JEFF STRUNK IS FIRST REPEAT WINNER WITH GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY NASCAR MODIFIED WIN ON SATURDAY NIGHT
SHANNON SLAUGHTER IS FIRST FEMALE RACER TO SCORE WIN IN EXCITING NASCAR SPORTSMAN FEATURE, BECOMES FOURTH DRIVER TO WIN FIRST CAREER FEATURE THIS SEASON
VINTAGE SERIES DAVE SMITH MEMORIAL WINS ARE RECORDED BY GAGE PHILLIPS & SVEN OLSON
BECHTELSVILLE, PA. – It was yet another night of first time happenings on Saturday night at Grandview Speedway.
Jeff Strunk of Boyertown, Pa. secured the lead on lap ten after a brief three driver battle for the top spot between himself, Ron Haring Jr. of Alburtis, Pa. and Jon Kellner of Lansdale, Pa., then raced home to the win in the 30-lap T.P. Trailer NASCAR Modified feature event becoming the first repeat feature winner of the season.
Shannon Slaughter of Lititz, Pa. won out on a three driver battle in the final three exciting laps of the T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman feature, fighting off the repeated challenges of Addison Meitzler of Kempton, Pa. and Colin Cox of Perkasie, Pa. to score her first career Grandview Speedway win, and also made track history becoming the first female driver to score a win in the T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman division.
The Outlaw Racing Series Vintage cars were on hand running the Dave Smith Memorial, with Gage Phillips (Modified) and Sven Olson (Sportsman) scoring the wins in the 15-lap feature run.
The winners both received bonus money (Modified $300, Sportsman $200) from T.P. Trailers and Truck Equipment of Limerick, Pa., sponsors of the two divisions at Grandview Speedway in a race program run under the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series banner.
Jeff Strunk and Shannon Slaughter both received $250 in bonus money from Donna Bailey, her Grandchildren and Great Granddaughter in memory of Randy Bailey’s 73rd birthday anniversary, and in memory of Mike Bailey and the tenth year anniversary of his passing in 2015.
Strunk and Slaughter also both received another bonus of $181 each from Breitenstein Motorsports in memory of Mike & Randy Bailey.
The 30-lap T.P. Trailer Modified feature got off to a quick start with Ron Haring Jr. and Ryan Beltz of Barto, Pa. swapping the lead several times in the first three laps, while Jon Kellner, Bobby Trapper Jr. of Scranton, Pa. and Eric Biehn of Barto, Pa. were fighting for spots right behind them.
Strunk was on the move quickly from his tenth starting spot, and reached the top five by lap six, and advanced to third by lap eight.
The race hit a bit of a rough point on lap eight, with three straight cautions, and another on lap nine, before everyone settled into some great racing action once again.
Following the restart on lap nine, Haring Jr. led with Kellner right behind in the outside lane, and Strunk challenging both down low, with the three circling the track under a blanket, until Strunk passed both of them down low entering turn one to become the new leader.
Strunk would open up a small lead with Kellner and Haring Jr. battling for second, which ended with Haring Jr. spinning after some wheel rubbing the following lap, ending his good run.
With Strunk out front, Kellner would run second and a great race behind him was happening between John Willman of Birdsboro, Pa., Eric Biehn, Louden Reimert of Oley, Pa. Ryan Grim of Laurys Station, Pa. and Eric Kormann of Carneys Point, N.J. all battling for positions in the top five.
Hard racing for position resulted in a tangle between Ryan Grim and John Willman, causing both to spin, taking them out of contention for the top positions and resetting the field.
Following the tangle and the lap thirteen restart, several drivers would quickly advance positions, creating a new battle upfront between Reimert, Jared Umbenhauer of Richland, Pa., Logan Watt of Boyertown, Pa., Brett Kressley of Orefield, Pa., and Eddie Strada of Lake Ariel, Pa. who was on the move from his 23rd starting position.
With ten laps to go, Strunk continued to set the pace with a comfortable lead, while Kellner ran in second leaving Reimert, Umbenhauer and Watt in a spectacular three car duel for third, circling the track lap after lap practically under a blanket.
Kressley was not far behind that trio, and was joined by Strada, Duane Howard of Oley, Pa. and Craig Von Dohren of Oley, Pa. for a fight for the remaining spots in the top ten in the closing laps.
Strunk would reach lapped traffic with six laps to go, allowing Kellner a chance to close in slightly, but the veteran Strunk worked the heavy traffic to perfection to maintain his advantage to the finish and score the popular win.
At the wave of the checkered flag it was Strunk scoring his 80th career Saturday night NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series win (91st overall counting Thunder on the Hill Series 358 Modified wins), followed by Kellner, Reimert, Umbenhauer, Logan Watt, Kressley, Strada, Howard, Von Dohren, and Ryan Watt of Boyertown, Pa.
Qualifying heats for the 34 cars on hand were won by Bobby Trapper Jr., Ron Haring Jr., and John Willman while Craig Von Dohren won the consolation.
Shannon Slaughter had a remarkable story line in becoming the first female race winner in the top two divisions at Grandview Speedway. Following a full season of racing for the Kenny Gilmore team last season, which resulted in a best finish of third, this year the young lady racer and her father have their own race car and did not start the season until the beginning of July.
In only her fourth start of this season, Slaughter started second, survived two mid-race restarts, and was able to win out on a final three lap duel with Addison Meitzler to score her first ever Grandview Speedway win, becoming the fourth driver to do so this season and became the first ever female race winner in the top divisions in track history.
Slaughter grabbed the lead at the start of the 25-lap T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman feature, leaving Alex Bartorillo of Limerick, Pa., Brayden Shelton of Hatfield, Pa., and Brett Grim of Coplay, Pa. to battle for the top spots.
By lap ten Grim had advanced to second, followed by Bartorillo, Kenny Bock of Birdsboro, Pa., Shelton, and a quick moving Addison Meitzler, as the action up front was hot and heavy for the top positions.
By lap twelve Grim caught up to Slaughter to offer a challenge for the lead, but a lap thirteen caution reset the field, allowing Meitzler and Colin Cox to set sail in the outside groove and pick off several positions on the restart.
Following the restart, Slaughter would pull out to a small but safe lead, while Grim and Meitzler battled for second, and Bock and Cox would also battle for position followed by another battle between Bartorillo, T.J. Mayberry of Sellersville, Pa., Shelton, and Gavyn Krupp of Barto, Pa., who were all fighting for the top ten positions.
Cox would get by Bock on lap 16 and join Grim and Meitzler in a great three car duel for second for several laps, before Meitzler was able to grab the second spot on lap 22, just before another caution slowed the action with three laps to go.
This set up the final three dramatic laps, with Slaughter maintaining the lead on the single file restart running the high groove, with Meitzler challenging and running down low, while Cox was really close behind trying to get by both of them.
Twice Meitzler was totally alongside Slaughter in the final three lap dash to the finish, with the three drivers putting on a great show for the fans, but Slaughter held off all challenges and raced home to a car length victory at the checkered flag for the history-making win.
At the finish it was Slaughter in for the win followed by Meitzler, Cox, Grim, Mayberry, Krupp, Bock, Bartorillo, Decker Swinehart of Fleetwood, Pa., and last week’s winner Ryan Graver of Lehighton, Pa. who advanced from 19th starting spot to a top ten finish.
Qualifying heats for the 39 cars on hand were won by Shannon Slaughter, Parker Guldin of Temple, Pa., Tom Miller Sr. of Gilbertsville, Pa., and Addison Meitzler while Ryan Graver and Dylan Swinehart of Fleetwood, Pa. won the consolations.
The Outlaw Racing Series Vintage Club ran the 15-lap Dave Smith Memorial feature event, with Ron Myers leading the race early on, while Gage Phillips was advancing forward in the high outside lane of the Speedway, moving forward from his sixth starting spot.
Phillips was able to secure the lead on lap eleven after a three lap battle for the lead, and motor home to the Memorial race feature win. Teammate Sven Olson started last in the fifteen car field, and was the first Sportsman car across the line, picking up the win for his class, finishing the event in third position.
The top five finishers at the checkered flag were Gage Phillips, Scott Schaffer, Sven Olson, Dave Dissinger and Junior Mikosz, who recovered from an earlier spin.
Grandview Speedway will be presenting another NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series program next week featuring the T.P. Trailer NASCAR Modifieds and the T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman.
The show on Saturday, August 2 will include qualifying events for both classes leading into a 30-lap T.P. Trailer Modified feature and a 25-lap feature for the T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman.
Pit gates will open at 4 pm, with grandstand gates opening at 5:30 pm, warm-ups starting at 6:15 pm, and the first race of the evening getting the green flag at 7:30 pm.
Adult grandstand admission is $20, students 10-15 with ID are $10, while children ages 9 and under are admitted free of charge. Pit admission is $35 for NASCAR members and $45 for non-members.
Next weekend will actually see two shows beginning on Friday, August 1 featuring the Outlaw Racing Series Enduro and Outlaw Racing Series Vintage Cars in action along with the Xcel 600 Modifieds starting at 7 pm.
Pit gates open at 2 pm, with grandstand gates opening at 5:30 pm. Grandstand admission will be $10, with children ages 12 and under admitted for free. Pit admission is $35 for the Friday event.
The biggest race of the summer schedule is the 55th annual Forrest Rogers Memorial 50-lap Championship race for the T.P. Trailer Modifieds paying $10,000 to win on Saturday, August 9 honoring the gentleman who built Grandview Speedway. The show also includes the T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman and another Trivia Night contest starting at 7:30 pm.
Since the 1960’s, Grandview Speedway has been presenting exciting wheel to wheel NASCAR stock car racing every Saturday Night starting in April and running through October, plus special events. Grandview Speedway is located at 43 Passmore Road, Bechtelsville, Pa. 19505, just off Route 100, ten miles north of Pottstown, Pa.
Information is always available at www.grandviewspeedway.com or on Facebook, or by telephone at 610.754.7688.
T.P. TRAILER NASCAR MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH (30 laps): JEFF STRUNK, Jon Kellner, Louden Reimert, Jared Umbenhauer, Logan Watt, Brett Kressley, Eddie Strada, Duane Howard, Craig Von Dohren, Ryan Watt, Eric Biehn, Chris Esposito, Rick Laubach, Eric Kormann, Kyle Smith, Craig Whitmoyer, Brian Hirthler, Cody Manmiller, Ryan Grim, Carroll Hine III, Clay Butler, Bobby Trapper Jr., John Willman, Ron Haring Jr., Mike Laise, Ryan Beltz, Mike Gular, Doug Manmiller
DID NOT QUALIFY: Justin Grim, Darrin Schuler, Bobby Gunther-Walsh, Chris Gambler, Tim Buckwalter, Bobby Trapper Sr.
T.P. TRAILERS WINNER’S BONUS ($300): Jeff Strunk
WINNER’S BONUS IN MEMORY OF MIKE BAILEY’S PASSING FROM DONNA BAILEY, GRANDCHILDREN & GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER ($250): Jeff Strunk
WINNER’S BONUS IN MEMORY OF RANDY & MIKE BAILEY FROM BREITENSTEIN MOTORSPORTS ($181): Jeff Strunk
VP RACING FUELS HARD CHARGER: Eddie Strada +16
PENSKE RACING SHOCKS CERTIFICATES: Jeff Strunk ($75), Jon Kellner ($50), Louden Reimert ($25)
DAN’S DELI HALFWAY LEADER GIFT CERTIFICATE: Jeff Strunk
T.P. TRUCK EQUIPMENT NASCAR SPORTSMAN FEATURE FINISH (25 laps): SHANNON SLAUGHTER, Addison Meitzler, Colin Cox, Brett Grim, TJ Mayberry, Gavyn Krupp, Kenny Bock, Alex Bartorillo, Decker Swinehart, Ryan Graver, Brayden Shelton, Teague Miller, Adrianna Delliponti, Jesse Landis, Kyle Hartzell, Dylan Swinehart, Joey Vaccaro, Mike Schneck Jr., Nate Horn, Mark Mohr, Dennis Graber, Chase Gular, Brett Gilmore, Nathan Mohr, Tom Miller Sr., Parker Guldin, Stephen Laubach
DID NOT QUALIFY: Dakota Kohler, Lawson Szerencits, Colton Perry, Brad Brightbill, Jason Graber, Tom Miller Jr., Kaitlyn Bailey, Troy Bollinger, Ebby Ridge, Zach Steffey, Mark Behm, Kenny Gilmore
T.P. TRUCK EQUIPMENT WINNER’S BONUS ($200): Shannon Slaughter
WINNER’S BONUS IN MEMORY OF RANDY BAILEY’S BIRTHDAY FROM DONNA BAILEY, GRANDCHILDREN & GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER ($250): Shannon Slaughter
WINNER’S BONUS IN MEMORY OF RANDY & MIKE BAILEY FROM BREITENSTEIN MOTORSPORTS ($181): Shannon Slaughter
GRANDVIEW $100 HARD CHARGER: Colin Cox +13
PENSKE RACING SHOCKS CERTIFICATES: Shannon Slaughter ($75), Addison Meitzler ($50), Colin Cox ($25)
DAN’S DELI HALFWAY LEADER GIFT CERTIFICATE: Shannon Slaughter
DRIVEN RACE OIL/JOHN WILLMAN MOTORSPORTS OIL & FILTER KIT 7th PLACE: Kenny Bock
OUTLAW RACING SERIES VINTAGE DAVE SMITH MEMORIAL FEATURE FINISH (15 laps): GAGE PHILLIPS, Scott Schaffer, SVEN OLSEN, Dave Dissinger, Junior Mikosz, Ron Myers, Mark Hahn, Gene Wrightstone, Matt Smith, Rich Baker, Vinnie Gagliardo, Curt Neiman, Brian Rhinesmith, Andy Cassell, Lucas Mutter
UPCOMING EVENTS –
Friday, August 1 – Outlaw Racing Series Enduro, Outlaw Racing Series Vintage, Xcel 600 Modifieds – 7 pm
Saturday, August 2 – T.P. Trailer Modifieds, T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman – 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 9 – 55th annual FORREST ROGERS MEMORIAL – T.P. Trailer Modifieds 50-laps, T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman, TRIVIA NIGHT – 7:30 pm – (Rain date 8/16)