 20, 81M, D.J. Miller, Hookstown , PA 23, 30, 75, Mel Minnick, Jr., Uniontown , PA 24, 23, 69, Jon Hodgkiss, Kennedy , PA 25, 19, 77, Rich Apolito, Scott Township , PA 26, 9, 48, John Flinner, Zelienople , PA 27, 26, 23, Mark Moats, Sr., Hookstown , PA 28, 3, 22, Gregg Satterlee, Rochester Mills, PA 29, 5, 90, Gary Stuhler, Grenncastle , PA 30, 31, 29R, Keith Rodriguez, Crescent, PA 31, 17, 17K, Keith Barbara, South Park , PA 32, 27, 4J, John Mollick, Toronto , OH Feature Lead Changes - 0. Baker 1-100.

Friend and fellow photographer Brian Underwood giving the infield a spray. Brian has worked at PPMS for 30 years and still visits many race tracks and the biggest races thru the region.




The last time I went to the Pittsburger' was in 1995 with this car. Bloomer won and we didn't even make the show. We sure had a good time tho. If I remember right, this was a Bullitt leaf car with Don's big Mopar engine. The racing at Pittsburgh was great then as it is today. I'll be bak soon! Once in a while ya gotta step across the borders to find some really great racing!

Few race tracks have better infield pits, food, and racing excitement than PPMS.

In Friday night's action five heat races were run for the 48-car field, lined up by
the luck of the draw. Lynn Geisler was the winner of Heat 1, from third starting position.
Steve Baker came from the third starting spot to win Heat 2. Lou Bradich took the win in
Heat 3, after starting sixth. Heat 4 went to Ed Ferree, from the pole. In Heat 5, starting
ninth in the nine-car field, Josh Richards came through the pack to get the win.

The top three finishers from each heat redrew for the top 15 starting positions
of the 100 lap main event. Baker was the second driver to draw and pulled the
outside front row. The pole position dropped way down in the redraw, as it went to
the 14 th driver, Brandon Burgoon was the happy recipient. Two B-Mains were
run to complete the starting grid, won by Al Atallah and Kyle Lukon.

Doug Dodd of Zanesville came ready to win this one.

L-R: Jared Miley, Ben Miley, Mike Johnson, Lynn Geisleroo o

ooKeith Berner gives his car the once over before the heat.

"The Pittsburgher"

Steve Baker blasted into the lead to start the 20 th Annual Pittsburgher 100
ahead of Brandon Burgoon, Lou Bradich, Gregg Satterlee, and Lynn Geisler
but a caution waved on lap 1 for a tangle off turn four. Though a few cars
went pit side then returned, Keith Barbara and John Mollick were done.
Baker mastered every double file restart to follow for a total of 14 cautions
during the 100-lap event which set up some exciting racing evry time.

Driving a team car to Baker, Bradich took second on lap 2 while Burgoon
settled into third ahead of Gary Stuhler and Satterlee. Josh Richards
started tenth and grabbed second over Bradich, Burgoon, and Stuhler
by lap 10 followed by a long green flag run. Baker continuing to lead
Richards, Bradich, Stuhler, and Geisler, the best battle up front for third.
Baker began lapping cars at lap 17, as Stuhler moved to third on lap 20.
Geisler passed Stuhler for fourth on lap 23, then passed Bradich for third.

After being involved in the lap 1 incident, Al Atallah charged through
the pack and was now in sixth at lap 32 followed by a caution flag.
Track rules allow lapped cars to gain a lap back on each yellow and
all 29 cars were now back on the lead lap. At lap 34 Baker was leading
Richards and Doug Dodd got a good restart to get to third, Atallah fourth,
and Lynn Geisler filling the top five.

A lap 35 yellow waved for a tangle between Alex Ferree and Alan Sagi.
Baker again took off on the restart, with Dodd and Burgoon slipping past
Richards then Burgoon grabbed second from Dodd as Geisler and Atallah
swapped fifth. Fourth running Richards slowed with a flat tire on lap 38
bringing out the caution. Dodd and Geisler battled for second as racing
resumed with Davey Johnson and Satterlee battled for fourth, Satterlee
taking the spot on lap 50.

Caution at lap 51 came just past halfway as many drivers opted to
make quick pit stop, 29 cars still running. Baker led Dodd on the restart,
with Satterlee now grabbing third from Johnson. Geisler and Richards,
back from the tail on lap 38, battled for fifth. At lap 56, Richards slowed with
another flat. Alex Ferree, who had also charged back through the field, made
contact with Richards slowing car, but the yellow saved his position in 11th.

Back to green it was still Baker over Dodd and Johnson. Jeremy Miller's
quiet charge forward has him in fourth, Satterlee race into fifth came to an end
on lap 60 when his car broke a driveshaft. Ferree inherited fifth at this point.
Baker now led Dodd, Miller, Johnson, and Ferree to the stripe when Jared Miley
spun with 65 complete. The deck shuffled as Johnson passed Dodd for second
ahead of Miller and Geisler. Ferree regained fifth before the next yellow
at lap 68, with 25 cars still running.

For the first time Johnson was able to hang with Baker and stayed within
a few car lengths. Lapped traffic came into play at lap 77, once again Baker
drove away from his pursuers. Johnson held on to second, with Ferree and
Miller swapping third. Miller settled into third, as Dodd passed Ferree for fourth
at lap 90. Baker's flawless run through traffic hit a snag on lap 94, as he made
contact with Hodgkiss in turn one, spinning to bring out the 14 th caution.

Turns one and two at the big 1/2 mile. Steve Baker is on the
outside, Davey Johnson on the inside lane and it's the
LAST LAP! Both cars were specially built to win at
Pittsburgh and it's still anybodys race.

When racing resumed, Johnson settled in a few car lengths behind Baker.
While the rest of the top five was still being shuffled as it had throughout
the event, all eyes were glued to the leaders. A couple car lengths apart,
the two-to-go mark was given with 98 laps complete. Johnson charged low
in turn two, and nosed ahead of Baker. But Baker charged back on the
outside, regaining his lead down the backstretch. Johnson again tried the
low side, and at the white flag it was Johnson with his bumper at Baker's
door. Racing side-by-side for the entire last lap, it was Baker by a nose.

ooGary Stuhler and Lynn Geisler

Josh Richards and John Flinneroo

Davey Johnson settled for second, after starting eighth. Doug Dodd finished third, advancing from 18 th starting spot. Alex Ferree was fourth, back from the tail on lap 34. Josh Richards went to the tail twice during the event in finishing fifth. Jeremy Miller was sixth, running in the top five and ten throughout most of the event. From 24 th starting spot, hard charger
Matt Lux advanced to finish seventh. Lynn Geisler ran in the top ten the entire distance, earning eighth. Al Atallah's early charge from the tail kept him in the top ten all the way,
as he was ninth. Driving a solid race throughout the event, Dave Hess, Jr. was tenth.

Feature - with finish, start, car, driver, and hometown

1, 2, 0, Steve Baker, Fairmont , WV
2, 8, 1J, Davey Johnson, Latrobe , PA
3, 18, 12, Doug Dodd, Cambridge , OH
4, 7, 4, Alex Ferree, Saxonburg , PA
5, 10, 1R, Josh Richards, Shinston , WV
6, 12, 24, Jeremy Miller, Gettysburg , PA
7, 24, 21, Matt Lux, Franklin , PA
8, 6, 1C, Lynn Geisler, Cranberry Twp., PA
9, 21, 02, Al Atallah, Bridgeville , PA
10, 16, 44, Dave Hess, Jr., Waterford , PA

11, 1, 17B, Brandon Burgoon, McDonald , PA
12, 14, H1, Jared Miley, South Park , PA
13, 15, 2J, Mike Johnson, Imperial, PA
14, 22, 1L, Kyle Lukon, Burgettstown , PA
15, 29, 99, Ben Miley, Venecia , PA
16, 13, T8, Mark Banal, St. Clairsville , OH
17, 28, 8A, Alan Sagi, Hagerstown , MD
18, 11, 4E, Ed Ferree, Saxonburg , PA
19, 4, 0B, Lou Bradich, Chester , WV
20, 25, 17E, Lance Elson, Wellsburg , WV

21, 32, 84, Rodney Sweitzer, Stoystown , PA
22, 20, 81M, D.J. Miller, Hookstown , PA
23, 30, 75, Mel Minnick, Jr., Uniontown , PA
24, 23, 69, Jon Hodgkiss, Kennedy , PA
25, 19, 77, Rich Apolito, Scott Township , PA
26, 9, 48, John Flinner, Zelienople , PA
27, 26, 23, Mark Moats, Sr., Hookstown , PA
28, 3, 22, Gregg Satterlee, Rochester Mills, PA
29, 5, 90, Gary Stuhler, Grenncastle , PA
30, 31, 29R, Keith Rodriguez, Crescent, PA
31, 17, 17K, Keith Barbara, South Park , PA
32, 27, 4J, John Mollick, Toronto , OH

Feature Lead Changes - 0.
Baker 1-100.

Friend and fellow photographer Brian Underwood giving
the infield a spray. Brian has worked at PPMS for 30 years and
still visits many race tracks and the biggest races thru the region.

The last time I went to the Pittsburger' was in 1995 with this car.
Bloomer won and we didn't even make the show. We sure had a good time tho.
If I remember right, this was a Bullitt leaf car with Don's big Mopar engine.
The racing at Pittsburgh was great then as it is today. I'll be bak soon!

Once in a while ya gotta step across the borders to find some really great racing!