Over the years, the Pittsburgher has been dubbed as the “Super Bowl” of super late model dirt racing in Western Pa.
The race has held local importance, but on Saturday, the 35th annual competition at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway (PPMS) in Imperial will welcome a new heightened level of significance on a national scale.
The Pittsburgher will help shape a newly cemented playoff format for the 2023 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series as the final four will be solidified for the impending world championship at Eldora Speedway.
Heading into the Pittsburgher, Ricky Thornton Jr. has already clinched the top spot within the standings.
However, the final three slots are still undecided with Hudson O’Neal remaining in second, along with Jonathan Davenport and Brandon Overton completing the top four. Devin Moran, Tim McCreadie, Daulton Wilson and Tyler Erb are on the outside as they round out the top eight.
O’Neal returns to PPMS after winning the most recent Pittsburgher back in 2021 as his familiarity with the wider track will play a big role in defending his title.
“I learned a lot as a driver,” O’Neal said. “I think that whenever you get valuable laps at a place, it stays valuable forever the way you drive it or the way that you set your racecar up to be able to attack the race. I think all those things play into it a lot.”
O’Neal followed in his father, Don’s footsteps as a winner of the Pittsburgher.
Similar to O’Neal, the Pittsburgher has deep ties to Logan Zarin, as the race has been a staple throughout his childhood with his father racing when he was younger.
The Moon graduate grew up not far from the facility and has fond memories of attending and competing in the Pittsburgher.
“Two years ago was my first one, and old memories were brought back of my dad racing and me going as a little kid sitting in the stands,” Zarin said. “It’s my favorite race of the year. I get kind of emotional when I made that first one. This year, I’m pretty excited.”
From the driver introductions to the throwback wrap on Zarin’s car, he will get to carry out the same dream his father had.
“It’s cool because my dad has done it before, so I’m trying to carry on my dad’s legacy,” he said. “My dad’s one of my biggest supporters, so it’s cool for me and my dad to make a Pittsburgher.”
This year, the Pittsburgher has narrowed down from a 100-lap competition to 75 laps with a grand prize of $30,000 after not holding a race last year due to poor weather conditions.
Saturday will provide the opportunity for older fans and younger generations alike to experience the best dirt racing that Pittsburgh has to offer and the upgrades that PPMS has made after the purchase of the facility by Bill Cress Jr. on June 30.
Some of the improvements that will be on display will include new accommodations for children that will keep them more active during the event with one of those being a driver autograph session.
“Anytime I can do something like sign a hat or sign a t-shirt, I think about when I was a little kid running through the stands and going up and asking for an autograph from somebody,” O’Neal said. “It means a lot and we need those little kids because without those little kids, we have no future.”
On top of the entire weekend of festivities, the Pittsburgher is expected to boost the local economy for areas such as Moon and Coraopolis by bringing in an estimated $2 million to $3 million dollars.
Gates will open at 5 p.m. with hot laps starting at 6. Racing beings at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at ppms.com.
#Pittsburgh, come get your fix of thrills and high speeds this weekend for the 35th Annual #Pittsburgher!
The @lucasdirt tour invades the #steelcity to compete for $30,000! Plus, the @RUSHLM series Bill Hendren Memorial takes place for $10,000 to win!https://t.co/3wX58pGpaOpic.twitter.com/eIjgzMhpVE
— PPMS ???? (@PAMotorSpeedway) September 25, 2023
Nathan Breisinger is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.