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BECHTELSVILLE, PA. – Craig Von Dohren of Oley, Pa. was finally able to wrestle the lead away from Mike Lisowski of Minersville, Pa. on lap 17, after a fantastic battle between the two, and race home with his first 30-lap T.P. Trailer NASCAR Modified victory of the season Saturday night at Grandview Speedway.
The victory for Von Dohren in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series program, was the 115th of his career at Grandview. Von Dohren took the lead after a multi-lap battle for the top spot between himself, Lisowski and Strunk that lasted from a lap five restart until he finally took the top spot on lap 17 exiting turn four. He was followed to the finish by Jeff Strunk of Boyertown, Pa., Lisowski, Duane Howard of Oley, Pa. and Doug Manmiller of Shoemakersville, Pa.
In the T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman 25-lap main event, Brian Hirthler of Green Lane, Pa. was able to get by a smoking leader Jesse Landis of Gilbertsville, Pa. with just one lap remaining, to score the win after a wild three car duel in and out of traffic. For Hirthler it was his 13th career win at the speedway and completing the top five was Jimmy Leiby of West Milford, NJ, Landis, Cole Stangle of Neshanic Station, NJ., up from 20th starting spot and Kyle Smith of Fleetwood, Pa.
For both Von Dohren and Hirthler they both were able to pick up the T.P. Trailer and Truck equipment winner’s bonus providing they had the proper decals on their cars.
The 602 Crate Sportsman joined the program for the first time this season and Dylan Hoch of Mertztown, Pa. was able to grab the lead from Michael Storms on a lap three restart and take the victory. Storms finished second followed by Jimmy Leiby, Nate Brinker of Macungie, Pa. and Dylan Swinehart of Fleetwood, Pa.
The T.P. Trailer Modified feature started with Von Dohren on the pole and Lisowski alongside. With the opening green, Lisowski darted into the top stop and set a quick pace. A caution on lap five for a stopped Jordan Henn of Kutztown, Pa. regrouped the field and set up the great battle that was to entertain the fans for the next section of the race.
Following the restart, Lisowski ran first using the outside lane, Von Dohren ran second in the bottom lane, and Strunk was right behind the pair trying to find a lane to get through. The trio ran close enough to throw a blanket over them, entertaining the crowd until lap 17 when Von Dohren was able to grab the lead.
Two laps later Strunk was able to take second and chase Von Dohren for the lead. While the duo battled for the top spot, a great three car battle was on for third between Lisowski, Howard, and Brett Kressley of Orefield, Pa.
The race ran green to the end, with Von Dohren able to keep Strunk at bay through lapped traffic. Von Dohren worked through the lapped cars to perfection in the final laps to score the win, followed by Strunk, Lisowski, Howard and Manmiller who made a late charge to join in the top five battle. The rest of the top ten were Kressley, Tim Buckwalter of Douglassville, Pa., Jared Umbenhauer of Richland, Pa., Kevin Hirthler of Boyertown, Pa., and Brad Brightbill of Sinking Spring, Pa.
Qualifying heats for the 38 car field were won by Von Dohren, Lisowski, Strunk and Buckwalter. Consolations went to Brad Arnold of Bethel, Pa. and Henn.
Jesse Landis took the lead on lap two, in the T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman feature, and looked like he was well on his way to a victory. Surviving several restarts, Landis continued to set the pace while there was great multi-grooved racing going on behind him for positions between Leiby, Hirthler, Graver and a fast running Stangle who quickly advanced from his 20th starting spot after qualifying through a consolation.
With seven laps remaining smoke began to show from the engine of Landis’ car, but he was still able to continue leading, however at a slightly slower pace. The battle between Leiby and Hirthler ended when Hirthler slipped into second on lap 21 and began to reel in Landis’ smoking car all the while in heavy lapped traffic.
With the white flag waving exiting turn four, Hirhler was able to pass Landis, take the lead and survive the heavy traffic the final lap to score the win. Following Hirthler across the line were Leiby, Landis, Stangle and a late closing Kyle Smith. Completing the top ten were Ryan Graver of Lehighton, Pa., Dylan Hoch, Jesse Hirthler of Boyertown, Pa., Chris Esposito of Telford, Pa. and Adrianna Delliponti of Norristown, Pa.
Qualifying heats for the 39 T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman were won by Graver, Colton Perry of Breinigsville, Pa., Landis and Jesse Leiby. Consolations were won by Stangle and Logan Bauman of Boyertown, Pa.
The 25-lap 602 Sportsman feature saw Michael Storms lead the opening circuits while being chased by Hoch. Hoch took advantage of a lap three restart to shoot into the lead he would never give up the remainder of the race.
The top ten positions were contested among several drivers until the closing laps when the race ran without a stoppage. The final order of finish was Hoch, Storms (filling in for brother-in-law Cody Manmiller), Jimmy Leiby, Brinker, Dylan Swinehart, Keith Brightbill of Mooresville, NC, Tyler Peet of Lake Ariel, Pa., Brad Grim of Coplay, Pa., Dakota Kohler of Kutztown, Pa., and Steve Young of Collegeville, Pa.
Qualifying heats for the 30 car field were won by Storms, Graver and Peet, with the consolation going to Logan Bauman.
Next Saturday, April 30 the T.P. Trailer NASCAR Modifieds and T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman will be racing in a two-division show starting at 7:30 pm. Pit gates will open at 4 pm. with grandstand gates opening at 5:30 pm. warm-ups begin at 6:30 pm. Adult grandstand admission is $18, while children under age 12 are admitted free of charge.
T.P. TRAILER NASCAR MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH (30 laps): CRAIG VON DOHREN, Jeff Strunk, Mike Lisowski, Duane Howard, Doug Manmiiller, Brett Kressley, Tim Buckwealter, Jared Umbenhauer, Kevin Hirthler, Brad Brightbill, Cory Merkel, Ray Swinehart, Ryan Beltz, Brad Arnold, Craig Whitmoyer, Nate Brinker, John Willman, Ryan Lilick, Justin Grim, Ron Haring Jr., Dan Waisempacher, Carrol Hine III, Ryan Grim, Dylan Swinehart, Joe Funk, Mike Laise, Jordan Henn, Brad Grim
DID NOT QUALIFY – Kevin Graver Jr., Brett Gilmore, Dave Dissinger, Darrin Schuler, Bobby Gunther-Walsh, Jesse Leiby, Eric Biehn, Steve Swinehart, Mark Kratz, Mike Gular
T.P. TRUCK EQUIPMENT NASCAR SPORTSMAN FEATURE FINISH (25 laps): BRIAN HIRTHLER, Jimmy Leiby, Jesse Landis, Cole Stangle, Kyle Smith, Ryan Graver, Dylan Hoch, Jesse Hirthler, Chris Esposito, Adrianna Delliponti, Logan Bauman, Dakota Kohler, Bryan Rhoads, Mike Schneck, Colton Perry, Kenny Bock, Mike Stofflet, Nathan Mohr, Tyler James, Matt Clay, BJ Joly, John Leiby, Wayne Rotenberger, Decker Swinehart, Parker Guldin, Mike Meyers, Steve Young, DNS: Mark Kemmerer
DID NOT QUALIFY – Joey Vaccaro, Josh Adams, Nathan Horn, Mike Cinelli, Mark Gaugler, Kyle Hartzell, Weston Mensch, Zach Steffy, Hunter Iatalese, Lex Shive, Cody Manmiller
602 CRATE SPORTSMAN FEATURE FINISH (25 laps): DYLAN HOCH, Michael Storms, Jimmy Leiby, Nate Brinker, Dylan Swinehart, Keith Brightbill, Tyler Peet, Brad Grim, Dakota Kohler, Steve Young, Tyler James, Zach Steffy, Michael Burrows, Decker Swinehart, Jon Josko, John Leiby, Nathan Horn, Kenny Bock, Joey Vaccaro, Parker Guldin, Ryan Grim, Logan Bauman, Ryan Graver, Jesse Hirthler
DID NOT QUALIFY – Josh Adams, Shon Elk, Wayne Rotenberger, BJ Joly, Hunter Iatalese, Kevin Hirthler
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, April 30 – T.P. Trailer NASCAR Modifieds, T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman – 7:30 pm.
Saturday, May 7 – T.P. Trailer NASCAR Modifieds, T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman plus Wingless Super Sportsman – 7:30 pm.
Friday, May 13 – Outlaw Racing Series Enduro & Outlaw Racing Series Vintage – 7 pm.
Saturday, May 14 – T.P. Trailer NASCAR Modifieds, T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman plus USAC East Coast Sprints – 7:30 pm.
