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Bechtelsville, PA July 15, 2007 . . . For the second time this season young Sean Merkel was able to wheel the family owned Pheasantland Roller Rink No. 118 home first in the 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All American Modified stock car race at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night. Three time champion Chuck Schutz was first across the line with his Jesse Baro Trucking/Herb Real Estate No. 1 in the 20-lap feature for the NASCAR Late Models.
A multi car accident on the first lap eliminated a few of the 30-car starting field with Sean Merkel taking command when starter Ray Kemp gave the green after the lengthy caution. Once in front Merkel was able to lead all the laps on his way to victory.
The Gilbertsville, PA racer had his hands full in the final laps when lapped traffic slowed his pace.
“I was getting worried by lapped traffic,” said Merkel. “I settled down an could feel that I had some help in the car with me tonight.” Merkel was referring to his friend Chad Miller who had been killed in an auto accident earlier that week. He dedicated his victory to Miller.
When victory lane announcer Pete Knappenberger had some problems with the microphone Merkel was quick to say, “That is just Chad having some fun with us.”
Second spot went to Jeff Strunk who was closing on the leader at the finish. The Mohnton racer started 11th and charged into second on the final lap. He did not have enough time left to mount a strong challenge for winner Merkel.
Ryan Grim, Laury Station, had his best effort of the season claiming third after running in second for most of the laps.
Fourth spot went to Kevin Hirthler (Green Lane) followed by Danny Erb (Boyertown). Hirthler was disappointed that he did not win because he has a crew member that has refused to cut his hair until he wins a feature.
The second place effort by Strunk and a seventh place finish by point leader Duane Howard moved Strunk in front in the chase for the lucrative championship at Grandview Speedway.
Rounding out the top ten were Todd Marburger, Howard, Meme DeSantis, Craig VonDohren and John Willman.
Larry Solomon, who rolled his No. 517 Modified on the first lap, was not injured.
John Giesler took control of the 20-lap NASCAR Late Model race on the first lap and set the pace for seven circuits of the one-third-mile, banked clay oval. Both Bryon Sipe and Chuck Schutz, feature winners already this season, challenged Giesler and made life miserable for the three time champion for several laps.
At seven laps Schutz went to the front of the pack with Sipe trying to grab the top spot.
Mike Kellner turned some of the fastest laps and was able to grab second when the Lansdale racer charged past Sipe on the final circuit.
Kyle Merkel looked like he might be able to make a “family sweep” of the night, running with the leaders, but the younger brother of the Modified feature winner got caught up in an on track incident and finished 15th.
At the finish Schutz (Pottstown) had a comfortable lead over second place Kellner
Sipe (Leesport) finished in third spot followed by early leader Giesler (Aston) and four time Late Model champion Dean Stoudt (East Greenville).
Schutz credited his patience with helping him win his second feature of the season. He did point out that he had shock problems earlier in the night and the team was fortunate to solve them before the feature race. Schutz dedicated his win to Chad Miller.
Brian Shuey continues to lead the point standings in the Late Models by a narrow margin over challenger Mike Kellner
The entire night of racing was dedicated to the memory of young Chad Miller, a 17-year-old, fatally injured in an auto accident earlier in the week. The well liked and personable youngster worked on the crew that handled the No. 126 Modified driven by Jeff Strunk. His father Don is the crew chief.
There was a moment of silence, the National Anthem and Amazing Grace was sung by Madison Hart. She is a 16-year-old singer who is preparing to audition for American Idol.
Qualifying heat races for the Modifieds were won by Kevin Hirthler, Todd Marburger, Sean Merkel and Ryan Grim. The consolation races went to Duane Howard and Doug Manmiller.
In the Late Models the qualifying event wins went to Dean Stoudt, Mike Kellner and Ron Kline.
The Cornerstone Auto Sales of Fleetwood, PA Hard Charger Awards went to Duane Howard in the Modifieds gaining 13 positions while Randy Stoudt earned the award in the Late Models gaining 10 positions in the feature.
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 stock car racing entertainment is set for Saturday, July 21st at 7:30 p.m. with NASCAR Modifieds, Late Models and Legends cars being featured.
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.
Early arriving fans get the chance to win an opportunity to be the honorary flagman for a session of NASCAR Modified stock car warm-ups.
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.
NASCAR ALL AMERICAN SERIES MODIFIEDS FEATURE (30 LAPS): 1. Sean Merkel 2. Jeff Strunk 3. Ryan Grim 4. Kevin Hirthler 5. Danny Erb 6. Todd Marburger 7. Duane Howard 8. Meme DeSantis 9. Craig VonDohren 10. John Willman 11. Shawn Reimert 12. Doug Manmiller 13. Tommy Scheetz Jr. 14. Jason Hamilton 15. Kyle Weiss 16. Brad Missimer 17. Terry Meitzler 18. John Tschudy 19. Tom Umbenhauer 20. Craig Whitmoyer 21. Mark Fehr 22. Bill Gensler 23. Rob Boyer 24. Mike Gular 25. Kerry Kratz 26. Randy Bailey 27. Cliff Quinn 28. Larry Solomon 29. Rick Schaffer 30. Ryan Beltz 31. Todd Smith (DNS)
LATE MODEL FEATURE (20 LAPS):1. Chuck Schutz 2. Mike Kellner 3. Bryon Sipe 4. John Giesler 5. Dean Stoudt 6. Brian Shuey 7. Ron Kline 8. Randy Stoudt 9. Dean Schaeffer 10. Rick Todorow 11. D.D. Keely 12. Greg Hoffmaster 13. Bill Henning 14. Harry Neiman 15. Kyle Merkel 16. Buddy Wharton 17. Eric Kauffman 18. Chad Rae 29. Carl Mertz 20. Billy Graham 21. Jon Kellner Sr. 22. Wayne Pfeil Jr. 23. Mike Myers.
UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR MODIFIEDS
AS OF JULY 14, 2007
1. Jeff Strunk, Mohnton, PA #126 3109**
2. Duane Howard, Oley, PA #114/4 3071****
3. Doug Manmiller, Wyomissing, PA #14/00 2547
4. Shawn Reimert, Oley, PA #41 2431
5. Terry Meitzler, Kutztown, PA #81 2406
6. Meme DeSantis, Temple, PA #11 2262
7. John Willman, Birdsboro, PA #74W 2215
8. Mike Gular, Harleysville, PA #53 2161
9. Danny Erb, Boyertown, PA #44 2098
10. Kyle Weiss, Hamburg, PA #21K 2009
11. Kevin Hirthler, Green Lane, PA #117 2003
12. Craig VonDohren, Oley, PA #1C 1964***
13. Kerry Kratz, Bechtelsville, PA #87 1895
14. Jason Hamilton, Erwinna, PA #16 1873
15. Rick Schaffer, Woxall, PA #357 1828
16. Ryan Watt, Phoenixville, PA #14W 1565
17. Tom Umbenhauer, Richland, PA #19U 1361
18. Tommy Scheetz Jr., Boyertown, PA #37X 1343 *
19. John Tschudy, Birdsboro, PA #2 1295
20. Todd Smith, Hatfield, PA #39 1269
Also Feature Winners, Sean Merkel**
UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR LATE MODELS
AS OF JULY 14, 2007
1. Brian Shuey, Shoemakersville, PA #5X 3246*
2. Mike Kellner, Lansdale, PA #57 3105**
3. Randy Stoudt, Pottstown, PA #10 3095***
4. Ron Kline, Salfordville, PA #3 3069**
5. Dean Stoudt, East Greenville, PA #5 2919
6. Chuck Schutz, Pottstown, PA #ONE 2911**
7. Wayne Pfeil Jr., Mohnton, PA #72 2547
8. Bryan Sipe, Leesport, PA #33 2451*
9. Kyle Merkel, Gilbertsville, PA #117 2440
10. Rick Todorow, Quakertown, PA #93 2407
11. Buddy Wharton, Birdsboro, PA #7B 2370
12. Dean Schaeffer, Douglassville, PA #39 2336
13. John Giesler, Aston, PA #ZT1 2274
14. D.D. Keely, Linfield, PA #707 1987
15. Jamie Undercoffler. Pennsburg, PA #1J 1866
16. Greg Hoffmaster, Pottstown, PA #69 1822
17. Chad Rea, Reading, PA #8 1701
18. Eric Kauffman #307 1615
19. Bill Henning, Lansdale, PA #80 1468
20. Carl Mertz, Boyertown, PA #00 1320
* denotes feature win
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