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BECHTELSVILLE, PA. – It was yet another evening of intense and exciting NASCAR stock car racing action Saturday night at Grandview Speedway, that saw both feature races go down to the final lap and final turns!
Jared Umbenhauer of Richland, Pa. motored forward from thirteenth starting spot reaching eighth spot by lap twelve, then used two mid-race restarts to vault to second by lap fifteen, then grabbed the lead from race long leader Mike Laise of Pottstown, Pa. racing off turn two on lap sixteen, survived a scare with lapped traffic with three laps to go, and a final lap challenge from Brett Kressley of Orefield, Pa. to capture the thrilling victory in the 30-lap T.P. Trailers & Truck Equipment NASCAR Modified feature event.
Xavier Sprague of Bath, Pa. was able to score a dramatic and exciting first career Grandview Speedway T.P. Trailers & Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman feature win after fighting off Matthew Laubach of Quakertown, Pa., in a side-by-side battle for the lead, then survived a late race restart and one final challenge from Laubach on the final lap, to score the win by a little more than a car’s length at the finish.
The winners received bonus money (Modified $300, Sportsman $200) from T.P. Trailers and Truck Equipment of Limerick, Pa., sponsors of the two divisions at Grandview Speedway in a race program run under the NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts banner.
The 30-lap T.P. Trailers & Truck Equipment Modified feature got off to a fast and wild start, with Mike Laise taking the early lead, and was quickly engaged in a fight for the top spot with Adrianna Delliponti of Norristown, Pa. and Bobby Trapper Jr. of Scranton, Pa., while another battle for the top positions was happening between Ron Haring Jr. of Alburtis, Pa., Nathan Mohr of Kutztown, Pa., and John Willman of Birdsboro, Pa.
By the fifth lap, the battle for the lead was intense, as Laise would see Delliponti pull alongside a couple of times, challenging for the top spot, while Trapper Jr. would now be hooked up in a battle with Haring Jr. for third position.
By lap ten, Laise would put a little distance between himself and Delliponti, who would now begin a new battle with Trapper Jr. and Haring Jr. for second spot, while Mohr, Willman, and fast moving drivers Brett Kressley, Mike Gular of Harleysville, Pa., and Jared Umbenhauer were fighting for positions behind them.
Things really got wild and positions changed by the half-way point, when Gular got pinched into the front straightaway wall while while attempting to pass Kressley, bouncing back into traffic and causing Mohr to spin out, with Gular pitting and not returning.
Umbenhauer was eighth on lap thirteen, avoiding the scramble in front of him, then vaulting past several cars on the restart to sit second by the time another caution waved on lap fifteen.
On this restart Umbenhauer would challenge Laise for the lead, going almost a full lap side-by-side, with Umbenahuer grabbing the lead coming out of turn two coming around to score lap sixteen, while Kressley would follow suit and grab second shortly thereafter, while tenth starting Cody Manmiller would now enter the picture after also getting a good restart to gain several spots.
Three other drivers on the move by the half-way mark and moving into contention were fifteenth starting Jeff Strunk of Bechtelsville, Pa., twenty-second starting Craig Von Dohren of Oley, Pa., and twenty-third starting Logan Watt of Boyertown, Pa., who were now in the top ten and challenging Delliponti, Haring Jr., and Laise for top ten spots.
Positions kept changing at a fast pace with almost every lap, and by lap twenty, Umbenhauer led Kressley, Manmiller, Strunk, Logan Watt, Von Dohren, Louden Reimert of Oley, Pa., and Rick Laubach of Quakertown, Pa. who were still challenging each other for the top spots.
With an extended period of green flag racing, Umbenhauer would build a small advantage over Kressley until the leaders reached lapped traffic on lap twenty-seven, which allowed Kressley to quickly close the gap, while Strunk, Logan Watt and Von Dohren would be in a fierce battle behind the leaders.
The final laps would see Kressley move in to challenge Umbenhauer for the win, eventually diving underneath Umbenhauer entering the final two turns, with the two drag racing off of turn four to the checkered flag, with Umbenhauer winning by a car length at the finish line.
At the checkered, it was Umbenhauer scoring his second win of the season and ninth career Saturday night NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts feature win (overall tenth career win counting Thunder on the Hill Series wins).
Behind Umbenhauer and Kressley at the finish were Jeff Strunk, Craig Von Dohren, Logan Watt, Cody Manmiller for his best run of the year, Louden Reimert, Rick Laubach, Adrianna Delliponti with her career best Modified finish since changing divisions, and point leader Eddie Strada of Lake Ariel, Pa. who had to pit mid-race for a flat tire and stormed back through the field for tenth position.
Qualifying heats for the 38 cars on hand were won by Mike Laise, Jared Umbenhauer, Mike Gular and Nathan Mohr while Rick Laubach and Craig Von Dohren won the consolations.
The 25-lap T.P. Trailers & Truck Equipment Sportsman feature was also a wildly exciting affair from start to finish, with Xavier Sprague grabbing the early lead following two false starts and another caution for a two-car turn three tangle before a lap could be completed.
Things would quickly settle down into some great racing action, with Sprague leading, followed by Colton Perry of Topton, Pa., Kaitlyn Bailey of Alburtis, Pa., Kenny Gilmore of Fleetwood, Pa., and a high groove riding Matthew Laubach, who would be fifth by lap five after starting in tenth position.
Laubach would sweep around the outside lane, quickly reaching second by lap eight, and catching leader Sprague one lap later, setting up an intense two-car battle for the lead.
Laubach almost got around the outside of Sprague to get the lead, before Sprague changed to the top groove, forcing Laubach to challenge in the bottom lane.
The two drivers locked into a fantastic side-by-side battle for the win for five laps, before Sprague would finally pull away with the lead by a small margin, after the two leaders’ encountered lapped traffic on lap sixteen.
While the battle raged up front, great racing was happening behind the leaders between Perry, Bailey, a quickly advancing Gavyn Krupp of Barto, Pa., and Mike Schneck Jr. of Pine Grove, Pa., with another multi-car battle between Bryce Bashore of Bethel, Pa., Kenny Gilmore, Brett Gilmore of Kutztown, Pa., Joe Toth of Upper Makefield, Pa., Teague Miller of Barto, Pa. and Jordan Henn of Kutztown, Pa.
A caution on lap twenty-one would end the long run of exciting green flag racing, wiping out Sprague’s small lead and setting up the final lap dramatics.
On the restart, Laubach would once again stay with Sprague, again challenging for the lead, with Krupp right behind making for a great battle for the win, while Perry, Bailey, Schneck and Bashore still battled for the top five spots.
The final lap would see Laubach pressure Sprague down the back straightaway, with Sprague entering turn three and sliding up a little too high, giving Laubach a final chance at the win.
The two drivers would race off the final turn together, with Sprague winning by a little more than car’s length at the checkered over Laubach for his first career NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts feature win at Grandview Speedway in exciting fashion.
Following Sprague and Laubach to the finish were Gavyn Krupp for his best run of the year, Bryce Bashore, Mike Scheck Jr., Colton Perry, Kaitlyn Bailey, Joe Toth, Teague Miller, and Brett Gilmore.
Qualifying heats for the 33 cars on hand were won by Xavier Sprague, Kaitlyn Bailey, and Taylor Kramer of Coopersburg, Pa. while Addison Meitzler of Kempton, Pa. won the consolation.
Grandview Speedway will be presenting another NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts program next week featuring the T.P. Trailers & Truck Equipment NASCAR Modifieds and Sportsman in the final points paying races of the season.
The show on Saturday, September 12 will be Championship Night and will include qualifying events for both classes leading into a 30-lap T.P. Trailers & Truck Equipment Modified feature and a 25-lap feature for the T.P. Trailers & Truck Equipment Sportsman.
Championship Night will also be PEDIATRIC CANCER AWARENESS NIGHT at Grandview Speedway! Come out, say hello, meet the drivers, enjoy the races, and help us show our pediatric cancer warriors and their families that NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE. This event is being hosted by the Leo’s League Pediatric Cancer Fund.
Pit gates will open at 3:30 pm, with grandstand gates opening at 5 pm, warm-ups starting at 5:45 pm, and the first race of the evening getting the green flag at 7 pm.
Adult grandstand admission is $20, students 10-15 with ID are $10, while children ages 9 and under are admitted free of charge. Pit admission is $35 for NASCAR members and $45 for non-members.
The Freedom 76 weekend will be next on the schedule and will start on Friday, September 18 with the 13th annual Freedom 38 Sportsman Championship. The race program will follow the Freedom 76 race format with qualifying heats, consolations, Roy Miller II of Keller Williams Real Estate $500 to win cash dash, the Patriot 20, all leading up to the 38-lap Championship feature event, plus practice time for 358 Modified drivers wishing to participate in the Freedom 76.
Saturday, September 19 will feature the 56th annual Freedom 76 358 Modified Championship that pays $35,531 to win! The race program includes qualifying heats, consolations, GT Radiator Repair $1000 to win cash dash, and the Schaeffer’s Motorsports Minuteman 20, all leading up to the 76-lap Championship main event.
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.
T.P. TRAILERS & TRUCK EQUIPMENT NASCAR MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH (30 laps): JARED UMBENHAUER, Brett Kressley, Jeff Strunk, Craig Von Dohren, Logan Watt, Cody Manmiller, Louden Reimert, Rick Laubach, Adrianna Delliponti, Eddie Strada, Eric Kormann, John Willman, Justin Grim, Ryan Grim, Mike Laise, Jax Yohn, Anthony Perrego, Bobby Trapper Jr., Nathan Mohr, Brian Hirthler, Ron Haring Jr., Tim Buckwalter, Jim Housworth, Ryan Watt, Eric Biehn, Mike Gular, Ryan Graver, Darrin Schuler, Ryan Beltz
DID NOT QUALIFY: Kyle Smith, Jon Kellner, Carroll Hine III, Bobby Trapper Sr., Matt Yoder, Dylan Swinehart, Bobby Gunther Walsh, Chris Esposito, Chris Gambler
T.P. TRAILERS & TRUCK EQUIPMENT WINNER’S BONUS ($300): Jared Umbenhauer
VP RACING FUELS HARD CHARGER: Craig Von Dohren +18
PENSKE RACING SHOCKS CERTIFICATES: Jared Umbenhauer ($75), Brett Kressley ($50), Jeff Strunk ($25)
DAN’S DELI HALFWAY LEADER GIFT CERTIFICATE: Mike Laise
T.P. TRAILERS & TRUCK EQUIPMENT NASCAR SPORTSMAN FEATURE FINISH (25 laps): XAVIER SPRAGUE, Matthew Laubach, Gavyn Krupp, Bryce Bashore, Mike Schneck Jr., Colton Perry, Kaitlyn Bailey, Joe Toth, Teague Miller, Brett Gilmore, Nate Brinker, Jordan Henn, Johnny Fugelo, Addison Meitzler, Brad Brightbill, Chase Gular, Colin Cox, Decker Swinehart, Steve Hughes, Mark Mohr, Brett Grim, Taylor Kramer, Brayden Shelton, Kenny Gilmore, Shannon Slaughter, Steve Young, DNS: Mark Behm
DID NOT QUALIFY: TJ Mayberry, Brad Force, Jason Graber, Joey Vaccaro, Mike Toth, Kyle Hartzell
T.P. TRAILERS & TRUCK EQUIPMENT WINNER’S BONUS ($200): Xavier Sprague
GRANDVIEW $100 HARD CHARGER: Nate Brinker +12
PENSKE RACING SHOCKS CERTIFICATES: Xavier Sprague ($75), Matthew Laubach ($50), Gavyn Krupp ($25)
DAN’S DELI HALFWAY LEADER GIFT CERTIFICATE: Xavier Sprague
DRIVEN RACE OIL/JOHN WILLMAN MOTORSPORTS OIL & FILTER KIT 7th PLACE: Kaitlyn Bailey
UPCOMING EVENTS –
Saturday, September 12 – CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT – T.P. Trailers & Truck Equipment Modifieds & Sportsman, Outlaw Racing Series Vintage – 7 pm
Friday, September 18 – 13th annual FREEDOM 38 SPORTSMAN CHAMPIONSHIP – T.P. Trailers & Truck Equipment Sportsman 38 laps, Modified Practice for Freedom 76 – 7:30 pm
Saturday, September 19 – 56th annual FREEDOM 76 MODIFIED CLASSIC – T.P. Trailers & Truck Equipment Modifieds 76 laps – 7 pm
Saturday, September 26 – (Freedom 76 Rain date) or Outlaw Racing Series Enduro, Outlaw Racing Series Vintage, Xcel 600 Modifieds, Keystone Sport Compact Series, Atlantic Coast Old Timers, Halloween for the Kids – 5 pm (Rain date Oct. 3)
