As May ended, the weather finally cooperated with the dirt racing community. Sunshine and temperatures in the 80s arrived.

The timing was ideal as Western PA Sprint Car Speedweek arrived at Dirt’s Monster Half Mile for night two of five.

The action began the night before at Michaels Mercer Raceway Park. AJ Flick (2) of Apollo won and carried that momentum into Imperial.

The Woah Nellie Productions UMP Modifieds joined the card, adding horsepower to the already stacked midweek program.

By the end of the night, PPMS featured qualifying, six heat races, a B Main, and two feature events.

Flick continued his Speedweek dominance, driving to his second victory in as many nights, collecting the $4,000 winner’s share, and strengthening his hold on the series points lead heading into the other rounds.

In the Woah Nellie Productions UMP Modified Feature, Jonathan Taylor (5), from Saltsburg, put together a commanding performance. He led nearly every lap on his way to victory.

Twenty-eight of the nation’s fastest dirt cars signed in at Dirt’s Monster Half Mile for round two of the 2026 Western PA Sprint Car Speedweek, each chasing the $4,000 winner’s share.

Dale Blaney (10) of Hartford, Ohio, set fast time in qualifying with a 16.204-second lap.

The field was split into three heat races. The top six from each advanced into the A Main. The remaining drivers battled through the B Main for the final transfer spots.

After the Rod’s Squad Fishing Charters redraw, Michael Bauer (46), from Eighty Four, earned the pole position. AJ Flick (2), from Apollo, started in second.

Jason Shultz (35), from Carlisle, started third. Carl Bowser (11), from Butler, completed the second row in fourth.

As the green flag waved, Flick wasted no time; he surged to the lead down the backstretch.

Meanwhile, the fight behind Flick intensified, yet he quickly began stretching his advantage over the field.

By lap five, Shultz held second, and Bowser ran third. Cale Thomas (49X) was fourth, and Bauer had slipped back to fifth.

Bowser eventually worked his way around Shultz for second. He brought Thomas with him as the pair chased down the leader.

Thomas spent several laps pressuring Bowser. He finally took over the runner-up spot on lap 11.

The battle for the podium continued behind Flick. Ricky Peterson (98) moved into third with five laps remaining, dropping Bowser back to fourth.

Out front, however, nothing changed.

Flick remained firmly in control. He led all 20 laps to win the caution-free feature, collecting his second Speedweek victory in as many nights.

Ninth-starting Thomas charged to a second-place finish. Peterson completed the podium in third.

Bowser finished fourth. Mark Smith (17K) rounded out the top five.

The Rustler Sales & Service Hard Charger Award went to Carmen Perigo (21). He advanced from 20th to 12th.

The heat race winners were Brandon Matus (13), Cale Thomas (49X), and AJ Flick (2). 🏁

The Woah Nellie Productions UMP Modified Series Jim Strong Classic 25-lap feature was up next. 

The Taylor brothers from Saltsburg led the field to green. Evan Taylor (7) started on the pole, and Jonathan Taylor (5) lined up to his outside.

David Stremme (35), from Mifflintown, started third. Mason Lobb (28), from Frewsburg, New York, rolled off fourth.

When the green flag dropped, Jonathan Taylor wasted little time taking control of the race. He brought Evan Taylor along in second.

While the battle behind him continued to shuffle, Taylor steadily pulled away from the field.

By lap six, he had nearly a half-track advantage. Three laps later, his lead had grown to more than three seconds.

Lapped traffic entered the picture on lap 12. Taylor remained firmly in command, with Evan Taylor running second and Lobb third.

Lobb eventually worked his way around Evan Taylor with nine laps remaining. A nearly four-second deficit still stood between him and the leader.

The race changed on lap 17 when debris on the track brought out the first caution of the event. This erased Taylor’s sizable advantage and set up a restart.

For the restart, Taylor chose the outside lane, placing Lobb to his inside.

When racing resumed, Taylor faced his biggest challenge of the night. Lobb and Dan Davies (71D) both applied pressure, with the trio racing three-wide down the frontstretch at one point.

Despite the challenge, Taylor never surrendered the top spot.

He led the remaining laps and drove on to capture the 2026 Jim Strong Classic for the Woah Nellie Productions UMP Modified Series.

Lobb finished second. Davies completed the podium in third.

Ty Rhoades (12R) crossed the line fourth. Evan Taylor rounded out the top five.

The heat race winners were Jonathan Taylor (5), Andre Layfield (11), and Coleton Longwell (7C).

Ty Rhoades (12R) earned fast qualifier honors with a lap of 20.918 seconds. 🏁

Racing resumes tonight at Dirt’s Monster Half Mile for the A & S Federal Credit Union FREE Race Night in Pittsburgh.

Race fans can enjoy a full night of racing action with FREE grandstand admission. Bring a non-perishable food donation to benefit 25FortyPgh and help support local families in need.

Over 1,100 pounds of food were donated by race fans last year.

Tonight, we’re looking to top that mark.

On the track, all five weekly divisions will be in action.

🏁 Rohrich Automotive Parts Center & Chevrolet Performance RUSH Late Models

🏁 Kehm Oil Company Penn Ohio Pro Stocks

🏁 The Auto House Hobby Stocks

🏁 Crawford Auto Repair Four Cylinders

🏁 Young Guns

Off the track, fans can enjoy our stuffed chicken breast dinner special. It is served with mashed potatoes and green beans, along with all of your favorite concession menu items.

Adults can also stop by our full-service bar. Choose from a wide selection of beverages.

📅 Tonight

📍 Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway

🕔 Gates Open: 5:00 PM

🏁 Warmups: 6:00 PM

🏁 Racing: 7:00 PM

Parking is free.

Credit and debit cards are accepted at concessions, and an ATM is available on site.

Bring a donation and your appetite. Join us for a great night of racing while helping make a difference in the community. 

If you cannot make it, watch it live on dirt.tv