Three-time PPMS champion dies at 56
Dave Wade, a three-time champion at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway in Imperial, died at his Findlay Township, Pa., home on Monday. He was 56.
The Imperial native who drove the No. 76 car won Limited Late Model titles at PPMS in 1998 and 2000 and captured the Super Late Model crown in 2004 while tallying four victories. He was a five-time starter in the Pittsburgher 100 with a best finish of 18th in 2003.
The plumber's racing career started in street stocks in 1984 and winning his first race in 1986, Ward ran a mixture of dirt and asphalt events the first 10 years of his career while competing at PPMS, Jennerstown and Motordrome. Driving a Yuengling-sponsored career early in the 2000s, his winning career continued until 2011 when he climbed out of his Crate Late Model and fielded a Crate for Jason Rider in 2013-14.
Survivors include his wife Linda and daughters Amanda and Kayla. Visitation is 4-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, at Herrick Funeral Home in Imperial; the funeral is 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, at Clinton United Presbyterian Church. Send memorials to Racers for Tots, 119 Brunswick Place, Carnegie, PA 15106. Find a complete obituary at herrickcompassionatefs.com.
