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STRUNK, SCHUTZ AND MANMILLER WIN AT GRANDVIEW
BECHTELSVILLE, PA August 19, 2007 . . . If there were doubts in anyone’s mind that Jeff Strunk was not serious about his efforts to win a sixth NASCAR Whelen All American Series Modified title at Grandview Speedway he showed he was dead serious on Saturday night. Strunk, at the wheel of the Gold Rush Custom Trailers No. 126, ran away and hid from all the other competitors winning the 30-lap USG Sheetrock NASCAR Modified feature race.
Chuck Schutz came on strong in the final couple of laps to come out on top in a four car duel to the finish in the 20-lap NASCAR Late Model feature and it was Doug Manmiller taking his first ride in a 600 Modified winning the 15-lap Xcel 600 Modified feature.
Mark Fehr charged to the front of the 28-car starting field in the 30-lap Modified feature and set the pace. On the third circuit of the one-third-mile, banked clay oval a multi car melee in turn three had Meme DeSantis barrel rolling but walking away uninjured.
On the restart Fehr was still in charge but on the eighth lap Jeff Strunk, coming from 12th starting spot, went to the front and stayed for the balance of the 30-lapper.
Despite a couple of cautions that allowed the field to close up on him Strunk was able to pull away from the field on each restart and just proved to be the class of the field on this particular night.
The Mohnton, PA racer dedicated his win to John Blewett III, a NASCAR Whelen Modified racer, who was killed at Thompson, CT in a tragic racing accident. Strunk pointed out that the car was very strong and the track conditions were “awesome.” The win moved Strunk to within 48 points of current point leader Duane Howard in the chase for the lucrative track and NASCAR point championships worth an estimated $15,000 or more.
Second spot went to Rick Schaffer (Woxall) followed by point leader Duane Howard (Oley) who came from 20th starting spot to grab third. Mike Gular (Green Lane) had an impressive gain of 13 spots after starting 17th to finish 4th. Kevin Hirthler (Boyertown) came from 18th to grab fifth.
The 20-lap Late Model feature had the two leaders D.D.Keely and Greg Hoffmaster caught up in a first turn, first lap accident that put them both out of competition giving the lead to veteran Rick Todorow.
The Quakertown, PA auto body shop owner looked like he might be on his way to his first win in a few seasons as he set the pace until the eighth circuit, relinquished the lead to Wayne Pfeil Jr who was looking for his first career win, and then took it back on the 12th lap.
With five laps to go Todorow had control but Pfeil, Chuck Schutz and Randy Stoudt were in the picture.
The final five circuits had a four car chase for the top spot and with two laps to go Schutz went to the front to grab his fourth win of the season in a wild chase to the finish line. The Pottstown racer said in victory lane, “We either break or do really good. Tonight was really good.”
Finishing behind Schutz and his BPG Racing/Herb Realty No. 1 was Todorow followed by Randy Stoudt (Pottstown), Wayne Pfeil (Mohnton) and Brian Shuey (Shoemakersville).
Shuey continues to lead the Late Model point chase by just 31 points over Randy Stoudt and Ron Kline who are tied for second.
A 15-lap Xcel 600 Modified feature race had Kyle Gardner and Chuck Miller battling up to the 11th lap with Doug Manmiller closing in with the “rental car.” At the 11 lap marker a multi car fracas in turn four put Miller out of competition, put Gardner to the rear of the field and gave Manmiller the lead.
At the finish Manmiller (Shoemakersville, making his first start in a 600 Modified, was in front of the pack with Scott Washburn finishing second followed by Mike Keppler, Brett Arndt and Shawn Burd.
Qualifying event wins in the Modified division went to Mark Kratz, Jason Hamilton, Jeff Strunk and Rick Schaffer. The consolations went to Craig VonDohren and Don Norris Jr. In Late Model qualifiers winners were D.D.Keely, Greg Hoffmaster and Dean Stoudt. Wins in the Xcel 600 Modified qualifiers were earned by Kevin Gruber and Doug Manmiller.
The Cornerstone Auto Sales of Fleetwood, PA Hard Charger Awards went to Randy Stoudt going from 18th to third in the Late Model feature for a gain of 15 spots. In the Modifieds it was Duane Howard coming from 20th to third for a gain of 17 positions.
NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Night coming up on Tuesday, August 21st at 7:30 p.m. will feature the 358 Modifieds, 410 Sprints, 600 Micro Sprints, Rolling Thunder Legends and 600 Modifieds. There will be no time trials, no qualifying heats just five 25-lap features.
MidLantic Machine sponsors the August 25th show and will have free Komatsu Racing hats for the first 100 people through the main gate. Featured will be the NASCAR Modifieds and Late Models. They will also have a drawing for a variety of Komatsu Die Cast Models.
Advance tickets for the rich THP Freedom 76 Modified Classic are now on sale at the speedway on race nights. Adult tickets sell for $25.00.
The annual THP Freedom 76 Golf Classic is set for September 6th at the Blackwood Golf Course near Douglassville, PA. Registration is $75.00. Included is golf, dinner, beverages on the course, an official golf classic shirt plus the opportunity to win some prizes. Telephone Kenny Rogers at 610.754.6420. Tee off is at 9am and it is a scramble format.
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.
USG NASCAR ALL AMERICAN SERIES MODIFIEDS (30 LAPS) 1. Jeff Strunk 2. Rick Schaffer 3. Duane Howard 4. Mike Gular 5. Kevin Hirthler 6. Doug Manmiller 7. Danny Erb 8. Kerry Kratz 9. Mark Kratz 10. Terry Meitzler 11. Ray Swinehart 12. Jon Kellner Jr. 13. Mark Fehr 14. Glen Owens 15. Don Norris Jr. 16. Sean Merkel 17. Todd Marburger 18. Bruce Hirthler 19. Rich Wisdo 20. Jeremy Banos 21. John Willman 22. Brad Missimer 23. Shawn Reimert 24. Donny Erb 25. Ryan Grim 26. Craig VonDohren 27. Meme DeSantis 28. Jason Hamilton
USG NASCAR LATE MODEL FEATURE (30 LAPS): 1. Chuck Schutz 2. Rick Todorow 3. Randy Stoudt 4. Wayne Pfeil Jr. 5. Brian Shuey 6. Bryon Sipe 7. Jon Kellner Sr. 8. Mike Kellner 9. Ron Kline 10. Kyle Merkel 11. Dean Stoudt 12. Bill Henning 13. John Favinger 14. Buddy Wharton 15. Carl Mertz 16. Chad Rae 17. Dallas Breidenbach 18. Erick Kauffman 19. Billy Graham 20. John Giesler 22. Greg Hoffmaster 22. D.D. Keely.
USG XCEL 600 MODIFIEDS FEATURE (15 LAPS):1. Doug Manmiller 2. Scott Washburn 3. Mike Keppler 4. Brett Arndt 5. Shawn Burd 6. Gary Suchy 7. Brian Mady 8. Joe Fanelli 9. Jeremy Gustwhite 10. Rich McGready
UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR MODIFIEDS
AS OF COMPLETION OF RACING ON AUGUST 18, 2007
1. Duane Howard, Oley, PA #114/4 4430****
2. Jeff Strunk, Mohnton, PA #126 4382****
3. Terry Meitzler, Kutztown, PA #81 3421
4. Doug Manmiller, Wyomissing, PA #14/00 3373
5. Shawn Reimert, Oley, PA #41 3162
6. Kevin Hirthler, Green Lane, PA #117 3132
7. Mike Gular, Harleysville, PA #53 3086
8. Danny Erb, Boyertown, PA #44 3044
9. Rick Schaffer, Woxall, PA #357 2982
10. Craig VonDohren, Oley, PA #1C 2933*****
11. Meme DeSantis, Temple, PA #11 2852
12. John Willman, Birdsboro, PA #74W 2842
13. Kerry Kratz, Bechtelsville, PA #87 2816
14. Jason Hamilton, Erwinna, PA #16 2571*
15. Ryan Watt, Phoenixville, PA #14W 2349
16. Kyle Weiss, Hamburg, PA #21K 2257
17. Sean Merkel, Gilbertsville, PA #118 2138**
18. Tom Umbenhauer, Richland, PA #19U 2087
19. Don Norris, Douglassville, PA #976 1961
20. Jon Kellner Jr., Lansdale, PA #67 1737
Other Feature Winners: Tommy Scheetz Jr.,
UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR LATE MODELS
AS OF COMPLETION OF RACING ON AUGUST 18, 2007
1. Brian Shuey, Shoemakersville, PA #5X 4418*
2. Randy Stoudt, Pottstown, PA #10 4387*****
3. Ron Kline, Salfordville, PA #3 4387**
4. Chuck Schutz, Pottstown, PA #ONE 4284****
5. Mike Kellner, Lansdale, PA #57 4105**
6. Dean Stoudt, East Greenville, PA #5 3967
7. Wayne Pfeil Jr., Mohnton, PA #72 3717
8. Kyle Merkel, Gilbertsville, PA #117 3632*
9. Bryan Sipe, Leesport, PA #33 3366*
10. Rick Todorow, Quakertown, PA #93 3349
11. Buddy Wharton, Birdsboro, PA #7B 3200
12. John Giesler, Aston, PA #ZT1 3157
13. Greg Hoffmaster, Pottstown, PA #69 3045
14. D.D. Keely, Linfield, PA #707 2859
15. Dean Schaeffer, Douglassville, PA #39 2597
16. Chad Rea , Reading, PA #8 2457
17. Eric Kauffman #307 2430
18. Bill Henning, Lansdale, PA #80 2157
19. Carl Mertz, Boyertown, PA #00 2102
20. Jon Kellner Sr., Lansdale, PA #85AM 2087
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