BILLY PAUCH WINS SIXTH T.H.PROPERTIES FREEDOM 76 AT GRANDVIEW
BECHTELSVILLE, PA SEPTEMBER 10, 2000 . . . Billy Pauch may
have to be listed as a dependent on the Rogers Family tax
return. For the sixth time in the 30-year history of the
classic, the Frenchtown, NJ dirt track racing star was able
to drive to victory in the T.H.Properties Freedom 76 at
Grandview Speedway. He took home more than $20,000 on
Saturday night courtesy of the Rogers Family, operators of
the one-third-mile clay oval.
1986 Freedom 76 winner Tom Mayberry started on the pole
in the 40 car starting field and lead five of the first six
laps. Craig VonDohren, coming from third, motored to the
front in the Stauffer Construction entry on the seventh
circuit of the one-third-mile, banked clay oval. At 10 laps
it was VonDohren in front with Mayberry chasing him followed
by Terry Meitzler, Duane Howard and Jeff Strunk.
Several times Mayberry and the A&T Chevrolet #712
challenged VonDohren. Terry Meitzler was able to move up to
challenge the leader when Mayberry had "some problems" in
turn four on a caution restart. Meitzler, running the high
groove, got the lead on the 24th lap.
With Meitzler and his Meitzler Excavating #21A in front,
Billy Pauch, coming from 11th, became a factor running in
second spot. Meitzler, the 1999 track champion, looking for
his first Freedom 76 win stayed in front until the 50th lap.
Billy Pauch, in the Dick Greenfield Dodge/Shammy Shine
Car Washes #1P, moved in front of the pack on the 51st lap
and played cat and mouse with Meitzler and VonDohren for
several laps.
Duane Howard, a three time winner, brought the Hutt's
Glass #85am up to put pressure on the leader but a "bounce"
off the backstretch boiler plate wall slowed his pace.
Craig VonDohren was able to shoot to the low groove,
create a little more power, and take the top spot from Pauch
on the 65th circuit. And it was Pauch coming back on the
fourth turn of the 74th lap to regain the top spot with a
high and low maneuver that put VonDohren back in second spot.
The final two laps saw Pauch, in front of a huge crowd,
able to hold off the pressures of second place finisher Craig
VonDohren (Barto) followed by Terry Meitzler (Kutztown), Jeff
Strunk (Bethel) and Duane Howard (Oley).
Sixth spot went to Keith Brightbill (Sinking Spring) in
an impressive showing for the rookie racer. And Kenny Gilmore
brought the Esposito #7 home in seventh spot after having
started in 29th. Eight place was earned by Kerry Kratz
(Bechtelsville) coming from back 19th followed by Brian
Kressley returning to racing action after a two year layoff.
Tenth spot, in what may have been the most impressive display
of the evening, went to Mike Bailey (Kutztown) coming from
34th starting position.
Eighty seven modifieds were on hand for the qualifying
heat events with wins going to Keith Brightbill, Bob Trapper,
Meme DeSantis, Tom Mayberry, Ray Swinehart, Shawn Reimert,
Billy Pauch and Rick Schaffer.
Consolation race victories were earned by Tim
Fitzpatrick, Jack Hartnett and Smokey Warren while the
Schaeffer Motorsports Minuteman 20 went to Kenny Gruber
earning him a starting spot in the Freedom 76. Kochel
Equipment First Alternate Award went to Doug Pannepacker and
was worth $100.
The Cheer's Tavern Cash Dash was won by Shawn Reimert in
the Kochel Equipment #58s earning the Oley, PA racer $1,275.
Stock car racing returns to the Grandview Speedway for
the next two Saturdays (September 16th and 23rd) with
tripleheader programs that will feature open comp modifieds
(small blocks), late models and PA Sportsman. Racing will
start at 5 p.m. with gates open at 3 p.m.
Added to the schedule is a special Thunder on the Hill
Series event set for Saturday, October 21, 6 p.m. featuring
ARDC Midgets, URC Sprints, NASCAR Modifieds and Exide
ShorTrack Late Models. This will be, as are all Thunder on
the Hill events, a Bruce Rogers/Bob Miller promotion.
And on October 28th a Race Car Flea Market will be
presented starting at 7 a.m. For information telephone Joanne
Bailey at 610.683.3075.
PIT NOTES: In an afternoon auction held to raise money
for seriously injured Grandview Speedway race fan Stacy
Miller more than $3000 was raised. "We did want to express
our thanks to those who came out and spent money, those who
donated items for the auction and those who just plain made
donations. On behalf of Stacy Miller's family and Stacy we
pass long their thanks, " said track announcer Ernie Saxton.
Dennis Eisenhardt "Moose", owner of the #88T modified
driven by Meme DeSantis, is recovering from recent surgery.
Get well cards will reach him at 227 Broad St. Kutztown, PA.
More than $1000 in lap sponsorship money was paid out
with Lew Slocum posting $100 for the leader of lap 61.
Rob Engessor "bought" himself a judgeship at the Pennzoil
Motorsports Show in January with a hefty bid during the Stacy
Miller Charity Auction. Rob will get to be an "official"
judge for the Ms. Motorsports Beauty Pageant during the show.