Archive for Short Track
DREVICKI OPENS 2014 ARDC SEASON WITH A WIN
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ARDC
Contact - Deb Smith
For Immediate Release
Phone (610) 972-6176
Email - dsfotog@aol.com
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DREVICKI OPENS 2014 ARDC SEASON WITH A WIN
Reading, PA driver, Steven Drevicki put his DeGre Engineering #19 in Victory Lane at the New Egypt Speedway as the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) opened their 2014 racing season - the 75th Anniversary season of the organization.
It was Drevicki's first race in a brand new car - an Elite chassis that his team built over the off season. With an Essingler power plant under the hood, Drevicki was in the thick of the race for the lead from the drop of the green flag after starting outside polesitter, 2013 ARDC Rookie of the Year, Tony DiMattia.
DiMattia took the field to the start and pulled his #50 out in front as with Drevicki and 2013 ARDC Champion, Trevor Kobylarz in hot pursuit. Alex Bright made some quick moves after starting in ninth position to join the leaders after just two laps were completed. Kobylarz spun in turn two after making contact, ending his first race of the season. DiMattia regained the lead on the restart but Drevicki completed the pass for the lead on lap four as Bright followed into second. Shawn Jackson and Brenden Bright after five laps were completed.
Bright dogged Drevicki through the race's half-way point. Brenden Bright made his move on lap fifteen to take over third from Dimattia. One lap later, Alex Bright challenged for the lead, taking over the lead on lap sixteen.
As the leaders raced into lapped traffic, Drevicki stayed with Bright, looking for an opportunity. As Bright and Drevicki raced out of turn two on lap twenty-two, Bright slowed and pulled to the infield as his bid for the win came to an end. Drevicki drove into the lead. As the laps counted down, Lick made a pass by DiMattia to take third.
Drevicki drove to the win followed by Brenden Bright, Lick, DiMattia as Brett Wanner completed the top five at the finish line.
Heat races were won by Drevicki and Alex Bright.
The 2014 schedule takes ARDC to the Williams Grove Speedway this Friday night for the first of two events this season. The first of the Sunday night open cockpit shows at the Grandview Speedway is next on the calendar with the first of four of these events coming on Sunday, May 4th.
Feature Finish (25 laps) - 1. Steven Drevicki 2. Brenden Bright 3. Kyle Lick 4. Tony DiMattia 5. Brett Wanner 6. BJ Buckwalter 7. Tommy Kunsman (R) 8. Brian Gilmore 9. Ryan Watt 10. Shawn Jackson 11. Austin Burke 12. Alex Bright 13. Trevor Kobylarz 14. Carey Becker 15. Greg Fitzpatrick 16. PJ Gargiulo 17. Justin Grosz 18. Billy Pauch Jr. 19. Brett Arndt DNS - Nick Wean
Thunder on the Hill 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE---THANK YOU
APRIL 21, 2014
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES
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THE LUCKY 7 EVENT JUMP STARTS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON OF THE NAPA AUTO PARTS THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY
On Sunday, May 25 at Grandview Speedway, the Lucky 7 event jump starts the 25th anniversary season of the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series. To kick-off the 2014 version of the successful series co-promoted by Bruce Rogers and Bob Miller, the race card will encompass seven feature events with no qualifying and showcase the racing talents in five divisions. Twin features for the 358 Modifieds and a tandem of main events for the URC Sprint Cars will be staged along with single contests for the ARDC Midgets, Sportsman and Legend Cars. All of the feature events will be 25-laps in distance.
With a minimum of twenty cars in each division, over one-hundred participants are expected to be on hand. On Sunday, May 25, gates unlock at 5:00 p.m. with racing starting at 7:30 PM. In appreciation to the great fans of the Thunder on the Hill series, grandstand general admission for adults will be a fan friendly $20 with children between the ages of 6 and 11 admitted for $10. Admission to the pit area is $30 with a license and $35 without a license. If necessary, Monday, May 26 has been reserved as the rain date with gates opening at 4:00 PM and a start time of 6:00 PM. Several additional fan activities are being scheduled and they will be announced shortly.
Following the opener, four additional events are scheduled for the silver anniversary season of the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series. On Tuesday, June 3, the Amsoil USAC Non-Wing Sprint Cars begin their Eastern Storm tour with a return to Grandview Speedway to compete in the $6000-to-win 40-lap Jesse Hockett Classic. Daron Clayton, the Modern Day Cowboy, will be looking to repeat his 2013 winning effort. The wingless ARDC Midgets round out the program. Racing gets underway at 7:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, July 1, the Pennsylvania Posse 410 Sprint Cars invade the “Hill” during the annual Pennsylvania Sprint Speed Week Series and will be joined by the Race of Champions Modifieds. Greg Hodnett is slated to back in action and the four-time Thunder Series Sprint Champion will be looking for another checkered flag. The start time for this race is set for 7:30 p.m.
The 17th Annual Traffic Jam for the Modifieds, sanctioned by the Race of Champions, takes place on Tuesday, July 30. The 410 Sprint Cars complete the two-division card. Duane Howard won the 2013 contest and will be looking to secure his second Traffic Jam victory on this night. The first green flag waves at 7:30 p.m.
To close out the 25th Anniversary season, the House of Thunder Halloween Party and Grandview Thunder 5-25’s is set for Saturday, October 18. Five 25-lap feature events are on tap along with the Blast from the Past Vintage Cars and a Monster Smash Demolition Derby. This spectacular event gets cranked up at 6:00 p.m. A rain date of Sunday, October 19 has been established for this race and will carry a start time of 4:00 p.m.
Once again, NAPA Auto Parts will be returning as the Thunder on the Hill Series Sponsor and will be joined by GALCO Business Communications and Lee Myles Transmission to celebrate the 25th Anniversary season
The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series is a co-promotion between Grandview Speedway track owner Bruce Rogers and special events promoter Bob Miller. In the twenty-four previous seasons of Thunder on the Hill, one-hundred and nine events were presented paying out in excess of $3,658,950 in prize money.
Grandview Speedway is located on Passmore Road just off Route 100 in Bechtelsville, PA, just ten mile north of Pottstown, PA Additional information on Grandview Speedway is available by calling 610-754-7688. The successful Berks County speedway is operated by Bruce Rogers and family.
For more information on the Thunder on the Hill racing events of 2014, please check out the full color event ads on our website at: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @TOTHRacing.
2014 NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series
Presented by: Pioneer Pole Buildings & GALCO Business Communications
Grandview Speedway
Route 100
Ten mile north of Pottstown, PA
GPS Users: 43 Passmore Road Bechtelsville, PA 19505
Speedway Phone: 610-754-7688
Thunder on the Hill Information: 443 513 4456
Websites: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com or www.grandviewspeedway.com Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @TOTHRacing
Thunder on the Hill fans are encouraged to engage on social media platforms using the hashtag #TOTHRacing before, after and during racing events. #TOTHRacing content will be promoted across the Thunder on the Hill official social media platforms on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thunderonthehill, Twitter: @TOTHRacing and Instagram: @TOTHRacing.
2014 Thunder Series Race Dates:
Sunday, May 25 7:30 PM Lucky 7 Grandview Thunder 7-25 lap features in one night. 2-358 Modified 2 URC Sprint, Plus ARDC Midgets, Sportsman, Legends. Rain Date Monday, May 26 6 PM
Tuesday, June 3 7:30 PM Jesse Hockett Classic USAC National Non-Wing Sprint Tour & ARDC Midgets
Tuesday, July 1 7:30 PM 410 Pennsylvania Sprint Speed Week Series Plus ROC Modifieds
Tuesday, July 29 7:30 PM 17th Annual Traffic JAM ROC Modifieds & 410 Sprints
Saturday, Oct 18 6 PM House of Thunder Halloween Party- - Features Only Modifieds, URC Sprints, ARDC Midgets, Sportsman, Legends, Monster Smash Demo Derby, Blast from the Past Vintage Cars. Rain Date: Sunday, October 19 4 PM
Grandview Speedway is a high-banked one-third mile clay oval, celebrating their 52nd Anniversary season in 2014. 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.
ROSSBURG AMSOIL USAC NATIONAL SPRINT RACE RESULTS
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The United States Auto Club.
AMSOIL USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS: April 19, 2014 - Rossburg, Ohio - Eldora Speedway - "Don Branson/Jud Larson Classic"
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Brady Bacon, 69, Dynamics-15.069; 2. Bryan Clauson, 20, Stewart/Curb-Agajanian-15.278; 3. Tracy Hines, 4, Hines-15.331; 4. Dave Darland, 71p, Phillips-15.345; 5. Jerry Coons Jr., 10E, Edison-15.347; 6. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-15.524; 7. Dallas Hewitt, 22s, Simon-15.619; 8. Chase Stockon, 32, 32/TBI Racing-15.639; 9. Chris Windom, 11, Walker-15.664; 10. Aaron Farney, 15F, Farney-15.667; 11. Jon Stanbrough, 37RW, Dutcher/RW/Tri-Star-15.711; 12. C.J. Leary, 30, Leary-15.807; 13. Justin Grant, 40, Hery-15.822; 14. Scotty Weir, 18x, Keen-15.830; 15. Shane Cockrum, 66, Amati-15.880; 16. Hunter Schuerenberg, 20N, Schuerenberg/Nolen-15.893; 17. Jarett Andretti, 18, Andretti-15.981; 18. Bill Rose, 6, Rose-16.136; 19. Kody Swanson, 63, DePalma-16.137; 20. Daron Clayton, 3R, Rock Steady-16.260; 21. Matt Westfall, 54, Best Performance-16.264; 22. Wes McIntyre, 83, McIntyre-16.308; 23. Brandon Whited, 15, Whited-16.438; 24. Rob Chaney, 9x, SC-16.575; 25. Nathan Moore, 48, Moore-16.649; 26. Mike Miller, 82, Miller-16.706; 27. Derek Hastings, 32m, Marshall-16.722; 28. Logan Jarrett, 29, Jarrett-16.795; 29. Adam Cruea, 83x, Cruea-17.000; 30. Huston Hewitt, 63H, Hewitt-17.898; 31. Matt Goodnight, 39, Goodnight-NT.
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Andretti, 2. Windom, 3. Grant, 4. Coons, 5. Bacon, 6. McIntyre, 7. Miller, 8. H.Hewitt. 2:11.94
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Weir, 2. Clauson, 3. Rose, 4. Whited, 5. Farney, 6. Hastings, 7. Ballou. 2:12.93
THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Hines, 2. Stanbrough, 3. Swanson, 4. D.Hewitt, 5. Cockrum, 6. Jarrett, 7. Chaney. 2:11.01
FOURTH HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Darland, 2. Schuerenberg, 3. Clayton, 4. Stockon, 5. Leary, 6. Moore, 7. Cruea. 2:10.33
SEMI: (12 laps) 1. Bacon, 2. Ballou, 3. Farney, 4. Leary, 5. Cockrum, 6. McIntyre, 7. Miller, 8. Jarrett, 9. Cruea, 10. Moore, 11. Hastings, 12. H.Hewitt, 13. Chaney. 3:21.18
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Dave Darland, 2. Chase Stockon, 3. Tracy Hines, 4. Jerry Coons Jr., 5. Brady Bacon, 6. Bryan Clauson, 7. Jon Stanbrough, 8. Justin Grant, 9. Robert Ballou, 10. Scotty Weir, 11. Hunter Schuerenberg, 12. Kody Swanson, 13. Chris Windom, 14. Shane Cockrum, 15. Daron Clayton, 16. Bill Rose, 17. C.J. Leary, 18. Wes McIntyre, 19. Brandon Whited, 20. Aaron Farney, 21. Logan Jarrett, 22. Jarett Andretti, 23. Dallas Hewitt. NT
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**D.Hewitt flipped on lap 6 of the feature. Andretti flipped on lap 10 of the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-5 Stockon, Lap 6 Darland, Laps 7-11 Stockon, Laps 12-30 Darland.
NEW AMSOIL NATIONAL SPRINT POINTS: 1-Darland-254, 2-Stockon-233, 3-Grant-227, 4-Clauson-226, 5-Bacon-225, 6-Hines-204, 7-Stanbrough-195, 8-Ballou-153, 9-Windom-152, 10-Schuerenberg-146.
NEXT AMSOIL NATIONAL SPRINT RACE: April 25 - Gas City (IN) I-69 Speedway
NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY NEWS
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New Egypt Speedway
Hockey Night Tomorrow 4/12/14
Who is ready to enjoy this nice weekend weather with some good old dirt track racing?! Tomorrow night is Hockey Night presented by the Checkered Flag Fan Club featuring the 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, the debut of the NERS Sprints, the HCI/Spike N Go Rookies, and the Vintage Cars. Wear your favorite NHL hockey team apparel and receive $3 off your general admission. Be sure to stop by the Checkered Flag Fan Club display on the main concourse.
Also on the main concourse will be the Trenton Freedom indoor football team along with their Dancers. The players will be signing autographs and taking pictures and their dancers will be performing at Intermission. We will also be having a Slap Shot contest at Intermission for the chance to win great prizes!
Pit gates open at 2 pm for early technical inspection, grandstand gates open at 4 pm, hot laps begin at 5 pm, and the first green flag waves at 6 pm. Adults are $20, seniors 65 and older are $18, teens 12-15 and active military and their spouses with ID are $10, and children 11 and under are FREE.
See everyone tomorrow for another exciting night of racing!
NES ALL STAR CUP INFO
Excitement is building for the second annual All Star Cup Championship at New Egypt Speedway on September 20th, 2014, featuring the 358 Modifieds, CrateModifieds, and RaceSaver 305 Sprint Cars.
In an effort to allow more competitors to take part in the big money event, New Egypt Speedway has opened the tire rule to allow more drivers to participate.
For the 358 Modifieds and Crate Modifieds, any tire meeting the following specifications will be allowed for the All Star Cup event: LF 33 RF 38 American Racer/Hoosier D300 or harder; LR 44 RR 48 American Racer/Hoosier D300 or harder. No outlaw or drag tires will be permitted.
The RaceSaver 305 Sprint Car tire rules will continue to follow the tire rules of New Egypt Speedway for 2014 and will remain unchanged for the All Star Cup Shootout.
The inaugural 2013, $10,000 to -winpan> All-Star Cup Shootout went to New Egypt Speedway regular Gary Butler while Grandview and Big Diamond’s Craig Von Dohren tookpan>
home the All-Star Cup points championship edging New Egypt Speedway’s own Ryan Godown by only one point.
This year’s Modified pan>All-Star Cup Series will again follow the same format. Drivers can sign up before the season begins to be included in the point series which runs from April to August. Within those four months, the driver’s eight best finishes will receive points. A maximum of four wins are allowed. If a driver has more than four wins, his/her next best finishes will be used.
The registration fee is $100 per track (or touring series such as CRSA 305 Sprints), and a driver is allowed to enter for multiple tracks. Only finishes at registered tracks or touring series will be counted. Drivers can enter for a big block or small block Modified track, but must adhere to the New Egypt Speedway 358 small block rules for the All-Star Cup Shootout on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
The All-Star Cup Shootout is the final points paying event for the All-Star Cup series. The race is a 40-lap, shootout-style event that will pay the race winner a minimum of $10,000 and will pay $350 to take the green. The All Star Cup champion will receive a minimum of $5,000.
Added to the card in 2014 will be the Crate Modified division racing in their own 30-lap, $5,000 to win All-Star Cup Shootoutthat will pay $250 to take the green. Much like the Modified division, the Crate Modifieds can register to be included in their overall point series. However, the track registration fee is $50 per track and their best six finishes will count toward the
overall point total. Only three wins will be allowed for the Crate Modified division, at which point their next best finishes will be used. Open Sportsman are allowed to enter for the Crate Modified point series but on the night of the event must run a sealed Crate Modified.
The RaceSaver 305 Sprint Cars will also compete in a 25-lapfeature paying $3,005 to win, $300 to start, and $50 tow money to those who do not qualify courtesy of Pioneer Pole Buildings in Schuylkill Haven, PA. The Sprint All Star Cup point champion will receive $3,005, second place will receive $2,000, and third place will receive $1,000. The registration fees for theRaceSaver 305 Sprint Cars will also be $50 per track and the drivers' best six finishes will count toward the overall point total.
Entry forms for the Modified, Crate Modified and RaceSaver305 Sprint Car divisions can be found on the New Egypt Speedway website and must be submitted to the Speedway no later than April 30th, 2014.
Finishing positions will be monitored and point distributions will be managed by New Egypt Speedway and posted on the New Egypt Speedway website on a weekly basis. Points will be distributed as follows for both divisions: 1) 15, 2) 14, 3) 13, 4) 12, 5) 11, 6)10, 7) 9, 8) 8, 9) 7, 10) 6, 11) 5, 12) 4, 13) 3, 14) 2, 15) 1.
All other positions will receive one point. Points will not be awarded to a driver that does not qualify for his/her feature race.
New Egypt Speedway is located at 720 Route 539 in New Egypt, New Jersey.
For more information on the All Star Cup Championship or any of our weekly Saturday night shows call the speedway at (609) 758-1900 or visit us online at www.NewEgyptSpeedway.net.
Bridgeport Speedway-2 Tracks Open This Weekend
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Bridgeport Speedway
Bridgeport Speedway Opens Both 1/4 Mile & 5/8 Mile This Weekend
Friday, April 11 - The quarter mile oval at Bridgeport Speedway kicks off another season this Friday. The 600cc and 270 Micro-Sprints will both compete in 20-lap main events, while the 4-cylinder Enduro Cars round out the racing program with their own 20-lap feature. Both pit and grandstand gates open at 5:30pm with the first green flag waving at 8pm. General admission is $10 for fans 10 years and older. Children 9 and under are FREE. Admission is $25 with a Bridgeport Speedway pit license and $30 without a license.
Saturday April 12 - The 5/8 mile oval will see its first 'racing' action of the season this coming Saturday. The 4-division program will be brought to you by Sunoco Race Fuels & Insinger Performance. Headlining the night's activities will be the Spirit Dodge Big Block Modifieds, who will compete in their 25-lap main event. Defending track champion Ryan Watt leads a strong list of 2014 title contenders including Rick Laubach, Jimmy Horton, Richie Pratt Jr., Matt Harrell, Wade Hendrickson, Sam Martz, Eric Kormann, Jimmy Chester, and many many more. The 811 Dig Safely sponsored Crate/Sportsman will battle for supremacy in their 20-lap feature while the Stewart Stainless Outlaw Stocks wage war in their 15-lap affair. The D.A.'s Auto Body Crate/Sportsman Rookie's will start the program off with an 8-lap main event. Currently, there are 11 rookies who have registered for the 2014 series.
Saturday marks the first of many 'Fan Appreciation' nights as the admission for adults is only $15. Students 10-15 are $10 and as always children 9 and under are FREE....General admission gates open at 4:30pm. Pit admission is $30 with a Bridgeport Speedway license and $40 without....Pit gates open 3:00pm with safety inspection beginning at 3:15pm. You might smell plenty of 'Hot Dogs' & 'Chili' in the air on Saturday! This Saturday is $1 Dog Night brought to you by Dietz & Watson. There will also be a 'Chili Cook-Off' during intermission. All fans are encouraged to participate in our 'Chili Cook-Off' which is free to enter. You can register through the Bridgeport Speedway Facebook page as the top 3 winners will all receive prizes led by a $50 first-place award. Drivers Matt Harrell, Kris Lilick, and Cleve Riehl will all be out front when the gates open with their cars on display and signing autographs.
By poplular demand, Moon Bounces will be back this season for the kids provided by One Stop Party Shop. The 'Sweet Revenge' Band will be on hand playing before the races under the pavilion while the RC2U Racetrack will at the speedway, where kids and adults can have a little racing action of their own. The Bridgeport Bandit will be everywhere on Saturday as he plans on launching hot dogs and t-shirts into the crowd during the night. Everyone can win a free slice of pizza if the Cicontes Driver of the Night wins his heat race (redeemable at Cincontes Restaurants). The Doug Hoffman 60over door panel will be on display a week early for those who wish to purchase raffle tickets for next week's drawing during the Doug Hoffman Memorial race. As you can see, there will be plenty of action both on and off the track in this weekend's Bridgeport Speedway openers!
Bridgeport Speedway provides a safe and secure family atmosphere, free parking, giveaways, and fan participation games. As a premier racing complex, Bridgeport Speedway is a banked 5/8th mile dirt oval, featuring a dirt 1/4 mile oval embedded in the center, and is located in Southern New Jersey -- just minutes from Pennsylvania and Delaware at exit 14 off of I-295.
Ryan Godown Captures 2nd Annual Money In The Mountains Event At Big Diamond Speedway
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Big Diamond Speedway
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NEWS FROM BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY
EVENT ORGANIZER: Jake Smulley
MEDIA CONTACT: Tim Long
Facebook Page: facebook.com/bigdiamondspeedway
Website: www.bigdspeedway.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WITH OUR THANKS.
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RYAN GODOWN WINS 2ND ANNUAL MONEY IN THE MOUNTAINS EVENT, MERKEL WINS LATE MODELS, ROADRUNNERS TO HABLETT
MINERSVILLE, PA - April 6th, 2014
"We came here saying we would be content if we could go home with a top 5 finish. But this car is a rocket ship. It's a rocket ship at Syracuse, it's a rocket ship at New Egypt, and it was a rocket ship here today. My guys worked hard on the car and the effort paid off."
Those were just a few of the words uttered by Ryan Godown in victory lane after dominating the 2nd annual Money in the Mountains big block/small block challenge event at Big Diamond Speedway.
Jeff Strunk drove into the lead from his outside pole position, leading the first nine laps while Godown was quickly moving forward from his 6th place starting position. On lap 10 Godown made his move, powering around Strunk in turn two to take a lead he would never give up. Godown continued to lead lap after lap, while behind him a fierce battle had developed between Strunk and Erick Rudolph, making his first ever visit to Big Diamond Speedway. Rudolph managed to wrestle 2nd position away from Strunk on lap 17, only to have Strunk wrestle it back away from him on lap 21. Billy Pauch Jr. all of a sudden appeared to take 3rd away from Rudolph on lap 24, but as quickly as he gained the spot, mechanical woes forced Pauch Jr. to retire from the event just one lap later. The remaining 16 laps saw Godown, Strunk, and Rudolph keep a stranglehold on the top three spots, while Keith Hoffman, Billy Pauch Sr., and Billy Decker had a great battle going for the next three positions. The last 5 laps saw Godown get into some lapped traffic, but he was not to be denied and drove home to the $7,500 first place payday. Strunk held on for 2nd, followed by Erick Rudolph, Keith Hoffman in the Steve Searock owned #26, and Billy Decker, in a great ride from his 16th starting spot. Sixth thru tenth were Billy Pauch Sr., Sammy Piazza, Pat Ward, Matt Sheppard in the Norm Hansell #357, and two time defending track champion Craig Von Dohren in the Eastern Rigging #11.
Sean Merkel was victorious in the 20 lap 358 Late Model feature, taking the lead from race long leader Andy Haus on lap #16 and leading the rest of the way for the $1,000 payday. Haus held on for the runner up position, followed by Billy Wampler, Scott Haus, Drew Weiser, Grant Adams, Steve Nederostek, Bryon Sipe, Jim O' Hara, and Jason Smith.
"Front Row" Joe Kavanaugh took the lead from his pole starting spot and led the first 6 laps of the Roadrunner feature until a caution waved for the #11J of Bill Wingle Jr., who shredded a tire in tire four. On the restart, Jim Kost powered into the lead in his potent #126 machine. Kost led until lap #12, when Tom Hablett, in his new #555 ride, drove by to claim the top spot. Hablett led the rest of the way, followed by Jeremy Becker, who made a late race charge from his 15th starting spot to claim runner up honors. Chris Holland also made a late race charge to take third, followed by "Buckshot" Glenn Rowan, and Joey Brennan. Sixth thru tenth were Kost, Tim Fitzpatrick Jr., Jason Brown, Kris Ney, and Shon Elk.
Racing returns to Big Diamond Speedway this coming Friday, April 11th with the program that was to originally scheduled on March 30th. The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic 358 Modifieds will go 30 laps for $3,000 to win and $300 to take the green. Also on the card will be the U.S.S Achey Sportsman going 20 laps for $1,000 to win and the Savage 61 Roadrunners going 20 laps for $300 to win. The XCEL 600 Modified are also on the card this Friday as an added bonus. A great field of cars is expected for this event, with 2 time defending track champion Craig Von Dohren, Frank Cozze, Stewart Friesen, Duane Howard, Doug Manmiller, Kevin Albert Jr., Dale Hartz, and many more expected to be in attendance looking to take home the top prize. Grandstand admission for this event will be $20.00 for adults, $18.00 for seniors, active military, and students ages 13 to 17 (all with valid ID). Kids 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Pit participation fees are $30.00 for members and $40.00 for non-members. Remember, bring your wrist band from the last race of the 2013 season and receive $2.00 your grandstand admission. The same tire and racing fuel rules are in effect on this day as they were for Money in the Mountains. Mark it on your calendar now, you won't want to miss it.
Big Diamond Speedway Results - 4/6/2014
Money in the Mountain Big Block/Small Block Challenge Race (40 Laps)
1) Ryan Godown ($7,500) 2) Jeff Strunk 3) Erick Rudolph 4) Keith Hoffman 5) Billy Decker 6) Billy Pauch Sr. 7) Sammy Piazza 8) Pat Ward 9) Matt Sheppard 10) Craig Von Dohren 11) Frank Cozze 12) Meme Desantis 13) Kevin Smith 14) Joe Mooney 15) Shawn Ward 16) Larry Wight 17) Brad Trice 18) Tim Fitzpatrick 19) Billy Pauch Jr. 20) Jared Umbenhauer 21) Randy Chrysler 22) Rick Laubach 23) Kyle Merkel 24) Dan Hineline 25) Kyle Borror 26) Justin Grim
DNQ) Harry Landis, Shawn Fitzpatrick, Dale Hartz, Kevin Albert, Jr., Ron Haring Jr., Heath Metzger, Brett Kressley, Andy Burkhart, Kyle Follweiler, Paul Moyer, Robin Schultz, Charles Fayash
Heat Winners - Rick Laubach, Jared Umbenhauer, Ryan Godown, Kyle Merkel
Lap Leaders - Jeff Strunk (laps 1 thru 9) $135 total, Ryan Godown (laps 10 thru 40) $600 total
Fans of Big Diamond/Dog Pound Hark Luck Award To Non Qualifier - Shawn Fitzpatrick - $750
"Long" Haul Award To Non Qualifier With The Longerst Tow - Heath Metzger - $125
Red, White, and Blue Autos Inc. Modified Hard Luck Award (Feature Cars) - Billy Pauch Jr. - admitted for free the next race.
GME Manufacturing LLC Modified Hard Charger Award - Billy Decker (16th to 5th)- $25 gift certificate for use off a rebuild of a steering gear (any brand)
Jeremy Slifko Fabrication Services Late Model (20 Lap)
1) Sean Merkel 2) Andy Haus 3) Billy Wampler 4) Scott Haus 5) Drew Weiser 6) Grant Adams 7) Steve Nederostek 8) Bryon Sipe 9) Jim O' Hara 10) Jason Smith 11) Devin Frey 12) Danny Snyder
Heat Winners - Sean Merkel, Grant Adams
Savage 61 Roadrunners (20 Laps)
1) Tom Hablett 2) Jeremy Becker 3) Chris Holland 4) Glenn Rowan 5) Joey Brennan 6) Jim Kost 7) Tim Fitzpatrick Jr. 8) Jason Brown 9) Kris Ney 10) Shon Elk 11) Devin Trexler 12) Jared Siegfried 13) Jon Schlauch 14) Jesse Krasnitsky 15) Joe Kavanaugh 16) Terry Kramer Jr. 17) Bruce Ditzler 18) Billy Wingle Jr. 19) Kyle Wingle DNS) TJ Fitzpatrick
Red, White, and Blue Autos Inc. Modified Hard Luck Award (Feature Cars) - Billy Wingle Jr. - admitted for free the next race.
FRIESEN, KRESSLEY AND SEAN MERKEL WIN NASCAR FEATURES AT GRANDVIEW
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Grandview Speedway
NEWS FROM BRUCE ROGERS’ GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY
Presenting Saturday night NASCAR stock car racing plus a variety of special events
Track owner: Bruce Rogers @ 610.754.7688
Public relations and marketing: Ernie Saxton @ 215.752.7797
Email: Esaxton144@aol.com – Cell phone: 267.934.7286
Results story created by Randy Kane.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PLEASE WITH OUR THANKS
COMING EVENTS:
Sunday, April 6, 1 p.m. Enduro racing
Saturday, April 12, 7 p.m. Twin 20-lap features for NASCAR 358 Modifieds plus Late Models and Sportsman racing. Adult admission is $20 while youngsters 12 and under are admitted for $5.
Saturday, April 19, 7 p.m. NASCAR 358 Modifieds, Late Mode77ls and Sportsman stock car racing. Adult admission is $15. Youngsters 12 and under are free.
Saturday, April 26, 7 p.m. NASCAR 358 Modifieds, Late Models and Sportsman stock car racing.
Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m. Enduro racing
Saturday, May 3, 7:30 p.m. (this will be the starting time for Saturday events until further notice). NASCAR 358 Modifieds, Late Models and Sportsman.
Sunday, May 4, 7:30 p.m. OPEN WHEEL SPECTACULAR featuring TSRS Sprints and ARDC Midgets
OPENING NIGHT FEATURE RACES WON BY CANADIAN STEWART FRIESEN, BRETT KESSLEY AND SEAN MERKEL AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY
BECHTELSVILLE, PA April 6, 2014 Canadian invader Stewart Friesen clicked off his first career 30-lap regular season NASCAR 358 Modified victory at Grandview Speedway on a brutally cold Saturday night, while young Brett Kressley of Orefield, PA picked up where he left off last season, claiming another win in the 25-lap NASCAR Sportsman main event, and Sean Merkel of Boyertown, PA was the winner in a wild 25-lap NASCAR Late Model feature on the 52nd consecutive Opening Night at the Bechtelsville, PA based dirt raceway.
In spite of the very chilly weather, a good crowd was on hand to watch some fan-pleasing competition, with more than 80 race cars taking part in qualifying sessions. Since it was the first race of the year, all feature events started heads-up, as they qualified in their earlier qualifying heat races.
The opening night race served as a tune-up for the NASCAR 358 Modifieds as they race in twin 20-lap feature races on Saturday night starting at 7 p.m. Late Models and Sportsman will also be in action. Adult admission is $20 while youngsters 12 and under pay just $5.
In the NASCAR 358 Modified main, Stewart Friesen took the green from the pole after winning his heat race steering a No. 357 mount owned by Norm Hansell and the popular driver immediately pulled away. A quick caution on lap three closed the field up again.
Friesen immediately reclaimed the top spot with the new green on lap four over Justin Grim, who started from fourth-place in the 28-car starting field. Meme DeSantis started sixth and was already up to third at this point, with third-place starter Craig VonDohren running in fourth. A caution on lap six closed up the field again and another yellow on lap 10 tightened the field up as well.
A new green saw Friesen back out in front for lap 11 over DeSantis and the No. 1C driven by VonDohren. At halfway VonDohren slipped by DeSantis to steal the runner-up spot, dropping DeSantis to third with 15 in the record books. A caution again appeared after lap 15 when nine-time division champion Jeff Strunk headed to the pit area with his second left front flat of the event.
Again it was Friesen, VonDohren and, now, Duane Howard, the fifth-place starter with the Petruska No. 66 machine, vaulting into third, as DeSantis dropped to fourth for lap 16. With nine tours remaining Jon Kellner Sr. spun it around exiting turn four all alone and, once again, brought out the yellow flag.
Track Starter Ray Kemp waved the green again and Friesen retook the number one position over VonDohren and Howard, with DeSantis running fourth in front of Mike Gular, who was in fifth-place after taking the original green from second spot. Racing through some heavy lapped traffic on lap 26 through turns three and four, VonDohren got collected in a crash with a slower lapped car and the caution brought the field together again. VonDohren continued on, but had any chance at getting a win torpedoed after that unfortunate tangle with a lapped car.
With a single file restart, Friesen powered out in front with the green waving over Howard, DeSantis, Gular and Kyle Weiss in that order. On the final circuit Howard pulled up next to Friesen down the back part of the raceway, but Friesen held on and pulled off the popular win.
Howard finished a strong second at the checkered, followed by DeSantis, Gular and Weiss rounding out the top five finishers.
“The key was getting a good draw and getting the heat win to give us the pole to start the feature,” revealed Friesen afterwards. “This Norm Hansell car is a beautiful piece and this place is a cool joint to race at. It feels good to get this win and a lot of it is the preparation this team does in the shop. I was fortunate to hang on, honestly. The choppy track conditions tonight made it tough racing for everyone and all the cautions kept it clean in front of me as the leader. I am glad to win one for this team and I know the fans had to really enjoy it being out here tonight. It’s freezing for everyone tonight whether you’re watching or racing.”
Feature winner Stewart Friesen was handed an additional #250 bonus courtesy of T.P. Trailers of Limerick, PA.
In the Late Model feature Sean Merkel started from the pole and was the early rabbit, with defending division champion Jason Miller, who started third, and former division champion and fourth-place starter Randy Stoudt chasing Merkel early on. Yellow lights came out on the original start and once again on the following restart, plus on lap three, lap seven and lap ten, as Merkel pulled away to a big advantage each time. Another caution appeared prior to lap 11, as Merkel continued to show his muscle aboard the Kochel Equipment self-owned No. 118 Late Model.
Sammy Schlosberg, who started from fifth-place wheeling his unsponsored No. 70 car with the number taped on the doors and roof, moved into third-place on lap 11 and a lap later Schlosberg went to the outside exiting turn four to drive past Miller and suddenly find himself running in second-place.
By lap 17 Schlosberg began to pressure Merkel and on lap 20 Schlosberg drove into turn three underneath Merkel to become the new leader. On lap 21, again, Merkel repassed Schlosberg racing underneath Schlosberg through turns three and four. Schlosberg continued to pressure Merkel until a slower lapped car got in the way with a circuit remaining to give Merkel that break he needed. Merkel crossed under the checkered first to give him his seventh career win and earn his first win ever on Opening Night at the track.
Schlosberg settled for the runner-up position at the line in front of Miller, Wayne Pfeil and former track champion Lou Egrie Sr. finished out the top five.
In Victory Lane Merkel mentioned, “Sammy caught me sleeping, there. I got help from a lapped car to get back around him, but that’s what happens when you fall asleep. Some nights things just go your way. The car was real good tonight, but we finished the race with the motor running hot. We hope to get that fixed by next week, but we took full advantage of the starting spot and pulled it off, tonight.”
Merkel got an additional $100 bonus from T.P. Trailers of Limerick, PA.
In the Sportsman feature Jordan Henn started from the pole and immediately put the HigFab chassied family-owned No. 77H machine out in front with a wave of the green over fourth-place starter Brad Brightbill and outside front row starter Joe Funk. On lap three Craig Whitmoyer hopped a wheel battling as the fifth-place car and drove his self-owned No. 99 hot rod hard into the outside boilerplate wall in turn four to bring out a red flag.
It was Henn again out in front with the green over the high-flying No. 19K of Brett Kressley, who started from eleventh-place and raced past the competition running the high outside lane, after four rounds. Henn held on as the leader and Kressley was running second with ten in the books, as the race leaders got into lapped traffic. On lap 12 exiting turn four and racing down the front straight, Kressley used a lapped car to drive past Henn, who got caught behind a lapped car running the inside, with Kressley grabbing first as they crossed at the starters stand.
Kressley pulled away as the leader, but a caution on lap 16 brought the field together again. With the restart Kressley assumed the top spot over Henn, with the two-time defending division champion and eighth-place starter Jared Umbenhauer moving up to third. Brightbill fell back to fourth and Dean Bachman, who started from third-place with his self-owned No. 65 mount, now was running fifth. The top five remained that way as the checkered waved, as Kressley turned in a strong Opening Night performance to claim his sixth career feature win at the track to tie Umbenhauer at the top of the all-time career winners list.
Brett Kressley was awarded an additional $100 from T.P. Trailers for his win.
In qualifying events Late Model heat winners were Sean Merkel and former division champ Ron Kline. Sportsman heat race victors were Jordan Henn, Joe Funk and Dean Bachman. In the 358 Modified division qualifying event winners were Stewart Friesen, Mike Gular, seven-time point champion and the defending track champ Craig VonDohren, plus Justin Grim, with consolation triumphs going to Nate Christman and Don Norris Jr. There were no consolation races in Late Model and Sportsman divisions.
Coming up next Saturday night, April 12 at the Berks County track the NASCAR 358 Modified cars run a Twin-20’s program, with the NASCAR Late Models and NASCAR Sportsman running regular races. Racing gets the green flag by 7 P.M. throughout the month of April. Information on racing at Grandview Speedway can be found at www.grandviewspeedway.com or check Facebook or Twitter. Track info number is 610.754.7688.
NASCAR Late Models 1) Sean Merkel 2) Sam Schlosberg 3) Jason Miller 4) Wayne Pfeil 5) Lou Egrie Sr. 6) Dan Green 7) Lou Egrie Jr. 8) Chuck Schutz 9) Bryan Sipe 10) Dirk Rimrott 11) Bill Henning 12) Dave Ogin 13) Buddy Mertz 14) Randy Stoudt 15) George Irwin 16) Kory Fleming 17) John Giesler 18) Ron Kline 19) Rick Todorow 20) Steve Butler 21) Cory Merkel
NASCAR 358 Modifieds 1) Stewart Friesen 2) Duane Howard 3) Meme DeSantis 4) Mike Gular 5) Kyle Weiss 6) Ryan Grim 7) Tim Buckwalter 8) Justin Grim 9) Mike Kellner 10) Nate Christman 11) Brad Arnold 12) Terry Meitzler 13) Don Norris Jr. 14) Andy Ressler 15) Frank Cozze 16) Brian Houseknecht 17) Craig VonDohren 18) Chris Esposito 19) Bobby Gunther Walsh 20) Jeff Strunk 21) Chris Gambler 22) Jordan Umbenhauer 23) Jon Kellner Sr. 24) Ron Seltman 25) John Willman 26) Ryan Watt 27) Doug Manmiller 28) Ray Swinehart
NASCAR Sportsman 1) Brett Kressley 2) Jordan Henn 3) Jared Umbenhauer 4) Brad Brightbill 5) Dean Bachman 6) Tom Miller 7) Kenny Gilmore 8) Guy Germano 9) Kaitie McCardle 10) Ron Krex 11) Jim Housworth 12) Joe Fanelli 13) Mike Stringer 14) Ryan Lilick 15) Erik Renninger 16) Ken Eckert 17) Joe Funk 18) Dave Bartram 19) Craig Whitmoyer 20) Brian Hirthler 21) Jamie Undercoffler 22) Jason Neidlinger DNS) Mike Lisowski DNS) Ryan Beltz DNS) Lex Shire
-end-
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