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KELLNER, SR. AND RANDY STOUDT ARE THE FEATURE WINNERS AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY ON SATURDAY




BECHTELSVILLE, PA JULY 17, 2004 . . . For the third time this season veteran racing talent Jon Kellner Sr. was able to drive the Cary Duncan owned Hutt’s Glass #85AM to victory in the 30-lap Deka Batteries NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modified stock car feature race. And it was the fourth win of the season for Randy Stoudt in the 20-lap NASCAR ShorTrack Late Model feature race on Saturday night at Grandview Speedway.

Ron Solomon Jr., a winner in his heat and the Cheers Tavern Cash Dash, was quick to grab the top spot at the drop of the green in the 30-lap Modified feature race. A couple of early race multi car collisions did not bode well for top runners such as Meme DeSantis, Doug Manmiller, Craig VonDohren and Kenny Gilmore. All were forced to start at the back of the pack once things were sorted out.

Solomon was able to hold the number one position for three laps with Mike Gular coming from seventh to grab the lead on the fourth circuit of the one-third-mile banked clay track. Once in front Gular, who has been having a strong season, and his T.H.Properties #53 were able to pull away from the field.

However Jon Kellner Sr., coming from 10th starting spot, moved into second with about six laps in the record book and spent the next 15 laps nibbling away at Gular’s lead. On the 21st lap Gular got caught up behind some slower traffic, refusing to give way to the faster cars, and Jon Kellner was able to use the confusion to his advantage and sneak under Gular and through the slower cars to grab the lead.

Once in front Kellner had things pretty much under control and the Lansdale racer was able to hold off a late race challenge by NASCAR Modified point leader Jeff Strunk (Bethel) to win the feature race worth $2200. With his second place finish Strunk continues to lead the track point standings and is second in the New England Regional point chase that could be worth as much as $50,000 to him at the end of the season. Third spot went to Keith Brightbill (Mohnton) followed by Doug Manmiller (Wyomissing) who had a fantastic effort after getting caught up in an early accident and gone to the rear of the field charging throught the pack for fourth and Kenny Gilmore (Fleetwood) also an early race accident victim came home fifth.

Mike Gular who had lead most of the laps in the feature, and was still in the thick of the battle, dropped out with mechanical problems on the 26th lap.

Buddy Wharton was supposed to set the pace for the start of the 20-lap Late Model feature but he was involved in a fourth turn incident that sent him to the back of the pack before one lap could be completed. Doug Walton set the pace for the first three laps with Steve Todorow able to move to the front of the 26 car starting field on the fourth circuit. A 13th lap restart after a caution saw Randy Stoudt shoot in front of the field after charging through the pack from 18th starting spot. Once in front Stoudt was “stout” as he held a comfortable lead when the green flag fell. Chuck Schutz (Pottstown) was eating away at Stoudt’s lead but had to settle for second after coming from 16th. Steve Todorow (Quakertown), the early race leader, finished third followed by Doug Walton (Royersford) and John Giesler (Aston).

Qualifying heat races for the NASCAR Modifieds, 47 cars on hand, went to Kevin Hartnett, Ron Solomon, Jr., Bobby Trapper and Jeff Strunk. The consolation events were won by Terry Meitzler and Craig VonDohren. And the 3-lap Cheers Tavern Cash Dash went to Solomon, Jr.

In qualifying events for the Late Models the wins were earned by Jason Miller, Brian Shuey and Chris Shuey with Miller winning the Jim Brown Cash Dash.

Fans and racers are reminded that raffle tickets are now available that could win them a trip for two as part of the annual Champion’s Trip in late November. This year the trip goes to Aruba for eight days and seven nights. Raffle tickets for the trip (the trip is valued at more than $3000 and is for two people) are priced at $20.00 each. Just 150 tickets are being sold. Each feature stock car feature winner on Saturday nights receives a free chance on the trip courtesy of Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc.

Coming up on Saturday, July 24, 7:30 p.m. it will be Hatfield Quality Meats Night at Grandview Speedway featuring at least 13 events of NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modified and Late Model stock car racing. The first 500 fans through the gates will receive a FREE TNT-TV Rip,Rev & Win Instant Win Card. It is possible to win a trip for two to two NASCAR races or one of hundreds of other prizes courtesy of the speedway and TNT. Hatfield mascot Smiley will be on hand to shoot hot dogs and t-shirts into the audience. Always a fun night.

On Sunday, July 25th, 7:30 p.m. the CARQUEST DIRT Southeast Series Tour Big Block Modifieds will be in action.

Grandview Speedway is a one-third-mile, banked clay oval, NASCAR sanctioned, 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. For information on marketing opportunities at Grandview Speedway telephone Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc. at 215.752.7797 or email Esaxton144@aol.com.

DEKA BATTERIES NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES MODIFIEDS..30 LAPS:1.Jon Kellner, Sr. 2. Jeff Strunk 3. Keith Brightbill 4. Doug Manmiller 5.Kenny Gilmore 6.Terry Meitzler 7.Meme DeSantis 8.Craig VonDohren 9.Tracy Readinger 10.Ron Solomon Jr. 11.Kyle Weiss 12.Rick Schaffer 13.Kerry Kratz 14.Mike Bailey 15.Junior Mikosz 16.Jason Smythe 17.Bobby Trapper 18.Mike Gular 19.Brad Missimer 20.Ray Swinehart 21.Cliff Quinn 22.Danny Erb 23.Barry Readinger 24.John Tschudy 25.Ron Seltman 26.Ed Scott 27.Shawn Reimert 28.Kevin Hartnett

DEKA BATTERIES NASCAR SHORTRACK LATE MODELS 20-LAP FEATURE :
1.Randy Stoudt 2.Chuck Schutz 3.Steve Todorow 4.Doug Walton 5. John Geisler 6.Brian Shuey 7.Jason Miller 8.Steve Sennott 9.Dean Schaeffer 10.Dean Stoudt 11.Kelly Snyder 12.Mike Wunderlich 13.Rick Todorow 14.Ted Szymborski 15.Ron Kline 16.Hal Browning 17.Junior Grebe 18.Mike Kellner 19.Mike Steinmetz 20.Chuck Keely 21.Greg Hoffmaster 22.Jesse Willman 23.Lou Egrie 24. Kyle Pensinger 25.Buddy Wharton 26. Chris Shuey.