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THUNDER ROCKS THE HILL. . . . .
CAPACITY CROWD CHEERS FRED RAHMER & DOUG MANMILLER TO VICTORY IN THUNDER
ON THE HILL MID-WEEK HOLIDAY SPECIAL AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY
The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series presented still
another star-studded show as the Cindy Rowe Auto Glass Pennsylvania 410
Sprint Speed Week Series and the 358 Modifieds teamed-up for a
block-buster special that kicked off the Independence Holiday
celebration. The crowd budged the large Grandview Speedway grandstands
to watch the thirty sprint cars and thirty 358 Modifieds battle it out
on the "hill" in grand style. Fred Rahmer of Salfordville, PA
pocketed a hefty $5,000 for the win in the thirty-five lap sprint
feature event as Doug Manmiller collected the cash for winning the 25
lap modified feature It was a great show from start to finish as the
racing was absolutely awesome.
In the COMDIAL Telephone Communications Time Trials Fred Rahmer set fast
time, stopping the clocks with a time of 12.024 and collecting an
additional $200. Three qualifying events were presented for the 410
Sprints with victories going to Steve Smith, Michael Carber and Greg
Hodnett as the "B" victory went to Sam Schlosberg.
Twenty-four cars then took the green flag in the 35 lap Cindy Rowe Auto
Glass sprint feature with Brian Leppo gunning to the early lead
followed by Doug Esh and Fred Rahmer. Leppo ran to hide from the field
in the early going, but on lap six, a wild mix-up with slower traffic
found Robbie Stillwaggon flipping just as the leaders were charging into
turn one. Second place runner Doug Esh made contact with the flipping
car that pulled Nick Schlaugh into the accident. All drivers walked
away uninjured with Doug Esh able to continue.
On the restart, Leppo ran to hide but now Fred Rahmer was in the
runner-up spot and in the chase. Mark Smith and Lance Dewease locked-up
in a battle for third, with Dewease taking the spot on lap eleven. At
the front of the pack, Rahmer was closing in on Leppo as the leader
approached lapped traffic. On lap sixteen, Rahmer took the lead
followed by Leppo, Dewease, Mark Smith and Jeff Shepard.
By lap twenty-three, Lance Dewease was in second and closing on the
leader. Jeff Shepard had a tire go flat on lap twenty-six and the
yellow flag was displayed for the final time. When green flag racing
resumed, Dewease made a serious run at Rahmer. But as the laps ticked
by, Rahmer extended his lead. With five laps remaining, Rahmer,
Dewease, Leppo, Mark Smith and Cody Darrah were the top five.
Rahmer maintained his lead to take the win with Dewease second, Brian
Leppo third, Cody Darrah fourth and Greg Hodnett squeaking into the top
five in the closing laps. For Rahmer, this was his ninth career
Thunder victory, with his previous win taking place on June 26, 2005.
On the career win list, Billy Pauch has eleven wins, Lance Dewease is a
ten time winner and Rahmer is ranked third with nine.
The 358 Modifieds competed in three qualifying dashes with victories
going to Danny Erb, Stewart Freisen and Kevin Hirthler taking the
victories. The thirty car feature field was then called to the speedway
for their 25 lap feature event. John Tschudy set the early pace with
Doug Manmiller taking the lead on lap seven. Tschudy held on to second
with Jason Hamilton third, Kevin Hirthler fourth and Rick Laubach fifth.
All eyes were watching deep in the pack as Duane Howard and the BPG
Racing #4 were on a charge. By lap fourteen, Howard was fifth and on
lap sixteen, he had advanced to fourth. Manmiller and Hamilton were
leading the field and on lap seventeen, Howard moved into third. One
lap later, Howard was second and chasing down Manmiller. The yellow
flag was displayed on lap nineteen when Matt Sheppard spun in turn two.
With just six laps remaining, Howard was now on the rear bumper of
Manmiller as green flag racing resumed. Manmiller had a flawless start
and quickly pulled away to a six car length lead. As the laps ticked
by, Howard slowly closed in once again on Manmiller, then the yellow was
displayed on lap twenty-four when Ryan Beltz spun in turn three.
The race now came down to a two lap shootout with Manmiller on point and
Howard on his rear bumper. With the green flag waiving, Manmiller once
again excelled on the start to establish the lead position. With the
white flag waiving, Howard once again had closed in on the leader, but
just ran short of time as Manmiller dashed under the checker flag for
this third Thunder on the Hill modified victory. Howard delivered an
impressive second place finish with Jason Hamilton third, Kerry Kratz
fourth and Rick Laubach fifth.
The MCQMRC (Montgomery County Quarter Midget Racing Club) was also on
hand with more then forty cars displayed as a pre-race activity. The
thrill of a lifetime came when these young competitors had a chance to
tour the Grandview Speedway. The large but friendly and kind crowd
provided a big round of applause for our young future drivers.
410 Sprint Feature - - Fred Rahmer, Lance Dewease, Brian Leppo, Cody
Darrah, Greg Hodnett, Mark Smith, Stevie Smith, Michael Carber, Doug
Esh, Brian Montieth, Alan Cole, Bobby Howard, Jeff Shepard, Chad Layton,
Todd Shaffer, Josh Weller, Ryan Taylor, Sam Schlosberg, Dave Hahn, J.R.
Berry, TJ Winegartner, Jeff VanDusen, Nick Schlaugh Jr., Robbie
Stillwaggon. DNQ- -Brett Schoenly, Pat Cooper, Adam Gordon, Billy
Schoffstall, Mark Zimmerman, Brian Paulus. COMDIAL Fast Time- - Fred
Rahmer 12.024.
358 Modified Feature- - Doug Manmiller, Duane Howard, Jason Hamilton,
Kerry Kratz, Rick Laubach, Kevin Hirthler, Craig VonDohren, John
Tschudy, Stewart Freisen, Ryan Godown, Billy Pauch Jr., Mike Gular,
Sean Merkel, Jeff Strunk, MeMe DeSantis, Brad Missimer, Tom Umbenhauer,
Shawn Reimert, Brad Brightbill, Ryan Watt, Danny Heiber, Matt Sheppard,
Troy Wink, Jason Smythe, Ryan Beltz, John Willman, Danny Erb, Terry
Meitzler, DNS Don Norris.
THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES REMAINING DATES FOR 2008
Wednesday, July 16 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES- - FAN FUN
NIGHT 7:30 PM
11th Annual 100 Lap Traffic JAM for DIRT
Modifieds & Garden State Vintage Stock Cars
Tuesday, August 12 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES 7:30 PM
Grandview Thunder 5-25's Big Block Modifieds,
358 Modifieds, 600cc Sprints,
Rolling Thunder Legends, 600 Modifieds
Saturday, October 18 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES 6 PM
House of Thunder Halloween Party
Grandview Thunder 5-25's URC Sprints, 358
Modifieds, ARDC Wingless Midgets, Rolling Thunder Legends,
600 Modifieds & Garden State Vintage Stock
Cars, PLUS 20 Lap ARDC Wingless Midget feature from June 3 rain out.
Don't forget, Grandview Speedway will be in action every Saturday night
with a program of NASCAR 358 Modifieds and Late Models getting underway
at 7:30 PM. Grandview Speedway is located on Passmore Road, just off
Route 100 in Bechtelsville, PA, ten mile north of Pottstown. Please
visit www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com or www.grandviewspeedway.com
for more information on coming events and weekly attractions. |
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