March 16
Pittsburgh's Pa. Motor Speedway,
Imperial, PA
Sanction: Jay's Automotive United Late Model Series (Pot of Gold 75) - $4,000
Information provided by: Kyle McFadden, series and track reports (last updated March 18, 12:11 am)
Norris outduels Blair to win $4,000 ULMS opener
Pot of Gold 75
- Michael Norris
- Max Blair
- Drake Troutman
- Tony Musolino
- Dylan Yoder
- Colton Flinner
- Michael Lake
- Jon Lee
- Tyler Emory
- R.J. Dallape
- Brian Huchko
- Cole Petrelle
- Dave Stamm
- Tony White
- John Garvin Jr.
- Dylan Fenton
- Alex Ferree
- Ryan Montgomery
- Logan Zarin
- Daryl Charlier
- Zach Kane
- Tanner Hauger
- Del Rougeux
- Tyler Wyant
Paul Arch
Michael Norris keeps Max Blair behind him to win the ULMS season opener.
What won the race: Sliding past Max Blair for the lead on lap six just before the race's fourth and final caution flag flew, pole-starting Michael Norris of Sarver, Pa., led the remaining distance to claim Saturday's 25-lap Super Late Model portion ofthe Pot of Gold 75 at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Norris earned $4,000 for capturing the Jay's Automotive United Late Model Series season opener.
Quotable: "I just love this track man," Norris said. "I’d race a bicycle around here if I had to. The whole reason I started racing Crates is so I could race here, and I hear a Super race (is scheduled) and I just come arunning.”
Key notes: The fourth-starting Blair, of Centerville, Pa., led laps 2-5 before being overtaken by Norris and trailing him the rest of the way, finishing 3.508 seconds back. ... Norris registered his eighth career ULMS victory in his first start of 2024. It came behind the wheel of the Rocket No. 02 owned by Todd Cerenzia, who fielded a car for the first time since October 2021 when Norris drove it to victory in the Steel City Stampede at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. ... Drake Troutman challenged Norris and Blair in the early laps before settling for third. ... Sixth-starting Tony Musolino finished fourth, over nine seconds behind Troutman and nearly 16 seconds behind Norris. ... Dylan Yoder improved six positions and completed the top-five finishers. ... Colton Flinner finished sixth, the last driver on the lead lap. ... Reigning series champion Tyler Emory started and finished ninth. ... Fifth-starting Alex Ferree spun to draw the first yellow on the opening lap before getting caught up in the race's largest incident on the ensuing restart; the multicar crash necessitated a 20-minute red flag for cleanup and ended the nights for Ferree, Ryan Montgomery, Logan Zarin, Daryl Charlier, Zach Kane, Del Rougeux and Tanner Hauger. ... The feature lasted 51 minutes with 14 running at the finish.
On the move: R.J. Dallape of Boswell, Pa., started 20th and finished 10th.
Winner's sponsors: Norris's Rocket Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Todd’s Auto, D&D Auto Salvage, Millerstown Pic-A-Part, Woods Rod And Custom, Integra Shocks and Fuel Factory.
Points chase: After PPMS: 1. Michael Norris (35); 2. Max Blair (33); 3. Drake Troutman (32); 4. Tony Musolino (30); T-5. Dylan Yoder (28); T-5. Colton Flinner (28); T-5. Michael Lake (28).
Current weather: Scattered Clouds, 61°F
Car count: 29
Fast qualifier: Max Blair
Time: 18.732 seconds
Polesitter: Michael Norris
Heat race winners: Michael Norris, Drake Troutman, Max Blair, Michael Lake
Consolation race winners: Zach Kane, Tony White
Provisional starters: Dave Stamm, Dylan Fenton
Next series race: March 22, Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA) $4,000
Editor's note: Corrected 22nd- and 23rd-place finishers