BRIAN LEPPO SCORES FIRST 410 SPRINT THUNDER ON THE HILL VICTORY WEDNESDAY NIGHT AS JEFF STRUNK TAKES MODIFIED VICTORY AT GREANDVIEW SPEEDWAY

(Click here for photos of the event.)

The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series presented event #98 at the Grandview Speedway on Wednesday night. The beautiful weather brought a large crowd to the hill to see Brian Leppo of Spring Grove, PA win the thirty-five lap Keystone Cup 410 sprint feature. Jeff Stunk of Bechtelsville, PA driving the Norm Hansell modified was the winner of the twenty-five lap modified feature event. For Leppo, it was his first career Thunder on the Hill win and he held off a determined Fred Rahmer to pocket the $5,000 first place prize. In the modified feature, Jeff Strunk led ever lap but had to hold off a fast closing Mike Gular who put on a show most of the race. Strunk earned $2,500 for the win.

Time trials for the 410 sprint cars opened the program with Brian Leppo setting fast time of 11.926. Three heat races were presented for the sprints with victories going to Fred Rahmer, Daryn Pittman and Chad Layton. Modified heat winners include Mike Gular, Ryan Godown and Jeff Strunk as Ray Swinehart won the consolation.

In the 35 lap Keystone Cup Sprint Series opener, Brian Leppo jumped to the early lead with Daryn Pittman in the chase followed by Stevie Smith. Through the early going, Leppo stayed in charge of the top spot, but on lap eight, Pittman offered a challenge for the lead. Slower traffic now became a factor and the top four were now racing in their own pack.

On lap thirteen the red flag was displayed when Stevie Smith took a wild flip in turn three. Smith walked away uninjured.

When green flag racing resumed, Leppo remained on top but now Fred Rahmer was in the hunt and racing in second. Rahmer used the low groove and with each lap, he inched closer to Leppo. At the halfway mark, Leppo was on point followed by Rahmer, Daryn Pittman, Chad Layton and Sam Hafertepe.

The race quickly became interesting as Fred Rahmer made several challenges for the lead . On lap twenty-eight, charging off of turn four, Leppo and Rahmer were side-by-side, rubbing wheels on the homestretch. Leppo beat Rahmer into turn one to secure the lead once again. With just three laps remaining, Rahmer was knocking on the door once again. With the white flag waiving, Leppo dove to the inside groove and got out of shape, Rahmer moved to the outside lane and made a run for the lead on the last lap.

Coming out of turn four with the checker flag waiving, Brian Leppo beat Fred Rahmer by less then a car length. Sam Hafertepe Jr. finished third followed by Daryn Pittman and Lance Dewease.

The modified feature was called to the track and Jeff Strunk set the pace at the drop of the green flag. Billy Pauch Jr held down the runner-up spot until lap four when Mike Gular moved into second and tried to chase down Strunk. Gular was relentless as he challenged Strunk lap after lap. Ryan Godown and Doug Manmiller locked up in a battle for third as Pauch Jr followed in fifth.

At the halfway point, Strunk remained the leader with Gular a close second followed by Manmiller, Godown and Meme DeSantis. On lap sixteen, Gular was forced to defend his position as Manmiller and Godown were now chasing the runner-up spot. Just out of the top five was Duane Howard, looking to make his move.

With just five laps remaining, Godown moved into third and side-by-side with Gular. Gular was able to shake loose from Godown and take one more run at race leader Jeff Strunk. With two lap to go, Gular looked high and low but Strunk defend his turf and went on to score the win. Mike Gular finished a well deserved second followed by Ryan Godown, Doug Manmiller and Duane Howard.

410 SPRINT FEATURE FINISH: #71 Brian Leppo, #51 Fred Rahmer, #93 Sam Hafertepe Jr., #27 Daryn Pittman, #30c Lance Dewease, #7 Chad Layton, #7m Mark Smith, #87 Alan Krimes, #48 Danny Dietrich #21 Brian Montieth, #70 Sam Schlosberg, #77 Aaron Ott, #17 Tyler Walker, #35 Justin Henderson, #747 Davey Sammons, #39 Greg Hodnett, #74 Tracy Readinger, #74 Jr. JR Berry, #1 Stevie Smith, #56 Dave Wilson, - #19m Brent Marks, #44 Frank Cozze.

358 MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH: #357 Jeff Strunk, #53 Mike Gular, #R1 Ryan Godown, #46 Doug Manmiller, #4 Duane Howard, #T102 Billy Pauch, Jr., #7 Rick Laubach, #19 Jordan Umbenhauer, #74 John Willman, #2 Addison Meitzler, #88d Meme DeSantis, #20 Keith Hoffman, #17 Ryan Grim, #611 Brad Grim, #41 Glenn Strunk, #117 Kevin Hirthler, #37c Nate Christman, #33L Ray Swinehart, #44H Gary Hager, #1C Craig VonDohren, #42 Kyle Follweiler, #327 Brad Missimer, #917 Jarrod Miller, #21k Kyle Weiss. DNQ -# 3A Kevin Albert Jr., #31 Chris Esposito, #3 Dale Hartz, #43 Jimmy Horton IV, #517 Larry Solomon, #19b Brian Kressley, #78 Neil Huber, #X Dan Mazy, #221 Ryan Beltz, #CR7 Colt Harris, #9 Matt Hafer, #37x Tommy Sheetz Jr., #77x Eric Biehn.