Von Dohren claims 11th modified title; Hirthler hailed as Sportsman champ
BECHTELSVILLE » The 2020 Grandview Speedway racing season shortened by the virus has been a series of ups and downs for two time former Modified point champion Ray Swinehart.
Numerous occasions Swinehart had his No. 33 hooked up and appeared to be on the way to a possible victory only to be hampered with some form of problem that eliminated his chances.
Saturday night in the activities sponsored by Hope Mortgage Team that sponsors Sportsman drivers B.J. Joly and Lex Shive, Swinehart took the early lead in the 30-lap T.P. Trailers Modified NASCAR Advance Auto Parts feature and stayed there until the drop of the checkered to go home $3,850 richer for his first win of the year. He received $2,500 to win, plus $300 from T.P., $1,000 from Hope Mortgage and an extra $50 for third in the Cash Dash also from Hope Mortgage.
Kyle Lilick took advantage of the lane leader Jesse Landis opened up with one lap remaining in the 25lap T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR
Sportsman feature and went on to claim his second triumph. The win, his second of the season, was worth $1,800 – $600 to win, $200 from TP and $1,000 from Hope Mortgage.
The highlight of the evening activities was the crowning of the point champions in each class.
Craig Von Dohren finished fifth in the Modified feature, but it was enough to rack up his 11th title with a total of 3133 points which was 227
points ahead of runner-up and defending champion Duane Howard.
The Sportsman chase had a closer point difference between first and second. Brian Hirthler had to fix two broken axles while in the pits under caution in the feature and was one lap down, but with an 18th place finish he was able to finish with 2258 points, just five points ahead of second place finisher Brad Arnold.
At the onset of the Modified feature Swinehart was off and running with John Willman, recently released by the doctors to race following a gall bladder surgery; Justin Grim, Rick Laubach and Ron Kline in tow.
Within seven laps Swinehart had a comfortable lead built up leaving a three-way battle for second between Willman, J. Grim and Laubach. Attempting to get in the mix were Craig Whitmoyer and Ryan Grim.
The first caution was brought out on the 17th lap when Louden Reimert slowed in the fourth turn with a right rear flat tire. The restart was void after Meme DeSantis and Joe
Funk III tangled in turn four. Swinehart continued his rapid pace when action continued, but by this time Laubach, Brett Kressley, Gular and J. Grim held down second through fifth.
All the suspension changes tried throughout the year which was a learning curve paid off for Swinehart as he pulled into victory lane for the first time since September 1, 2018 when he won the Forrest Rogers Memorial race. Placing second was Laubach, for his best finish, trailed by Kressley, Gular and Von Dohren. Sixth through tenth were J. Grim, last week’s feature winner Kevin Hirthler, Whitmoyer, Dillon Steuer and Jeff Strunk. Jared Umbenhauer who started 27th and finished 16th received $250 as the Hard Charger from Hope Mortgage.
In the Sportsman feature, with one lap to go Landis opened up the proper line which was the break Lilick needed and got past him. Lilick never looked back and went on to his second win of the season followed by Landis, for his best finish, Beltz, Stangle, the highest crate engine finisher earning an extra $100 from the track and Jack Butler. Rounding out the top 10 were Kyle Smith, Lex Shive, John McGovern, Mark Kemmerer, who started 23rd and received $250 from Hope Mortgage as the Hard Charger, and Brad Arnold. Lilick was the only repeat feature winner of the season in the Sportsman division. Coming up on Friday, September 18 is the Freedom 38 for Sportsman with the winner earning $3,550. In addition to the regulars several visitors are expected to test their talents with action set to get under way at 7:30 p.m.