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BECHTELSVILLE, PA SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 . . . .. Driving what he called his favorite racecar Duane Howard made it look easy as he wheeled the Maverick’s Motorcycle Club/Alex’s Lemonade Stand No. 114 modified stock car to victory Saturday night in the 30-lap Open Competition Modified stock car feature race at Grandview Speedway. In the 20-lap Open Comp Late Model feature race Jon Kellner Sr. drove the Hutt’s Glass No. 85am to victory, his first win in a Late Model feature since 1992 bringing his career total to 58.
Howard made a clean sweep of the evening winning his qualifying heat race, Cash Dash and the feature race using a big block modified that has been to victory lane four times in six events entered.
By virtue of a straight up start for the 24 car feature field Howard started on the pole and pulled away from the field at the drop of the green. Meme Desantis settled into second.
At ten laps Howard had a comfortable lead with Jason Hamilton having now taken over second while DeSantis dropped to third.
With 20 laps in the record book Howard was still in control while DeSantis had now moved back into second with Hamilton holding third.
Four laps later Hamilton headed to the pits with a flat tire while Mike Gular was making a charge to third from his 17th starting spot.
Howard (Oley) came home with a very comfortable lead at the drop of the checkered with Meme DeSantis (Temple) finishing second. Six time track champion Craig VonDohren (Oley) made a strong effort in the closing laps to grab third followed by Danny Erb (Boyertown) and Mike Gular (Green Lane).
The 20-lap Late Model feature, just nine cars starting, had Mike Kellner leading the early laps and his dad, Jon Kellner Sr., working his way from fifth starting spot and hoping to challenge his son. However on the 7th circuit young Mike went to the pits with a flat tire and dad took over the top spot.
At ten laps Jon Kellner Sr. was building up a lead while Brian Shuey, the 2007 Late Model champion, was working his way toward the front.
At the finish Kellner Sr. (Lansdale), who had got caught up behind some lapped traffic, was able to hold off a strong challenge from Shuey (Shoemakersville). Third spot went to Greg Hoffmaster (Pottstown) followed by four time champion Dean Stoudt (East Greenville) and Johnny Favinger (Coatesville) get his best career finish.
The win the first for Kellner Sr. since 1992 brought his career Late Model feature win total to 58. It should be pointed out that Kellner Sr. had spent several years racing Modifieds and was a feature winner in that division. It was just this season, with about one third of the season completed, that his sons were able to talk him into getting back into the Late Models after he had retired from Modified competition.
Qualifying heat wins for the Modifieds went to Howard, Meme DeSantis and Jason Hamilton while the consolation was won by Sean Merkel. A five lap Cash Dash featuring the Modified heat winners was won by Howard.
Next event at Grandview Speedway will take place on Saturday, October 20th at 6 p.m. featuring five 25-lap features (no qualifying events). It will be an early Halloween celebration with prizes for best costumes. There will be feature events for URC Sprints, 358 Modifieds, Late Models, Legends and 600 Modifieds.
Coming up on Saturday, October 27th is the annual Fall Racer’s Flea Market with a 7 am starting time.
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.
OPEN COMPETITION MODIFIEDS (30 LAPS):1. Duane Howard 2. Meme DeSantis 3. Craig VonDohren 4. Danny Erb 5. Mike Gular 6. Kevin Hirthler 7. Doug Manmiller 8. Brian Kressley 9. Jason Hamilton 10. John Tschudy 11. Donn Erb 12. Glenn Owens 13. Bobby Gunther Walsh 14. Todd Marburger 15. Mark Fehr 16. John Willman 17. Jeremy Banos 18. Kenny Gilmore 19. Ryan Grim 20. Craig Whitmoyer 21. Troy Wink 22. Carol Hine III 23. Sean Merkel 24. Brian Shuey
OPEN COMPETITION LATE MODELS (20 LAPS): 1. Jon Kellner Sr. 2. Brian Shuey 3. Greg Hoffmaster 4. Dean Stoudt 5. John Favinger 6. Buddy Wharton 7. Mike Kellner 8. Chris Gambler 9. Kelly Snyder
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