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By: Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc.
Bechtelsville, PA June 17, 2007 . . . Early evening rain showers that delayed the start of racing at Grandview Speedway for about 45 minutes made for a lightning fast clay oval. The very fast track proved to the liking of past champion Duane Howard as he won his fourth NASCAR Whelen All American Modified feature, a 30-lapper, on Saturday night. The 25-lap feature for United Racing Company sprint cars, the second part of Troy Wink Motorsports Night, went to Josh Weller.
Weller (Mertztown) charged to the front of the 24-car starting field and managed to lead every lap of the 25-lap feature to earn his first career feature victory with the URC sprint cars.
In the early part of the feature race Ed Aikin, a former Late Model champion at the track, challenged for the top spot from his third place starting spot. At the nine lap marker Chris Coyle moved from fourth to second with defending champion Curt Michael right behind.
For the next 20-laps it was quite a battle for the lead with Coyle sticking very close to the rear of Weller while Curt Michael was waiting for either of the front running duo to make a mistake.
In the final laps Coyle (Wilmington, DE) put heavy pressure on the fleet running Weller but had to settle for second. Curt Michael (Ocean View, DE) came home third. Ed Aikin (Lincoln University, PA) finished fourth followed by Kramer Williamson (Palmyra, PA).
Both Davey Sammons and Mares Stellfox flipped their sprinters during the feature event but suffered no injuries.
The 30-lap feature for the NASCAR Modifieds proved to be the excitement event of the night at least for the final 10 laps on the one-third-mile, banked clay track.
Todd Marburger went to the front of the field from his third place starting position in the 29 car field. The lead was short lived as Kerry Kratz moved to the front and stayed in front of the action until the 7th lap when the red flag brought a halt to the action because of a backstretch flip by Doug Manmiller. Five time track champion Jeff Strunk, working his way toward the front from his 10th place starting position was sent to the rear of the field for a rule infraction.
On the restart Jason Hamilton went to the front and looked as if he could be on his way to his first Grandview Speedway NASCAR Modified feature win.
Kerry Kratz brought out the caution as he hit the wall in between turns three and four. On the restart Danny Erb charged to the front as he and Hamilton made contact.
At 20-laps Danny Erb was in charge but now Duane Howard and his BPG Racing/Troyer Engineering No. 4 had come from 12th to challenge for the lead.
On the 27th lap Howard and Erb went side -by-side with Howard getting the top spot and leading the final three laps to take his fourth win of the season at the Bechtelsville oval.
In victory lane Howard (Oley) was quick to give much of the credit for his win to his chief mechanic Alan Finch. Finch tuned it up after the Cash Dash and the car just worked well. It looked like Erb was shutting off in the corners and that allowed me to go low and take the lead, said Howard. The car worked on the bottom.
When asked by victory lane announcer Pete Knappenberger if he was now planning to stay at Grandview, Howard responded with, I think we will be here for a while. We are working so well here. Howard continues to be the point leader in the Modified division.
Second spot went to Danny Erb (Boyertown) followed by Jason Hamilton (Erwinna), Jeff Strunk (Mohnton) and Shawn Reimert (Oley).
Qualifying heat races for the Modifieds were won by Doug Manmiller, Vince Gagliardo, Duane Howard and Jason Hamilton. The consolations were taken by Ryan Beltz and Rick Schaffer. The Wink Motorsports Cash Dash went to Duane Howard.
The United Racing Company qualifiers were won by Joe Zuczek, Josh Weller and Todd Rittenhouse. The B Main went to Brian Seidel.
The Cornerstone Auto Sales of Fleetwood, PA Hard Charger Awards went to Mike Gular who went from 25th to 8th in the NASCAR Modified feature race. The gain of 17 positions earned him the $50 bonus.
Hatfield Quality Meats will sponsor the tripleheader show of racing action on Saturday, June 23rd featuring the NASCAR Modifieds, Late Models and Xcel 600 Modifieds in a 7:30 p.m. show. Smiley, the popular Hatfield mascot, is expected to be on hand to shoot some hot dogs into the stands and, perhaps, some other goodies.
On Saturday, June 30th, Allstate Insurance Co. will sponsor the doubleheader show of NASCAR Modifieds and Late Models starting at 7:30 p.m.
Fans are reminded that they are free to visit with the racers in the pits after the racing action has been completed to collect autographs, take pictures and see the race cars up close. Many of the race teams do have FREE photo cards for fans and also offer t-shirts and other souvenir items for sale.
Grandview Speedway is located on Passmore Road, just off Route 100, in Bechtelsville, PA, 10 miles north of Pottstown. For race information telephone 610.754.7688 or visit their website at www.grandviewspeedway.com.
WINK MOTORSPORTS NASCAR ALL AMERICAN SERIES MODIFIEDS (30 LAPS) :1. Duane Howard 2. Danny Erb 3. Jason Hamilton 4. Jeff Strunk 5. Shawn Reimert 6. Terry Meitzler 7. Chris Esposito 8. Mike Gular 9. Todd Marburger 10. John Willman 11. Donny Erb 12. Don Norris 13. Rick Schaffer 14. Kyle Weiss 15. Kerry Kratz 16. Amanda Spotts 17. Ryan Beltz 18. Sean Merkel 19. Bobby Gunther Walsh 20. Vince Gagliardo 21. Chris Gambler 22. Cliff Quinn 23. Kevin Hirthler 24. Tom Umbenhauer 25. Doug Manmiller 26. Larry Solomon 27. Ryan Watt 28. Randy Bailey 29. John Tschudy
WINK MOTORSPORTS UNITED RACING COMPANY SPRINT CAR FEATURE (30 LAPS): 1. Josh Weller 2. Chris Coyle 3. Curt Michael 4. Ed Aikin 5. Kramer Williamson 6. Kevin Welsh 7. JJ Grasso 8. Michael Carber 9. Brian Seidel 10. Mark Bitner 11. Brook Weibley 12. Mike Haggenbottom 13. Kyle Purks 14. Todd Rittenhouse 15. Jason Clauss 16. Jimmy Stitzel 17. Justin Collett 18. Adam Grodon 19. Joe Zuczek 20. Andy Hanulla 21. Mares Stellfox 22. Garry Gollub 23. Davey Sammons 24. Dave Ely
UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR MODIFIEDS
AS OF JUNE 16, 2007
1. Duane Howard, Oley, PA #114/4 2048****
2. Jeff Strunk, Mohnton, PA #126 1926*
3. Doug Manmiller, Wyomissing, PA #14 1737
4. Shawn Reimert, Oley, PA #41 1654
5. Danny Erb, Boyertown, PA #44 1601
6. Terry Meitzler, Kutztown, PA #81 1559
7. John Willman, Birdsboro, PA #74W 1508
8. Meme DeSantis, Temple, PA #11 1479
9. Jason Hamilton, Erwinna, PA #16 1373
10. Kyle Weiss, Hamburg, PA #21K 1368
11. Kevin Hirthler, Green Lane, PA #117 1367
12. Rick Schaffer, Woxall, PA #357 1345
13. Mike Gular, Harleysville, PA #53 1341
14. Kerry Kratz, Bechtelsville, PA #87 1154
15. Ryan Watt, Phoenixville, PA #14W 1127
16. Craig VonDohren, Oley, PA #1C 1109*
17. Tom Umbenhauer, Richland, PA #19U 1026
18. Jon Kellner Jr., Lansdale, PA #67 997
19. Ray Swinehart, Bechtelsville, PA #33 967
20. Todd Smith, Hatfield, PA #39 957
Also Feature Winners, Sean Merkel, Tommy Sheetz Jr.
UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR LATE MODELS
AS OF JUNE 16, 2007
1. Mike Kellner, Lansdale, PA #57 1925**
1. Brian Shuey, Shoemakersville, PA #5X 1873
3. Randy Stoudt, Pottstown, PA #10 1832**
4. Ron Kline, Salfordville, PA #3 1762**
5. Chuck Schutz, Pottstown, PA #ONE 1653*
6. Dean Stoudt, East Greenville, PA #5 1621
7. Wayne Pfeil Jr., Mohnton, PA #72 1579
8. Buddy Wharton, Birdsboro, PA #7B 1496
9. John Giesler, Aston, PA #ZT1 1478
10. D.D. Keely, Linfield, PA #707 1455
11. Dean Schaeffer, Douglassville, PA #39 1419
12. Jamie Undercoffler. Pennsburg, PA #1J 1371
13. Rick Todorow, Quakertown, PA #93 1367
14. Kyle Merkel, Gilbertsville, PA #117 1340
15. Bryan Sipe, Leesport, PA #33 1209
16. Eric Kauffman #307 990
17. Carl Merz, Boyertown, PA #00 990
18. Mike Meyers, Alburtis, PA #7 989
19. Chad Rea #8 975
20. Greg Hoffmaster, Pottstown, PA #69 964
* denotes feature win
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