|
BECHTELSVILLE, PA April 13, 2008 . . .Mike Gular and Doug Manmiller had fans on the edge of their seats for most of the 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All American Series 358 Modified feature race on Saturday night at Grandview Speedway. The two ran side-by-side during much of the feature but Gular (Green Lane), at the wheel of the Steve Kratz owned, Banes Roofing No. 8, was able to earn the victory by a narrow margin over Manmiller.
Randy Stoudt (Pottstown) won the 20-lap feature for NASCAR Late Models with relative ease bringing the Merkel Rebar/Kochel Equipment No. 118 home ahead of second place Mike Kellner by a comfortable margin.
Jason Smythe set the pace at the start of the 30-lap Modified feature from his pole position. However a number of cautions for accidents early saw top runners such Duane Howard, Jeff Strunk, Danny Erb and others ending up at the back of the pack.
At the five lap marker Cliff Quinn was in front of the field but just one lap later he was headed to the pits and Mike Gular was the leader with Jason Hamilton putting pressure on him. In fact Hamilton put so much pressure on Gular that he did a 360 in the second turn and ended up at the back of the field.
At the 10 lap marker Gular (Green Lane) had his hands full trying to hold off Doug Manmiller while Meme DeSantis held third.
Between the tenth and twentieth lap Gular ran the high groove and Manmiller took to the low groove. The two ran side-by-side in a battle for first place.
Duane Howard, the opening night feature winner, was having a variety of problems and a flat tire forced him to make a quick pit stop during a caution. He was able to rejoin the race but was not a factor.
The balance of the 30-lap feature had Gular holding off Man miller (Shoemakersville) in a tight battle to the finish. Gular managed to get the win by a narrow margin over Manmiller. Third spot went to Meme DeSantis (Temple). Early leader Jason Smythe (New Berlinville) settled for four while six time track champion Jeff Strunk (Mohnton) salvaged a fifth place finish.
The win moved Gular into first place in the chase for the NASCAR Whelen All American Modified Series championship. Gular, with 565 points, leads Duane Howard by 28 points.
Danny Snyder was the leader when starter Ray Kemp dropped the green for the 20-lap NASCAR Late Model feature race. However Ed Trimbur had something go wrong on his No. 707 entry and that slowed his pace bunching the field up behind him. The result was a wild accident that saw Trimbur shoot across the front straightaway with at least ten cars piling up in the first turn eliminating last week’s feature winner Brian Shuey.
Snyder was able to lead the first five laps before relinquishing the top spot to hard charging Randy Stoudt.
The final 14 laps saw Stoudt set the pace while Mike Kellner worked his way into second spot. His efforts to gain on the leader fell short and the Lansdale youngster had to settle for second. Third went to past champion Chuck Schutz (Pottstown). Jon Kellner Sr. (Lansdale) got caught up behind a lapped racer and that cost him a position giving him a fourth place finish. Danny Snyder (East Greenville) finished fifth.
Mike Kellner now leads the NASCAR Late Model point standings.
The first of four 12-lap qualifying heat races for the 358 Modifieds went to Jason Smythe. Sean Merkel won the second 12-lapper with Doug Manmiller looking very strong in his win in the third qualifier. Cliff Quinn brought his 69 News entry home first in the fourth heat. Consolation races were won by Kerry Kratz and six time track champion Jeff Strunk.
Danny Snyder topped the field in the first qualifying event of the night for the NASCAR Late Models while Buddy Wharton topped the field in the second ten lapper. Randy Stoudt had an easy time of it winning the third qualifier though Chuck Schutz did come on strong at the finish. Dean Stoudt took the win in the 8-lap consolation race that had the top eight going to the 20-lap feature.
The Cornerstone Auto Sales Hard Charger awards, worth $50 to each driver, went to Tommy Scheetz Jr. who came from 25th to 7th in the NASCAR Modified feature race. In the Late Models Mike Kellner gained nine spots after starting 11th to finish second. Though two other drivers also gained nine spots the award goes to the highest finishing racer.
NASCAR 358 Modifieds and Late Models will be back in action on Saturday, April 19th at 7 pm. Legends stock cars will make it a tripleheader show and it will be Dover International Speedway Promo Night with prizes for some lucky fans.
There will be a pair of tickets given away for the June 1st Dover Sprint Cup race and the May 31st Heluva Good 200 Nationwide Series race. In addition there will be a Pit-Stop Tire Challenge to see which fan can change a tire the fastest. A fun event.
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: The August 19th Thunder on the Hill Series event has been moved to August 12th. The 410 sprint cars will be replaced by Big Block Modifieds. Also appearing as part of the 5-25-lap feature show will be the 600cc Sprints, Legends, 600 Modifieds and 358 Modifieds. Racing will start at 7:30 p.m.
Another change on the schedule is that the June 14th URC and NASCAR Modified doubleheader will now be sponsored by BPG Racing. The July 26th tripleheader show (URC, Modifieds and Late Models) will be sponsored by Zuber Realty. URC Sprint events are always very popular with fans.
SEASON PASSES are still available. Ask at the front gate for information. Included in the season pass is a reserved seat for every Saturday night event this season. Those with season passes last year saved a bunch of money off the regular Saturday night ticket prices.
COMING UP IN MAY, Racer’s Roundtable, a radio show hosted by Grandview Speedway victory lane announcer Pete Knappenberger on Sunday nights (with track announcer Ernie Saxton also a part of the two hour show), will be having a contest each Saturday night in which a youngster can win a chance to go to victory lane with the Modified feature winner. We will have more details shortly.
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.
30-LAP NASCAR 358 MODIFIED STOCK CAR FEATURE FINISH: 1. Mike Gular 2. Doug Manmiller 3. Meme DeSantis 4. Jason Smythe 5. Jeff Strunk 6. Tom Umbenhauer 7. Tommy Scheetz Jr. 8. Danny Erb 9. Duane Howard 10. Ryan Grim 11. Brad Missimer 12. Jon Kellner Jr. 13. Mike Laise 14. Troy Wink 15. Glenn Owens 16. Brian Lilick 17. Ryan Godown 18. Jason Hamilton 19. Cliff Quinn 20. Chris Esposito 21. John Tschudy 22. Craig VonDohren 23. Danny Hieber 24. Kevin Hirthler 25. Sean Merkel 26. Stewart Friesen 27. Kerry Kratz 28. Chris Gambler 29. Terry Meitzler 1. Bobby Gunther Walsh.
20- LAP NASCAR LATE MODEL STOCK CAR FEATURE FINISH:1. Randy Stoudt 2. Mike Kellner 3. Chuck Schutz 4. Jon Kellner Sr. 5. Danny Snyder 6. Buddy Wharton 7. Ron Kline 8. Jonathan Faviner 9. Eric Kauffman 10. Dean Stoudt 11. Rick Todorow 12. Kyle Merkel 13. John Giesler 14. Jamie Undercoffler 15. Harry Henning III 16. Bryon Sipe 17. Ed Trimbur 18. Wayne Pfeil 19. Brian Shuey 20. Marc Malcolm 21. Greg Hoffmaster 22. Bill Henning 23. Matt Carter 24. Eric Snoke
UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR MODIFIEDS
AS OF APRIL 12, 2008
1. Mike Gular, Green Lane, PA #8 565*
2. Duane Howard, Oley, PA #4 537*
2. Danny Erb, Boyertown, PA #44 537
4. Jeff Strunk, Mohnton, PA #126 530
5. Doug Manmiller, Wyomissing, PA #14 519
6. Meme DeSantis, Temple, PA #88D 513
7. Tom Umbenhauer, Richland, PA #19 410
8. Ryan Grim, Laury’s Station, PA #17 402
9. Ryan Godown, Ringoes, NJ #R1 375
10. Stewart Friesen, Niagara Falls, NY #357 348
11. Craig VonDohren, Oley, PA #1C 345
12. Kerry Kratz, Bechtelsville, PA #87 325
13. Brad Missimer, Bechtelsville, PA #327 305
14. Jason Smythe, New Berlinville, PA #71 290
15. Kevin Hirthler, Green Lane, PA #117 287
16. John Tschudy, Birdsboro, PA #2 275
17. Jon Kellner Jr., Lansdale, PA #67 274
18. Mike Laise, Pottstown, PA #15 270
19. Tommy Sheetz Jr., Boyertown, PA #37X 253
20. Terry Meitzler, Kutztown, PA #81 226
UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR LATE MODELS
AS OF APRIL 12, 2008
1. Mike Kellner, Lansdale, PA #57 598
2. Chuck Schutz, Pottstown, PA #ONE 577
3. Randy Stoudt, Pottstown, PA #118 567*
4. Jon Kellner Sr., Lansdale, PA #85AM 557
5. Ron Kline, Salfordville, PA #3 497
6. Rick Todorow, Quakertown, PA #93 477
7. Buddy Wharton, Birdsboro, PA #7B 465
8. Brian Shuey, Shoemakersville, PA #5X 438*
8. Danny Snyder, Green Lane, PA #4S 438
10. Jonathan Favinger, Coatesville, PA #18 418
11. John Giesler, Aston, PA #3X 404
12. Wayne Pfeil Jr., Mohnton, PA #72 363
13. Ed Trimbur, Birdsboro, PA #707 343
14. Eric Kauffman, #307 335
15. Dean Stoudt, East Greenville, PA #5 310
16. Bryon Sipe, Leesport, PA #33 242
17. Jamie Undercoffler, Pennsburg, PA #1J 241
18. Kyle Merkel, Gilbertsville, PA #117 239
19. Eric Snoke, #96 214
20. Bill Henning, Lansdale, PA #80 211
* denotes feature win
|
|
