STRUNK WINS AGAIN, SCHUTZ GETS FIRECRACKER 40 FOR HIS FIRST WIN
Bechtelsville, PA July 2, 2004 . . . . For the fourth time this season Jeff Strunk (Bethel) was able to wheel the BPG Racing/Chad Sinon Motorsports #88 to victory in the 30-lap NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modifieds on Saturday night at Grandview Speedway. It was Chuck Schutz, Pottstown, wheeling his Total Rental #1 Late Model to victory in the Firecracker 40 for Late Models.
Buddy Wharton was quick out of the box in the Firecracker 40 run in memory of Jerry Glase. Wharton led the race until the 15th lap when a nine car collision eliminated several top runners (no one was injured).
On the restart Lee Miller charged to the top spot with Chuck Schutz not far behind. At the 22 lap mark it was Chuck Schutz who was able to make a terrific charge to the front spot getting by leader Miller and challenger Dean Stoudt.
Once in front Schutz was able to make winning the Firecracker 40, the biggest event of the season for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Late Models, look rather easy as the Pottstown racer had a comfortable margin of victory when the checkered flag fell. Sixteen year old Mike Kellner (Lansdale) put on a tremendous display of talent as he was able to come from 15th to gain an impressive second place finish. Third was earned by four time champion Dean Stoudt (East Greenville) followed closely by Ron Kline (Salfordville, PA) and Lee Miller (New Tripoli).
In victory lane Schutz, a former Late Model champion, was emotional as he celebrated his first win of the season and thanked “everyone” and made mention that the team had made several changes after having suffered through a disappointing first half of the season.
Strunk, defending track champion, spent the early part of the season in a slump but in recent weeks he has come on strong as he chases his fourth track NASCAR Modified championship. Strunk started the 30-lap main event for NASCAR Modifieds in 11th spot and spent much of the first half of the race chasing a top five position.
Sean Merkel put his #118 Modified in front of the pack at the start of the 30-lap feature. And the first half of the feature race it looked like Merkel might be able to win the feature race for his first career Modified win. However at the 15 lap marker Terry Meitzler, who had been chasing the fleet running Merkel for several laps, was able to take the top spot.
At 20 laps the standings had Meitzler in front of the field and looking like a sure winner. However Mietzler ran afoul of lapped traffic refusing to move over and that pretty much allowed Strunk to catch up to him.
With two laps to go in the feature program Jeff Strunk went to the front of the pack and held on to grab his fourth win of the season. Second spot went to Meitzler (Kutztown) followed by Meme DeSantis (Temple), Keith Brightbill (Mohnton) and Cliff Quinn (Coopersburg).
With cars crossing the finish line Sean Merkel ended up on top of Doug Manmiller in the fourth turn and Craig VonDohren also was caught up in the late race skirmish.No one was injured.
Buddy Wharton, Steve Todorow and Kelly Snyder won qualifying heats for the Late Models while Chris Shuey won the consolation race. The Jim Brown Cash Dash paying $200 to win went to Buddy Wharton. In the preliminary events for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modifieds wins were earned by Sean Merkel, Jimmy Reppert, Keiht Brightbill and Terry Meitzler.. Victories in the consolation races were earned by Mike Gular and Barry Readinger The Cheer’s Tavern Cash Dash was won by Terry Meitzler.
Fans and racers are reminded that raffle tickets are now available that could allow you and a guest to be 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 10th, 7:30 p.m. it will be Dodge Motorsports Night at Grandview Speedway featuring at least 13 events of NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modified and Late Model stock car racing.
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.
AUTO LOCATOR NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES MODIFIEDS..30 LAPS:1. Jeff Strunk 2.Terry Meitzler 3. Meme DeSantis 4. Keith Brightbill 5. Cliff Quinn 6. Kenny Gilmore 7.Jon Kellner Sr. 8. Kevin Hartnett 9.Rick Schaffer 10.Mike Gular 11.Craig VonDohren 12.Kerry Kratz 13.Shawn Reimert 14.Kyle Weiss 15.Bobby Trapper 16. Ray Swinehart 17.Sean Merkel 18.Doug Manmiller 19.Danny Erb 20.Steve Swinehart 21. John Tschudy 22.Donny Erb 23.Greg Humlhanz 24.Jason Smythe 25.Glenn Owens 26.Barry Readinger 27.Chris Esposito 28.John Willman
NASCAR SHORTRACK LATE MODELS FIRECRACKER 40 (40 LAPS):1.Chuck Schutz 2. Mike Kellner 3.Dean Stoudt 4.Ron Kline 5. Lee Miller 6.John Geisler 7.Lou Egrie 8.Mike Wunderlich 9.Doug Walton 10.Mike Steinmetz 11.Greg Hoffmaster 12.Buddy Wharton 13.Terry Snyder 14.Chris Wojnar 15.Kelly Snyder 16.Steve Todorow 17.Bill Henning 18.Junior Grebe 19.Dean Schaeffer 20.Randy Stoudt 21.Steve Sennott 22.Harry Neiman 23.Kyle Pensinger 24.Jason Miller 25.Brain Shuey 26.Chris Shuey 27.Rick Todorow