Kline claims Sportsman Summer Splash; Strunk, Schutz back in familiar territory
BECHTELSVILLE >> When Paul “The Dude” Kline finally wins a NASCAR Sportsman feature at Grandview Speedway, he picks a big payday since it was the Summer Splash 40-lap feature sponsored by Bashore Trucking/BFP Specialty that was worth #$1,500 plus $100 from T.P. Trailers, Limerick.
Kline, the eighth different winner in the division, started his season late and it wasn’t easy since he experienced carburetor problems and other issues and since the crew just consists of himself and his wife Jenifer, that makes it even more challenging. He inherited the lead when race leader Kenny Bock spun between turns and four which brought out the red for a blocked track since several other cars tangled behind him on lap four.
Since numerous restarts were needed in the early stages, after six laps all restarts went single-file. Kline held off numerous challenges with current point leader Jordan Henn all over him with five laps remaining. Kline hung on to capture the victory.
Jeff Strunk, a ten-time Modified point champion, who reunited with former owner Glenn Hyneman and the No. 126 team, finished second two weeks in a row and he decided it was time to change the status. After a seven lap battle with Mike Kellner he finally got even enough and was able to move underneath Kellner off four with five laps to go and made the move stick as he was now first. Strunk continued the momentum and went on to score his first win of the season in the T.P. Trailers NASCAR 358 Modified All-American Racing Series 30-Lap
Defending Late Model point champion Chuck Schutz has had his share of ups and downs since the season began and he finally got a break and pulled the Ty Zeiglerowned/PPB No. ONE into victory lane for the second time in the 25-lap BRC NASCAR Late Model feature.
The TSRS 305 Sprint cars will headline
the racing action on Saturday, June 25th, when Bechtelsville Car Wash presents a tripleheader show of racing action that will also include the TP Trailers NASCAR 358 Modifieds and Sportsman stock cars. Admission for this special event is just $18 for adults. Spectator gates open at 5:30 p.m. with racing getting underway at 7:30 p.m.
Sportsman action saw rookie Bock take the early lead for four laps before he spun and the red was thrown. After things cleared Kline was first trailed by Derrick Smith, another rookie; Brad Arnold, Craig Whitmoyer and Henn.
Whitmoyer overtook second on the 11th lap and set his sights on Kline who encountered lap traffic. He reeled Kline in by the 17th lap and made several attempts to dive underneath him, but to no avail.
It wasn’t long before a four-car dual emerged for first between Kline, Whitmoyer, Arnold and Henn.
Henn moved into second on the 34th lap and he was all over Kline putting his bids in for first.
Kline kept everyone behind him to pull the Precision Landscaping/Searock Fabrication No. 1 into victory lane. Finishing a close second was Henn followed by Whitmoyer, Arnold and Brian Hirthler, who had their best finishes for a change of luck. Last year’s winner Mike Lisowski was sixth.
Rookies Smith, Dylan Swinehart and last week’s winner Brian Papiez were seventh through ninth with Ryan Lilick tenth.
Kline, Bock and Dean Bachman won the heats. The consi went to Kyle Lilick.
Mike Kellner put the Power Washers No. 57 into the lead at the onset of the Modified with pressure from Eric Biehn, Steve Swinehart, John Willman and Ray Swinehart.
It didn’t take long for the Lansdale leadfoot to increase the distance between himself and now Steve and Ray Swinehart, Biehn and Willman.
The first caution was when Ryan Grim spun along the homestretch on the 17th lap when last week’s feature winner Brett Kressley was clipped, did a 360 and continued, but later pulled in before action resumed. The restart was void since Frank Cozze failed to get away. Kellner continued his pace when action resumed, but by this time Strunk was second giving him a run for the top spot. Kellner held his outside line while Strunk tried feverishly to get underneath and advance.
Kellner held off Strunk’s moves until coming off four on lap 25. The bid held and Strunk was now ahead.
Strunk never surrendered first and pulled into the winner’s circle for the first time this year with Kellner a disappointing second trailed by R. Swinehart, Craig Von Dohren, Kyle Weiss, Duane Howard, S. Swinehart, Tim Buckwalter, Danny Erb and Jared Umbenhauer.
Heat winners were Strunk, Howard and R. Swinehart. Kressley won the consi.
Once again Joe “Geezer” Fanelli led the way in the Late Model feature until Schutz passed him on the fourth lap.
While Schutz showed the way and built up a healthy margin, Bill Henning, Lou Egrie, Brian Shuey and Bryon Sipe diced for positions.
By the Dan’s Deli half-way hoagie marker the order behind Schutz was now comprised of Bill Henning, Egrie, Wayne Pfeil and Cory Merkel.
Despite more caution periods needed once Schutz took control, he never looked back and went on to score another win. Chasing him across the line for his season best run was Henning followed by Pfeil, Egrie and Merkel. Rounding out the top ten were Randy Stoudt, Dave Ogin, Shuey, Dan Green and Drew Weisser.
Sipe and Fanelli were the heat winners.