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BECHTELSVILLE, PA April 6, 2008 . . . Duane Howard and Brian Shuey made it look fairly easy as they each won their respective feature events as Grandview Speedway kicked off their 46th consecutive season of stock car racing on Saturday night.
A large crowd was on hand on a very chilly night to see Howard take the lead in the 40-lap NASCAR Whelen American Series Modified stock car feature race on the first lap and set the pace throughout the entire event.
Driving the BPG Racing/Maverick’s Motorcycle Club No. 4 Howard survived a couple of first lap multi-car accidents and took the lead from pole sitter Stewart Friesen. Despite a few challenges Howard (Oley) was able to win with a comfortable margin of victory.
The victory puts Howard in front of the NASCAR Modified standings as he shoots for his fourth track title. Last year he lost the title to Jeff Strunk by just one point on the final night.
“We will be here the entire season, through good and bad,” said the 42-year old racer in victory lane. He and his car owner Chad Sinon have just one goal and that is another Grandview Speedway title.
Second spot went to Danny Erb (Boyertown). Erb was able to work his way past other challengers but just seemed to have nothing left to make a serious challenge to the winner. Stewart Friesen (Niagara Falls, NY) started on the pole and stay with Howard in the early laps but dropped off the pace just slightly and that forced him to settle for third. Veteran Kerry Kratz (Bechtelsville) grabbed an impressive fourth place finish while defending six time track champion Jeff Strunk (Mohnton) had a strong effort coming from 21st starting spot to finish fifth.
Defending Late Model champion Brian Shuey (Shoemakersville) started on the pole and never gave up the top position as he easily won the More Money Twenty for NASCAR Late Models. Shuey was driving the Bob Fisher Chevrolet dealership sponsored No. 5x.
Mike Kellner, the second place finisher from Lansdale, tried a few times to challenge Shuey but his bottom of the track efforts fell short. Past champion Chuck Schutz (Pottstown) made some impressive maneuvers in the outside groove and came on strong in the final laps to finish third. All time leading Late Model feature winner Jon Kellner Sr. (Lansdale) finished fourth with Quakertown’s Rick Todorow claiming fifth.
Qualifying heat races for the Late Models were won by Brian Shuey, Jon Kellner Sr. and Rick Todorow. Actually Bill Henning crossed the finish line first in the third heat but the win was given to Todorow when Henning’s car was found to be too light and he was disqualified.
In the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Modified qualifying heats the first went to Stewart Friesen in his first outing with the Norm Hansell owned No. 357. The second qualifying heat race was won by Duane Howard. Jon Kellner Sr. took the third heat and Kerry Kratz was first home in the fourth qualifier. Jeff Strunk and Ryan Godown earned feature starting spots by winning the consolation races.
The Cornerstone Auto Sales Hard Charger awards, worth $50 to each driver, went to Jeff Strunk in the NASCAR Modifieds for improving 16 positions in the Modified feature after starting 21st. Buddy Wharton earned the award in the Late Models gaining five spots. Two other drivers also gained five spots but Wharton earned the award for being the highest finisher.
NASCAR 358 Modifieds and Late Models will be back in action on Saturday, April 12th with racing getting the green flag at 7 pm. A full series of qualifying events will lead up to a 30-lap feature for the Modifieds and a 20-lapper for the Late Models.
Admission for Saturday night is $13 for adults, $5 for youngsters 6 thru 11 and under 6 are admitted free with a paying adult. There is always free parking on the speedway grounds and fans are invited to enjoy the wide array of concessions available at the track or are free to bring their food and refreshments.
PIT NOTES: Noted award winning photographer Chris Budihas has agreed to become the official track photographer at Grandview Speedway. He replaces long time track photographer Don Marks who passed away back on March 27th.
Dover International Speedway will be presenting the first of two promotional nights at Grandview on April 19th. They will have prizes, including tickets for their June NASCAR races, for some lucky fans.
Fans are reminded that the first midweek special Thunder on the Hill Series event will take place on Wednesday, May 21. Included will be the Keystone Cup Speed Week Series 410 sprints along with the American Racing Drivers Club Wingless Midgets. The Thunder events are a co-promotion between Bob Miller and track owner Bruce Rogers.
In answer to a question that we have been asked often there will be no World of Outlaw sprint car event at Grandview Speedway this season.
Grandview Speedway is located on Passmore Road, just off Route 100, Bechtelsville, PA, 10 miles north of Pottstown. For information check in at www.grandviewspeedway.com or telephone 610.754.7688.
40-LAP NASCAR 358 MODIFIED STOCK CAR FEATURE FINISH: 1. Duane Howard 2. Danny Erg 3. Stewart Friesen 4. Kerry Katz 5. Jeff Stunk 6. Mike Guar 7. Craig Von Doreen 8. Ryan Go down 9. Meme Descants 10. Doug Man miller 11. Kevin Hither 12. Terry Meltzer 13. Ryan Grim 14. Brad Brightbill 15. John Tschudy 16. Tom Umbenhauer 17. Todd Smith 18. Mark Fehr 19. Jeremy Banos 20. Kurt Spotts 21. Brad Missimer DNF 22. Bobby Gunther Walsh 23. Mike Laise 24. Jon Kellner Jr. 25. Danny Hieber 26. Don Norris 27. Sean Merkel 28. Shawn Reimert. NOTE: Hieber got into the feature field as first alternate when Jason Hamilton was scratched from the starting lineup due to mechanical problems.
20- LAP NASCAR “MORE MONEY TWENTY” LATE MODEL STOCK CAR FEATURE FINISH: 1. Brian Shuey 2. Mike Kellner 3. Chuck Schutz 4. Jon Kellner Sr. 5. Rick Todorow 6. Randy Stoudt 7. Ron Kline 8. Sean Merkel (filling in for brother Kyle who was involved with a school activity) 9. Wayne Pfeil 10. John Giesler 11. Buddy Wharton 12. Ed Trimbur 13. Johnny Favinger 14. Steve Wilson 15. Danny Snyder 16. Bobby Wyatt (down one lap) 17. Chad Rae (down two laps) DNF 18. Eric Snoke 19. Bill Henning 20. Eric Kauffman 21. Mac Carter 22. Dean Stoudt 23. Bryon Sipe 24. Jamie Undercoffler
UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR MODIFIEDS
AS OF APRIL 6, 2008
1. Duane Howard, Oley, PA #4 310*
2. Danny Erb, Boyertown, PA #44 299
3. Stewart Friesen, Niagara Falls, NY #357 290
4. Kerry Kratz, Bechtelsville, PA #87 280
5. Jeff Strunk, Mohnton, PA #126 265
6. Mike Gular, Harleysville, PA #8 256
7. Craig VonDohren, Oley, PA #1C 248
8. Ryan Godown, Ringoes, NJ #R1 235
9. Meme DeSantis, Temple, PA #88D 227
10. Doug Manmiller, Wyomissing, PA #14 219
11. Kevin Hirthler, Green Lane, PA #117 208
12. Terry Meitzler, Kutztown, PA #81 197
13. Ryan Grim, Laury’s Station, PA #17 189
14. Brad Brightbill, Reading, PA #19X 177
15. John Tschudy, Birdsboro, PA #2 169
16. Tom Umbenhauer, Richland, PA #19 154
17. Todd Smith, Hatfield, PA #39 146
18. Mark Fehr, Barto, PA #55 133
19. Jeremy Banos, Douglassville, PA #3 126
20. Kurt Spotts, Pennsburg, PA #70 112
UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR LATE MODELS
AS OF APRIL 6, 2008
1. Brian Shuey, Shoemakersville, PA #5X 310*
2. Mike Kellner, Lansdale, PA #57 299
3. Chuck Schutz, Pottstown, PA #ONE 288
4. Jon Kellner Sr., Lansdale, PA #85AM 280
5. Rick Todorow, Quakertown, PA #93 270
6. Randy Stoudt, Pottstown, PA #118 257
7. Ron Kline, Salfordville, PA #3 248
8. Kyle Merkel, Gilbertsville, PA #117 239
9. Wayne Pfeil Jr., Mohnton, PA #72 227
10. John Giesler, Aston, PA #3X 217
11. Buddy Wharton, Birdsboro, PA #7B 205
12. Ed Trimbur, Birdsboro, PA #707 195
13. Jonathan Favinger, Coatesville, PA #18 180
14. Steve Wilson, #13 176
15. Danny Snyder, Green Lane, PA #4S 168
16 Bobby Wyatt, #14 150
17. Chad Rae, Reading, PA #21 140
18. Eric Snoke, #96 139
19. Bill Henning, Lansdale, PA #80 120
20. Eric Kauffman, #307 110
* denotes feature win
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