BECHTELSVILLE >> The crowning of the 2016 point champions after Saturday night’s season finale at Grandview Speedway was a mere formality.
At this point, Craig Von Dohren and Chuck Schutz know that formality well. Jordan Henn hopes to know it just as well in the coming years.
VonDohren, of Oley, won his ninth NASCAR T.P. Trailers Modified title with 4,509 points over runner-up Mike Gular. It was championship No. 8 for Pottstown’s Chuck Schutz in the BRC NASCAR Late Model division who finished with 3,683 points ahead of Wayne Pfeil.
In the NASCAR Sportsman class, Kutztown’s Henn captured his first champion with 3,078 points over runner-up Mike Lisowski.
The season was one of the most competitive in years at the Bechtelsville oval with 26 different drivers winning features, including the winners on Sept. 3.
Popular veteran racer Doug Manmiller has been grinding all year long in the T.P. Trailers 358 Modified class at Grandview. He lost his ride with the Dave Zubikowski No. 00 mid-season, then debuted his own mount and still struggled. He finally teamed up with Jason and Theresa Miller and after that things began to gel for the new team. Shut out of victory lane since August 30, 2014, the Shoemakersville talent finally got the monkey off his back Saturday night. He was in fourth on the 22nd lap, shot past Ryan Grim and John Willman and proceeded to dive between a lapped car and underneath leader Justin Grim to take over the lead on the 23rd lap. He kept everyone at bay behind him the remainder of the race to win his first 30-lap Modified feature of the season behind the wheel of the Lee Miller Auto Sales No. 44M, in the event sponsored by WNPV-1440 AM radio. He also collected $250 from T.P. Trailers plus $150 in VP products for running gas.
Steve Todorow took over the driving reigns of the No. 93 NASCAR Late Model normally chauffeured by his dad Rick at mid-season. The team had their share of ups and downs, but he finally had Lady Luck on his side and was able to hold off five-time feature winner and two-time point champion Brian Shuey to win his first-ever career 25-lap BRC Late Model feature and pick up an additional $100 from T.P. Trailers.
It was Brian Papiez at the head of the pack for his fourth NASCAR 25-lap Sportsman feature win as he took the lead from Paul Kline and then held off the challenges of Mike Lisowski for the triumph in which he collected an additional $100 from T.P. Trailers.
Coming up on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m., the TSRS 305 Sprints along with the Sportsman stock cars in a doubleheader show topped by a 38-lap feature for the Sportsman. Modifieds will also be allowed practice time.
And on Saturday, September 10th, 7 p.m. the biggest event of the season takes place with the running of the $25,000 to win 46th Annual Freedom 76 Modified Classic featuring many of the top names in dirt track Modified stock car racing.
It took several cautions before the Modifieds could string consecutive green flag laps together, but once they did Justin Grim was leading the 28-car starting grid trailed by John Willman, Kory Fleming, Ryan Grim and Ray Swinehart.
Manmiller joined the thick of the battle as he advanced into fourth on the fifth circuit.
Lap-after-lap the order continued to be J. Grim, Willman, R. Grim, Manmiller and Swinehart with neither one giving an inch. Trying to break into the top five were Fleming and Frank Cozze.
By the 21st lap the slower-moving cars entered the picture and the front runners had to use heads up defensive driving.
As the head of the pack came out of turn four to complete lap 23, Manmiller made a very daring maneuver. He went from fourth past the others and then proceeded to shoot between the leader and a lap car to take control of first.
Cautions were needed once Manmiller was in front and positions behind him constantly changed, but he made sure he was always first as the laps clicked off at the drop of the checkered he claimed a well-deserved 24th career win. Chasing him across were R. Grim, Cozze, Willman and Jeff Strunk. Rounding out the top ten were last week’s feature winner Duane Howard, Kevin Hirthler, who started dead last; Kenny Gilmore, Mike Gular and Craig VonDohren.
Heats were won by Brett Kressley, Manmiller and R. Grim.
Steve Todorow set the pace for two laps in the Late Model feature before the red was thrown when Joe Fanelli hit the backstretch wall with heavy impact and almost flipped. He was uninjured, but the car was badly damaged. When action resumed Todorow was still in front behind chased by Shuey, Dan Green, Bill Henning and Schutz.
Green relinquished third on the fourth lap when he spun in the second turn for the fourth lap caution. It was still Todorow running the high lane being pressured by Shuey on the inside. Shuey made several advances, but to no avail and Todorow pulled away.
The lead never changed and Todorow was victorious being followed by Shuey, Henning, Schutz and Ron Kline.
Shuey and Todorow were the heat winners.
Rookie B.J. Joly led the first six laps of the Sportsman feature before a multi-car fourth turn accident brought out the yellow. On the restart Papiez charged into first while Joly, Jack Butler, Kline and Lisowski diced for second through fifth.
Derrick Smith slowed his pace along the homestretch for the ninth lap caution period. This time when action went green again Paul Kline stormed into the lead.
Papiez just regained the lead on the 15th lap when Dylan Swinehart slowed in turn four.
Kline, Lisowski, Henn and Ken Eckert Jr. jockeyed for positions while Papiez held onto first.
Lisowski took over second on the 18th lap restart which was needed when Brad Arnold broke along the backstretch. Lisowski made several bids for first, but was unsuccessful.
Papiez kept everyone at bay to collect another win in his Grandview rookie season at the drop of the checkered. Second went to Lisowski followed by Kline, Henn and Ryan Lilick.
Kyle Lilick, Ryan Higgs and Kenny Bock won the heats. The consolation went to Joe Funk III.
RACE RESULTSWNPV-1440 AM Radio T.P. Trailers NASCAR Modified Feature (30 Laps): 1. Doug Manmiller, 2. Ryan Grim, 3. Frank Cozze, 4. John Willman, 5. Jeff Strunk, 6. Duane Howard, 7. Kevin Hirthler, 8. Kenny Gilmore, 9. Mike Gular, 10. Craig VonDohren, 11. Kory Fleming, 12. Danny Erb, 13. Jared Umbenhauer, 14. Justin Grim, 15. Kyle Borror, 16. Brian Houseknecht, 17. Brett Gilmore, 18. Chris Gambler, 19. Eric Biehn, 20. Ray Swinehart, 21. Brett Kressley, 22. Bobby Gunther-Walsh, 23. John Tschudy, 24. Glenn Owens, 25. Ron Seltmann Jr., 26. Blaine Bracelin, 27. Ron Haring Jr., 28. Steve Swinehart.
WNPV-1440 AM Radio BRC NASCAR Late Model Feature (25 Laps): 1. Steve Todorow, 2. Brian Shuey, 3. Bill Henning, 4. Chuck Schutz, 5. Ron Kline, 6. Steve Wilson, 7. Wayne Pfeil, 8. Dave Ogin, 9. Dan Green, 10. Dirk Rimrott, 11. Eric Hoch, 12. George Irwin, 13. Joe Fanelli, 14. Bryon Sipe.
WNPV-1440 AM Radio NASCAR Sportsman Feature (25 Laps): 1. Brian Papiez, 2. Mike Lisowski, 3. Paul Kline, 4. Jordan Henn, 5. Ryan Lilick, 6. Ken Eckert Jr., 7. Craig Whitmoyer, 8. Brandon Whitmoyer, 9. Mark Kemmerer, 10. Joe Funk III, 11. Jack Butler, 12. Kyle Lilick, 13. B.J. Joly, 14. Ryan Higgs, 15. Derrick Smith, 176. Dylan Swinehart, 17. Chad Kohler, 18. Brad Arnold, 19. Andrew Kreis, 20. Nathan Mohr, 21. Kenny Bock, 22. Pat Conrad, 23. Jim Housworth, 24. Brian Hirthler, 25. Ryan Beltz, 26. Steve Young. DNQ: Zak Wydra, Rich Jones, and Jesse Landis.
Grandview Speedway, a one-third-mile, banked clay track, is located on Passmore Road just off Route 100 in Bechtelsville, PA, 10 miles north of Pottstown. A full assortment of great concessions and novelty items are available. Free parking on the grounds. Fans are invited to the competition area after the events are completed to meet the racers. For information telephone 610.754.7688 or check in at www.grandviewspeedway.com, Twitter@GrandviewSpeedway and www.facebook.com/grandviewspeedway along with Rainedout.com (for rainout information).
COMING EVENTS:Friday, September 9, 7 p.m. Sportsman stock cars (38 lap feature), TSRS 305 Sprints and Modified practice session
Saturday, September 10, 7 p.m. 46TH Annual Freedom 76, $25,000 to win for the Modifieds plus Cash Dash. Rain date is Saturday, September 17th.
LATE ADDITION: Sunday, September 25, 12 noon Outlaw Enduro and Blast from the Past Vintage racing.
Saturday, October 15, 6 p.m. Thunder on the Hill Series Halloween Party featuring Modifieds, Sportsman and TSRS Sprints.
LATE ADDITION: Sunday, October 16, noon Outlaw Enduro and Blast from the Past Vintage racing
Sunday, November 6, 7 a.m. Fall Racer’s Flea Market
UNOFFICIAL FINAL POINT STANDINGS
NASCAR MODIFIEDS1. Craig VonDohren, Oley #1C 4509*****
2. Mike Gular, Green Lane #2 4371
3. Jeff Strunk, Pottstown #126 4286**
4. Jared Umbenhauer, Richland #19 3696
5. Doug Manmiller, Shoemakersville #00/00Z/11Z/44M 3581*
6. Ryan Grim, Laury’s Station #17 3372
7. Kenny Gilmore, Fleetwood #7/14 3302
8. Kevin Hirthler, Boyertown #117 3223
9. Duane Howard, Oley #66/357H 2976***
10. Danny Erb, Boyertown #44 2914
11. Kyle Borror, Peach Bottom #B4 2901*
12. Tim Buckwalter, Douglassville #22 2848
13. Brian Houseknecht, Bechtelsville #323 2676
14 Brett Kressley, Orefield #357 2661*
15. Ray Swinehart, Perkiomenville #33 2574
16. Frank Cozze, Wind Gap #357/4 2560***
17. Kyle Weiss, Hamburg #21K 2555*
18. John Willman, Birdsboro #74W/81 2515
19. Steve Swinehart, Perkiomenville #9K 2244
20. Don Norris, Douglassville #976 2021
21. Chris Esposito, Hatfield #31 1785
22. Kory Fleming, Milford, NJ, #704 1702
23. Bobby Gunther Walsh, Allentown #1 1685
24. Mike Kellner, Lansdale #57 1677
25. Justin Grimm, Orefield #61 1638
26. Eric Biehn, Barto #87 1187
27. Chris Gambler, Whitehall#77 1176
28. Ron Haring Jr. Alburtis #85 1089
29. Ron Seltmann, Lower Pottsgrove #R19 1056
30. Ryan Watt, Boyertown #14W 1024
LATE MODELS1. Chuck Schutz, Pottstown #00/1 3686***
2. Wayne Pfeil, Mohnton #72 3415*
3. Dan Green, Coatesville #46 3260
4. Dave Ogin, Bechtelsville #31/31X/8M 3180
5. Cory Merkel, Gilbertsville #16 3062
6. Brian Shuey, Shoemakersville #177 3021****
7. Bryan Sipe, Shoemakersville #33S 2763*
8. Joe Fanelli, Exton #22 26269. Ron Kline, Salford #3/3X 2583***
10. Lou Egrie Sr., Willow Grove #X4 2484
11. Bill Henning, Lansdale #80 2320
12. Sean Merkel, Gilbertsville #118 2232*
13. Drew Weiser, Reading #19 2028*
14. Steve Todorow, Trumbauersville #93 1926*
15. Shawn Horning Blandon #8M 1755
16. Eric Hoch, Boyertown #1/00 1642
17. Randy Stoudt, Pottstown #9 1577
18. Devin Frey, Myerstown #F62 1411
19. Dirk Rimrott, Phoenixville #92/2D 941
20. Chris Wojner, Boyertown #81 908
SPORTSMAN1. Jordan Henn, Kutztown #77H 3078*
2. Mike Lisowski, Minersville #15 3056**
3. Craig Whitmoyer, Hamburg #99 2982*
4. Ryan Lilick, Collegeville #142 2934**
5. Brian Hirthler, Green Lane #4* 2778
6. Joe Funk, Coopersburg #14/8F 2687
7. Brad Arnold, Sinking Springs #830 2397*
8. Dean Bachman, Emmaus #65 2222
9. Mark Kemmerer, Green Lane #F10 2020
10. Brett Gilmore, Fleetwood #7 1979
11. Ken Eckert, Auburn, #29 1952
12. Jim Housworth, Reigelsville #54/72 1937*
13. Ryan Higgs, Nazareth #16 1861
14. Paul Kline, Muhlenberg Park #1 1810***
15. Kyle Lilick, Collegeville #104 1784
16. Dylan Swinehart, Perkiomenville #38 1739*
17. Ryan Beltz, Barto #221 1718*
18. Jack Butler, Phillipsburg, NJ #5 1696
19. Brian Papiez, Belle Meade, NJ #99X 1569****
20. Brandon Whitmoyer, Schaeferstown #99B 1373
* denotes feature win (Feature wins listed are only those that are NASCAR point events.)
