JEFF STRUNK AND RON KLINE ADD TO THEIR FEATURE WIN LIST AT GRANDVIEW
BECHTELSVILLE, PA July 10, 2005 . . . Jeff Strunk seems to be happier when his car owner, Chad Sinon, is not at the races. The reason is that Strunk seems to win more often when Sinon is missing. On Saturday night at Grandview Speedway Jeff Strunk wheeled Chad Sinon’s BPG Racing #88 Modified to his third win of the season while Sinon was vacationing in Bermuda.
In the 20-lap main event for Late Model stock cars Ron Kline, East Greenville, came from 11th starting spot with his Tom Oates Chevy #3 to grab his fourth win of the season and hold on to his point lead in the battle for the championship.
A ten car pileup kicked off the 30-lap NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modified feature with Kenny Gilmore, winner of his qualifying heat and Cash Dash, caught up in the ruckus and sent to the pits with his car flattened by the crash on the backstretch. Gilmore’s hopes for a Clean Sweep were swept away.
Cliff Quinn got the early lead with Greg Humlhanz quick to challenge. With nine laps in the record book Humlhanz, looking for his first career victory, was able to charge to the front of what remained of the 29 car starting field.
Once in front Humlhanz built up a comfortable lead but on lap 19 Terry Meitzler, running in fifth, brought out the caution as a flat tire brought him to a stop. On the restart Jeff Strunk (Bethel) was able to charge to the front of the field and lead the rest of the way to pick up his fourth win of the season, increase his lead in the Modified point standings and earn him $2200 for his efforts.
Second spot went to Humlhanz (Chalfont) for his best finish of the season. Cliff Quinn (Coopersburg), the early race leader, held on for third place followed by Kyle Weiss (Hamburg) and Craig VonDohren (Oley).
Strunk continues to lead the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modified point standings in his chase for a fifth track championship.
Sean Merkel set the pace at the start of the 20-lap main event for the Late Model stock cars and the Gilbertsville, PA racer looked to be on his way to a feature win. Merkel set the pace for 16 laps before Ron Kline, coming from 11th starting spot, challenged the leader and then took command of the race and went on to win his fourth of the season. Second spot went to Merkel followed by Harry Neiman (Bower Beach, DE), Lou Egrie (Willow Grove) and John Giesler (Aston).
Five feature winner Randy Stoudt was involved in an early race incident that sent him to the pits out of action for the night.
Qualifying events for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modifieds were won by Cliff Quinn, Rick Schaffer, Mike Gular, Jeff Strunk and Kenny Gilmore. Consolation races had victories go to Ryan Watt, Doug Manmiller and Bobby Trapper while the Cheers Tavern Cash Dash was won by Kenny Gilmore.
In the Late Model qualifiers wins were earned by Mike Kellner, Sean Merkel and Lou Egrie while the Jim Brown Cash Dash went to Sean Merkel.
Racing action returns to Grandview Speedway on Saturday, July 16th with Hatfield Quality Meats Night featuring the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modifieds and Late Model stock cars. Smiley, the popular Hatfield mascot will be there and there will be prizes. Racing starts at 7:30 p.m.
The DIRT Super Series Big Block Modifieds will be racing in the Traffic Jam 100 as part of the Thunder on the Hill Series promoted by Bruce Rogers and Bob Miller on Tuesday, July 19th at 7:30 p.m. Rain date is Wednesday, July 20th. This gives fans a chance to see many of the top names in big block modifieds in action on the banked one-third-mile, clay oval.
Grandview Speedway, a one-third-mile, banked clay oval, is a NASCAR sanctioned facility offering stock car racing every Saturday night from April through September. The track is located on Passmore Road, just off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown, in Bechtelsville, PA. For information telephone 610.754.7688 or check in at their website, www.grandviewspeedway.com.
JESSE BARO TRUCKING NIGHT NASCAR MODIFIED FEATURE, 30 LAPS:1.Jeff Strunk 2. Greg Humlhanz 3. Cliff Quinn 4. Kyle Weiss 5. Craig VonDohren 6. Kevin Hartnett 7.Tom Mayberry 8. John Kellner 9. John Willman 10. Ryan Watt 11.Tracy Readinger 12. Mike Gular 13. Keith Brightbill 14. John Tschudy 15.Ryan Taylor 16.Danny Erb 17.Terry Meitzler 18. Donnie Norris 19.Jimmy Reppert 20.Brad Missimer 21.Ray Swinehart 22. Meme DeSantis 23.Doug Manmiller 24. Bobby Trapper 25. Jason Smythe 26.Tom Umbenhauer 27.Sean Merkel 28. Rick Schaffer 29. Kenny Gilmore
JESSE BARO TRUCKING NIGHT NASCAR LATE MODEL FEATURE, 20 LAPS:1. Ron Kline 2. Sean Merkel 3. Harry Neiman 4. Lou Egrie 5. John Giesler 6. Dean Stoudt 7.Dean Schaeffer 8.Dallas Breidenbach 9.John Durling 10.Rick Todorow 11.Kelly Snyder 12.Doug Walton 13.Doug Snyder 14.Junior Grebe 15.Buddy Wharton 16.Dave Conover 17.Bill Graham 18.Mark Malcomb 19.Don Kellner 20.Bill Henning 21.Randy Stoudt 22.Mike Kellner 23.Greg Hoffmaster 24. Steve Sennott