Defending NASCAR Sportsman champion Jared Umbenhauer took the win in the biggest event of the season for the Sportsman racers, the Bashore Trucking/BFP Specialties Summer Splash 40-lapper, picking up $1600 for his efforts. Craig VonDohren, a six time track champion, charged off the fourth turn on the final lap of the 30-lap Modified main event, getting by the first and second place cars with the checkered flag in sight, to win his third NASCAR 358 Modified feature of the season and take over the chase for the lucrative Modified point title. And in the 25-lap show topper for the Late Models it was defending champion Chuck Schutz charging to his third win of the season and increasing his lead in the battle for his seventh Late Model championship.
Ronnie Krex took command of the 24 car starting field in the 40-lapper for Sportsman and set a quick pace while Tommy Scheetz II challenged him for more than half of the race. At 22 laps Jared Umbenhauer, coming from 13th starting spot moved into second place and put pressure on the leader. With 25 laps in the record book Umbenhauer was able to charge past Krex for the lead with his Eastern Rigging No. 5 and set the pace for the balance of the almost caution free event. At the finish Kenny Gilmore was putting pressure on the leader. When checkered flag was display Umbenhauer (Richland) was first across the line followed by veteran Gilmore (Fleetwood). Third place went to Paul Kline (Muhlenberg) who challenged the leaders with a late race charge. Fourth place was earned by Ronnie Krex (Hatfield) and Tommy Scheetz II (Boyertown) came home fifth.
A very excited Jared Umbenhauer had high praise for his crew, the way his car handled as he used the low groove to his benefit and for his sponsors. The $1600 win money included a $100 bonus from TP Trailers of Limerick, PA.
The 30-lap feature for the NASCAR Whelen 358 Modifieds saw 28 cars take the green with Justin Grim in front of the field for 12 laps before Tommy Scheetz III was able to take the top spot and set the pace for most of the race holding the lead until the final lap when a caution for a truck tire used as an infield marker was pushed onto the track and that created a caution. On the restart Scheetz again charged to the front but Craig VonDohren was able to power his way from third to first as they approached the checkered flag coming off the fourth turn and steal the win away from young Scheetz.
At the finish VonDohren (Oley) had the Kauffman’s BBQ Chicken/Pioneer Pole Buildings No. 1C in front by the narrowest of margins claiming his third win and moving in front of Duane Howard in the chase for the lucrative Modified title. Scheetz held on for what had to be a disappointing second place finish for the Boyertown racer. Glenn Strunk (Bechtelsville) had a strong performance to claim third followed by nine time track champion Jeff Strunk (Pottstown) still searching for his first win of the season and Don Norris Jr. (Douglassville).
VonDohren indicated that racing 30-laps, almost non-stop, is tough racing at Grandview. When the victory lane announcer pointed out it was his 301st career win, VonDohren said, ‘I am not into the numbers I am here to win every night.’ The win was worth $2750 to VonDohren including a $250 bonus from TP Trailers of Limerick. He also earned a $150 product certificate from VP Racing Fuels for being the first across the line using VP racing gas.
The 17-car starting field for the 25-lap Late Model feature had Sean Merkel in front for 17 laps while Sam Schlosberg spent 14 laps challenging him. On the 15th lap it was Chuck Schutz charging into second spot and just three laps later Schutz was able to get by Merkel after a three lap battle. Once in front Schutz (Pottstown) was able to hold on to the top spot and get his third win of the season and continue to hold on to his number one spot in the Late Model point standings. Schutz is also number one in the NASCAR National Finalist Division II standings, a title he won last year. Sean Merkel challenged to get the lead back in the closing laps but the Gilbertsville racer had to settle for second. Wayne Pfeil (Mohnton) was third followed by Mike Kellner (Lansdale) and Steve Todorow (Quakertown).
Schutz was a man of few words in victory lane as it was clearly visible that he was battling the flu and looked as if it was clearly determination for another championship that allowed him to finish the race.
Twelve lap qualifying heat races for the NASCAR 358 Modifieds were won by Justin Grim, Jeff Strunk, Kevin Hirthler and Don Norris Jr. The Modified consolation races, each 10 laps, had wins going to Duane Howard and Nate Christman. In the Sportsman eight lap qualifiers the victories were earned by Mike Stringer, Tommy Scheetz II and Dean Bachman. The eight lap consolation with 15 cars starting was won by Craig Whitmoyer. Late Model qualifiers, each 8 laps, were won by Sam Schlosberg and Sean Merkel.
The Hard Charger award for the Modifieds sponsored by Bobby Gunther Walsh and sponsors went to Duane Howard gaining 15 positions in the feature. The Searock Lawn Care Hard Charger award for Sportsman was earned by feature winner Jared Umbenhauer and Jeff Teets’ Salvage Transport Hard Charger award for Late Models went to Dirk Rimrott gaining seven spots.
Cargo Trailer Sales of Lansdale had $50 gift certificates for 10th place finishers in each feature while Dan’s Deli has their special hoagies for the leader of each feature at the halfway point. VP Racing Fuels has a $150 product bonus for the first NASCAR 358 Modified feature finisher using their fuel, $100 product bonus for the first Late Model feature finisher using their fuel and $75 product bonus for the first Sportsman feature finisher using their fuel and carrying VP decals on the race car and VP patch on uniform.
Racing action on Saturday, June 29th at 7:30 p.m. (Warm-ups at 6:45p.m.) Included will be NASCAR 358 Modifieds, Late Models and Sportsman sponsored by Bechtelsville Car Wash/A to Z Furniture. An added attraction will be a five lap Cash Dash for the Modifieds. At least 14 events of racing. Spectator gates open at 5:30 p.m. Adult admission is just $15.00, youngsters 12 and under are admitted FREE. As gates open there will be drivers doing a meet and greet along with having their race cars on display. Active members of the military showing a a current active military ID card will be admitted FREE.
One of the most popular events of the season comes up on Saturday, July 6, 7:30 p.m. and features NASCAR 358 Modifieds, Firecracker 40 for Late Models plus Fireworks. It will be Tom Harnett, your friendly Thrivent Financial local representative’s Night at the Races. There will be a Kory Fleming kid’s bicycle giveaway and a Henning’s Train Shop Lionel NASCAR Trains giveaway.
A full color brochure outlining the marketing opportunities available at Grandview Speedway, along with pricing, can be had by emailing Ernie Saxton at Esaxton144@aol.com or telephone 215.752.7797.
Information on racing at Grandview Speedway can be had by checking in at www.grandviewspeedway.com or telephone 610.754.7688. In addition the official Grandview Speedway Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/grandviewspeedwayinc or check in on Twitter at @gviewspeedway.
BASHORE TRUCKING/BFP SPECIALITY NASCAR 358 MODIFIED FEATURE – 30 LAPS: 1. Craig VonDohren 2. Tommy Scheetz III 3. Glenn Strunk 4. Jeff Strunk 5. Don Norris Jr. 6. Duane Howard 7. John Willman 8. Meme DeSantis 9. Kevin Hirthler 10. Kyle Follweiler 11. Frank Cozze 12. Doug Manmiller 13. Justin Grim 14. Terry Meitzler 15. Jason Clauss 16. Ryan Grim 17. Mike Gular 18. Jarred Miller 19. Nate Christman 20. Kyle Weiss 21. Chris Esposito 22. Jon Kellner Jr. 23. Ron Seltman 24. Todd Smith 25. Chris Gambler 26. Andy Ressler 27. Bobby Gunther Walsh 28. Ray Swinehart
BASHORE TRUCKING/BFP SPECIALITY NASCAR LATE MODEL FEATURE – 25 LAPS:1. Chuck Schutz 2. Sean Merkel 3.Wayne Pfeil 4. Mike Kellner 5. Steve Todorow 6. Sam Schlosberg 7. Jason Miller 8. John Giesler 9. Danny Snyder 10. Dirk Rimrott 11. Kory Fleming 12. Drew Weisser 13. George Irwin 14. Lou Egrie Sr. 15. Buddy Mertz 16. Dan Green 17. Bill Henning DNS – Rick Todorow
BASHORE TRUCK/ BFP SPECIALITY SUMMER SPLASH NASCAR SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 40 LAPS: 1. Jared Umbenhauer 2. Kenny Gilmore 3. Paul Kline 4. Ron Krex 5.Tommy Scheetz II 6. Kevin Beach 7. Kyle Borror 8. BradBrightbill 9. Craig Whitmoyer 10. Brett Kressley 11. Kirby Sites 12. Mike Lisowski 13. Ryan Lilick 14. Dean Bachman 15. Joe Fanelli 16. Scott Davis Jr. 17. Jason Neidlinger 18. Erik Neidlinger 19. Scott Davis Sr. 20. Brian Hirthler 21.Jordan Henn 22. Ryan Beltz 23. Kaitie McCardle 24. Mike Stringer
