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BECHTELSVILLE, PA JULY 8, 2007 . . .Mild-mannered Randy Stoudt stood on top of his TP Trailers/Kochel Equipment No.10 Late Model celebrating his Saturday night win in the Norris Mechanical Contractors Firecracker 40 Late Model Championship race. Stoudt is not one to show a lot of emotion when he wins, and he does that often, but this was the fifth time that he had won the biggest event of the season for the Late Models at Grandview Speedway. He was entitled to show some emotion and celebrate.
Craig VonDohren has had a yoyo type season. Some Saturday nights everything goes well and he wins as he did on this Saturday claiming the 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All American Series Modified feature race. It was his third win of the season. It has pretty much been a case of winning or having problems throughout most of the 2007 campaign for the six time NASCAR Modified champion. VonDohren brought the Stauffer Construction/Felty Farms No. 1C home first with a comfortable lead.
Bryon Sipe, winner of his first career feature victory just a couple weeks back, charged to the front of the pack at the start of the 40-lapper for Late Models .At the eight lap marker Randy Stoudt, who had come from eighth starting spot, took the lead with four time Late Model kingpin Dean Stoudt (no relation) right on his rear bumper. With 10 circuits of the one-third-mile, banked clay oval in the record book John Giesler, Brian Shuey and Chuck Schutz wrecked on the front straightaway with Giesler unable to continue.
Randy had his hands full for the balance of the 40-lap feature that could very well go down in the record books as one of the most exciting since the event was first run in 1971. Ron Kline came into the picture with 75% of the race completed.
For the final 10 laps the race turned into a three car battle with Randy Stoudt able to cross under the checkered flag first for his 40th “official” career victory. The Pottstown racer is second in career wins to Jon Kellner Sr.’s 57 wins.
Second spot went to Dean Stoudt (East Greenville) for his best showing of the season. Past champion Ron Kline (Salford) came home third followed by Brian Shuey (Shoemakersville) coming from 18th starting spot and Mark Malcolm (Hatfield).
Brian Shuey continues to lead the Late Model point standings.
Polesitter Amanda Spotts lead the 29-car starting field to the green but in the fourth turn of the first circuit she got a jolt in the rear bumper sending her sideways with a multi car tangle ensuing. Tom Umbenhauer, who had grabbed the early first lap lead from Spotts, dropped out and Randy Bailey took the top spot.
With just five laps in the record book VonDohren, who had started fifth, was challenging Bailey for the lead and the two put on quite a side-by-side battle for the crowd. At the midway point it was Bailey, VonDohren, John Willman, point leader Duane Howard and Jeff Strunk filling out the top five.
At 18 laps VonDohren charged off the second turn grabbing the front spot from Bailey.
The track slogan “Racing is a contact sport at Grandview” certainly held true with 20 laps down and a lot of pushing and shoving going on between 2nd through 6th place runners. It took a toll on Duane Howard as he headed to the pits to make sure the car was race able and returned to action at the back of the pack.
In the final laps VonDohren (Oley) was able to make it look easy as he drove to victory but the real show for the fans was “underdog” John Willman (Birdsboro) being able to hold off five time champion Jeff Strunk (Mohnton) for second spot. Doug Man miller (Shoemakersville) came home fourth followed by early leader Randy Bailey (Kutztown).
Howard maintains just a 16 point lead over Jeff Strunk in the chase for the NASCAR Modified title.
Qualifying heats for the Late Models (28 cars on hand) were won by Dean Stoudt, Chuck Schutz and Brian Shuey. The consolation race went to Wayne Pfiel. Chad Rae earned a starting spot in the feature as he was voted fan favorite amongst those who did not qualify for the feature race. Kenny Gilmore sponsored the fan favorite promotion.
In qualifying events for the Modifieds (46 cars) wins were earned by Doug Manmiller, Mike Gular, Kevin Hirthler and Randy Bailey while consolation victories went to Meme DeSantis and Terry Meitzler.
Fans were also treated to an outstanding fireworks display in honor of the Fourth of July Holiday.
The Cornerstone Auto Sales of Fleetwood, PA Hard Charger Awards went to Jeff Strunk in the NASCAR Modified 30-lap feature coming from 20th to 3rd and in the Firecracker 40 the award went to Brian Shuey coming from 18th to 4th. Each driver picked up an extra $50 and $50 went to Firecracker 40 winner Randy Stoudt courtesy of Cornerstone Auto Sales.
Coming up on Saturday, July 14th will be Maverick’s Motorcycle Club Night featuring the NASCAR Modifieds and Late Models.
On Wednesday, July 18th, 7:30 p.m. the DIRT Big Block Modifieds will be featured in the Traffic Jam 100 along with the Garden State Vintage Stock Cars.
A tripleheader card of racing action featuring the NASCAR Modifieds, Late Models and Legends cars is set for Saturday, July 21st.
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.
One lucky fan coming out early for the warmup sessions starting at 7 p.m. gets the opportunity to win a chance to flag the Modified warm up sessions.
Eight lucky fans will get a chance to sit in one of the corporate suites that sit above the grandstands and enjoy the July 21st races in air conditioned comfort as part of a special track promotion. The winners will come from lucky rain checks collected on July 7th and 14th.
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.
NORRIS MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS NIGHT NASCAR ALL AMERICAN SERIES MODIFIEDS (30 LAPS):1. Craig VonDohren 2. John Willman 3. Jeff Strunk 4. Doug Manmiller 5. Randy Bailey 6. Meme DeSantis 7. Tommy Scheetz Jr. 8. Jason Hamilton 9. Terry Meitzler 10. Kerry Kratz 11. Mike Gular 12. Tom Umbenhauer 13. Kyle Weiss 14. Duane Howard 15. Shawn Reimert 16. Don Norris Jr. 17. Chris Esposito 18. Cliff Quinn 19. Brad Missimer 20. Mark Fehr 21. Rodney Kistler 22. Kevin Hirthler 23. Danny Erb 24. Rick Schaffer 25. Jon Kellner Jr. 26. Donny Erb 27. Todd Smith 28. Sean Merkel 29. Amanda Spotts
NORRIS MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS NIGHT FIRECRACKER 40 LATE MODEL FEATURE (40 LAPS):1. Randy Stoudt 2. Dean Stoudt 3. Ron Kline 4. Brian Shuey 5. Mark Malcolm 6. Harry Neiman 7. Kyle Merkel 8. Bryon Sipe 9. Wayne Pfeil Jr. 10. Mike Kellner 11. Dean Schaeffer 12. Chuck Schutz 13. Greg Hoffmaster 14. Dallas Breidenbach 15. Buddy Wharton 16. Jamie Undercoffler 17. Rick Todorow 18. Chad Rae 19. Jon Kellner Sr. 20. John Giesler 21. Kelly Snyder 22. Rick Schaffer 23. Eric Kauffman 24. Ray Deemer 25. Mike Myers.
UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS AS OF JULY 8TH BELOW
NASCAR WHELEN ALL AMERICAN SERIES MODIFIEDS
1. Duane Howard, Oley, PA #114/4 2826****
2. Jeff Strunk, Mohnton, PA #126 2810**
3. Doug Manmiller, Wyomissing, PA #14/00 2352
4. Terry Meitzler, Kutztown, PA #81 2266
5. Shawn Reimert, Oley, PA #41 2223
6. Mike Gular, Harleysville, PA #53 2091
7. Meme DeSantis, Temple, PA #11 2024
8. John Willman, Birdsboro, PA #74W 1997
9. Kyle Weiss, Hamburg, PA #21K 1842
10. Kerry Kratz, Bechtelsville, PA #87 1833
11. Danny Erb, Boyertown, PA #44 1829
12. Rick Schaffer, Woxall, PA #357 1795
13. Craig VonDohren, Oley, PA #1C 1735***
14. Kevin Hirthler, Green Lane, PA #117 1723
15. Jason Hamilton, Erwinna, PA #16 1701
16. Ryan Watt, Phoenixville, PA #14W 1565
17. Todd Smith, Hatfield, PA #39 1259
18. Tom Umbenhauer, Richland, PA #19U 1235
19. Jon Kellner Jr., Lansdale, PA #67 1229
20. Don Norris, Douglassville, PA #976 1193
Also Feature Winners, Sean Merkel, Tommy Sheetz Jr.
NASCAR LATE MODELS
1. Brian Shuey, Shoemakersville, PA #5X 2990*
2. Randy Stoudt, Pottstown, PA #10 2859***
3. Ron Kline, Salfordville, PA #3 2819**
4. Mike Kellner, Lansdale, PA #57 2805**
5. Dean Stoudt, East Greenville, PA #5 2649
6. Chuck Schutz, Pottstown, PA #ONE 2603*
7. Wayne Pfeil Jr., Mohnton, PA #72 2450
8. Kyle Merkel, Gilbertsville, PA #117 2271
9. Buddy Wharton, Birdsboro, PA #7B 2214
10. Rick Todorow, Quakertown, PA #93 2186
11. Bryan Sipe, Leesport, PA #33 2164*
12. Dean Schaeffer, Douglassville, PA #39 2109
13. John Giesler, Aston, PA #ZT1 1995
14. Jamie Undercoffler. Pennsburg, PA #1J 1866
15. D.D. Keely, Linfield, PA #707 1779
16. Greg Hoffmaster, Pottstown, PA #69 1627
17. Chad Rea #8 1571
18. Eric Kauffman #307 1470
20. Mark Malcolm, Hatfield, PA #55 1288
20. Bill Henning, Lansdale, PA #80 1283
* denotes feature win
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