By Mike Leone

August 7, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hesston, PA…The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series finished its two-event weekend with the inaugural event at Hesston Speedway on Saturday night. Race #13 on the 20-event slate marked just the second event ever in central Pennsylvania and the furthest event to the east.

One week after scoring the big $5,000 payday at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio and finishing second the night before to Joe Martin at Dog Hollow Speedway, Mike Pegher, Jr. knocked off another big win collecting his fourth FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series win of the season. Pegher’s 25-lap $1,200 victory was his seventh career Touring Series win tying him with Max Blair as the all-time Series winner.

Pole-sitter Josh Holtgraver looked strong early on leading the event’s first eight laps in search of his second career Touring Series win; however, on lap nine, ninth starting Butch Lambert made his way to the front taking the lead. Pegher, who started 12th, followed Lambert to the front also getting by Holtgraver on the ninth circuit.

After tracking Lambert to the front of the field and following him in second for five laps, Pegher made the winning move on lap 14. Pegher would lead the rest of the way to score his second Hesston win of the season as he also won a $1,000 to-win special three weeks ago in the Lynn Geisler-owned, #1 Cochran Automotive/Triple-S Auto/MonaVie-sponsored #1c.

Pegher continues to slowly cut into Blair’s large point lead as he’s finished ahead of the point leader the last three races and six of the last nine with four wins to Blair’s two; however, four finishes outside the top 15 for Pegher has really hampered his championship run.

Lambert continues to knock on the door for his first Touring Series win of the season as his second place finish was his third runner-up of the season and sixth time in the top four. Blair certainly passed a lot of cars in the two Touring events this weekend coming from 18th to fourth on Friday night and 11th to third on Saturday for his 12th top 10 in 13 races.

What a weekend for Dan Angelicchio, who finished third on Friday and fourth on Saturday to go along with a second place the event before to move up to eighth in points. Dan Karalagas raced home in fifth for his first ever top five finish in a Touring Series event. Holtgraver dropped to sixth at the finish as Roger Laughlin, Gary Knollinger, Martin, and Bud Watson rounded out the top 10. Watson earned an extra $75 for the longest tow award from Conneaut, Ohio.

FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series Race #13
(25 laps, $1,200 to-win):
1. MIKE PEGHER, JR. (Geisler 1c) 2. Butch Lambert (27) 3. Max Blair (111) 4. Dan Angelicchio (14) 5. Dan Karalagas (G1) 6. Josh Holtgraver (00) 7. Roger Laughlin (53) 8. Gary Knollinger (38K) 9. Joe Martin (55) 10. Bud Watson (2) 11. Nico DaBecco (1F) 12. Bryan Force (31).

Lap leaders: Holtgraver (1-8), Lambert (9-13), Pegher (14-25).

Current Northeast Touring Series points
419 111 Max Blair Centerville, PA
373 1C Mike Pegher, Jr. Wexford, PA
357 27 Butch Lambert Mars, PA
346 38K Gary Knollinger Wheeling, WV
334 00 Josh Holtgraver Pittsburgh, PA
300 2 Bud Watson Conneaut, OH
281 55 Joe Martin Mayport, PA
247 14 Dan Angelicchio Greensburg, PA
227 31 Bryan Force Indiana, PA
203 G1 Dan Karalagas Pittsburgh, PA
188 5 Mike Blose New Bethlehem, PA
176 50 Steve Dixon Smethport, PA
169 11 Troy Shields Acme, PA
165 100 David Scott Garland, PA
125 5M Ricky Meglaye Youngwood, PA
123 B1D Dwayne Pond Saegertown, PA
121 Z17 Kyle Zimmerman Albion, PA
111 1L Kyle Lukon Burgettstown, PA
107 68B Shane Bambarger Conneaut, OH
98 50C Bobby Cossell Hopwood, PA
93 43X Garrett Mott Smethport, PA
86 7krt Rocky Kugel East Liverpool, OH
86 38 Josh Double Bristolville, OH
84 W11 Rob Blair Centerville, PA
75 135 Jamie Brown Jamestown, NY
53 1/2 Damian Bidwell Eldred, PA
51 17L Dennis Lunger Albion, PA
41 49 John Haggerty Olean, NY
35 19 Michael Mitchell Saegertown, PA
33 68 Chris Force Indiana, PA
31 K2 John Over Uniontown, PA
30 41 Ike Fanton Wellsville, NY
30 42JR Dave Airgood, Jr. West Middlesex, PA
23 7 John Lacki Sinclairville, NY
23 79 Michael Hughes Millsboro, PA
20 71 Jim Long Conneaut, OH
10 5 Bob Kish Belfast, NY
10 15/23 Mark Moats, Jr. Hookstown, PA


The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series will resume action this Friday for its only appearance of the season at Raceway 7 in Conneaut, Ohio. Event #14 will pay $1,200 to-win.

You can reach co-directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone at the FASTRAK Northeast office at 724-964-9300. E-mail to info@fastraknortheast.com and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. The office is open daily late mornings and after 1:30 p.m. For more information, check out the FASTRAK Northeast website at www.fastraknortheast.com. Become our fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fastraknortheast.

8/7/10 HESSTON SPEEDWAY PRESS RELEASE
By Christy Miller

As the Fastrak Northeast Touring Series would round out a weekend of excitement, Mike Pegher, Jr. (1c) started in the 12th position and went home with the $1200 check. Josh Holtgraver (00) and Gary Knollinger (38k) paced the field to the green. Holtgraver took the early command as Knollinger slid high going into turn 1. Nico Debacco (F1) took advantage and claimed the 2nd position as Dan Karalagas (G1), Bud Watson (2), and Joe Martin (55) followed respectively. As Debacco and Karalagas battled for the 2nd spot, the yellow waved. Knollinger came to a halt on the front stretch. Holtgraver would choose the outside on the double file restart. The green dropped but the flagman was not happy with the start. The field came double file again out of turn 4 with Debacco and Holtgraver on the front row. On lap 6, Pegher, Jr. was up to the 6th spot battling Martin for the 4th position. Butch Lambert (27) applied the heat to Holtgraver for the top spot.

The yellow appeared again on lap 8 as Martin lost the grip in turns 3&4. Holtgraver would again choose the outside for the restart. Lambert would take the lead into turn 1 as Holtgraver and Pegher, Jr. look on. Pegher, Jr. completed the pass for the 2nd spot and now set his sites on Lambert. Lambert stayed on the bottom as Pegher, Jr. worked the top. Dan Angelicchio (14) was now trying to take the 3rd spot from Holtgraver as Max Blair (111) and Karalagas battled for 5th. With 13 laps in and 12 to go, Pegher, Jr. goes to the outside in turns 1&2 trying to take over the top spot. Pegher, Jr. would complete the pass off turn 4 and lead lap 14. Lambert, Holtgraver, Blair and Angelicchio followed respectively. Pegher, Jr. was pulling away from the field as Lambert sat comfortably in the 2nd spot. Blair took the 3rd position from Holtgraver as he slid high. Angelicchio now began to put the pressure on Holtgraver for the 4th spot. With 2 to go, Pegher, Jr. was still your leader as Karalagas and Holtgraver battled for 5th. Pegher, Jr. found himself in victory lane as Lambert, Blair, Angelicchio, and Karalagas rounded out the top 5. As the Dirt Doctor, Dave Eriksen, put up a special award for the longest traveler in any division, it was calculated that Bud Watson (2) was the victor.

CAUTIONS: 3 - laps 3, 3, 8
LEADERS: Holtgraver (1-7), Lambert (8-13), Pegher, Jr. (14-25)
HARD CHARGER: Pegher, Jr.

By Mike Leone

July 31, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rossburg, OH…Some of the greatest dirt track racers in the history of motorsports have strapped in behind the wheel and tackled the Big E at Eldora Speedway as the Rossburg, Ohio ½-mile speedway has hosted some of the biggest dirt track races known to mankind.

On Saturday, the FASTRAK Late Model Racing Series made their annual pilgrimage to Tony Stewart’s famous speed plant. FASTRAK Northeast again had a strong representation of some of its best racers as 12 drivers from western Pennsylvania and West Virginia made the trip across the Buckeye State to take on the southern stars.

In the past, the Northeast racers have put up a strong fight, but weren’t able to overcome the more experienced crate Late Model racers from the South and Midwest; however, that all changed Saturday night. In 2009, Pittsburgh’s Josh Holtgraver finished eighth. On Saturday night, Holtgraver put on a dominating performance for much of the event leading the first 38 laps before being overtaken by Royce Bray just a lap before an expired motor was a heartbreaking end to his night.

Mike Pegher, Jr., started in 10th, missed the early accidents, and then drove around Bray on the outside on lap 43 for his first lead of the race. Pegher then was able to hold off Bray to take the checkered flag first earning the big $5,000 payoff- one year after finishing fifth.

It was the Wexford, Pa. driver’s second FASTRAK National win in July as Pegher won the biggest race of his career earlier in the month at Mercer Raceway Park when he took the $6,000 victory in the Lynn Geisler-owned, #1 Cochran Automotive/Triple-S Auto/MonaVie-sponsored #1c. Pegher’s Rocket Chassis took the prestigious “Chassis Challenge Cup” on Saturday for his 10th overall FASTRAK win in 2010.

“Winning tonight is definitely the biggest dream in racing Late Models,” expressed the 24-year-old Pegher. “That’s pretty much anyone’s dream to win here at Eldora. It means a lot to win this Chassis Challenge Cup. Mark Richards builds these cars and helps us out.”

Georgia’s Bray beat South Carolina racers David Smith and Chris Cantrell to finish second. Butch Lambert turned in his best ever effort in a major race as the Mars, Pa. driver came from 20th to finish fifth. Going into Eldora, Lambert had recorded two straight fourth place finishes and five top four finishes in the past nine Northeast Touring events in his Bagel Bites/RAM Transit/Fannie’s Friends Pet Cremation/Austin’s A1 Bleach/Kozminski Auto Body-sponsored #27.

Right outside the top five was Wheeling, West Virginia’s Gary Knollinger, who was fresh off his career first Northeast Touring Series win two days prior at Sharon Speedway. Knollinger improved on his 10th place finish from one year ago. Another Northeast racer, Dan Angelicchio, came home seventh.

Other Northeast racers in attendance with their finishes in parentheses were Damian Bidwell (12th), Garrett Mott (13th), Holtgraver (14th), Dave Airgood, Jr. (15th), Steve Dixon (16th), Bryan Force (17th), Kyle Lukon (18th), and Andrew Wylie (DNQ).


FASTRAK Late Model Racing Series National Event
(50 laps, $5,000 to-win):
1. MIKE PEGHER, JR. (Geisler 1c) 2. Royce Bray (Harris 21) 3. David Smith (11) 4. Chris Cantrell (114) 5. Butch Lambert (27) 6. Gary Knollinger (38K) 7. Dan Angelicchio (14) 8. Dan Breuer (B7) 9. Steve Cooke (17c) 10. Ryan Atkins (9) 11. Lee Cooper (57) 12. Damian Bidwell (1/2-Pt) 13. Garrett Mott (43x) 14. Josh Holtgraver (00) 15. Dave Airgood, Jr. (42Jr) 16. Steve Dixon (50) 17. Bryan Force (31) 18. Kyle Lukon (1) 19. Chris Steele (2) 20. R.J. Otto (1) 21. Shannon Buckingham (50) 22. David Watts (04) 23. Forrest Trent (4Q) 24. Mike Covington (15C) DNQ: Jake Eaton (29E), Kevin Colston (38), Andrew Wylie (84), Brandon Williams (95), Jensen Ford (83).

Fast Qualifier: Breuer 17.775
B main winner: Knollinger
Lap leaders: Holtgraver (1-38), Bray (39-42), Pegher (43-50)
Car count: 29

The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series will be in action next Friday and Saturday, August 6 and 7 at Dog Hollow and Hesston Speedways. Events #12 and 13 will pay $1,200 to-win each.

You can reach co-directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone at the FASTRAK Northeast office at 724-964-9300. E-mail to info@fastraknortheast.com and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. The office is open daily late mornings and after 1:30 p.m. For more information, check out the FASTRAK Northeast website at www.fastraknortheast.com. Become our fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fastraknortheast.

From Track Reports:

In the Brougher’s Machine Shop Fastrak Late Models, Wexford PA’s Mike Pegher Jr., grabbed his second
win in a row in dramatic fashion. Pegher, who started the event 17th after breaking a wheel while
leading his heat, charged thru the field to take the lead on lap 13 and win going away. Outside front row
starter Dan Karalagas grabbed the lead at the start with Josh Holtgraver right behind in second. The pair
pulled away, while Pegher made his way thru the field. He picked off cars in rapid succession, and got by
both Karalagas and Holtgraver in one sweeping move. From that point on, the race was all Pegher’s.
Holtgraver ended up second, while Karalagas had dropped out of the event on lap 16. Beau Glemba
made his first start of the season to finish third followed by Rick Meglaye, Mark Moats Jr., Chad
McClellan, Dan Angelicchio, Dennis Niederriter (from 19th). Rocky Kugel and Bryant Hank. Chad
McClellan and Mark Moats Jr. picked up the heats.

Brougher’s Machine Shop FASTRAK Late Models
Heats – 118 Chad McClellan and 15 Mark Moats
Feature (20 Laps) – 1. 1C Mike Pegher Jr., 2. 00 Josh Holtgraver, 3. 99G Beau Glemba, 4.
5 Rick Meglaye, 5. 15 Mark Moats Jr, 6. 118 Chad McClellan, 7. 14 Daniel Angelicchio, 8. 09 Dennis
Niederriter, 9. 7KRT Rocky Kugel, 10. 28 Bryant Hank, 11. 93X Justin Lamb, 12. 11 Troy Shields, 13. 84
Laura Lukon, 14. 1B Jim Bryce, 15. 5J Darrell Dow, 16. 1G Dan Karalagas, 17. 25 Cory Behanna, 18. 39
Terry Kerr, 19. 26S Shawn Schaltenbrand DNS ‐ C1 Ken Chernik and 8X Mike Krueger

From Track Reports:

In the Brougher’s Machine Shop Fastrak Late Models, 2008 track champ Mike Pegher Jr. Wexford, PA won going
away in the 20 lap main event. Pegher Jr. who started 6th took the lead on lap 1 and went on a rampage lapping all
but second place runner Daniel Angelicchio in the nonstop event. At the line it was Pegher Jr., Angelicchio, Josh
Holtgraver, Troy Shields, Rick Megleye, Laura Lukon, Rocky Kugel (who came from the tail after problems in his
heat), Bryant Hank, Ken Chernik, and Mark Moats Jr. The heats saw Mike Pegher Jr. and Josh Holtgraver pick up the
wins. It was Pegher Jr.’s 7th career PPMS win.

Brougher’s Machine Shop FASTRAK Late Models
Heats – 1C Mike Pegher Jr. and 00 Josh Holtgraver
Feature (20 Laps) – 1. 1C Mike Pegher Jr., 2. 14 Daniel Angelicchio, 3. 00 Josh Holtgraver, 4. 11 Troy
Shields, 5. 5 Rick Megleye, 6. 84 Laura Lukon, 7. 7KRT Rocky Kugel, 8. 28 Bryant Hank, 9. C1 Ken Chernik,
10. 15M Mark Moats Jr, 11. 93X Justin Lamb, 12. 5J Darrell Dow, 13. 1/2 PT Damian Bidwell, 14. 8X Mike
Krueger, 15. 697 Dave Johnson, 16. 09N Dennis Niederriter DNS ‐ 39K Terry Kerr