Howard, Kressley and Egrie Sr. Earn Victory Lane Visits at Grandview Speedway Saturday Night

BECHTELSVILLE, PA (April 19, 2015) — Past champion Duane Howard drove the Atlas Paving #66 to his second win of the young season in the NASCAR 358 Modified feature race at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night. Brett Kressley was able to earn his second Sportsman feature win and Lou Egrie Sr. earned his first BRC Late Model feature victory since 2012.The entire three division show of stock car racing was completed before 10 p.m.

NASCAR stock car racing returns to Grandview Speedway on Saturday, April 25th with another exciting tripleheader show of 358 Modifieds, BRC Late Models, and Sportsman stock cars. Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with the Low Down and Dirty Meet and Greet happening at the front gate area at the same time. Drivers and cars from each division are featured. Racing gets the green flag at 7 p.m. Adult admission is just $15 with youngsters 11 and under admitted free. Active military personnel are admitted free with proper ID.

Opening night feature winner Howard quickly closed the distance between himself and leader Ryan Watt, who encountered lapped cars that somewhat, hindered him, by the 18th lap of the 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Modified feature.

Defending point champion Jeff Strunk came on strong in the closing stages, but time ran out and Howard pulled into victory lane to be the first repeat winner of the season in the division.

It was Oley, PA based Howard’s 66th career win at the oval which is ironically his car number. After a fourth-place heat finish the crew made major changes and Howard commented, “They gave me a hell of a race car for the feature.” He also picked up an additional $250 from T.P. Trailers and if he was racing with VP Fuels he was eligible for $150 in VP product.

Pole sitter Kevin Hirthler led for one lap before Glenn “The Professor” Strunk powered ahead on the second circuit. Jockeying for positions behind him were Hirthler, Watt, Tim Buckwalter and Danny Erb.

Doug Manmiller brought out the first caution when he stopped along the fourth turn wall with a front and back flat right tire on the fifth lap. He was able to rejoin the action following a quick pit stop. After three attempts to get the next lap completed Glenn Strunk was still the pacesetter with runner-up Watt making his presence known.

The lead changed for the third time on the seventh lap as Watt and Buckwalter got past Glenn Strunk as he fell to third with Howard and Jeff Strunk fourth and fifth.

Kyle Weiss, last week’s feature winner, slowed in turn one bringing out the yellow on lap nine. After a quick trip to the pits he soon was trackside again. Watt maintained the lead but now Howard was in second and Watt wasted no time outdistancing himself from the rest of the competition.

Lapped cars came into the picture by lap 18 which allowed Howard to reel Watt in to pressure him for the lead.

Howard took advantage of the situation the others were also dealt and powered into first on lap 20. Dealing with the slower cars behind Howard now were Watt, Jeff Strunk, Buckwalter and Mike Gular.

Watt and Jeff Strunk battled for second for several laps before Jeff Strunk cleared him and set sail after Howard.

No one was able to erase the distance and Howard was victorious again. Coming on strong in the end only to have to settle for second was Jeff Strunk followed by Watt, who also picked up the Dan’s Deli ½-way Hoagie certificate; Buckwalter and Gular. Jared Umbenhauer, Frank Cozze, Erb, meme DeSantis and John Willman, who received the Cargo Trailer certificate completed the top ten.

Jeff Strunk, Buckwalter, and Watt won the heats.

Craig Von Dohren, the point leader at the start of the race night, took a hard hit in the heat and had to be double-hooked to the pits. They were able to repair the car for the feature in which he took a provisional and he finished 14th.

In BRC Late Model action Willow Grove, PA’s Lou Egrie Sr., who sat out the previous week with engine problems, came back strong, and led from the second lap until the drop of the checkered to win his first 25-lap NASCAR BRC Late Model feature of the season. It was his first win since May 12, 2012. He collected the $100 T.P. Trailers bonus along with the Dan’s Deli ½-way Hoagie certificate.

Bill Henning, back from vacation, set the pace for one lap until Egrie motored ahead.

While Egrie showed the way, the Merkel brothers Cory and Sean diced for second while Henning, Steve Gross, and Chuck Schutz anticipated a false move.

By the 10th lap it was a three-way battle for first between Egrie and the Merkel’s.

Gross brought out the caution on the 19th lap when he spun in turn two. It was still Egrie at the front of the field on the restart.

With the Merkel’s battling this allowed Egrie some extra breathing room.

Sean Merkel finally cleared Cory on the 22nd lap and next would have to try to catch Egrie.

Egrie never surrendered the lead and put the Frank and Doris McCarthy-owned No. X4 in the winner’s circle. Finishing second was Sean Merkel with Schutz getting third at the line with Cory fourth and Joe Fanelli fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Dan Green, Rick Todorow, Dave Ogin, Henning, who received the Cargo Trailers certificate and Gross.

Sean Merkel and Green were the heat winners.

The 25-lap NASCAR Sportsman feature also saw a repeat winner as Brett Kressley of Orefield, PA took home the checkered as he got leader Brad Arnold, who led from the initial green, out of the groove in the third turn with five laps to go and went on to win the event in which he also picked up $100 from T.P. Trailers.

Arnold, who had tire issues the past two weeks, wasted no time pulling away fast in the WEEU 830 AM car trailed by Tom Miller, Erik Renninger, Joe Funk and Craig Whitmoyer.

By the Dan’s Deli ½-way Hoagie certificate mark, which Arnold received, he had a commanding lead built up.

The straightaway lead Arnold had was wiped out by the 16th lap caution brought out when John McGovern spun in the fourth turn. When action resumed Arnold continued his pace, but now Craig Whitmoyer and Kressley were second and third putting the pressure on.

Kressley advanced to second on the 18th lap and began to challenge Arnold.

As the pair entered turn three on lap 20 Kressley slid underneath Arnold taking him up towards the marbles and was now the new leader.

Kressley and his Kressley’s Auto & Truck Sales #19 never faltered and were victorious again followed by Arnold, Whitmoyer, Funk, and Brett Gilmore. Sixth through tenth were Miller, Renninger, Kenny Gilmore, who received the Cargo Trailers certificate; Ryan Beltz and Ryan Lilick.

The heats were won by Arnold, Ryan Lilick, and Whitmoyer.

RESULTS

NASCAR 358 Modified Feature Finish (30 Laps): 1. Duane Howard, 2. Jeff Strunk, 3. Ryan Watt, 4. Tim Buckwalter, 5. Mike Gular, 6. Jared Umbenhauer, 7. Frank Cozze, 8. Danny Erb, 9. Meme DeSantis, 10. John Willman, 11. Nate Christman, 12. Glenn Strunk, 13. Doug Manmiller, 14. Craig Von Dohren (provisional), 15. Mike Kellner, 16. Don Norris Jr., 176. Eric Biehn, 18. Kyle Borror, 19. Kyle Weiss, 20. Ray Swinehart, 21. Brian Houseknecht, 22. Bobby Gunther-Walsh, 23. Jamie Speers, 24. Mike Laise, 25. Ron Haring Jr., 26. Kevin Hartnett, 27. Kevin Hirthler, 28. Todd Smith, 29. Ron Seltmann Jr. DNQ: Jarrad Miller.

NASCAR BRC Late Model Feature Finish (25 Laps): 1. Lou Egrie, 2. Sean Merkel, 3. Chuck Schutz, 4. Cory Merkel, 5. Joe Fanelli, 6. Dan Green, 7. Rick Todorow, 8. Dave Ogin, 9. Bill Henning, 10. Steve Gross, 11. John Giesler, 12. Dirk Rimrott, 13. George Irwin, 14. Wayne Pfeil, 15. Buddy Mertz, 16. Lou Egrie Jr. DNS: Kory Fleming.

NASCAR Sportsman Feature Finish (25 Laps): 1. Brett Kressley, 2. Brad Arnold, 3. Craig Whitmoyer, 4. Joe Funk, 5. Brett Gilmore, 6. Tom Miller, 7. Erik Renninger, 8. Mike Lisowski, 9. Kenny Gilmore, 10. Ryan Beltz, 11. Ryan Lilick, 12. Jeff Sechrist, 13. Jim Housworth, 14. Jordan Henn, 15. Dean Bachman, 16. Kyle Lilick, 17. Paul Houseknecht, 18. John McGovern, 19. Mark Kemmerer, 20. Joe Masiado, 21. Pat Conrad, 22. Brian Hirthler, 23. Alyssa Fogel, 24. Mike Koffel. DNS: Dave Dissinger.

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. For information telephone 610.754.7688 or check in at www.grandviewspeedway.com, Twitter@GrandviewSpeedway and www.facebook.com/grandviewspeedway.

UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR MODIFIEDS AS OF APRIL 18, 2015

1. Duane Howard, Oley, PA #66 815**
2. Meme DeSantis, Temple, PA #357 766
3. Craig VonDohren, Oley, PA #1C 749
4. Doug Manmiller, Shoemakersville, PA #00 711
5. Frank Cozze, Wind Gap, PA #357 708
6. Jared Umbenhauer, Richland, PA #5 702
7. Mike Gular, Green Lane, PA #53 698
8. Jeff Strunk, Pottstown, PA #88 678
9. Danny Erb, Boyertown, PA #44 620
10. Ryan Wyatt, Boyertown, PA #14W 614
11. Tim Buckwalter, Royersford, PA #22 573
12. Mike Kellner, Lansdale, PA #A1 562
13. John Willman, Birdsboro, PA #74W 532
14. Nate Christman, Fleetwood, PA #37 494
15. Kyle Weiss, Hamburg, PA #21K 448*
16. Ray Swinehart, Perkiomenville, PA #33 438
17. Don Norris, Douglassville, PA #976 421
18. Jarred Miller, Barto, PA #917 417
19. Glenn Strunk, Bechtelsville, PA #41 387
20. Eric Biehn, Bechtelsville, PA #87 350
21. Kevin Hartnett, Boyertown, PA #81 316
22. Todd Smith, Hatfield, PA #39 304
23. Brian Houseknecht, Bechtelsville, PA #323 302
24. Mike Laise, Pottstown, PA #15 280
25. Kyle Borror, Peach Bottom, PA #B4 249
26. Bobby Gunther Walsh, Allentown, PA #1 230
27. Chris Gambler, Whitehall, PA #77 210
28. Keith Hoffman, Allentown, PA #1H 200

Ron Seltman, Lower Pottsgrove, PA #R19 200

30. Jamie Speers, Douglassville, PA #762 170

UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR LATE MODELS AS OF APRIL 18, 2015

1. Chuck Schutz, Pottstown, PA #1 730*
2. Wayne Pfeil, Mohnton, PA #72 637*
3. Dan Green, Coatesville, PA #46 629
4. Sean Merkel, Gilbertsville, PA #118 619
5. Rick Todorow, Quakertown, PA #93 612

Joe Fanelli, Exton, PA #22 612

7. Dave Ogin, Bechtelsville, PA #31 609
8. Cory Merkel, Gilbertsville, PA #16 564
9. John Giesler, Aston, PA #ZT1 492
10. Kory Fleming, Milford, NJ #704 465
11. Lou Egrie Jr., Willow Grove, PA #4E 455

Steve Gross, Coatesville, PA #62 455

13. Lou Egrie Sr., Willow Grove, PA #X4 408*
14. Buddy Mertz, New Berlinville, PA #00 244
15. Bill Henning, Lansdale, PA #80 187
16. Shawn Horning, Boyertown, PA #8M 170
17. Dirk Rimrott, #92 144
18. Dallas Breidenbach, #2D 133
19. Dean Stoudt, Green Lane, PA #80 126

* denotes feature win (Feature wins listed are only those that are NASCAR point events.)

UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR SPORTSMAN AS OF APRIL 18, 2015

1. Brett Kressley, Orefield, PA #19K 755**
2. Kenny Gilmore, Fleetwood, PA #7 674
3. Craig Whitmoyer, Hamburg, PA #99 645
4. Brett Gilmore, Fleetwood, PA #00 638
5. Jeff Sechrist, Robesonia, PA #29G 572*
6. Jim Housworth, Reigelsville, PA #72 561

Mike Lisowski, Minersville, PA #15 561

8. Jordan Henn, Kutztown, PA #77H 534
9. Joe Funk, Coopersburg, PA #14J 526
10. Tom Miller, Gilbertsville, PA #77 488
11. Ryan Lilick, Collegeville, PA #142 480
12. Erik Renninger, Bridgewater, NJ #51 459
13. Brian Hirthler, Green Lane, PA #4* 434
14. Ryan Beltz, Harleysville, PA #221 335
15. Brad Arnold, Reading, PA #830 280
16. Jason Neidlinger, Schuylkill Haven, PA #88X 245
17. Ken Eckert, Orwigsburg, PA #29 243
18. Paul Houseknecht, East Greenville, PA #25 237
19. Mark Kemmerer, Green Lane, PA #F10 230
20. Kyle Lilick, Collegeville, PA #142 224
21. Paul Effrig, Macungie, PA #882 145
22. Pat Conrad, Kutztown, PA #76 140
23. John McGovern, #327 125
24. Mike Koffel, #8 110
25. Dean Bachman, #65 117

COMING EVENTS:

Sunday, April 19, 1 p.m. Outlaw Enduro Racing and Blast from the Past Vintage racing.

Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m. NASCAR 358 Modifieds, BRC Late Models and Sportsman. Full series of qualifying races leading up to feature races in each division. Adult admission $15, Youngsters 11 and under are admitted free.

Saturday, May 2, 7:30 p.m. (Note change in starting time. This will be the starting time through the season until the Freedom 76) NASCAR 358 Modifieds, BRC Late Models and Sportsman.

Saturday, May 9, 7:30 p.m. Whelen Engineering Night featuring the NASCAR 358 Modifieds, BRC Late Models and Sportsman plus Blast from the past Vintage racing.

Each Saturday night has spectator gates opening at 5 p.m. with a Low Down and Dirty Meet & Greet that allows fans to meet drivers and get up close look at race cars.

Sources: Vicki Gehris, Ernie Saxton/Ernie Saxton Communications PR

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