BECHTELSVILLE, PA JULY 8, 2000 . . . Three weeks before the

2000 season was to start at Grandview Speedway it looked as

if Kevin Hartnett would not have a ride. A deal he had with a

car owner fell through and he was frantically trying to put

together his own "last minute" independent team effort.

And Hartnett missed two nights of racing when twice he

was hit by health problems (kidney stones). However all the

problems seemed to be forgotten when Hartnett was able to

drive his own Hartnett Lettering #88 Modified to victory in

the True Value Hardware 30-lap NASCAR Modified feature race

on Saturday night.

In the second feature, the 20-lapper for Exide ShorTrack

Late Models, sophomore racer Ed Trimbur of Eagleville, was

able to make it look easy riding to his first win of the season.

Junior Mikosz looked as if he might be on his way to his

first win at Grandview Speedway in a number of years. The

veteran racer had his Price Chiropractic entry in front of

the field for 22 laps of the 30 lap feature. For several laps

Mikosz was able to hold off challenges from John Willman,

Jon Kellner, Rick Schaffer and Kevin Hartnett. However on the

restart, after a caution on the 22nd lap, Perkasie, PA based

Hartnett was able to grab the top spot with Chip Slocum

giving chase. Jeff Strunk had the Kenworth-Cummins sponsored

mount charging forward to give Hartnett another challenge. At

the finish Hartnett was just a narrow margin in front of Jeff

Strunk (Bethel). Chip Slocum (Ewing Township, NJ) held on for

third followed by Jon Kellner (Lansdale) and Terry Meitzler

(Kutztown) coming from 21st starting spot. Meitzler earned

the Timber Wolf Smokeless Tobacco Hard Charger Award worth

$200 for improving the most positions (unofficially).

In the 20-lap True Value Hardware Exide ShorTrack Late

Model feature race Bill Henning put his Dodge powered WNPV-AM

Radio sponsored entry in front of the pack at the start.

Henning was in front for two laps before spinning in front of

the pack. On the restart Ed Trimbur, a former drag racer,

took command and kept command for the remaining 18 laps to

gain his first win of the season.

On the 7th lap Jeff Teets, trying a move in the low

groove got a wheel into the infield, rode over an infield

tire marker, and flipped his Harry's U Pull-It Auto Parts

#100 several times down the backstretch. Teets, conscious,

was able to "lend a hand" in having the medical staff and

track crew remove him from the crumpled mass. The veteran

driver was airlifted to the Lehigh Valley Medical Center. He

was found to have a broken shoulder and complaining of back

pain. However no injuries were considered life threatening.

"Considering the force of the accident Teets was

fortunate that Grandview Speedway and NASCAR work to make the

cars as safe as possible. The roll cage and area around the

driver's seat held together under the tremendous beating the

car took. That is a credit to the safety measures in place

here at Grandview and at NASCAR tracks," said track announcer

and public relations person Ernie Saxton.

Finish behind Trimbur and his Raus Transport sponsored

late model was former champion Lou Egrie (Philadelphia)

followed by Terry Snyder (Green Lane), John Durling (Reading)

and Kyle Pensinger (Lyons).

Qualifying heat wins for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series

Modifieds (56 on hand) went to Rick Schaffer, Chip Slocum,

Jeff Strunk, Jon Kellner and Dennis Bailey. The consolation

races were won by Terry Meitzler, Tracy Readinger and Doug

Pannepacker. The Automotive Machining Services Cash Dash went

to Jeff Strunk and was worth $441. The Kochel Equipment First

Alternate Award went to Rich Wisdo.

In Exide ShorTrack Late Model qualifying wins went to

Jeff Teets, Bill Henning and Terry Snyder while Jim Stong was

able to grab the consolation win.

True Value Hardware of Harleysville, PA presented Kevin

Hartnett with a Weber Gas Grill for his feature winning

efforts and Ed Trimbur received a Master Mechanic Tool Chest.

True Value Hardware Stores throughout the area combined to

present more than $1000 in gift certificates to race fans in attendance.

PIT NOTES: Those who have attended local stock car racing

events for a number of years and been fans at Grandview

Speedway will remember Red Lesher. He was a modified racer

here and at other local speedways. And he was the

starter/flagman here a number of years back. Red is having

some serious health problems. Last week he had a leg removed

up to the hip because of diabetes. And he is scheduled to

undergo heart surgery this week.

Red Lesher can use some cheering up. Mail will reach him

at 3242 Country Lake, Deland, Florida 32724.

Jeff Teets and his wife, Karen, did want to commend the

first aid and medical team at Grandview Speedway for the

professional in which his accident was handled. Karen and

Jeff extended their thanks to the medical staff, the fire

crew, other racers and the officials for the quick attention

given what could have been a very serious situation.

Fans had an opportunity to change a tire on Mark Martin's

True Value IROC race car as part of a unique True Value

Hardware traveling motorsports display area. Prizes were

given to fans based on how quickly they could handle the

ratchet wrench and change a tire.