JEFF STRUNK POCKETS $4,000 IN DIRT SOUTHEAST MODIFIED RUN AT GRANDVIEW
BECHTELSVILLE, PA MAY 2, 2004 . . . With bad weather circling the Berks County Grandview Speedway, Jeff Strunk of Bethel, PA beat the weatherman and a caution filled event to win the 40 lap DIRT Southeast Series feature for Big Block Modifieds Sunday night. This event marked the opening event of the fifteenth season for the NAPA Auto Parts/COMDIAL Telephone Communications Thunder on the Hill Racing Series. Strunk earned $4,000 for the victory in the 40 lap contest and he'll pocket the winners share of the points in chase of the 2004 Mr. DIRT Title.
A field of thirty-one modifieds took part in the unique program that offered qualifying through the COMDIAL Telephone Communications Time Trials, "B" Main, the Go For The Pole Dash and the 40 lap feature. From the outset of the night, Jeff Strunk made it clear that he would be the man to beat by setting fast time of 15.152. Strunk earned the COMDIAL Fast Time Bonus of $200 for his fast time effort and did it on near perfect track conditions. In fact, some drivers reported as being super fast!
The 12 lap "B" Main winner was Shawn Reimert and the victory earned him a starting spot in the "Go For The Pole" Dash which also included the top five drivers from time trials. The inverted start in the six lap "Go For The Pole Dash" saw third place starter Duane Howard wrestle the lead from Rick Laubach to earn $100 for the win and the all important pole starting position in the 40 lap DIRT Southeast main event. Following Howard and Laubach to the checker flag in the DASH was Jeff Strunk, Frank Cozze, Kyle Strickler and Shawn Reimert.
Twenty-four cars took the green flag to start the main event but the yellow was displayed immediately for Matt Papiez who spun in turn two. The restart was no better as the yellow came out for Mike Gular and Keith Brightbill following a tangle again in turn two. With the green flag waiving, Duane Howard set the pace for the first two laps followed by Kyle Strickler, Frank Cozze, Doug Manmiller and Jimmy Horton.
Bad turned ugly on lap three when Strickler and Cozze tangled in turn two with Cozze taking a slow roll. Both drivers pulled away from the accident under their own power. At the same time, race leader Duane Howard had a flat tire and made a quick pit stop. Strunk inherited the lead at that point but the restart delivered another caution, this time for Billy Pauch who lost the left rear wheel after contact with another car on the homestretch.
Some green flag racing finally took place with Strunk mastering the field as Donny Radd followed in second. The bad luck jinx caught up with Radd as a flat tire sent him to the pits on lap nine. Radd did return and worked his way back to a respectable seventh place finish.
Jeff Strunk and Rick Laubach were now in a battle for the top spot with Manmiller third as Keith Hoffman and Ray Swinehart followed in the top five. On lap 27, a tire went bad on the Laubach modified after an outstanding ride in chase of the win. Laubach got caught in the pits and was unable to rejoin the field.
On the restart, it was Jeff Strunk still in control of the top spot. It was now up to runner-up Doug Manmiller to challenge for the win, but in the closing laps, Strunk just got faster and ran to an eight car length lead. With the checker flag waiving, Strunk and his BPG Motorsports modified easily took the win over Manmiller with Keith Hoffman third, Ray Swinehart fourth and Kerry Kratz fifth.
FEATURE FINISH: Jeff Strunk, Doug Manmiller, Keith Hoffman, Ray Swinehart, Kerry Kratz, Shawn Reimert, Donny Radd, Tom Umbenhauer, Bobby Trapper, Jeff Ebersole, Rick Laubach, Sean Merkel, Kyle Strickler, Mike Gular, Kevin Hirthler, Jimmy Horton, Richie Pratt, Duane Howard, Keith Brightbill, Jimmy Reppert, Billy Pauch, Tom Pompei, Frank Cozze, Matt Papiez. DNQ- - Joe Dekutoski, John Wilman, Billy Pauch Jr., Mike Nicholas, Brian Kressley, Ryan Watt, Scott Smith.
THUNDER ON THE HILL Continues on Sunday night, May 30 with the Blockbuster Doubleheader that will feature the first ever presentation of the World of Outlaw Sprints and the DIRT Southeast Big Block Modifieds in a combined program. Race time is 7:30 PM with gates opening at 4 PM. Advance tickets are now on sale by mail. Adult tickets are $30 (if purchased in advance) and $32 on race night. Children 6-11 are $10 and under six will be admitted free. Please make your check payable to Grandview Speedway and mail it to: Thunder Series 2004 129 Mill Pond Place Langhorne, PA 19047. Please include a self-addressed and stamped envelop and your tickets will be sent to you immediately. Advance ticket holders may enter the grandstand on 3 PM, one hour before general admission tickets go on sale.
Grandview Speedway is located on Passmore Road, just off Route 100 in Bechtelsville, PA, just ten mile north of Pottstown. Grandview presents weekly NASCAR Modified and Late Model Stock Car Racing every Saturday night with a 7:30 PM starting time. For more information or to add you name to our mailing list, please visit our web sites at: www.grandviewspeedway.com or www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com.