Archive for ARDC
NEW OXFORD HONDA USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS
Posted by: | Comments
The United States Auto Club.
Abbottstown, Pennsylvania......Rico Abreu wowed the Lincoln Speedway crowd with a late-race charge to steal the lead from Bryan Clauson on Lap 29, taking his second-straight Honda National Midget win on the Pennsylvania swing on Wednesday night.
Jerry Coons, Jr. grabbed the lead from outside the front-row as everyone scrambled behind him for top-five positions, with Abreu slicing from row-three to second, ahead of Clauson. After an early caution, Clauson moved by Abreu for second. The race's middle section staged a duel for the lead between Coons and Clauson, while Abreu fought his teammate Christopher Bell for third.
As they approached traffic, Clauson snuck under Coons for the lead on Lap 14. Coons was not done, though, and he came right back after Clauson, taking the lead on Lap 16 as they split a lapped car off turn-two. He marched away with the lead while Clauson fell into the clutches of Bell, who darted by him for second on Lap 20, just before a caution flew for Tanner Thorson, who flattened a tire running fifth. That reverted back a lap, so Clauson restarted second with 11 to go.
Clauson shadowed Coons inside the final ten laps as Abreu and Bell continued their battle for third, with Abreu up high and Bell down against the guardrail. With six laps to go, Bell spun to the inside in turn-four, setting up a final run to the checkers with Coons leading Clauson and Abreu.
Coons ran the bottom on the restart before moving up to the top of turn-one on lap 25, holding his lead over Clauson. As they completed that lap, Clauson had a run and hit the high side of turn-one as Coons tried to hit the bottom, with the first sounds of trouble under the hood of the Heffner #27 spelling doom for Coons.
Clauson appeared to have things under control, but Abreu had gotten his momentum up on the high side and ran him down as they came to two-to-go. Abreu went to the outside of Clauson in an all-out drag race to the turn-one cushion, with Clauson sliding up just behind Abreu and through the cushion, giving Abreu a healthy advantage as he raced away. It ended up a .580-second advantage for Abreu, who made it five wins on the season and 13 for his career, tying Don Meacham, Stevie Reeves, Steve Knepper, and Ryan Newman for 49th on the all-time list.
Abreu stopped on the fronstretch in front of a loud Lincoln Speedway crowd to celebrate his win in the Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports - Toyota TRD #97 Bullet/Speedway Toyota.
"I knew he would hear me eventually up there, but I was making sure when I got to him that I would be gone fast enough. Bryan moved back down after he got Jerry, and I just got a couple really perfect laps up there where I didn't get up too high and into any loose stuff. I knew it was tricky down low; we were having trouble keeping it where it needed to be. You could really hammer it up top there when it cleaned off and got wide, and that was about as fun as it gets at the end. He is a clean racer and left me just enough room for us to get through there. It's awesome to be out here and have that crowd reaction; it makes this whole trip worthwhile to see these tracks and race in front of such great fans," Abreu said.
Clauson, who set the night's ProSource "Fast Time" to break Parnelli Jones' track record in the only previous USAC Midget visit back in 1964, finished second in the Dooling Machine - Jonathan Byrd's Racing #63 Spike/Stanton Mopar, looking a bit surprised and obviously dejected at the turn of events in the closing laps.
"I guess sometimes you make the wrong decision and end up getting beat, and that's pretty much how tonight went. I felt like I was working awfully hard up top to get by Jerry, so after I went by him, I guess I left the door open for him to get me. It was a lot of fun racing with Jerry, and it's cool to come to a place like this and show them what midget racing is all about," Clauson said.
Tracy Hines made a late charge to take over third after starting eighth in the Parker Machinery - Turbines, Inc. #24 Spike/Stanton Toyota.
"I saw Rico go to the top, so I jumped up there too and it got us up to third. We got into that crash in the heat race, and had to play catch-up from there for the rest of the night. We probably left a little on the table with the car with replacing other parts and an issue with a bleeder during the B. We got it all fixed and ready, so it was a good run from there," Hines said.
National Midget point leader Kevin Thomas, Jr. came from tenth to finish fourth in the Bakken Concrete - Toyota TRD #67K Bullet/Speedway Toyota, and Alex Bright charged from 12th to round out the top-five in the Action Track USA - PXP Racewear #77 Elite/Fontana.
-----------------------------
HONDA USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: August 19, 2015 - Abbottstown, Pennsylvania - Lincoln Speedway (co-sanctioned by ARDC)
QUALIFYING: 1. Bryan Clauson, 63, RKR/Curb-Agajanian-15.804 (New Track Record); 2. Rico Abreu, 97, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-15.818; 3. Tanner Thorson, 67, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-15.821; 4. Christopher Bell, 71, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-15.887; 5. Steve Buckwalter, 25, Buckwalter-15.936; 6. Jerry Coons, Jr., 27, Heffner-16.006; 7. Tracy Hines, 24, Parker-16.035; 8. Brenden Bright, 92, Bright-16.049; 9. Nick Wean, 78, Wean-16.073; 10. Kevin Thomas, Jr., 67K, Kunz/Curb-Agajanian-16.101; 11. Spencer Bayston, 39, Clauson-16.139; 12. Alex Bright, 77, Hemler-16.170; 13. Trevor Kobylarz, 14, RT Racing-16.202; 14. Ryan Greth, 4R, Lesher-16.225; 15. Tyler Thomas, 91T, Thomas-16.240; 16. Steven Drevicki, 19, Fitzpatrick/DeGre-16.244; 17. Billy Pauch, Jr., 28, DeGre-16.270; 18. Ryan Watt, 20, RT Racing-16.276; 19. Isaac Chapple, 52, Chapple-16.334; 20. Jim Radney, 95, Radney-16.334; 21. Tommy Kunsman, 21, Kunsman-16.360; 22. Tony DiMattia, 50, DiMattia-16.363; 23. Tim Buckwalter, 52x, Buckwalter-16.376; 24. Brett Wanner, 44, Wanner-16.386; 25. Brett Arndt, 46, Arndt-16.427; 26. Bruce Buckwalter, Jr., 83, Buckwalter-16.522; 27. P.J. Gargiulo, 5, Gargiulo-16.543; 28. Shawn Jackson, 7, Jackson-16.890; 29. Jamie Speers, 74, Speers-17.009; 30. Pete Pavlick, 69, Jackson-17.597; 31. Jim Jackson, 96, Jackson-19.064
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. S. Buckwalter, 2. Clauson, 3. Pauch, 4. Wean, 5. Kobylarz, 6. Arndt, 7. Speers, 8. Kunsman. NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Coons, 2. Watt, 3. K. Thomas, 4. Abreu, 5. Greth, 6. DiMattia, 7. B. Buckwalter. 2:11.37
THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. T. Thomas, 2. T. Buckwalter, 3. Chapple, 4. Bayston, 5. Hines, 6. Gargiulo, 7. J. Jackson, 8. Thorson. NT
FOURTH HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Bell, 2. A. Bright, 3. Drevicki, 4. B. Bright, 5. Wanner, 6. S. Jackson, 7. Radney. 2:09.02 (New Track Record)
SEMI: (12 laps) 1. Kobylarz, 2. Thorson, 3. Hines, 4. DiMattia, 5. Wanner, 6. Greth, 7. Arndt, 8. Gargiulo, 9. S. Jackson, 10. B. Buckwalter, 11. Kunsman, 12. Speers, 13. J. Jackson. NT
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Rico Abreu, 2. Bryan Clauson, 3. Tracy Hines, 4. Kevin Thomas, Jr., 5. Alex Bright, 6. Jerry Coons, Jr., 7. Steve Buckwalter, 8. Spencer Bayston, 9. Tyler Thomas, 10. Brenden Bright, 11. Tanner Thorson, 12. Trevor Kobylarz, 13. Steven Drevicki, 14. Nick Wean, 15. Christopher Bell, 16. Billy Pauch, Jr., 17. Ryan Watt, 18. Brett Arndt, 19. Isaac Chapple, 20. Ryan Greth, 21. Brett Wanner, 22. Tim Buckwalter, 23. Tony DiMattia. NT
----------------------------
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-13 Coons, Laps 14-15 Clauson, Laps 16-25 Coons, Laps 26-28 Clauson, Laps 29-30 Abreu.
NEW HONDA NATIONAL MIDGET POINTS: 1-K.Thomas-630, 2-Hines-620, 3-Abreu-588, 4-Thorson-535, 5-Coons-526, 6-Bayston-519, 6-T.Thomas-506, 8-Bell-415, 9-Darren Hagen-321, 10-Chapple-237.
NEXT HONDA NATIONAL MIDGET RACE: August 20 - Newberrytown, PA - Susquehanna Speedway Park - Co-Sanctioned by ARDC
Steve Buckwalter Wins 50th ARDC Event
Posted by: | Comments
ARDC
Contact - Deb Smith
phone (610) 972-6176
email - dsfotog@outlook.com
Follow us on Facebook
.
.
.
STEVE BUCKWALTER RACES TO FIRST ARDC WIN OF THE SEASON
Steve Buckwalter made his first start of the 2015 season in American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) competition when the wingless midgets of ARDC joined the wingless sprint cars of USAC at the Port Royal Speedway on Saturday night. After twenty laps of action, Buckwalter emerged with his first ARDC win of the year and the 50th of his career, tying him with six time ARDC Champion, Ray Bull in fourth on the All Time Feature Winners list.
Buckwalter was behind the wheel of the Mike Heffner owned, Lelands.com #27 midget. It was Heffner's third win of the season in midget competition with his third different driver. Danny Stratton picked up Heffner's first win on opening night and then Tim Buckwalter was the feature winner a few weeks later.
Polesitter, Jim Radney led the first six laps of the main event, leading the field with his Hyper Racing #95. Buckwalter sliced his way to the front from his eleventh place start quickly, running third behind Radney and 2015 feature winner, Brett Wanner with just five laps scored. Buckwalter completed the pass by Wanner for second just one lap later and set his sights on the leader, Radney. Buckwalter raced into the lead on lap seven.
At the half way mark, Steve Buckwalter led Radney and Wanner. Trevor Kobylarz had just moved up to fourth ahead of Ryan Greth.
With Buckwalter pulling away from the field, Kobylarz closed in on Radney to set up a challenge for second. As the leaders were coming through turns three and four to complete lap fifteen, Kobylarz set up a cross over move to move ahead of Radney for second but his R/T Racing #14 caught a rut in the track, sending Kobylarz into a spin. Wanner, who was racing in fourth at the time, at nowhere to go and made hard contact with Kobylarz. Wanner got upside down and the red flag was thrown while the safety crews headed to turn four.
Kobylarz had enough damage from the contact to send him to the pits but Wanner had his #44 back on its wheels and asked for a push truck. In the spirit of "never say die", Wanner rejoined the back of the field to complete the feature event.
It was all Steve Buckwalter to the checkered flag as he led Radney and Greth to the finish line. Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. made a late race run to take fourth over Steven Drevicki,
Kobylarz and Greth were the winners of the qualifying races.
Western PA swing is next on the ARDC schedule with Bedford on Friday, June 19th and Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 20th.
RACE NOTES
Trevor Kobylarz, Brett Arndt & Tony DiMattia all competing in Eastern Storm competition this week. DiMattia missed Port Royal event due to illness. Kobylarz lost several positions late in the USAC thirty lap main at Port Royal to finish 16th. Interesting side note was that Kobylarz turned a lap of 19.240 in time trials for the USAC sprints. While leading the heat with his wingless midget, Kobylarz was turning laps of 19.750. Now stop and think about that! Arndt did a fine job, missing a transfer spot on Saturday night by just one spot while driving the Biasi #1a with only a 360 under the hood. Arndt was up to fourth in the midget feature before catching a rut that unsettled the car, allowing several cars to get by.
FEATURE RESULTS (20 LAPS)
1. Steve Buckwalter, 2. Jim Radney, 3. Ryan Greth, 4. Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. 5. Steven Drevicki 6. Brett Arndt, 7. PJ Gargiulo, 8. Brett Wanner, 9. Trevor Kobylarz, 10. Nick Wean, 11. Shawn Jackson, 12. PJ Pavlich, 13. Jim Jackson, 14. Brian Gilmore, DNS - Mark Gilmore
Thunder on the Hill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE---THANK YOU
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
.
.
.
Anticipation builds for the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series 9th Annual Eastern Storm AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car event, on Tuesday, June 2 at the Grandview Speedway. The 40 lap “Jesse Hockett Classic” event features the top wingless Sprint Car drivers from all over the country, in their only east coast tour, and is a staple on the ‘must attend’ list of every race fan. The ARDC Midgets will also be on the program that starts at 7:30 PM with gates opening at 5 PM. Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstands at 4:30 PM.
Defending race winner, Chase Stockon of Elizabethtown, Indiana currently sits second in the series points standings and has finished in the top-10 in each of the series’ thirteen events, to date. The 27-year-old driver has proven he knows the quick way around the Bechtelsville, PA 1/3 mile high banked dirt oval – capturing the 2014 edition of the Jesse Hockett Classic besting a hard charging Jon Stanbrough and two rain delays. Last year, Stockon’s first victory of 2014 came at Grandview Speedway and he finds himself in the same position searching for that elusive first win of the season.
Standing in Stockon’s path is Rocklin, California’s Robert Ballou who maintains the top-spot in the Series standings with a two point lead. Ballou has four wins this season in the USAC National Sprint Car Series heading into the Eastern Storm events and is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Heading into the Eastern Storm, Kokomo, Indiana racer Dave Darland has his eyes on a different milestone. Darland has 99 USAC wins in the three National series and a victory at Grandview on Tuesday, June 2 would put him in select company with A.J. Foyt, Rich Vogler and Mel Kenyon as the only drivers to reach 100 victories. Sitting third in the series standings, Darland sole Eastern Storm victory came at the Port Royal Speedway in 2013.
Series regulars Jon Stanbrough, Kevin Thomas Jr., Tracy Hines and 2014 Eastern Storm Champion, Brady Bacon are all expected to be in attendance. Local drivers from a variety of divisions have indicated their interest including Pennsylvania Sprint Car standouts Brent Marks and Kyle Moody, and ARDC Midget racers Trevor Kobylarz and Brett Arndt.
Local driver, Joey Biasi, of Mary D, PA -- will recognize Sergeant First Class (Retired) Joe Weser as the honorary Crew Chief for the Biasi family-owned No. B1 machine as part of an initiative between Keystone Wounded Warriors and the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series. Representatives of the Keystone Wounded Warriors will be on hand, on Tuesday, June 2 raising awareness and seeking support for their program and services.
Alongside the USAC National Sprint Car Series is the popular ARDC midgets completing a full-night of wingless action.
Grandview Speedway kicked off the initial Eastern Storm swing of USAC National Sprint Car Series events in June of 2007, at its inception and has remained one of the most popular events of the week. Past winners of the USAC event at Grandview Speedway include: Levi Jones (2007, 2010), Jesse Hockett (2009), Bobby East (2011), Bryan Clauson (2012), Daron Clayton (2013) and Chase Stockon (2014).
General Admission ticket pricing for Tuesday, June 2 is $25 for Adults, Children 6-11 are $10 and Kids 5 & under are FREE! Pit Admission pricing is $35.
Advance tickets are on sale now and may be ordered by calling 443-513-4456. Please provide your name and the number of tickets requested. Tickets may be picked up and paid for on race night after 3:30 PM. Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstands at 4:30 PM, one half hour prior to the sale of General Admission tickets.
Action kicks off early at 4:30 PM with the popular Low Down & Dirty Radio Show Meet & Greet taking place right outside the main entrance.
Grandstand Gates open at 5:00 PM and Racing starts at 7:30 PM
Celebrating the 26th season of racing action NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series always includes fun for the fans with activities such as: Pre-Race Pit Tours, the Inside/Out Experience - where fans can sign-up to watch hot laps from the infield, JOE "THE PIZZA DUDE", giveaways, fireworks and appearances by the Thunder Girls.
NAPA Auto Parts continues their long run with Thunder on the Hill as the Series title sponsor joined by: Quaker Steak & Lube, Window World, GALCO Business Communications & Pioneer Pole Buildings.
NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series
Tuesday, June 2 – Jesse Hockett Classic
AMSOIL USAC National Wingless Sprint Car Series & ARDC Midgets
Grandview Speedway
GPS USERS: 43 Passamore Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505
Located less than a mile off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown, PA
Speedway Phone: 610-754-7688
Thunder on the Hill Racing Series Phone: 443-513-4456
Series Website: http://www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com
Track Website: http://www.grandviewspeedway.com
Twitter/Instagram: @TOTHRACING, #TOTHRACING
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thunderonthehill
Tuesday, June 2
Advanced Ticket Entrance: 4:30 PM
Low Down & Dirty Meet & Greet: 4:30 PM
Grandstand Gates: 5:00 PM
Racing: 7:30 PM
General Admission Ticket Pricing: Adults: $25 Children 6-11: $10 Kids 5 & Under: FREE!
Pit Admission: $35
2015 Thunder on the Hill Event Dates:
Tuesday, June 2
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES Jesse Hockett Classic 7:30 PM
USAC NATIONAL WINGLESS SPRINT TOUR & ARDC
Tuesday, June 16
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES 7:30 PM
SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES MODIFIEDS 18th Annual TRAFFIC JAM
Modifieds DOUBLE DOWN $1,000 PPB bonus to win both features
Big Block Modifieds 60 laps, 358 Modifieds 30 laps *NASCAR Point Race
Tuesday, June 30
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES 7:30 PM
Pennsylvania Sprint Speed Week Series 410 Sprints & Modifieds
Tuesday, July 28
INAUGURAL THUNDER CUP for 410 Sprints & 358 Modifieds*NASCAR Point Race
Saturday, October 17
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES Halloween Party 6 PM
5-25’s Features Only Modifieds, ARDC Midgets, Sportsman, TSRS 305 Sprints, Legends
PLUS! Blast from the Past Vintage Cars and the Monster Smash Demolition Derby
About Thunder on the Hill Racing Series
The brainchild of Grandview Speedway owner Bruce Rogers, special events promoter Bob Miller and local driving star Dave Kelly, the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series celebrates 26 years of the most anticipated events on the racing calendar year after year. In 114 events over $3.8 million dollars has been divvied up among the area’s fastest racers. What started as a single 410 Sprint Car event in 1990 has blossomed to feature a variety of racing action including: 358 Modifieds, USAC Wingless Sprints, 360 & 410 Sprint Cars, Sportsman, Late Models, Midgets, Legends cars, DIRTcar and ROC Modified events.
About Grandview Speedway
Grandview Speedway is a high-banked one-third mile clay oval, celebrating their 53rd Anniversary season in 2015. The facility offers free parking, quality food at reasonable prices (be sure to try the french fries), a program book, Grandview Speedway and Thunder on the Hill race wear and great viewing from every seat in the house. Race fans may take part in the Inside/Out promotion, where you can sign up (no charge) to watch warm-ups from inside turn four. Race fans are also invited to victory lane following the racing program and, race fans may enter the pits after the races to meet the drivers. Be ready to enjoy the spine tingling fireworks salute on the feature event parade lap.
NAPA AUTO PARTS THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES OPENS 26TH SEASON
Posted by: | Comments- Thunder on the Hill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE---THANK YOU
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
MAY 24, 2015
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
.
.
NAPA AUTO PARTS THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES OPENS 26TH SEASON . . . . . . .
102 CARS TAKE PART IN GRANDVIEW THUNDER 5-25’S, VICTORIES FALL TO STRUNK, BROWN, GILMORE, BUCKWALTER & STOUGH SUNDAY NIGHT AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY
Sunday night at the Grandview Speedway the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series opened their twenty-sixth season with the Grandview Thunder features only program. The five twenty-five lap feature events saw Robert Stough take the win in the twenty-five lap Legends feature as Tim Buckwalter took the win in the ARDC midget feature as Kenny Gilmore won the Sportsman feature. David Brown was the winner of the TSRS Sprint feature as Jeff Strunk made the winning pass off the final turn on the last lap to win the twenty-five lap Modified feature over Doug Manmiller. A total of one hundred and two race cars took part in the five division racing program.
The twenty-five lap Legends feature opened the racing program at the one-third mile oval with Robert Stough setting the early pace. By lap eleven, Stough had his hands full with Chad Earnst and Jason Rochelle now challenging for the lead On lap thirteen, Earnst took the lead and set the pace for two laps. Stough worked his way back to the top spot on lap twenty-one with Jason Fuhrman and Bill Diehl in the hunt. The top five ran under a blanket with Stough taking the win over Bill Diehl, Jason Fuhman, Donnie Leiby and Nate Renfro,
The ARDC Midgets were called to the track for the second feature of the night. Tommy Kunsman Jr set the pace for the first two laps with PJ Gargiulo taking the lead on lap three. Tim Buckwalter entered the picture and took the lead on lap five. Once on top, Buckwalter appeared to be on his way to victory but Nick Wean had other thoughts which included taking that win for himself. At the halfway point, Buckwalter, Wean PJ Gargiulo, Danny Stratton and Steve Drevicki made up the top five.
By lap sixteen, there was a three car battle for the lead between Buckwalter, Wean and Gargiulo. Wean continued to apply pressure in the final laps and as the field passed the line on lap twenty-one, Wean was challenging for the lead. As the laps ticked by, Wean again reeled in the leader and with the white flag waiving, he was looking to make one more challenge for the win. Coming off turn four with the checker flag waiving, race leader Tim Buckwalter and Nick Wean tangled with both cars spinning, third place runner PJ Gargiulo now made a move for the lead. Buckwalter managed to get his midget going in the right and was heading to the wire as Gargiulo was in the hunt. As the checker flag fell, Buckwatler pulled out the win with Gargiulo second, Nick Wean third and Danny Stratton third.
The Sportsman took over the speedway for their twenty-five laps feature with Mike Lisowski the front runner for the first two laps. By lap three, Jim Houseworth was the race leader with Brad Arnold quickly moving into contention. Kenny Gilmore was making a run to the front of the pack and on lap nine, he became the new race leader. Gilmore continued to set a torrid pace with Jim Houseworth now racing second with Craig Whitmoyer challenging in third. Whitmoyer moved into second on lap twenty and with just five laps remaining, he was chasing down Gilmore. Gilmore rallied home the winner over Whitmoyer, Brett Gilmore, Jim Housework and Paul Kline for the win.
The TSRS Sprints made their first appearance at a Thunder on the Hill event and young Ryan Stillwaggon led the first two laps with Tim Tanner taking the lead on lap three. David Brown was racing in second by lap five. By lap nine, Brown caught the leader and for the next three laps, they would race side-by-side for lead, but suddenly, Stillwaggon was back in the chase and challenging for the lead. On lap thirteen, Stillwaggon went to the front of the line to again take the lead. Stillwaggon had solid command of the top spot over David Brown and Tim Tanner. A late race red flag was now going to change the outcome of the race.
When green flag racing resumed, Stillwaggon was setting the pace but when exiting turn four, the leader spun displaying the yellow flag. Brown now sat on the pole with just two laps remaining. The race went green and David Brown ran to hide from the rest of the field taking the victory over Tim Tanner, Jeff Geiges, Karl Fryer and Scott Frack.
The night cap was the 25 lap Modified feature and this was also going to be a thriller. Mike Gular led the first lap with Jeff Strunk taking the lead on lap two. Once on top, it appeared that Strunk may have an easy ride. One thing all drivers learn, nothing comes easy at Grandview and this race was far from over. At the halfway mark, Strunk was cruising in the lead followed by Gular with Doug Manmiller inching in on the leader. Manmiller was on a mission and by lap nineteen, he not only caught Strunk, he offered his first challenge for the lead.
As the leaders passed the line on lap twenty, Manmiller was the new race leader with Strunk now doing the chasing. Strunk stayed close looking for a chase to regain the lead, then a yellow flag on lap twenty-four would determine the outcome of this race. The green flag fell and Manmiller took the high lane as Strunk dove to the bottom. The two leaders race side-by-side for the final lap. Exiting turn four, Strunk used the bottom and took the lead and the win off the final turn for a thrilling crowd pleasing finish. Strunk took the win over Manmiller, Jaren Umbenhauer, Danny Erb and Glenn Strunk.
LEGENDS FEATURE 25 LAPS ROBERT STOUGH, BILL DIEHL, JASON FUHRMAN, DONNIE LEIBY, NATE RENFRO, CHAD EARNST, CHRIS SPIDLE, KEITH HARING, JASON ROCHELLE, RICK HARTWIG, DEAN FICARRO, CHRIS WARD, ANDY WHALING, MASON CHANEY, CHRIS TRANSEAU, TRAVIS PERRY, JACOB FETZH, SCOTT HOUDESHELL, SCOTT DEANER SR.
ARDC FEATURE 25 LAPS TIM BUCKWALTER, PJ GARGIULO, NICK WEAN, DANNY STRATTON, STEVEN DREVICKI, BRENDEN BRIGHT, TONY DIMATTIA, BRUCE BUCKWALTER JR, TREVOR KOBYLARZ, SHAWN JACKSON, RYAN GRETH, TROY BETTS, BRIAN GILMORE, PJ PAVLICK, AUSTIN BURKE, THOMAS KUNSMAN, BRETT WANNER, JIM JACKSON, BRETT ARNDT, JIM RADNEY
SPORTSMAN FEATURE 25 LAPS KENNY GILMORE, CRAIG WHITMOYER, BRETT GILMORE, JIM HOUSWORTH, PAUL KLINE, KEN ECKERT, BRIAN HIRTHLER, RYAN LILICK, BRAD ARNOLD, DEAN BACHMAN, JASON NEIDLINGER, KYLE LILICK, BRANDON WHITMOYER, MIKE WAHL, PAUL HOUSEKNECHT, MIKE LISOWSKI, DAVE DISSINGER, CORY SECHRIST
TSRS SPRINT FEATURE 25 LAPS DAVID BROWN, TIM TANNER, JEFF GEIGES, KARL FREYER, SCOTT FRACK, JON HAEGELE, RYAN STILLWAGGON, BRAD FRANKS, ZACK BURD, TOMMY CARBERRY, EDDIE WAGNER, BRYANT DAVIS, MIKE HAGGENBOTTOM, KEITH ANDERSON, SAMANTHA LEIBERMAN, TONY SMOLENYAK, PAT U’SELIS, ADAM CARBERRY, JOE KAY
MODIFIED FEATURE 25 LAPS JEFF STRUNK, DOUG MANMILLER, JARED UMBENHAUER, DANNY ERB, GLENN STRUNK, FRANK COZZE, BILLY PAUCH JR, TIM BUCKWALTER, DON NORRIS JR, KYLE WEISS, RAY SWINEHART, KEVIN HIRTHLER, KYLE BORROR, MIKE LAISE, COLT HARRIS, BRIAN HOUSEKNECHT, BOBBY GUNTHER WALSH, MIKE GULAR, MIKE KELLNER, ERIC BIEHN, MEME DESANTIS, RON SELTMAN, RYAN GRIN, MIKE BAILEY, JOHN WILLMAN.
The Next two Thunder Events:
Tuesday, June 2 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES- -Jesse Hockett Classic 7:30 PM
USAC NATIONAL WINGLESS SPRINT TOUR & ARDC
Tuesday, June 16 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES 7:30 PM
SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES MODIFIEDS 18th Annual TRAFFIC JAM
ALL MODIFIEDS. . . . . ALL NIGHT
Modifieds DOUBLE DOWN $1,000 PPB bonus to win both features
Big Block Modifieds 60 laps, 358 Modifieds 30 laps *NASCAR Point Race
Tim Buckwalter is First ARDC Repeat Winner
Posted by: | Comments- ARDC
Contact - Deb Smith
phone (610) 972-6176
email - dsfotog@outlook.com
Follow us on Facebook
.
.
.
.
TIM BUCKWALTER IS FIRST ARDC REPEAT WINNER IN 2015
Buckwalter Overcomes Wild Finish for Second Win of the Season
Soon after Tim Buckwalter captured the 2012 American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) Championship, he announced his plans to compete on the Pennsylavania Small Block Modified Circuit. The Grandview Speedway has become the second generation racer's Saturday night home and just maybe, all those laps logged on Grandview's third mile paid off in dividends for Buckwalter as he captured his second ARDC Midget win of the season in one of the wildest finishes in recent memory.
Tommy Kunsman and Ryan Greth led the starting field to the wave of the green flag with Kunsman jumping out in front for the first two laps. PJ Gargiulo quickly moved up to take second after starting in seventh with just one lap scored. Gargiulo took over the lead on lap three. Tim Buckwalter closed in on Gargiulo as the two drivers crossed the start/finish line side by side to complete lap five. Buckwalter moved ahead in turn one to take the lead on lap six.
Nick Wean also made his way by Gargiulo on lap six as Buckwalter led Wean and Gargiulo. Two laps later, Gargiulo had plenty of company as Danny Stratton and 2014 ARDC Champion, Steven Drevicki closed in to challenge for the third spot. Brett Wanner, the feature winner in ARDC's last event, brought the yellow out as he came to a stop on the homestretch with mechanical issues.
Buckwalter was able to pull away from the field on the subsequent restart as Stratton closed in on Gargiulo around the half way mark. Wean began to show some muscle as he moved in on Buckwalter but a slip on lap sixteen allowed Gargiulo to take over second. Wean came back one lap later to regain the spot.
With just five laps remaining, everyone got serious as Wean closed in on Buckwalter and Stratton pressured Gargiulo for position.
The leaders took the two to go sign with Wean right on Buckwalter's tail. As the leaders ran through turns one and two, they closed in on the back of the field as Brian Gilmore loomed on their radar. It was the final lap and both Buckwalter and Wean needed to decide what route to take around the slower car. Everyone held their positions as they raced down the backstretch. Gilmore opened up the bottom of the track, allowing Buckwalter to go to the inside to make his pass. Buckwalter pulled even with Gilmore but just the slightest of hesitations allowed Wean the opportunity to stake his claim. Buckwalter and Wean raced into turn four with Wean moving to the bottom of the track to make his move. Contact was made between the two leaders. Buckwalter spun counter clockwise and up the track while Wean got out of shape on the bottom by the gurardrail. Buckwalter spun the car around and continued as Gargiulo shot through the opening ahead of Wean. Buckwalter got to the checkered flag first but the margin was narrowing as Gargiulo was quick to react. Wean made it to the line to take third with Stratton finishing fourth and Drevicki rounding out the top five.
After a long battle, Brenden Bright won the race for sixth followed by Tony DiMattia, Bruce Buckwalter, Jr., Trevor Kobylarz and Shawn Jackson.
Wean set fast time during timed warm-ups. He was the only ARDC competitor to break the fifteen second mark. Wean was also the Bob Hilbert Hard Charger recipient after he advanced from his eleventh place start to finish second.
Next event on the ARDC schedule is the Eastern Storm at the Grandview Speedway on Tuesday, June 2nd.
FEATURE (25 LAPS)
1. Tim Buckwalter 2. PJ Gargiulo 3. Nick Wean 4. Danny Stratton 5. Steven Drevicki 6. Brenden Bright 7. Tony DiMattia 8. Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. 9. Trevor Kobylarz 10. Shawn Jackson 11. Ryan Greth 12. Troy Betts 13. Brian Gilmore 14. PJ Pavlick 15. Austin Burke 16. Tommy Kunsman 17. Brett Wanner 18. Jim Jackson 19. Brett Arndt 20. Jim Radney DNS - Billy Courtwright
Wanner Tops ARDC Field on Bridgeport Quarter Mile
Posted by: | Comments- ARDC
Contact - Deb Smith
phone (610) 972-6176
email - dsfotog@outlook.com
Follow us on Facebook
.
.
.
.
WANNER TOPS ARDC FIELD ON BRIDGEPORT QUARTER MILE
Wanner Becomes Fourth Different Winner in ARDC Action
Brett Wanner of Shoemakersville, PA picked up the win in the twenty lap American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) feature on the Bridgeport Speedway quarter mile on Friday night. Wanner became the fourth different driver in four races to capture a win in 2015 ARDC competition.
Wanner is in his fourth season of ARDC competition, having been named ARDC Rookie of the Year in 2012. Wanner picked up his first wingless midget win during his Rookie season. After dealing with mechanical issues during the three previous events, everything went Wanner's way as he drove to the win.
It was a different sort of Victory Lane for Bridgeport announcer, Jeff Ahlum since Wanner is hearing impaired but there was no denying his enthusiasm and celebration!
Brenden Bright and Wanner made up the front row for the start of the feature event. Bright jumped out to the early lead but action quickly came to a halt when several cars tangled in turn two and Ryan Greth rolled off the backstretch. As the field began to form for the restart, Bright's Presidential HVAC #92 was leaking fluid. When it was determined that Bright was losing fuel, he was sent to the pits for safety reasons.
Wanner took the lead on the restart as PJ Gargiulo zipped between several cars to take over second at the end of the first lap. A move in turn four one lap later, had Gargiulo facing the wrong way as the caution came out for the Morton, PA driver who restarted at the rear of the field. Wanner led the way over Jimmy Radney, Bruce Buckwalter Jr., Tim Buckwalter and Nick Wean.
Wanner began to put some distance on the field as Tim Buckwalter moved up to third and Trevor Kobylarz moved into the top five. Kobylarz was on the move as he moved up to challenge Tim Buckwalter as the Wanner led Radney to the crossed flags to complete lap ten.
Mechanical issues found Tim Buckwalter stopped in turn three on lap twelve, setting up a single file restart. Wanner led Radney, Kobylarz, Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. and Steven Drevicki with nine laps remaining.
Kobylarz tried to make a move to the inside of Radney on the backstretch but Radney held his position. Kobylarz slid by Radney on lap thirteen to take over second and set his sights on Wanner who had begun to pull away from the field.
With five laps to go, Kobylarz was closing on Wanner as Radney ran third followed by Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. and Nick Wean. Kobylarz tried to slide Wanner for the lead in turn four but was unable to clear the leader. After contact was made, Wanner stretched as lead as Kobylarz continued in second. Bruce Buckwalter Jr. raced Radney for the third spot as Wean moved in to challenge.
With two laps remaining, Kobylarz had a rear axle break in turn two, setting up a two lap shootout to the finish. Wanner his lead as Wean began to advance through the top five. Radney pulled off the track with mechanical woes just a lap short of the finish as Wanner led Wean, Bruce Buckwalter, Jr., Steven Drevicki and Gargiulo to the checkered flag.
Bright and Gargiulo won the two qualifying heats.
ARDC action moves to the Grandview Speedway and the Thunder on the Hill opener on Sunday, May 24th.
FEATURE FINISH (20 LAPS)
1. Brett Wanner 2. Nick Wean 3. Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. 4. Steven Drevicki 5. PJ Gargiulo 6. Tony DiMattia 7. Carey Becker 8. Jim Radney 9. Trevor Kobylarz 10. Tim Buckwalter 11. Shawn Jackson 12. Brett Arndt 13. Tommy Kunsman, Jr. 14. Brenden Bright 15. Ryan Greth
Stratton Opens ARDC Season with a Win
Posted by: | Comments- ARDC
Contact - Deb Smith
phone (610) 972-6176
email - dsfotog@outlook.com
Follow us on Facebook
.
.
.
.
STRATTON PICKS WIN IN ARDC OPENER AT LINDA'S
Linda's Host First Race in Short Track Series
Danny Stratton achieved a lot of "firsts' with his win on Friday night in the season opener for the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) at Linda's Speedway. The Batz family hosted what was the ARDC season opener as well as the inaugural event of ARDC's short track series and Stratton made sure that his name would be part of those milestones when he captured the win in the twenty-five lap main event.
While Stratton captured the glory it was Bruce Buckwalter Jr. who captivated the attention up until lap twelve of the feature event.
Buckwalter set fast time during opening night time trials. After starting fourth in the second qualifying heat, Buckwalter took the lead at the half way mark and posted the win in heat race. His qualifying efforts coupled with his fast time put him on the pole for the feature event.
Buckwalter looked like the man to beat as he powered his BDB Construction/Fastener Specialties #83 out in front at the start. Stratton raced Tony DiMattia for second as PJ Gargiulo moved up to third with 2013 ARDC Champion, Trevor Kobylarz in hot pursuit.
As Stratton closed the gap on Buckwalter, Gargiulo and Kobylarz waged a heated battle for third. Kobylarz slid by Gargiulo to take the spot on lap six but Gargiulo came right back to regain the position. Kobylarz would make his pass stick on lap nine as Buckwalter led Stratton, Kobylarz, Gargiulo and Shawn Jackson with ten complete.
It was a perfect night for Buckwalter until the field came down the homestretch to complete lap eleven. Buckwalter slowed with a puff of smoke. As Stratton took the lead, Buckwalter exited through the turn two gate.
Stratton set the pace as Kobylarz set his sights on the leader. A three way battle was being waged for third with Gargiulo, 2014 ARDC Champion, Steven Drevicki and Shawn Jackson all racing for the same real estate.
After twenty laps of non-stop racing, Jackson clipped the wall on the homestretch and got upside down going into turn one. The driver was uninjured and was pushed back to the pits while the field realigned for a five lap shootout.
Kobylarz threw everything he had at Stratton in the final laps, sliding under the leader several times but Stratton was always able to drive off the top to maintain his advantage.
Stratton took the win over Kobylarz, Gargiulo, Drevicki and Brett Arndt at the checkered.
Heat races were won by Kobylarz and Buckwalter.
FEATURE FINISH (25 LAPS)
1. Danny Stratton 2. Trevor Kobylarz 3. PJ Gargiulo 4. Steven Drevikci 5. Brett Arndt 6. Eric Heydenreich 7. Tyler Brehm 8. Shawn Jackson 9. Tony DiMattia 10. Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. 11. Brett Wanner 12. Jared Esh 13. Jim Radney DNS - Ryan Greth, Brenden Bright and Tommy Kunsman
