8.16.14 Grandview Speedway Results
By: VICKI GEHRIS: BECHTELSVILLE, PA. ? Mike Kellner began racing in the Late Model class several years ago at Grandview Speedway and throughout the course of time he garnered 30 wins to his credit in the division.
In 2014 Kellner teamed up with Vince Gagliardo for his rookie season in the modified ranks to be teammates with his dad Jon. He was accustomed to driving late models and it took him a while to get used to a modified and the Vince?s Towing and Recovery team struggled on occasion in the new year which he in thankful they stuck by him.
Saturday night Kellner and crew had the car in top-notch running condition and it paid off since he won his first career victory in the 30-lap NASCAR All-American Series Modified feature. In addition to the top prize money he picked up an additional $250 from T.P. Trailers, Limerick and the Dan?s Deli ?-way hoagie bonus.
Now all three Kellner?s ? Jon, Jon Jr. and Mike won a modified feature.
Kellner motored the ?Squeak? powered No. A1 into the lead from his pole starting berth, but Mike Laise, Todd Smith, Chris Esposito and Terry Meitzler were right behind him.
Kellner had a comfortable lead built up by the seventh lap, but he encountered lap traffic by the ninth circuit allowing Laise to reel him in.
By the 14th lap Laise caught Kellner as the pair battled for first while Smith, Meitzler and Esposito chased the duo down.
The order behind Kellner and Laise by lap 20 consisted of Meitzler, Tim Buckwalter and Don Norris Jr. with Duane Howard knocking on the door.
Just as the race appeared it would be non-stop, Norris Jr. tried to go through an opening that closed up and he spun in the second turn for the first and only caution on lap 26. This incident put the pack on Kellner?s bumper for the single-file restart and he gassed it to stay ahead. Laise and Howard had their own battle for second while Meitzler and Jeff Strunk trailed.
Kellner kept everyone behind him and went on to be the ninth different feature winner of the season and pull into victory lane ? a place he called ?awesome.? Grabbing second on the final lap was Howard followed by Laise, Meitzler and Jeff Strunk, the current point leader. Sixth through tenth were Buckwalter, Craig Von Dohren, Billy Pauch Jr., Cargo Trailer certificate recipient; Jon Kellner and Smith.
Norris Jr., Meitzler, Buckwalter and Laise were the heat winners. The consies were won by Pauch Jr. and Kyle Borror.
Jason Miller, the defending Late Model point champion won his second 25-lap NASCAR BRC Late Model feature of the season by a straightaway lead over runner-up Chuck Schutz. He also received $100 from T.P. Trailers and the Dan?s Deli ?-way hoagie award.
Rookie Lou Egrie Jr. led for six laps before Miller overtook him the seventh time around.
While Miller showed the way, Egrie Jr., Kory Fleming, Bill Henning and Lou Egrie diced for second through fifth as positions constantly changed.
As Miller increased the distance by the 16th lap a four-way battle for second ensued between Egrie Jr., Fleming, Schutz and Randy Stoudt, last week?s feature winner with neither one giving up. Stoudt dropped out on the 17th lap with mechanical issues.
Miller, who struggled throughout the course of the season with motor issues, never looked back until he was in the winner?s circle chased across by Schutz, Fleming, Wayne Pfeil and Egrie Jr., for his best run of the season. Finishing sixth was Lou Egrie followed by Dan Green, Cory Merkel, Sean Merkel and Henning, who also received the Cargo Trailers certificate.
Egrie Jr. and Miller won the heats.
Saturday, August 23, these same drivers plus a host of others will compete in the 30-lap Bernheisel Race Components feature.
In the 25-lap NASCAR Sportsman feature, Brett Kressley held off Kenny Gilmore?s challenges to win his third feature of the season.