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BECHTELSVILLE, PA AUGUST 5, 2007 . . . Jason Hamilton, one of the rising young stars at Grandview Speedway, drove to the biggest victory of his young career on Saturday winning the 50-lap Stauffer Construction Forrest Rogers Memorial NASCAR Modified stock car race. The win was worth $10,000. Chuck Schutz came home the winner for the third time this season winning the 20-lap Late Model feature race.
Hamilton (Erwinna) dominated the 50-lap event though he had some strong challenges in the closing laps from second place finisher Duane Howard and third place Jeff Strunk. Fourth place went to Ryan Watt who had led early in the event with Kevin Hirthler getting a strong fifth place effort. John Willman earned the Cornerstone Hard Charger Award earning $100 coming from 26th to 6th in the 50-lap feature race that was marred by numerous cautions and a fuel stop.
Craig Whitmoyer received the Beer City of Quakertown, PA First Alternate Award and Meme DeSantis was awarded the Beer City Hard Luck Award.
The Late Model feature race proved to be the “quality event” of the night as they ran 18 non-stop laps with Chuck Schutz setting the pace for much of the race. Two late race cautions had the field closing up behind the leader but Schutz (Pottstown) was still able to hold on to the top spot in a race that took just 10 minutes to run. Second place was earned by Greg Hoffmaster followed by Dean Stoudt, Randy Stoudt and Brian Shuey.
The Late Models are in the limelight on Saturday, August 11th, 7:30 p.m. with the running of the Late Model Memorial, 30 laps paying $1000 to win, plus the NASCAR Modified stock cars will be in action.
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FULL STORY: JASON HAMILTON WINS RICH FORREST ROGERS MEMORIAL FOR MODIFIEDS, SCHUTZ TOPS IN LATE MODELS
BECHTELSVILLE, PA AUGUST 5, 2007 . . . Jason Hamilton seemed to be stunned that he was in victory lane at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night. The Erwinna, PA racer had just driven the Flurer Machine & Tool No. 16 Modified to victory in the Stauffer Construction Forrest Rogers Memorial picking up $10,000 for his winning efforts. In the companion 20-lapper for the NASCAR Late Models Chuck Schutz (Pottstown) had what looked like an easy time of it winning his third of the season.
“Wow. Where am I.” were the only comments that Hamilton was able to make once he climbed out of his car after earning his first ever victory at the Berks County one-third-mile, clay oval. “We got lucky on some restarts,” said Hamilton who basically dominated the race holding off the challenges of past track champions Duane Howard and Jeff Strunk to grab the rich victory. “This would not have been possible without the Flurers.” Hamilton was referring to his major sponsor.
When the green was displayed for the 32 cars starting the classic teenager Mike Laise, just recently graduating from high school, went to the front. On the second circuit young Jon Kellner, Jr. took command. Kellner, Sean Merkel and Ryan Watt put on quite a show as the race was cautioned many times in the early laps due to multi car accidents.
At the 11-lap marker Merkel went to the front with Jason Hamilton able to grab the top spot on the 12th circuit after a restart. Kellner continued to be a “thorn in the side” of Hamilton for several laps before Ryan Watt challenged from the high groove. At 13 laps, due to all the cautions, officials went to single file restarts.
At 18 laps Watt want to the front and stayed until the 28th circuit when Hamilton, who had been nipping at his rear for several laps, got back in front.
The feature race was stopped at the 26 lap mark (82 laps had been run including cautions) so racers could add fuel.
On the 31st lap Mike Gular and Jon Kellner, both running with the leaders, tangled ending their chances to a win.
For the balance of the 50 lapper Hamilton was able to run a smooth course staying low, close to the infield, while others tried the outside without success in an effort to get by him.
At the finish Hamilton was 0.221 seconds in front of Duane Howard (Oley). Third spot went to five time track champion and current point leader Jeff Strunk (Mohnton) who seemed to be frustrated by the single file restart decision of officials. Ryan Watt (Boyertown) held on to claim an impressive fourth place finish after having led for several laps. Kevin Hirthler (Green Lane) ran a smooth effort to grab fifth.
Greg Hoffmaster took advantage of his pole position starting spot to dominate the early laps of the 20-lap Late Model feature with three time champion Chuck Schutz charging into the lead on the seventh circuit. Once in front Schutz and his Mavericks Motorcycle Club/Alex’s Lemonade Stand No. One had control of things and no one seemed to have enough to challenge.
Greg Hoffmaster stayed consistent as the Pottstown racer earned an impressive runner-up finish for the second week in a row. Four time past champion Dean Stoudt (East Greenville) was third followed by current point leader Brian Shuey (Shoemakersville) and multi-feature winner Randy Stoudt (Pottstown).
In victory lane Schutz told fans that it was not as easy as it looked for his winning effort and he did point out that he was bothered by back problems that made driving a little difficult.
The Late Models were able to run off their feature event in less than 10 minutes with just two late race cautions.
Qualifying heat races for the Late Models were won by Ron Kline, Brian Shuey and Chuck Schutz. Top honors in the NASCAR Modified qualifying heats went to Randy Bailey, Don Norris, Jon Kellner Jr., Craig VonDohren and Tom Umbenhauer. Consolation victories were earned by Kevin Hirthler, Billy Pauch Jr. and Todd Smith.
The Cornerstone Auto Sales of Fleetwood, PA Hard Charger Awards went John Willman in the Modifieds coming from 26th to 6th in the 50 lap feature. That earned him $100. In the Late Models Buddy Wharton gained 10 spots to grab the extra $50. The Beer City of Quakertown, PA awards for Hard Luck and First Alternate went to Meme DeSantis and Craig Whitmoyer. Fans taking their Grandview Speedway rain checks to Beer City will be given a FREE Beer City t-shirt.
Coming up on Saturday, August 11th is the Memorial Classic for Late Models, being run in memory of racers, officials, employees and other track supporters who have all passed away. The 30-lap event will pay at least $1,000 to win with $100 going to each feature starter. The event, put together by Mark Garman, is expected to attract a strong field of Late Model talents. Making up the other half of the doubleheader show will be NASCAR Modifieds. Each race is becoming more and more important to the participants as the season goes into its final weeks. Racing starts at 7:30 p.m.
USG Night is up next on August 18th featuring the NASCAR Modifieds, Late Models and 600 Modifieds. Dover International Speedway will also be offering some prizes to fans.
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.
STAUFFER CONSTRUCTION FORREST ROGERS MEMORIAL NASCAR WHELEN ALL AMERICAN SERIES MODIFIEDS (50 LAPS) 1. Jason Hamilton 2. Duane Howard 3. Jeff Strunk 4. Ryan Watt 5. Kevin Hirthler 6. John Willman 7.Terry Meitzler 8. Tom Umbenhauer 9. Billy Pauch Jr. 10. Danny Erb 11. Kerry Kratz 12. Craig VonDohren 13. Sean Merkel 14. Doug Manmiller 15. Mike Gular 16. Brad Missimer 17. Don Norris 18. Jon Kellner Jr. 19. Tommy Scheetz Jr. 20. Glenn Owens 21. Mike Laise 22. Randy Bailey 23. Rick Schaffer 24. Shawn Reimer 25. Keith Brightbill 26. Cliff Quinn 27. Todd Marburger 28. Meme DeSantis 29. John Tschudy 30. Kyle Weiss 31. Donny Erb 32. Todd Smith
STAUFFER CONSTRUCTION NASCAR WHELEN LATE MODEL FEATURE (20 LAPS):1.Chuck Schutz 2. Greg Hoffmaster 3. Dean Stoudt 4. Randy Stoudt 5. Brian Shuey 6. Jon Kellner Sr. 7. Ron Kline 8. Harry Neiman 9. Rick Todorow 10. Wayne Pfeil 11. Buddy Wharton 12. Kyle Merkel 13. Bryon Seip 14. D.D. Keely 15. Mike Kellner 16. Carl Mertz 17. Eric Kauffman 18. Chad Rae 19. Bill Henning 20. Bill Graham 21. John Giesler (DNS).
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