Von Dohren, Sipe, Beltz win at Grandview after unwelcome layoff
Pauch Sr. edges Jr. in photo finish at Action Track USA
GRANDVIEW >> Paint swapping, racing action finally returned to the 1/3-mile high banks of Grandview Speedway on Saturday night following a threeweek vacation courtesy of Mother Nature.
T.P.Trailers NASCAR 358 Modified action saw rookie Modified racer and 2015 Sportsman point champion Brett Kressley squeezed out of the lead by defending point champion Craig Von Dohren on the white flag lap in the 30-Lap feature. Von Dohren went on to score his second win of the season in which he also received $250 from T.P. Trailers and a $150 bonus in products from VP Racing Fuel for running their gasoline. Von Dohren gave credit to Kressley on the battle the two ensued and also to Brad Missimer and the entire track crew for the preparation prior to the event.
Bryon Sipe became the fourth different BRC NASCAR 25-lap Late Model feature winner as he led from start to finish to stand in victory lane for the first time since his last win June 23, 2007. Sipe left for a few years and figured he’d return to the only track where he won a feature. He also garnered $100 from T.P. Trailers and also the Dan’s Deli ½-way hoagie award.
A new name entered the winner’s circle in the NASCAR Sportsman feature when Ryan Beltz, who has been competing for several years but never quite able to win, finally got the monkey off his back to win his first 25-lap NASCAR feature. An elated Beltz commented that the crew only consists of himself and his father and thanked his wife Stephanie for putting up with his racing career.
Twelve different drivers have now made it to victory lane in feature races in all three divisions after five weeks of racing.
T.P. Trailers Modified Feature (30 Laps): 1. Craig Von Dohren, 2. Brett Kressley, 3. Ray Swinehart, 4. Mike Gular, 5. Steve Swinehart, 6. Kenny Gilmore, 7. Jared Umbenhauer, 8. Jeff Strunk, 9. Duane Howard, 10. Doug Manmiller, 11. Kevin Hirthler, 12. Ryan Grim, 13. Kyle Borror, 14. Frank Cozze, 15. Ryan Watt, 16. Danny Erb, 17. Don Norris Jr., 18. Chris Esposito, 19. Ron Seltmann Jr., 20. Ron Haring Jr., 21. Kory Fleming, 22. Chris Gambler, 23. Bobby Gunther-Walsh, 24. Tim Buckwalter, 25. Mike Kellner, 26 Brian Houseknecht, 27. Eric Biehn, 28. John Willman. DNQ: Blaine Bracelin, Carroll Hine III and Mike Wahl. BRC Late Model Feature (25 Laps): 1. Bryon Sipe, 2. Devin Frey, 3. Chuck Schutz, 4. Ron Kline, 5. Dave Ogin, 6. Bill Henning, 7. Dan Green, 8. Joe Fanelli, 9. Shawn Horning, 10. Lou Egrie Sr., 11. Cory Merkel, 12. Brian Shuey, 13. Randy Stoudt, 14. Drew Weisser, 15. Lou Egrie Jr. Sportsman Feature (25 Laps): 1. Ryan Beltz, 2. Dylan Swinehart, 3. John McGovern, 4. Brandon Whitmoyer, 5. Nathan Mohr, 6. Jim Housworth, 7. Craig Whitmoyer, 8. Mike Lisowski, 9. Brian Hirthler, 10. Ryan Lilick, 11. Jordan Henn, 12. Brad Brightbill, 13. Dean Bachman, 14. Brad Arnold, 15. Ryan Higgs, 16. Mark Kemmerer, 17. Ryan Shupp, 18. Chris Jenkins, 19. Joe Funk III, 20. Jesse Landis, 21. Paul Kline, 22. Brian Papiez, 23. Brett Gilmore, 24. Kenny Bock, 25. Jack Butler, 26. Paul Houseknecht, 27. Kyle Lilick. DNQ: Josh Adams, Derrick Smith, Dean Ficarro, Lex Shive, Mike Koffel, Steve Searock, Andrew Kreis and Mike Stringer.
KUTZTOWN >> The JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA has been hosting events for just over three seasons, and the progressively banked oval on the Kutztown Fairgrounds has certainly seen its share of exciting races and close finishes in each of its three weekly divisions. But none of those oh-so-close battles for the checkered was as close as last Wednesday’s main event for the USAC All Pro Speed STRs.
In a true photo finish and it’s a good thing that modern technology has produced electronic scoring for auto racing, because it was definitely needed to confirm the result - Billy Pauch Sr. nipped his son, Billy Jr., by inches to win his second straight 30-lap feature for the Speed STRs. The final margin of victory was 0.054-seconds!
The thrilling finish occurred on UGI Utilities/ Dig Safely 811 First Responder Night at the speedway. Joining Pauch Sr. in the winner’s circle were Sam Kravitsky (Hyper Racing 600 Sprint victor); Brett Bieber (NAPA Auto Parts All Star Slingshots); and Jared Silfee (Junior Slingshots).
His two consecutive triumphs, combined with a runner-up finish on opening night, have propelled
Pauch, the veteran from Frenchtown, N.J., to the Speed STR point lead after the year’s first three events at Action Track USA. He’s got a truck load of momentum heading into the June 1st Flyin’ Farmer 40, a $3,000 to win race for the Speed STRs. It’s also a race that Pauch won in 2013.
On the card with the Speed STRs this Wednesday will be the Hyper Racing 600 Sprints Powered by Hyper Fuel Injection Technology and the NAPA Auto Parts All Star Slingshots. Fans are encouraged to dress in their best farmer’s gear as a salute to the American Farmer, and the best dressed farmers/spectators will be photographed with the winner of the Flyin’ Farmer 40 in victory lane. The speedway will also welcome and recognize members of the FFA, and the Old Time Plowboys will be on hand with their beautifully restored antique tractors. Pit gates open at 4 p.m. and the grandstand opens at 5:00. Warm-ups begin at 6:15 with heat races set to start right around 7 p.m.
USAC All Pro Speed STR Feature, 30 laps: 1.Billy Pauch Sr., 2.Billy Pauch Jr., 3.Steve Buckwalter, 4.Mike Bednar, 5.Steve Nederostek, 6.Andy Haus, 7.James Morris, 8.Brad Brightbill, 9.Matt Janisch, 10.Louden Reimert, 11.Briggs Danner, 12.John Bockhorn, 13.Earl Paules, 14.Ryan Smith, 15.Frank Yankowski, 16.Jeff Hartman, 17.Tim Buckwalter, 18.Damon Paul, 19.Tom Mayberry, 20.Dylan Hoch, 21.Steve Drevicki, 22.Tim Iulg, 23.CJ Faison, 24.TJ Mayberry, 25.Keith Prutzman. DNS: Jason Miller, Joe Mooney, Chuck Bowers, Joe Vaccaro, Eric Ankiewicz. DNQ: Jay Hartman, Ray Nemeth, Phil Meisner. Hyper Racing 600 Sprint Feature, 25 laps: 1.Sam Kravitsky, 2.James Morris, 3.Billy Pauch Jr., 4.Robbie Hocker, 5.Josh Heckman, 6.Greg Stevens, 7.Eddie Strada, 8.Jay Hartman, 9.Bobby Butler, 10.Brandon Azzalina, 11.Tommy Kunsman Jr., 12.Kyle Lick, 13.Tim Buckwalter, 14.Jesse Maurer, 15.Austin Quick, 16.Jason Swavely, 17.Doug Snyder, 18.Drew Richmond, 19.Chad Sandt, 20.Jarid Kunkle, 21.Ryan Groff, 22.Joe Kay, 23.Jacob Severn, 24.Colin White, 25.Shelby Harper, 26.Molly Chambers, 27.Eric Heydenreich. DNQ: John Vreeland, Jackson Ring, Scott Slater, Matt Roselli, Eric Whitby, Brandon Heist, Michael Fauci, Wayne Scott, Steve Bull, Mike Meyers, Joe Plunkett, Dylan Licklider, Rob Pajauis, Dan Leaper, Joel Smith, Nate Brinker, Cale Mutter, Nate Schumaker, Ryan Quackenbush, Don Colaluce, Jordan Mohr, Pat Bealer, Wayne Scott Jr., Jake Fox, Shane Linderman, Tim Bauer, Dan Schumaker. NAPA Auto Parts All Star Slingshots Feature, 20 laps: 1.Brett Bieber, 2.Dylan Hoch, 3.Seth Spayd, 4.Joe Nemeth, 5.Travis Bieber, 6.Austin Stufflet, 7.Alex Yankowski, 8.Dave Carraghan, 9.Chris Kurtz, 10.Dakota Kohler, 11.Henry Anderson, 12.Anthony Raisner, 13.Dave Burns, 14.Alan Selemba, 15.Jeff Kemp, 16.Taylor Schoenly, 17.Taylor Santee, 18.Dale Kober, 19.Nick Vincignera, 20.Matt Miller (57), 21.Nick Del Campo, 22.Erik Jones, 23.Jack Lewis, 24.Joe Toth, 25.Lee Schantzenbach, 26.Austin Silfee. DNQ: Matt Miller (16m), Blaire Schoenly, Brianna James, Tim Roeder, Ryan Davey, John Arms, Zac Kistler. Junior Slingshots Feature, 15 laps: 1.Jared Silfee, 2.Cole Stangle, 3.Reece Nowatarski, 4.Joshua Allen, 5.Joey Vaccaro, 6.Gavin Santee, 7.Logan Bauman, 8.Tyler Ulsh, 9.Tommy Stillo, 10.Tyler Banks, 11.Kyle Smith, 12.Nico Flammer, 13.Emily Flemming, 14.Austin Homan, 15.Junior Ankiewicz.
WILLIAMS GROVE >> Mechanicsburg’s Lucas Wolfe wired the field from the pole to take the $4,000 victory in Friday night’s Diamond Series event for sprint cars at Williams Grove Speedway. The victory was the 14th of Wolfe’s career at the historic speedway, coming by 1.183 seconds over Brian Montieth.
Ryan Smith ran third the entire distance to finish with the spot followed by fifth starter Greg Hodnett and Stevie Smith. Sixth through 10th went to Pat Cannon, Doug Esh, Danny Dietrich, Austin Hogue and Brock Zearfoss. Heats went to Esh, Dietrich and Cannon. Stevie Smith set quick time in qualifications with a lap of 16.363 seconds. In the 305-sprint main, Orwigsburg’s Tyler Reeser drove to victory, holding off Colby Dice for the win.
LINCOLN >> “Hero or zero, baby!” exclaimed Brian Montieth in summarizing his twelfth-to-first run in a thrilling $5,000-to-win Hilly Rife Memorial nonstop 30 lap feature event at Lincoln Speedway Saturday night.
It was a run that saw Montieth advance from fifth to first over the final five laps. He passed both Billy Dietrich and Jim Siegel on lap 27 to move into third, caught Cory Haas for second on lap 29, and drove around Glenndon Forsythe on the final turn to claim his 52nd career Lincoln win. In the end, the race took just 8 minutes, 18.723 seconds, and the top three crossed the finish line just .777 seconds apart. A disappointed Forsythe, who took the lead from Chad Trout on lap 19, crossed second, with Haas third. Completing the top five were Billy Dietrich and Siegel. Sixth through tenth were Robbie Kendall, Alan Krimes, polesitter Chad Trout (who grabbed the lead on a second attempt to start the race and led the first 18 laps), Austin Hogue, and front row starter Frankie Herr.
PORT ROYAL >> Greg Hodnett drove from the sixth starting spot to overtake Lucas Wolfe and win round one of the three-day Bob Weikert Memorial for sprint cars on Saturday night at Port Royal Speedway, taking a $5,000 victory in the Fallen Heroes Championship. It was Hodnett’s third victory of the season at the track.
Hodnett took the win by 1.023 seconds over David Gravel with Lance Dewease third followed by Lucus Wolfe and Doug Esh. Sixth through 10th went to Brock Zearfoss, Danny Dietrich, Ryan Smith, Aaron Ott and Pat Cannon.
In the Fallen Heroes Championship for super late models, Dylan Yoder of Selinsgrove wired the field for a $2,000 victory, claiming the event a year after his father Jim won the race.
SELINGSGROVE >> Selinsgrove Speedway presented the Third Annual Selinsgrove Ford/United Racing Club Kramer Cup Saturday, May 28, to honor the memory of sprint car racing legend Kramer Williamson of Palmyra, who succumbed to injuries he sustained in a sprint car racing accident at the Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown in 2013. The tribute race marked the second event of the season at Selinsgrove sanctioned by the United Racing Club 360 sprint cars. There is an old saying that sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. Saturday night’s Newville Family of Companies/United Racing Club 360 Sprint Car Kramer Cup feature played out in a way similar to that saying. It was the misfortune of racelong leader Eric Tomecek, who hit the third turn wall with two to go, that handed the lead to Mark Smith. Smith had just finished a multi-lap side by side battle with TJ Stutts for the runner up spot when Tomecek wrecked. Mark Smith, T J Stutts, Jason Shultz, Josh Weller, and Curt Michael were the top five finishers. URC point leader Davie Franek finished in sixth with Troy Betts seventh. Robbie Stillwaggon, Ed Aikin, and Adam Carberry rounded out the top ten finishers.
Gene Knaub looked like a lock to win the feature that was being made up from April 30th for the Jeff’s Auto Body & Recycling Late Models to kick off the night’s racing. Knaub began to have mechanical failure with three laps to go. A two-second lead vanished and Steve Campbell and Coleby Frye were on the leader’s tail when the field saw two to go. Knaub withstood the late-race challenges to hang on and win his second career Selinsgrove feature and become the second different winner in the class this season.
SUSQUEHANNA >> In what was billed as by far the best race of the season, Newville’s Tony Jackson scored his first career Susquehanna Speedway win in Saturday night’s Bud Bricker Nationals. Jackson took the win in the 30lap Credit Connection Auto Sales Super Sportsman feature after taking the lead on lap 19 and then holding on following a last lap restart.