Archive for Modifieds
THUNDER NEWS
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Thunder on the Hill
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JUNE 30, 2019
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 43 513 4456
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
410 SPRINT PA SPEEDWEEK & 358 MODIFIEDS HIGHLIGHT TUESDAY, JULY 2 NAPA AUTO PARTS THUNDER ON THE HILL EVENT AT GRANDVIEW
BECHTELSVILLE, PA JUNE 30, 2019 . . . . . . . The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series will present the 410 Sprint Pennsylvania SpeedWeek Series along with the always exciting 358 NASCAR Modifieds on Tuesday night, July 2 on the “hill” at Grandview Speedway. Many of the top 410 sprint car drivers will be in the field chasing the $10,000 payday in the 35 lap feature event. The Modifieds will chase $3,000 to win their 30 lap feature. In the event last year, Kyle Larson won a thriller in the sprint feature as Jeff Strunk won the modified feature after starting last in the field. Grandview joined the Pennsylvania Sprint SpeedWeek Series in 1995.
Advance tickets may be ordered for the Tuesday, July 2 PA 410 Sprint Speed Week Series and 358 NASCAR Modifies by calling 443 513 4456. Please speak slowly and clearly when leaving a message and be sure to provide your name and number of tickets you will need. Tickets may be paid for and picked up at the WILL CALL Window on race night, Tuesday, July 2 after 3:30 PM. Advance ticket holders may entitle you to enter the grandstands at 4:30. Adult admission tickets are $30, children 6 to 11 $10 and children five and under will be admitted for free. Advance tickets for this event will be available until 10 AM on Tuesday, July 2 and general admission tickets will go on sale at 5 PM at the Grandview Speedway.
Early entries for the 410 sprints include Rick Abreu, Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Alan Krimes, Ryan Smith, Lucas Wolfe, Brandon Rahmer, Ryan Taylor, Tyler Reeser, TJ Stutts and JJ Grasson to name a few. In the modified field, look for Ryan Watt to try for three wins in a row as he is challenged by Kevin Hirthler, Craig VonDohren, Duane Howard, Jeff Strunk, Rick Laubach and Ryan Godown in chase of the $3,000 payday.
Come out early on Tuesday night, July 2 and sign up for the pre-race Pit Tours or be part of the Inside/Out Promotion so you may enjoy watching warm-ups from the infield. Be sure to take a look at the Thunder on the Hill 30th Anniversary T-shirt available at the front gate and be sure to pick-up a program book to guide you through the show.
2019 NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series
Tuesday, July 2 PA Sprint Speed Week 410 Sprints $10,000 to win & 358 Modifieds
Tuesday, July 30 USAC Midgets “The Ken Brenn Midget Masters” 30 laps & 358 Modifieds
Thursday, August 22 All Star Sprints Smoke on the Hill Thunder Cup & 358 Modifieds
Saturday, October 19 House of Thunder Halloween Party, 22nd Annual Traffic Jam 40 laps Modifieds, Sportsman and MASS Sprints
The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series is sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts, Levan Machine and Truck Equipment, and Galco Business Communications.
Grandview Speedway Contact Information
GPS USERS: 43 Passmore 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: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com
Track Website: www.grandviewspeedway.com
Twitter/Instagram: @TOTHRACING
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thunderonthehill
About Thunder on the Hill Racing Series
he 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 30 years of the most anticipated events of the racing calendar year after year. In 132 events, over $4.6 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, All-Star Circuit of Champions, 360 & 410 Sprint Cars, Sportsman, Late Models, Midgets, Legend Cars, DIRTcar and ROC Modified events. The 2019 30th Anniversary Series of Thunder on the Hill is dedicated to Bruce Rogers.
About Grandview Speedway
Grandview Speedway is a high-banked one-third mile clay oval, celebrating their 57th Anniversary season in 2019. 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 racewear 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.
WALL STADIUM AUTO RACING ADVANCE RELEASE JUNE 29
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Wall Stadium
DATE OF EVENT: June 29, 2019
DATE OF RELEASE: June 26, 2019
CONTACT: Jeff Gravatt
MODIFIEDS, 50-LAP 4 CYLINDER RACE HEADLINE “SCOUT NIGHT” AUTO RACING ACTION AT WALL STADIUM THIS SATURDAY (JUNE 29)
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. ~ An extra-distance 50 lap race for the Surfside Collision 4 Cylinder stocks and a 40-lapper for the All American Auto Group Modifieds will headline “Scout Night” auto racing action this Saturday night (June 29) at Wall Stadium Speedway. Grandstand seating will open at 5:00 p.m. and qualifying is set for 5:45 p.m. Main event action will follow around 7:00 p.m.
The evening will honor both Boy and Girl Scouts, as they will be admitted free when wearing an item from the official scout uniform or come to the speedway with their Scout troop. It will be $1 Hot Dog Night at the refreshment stands.
On the third mile high-banked paved oval the Modifieds will battle in a 40-lap main event. Three-time and recent Garden State Classic champion Steven Reed of Jackson will lead the way with plenty of competition coming from Modified point leader Eric Mauriello of Brick, Andrew Krause of Holmdel, Roger Coss of Lafayette, Dom Fattaruso of Brick and Derek Hopkinson of Toms River just to name a few.
The 4 Cylinder Stocks will also be in the spotlight in a 50-lap main event with current point leader Neil Rutt III of Edison leading the way. Top runners Jeffrey Loesch of Neptune City, Darianne McLaren of Edison, Brick's Randy Hart and Alonzo Morales of Mt. Ephraim are also expected to see action
The Green Flag Driving Experience Legend Cars and the Center State Engineering Sportsman cars are all also set for 25-lap races.
Saturday’s schedule will see the competitor pit area open at 1:00 p.m. Regular practice will start at 3:00 p.m., while spectator seating will open at 5:00 p.m. Qualifying is set for 5:45 p.m. with main events to follow.
The 2019 Saturday night schedule is available at wallspeedwayracing.com.
Wall Stadium Speedway is located on Route 34 in Wall Township, N.J., just one mile north of Garden State Parkway exit 98 and Interstate 195 exit 35B. The speedway hotline number is 732-681-6400 and email address is CKMotorsports@aol.com.
NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY NEWS – JUNE 26, 2019
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New Egypt Speedway
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New Egypt Speedway
720 Route 539
New Egypt, NJ 08533
Track Phone: 609-758-1900
Website: www.newegyptspeedway.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/newegyptspeedwayofficial
Twitter: www.twitter.com/nesspeedway
Contact: Mike Wisniewski – Wiz Motorsports Communications, 856-982-5137
COMING EVENTS:
Saturday, June 29, 2019 – Pakenham Motorsports Bike Night – Vahlco Wheels Modifieds, Larry's Hot Rods & Harley's Northeast Wingless Sprint Cars, Hammer Sportsman and Street Stocks
4:00 p.m. – Pit gates open
5:00 p.m. – Grandstand gates open
6:00 p.m. – Hot laps start
7:00 p.m. – Racing starts
Saturday, July 6, 2019 - 3rd Annual Firecracker 40 - Vahlco Wheels Modifieds (40 Laps - $3,000 to win), USAC East Coast Sprint Cars, Crate Modifieds and Mike’s Performance 4-Cylinders. Plus, Kid’s Box Car Challenge and $1 Dog Night!
4:00 p.m. – Pit gates open
5:00 p.m. – Grandstand gates open
6:00 p.m. – Hot laps start
7:00 p.m. – Racing starts
PAUCH JR. TAKES TOP HONORS AT NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY’S GARDEN STATE GUNFIGHT
New Egypt, NJ (June 26, 2019) – At New Egypt Speedway’s Garden State Gunfight 3, Billy Pauch Jr. took top honors in the Modified race. In the Crate vs. Open Sportsman main event, Will Dupree was declared the winner. The Mike’s Performance 4-Cylinder contest was taken by Jimmy Avery.
As the 60-lap Modified feature got underway, polesitter Brandon Grosso hopped to the front with Jeff Strunk, Billy Pauch Jr. and David VanHorn in tow. With five revolutions recorded, Grosso was beginning to edge away from Strunk, VanHorn and Pauch Jr. Grosso’s margin over the field was a full straightaway when the yellow lights illuminated for the first time on lap twelve for a tangle between John Pakenham and Chris Grbac. When action returned, Grosso was still setting the pace with Strunk, David VanHorn and Pauch Jr. dicing for second. After a pair of caution periods on lap fifteen and seventeen, Grosso remained in control with Strunk, Pauch Jr., Van Horn and Duane Howard filling out the top five. By lap twenty-one, Grosso was pulling away from the pack but the activity behind him was heating up as Strunk was still riding in second and trying to fend off the third place running Howard and fourth place running VanHorn. Two tours later, Howard advanced into the runner-up position past Strunk. On lap twenty-six, Jimmy Horton slowed on the dirt oval and the caution flag waved one more time. On the ensuing restart, Grosso fended off his rivals to maintain the lead with Howard in second, Pauch Jr. returning to third and Strunk dropping back to fourth. Over the next few circuits with Grosso increasing his lead, the battle for second place saw Pauch Jr. acquire the spot from Howard on lap twenty-eight before Howard retook the position on lap thirty-one. At the fuel stop on lap thirty-five, Grosso, Howard, Pauch Jr, Strunk and VanHorn were recorded as the top five. During the brief break in the action, Howard relinquished second place to Pauch Jr. with a visit to the pits to replace a flat right rear tire. When the green flag waved to resume the contest, Grosso was on top with Pauch Jr. in second, Strunk in third, VanHorn in fourth and Mike Butler in fifth. With twenty laps remaining, Grosso had a several car length margin over Pauch Jr, VanHorn, Strunk and Danny Bouc. By lap forty-five, Grosso’s advantage had narrowed as Pauch Jr. began to use the lower groove in turns one and two to close in on the leader. On lap forty-eight, a multi-circuit duel for the lead began between Grosso and Pauch Jr. After a clean side-by-side battle, Pauch Jr. surged past Grosso to gain the lead with nine laps to go. Grosso tried in vain to return to the top on lap fifty-two but was repelled by Pauch Jr. With five to go, Pauch Jr. was approaching slower traffic when Cale Ross’s spin took place just in front of the leader and the yellow flag waved for the final time. On the single file restart, Pauch Jr. held off Grosso to remain on top. Over the last circuits, Pauch Jr. went unchallenged to claim his twenty-fourth Modified feature win. Behind the winner and second place finishing Grosso, late surges allowed Danny Bouc to finish in third and fifteenth place starting Frank Cozze to come home in fourth. VanHorn completed the event in fifth. The Modified heats were taken by Danny Bouc, Duane Howard and Davey Sammons.
In the 30-lap Crate vs. Open Sportsman feature, twelfth place starting Will Dupree was pronounced the victor. Ryan Heim, who had seized the lead on the fifth circuit and crossed the finish line in first, was unfortunately disqualified for failing to make the post-race minimum weight. The win was the fourth of Dupree’s career. The runner-up position was taken by Jeremy Martino. Bob Lineman Jr. was third. Fourth went to Jim Housworth while Ryan Simmons was fifth. Joseph Brown and Eric Palmer won the qualifying events.
In the Mike’s Performance 4-Cylinders feature, Jimmy Avery grabbed the top spot from TJ Graves on the twelfth circuit and held on to win the originally scheduled 20-lap event which was shortened by five tours due to the time limit. The victory was the first of the year for Avery. With Graves taking second, Justin Dunn came home in third. Joe Garey Jr. and Joe Garey Sr. rounded out the top five.
On Saturday, June 29, Pakenham Motorsports Bike Night rides into New Egypt Speedway with half price general admission for all motorcyclists and bike giveaways for the kids. On the track, the Vahlco Modifieds, Larry's Hot Rods & Harley's Northeast Wingless Sprint Cars, Hammer Sportsman and Street Stocks will be in action. The pit gates swing open at 4:00 p.m. and the grandstand ticket window opens at 5:00 p.m. Hot laps start at 6:00 p.m. with the first green flag waving at 7:00 p.m. Admission to the grandstand is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for teens 12-15, $10 for military personal and their spouses with ID, and Kids 11 & under are FREE. Pit admission is $30 with a New Egypt Speedway license and $40 without.
“New Jersey’s Premier Dirt Track Facility”, New Egypt Speedway is located on Route 539 just minutes from Six Flags Great Adventure and the New Jersey Turnpike. A racy 7/16-mile D-shaped dirt oval, New Egypt Speedway serves Garden State race fans with some of the best competition in the country. New Egypt’s state-of-the-art facilities feature daylight-quality lighting and excellent sightlines from any seat in the house. The grandstands are fully wheelchair accessible with wide, clear, and well-groomed walkways. Concession facilities serve up everything from Jersey Burgers to ice cream treats at family-friendly prices.
For more information, visit online: www.newegyptspeedway.net, “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/newegyptspeedwayofficial, or follow us on Twitter @nesspeedway.
NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY RESULTS – TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2019 – GARDEN STATE GUNFIGHT 3
Modifieds
Heat 1 – 1. Danny Bouc 2. Mike Butler 3. Matt Stangle 4. TJ Lilly 5. Jimmy Horton 6. JR Fulper
Heat 2 – 1. Duane Howard 2. Billy Pauch Jr. 3. David VanHorn 4. Brandon Grosso 5. Jimmy Blewett 6. Rick Laubach
Heat 3 – 1. Davey Sammons 2. Wade Hendrickson 3. Rich Rutski 4. Jeff Strunk 5. Frank Cozze 6. Brian Papiez
MODIFIEDS – 60 LAP FEATURE
1. BILLY PAUCH JR. 2. Brandon Grosso 3. Danny Bouc 4. Frank Cozze 5. David VanHorn 6. Mike Butler 7. Ryan Krachun 8. Jeff Strunk 9. Corey Cormier 10. Jordan Watson 11. Jimmy Blewett 12. Davey Sammons 13. Duane Howard 14. Kevin Vaclavicek 15. Rich Rutski 16. TJ Lilly 17. Brian Papiez 18. Cale Ross 19. Chris Grbac 20. Jimmy Horton 21. Matt Stangle 22. JR Fulper 23. Wade Hendrickson 24. John Pakenham
DNS: Rick Laubach
Crate Modifieds vs Open Sportsman
Heat 1 - 1. Joseph Brown 2. Jim Housworth 3. Joe Toth 4. JT Trstensky 5. Jeremy Martino 6. John Criscione
Heat 2 - 1. Eric Palmer 2. Will Dupree 3. Ryan Heim 4. Jon Meyer 5. Bob Lineman Jr. 6. Steve Hicks
CRATE MODIFIEDS VS OPEN SPORTSMAN - 30 LAP FEATURE
1. WILL DUPREE 2. Jeremy Martino 3. Bob Lineman Jr. 4. Jim Housworth 5. Ryan Simmons 6. JT Trstensky 7. Darren Cox 8. Dan Fleming 9. Will Trstensky 10. Steve Hicks 11. Howie Finch 12. DJ Hunt 13. Jon Meyer 14. Steve Davis 15. Eric Palmer 16. Joe Toth 17. Tom Princiotta 18. Joseph Brown 19. John Criscione 20. Johnny Bangs 21. Aaron Weaver
DQ: Ryan Heim
MIKE’S PERFORMANCE 4-CYLINDERS – 15 LAP FEATURE
1. JIMMY AVERY 2. TJ Graves 3. Justin Dunn 4. Joe Garey Jr. 5. Joe Garey Sr. 6. Paul Hartwig 7. John Ciallella 8. Robby Dunn 9. Dom Antonelli 10. Nichole Razzano 11. Scott Dunn 12. Mike Fox 13. Spider Ensinger
The Big Show At Albany Saratoga Speedway
Posted by: | CommentsCale Ross is “The Boss” Winning Career First at New Egypt
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New Egypt Speedway
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New Egypt Speedway
Route 539, New Egypt, NJ
Track Phone: 609-758-1900
Website: www.newegyptspeedway.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/newegyptspeedwayofficial
Twitter: www.twitter.com/nesspeedway
Media Contact: Pete MacDonald – 609-758-1900 – nesoffice@comcast.net
(June 22, 2019): Cale Ross of Lambertville, NJ won his first career Vahlco Wheels Modified feature event on Graduation night Saturday at New Egypt Speedway. The 2016 NES Rookie champion, turned Modified Rookie this year, dominated the evening winning his heat race and then leading all 30 laps of the non stop event in just 9 minutes and 13 seconds. Ross survived a late race challenge from John McCelland in heavy lapped traffic to record the victory in just his 11th Modified start.
“I am really surprised to be standing here, We were broke after warm-ups”, stated a shocked Ross in victory lane, “But our engine-builder Gary Bouc ran around & got us fixed and here we are!”
McClelland and Ross brought the field to the start with Ross seizing control as they exited turn two. Ross, with McClelland in tow, pulled away from the rest of the field over the first half of the event. Danny Bouc & Ryan Krachun were the fast movers in the early going as they raced into the top 5. Point leader Billy Pauch Jr. charged up from 14th starting position and began challenging for a top five spot as the race reached the halfway point. By lap 19 Ross had almost a full straightaway lead over McClelland as he began to encounter lapped traffic. The traffic slowed him up a bit but he continued to smoothly lap each one as McClelland began to cut into his advantage. With 7 laps to go he approached the cars of Jimmy Blewett and JR Fulper racing side by side for position. After several laps of trying to find a way past them “Johnny Mac” had just about erased his big lead. But with 2 laps remaining Ross made the move of the race as he “threaded the needle” between the two cars going into turn three and then cruised to the popular victory. John McClelland finished in the second position posting his season best finish, as Rich Rutski also posted his season best finish crossing the line third. Pauch Jr. and Bouc completed the top five.
Aaron Weaver of Upper Black Eddy, PA was also a first time winner on this evening as he recorded his first career win in the Crate Modified 20 lap feature event, which ran the final 19 laps non-stop. Weaver held on in lapped traffic as Jeremy Martino and Tom Princiotta, both searching for their first win, applied late race pressure before settling for second and third respectively. Dan Fleming finished fourth and Ryan Simmons rounded out the top five.
Steve Davis visited victory lane for the second time this season with the Hammer Sportsman. Davis avoided an early race pile-up and then held off a persistent Will Dupree to win the 20 lap event. Joseph Brown came home third, chased across the line by 2018 Rookie champ Ryan Heim and 3 time Sportsman champ Bob Lineman Jr.
The Lyons Construction/MetalFab Rookie’s ran their final event with Ryan Krushinski winning for the second straight week. Vinny Troia nipped DJ Hunt at the line for second in the 12 lap Graduation night finale. Anthony Tramontana Jr. of Vineland, NJ was crowned the 2019 NES Rookie champion after finishing fourth.
Vern McLaughlin out ran point leader Billy Liedtka for the 15 lap Street Stock victory. Billy Wroble, Joe Reid and Dennis Seeley chased the duo at the finish.
This Tuesday night it is the third annual Garden State Gunfight for the Modifieds. The Modifieds will race in a 60 lap Feature event paying $6000 to win and $400 to start. Also in action will be the Crate vs.Open Sportsman in a 30 lap Main event paying $1000 to win and $100 to start. The Mike’s Performance 4-cylinders will also be racing in a 15 lap event, which if they have 24 or more cars, it will pay $500 to the winner. Adult Admission will be $25, with kids 11 and under always Free. Pit gates open at 4pm, Grandstand gates open at 5pm, Warm-ups will be at 6pm and Racing begins at 7pm. The rain date for this event is the following evening, Wednesday 6/26 !
Next week Sat. night June 29th it is Bike night at New Egypt Speedway. Everyone that comes on a motorcycle will receive ½ price general admission and there will be plenty of Bicycle giveaways for the kids at intermission. The Vahlco Wheels Modifieds will once again headline the event, and they will be joined on the track by the Larry’s Hot Rods & Harleys NEWS Sprint Cars, the Hammer Sportsman, and the Street Stocks. Admission will be $20 for Adults, and gates will open at 5pm, with warm-ups at 6pm and the first race taking place at 7pm.
New Egypt Speedway Results Graduation Night 6/22/2019
Vahlco Wheels MODIFIEDS
Feature (30 laps): 1. Cale Ross 2. John McClelland 3. Rich Rutski 4. Billy Pauch Jr. 5. Danny Bouc 6. Ryan Krachun 7. Brandon Grosso 8. PJ Oliver 9. John Pakenham 10. Wade Hendrickson 11. Mike Butler 12. Brian Papiez 13. Jimmy Blewett 14. JR Fulper 15. Kevin Vaclavicek 16. Davey Sammons 17. Pat Wall 18. Blaine Bracelin 19. Bob Rambone
Heat Winners: Ross, McClelland
Hammer SPORTSMAN
Feature (20 laps): 1. Steve Davis 2. Will Dupree 3. Joseph Brown 4. Ryan Heim 5. Bob Lineman Jr. 6. Jim Housworth 7. Joe Nappi 8. John Criscione 9. Jim Hawkes 10. Will Trstensky 11. Art Liedl 12. JT Trstensky 13. Marty Resnick 14. Jimmy Amato 15. David Burns
Heat Winners: Liedl, Dupree
CRATE MODIFIEDS
Feature (20 laps): 1. Aaron Weaver 2. Jeremy Martino 3. Tom Princiotta 4. Dan Fleming 5. Ryan Simmons 6. Steve Hicks 7. Joe Toth 8. Eric Palmer 9. Johnny Bangs 10. Ryan Heim 11. Anthony Tramontana Jr. 12. Steve Davis 13. Howie Finch 14. Jon Meyer 15. Vinny Troia 16. Bobby Holzwarth 17. Kevin Borden 18. Nick Van Wickle 19. Ryan Krushinski 20. DJ Hunt 21. Zachary Merola
Heat Winners: Princiotta, Martino
Lyons Construction/MetalFab ROOKIE SPORTSMAN
Championship Feature (12 laps): 1. Ryan Krushinski 2. Vinny Troia 3. DJ Hunt 4. Anthony Tramontana Jr. 5. Nick Van Wickle 6. Zachary Merola
2019 Rookie Champion: Anthony Tramontana Jr.
STREET STOCKS
Feature (15 laps): 1. Vern McLaughlin 2. Bill Liedtka 3. Billy Wroble 4. Joe Reid 5. Dennis Seeley 6. Ryan Freshneck
Back To My Home Track!
Posted by: | CommentsSTRUNK, MILLER AND WILBUR WIN FEATURE RACES SATURDAY NIGHT AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY
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Grandview Speedway
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NEWS FROM ROGERS FAMILY GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY, BECHTELSVILLE, PA—THE 57TH CONSECUTIVE SEASON OF RACING
Presenting Saturday night NASCAR stock car racing plus a variety of special events. Track office: 610.754.7688
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MARKETING: Ernie Saxton @ 215.752.7797: Email: Esaxton144@aol.com – Cell phone: 267.934.7286
Race results provided by Vicki Gehris
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STRUNK, MILLER AND WILBUR ARE FEATURE WINNERS AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY SATURDAY NIGHT
BECHTELSVILLE, PA. June 23, 2019 . . . Jeff Strunk gradually worked his way to the front of the pack from his ninth place starting grid until he finally advanced to second.
Kory Fleming, who had a sizeable lead built up, changed the lane he was running previously and this decision was a costly one. It allowed Strunk to reel him in and take the lead away on the 23rd lap. Encountering lap cars in the closing stages, Strunk and the others in tow bid their time to get past them. Strunk went on to score his third 30-lap TP Trailers NASCAR 358 Modified feature of the season. In addition to Strunk, the Modified division has five different feature winners including Matt Sheppard, Brett Kressley, Craig Von Dohren and Duane Howard. More than 40 Modifieds were in action on Saturday night.
Tom Miller came out of retirement after a two-year hiatus and led the 25-lap TP Truck Equipment Sportsman feature from start to finish to chalk up his first ever career victory. The 68-yr. old Gilbertsville resident finally conquered the one thing he wanted to do – win a feature at the 1/3-mile oval and it felt “wonderful” were some of his victory lane comments.
Joe Biasi Jr. led 19 laps of the 25-lap Wingless Super Sportsman feature until Steve Wilbur challenging from the beginning, made contact with him. Wilbur held on to win the 25-lap event with Biasi Jr. a close second. This was the first time the class returned in 31 years.
Providing the Modified and Sportsman feature winners met the necessary requirements, they received monetary awards from TP Trailers and a certificate from VP Fuels for product awards. The Dan’s Deli ½-way hoagie award recipients were Fleming and Miller. Last week’s feature winner Parker Guldin was the highest finisher in the Sportsman feature at 18th with a crate engine to receive and extra $100.
Kyle Kania, missing for a few weeks, wasted no time holding onto the early lead of the Modified feature from the pole position with Fleming, also out of contention for a while; Ron Kline, Brett Gilmore and Louden Reimert in pursuit.
The only caution of the race was when Clay Butler and Craig Whitmoyer tangled in the fourth turn with three laps completed. The restart resulted in a new leader when Fleming overtook the top spot. Reimert, Kline and Briggs Danner completed the order behind Fleming and Kania.
Fleming opened up a comfortable lead while a heated three-way battle for second brewed between Kania, Reimert and Danner.
Back further in the pack Strunk was inching his way to the front and it wasn’t until the 18th lap that he broke into the top five moving up closer as the race progressed.
For some reason, Fleming changed the line he was running which allowed the competition to reel him in.
By the time Fleming switched the groove, Strunk caught him to put his bid in the first.
The lead changed on the backstretch as the field crossed the line to complete lap 23 Strunk had the Keystone Racing No. 126 in first.
Strunk never faltered and chalked up his Saturday night 72nd career win. Chasing the ten-time Modified point champion across the line for their season best finishes were Fleming and Danner with Kevin Hirthler and Reimert completing the top five.
Heats were won by Brett Kressley, Reimert, Duane Howard and Jared Umbenhauer. Clay Butler and Tim Buckwalter won the consies.
The Sportsman feature saw Miller get the jump on polesitter B.J. Joly to set the pace in his 6-cyl. Powered No. 77T.
Dicing for positions behind Miller were Nate Brinker, Joly, Sean Weiss and Brad Brightbill, who started 12th and by the second lap was fifth. Brad Arnold soon joined the mix to try to get into the top five.
With 11 laps in the books and Miller continuing to set his rapid pace, he encountered slower moving traffic, but that didn’t deter him as the distance continued to grow.
Positions were constantly changing behind Miller with second through fifth now comprised of Brinker, Brightbill, Bachman and Arnold.
Miller never looked back once he was in front and went on chalk up a well-deserved victory trailed by Brinker, Brightbill, Bachman and Arnold.
Heat winners were Arnold, Miller and Weiss. Mark Kemmerer won the consi.
Joe Biasi Jr. grabbed the early lead of the Wingless Super Sportsman. Behind Biasi Jr., Wilbur, Rohan Beasley, Tom Savage and Eric Walker jockeyed for the remaining positions.
As the race progressed, the order was now made up of Biasi Jr., Wilbur, Bill Brian Jr., Beasley and Steve Drevicki.
Chris Henry brought out the final caution of many when he stopped along the homestretch with a trail of fluid coming from his car on the 19th lap. Biasi Jr. held his own on the restart with Wilbur trying feverishly to pass him.
With five laps to go, Biasi Jr. and Wilbur made contact and Wilbur was now in first.
Wilbur never looked back and went on to win the event trailed by Biasi Jr., Brian Jr., Drevicki and Beasley.
Savage, Craig Perigo and Wilbur won the heats.
Next on the Saturday night NASCAR schedule is a tripleheader show of T.P.Trailers NASCAR 358 Modifieds, T.P.Truck Equipment Sportsman and a second 2019 appearance for the Delaware Auto Exchange Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series. Racing on June 29 gets the green flag at 7:30 p.m. Adult admission is $18, youngsters 6 through 11 pay just $5 and kids under 6 are admitted free.
PA Sprint Speed Week featuring 410 Sprints ($10,000 to win) and 358 Modifieds on Tuesday, July 2. Start time is 7:30 p.m.
Coming up on Saturday, July 6th is the annual Firecracker 40 which this year features the Sportsman with the feature winner walking off with $2,000. The 358 Modifieds will be the second part of the doubleheader Holiday show.
RACE RESULTS
T.P. Trailers Modified Feature (30-laps): 1. Jeff Strunk, 2. Kory Fleming, 3. Briggs Danner, 4. Kevin Hirthler, 5. Louden Reimert, 6. Kyle Kania, 7. Jared Umbenhauer, 8. Craig Von Dohren, 9. Duane Howard, 10. Brett Kressley, 11. Doug Manmiller, 12. Rick Laubach, 13. Ron Kline, 14. Alex Yankowski, 15. Kenny Gilmore, 16. Kyle Weiss, 17. Mike Lisowski, 18. Tim Buckwalter, 19. Craig Whitmoyer, 20. Ryan Brim, Dan Waisempacher, 22. Clay Butler, 23. Richie Hitzler, 24. Danny Erb, 25. Joe Funk III, 26. Brett Gilmore, 27. Ray Swinehart, 28. Steve Swinehart. DNQ: Skylar Sheriff, Ryan Lilick, Ron Myers, Mark Kratz, Dylan Swinehart, Ron Seltmann III, Frank Yankowski, Jordan Henn, Eric Biehn, Justin Grim, Steve Wilson, Bobby Gunther Walsh, Frank Cozze and Mark Levy.
T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman Feature (25-laps): 1. Tom Miller, 2. Nate Brinker, 3. Brad Brightbill, 4. Dean Bachman, 5. Brad Arnold, 6. Mike Mammana, 7. Brandon Edgar, 8. Brian Hirthler, 9. Andrew Kreis, 10. Kyle Lilick, 11. Kyle Smith, 12. Sean Weiss, 13. B.J. Joly, 14. Mark Kemmerer, 15. Jack Butler, 16. Chris Esposito, 17. Brad Grim, 18. Parker Guldin, 19. Jesse Landis, 20. Ryan Higgs, 21. Andy Clemmer, 22. Joey Vaccaro, 23. Jeff Bubori, 24. Ryan Beltz. DNQ: Steve Desmelyk, Derrick Smith, Jason Van Dohren, Kenny Bock, Nathan Mohr, Josh Adams and Lex Shive.
Wingless Super Sportsman Feature (25 laps): 1. Steve Wilbur, 2.Joe Biasi Jr., 3. Bill Brian Jr., 4. Steve Drevicki, 5. Rohan Beasley, 6. Craig Perigo, 7. Carmen Perigo, 8. Derek Shaeffer, 9. Eric Walker, 10. Tom Savage, 11. Todd Leonard, 12. John Stehman, 13. Eric Jennings, 14. Jason Failor, 15. Rich Mellor, 16. Ryan Rutz, 17. Luke Kenker, 18. Austin Lorah, 19. Chris Henry, 20. Eric Rutz, 21. Larry Drake, 22. Duane Nixon
