JEFF STRUNK AND SEAN MICHAEL WIN FEATURES, FITZCHARLES

RETIRES AS DRIVER

BECHTELSVILLES, PA JUNE 12, 1999 . . .Jeff Strunk,

current point leader in the chase for the $40,000 Motor Truck

Equipment Co. Cummins Kenworth PA NASCAR Modified

Championship Series, won his second feature of the season at

Grandview Speedway on Saturday night. The win, in the Red

Hill Ford NASCAR Winston Racing Series 30-lap Modified

feature, was also the second of the weekend for the

Bechtelsville racer having won at Big Diamond Raceway on

Friday night.

And with a huge crowd on hand for the first time ever

doubleheader show of URC sprints and NASCAR Modifieds, Sean

Michael of Allentown, PA brought the BK Leasing entry home

first in the 25-lap Red Hill Ford URC feature race.

Veteran racer Glenn Fitzcharles (Pottstown) used the

evening to announce his retirement as an active race driver

after 34 years of driving stock and sprint cars.

Fitzcharles, a fan favorite, started his career at Grandview

Speedway and figured it was appropriate that he retire at

Grandview in a show that featured his first loves, modifieds

and sprint cars. The United Racing Club honored Fitz as did

Grandview Speedway with an induction on to their Wall of

Fame. In addition Nazareth Speedway presented Fitzcharles

with a package of tickets and pit passes to be their guest at

their July 16-18 weekend of racing that includes the USAC

Coors Silver Bullet Champ Cars. Fitz also received a lifetime

gold card membership, the first ever presented, to the United

Racing Club.

Ron Haring got the jump on the field at the drop of the

green leading up to the halfway make when Jeff Strunk put the

Cummins/Kenworth sponsored Keith Harring owned mount in front

of the pack. Both drivers had to survive a number of early

race incidents. Once in front Strunk had his hands full

holding off a strong challenge from Chip Slocum and Donny

Erb. At the finish Slocum was closing on Strunk but time ran

out and Strunk was able to visit victory lane and pick up his

$2200 first place money. Slocum (Ewing Township, NJ)

finished a close second followed by Donny Erb

(Doulgassville), current modified point leader Terry Meitzler

(Kutztown) and the Mopar powered Doug Pannepacker (Green Lane).

"It is always a pleasure to race with (Chip) Slocum. He

is a good racer and a clean racer. We just ran our own race

and we can not say enough about the excellent condition of

the race track. It was in great shape. Our crew and our

sponsors, they all help make the wins possible. I think our

early season bad luck is turned around. We are looking for a

big season," said Strunk.

In the 25-lap feature for Bars Leaks United Racing Club

sprint cars Jimmy Stitzel (Blandon, PA) looked as if he would

grab his first career URC win. The talented chauffer set the

pace for 21 laps before Sean Michael, coming from ninth

starting spot, was able to grab the lead and go on to

victory. For several laps fans were treated to a four car

battle for the top spot between leader Stitzel, Dave Gable,

Kramer Williamson and Michael.

At the finish Michael had a comfortable lead to gab his

third win of the season and increase in his point lead in the

chase for the lucrative Bars Leaks United Racing Club sprint

car title. Stitzel held on for second with Kramer Williamson

(Palmyra, PA) coming home third followed by Dave Gable

(Birdsboro) and Chris Coyle (Wilmington, DE).

Qualifying heat races for the modifieds were won by Ron

Haring, Rick Schaffer, Chip Slocum, and Donny Erb. The

consolation wins were earned by Junior Mikosz and Dennis

Bailey. The Automotive Machining Services Cash Dash went to

Rick Schaffer and was worth $370.

In URC sprint qualifying the wins went to Jon Eldreth,

Kramer Williamson, and Todd Rittenhouse Jr. Dave McGough won

the consolation race.

Racing returns to the Berks County clay oval on

Saturday, June 19th with the fan favorite twin 20-lap NASCAR

Modified features plus a full show of NASCAR Late Model stock

car racing. At least 13 events of stock car racing will be

presented starting at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday, 7 p.m. rain date.

Grandview Speedway is located on Passmore Road, just off

Route 100, in Bechtelsville, PA, 10 miles north of Pottstown.

For information telephone 610.754.7688 or visit their website

at www.grandviewspeeway.com.

RED HILL FORD 30-LAP MODIFIED FEATURE(TOP 20): Jeff Strunk,

Chip Slocum, Donny Erb, Terry Meitzler, Doug Pannepacker,

Kevin Hartnett, Ron Haring, Smokey Warren, Kerry Kratz, Rick

Schaffer, Kenny Gilmore, Mike Bailey, Tracy Readinger, Dave

Faust, Dennis Bailey, Sam Martz, Steve Folk, Jack Hartnett,

Glenn Strunk, Cliff Quinn.

RED HILL FORD 30-LAP BARS LEAKS URC SPRINT FEATURE: Sean

Michael, Jimmy Stitzel, Kramer Williamson, Dave Gable, Chris

Coyle, Glen Clarke, Dave McGough, Todd Rittenhouse, Jr.,

Midge Miller, Curt Michael, Billy Ellis, Jimmy Martin, Mike

Haggenbottom, Jon Eldreth, Bill Case, Danny Massey, Jeremy

Trout, Fran Hogue, Tim Higgins, Fed Kennedy, Ray Staats, John

Karklin, Tom Freschetta, Glenn Fitzcharles, Becca Anderson.

NASCAR MODIFIED POINT STANDINGS: Terry Meitzler, Kutztown,

2552; Jeff Strunk, Bechtelsville, 2425; Kerry Kratz,

Bechtelsville, 2409; Kevin Hartnett, Perkasie, 2362; Rick

Schaffer, Woxall, 2281; Kenny Gilmore, Fleetwood, 2203; Jon

Kellner, Lansdale, 2117; Glenn Strunk, Boyertown, 2111; Tom

Mayberry, Sellersville, 2041; Chip Slocum, Ewing Township, NJ, 2037.

NASCAR LATE MODEL POINT STANDINGS-There was not late model

racing this week so the points remain the same as the previous week.