WILLMAN WINS BY A WHISKER AND TEETS TEASES TO LATE MODEL WIN
BECHTELSVILLE, PA JULY 24, 1999 . . . For the second time
this season John Willman was able to wheel the O'Connor Truck
Center/Bandit Truck Stop entry to victory in the 30-lap
NASCAR Winston Racing Series Modified feature race at
Grandview Speedway on Saturday night. Willman was able to
hold off a strong late race challenge by Tom Mayberry, a five
feature winner, by just a whisker, the narrowest of margins
to earn the $2,200 first place money.
In the companion 20 lapper for NASCAR Late Models, making
up the second part of Touch of Green Landscaping/Make A Wish
Foundation Night, Jeff Teets teased the others and then
finally made a strong run for the victory, grabbing his fifth
win of the season.
Touch of Green Landscaping owner Matt Reidenhour brought
a large contingent of Make A Wish Foundation youngsters to
the event. Many were seeing their very first auto race.
"This second win was a little tougher than the first. The
big dogs were right behind me. The car got tight at the end.
I had to run the outside. I knew Mayberry and the others
were back there. (In fact Mayberry got by him a couple of
times but could not stay in front) We got five to go from
Bruce (Bruce Harmony, the starter) and she got real tight in
the turns. But we managed to hold on for the win," said
Willman in victory lane.
"And we will be ready for the big race on August 7, the
Motor Truck Equipment Co. Kenworth Cummins Forrest Rogers
Memorial 50 lapper ($10,000 to win). We want to take some of
that Kenworth Cummins money home." Interesting to note that
Willman's sponsor, O'Connor Truck Centers, handles
Freightliner trucks.
On paper it would seem that Willman had an easy night of
it, leading all the laps in the 30 lap feature. However in
the early part of the feature Dave Faust, Mayberry and Kenny
Gruber were giving him fits. And midway in the race Willman
was being leaned on by Mayberry, Kevin Hartnett, Gruber and
Kerry Kratz. And in the final laps it was a run to the finish
with Willman (Zionsville, PA) leading the way while Tom
Mayberry (Sellersville) settled in on his rear bumper to
finish second. Kevin Hartnett (Perkasie) was third followed
by Donny Erb (Douglassville) and current point leader Terry
Meitzler (Kutztown) finished fifth.
Terry Meitzler and Rick Schaffer share the Timber Wolf
Smokeless Tobacco Hard Charger Award as they each gained 14
positions in the modified feature. That will be worth an
extra $200 to the drivers.
The Kochel Equipment First Alternate Award went to Steve Folk.
Kyle Pensinger was on top at the start of the 20-lap
Touch of Green Landscaping Late Model feature and he set the
pace until the 13th lap. With Jeff Teets charging from 10th
spot, Pensinger spent several laps trying to hold off the
Coplay, PA racer. Teets got the top spot, with the Salvage
Transport Services entry, on the 13th lap and had a fairly
easy time riding to his fifth win of the season.
Lou Egrie, a former champion from Philadelphia, looked
like he might have something for the leader in the closing
laps but fell short. Third went to Randy Stoudt (Pottstown)
followed by Kyle Pensinger (Lyons Station) and Chuck Sennott (Gilbertsville).
Qualifying heat races for the NASCAR Modifieds were won
by Jeff Strunk, Kerry Kratz, Kevin Hartnett and Tom Mayberry.
The two consolation races were won by Doug Pannepacker and
Jon Kellner. And the Quigley Motors Cash Dash went to Tom
Mayberry and was worth $375.
In the late model preliminaries it was Ron Chrisman,
Buddy Wharton and Kyle Pensinger winning the heats while
Randy Stoudt won the consolation.
Coming on Saturday, July 31, Exide Batteries Night
featuring NASCAR Modifieds and Late Models. At least 13
events of stock car racing. Racing at 7:30 p.m. Sunday night
rain date. Family Night with youngsters under 12 admitted
free with adult. Adult admission is $10.00. Always free
parking on the speedway grounds.
And on Saturday, August 7, 7:30 p.m. Motor Truck
Equipment Co. Kenworth Cummins Forrest Rogers Memorial 50-lap
championship for modifieds. Also full show of late models.
Modifieds run for $10.000 to win provided they have proper
decals and patches in place on race car and uniform. If not,
the winner earns $5,000.
Grandview Speedway is located on Passmore Road, just off
Route 100, Bechtelsville, PA, 10 miles north of Pottstown.
For information telephone 610.754.7688 or visit their website
at www.grandviewspeedway.com.
TOUCH OF GREEN LANDSCAPING/MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION 30-LAP
NASCAR MODIFIED FEATURE: Willman, Mayberry, Kevin Hartnett,
Donny Erb, Terry Meitzler, Rick Schaffer, Kerry Kratz, Dave
Faust, Cliff Quinn, Kenny Gilmore, Ken Lindaberry, Jeff
Strunk, Glenn Strunk, Shawn Reimert, Sam Schoenly, Rob
Ratoskey, Carl Ruppert, Jack Hartnett, Mike Bailey, Kenny
Gruber (top twenty finishers).
TOUCH OF GREEN LANDSCAPING/MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION 20-LAP
NASCAR LATE MODEL FEATURE; Jeff Teets, Egrie, Randy Stoudt,
Kyle Pensinger, Chip Slocum, Dean Stoudt, Ron Chrisman, John
Giesler, Sam Schlosberg, Mike Bedell, Terry Snyder, Buddy
Wharton, Junior Grebe, Scott Miley, Rick Todorow, Ed Trimbur,
Mike Erb, Bill Henning, Roger Decker, Josh Huber. (Top twenty finishers)
NASCAR MODIFIED TRACK POINT STANDINGS: Terry Meitzler,
Kutztown, 4218; Kevin Hartnett, Perkasie, 3901; Jeff
Strunk,Bethel, 3791; Kerry Kratz, Bechtelsville, 3604; Rick
Schaffer, Woxall, 3563; Chip Slocum, Ewing Township, NJ.,
3444; Tom Mayberry, Sellersville, 3251; Kenny Gilmore,
Fleetwood, 3235; Jon Kellner,Lansdale, 3191; and Smokey
Warren, Jonestown, 2633.
NASCAR LATE MODEL TRACK POINT STANDINGS; Rick Todorow,
Quakertown, 4230; Dean Stoudt, East Greenville, 4201; Jeff
Teets, Coplay, 4139; Randy Stoudt, Pottstown, 3813; Lou
Egrie, Philadelphia, 3704; Chuck Sennott,Gilbertsville, 3690;
Ed Hoffman, Allentown, 3653; Terry Snyder, Green Lane, 3537;
John Durling, Reading, 3248; and John Giesler, Aston, 3149.