Tyler Courtney Opens Pennsylvania All Star Swing With Thunder Cup Victory at Grandview
BECHTELSVILLE, Pa. (August 26, 2021) – Leading a FloRacing All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 charge that concluded with five full-time Series competitors finishing within the top six spots, “Sunshine” Tyler Courtney accomplished another “first” on Thursday night and earned a first-ever All Star victory in Pennsylvania Posse Country, doing so during Thunder Cup action at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania. The victory, a $6,000 payday, was accomplished from third on the grid, taking control just beyond the midpoint of the 35-lap contest before driving on to score his eighth All Star victory of the 2021 season; the eighth of his career.
Anthony Macri, who started from the pole position by way of dash victory, held on to finish second on Thursday night, followed by Justin Peck, Zeb Wise, and Cory Eliason.
“This NOS Energy Turbo car has been really good this year. I just can’t say enough about my guys,” Tyler Courtney said in Grandview Speedway victory lane. “Everyone at Clauson Marshall Racing…they believe in us to come out here and do this winged thing and it’s paying off. A big thanks to all of the fans here in Central Pennsylvania. We finally got that win out here…we’re going to celebrate this one tonight and hopefully come out and get three more this weekend.”
Angola, Indiana’s Zeb Wise led the first 18 circuits of the Thunder Cup main event and maintained a healthy advantage until slower traffic came into play with just six laps knocked off the counter. Periods of two-wide traffic created a near-impenetrable road block for Wise allowing Anthony Macri and Tyler Courtney to close in on the Sundollar Restoration No. 10. Using the topside of turns one and two, Courtney drove by Macri for second on lap 11, then setting his aim on Wise.
By lap 15, Courtney was all over Wise for the race lead, attempting a slider on lap 18 before driving by the reigning Rayce Rudeen Foundation Race champion the following circuit. Playing to Courtney’s advantage, a slip by Wise and a bobble on the turn four cushion allowed Sunshine to make his winning move.
After a caution on lap 24, it was all but smooth sailing for the Clauson Marshall Racing No. 7BC, that until Macri, who followed Courtney by Wise on lap 24, appeared and began to apply pressure. With momentum shifting to the bottom of the speedway, and slower traffic re-flooding the landscape by lap 33, Macri was forced to conduct a last-ditch effort in the final corner, making slight contact with Courtney’s left rear in hopes of sneaking beneath the current All Star championship leader. Without saying, Courtney perfected his block and prevailed.
“I knew I was probably going to get tight behind a lapped car,” Courtney continued. “If I could just block him a little bit with the lapped car, he wasn’t going to get by me. The lapped car had grip, so I knew I just had to get down as low as I could. I didn’t know who was behind me. Anthony (Macri) is aggressive, but he’s fun to race with.
“Getting by the lapped cars was key tonight. They kept getting faster and faster. I didn’t expect it to clean off like it did there at the end.”
Dubbed the Jack Gunn Memorial, Williams Grove Speedway will welcome the All Star Circuit of Champions on Friday, August 27, and as mentioned, will host a pair of 20-lap contests awarding $4,000 each. The 2020 edition was initially postponed due to weather then contested on September 18, ultimately switched from a twin feature format to a single main event. Three-time All Star champion and Texas native Aaron Reutzel scored the $5,000 share.
For those who can not witness the All Star Circuit of Champions live and in person, FloRacing.com, the official media partner and broadcast provider of the All Stars, has you covered. To access live and on-demand racing action from the All Star Circuit of Champions, visit FloRacing.com and become an annual PRO subscriber. Race fans can see all the USAC and dirt late-model action they want in addition to Eldora Speedway’s slate of races and those of the All Star Circuit of Champions. The subscription unlocks access to premium content across the entire FloSports network. Watch the events across all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.
Weekend Outline:
Date: Friday, August 27
Track: Williams Grove Speedway
Hot laps: 7 p.m.
Date: Saturday, August 28
Track: Lincoln Speedway
Hot laps: 7 p.m.
Date: Sunday, August 29
Track: BAPS Motor Speedway
Hot laps: 6:15 p.m.
Contingency Awards/Results: Grandview Speedway | Thursday, August 26, 2021:
Event: Thunder on the Hill | Thunder Cup
Entries: 26
C&R Racing Hot Laps: Cory Eliason | 11.567
Dixie Vodka Fast Qualifier: Cory Eliason | 11.650
Ford Performance Heat #1 Winner: Zeb Wise
All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads Heat #2 Winner: Anthony Macri
Hunt Brothers Pizza Heat #3 Winner: Kyle Reinhardt
Kear’s Speed Shop Dash presented by Elliott’s Custom Trailers and Carts Winner: Anthony Macri
Classic Ink USA B-Main Winner: Tyler Ross
Rayce Rudeen Foundation First Non-Transfer: Jon Stewart
FloRacing A-Main Winner: Tyler Courtney (8)
Hercules Tires A-Main Hard Charger: Danny Dietrich (+6)
Qualifying
Group (A)
1. 26-Cory Eliason, 11.650; 2. 39-Parker Price Miller, 11.778; 3. 7BC-Tyler Courtney, 11.851; 4. 10-Zeb Wise, 11.870; 5. 55-Hunter Schuerenberg, 11.905; 6. 13-Justin Peck, 11.972; 7. 35-Zach Hampton, 11.984; 8. 10X-Ryan Smith, 11.991; 9. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 12.001; 10. 5-Ian Madsen, 12.003; 11. 39M-Anthony Macri, 12.005; 12. 91-Kyle Reinhardt, 12.016; 13. 5r-Tyler Ross, 12.068; 14. 19-Brent Marks, 12.069; 15. 4-Cap Henry, 12.126; 16. 51-Freddie Rahmer, 12.129; 17. 17B-Bill Balog, 12.134; 18. 99M-Kyle Moody, 12.161; 19. 48-Danny Dietrich, 12.175; 20. 11A-Austin Bishop, 12.224; 21. 27-Devon Borden, 12.237; 22. 11-JJ Grasso, 12.247; 23. 70-Sam Schlosberg, 12.309; 24. 49H-Bradley Howard, 12.342; 25. O7-Skylar Gee, 12.397; 26. 13S-Jon Stewart, 12.696
Heat #1 – Group (A) (8 Laps) – Top 6 Transfer
1. 10-Zeb Wise [3]; 2. 5-Ian Madsen [1]; 3. 35-Zach Hampton [2]; 4. 26-Cory Eliason [4]; 5. 48-Danny Dietrich [7]; 6. 11-JJ Grasso [8]; 7. 5R-Tyler Ross [5]; 8. O7-Skylar Gee [9]; 9. 51-Freddie Rahmer [6]
Heat #2 – Group (A) (8 Laps) – Top 6 Transfer
1. 39M-Anthony Macri [1]; 2. 55-Hunter Schuerenberg [3]; 3. 10X-Ryan Smith [2]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [5]; 5. 17B-Bill Balog [6]; 6. 39-Parker Price Miller [4]; 7. 11A-Austin Bishop [7]; 8. 70-Sam Schlosberg [8]; 9. 13S-Jon Stewart [9]
Heat #3 – Group (A) (8 Laps) – Top 6 Transfer
1. 91-Kyle Reinhardt [1]; 2. 13-Justin Peck [3]; 3. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [2]; 4. 7BC-Tyler Courtney [4]; 5. 4-Cap Henry [5]; 6. 99M-Kyle Moody [6]; 7. 27-Devon Borden [7]; 8. 49H-Bradley Howard [8]
Dash #1 (6 Laps)
1. 39M-Anthony Macri [2]; 2. 10-Zeb Wise [1]; 3. 7BC-Tyler Courtney [3]; 4. 13-Justin Peck [4]; 5. 91-Kyle Reinhardt [6]; 6. 26-Cory Eliason [5]; 7. 55-Hunter Schuerenberg [8]; 8. 39-Parker Price Miller [7]
B-Main (8 Laps) – Top 6 Transfer
1. 5R-Tyler Ross [1]; 2. 11A-Austin Bishop [3]; 3. 27-Devon Borden [4]; 4. 49H-Bradley Howard [6]; 5. O7-Skylar Gee [7]; 6. 70-Sam Schlosberg [5]; 7. 13S-Jon Stewart [8]
A-Main (35 Laps)
1. 7BC-Tyler Courtney [3]; 2. 39M-Anthony Macri [1]; 3. 13-Justin Peck [4]; 4. 10-Zeb Wise [2]; 5. 26-Cory Eliason [5]; 6. 55-Hunter Schuerenberg [6]; 7. 39-Parker Price Miller [7]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [12]; 9. 48-Danny Dietrich [15]; 10. 10X-Ryan Smith [10]; 11. 17B-Bill Balog [14]; 12. 5-Ian Madsen [8]; 13. 35-Zach Hampton [9]; 14. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [11]; 15. 4-Cap Henry [13]; 16. 11-JJ Grasso [17]; 17. 11A-Austin Bishop [19]; 18. 99M-Kyle Moody [16]; 19. O7-Skylar Gee [22]; 20. 70-Sam Schlosberg [23]; 21. 27-Devon Borden [20]; 22. 5R-Tyler Ross [18]; 23. 49H-Bradley Howard [21]; 24. 91-Kyle Reinhardt [24] Lap Leaders: Zeb Wise (1-18), Tyler Courtney (19-35)
2021 All Star Circuit of Champions Winners:
1. Screven Motor Speedway, Georgia (January 29, 2021): Donny Schatz
2. Screven Motor Speedway, Georgia (January 30, 2021): Aaron Reutzel
3. East Bay Raceway Park, Florida (February 2, 2021): Donny Schatz (2)
4. Volusia Speedway Park, Florida (February 3, 2021): Logan Schuchart
5. Volusia Speedway Park, Florida (February 4, 2021): Carson Macedo
6. Attica Raceway Park, Ohio (April 3, 2021): Justin Peck
7. Virginia Motor Speedway, Virginia (April 15, 2021): Tony Stewart
8. Williams Grove Speedway, Pennsylvania (April 16, 2021): Kyle Larson
9. Port Royal Speedway, Pennsylvania (April 17, 2021): Logan Wagner
10. Bedford Speedway, Pennsylvania (April 18, 2021): Anthony Macri
11. Sharon Speedway, Ohio (May 1, 2021): Justin Peck (2)
12. Tri-City Raceway Park, Pennsylvania (May 2, 2021): Sam Hafertepe Jr.
13. I-96 Speedway, Michigan (May 14, 2021): Tyler Courtney
14. Dirt Oval at Route 66, Illinois (May 15, 2021): Kyle Reinhardt
15. Circle City Raceway, Indiana (May 20, 2021): Tyler Courtney (2)
16. Circle City Raceway, Indiana (May 21, 2021): Tyler Courtney (3)
17. Gas City I-69 Speedway, Indiana (May 22, 2021): Cap Henry
18. Kokomo Speedway, Indiana (May 23, 2021): Zeb Wise
19. Port Royal Speedway, Pennsylvania (May 31, 2021): Lance Dewease
20. Fairbury Speedway, Illinois (June 3, 2021): Tyler Courtney (4)
21. Wilmot Raceway, Wisconsin (June 4, 2021): Tyler Courtney (5)
22. Plymouth Dirt Track, Wisconsin (June 5, 2021): Bill Balog
23. Angell Park Speedway, Wisconsin (June 6, 2021): Bill Balog (2)
24. SW Attica Raceway Park, Ohio (June 11, 2021): Ian Madsen
25. SW Fremont Speedway, Ohio (June 12, 2021): Cole Duncan
26. SW Wayne County Speedway, Ohio (June 14, 2021): Kyle Larson (2)
27. SW Sharon Speedway, Ohio (June 15, 2021): Danny Dietrich
28. SW Waynesfield Raceway Park, Ohio (June 16, 2021): Kyle Larson (3)
29. SW Muskingum County Speedway, Ohio (June 17, 2021): Justin Peck (3)
30. SW Portsmouth Raceway Park, Ohio (June 19, 2021): Paul McMahan
31. Stateline Speedway, New York (July 9, 2021): Hunter Schuerenberg
32. Sharon Speedway, Ohio (July 10, 2021): Spencer Bayston
33. Lake Ozark Speedway, Missouri (July 23, 2021): Cap Henry (2)
34. Lake Ozark Speedway, Missouri (July 24, 2021): Christopher Bell
35. Humboldt Speedway, Kansas (July 25, 2021): Tyler Courtney (6)
36. I-70 Motorsports Park, Missouri (July 27, 2021): Brian Brown
37. Mo. State Fair Speedway, Missouri (July 29, 2021): Tyler Courtney (7)
38. 34 Raceway, Iowa (July 30, 2021): Kerry Madsen
39. Knoxville Raceway, Iowa (July 31, 2021): Kerry Madsen (2)
40. I-96 Speedway, Michigan (August 20, 2021): Cory Eliason
41. Waynesfield Raceway Park, Ohio (August 21, 2021): Cole Duncan (2)
42. Grandview Speedway, Pennsylvania (August 26, 2021): Tyler Courtney (8)
2021 All Star Circuit of Champions Driver Standings (as of 8/26/21):
1. Tyler Courtney – 5206
2. Cory Eliason – 4900
3. Hunter Schuerenberg – 4822
4. Cap Henry – 4742
5. Zeb Wise – 4696
6. Bill Balog – 4672
7. Justin Peck – 4404
8. Paul McMahan – 4308
9. Kyle Reinhardt – 4234
10. Ian Madsen – 3306
About the All Star Circuit of Champions:
All Star Enterprises, LLC, wholly owned by Tony Stewart, d/b/a the All Star Circuit of Champions, is a winged sprint car series. The All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series is one of the oldest traveling 410 sprint car organizations and is a staple of grassroots, open-wheel racing. Formed in 1970 by Bud Miller, the series has largely been considered the first ‘outlaw’ Sprint Car organization of the modern era. Motorsports entrepreneur Tony Stewart agreed to terms with Guy Webb to become the sole owner of the original winged sprint car tour in January of 2015.
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Sources: Tyler Altmeyer/FloRacing All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 PR
Photo: Michael Fry