Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Monday, September 28, 2020
NEW DATE ADDED TO THE OUTLAW ENDURO SERIES SCHEDULE
OUTLAW ENDURO SERIES PRESS RELEASE
PLEASE RELEASE WITH OUR THANKS
MEDIA CONTACT – Gary Lileck @ garylileck@comcast.net
UPCOMING OUTLAW ENDURO SERIES EVENTS AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY:
FRIDAY Oct 9 @ Grandview Speedway – 7:00PM - Big Car Enduro, Small Car Enduro, JunkYard Car Enduro, Mechanics Race, plus Outlaw Vintage Series and Blast From the Past Vintage Stock Cars. Reading Fairgrounds Historical Societ Display.
SUNDAY Oct 18 @ Grandview Speedway – 1:00PM – Big Car Enduro, Small Car Enduro, Junkyard Car Enduro, Mechanics Race, Xcel 600 Modifieds, Outlaw Vintage Series, Blast From the Past Vintage Stock Cars.
NEW DATE ADDED TO THE OUTLAW ENDURO SERIES SCHEDULE…By Gary Lileck
Bechtelsville PA – Although Mother Nature emerged victorious in this past Saturday evening’s scheduled festivities, both the Outlaw Enduro Series and Grandview Speedway worked together on proposing a new race date. The next event for the Outlaw Racing Series will now take place on Friday night Oct 9th at the Grandview Speedway with a 7:00PM starting time.
The Enduro races will consist of: Big Cars (75-laps), Small Cars (75-laps), and JunkYard Cars (50-laps) along with the always entertaining Mechanics Race for the Enduro cars. The Vintage Cars will share headlines on Oct 9th as both clubs will be present. The Outlaw Vintage Cars will have heats and a 25-lap feature. Meanwhile Blast From the Past Vintage Stock Car Club has a pair of 15-lap main events on the card.
As an added attraction, the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society will have a display set up on the main grandstand side of the speedway. The Reading Fairgrounds held events from 1924-1979 during the course of its celebrated history. The display will feature a collaboration of racing’s past from the famed ½ mile dirt oval that was located in Muhlenburg Township.
Two Razor Scooters will be given to a pair of lucky youngsters. To be eligible the kids will turn their ticket over to the Historical Museum Truck and two lucky winners will be drawn.
Always a family affordable event, general admission to the stands is just $10. Kids 12 and under are free. Pit gates open at 4:00PM with grandstands swinging open at 6:00PM. Racing starts at 7:00PM.
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Saturday, September 26, 2020
ALAN BARKER WINS AT BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY
Insinger Performance Modifieds - The feature was won by ALAN BARKER and followed by Mike Gular, Louden Reimert, Duane Howard, Craig Von Dohren, Alex Yankowski, Kris Graver, Jeff Strunk, Rick Laubach, Dan Hineline, Matt Stangle, Nick Rochinski, Doug Hendricks, Dillon Steuer, Mike Lisowski, Scott Albert, Brett Gilmore, Frank Yankowski and Shawn Light.
Did Not Start - Craig Whitmoyer
Friday, September 25, 2020
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Monday, September 21, 2020
Sunday, September 20, 2020
JEFF STRUNK EARNS POT OF GOLD WITH 8TH FREEDOM 76 VICTORY IN THE 50TH ANNUAL EVENT (SDS Photo)
BECHTELSVILLE, PA September 20, 2020 . . . It seems as if Jeff Strunk rises to the top in big money paying events. Saturday night in the 50th Annual Freedom 76, a 76-lap Modified race started by the late promoter Bruce Rogers in 1971, the 10 time T.P.Trailers NASCAR track Modified point champion held true to form performing in front of a huge crowd. A fierce battle with guaranteed starter Brett Kressley, winner of the Forrest Rogers Memorial, started on the 37th lap after Strunk reeled him in and it wasn’t until the 64th lap that Strunk actually succeeded in becoming the fourth different leader.
Positions were constantly changing until the wave of the checkered when Strunk prevailed as the winner for the eighth time earning a $35,550 payday. He also garnered extra lap money in addition to a Bob Hilbert jacket. Chasing him across the line were N.Y. invader Matt Sheppard and defending race winner and former point champion Mike Gular.
Polesitter Briggs Danner set the pace for one lap before Bobby Varin overtook him.
Within a few laps Varin opened daylight over his fellow competitors. The battle for second brewed between Danner, Brandon Grosso and Sheppard while Lauden Reimert, Richie Hitzler, 2020 Modified point champion Craig Von Dohren and Cory Merkel diced for the remaining positions.
Merkel’s night ended when he hit the third turn wall for the first caution on the 13th lap. Varin maintained the lead on the restart with Grosso now second.
Strunk advanced to the runner-up spot on the 18th lap restart needed when Mike Maresca spun in the first turn allowing him challenge Varin.
Von Dohren’s night was over early when he jumped the cushion in turn three and hit the wall finally coming to a stop in the second turn for the 22nd lap caution. Varin was still the leader when action resumed, but it was Kressley in pursuit of the leader.
Kressley passed Varin on the 26th lap and second through fifth was now comprised of Varin, Strunk, Sheppard and Gular.
It wasn’t until the 31st lap that Strunk motored into second again and set his sights on Kressley, who was on the move from 20th.
The yellow was flying again for Ryan Lilick on the 38th lap when he stopped along the backstretch. At this time a fuel stop was called for the four cars of Danner, Justin Grim, Keith Hoffman and Dave Dissinger that were running alcohol and could not last the distance. The majority of competitors had switched to gas. On the restart Strunk took the lead, but it was short-lived since Kressley was back on top the following lap around the 1/3-mile oval.
Kressley ran the outside lane while Strunk stuck to the low groove as the battle progressed with each driver determined to be first.
It wasn’t until the 64th lap that Strunk, who started 12th, put the Glenn Hyneman-owned Bicknell chassis No. 126 in the number one position.
Sheppard and Gular passed Kressley for second and third respectively with five laps to go when Kressley fell to fourth.
Strunk continued his pace to chalk up his second win of the season at Grandview with the last one coming August 15, 2020. Second through fifth were Sheppard, Gular, Kressley and Varin. Rounding out the top ten were Duane Howard, who had to get into the race through the Schaeffer Racing Minuteman 20; Ryan Godown, Stewart Friesen coming from last in the 32-car grid following a quick pit stop prior to the start; Reimert and Frank Cozze.
Andy Bachetti, Merkel, Godown, Frank Yankowski, Anthony Perrego and Lilick won the six 12-lap heats for the close to 70 cars that attempted to qualify. Ray Swinehart and Billy Pauch Jr. won the consies to enter the Minuteman 20.
The non-stop Minuteman 20, the last chance to get into the Freedom that qualified five cars was won by Maresca followed by Howard, Max McLaughlin, Keith Hoffman and Ryan Krachun.
The $1,000 to win Kirsten Snyder Web Design and Photography 10-lap Cash Dash went to Godown.
Howard was the recipient of the $500 Hard Charger award from Bobby Gunther and sponsors. Howard went from 29th to sixth for 23 positions.
Next event coming up, now that the very successful Freedom 76 weekend is complete, is the Mods at the Mad House on Saturday, October 17th. Included will be three 20-lap features for Small Block/Big Block Modified racers each paying $2000 to win. A driver winning all three earns a Pioneer Pole Building Triple Sweep Bonus of $2500. And if someone falls short of the three wins and claims two wins there is a PPB Double Sweep Bonus of $500. And for the Sportsman racers there is $1,300 to win their feature. Details can be found at www.grandviewspeedway.com.
RACE RESULTS
50TH ANNUAL FREEDOM 76 (76-Laps): 1. Jeff Strunk, 2. Matt Sheppard, 3. Mike Gular, 4. Brett Kressley, 5. Bobby Varin, 6. Duane Howard, 7. Ryan Godown, 8. Stewart Freisen, 9. Louden Reimert, 10. Frank Cozze, 11. Kevin Hirthler, 12. Jared Umbenhauer, 13. Briggs Danner, 14. Mike Maresca, 15. Andy Bachetti, 16. Danny Bouc, 17. Dylan Swinehart, 18. Ryan Lilick, 19. Justin Grim, 20. John Willman, 21. Dave Dissinger, 22. Max McLaughlin, 23. Frank Yankowski, 24. Brandon Grosso, 25. Keith Hoffman, 26. Richie Hitzler, 27. Mark Kratz, 28. Craig Von Dohren, 29. Ryan Krachun, 30. Andy Perrego, 31. Doug Manmiller, 32. Cory Merkel. DNQ: Neil Williams, Cory Cormier, Bryan Kuhl, Ryan Beltz, Darrin Schuler, Brett Gilmore, Scott Frack, Joe Funk III, Craig Whitmoyer, Kyle Weiss, Ryan Grim, Steve Young, Kevin Hartnett, Alex Yankowski, Brian Hirthler, Ron Haring Jr., Bobby Trapper Jr., Ron Kline, Eric Kormann, Nate Brinker, Colt Harris, Bobby Gunther Walsh, Dom Buffalino, , Mike Mahaney, Danny Creeden, Billy Decker, Tyler Dippel, Rick Laubach, Kenny Gilmore, Dillon Steuer, Ray Swinehart, Billy Pauch Jr., Mike Lisowski, Brad Brightbill, Matt Stangle and Jordan Henn.
Schaeffer Motorsports Minuteman 20: 1. Mike Maresca, 2. Duane Howard, 3. Max McLaughlin, 4. Keith Hoffman, 5. Ryan Krachun.
Cash Dash (10 Laps): 1. Ryan Godown, 2. Craig Von Dohren, 3. Brett Kressley, 4. Cory Merkel, 5. Mike Gular, 6. Andy Bachetti, 7. Ryan Lilick, 8. Brett Kressley, 9. Frank Yankowski.
MEDIA NOTE: On behalf of all of us involved with the 50th running of the Freedom 76 and other events presented throughout the challenging season at Grandview please accept out thanks for the support. Much appreciated------ Ernie Saxton
Saturday, September 19, 2020
KEVIN HIRTHLER CLAIMS FREEDOM 38 SPORTSMAN VICTORY FRIDAY NIGHT AT GRANDVIEW (SDS Photo's)
BECHTELSVILLE, PA September 19, 2020 . . . On a cool and breezy evening the action on the track was hot-and-heavy, Friday night at Grandview Speedway, with the seventh annual Freedom 38’er featuring Sportsman racers on the menu. A total of 55 cars in action made up the largest field ever assembled for the event, paying a healthy $3,550 to the winner of the 38-lap event on the high-banked third-mile clay covered lightning-fast oval in Bechtelsville, PA.
Following a luck-of-the-draw line-up for the 27 car starting field, second-place starter Steve Davis, of Jackson, N.J., aboard the Howie Finch owned Ice Less backed No. 4 mount, took the lead with the initial green waving with pole starter Joe Toth and third-place starter 28-year-old Brett Kressley, of Orefield, PA, in tow for the first four circuits before a caution appeared for Brad Arnold slowing with a flat tire.
The new green showed Toth moving out in front on the restart, followed by Kressley and Davis for lap 5, with Davis knifing his way back out in front for lap 6, with Kressley and Toth battling for the runner-up spot. On lap 7, Kressley powered his way out in front steering the Keith Hoffman owned No. 6 Over entry, as Toth and Davis trailed. By lap 9, Mike Gular, of Sassamansville, PA, who started from fourth-place, advanced into the runner-up role, with Toth and Davis following.
A caution on lap 11 for Ryan Beltz slowing to a stop in turn 2 forced the field to regroup, once again.
Kressley remained the race leader for lap 12, with a quick caution for Lex Shive spinning in turn 4 again bunching up the competition.
With racing back underway, it was Kressley again in command, followed by Davis and Kevin Hirthler, who started the event from eighteenth-place, looking strong as he quickly cut his way through the field, now running in third aboard his self-owned Pioneer Pole Building backed Bicknell chassied Crate powered No. 117 ride. Hirthler and Davis battled side-by-side for a couple of tours, with Davis fighting off every challenge.
At the halfway point, it was Kressley, Davis, Hirthler, Gular and fifth-place starter 17-year-old Kyle Smith, of Kutztown, PA, making up the top five.
Hirthler ducked underneath Davis exiting turn 2 on lap 25 to steal second-place, as the leaders now got into the slower lapped traffic, making things interesting.
“You could move anywhere you wanted to. The top, bottom or middle tonight,” revealed Hirthler. “The track was great and I used the top side in the beginning and, later, the bottom to cut through the traffic. My car felt great all night and we rolled the dice before the feature trying to decide if we’d run the hard tire or try the softer tire. I knew the car would get beat up pretty good coming through traffic from the back and I guess we made the right choice?”
Hirthler challenged Kressley racing through heavy lapped traffic for laps 27, 28 and 29 and on lap 30 they crossed the stripe running wheel-to-wheel. On lap 31 racing through turns 1 and 2, Hirthler made a nice move getting underneath Kressley and became the new race leader down the back chute. A yellow on lap 32 for Cole Stangle slowing with a broken left rear suspension bunched up the field for one final time.
“It certainly was a hard fought battle there with Brett. A great job tonight turned in by him. He was really fast,” Hirthler said.
The new green showed Hirthler taking the lead over Kressley, Davis and Gular for lap 33, with Gular slipping by Davis for third on lap 35.
“We had a great starting spot and I was just out there riding around, honestly, when out of nowhere along came Kevin with his Crate engine and he just smoked us all,” commented Kressley. “I was out there searching around and not paying attention to the lap counter as I should’ve been. We’re all good though. It was a good night.”
Hirthler went unchallenged for the final circuits to easily put a W in the win column. Kressley, Gular, Davis and Smith rounded out the top five at the checkered.
“Those guys that started up front were just out there riding around so we took a gamble on what tire to run,” noted the 40-year-old race winner from Boyertown, PA. “I am truly honored to be the first to win this race twice. It means a lot to me.”
Hirthler, who previously won the event back in 2018, became the first driver to repeat as a race winner in the event.
The triumph by Hirthler was his first in a Sportsman car since April 6, 2019 and the win pushed his career win total up to four. Being the first Crate powered car to cross the line, Hirthler was awarded an additional $100 bonus, bringing his total for the win up to $3,650 for his efforts.
“We put a brand-new Crate motor in the car for tonight right out of the box from Chevrolet,” offered Hirthler. “We just picked it up earlier this week off the shelf and put it in the car this week.”
The fifth-place finisher Kyle Smith was awarded an additional $100 as well for being the first weekly Sportsman racer to cross the line.
The 10-lap heat race winners were Brandon Edgar, Cole Stangle, Ryan Beltz, Tom Miller, Brett Kressley and Brett Gilmore. The 10-lap consolation race winners were Lex Shive, Kevin Hirthler and Ryan Higgs.
A total of 53 358 Modified cars took part in practice sessions throughout the evening, preparing for the 50th annual Freedom 76 event scheduled for the following night. Again, it produced the largest field of cars for practice since the “Night before the Freedom 76” events began back in 2014.
Next event coming up, after the Freedom 76 weekend is complete, is the Mods at the Mad House on Saturday, October 17th. Included will be three 20-lap features for Small Block/Big Block Modified racers each paying $2000 to win. A driver winning all three earns a Pioneer Pole Building Triple Sweep Bonus of $2500. And if someone falls short of the three wins and claims two wins there is a PPB Double Sweep Bonus of $500. And for the Sportsman racers there is $1,300 to win their feature.
Freedom 38 Feature Finish, 38 laps
1)Kevin Hirthler, 2) Brett Kressley, 3) Mike Gular, 4) Steve Davis, 5) Kyle Smith, 6) Jack Butler, 7) Brad Brightbill, 8) Ryan Lilick, 9) Dakota Kohler, 10) Jimmy Leiby, 11) Brandon Edgar, 12) Joe Toth, 13) Nate Brinker, 14) Nathan Mohr, 15) Ryan Higgs, 16) Jesse Leiby, 17) Ken Eckert Jr., 18) Tyler Peet, 19) Tom Miller, 20) Chris Esposito, 21) John McGovern, 22) Matt Peck, 23) Lex Shive, 24) Cole Stangle, 25) Jordan Henn, 26) Ryan Beltz, 27) Brad Arnold
DNS-Brett Gilmore (scratched due to engine issues). Matt Peck (first alternate) started the race as a result.
DNQ-Derrick Smith, Brian Hirthler, Mike Laise, Matt Brooke, Doug Snyder, Joey Vaccaro, Mike Schneck, Jim Housworth, Joe Brown, Bob Lineman Jr., Kenny Bock, Brianna James, Kyle Lilick, BJ Joly, Jesse Landis, Decker Swinehart, Tyler James, Cody Manmiller, Parker Guldin, Ray Woodall Jr., Bryan Rhoads, Skyler Sheriff, Steve Young, Mark Kemmerer, Chuck Eckert, Mark Gaugler, Scott Kohler.
Friday, September 18, 2020
Thursday, September 17, 2020
FRIESEN & SHEPPARD HEAD TO GRANDVIEW
IT IS ANYONE’S GUESS AS TO WHO WINS THE 50TH ANNUAL FREEDOM 76 MODIFIED CLASSIC BUT WITH $35,550 WAITING FOR THE WINNER THE COMPETITION WILL BE HUGE!!!
BECHTELSVILLE, PA September 16, 2020 . . . Eddie Mumford won the first Freedom 76 Modified Classic back in 1971 and Mike Gular won the last one in 2019. It is anyone’s guess as to who will walk off with the trophy and the $35,550 pot of gold as winner of the 50th Annual Freedom 76 taking place at Grandview Speedway on Saturday, September 19th.
Quite an impressive list of racing talents are expected including two of the winningest Modified talents in the sport, Stewart Friesen and Matt Sheppard. Friesen, a Freedom 76 winner in 2014, also spends his time racing on the NASCAR Truck Series circuit and will be coming from the Thursday night race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Rising star Billy Pauch, Jr. (his father a six time winner) is entered as is Bobby Varin, Mike Maresca, Ryan Godown and a host of other visitors.
Track champion Craig Von Dohren will be seeking his sixth win, his first one coming in 1985. Jeff Strunk is a seven time winner while Duane Howard has five wins. Ray Swinehart, another past winner, will be looking for another victory as will Meme DeSantis, a three time winner.
A long list of Grandview regulars and visitors will be filling the pits as they try for a qualifying spot in the Classic, 76 laps around the one-third-mile, banked clay track.
The weekend kicks off with the action packed Freedom 38 for Sportsman stock cars paying the winner of the 38-lapper $3,550. This race is also expected to attract many visitors to test their skills.
Also on Friday night, action starting at 7:30 p.m., the Modified racers planning to participate in the Freedom 76 will be given practice time during the evening’s events.
Pits open at 3 p.m. and main grandstand gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Adult admission is $15 with youngsters 6 through 11 paying $5 and kids under 6 admitted free. Pit admission for Friday is $35 and there is no license required.
Tickets for the Freedom 76 will sell for $40. Youngsters, 6 through 11, on Saturday will pay $10 while kids under 6 are admitted free. Pit admission will be $45 with no license required. There are no advance tickets being offered.
Saturday will see pit gates open at 9 a.m. Ticket windows open at 3:00 p.m. Fans will be able to enter the speedway at the first turn and fourth turn spectator gates to reserve seats with blankets between 9am and 12noon.
On track action will get started at 7 p.m. as top Modified racing talents participate in qualifying events, the $1,000 to win Kirsten Snyder Web Design & Photography Cash Dash, the Schaffer Racing Minuteman 20 and top it all off with the 50th edition of the Freedom 76, “The Granddaddy of Modified Stock Car Classics”.
A large amount of lap money will be divided amongst lap leaders during the big race and the racer gaining the most positions during the 76 laps will receive $500 from Bobby Gunther Walsh and his sponsors as the Hard Charger.
Competition Carburetion Fast Lap of $50 will be awarded Friday, Sept. 18 for the Freedom 38 and for the Saturday September 19th Freedom 76.
All winners are entered into a random drawing at the end of the season for a Grand Prize of $500.00
Freedom Fest will take place from 10 AM to 12 NOON on Saturday in the first turn pavilion area and will feature music by Maddie Pearl. Race cars driven by Ryan Grim, Colt Harris and Dylan Swinehart will be on display.
Bob Hilbert Sportswear will present a jacket to the winner of the Freedom 76.
Check the website for information on camping regulations.
Information can be had at www.grandviewspeedway.com or telephone 610.754.7688.
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Monday, September 14, 2020
Sunday, September 13, 2020
GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY RESULTS (SDS Photo's)
Hope Mortgage Team Night T. P. Trailers Modified Feature (30-laps): 1. Ray Swinehart, 2. Rick Laubach, 3. Brett Kressley, 4. Mike Gular, 5. Craig Von Dohren, 6. Justin Grim, 7. Kevin Hirthler, 8. Craig Whitmoyer, 9. Dillon Steuer, 10. Jeff Strunk, 11. Ryan Grim, 12. Duane Howard, 13. John Willman, 14. Ron Kline, 15. Brad Brightbill, 16. Jared Umbenhauer, 17. Louden Reimert (provisional), 18. Doug Manmiller, 19. Bobby Trapper Jr., 20. Brad Grim, 21. Richie Hitzler, 22. Carroll Hine III, 23. Joe Funk III, 24. Mike Lisowski, 25. Kenny Gilmore, 26. Meme DeSantis, 27. Mark Kratz, 28. Dylan Swinehart, 29. Ryan Lilick. DNQ: Mark Levy, Mark Kratz, Eric Biehn, Ron Haring Jr., Bobby Gunther Walsh, Dan Waisempacher, Colt Harris and Darrin Schuler.
Hope Mortgage Team Night T.P. Trailers Truck Equipment Sportsman Feature (25-laps): 1. Kyle Lilick, 2. Jesse Landis, 3. Ryan Beltz, 4. Cole Stangle, 5. Jack Butler, 6 Kyle Smith, 7. Lex Shive, 8. John McGovern, 9. Mark Kemmerer, 10. Brad Arnold, 11. Nathan Mohr, 12. Brett Gilmore, 13. Brandon Edgar, 14. Dylan Hoch, 15. Dakota Kohler, 16. Scott Kohler, 17. Ryan Rhoads, 18. Brian Hirthler, 19. Steve Young, 20. Jesse Leiby, 21. Nate Brinker, 22. Tommy Scheetz Sr., 23. Chris Esposito, 24. Kenny Bock. DNQ: Parker Guldin, Derrick Smith, Mike Schneck, Tom Miller, Tyler James, Troy Conrad and Cody Manmiller.
Saturday, September 12, 2020
Friday, September 11, 2020
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