Strunk, Schutz, Hirthler haul in first feature wins of season
BECHTELSVILLE » Jeff Strunk, 10-time NASCAR T.P. Trailers Modified point champion, defending NASCAR Late Model point champion Chuck Schutz and NASCAR Sportsman defending champion Brian Hirthler were in victory lane for the first time this season on Saturday night at Grandview Speedway when they each won their respective feature. The activities were sponsored by K&N Filters and broadcast by RCNTV, Allentown.
Strunk, the fourth different Modified winner of the season, held off the late stage challenges of Mike Gular, currently second in the point standings, for his 68th career win in the 30-lap event. Strunk dedicated the win to former promoter Bruce Rogers, who passed away last year, and to Ben Moyer, a longtime supporter of racing that recently lost his battle to cancer plus Strunk also thanked all the supportive fans.
Schutz got by leader Kyle Merkel for the lead with five laps to go in the 25-lap Late Model feature to become the fourth different winner thus far.
Brian Hirthler became the season’s fifth different NASCAR Sportsman 25-lap feature winner by holding off the challenges of runner-up Ryan Beltz.
Providing all winners met the necessary requirements, they received monetary awards from T.P. Trailers, products from VP Gas. Strunk, Kyle Merkel and Hirthler were the recipients of the Dan’s Deli ½-way hoagie award.
RACE RESULTS
K&N Filters Night Modified Feature (30 Laps): 1. Jeff Strunk, 2. Mike Gular, 3. Brett Kressley, 4. Duane Howard, 5. Craig Von Dohren, 6. Eric Biehn, 7. Tim Buckwalter, 8. Kevin Hirthler, 9. Kenny Gilmore, 10. Justin Grim, 11. Ryan Brim, 12. Ryan Lilick, 13. Steve Swinehart, 14. Ron Kline, (provisional), 15. Skylar Sheriff, 16. Kyle Weiss, 17. Chris Esposito, 18. Brett Gilmore, 19. Chris Butler, 20. Chris Gambler, 21. Joe Fanelli, 22. Dan Waisempacher, 23. Jared Umbenhauer, 24. Bobby Trapper Jr., 25. Ron Seltmann Jr., 26. Doug Manmiller, 27. Mike Kellner, 28. John Willman. DNQ: Bobby Gunther, Steve Young, Carroll Hine III, Jordan Henn, Briggs Danner, Bobby Trapper, Mark Kratz and Ron Myers. K&N Filters Night Late Model Feature (25 Laps): 1. Chuck Schutz, 2. Kyle Merkel, 3. Brian Shuey, 4. Sean Merkel, 5. Lou Egrie, 6. Draw Weisser, 7. Steve Wilson, 8. Steve Todorow, 9. Danny Snyder, 10. Dirk Rimrott, 11. Patrick Robinson, 12. Shawn Horning, 13. Dustin Fitzcharles, 14. Bryon Sipe, 15. Todd Ravel, 16. Dallas Breidenbach. K&N Filters Night Sportsman Feature (25 Laps): 1. Brian Hirthler, 2. Ryan Beltz, 3. Louden Reimert, 4. Andrew Kreis, 5. Brad Arnold, 6. Dylan Swinehart, 7. Brad Grim, 8. Jack Butler, 9. Mike Lisowski, 10. Brad Brightbill, 11. Kenny Bock, 12. Jesse Landis, 13. Kyle Lilick, 14. Mike Mammana, 15. Derrick Smith, 16. Jim Housworth, 17. Gary Wagner, 18. Andy Clemmer, 19. Josh Adams, 20. B.J. Joly, 21. Craig Whitmoyer, 22. Nico Flammer, 23. Kurt Bettler, 24. Mark Kemmerer (provisional), 25. Nathan Mohr. DNQ: Lex Shive, Mike Koffel, Mike Florito and Ryan Higgs.