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WILL IT BE A REGULAR OR AN INVADER SCORING THE PRESTIGIOUS VICTORY ON APRIL 6
BECHTELSVILLE, PA. – After a spectacular turnout of race teams overflowed the pit area this past Saturday with 106 race cars taking part in the traditional free-to-the-public open practice session, Grandview Speedway is set to officially open the 2024 racing season this Saturday night.
This Saturday, April 6 will see the track gates swing open for Big/Small Block Modified competitors to compete for top honors in the season opening VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker, the seventh consecutive year the event is run in honor of long-time track owner and promoter Bruce Rogers.
The feature race will be 50-laps, paying a cool $7500 to win as well as a remarkable $1000 to qualify and take the green flag in the main event. An added bonus to the winner will be a guaranteed starting spot in the September 21 Freedom 76!
The VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker is run annually to honor the late track owner and promoter who helped his father build the track, then along with his family run it for over 50 years, taking it to national prominence before his death in 2017.
VP Racing Fuels is the sponsor of the Season Opener and is advising all race teams that for this program they can do pre-orders with distributor Road Runner Fuels by contacting them at 717.587.1693.
VP Racing Fuels has all your best performance products in one place. VP Racing is now recognized by many as the world leader in race fuel technology, with a catalog of more than 80 fuel blends and a growing roster of VP-fueled champions across the entire spectrum of motorsports.
In addition to offering a wide line of race-proven fuels, VP Fuels also has lubricants & engine oils, gear oils, coolants, additives, diesel care, small engine fuels and cleaners for your racecar, bike, or truck! VP Racing is involved in all types of motorsports all over the world.
To find an authorized dealer or distribution center in your area, further information is available by calling 210-635-7744 or on their website at http://VPRacingFuels.com/ or tech@vpracingfuels.com.
Scoring a win on Opening Day has always been considered a special event, as first of all it is a traditional race being one that is always remembered, and in recent years, the driver who wins has the honor of winning the race run in remembrance of Bruce Rogers, the man who made it happen at Grandview Speedway for over five decades.
Taking a look at the history of Opening Day at Grandview, there have been 38 different drivers that have reached victory lane in the previous 61 season opening events, including adding a new name to the list last season when Mike Gular scored the victory.
Leading the list with the most Opening Night wins is Duane Howard, who has recorded eight first night victories. Howard won an incredible four in a row (2006-2009) and six out of seven openers between 2006 and 2012.
Craig Von Dohren has seven victories in the season opener and his wins have been spread out over a period of time. Von Dohren’s first win in the opener was in 1982 with the most recent in 2022.
Jeff Strunk has six opener wins, the first coming in 1996. He also dominated at the beginning of the new century when he won five out of six season openers between 2000 and 2006.
Other drivers with multiple wins in the opener include Fred Rahmer, Tom Mayberry, Davey Wenger, Meme DeSantis and Stewart Friesen.
Drivers who took single wins include Lauden Potts, Dick Grimley, Red Coffin, Chris Skias, Bucky Williams, Charley Gilmore, Warren Mutter, Paul Fitzcharles, Ed Mumford, Dave Kelly, Mike Erb, Ronnie Peck, Mike Geiser, Francis Hardner, Pete Damiani, Russ Smith, Larry Solomon, Doug Hoffman, Dennis Thomas, Charlie Eckert, Rick Schaffer, Billy Schinkel, Kenny Brightbill, Paul Koch, Randy Bailey, John Willman, Kevin Hirthler, Matt Sheppard, Tim Buckwalter, and Mike Gular.
The last six seasons, the opener has been expanded to include Big Block Modifieds in addition to the track’s regular Small Block Modifieds running in a combination event. Winning the first six VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorials were Stewart Friesen, Matt Sheppard, Timmy Buckwalter, Duane Howard, Craig Von Dohren and last year Mike Gular. All the other openers were for the 358 modifieds except the very first race in 1963 which was a Big Block event.
In addition to the Modifieds, the Sportsman will also be a part of the Opening Night activities running a full program with qualifying and feature action.
Jared Umbenhauer won the first two for the class (2012, 2013), followed by Brett Kressley winning the next two in (2014, 2015). Craig Whitmoyer was a winner in 2016 before the Hirthler brothers took over the next four seasons, with Brian winning (2017, 2020) and Kevin (2018, 2019). For the 2021 season it was Kyle Lilick grabbing the opening victory, followed by Jordan Henn scoring a win in 2022, and last season Brian Hirthler scored his third Opening Night win.
With practice now complete and attention turning to the 2024 season opener on Saturday, the list of competitors will be unique. All the drivers who were practicing, along with a few more of the track regulars and some expected invaders will be arriving Saturday to participate in the Season Opener.
The defending Track Champion Brett Kressley will be among the favorites looking for his first Opening Day win along with the other top ten point drivers like Craig Von Dohren, Jeff Strunk, Doug Manmiller, Jared Umbenhauer, Ryan Watt, defending winner Mike Gular, Ryan Grim, Tim Buckwalter, and Eddie Strada along with about three dozen regulars.
A couple of outside invaders have already indicated they will be in action for the VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial including the very first winner Stewart Friesen and previous Thunder on the Hill winner Alex Yankowski. Six-time Track Champion Duane Howard will be back in action this season and look to add to his amazing total of Opening Night wins.
The Opening Night program will be sanctioned by NASCAR and will be the first point race of the new campaign for both the T.P. Trailer Modified and T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman divisions toward both the track and NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Championships.
For the Bruce Rogers Memorial event, all drivers are welcome to compete as in years past, and if any driver is not a track regular, the Speedway will cover the cost of the $25 temporary NASCAR driver license for this one night of competition.
There is no entry fee for this special event, however drivers are encouraged to pre-enter by calling or texting 484.256.4375, providing the driver’s name, contact information and phone number. Drivers are also reminded to visit the speedway website at www.grandviewspeedway.com to print and fill out a W-9 form and bring it with them to the track on Opening Night. The W-9 form must be provided to the pit office to be eligible for drivers to draw for heat race starting spots and to receive any payoff.
The T.P. Truck Equipment 602 Sportsman will also begin their point season on the Opening Night program in a full show which includes qualifying events and a 25-lap feature race.
Information and car rules are listed for the VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker on the speedway website at www.grandviewspeedway.com under the Bruce Rogers Memorial tab.
Race time on Opening Night is 6 pm, Pit gates open at 1 pm, Grandstand gates open at 4 pm, the Drivers meeting is at 4 pm. followed by the draw for position, then warm-ups at 5 pm.
Grandstand admission for Adults is $30, Students ages 10-15 with ID are $20, while ages 9 and under are admitted free of charge. Pit admission is $40 with a license and $45 without a license.
Since the 1960’s, Grandview Speedway has been presenting exciting wheel to wheel NASCAR stock car racing every Saturday Night starting in April and running through October, plus special events. Grandview Speedway is located at 43 Passmore Road, Bechtelsville, Pa. 19505, just off Route 100, ten miles north of Pottstown, Pa.
Information is always available at www.grandviewspeedway.com or on Facebook, or by telephone at 610.754.7688.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, April 6 – 62nd Anniversary Season Opener – 7thAnnual VP Racing Fuels BRUCE ROGERS MEMORIAL MONEY MAKER – Big Block/Small Block Modifieds 50-Laps – $7500 to win and $1000 to start, T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman – 6 pm
Saturday, April 13 – T.P. Trailer Modifieds, T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman – 6 pm (Bruce Rogers Memorial Rain date)
Sunday, April 14 – Outlaw Racing Series Enduro and Outlaw Racing Series Vintage – 1 pm.
Saturday, April 20 – T.P. Trailer Modifieds, T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman, CHECKERED FLAG FAN CLUB NIGHT, TRIVIA NIGHT – 6 pm
Saturday, April 27 – T.P. Trailer Modifieds, T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman – 6 pm
