SCHAFFER TIES RAHMER MODIFIED WIN MARK AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY

DURLING WINS LATE MODEL FEATURE AND PARSON TOPS PURES

BECHTELSVILLE, PA AUGUST 28, 1999 . . . It was going to

happen sooner or later. It is an impressive record that has

stood for at least 14 years, that is the last time Fred

Rahmer won a modified race at Grandview Speedway. That was

win number 45.

On Saturday night Rick Schaffer of Woxall (PA) tied the

win mark set by his good friend Fred Rahmer when he drove his

Inquirer sponsored modified to victory in the Kreiser Race

Fuels sponsorship 30-lap modified feature race.

"It has taken me a lifetime to do what Fred did in a few

years. But it is rewarding to know that I have tied the

record. And now I would like to break it with a win in the

Freedom 76 coming up on September 11. I want to break the

record just so you won't have to talk about it anymore,"

Schaffer told track announcer Ernie Saxton in victory lane.

The all time win mark for feature events belongs to Jon

Kellner who won 57 late model features during his late model racing days.

In the companion 20-lapper for the NASCAR Late Models it

was John Durling driving the Exide/Hardee's/Golden Chevy

sponsored entry to victory. His second of the season. And Lou

Parson of McClure, PA won the special Pure Stock feature race.

The 30-lap feature for NASCAR Modifieds saw Todd Heydt,

an early season winner, take the lead at the drop of the

green. Heydt, a rookie at Grandview, was in front for 14 laps

before Donny Erb was able to charge to the front. Once in

front Erb looked like a sure winner. Tom Mayberry, a seven

feature winner, was out at the midway point. The battle was

between Erb, Rick Schaffer, Kerry Kratz and Jeff Strunk. Erb

and Schaffer had the fans on their feet as they battled for

the top spot with "Slick Rick" taking command on the 22nd

lap. Once in front Schaffer was able to hold off some strong

efforts from Jeff Strunk and Donny Erb to pick up his third

win of the season and 45th of his career. Second spot went to

Jeff Strunk (Bethel) followed by Donny Erb (Douglassville),

Kerry Kratz (Bechtelsville) and Glenn Strunk (Bechtelsville).

In the 20-lap Kreiser Fuels feature for late models Kyle

Pensinger was in front at the start. John Durling motored to

the front on the 4th lap and that is where Durling stayed for

the balance of the race, surviving numerous spins and

tangles. Dean Stoudt and Rick Todorow, running one-two for

the late model title, were involved in an early race accident

that put them both out of the race. As a result Jeff Teets

was able to gain a strong second place finish to winner John

Durling and grabbed the point lead going into the final race

of the season. At the finish Durling (Reading) was just a car

length in front of Teets (Coplay) followed by Ed Hoffman

(Allentown), Randy (This car for sale) Stoudt (Pottstown) and

John Giesler (Lenni).

A special attraction for the evening was the Pure

Stocks. Their 12 lap feature was won by Lou Parson and his

Parson's Auto Salvage Special out of McClure, PA. Second spot

went to Craig Swartlandery followed by Leroy Long, Frank

Grubi and Sam Yeagley, Jr.

Qualifying heats for the Pure Stocks went to Parson and

Ed Hollenbach.

In the NASCAR Modifieds the five qualifying heats needed

for close to 60 cars were won by Chip Slocum, Donny Erb,

Kenny Gilmore, Tracy Readinger and Kerry Kratz. The

consolation events went to Kevin Hartnett, Tom Mayberry, and

Shawn Reimert. Kenny Gilmore rode to a very impressive $360

win in the Automotive Machining Services Cash Dash.

In the preliminary events for the late models wins went

to Bill Henning, Chuck Sennott and Kyle Pensinger. The

consolation was won by Ron Chrisman.

Coming up at Grandview Speedway on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

is Budwieser Night featuring the final point events of the

season for the NASCAR Modifieds and Late Models, at least 13

events of racing. In addition there will be the Budweiser

Winston Cup car on display along with one of the famous

Clydesdale horses (we could not fit them all on the grounds).

There will be "freebies" for the first 1000 paid admissions

and a grand prize.

And on Saturday, September 11, 7 p.m. (3 p.m. for

entertainment and activities on the grounds of the speedway)

racing action will get underway for the THProperties Freedom

76 Classic. $20,000 goes to the winner out of a $50,000

purse. Also there will be $1000 going to the winner of the

Keystone Pretzels Bakery Cash Dash. Cheers Tavern of

Bechtelsville will sponsor the Minuteman 20 race. The rain

date is set for September 12.

PIT NOTE: Hal Renninger, who suffered a heart attack in

the pit area the previous week, was back as a spectator. He

wanted to thank the first aid crew and the "gentleman" who

did CPR on him while waiting for the first aid crew. In

addition Renninger wanted to thank all the fans and racers

who called and sent cards. Renninger hopes to be back racing soon.