Matt Sheppard Wins V.P. Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial, Kevin Hirthler Tops in Sportsman Feature Run in Front of a Large Fan Turnout at Grandview Speedway
BECHTELSVILLE, PA. April 7, 2019 . . . Ma Nature smiled on Saturday night producing a beautiful for the second annual VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker at Grandview Speedway saw a combination of over 80 Modifieds and Sportsman cars fill the pits to participate in front of a large fan turnout. The race, named in honor of the man that built the 1/3-mile clay oval along with his father Forrest, continues under the leadership of the Rogers family.
New York invader Matt “Superman” Sheppard inherited the lead in the 50-lap small block/big block Modified event when Brian Hirthler, doing double duty, came to a halt in turn four for the yellow with 16 laps in the books. Sheppard held off the challenges at various times from Duane Howard, Stewart Friesen, and Jeff Strunk to collect the $7,500 top prize money.
In Sportsman action Kevin Hirthler, also competing in both classes, took the lead away from Craig Whitmoyer on the 13th lap restart and went on to claim the victory in the 25-lap race for the second straight year.
The 50-lap Modified event saw B. Hirthler grab the early lead trailed by Frank Yankowski, rookie and 2018 Sportsman point champ Louden Reimert, Howard and Danny Johnson. It wasn’t long before Sheppard joined the challenging mix.
Howard overtook second on the 13th lap to pressure Hirthler for the top spot with the top five positions completed by Johnson, Sheppard, and Strunk.
Hirthler’s run ended when mechanical issues forced him to stop in turn four and that quick Sheppard took advantage of the situation and went from fourth to first as the yellow unfurled on the 16th lap. On the restart, Sheppard held his own with Howard, Friesen, Strunk and Ray Swinehart in pursuit.
Johnson was eliminated from the hunt when a flat tire sidelined him as the yellow came out on lap 18. It was still Shepard in the lead when action resumed.
Howard and Friesen had a battle of their own brewing for second and that position was swapped on the 27th lap, but five laps later the roles were reversed.
Howard’s victory lane visions were erased when a flat left rear tire brought out the yellow and put him out of contention. When action went green again Sheppard was still in command with second through fifth now comprised of Strunk, Rick Laubach, Jared Umbenhauer, and K. Hirthler.
Sheppard distanced himself from the pack in the later stages and despite having to deal with lapped traffic that didn’t deter him and he went on to park it in the winner’s circle. Following him across the line were Strunk, Laubach, Jared Umbenhauer, and Hirthler. Rounding out the top ten were Friesen, Craig Von Dohren, Reimert, Brett Kressley and Kyle Weiss.
Von Dohren, who started last in 24th spot and after two pit stops under caution still managed to finish seventh and took the $500 Bob Hilbert Hard Charger award.
Through the luck of the draw, Meme DeSantis, Richie Pratt Jr., Ron Myers, and Richie Hitzler each collected $250 from American Racer, the tire supplier, as part of the non-qualifiers portion.
Umbenhauer, R. Swinehart, Strunk and B. Hirthler were the heat winners. Consies were won by Billy Pauch Sr. and Laubach.
After two attempts to get a lap completed in the Sportsman feature Whitmoyer grabbed the early lead and followed by Brad Brightbill, K. Hirthler, Mike Koffel, and Ryan Smith.
K. Hirthler moved into second on the eighth lap to pursue the lead.
Scott Kohler spun on the 13th lap for a yellow and on this restart Hirthler and Reimert swapped paint and K. Hirthler emerged as the new leader.
Hirthler never relinquished the lead and went on to claim the win by a healthy margin over Whitmoyer, Brightbill, B. Hirthler and Mark Kemmerer. Sixth through tenth were Kreis, Brad Grim, Dean Bachman, and Josh Adams.
B. Hirthler, Kemmerer, and Grim won the heats. Adams won the consi.
Racing returns to Grandview Speedway on Saturday, April 13 when the chase for the NASCAR and track titles kicks off for the T.P. Trailers 358 Modifieds and T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman. Racing starts at 7 p.m. Adult admission is $15 while youngsters under 12 are admitted free. Then on Saturday, April 20th the Blast from the Past Vintage racers will make it a tripleheader racing program with no increase in admission prices.
Information on Grandview Speedway can be found at www.grandviewspeedway.com, Facebook or telephone 610.754.7688.
RESULTS
V.P. Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker 50 Modified Feature (50 Laps): 1. Matt Sheppard, 2. Jeff Strunk, 3. Rick Laubach, 4. Jared Umbenhauer, 5. Kevin Hirthler, 6. Stewart Friesen, 7. Craig Von Dohren, 8. Louden Reimert, 9. Brett Kressley, 10. Kyle Weiss, 11. Ryan Watt, 12. Briggs Danner, 13. Clay Butler, 14. Dylan Swinehart, 15. Duane Howard, 16. Ray Swinehart, 17. Doug Manmiller, 18. Colt Harris, 19. Frank Yankowski, 20. Danny Johnson, 21. Dan Waisempacher, 22. Brian Hirthler, 23. Tim Buckwalter, 24. Billy Pauch Sr. DNQ: Tim Hindley, Mike Laise, Mike Maresca, Brett Gilmore, Keith Hoffman, Danny Erb, Mike Lisowski, Frank Cozze, Richie Hiltzler, Ron Myers, Steve Wilson, Justin Grim, Ron Kline, Meme DeSantis, Richie Pratt Jr., Eric Biehn, Mike Mahaney, Mike Gular, Ryan Grim, Alex Yankowski, Steve Swinehart, Ryan Lilick, Korey Fleming, Jordan Henn, John Willman and Bobby Gunther-Walsh.
Sportsman Feature (25 Laps): 1. Kevin Hirthler, 2. Craig Whitmoyer, 3. Brad Brightbill, 4. Brian Hirthler, 5. Mark Kemmerer, 6. Ryan Beltz, 7. Andrew Kreis, 8. Brad Grim, 9. Dean Bachman, 10. Dean Bachman, 11. Scott Kohler, 12. Kenny Bock, 13. Derrick Smith, 14. Andy Clemmer, 15. Parker Guldin, 16. Ryan Higgs, 17. Kyle Lick, 18. Brad Arnold, 19. Jesse Landis, 20. Mike Koffel, 21. Nate Brinker, 22. Mike Mammana, 23. Jack Butler, 24. Joey Vaccaro. DNQ: Nathan Mohr, Ray Cost, Blake Reber, B.J. Joly, Ryan Higgs, Ken Eckert Jr., and Warren Floyd.
Sources: Vicki Gehris/Ernie Saxton Communications