Fans are happy to be back at the races

Although they cheer for different drivers, Todd Kreider and Matt Breitegam had a lot of similar emotions Saturday night.

They were finally back among the crowd at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville for the season opener that was delayed 11 weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s about time we get to get out, have some fresh air and enjoy ourselves,” Kreider said.

Kreider, a 55-year-old from Shillington, was wearing a Doug Manmiller shirt in support of the Shoemakersville driver he said he has known since he was 6.

Breitegam, a 56-year-old from West Lawn, was wearing a shirt in support of his longtime friend and popular driver Craig Von Dohren of Oley.

“I grew up with Craig Von Dohren,” Breitegam said. “I went to Oley. I know him very well.”

The racing buddies were among a large crowd of drivers, fans, security and vendors who helped open the 2020 season on what originally was scheduled to be the 12th Saturday night of racing at Grandview.

At total of 80 cars were on hand Saturday night for the third annual VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker, a 50lap big block/small block race, along with a sportsman stock car race.

Security personnel and vendors also were glad to be back at the track and working again on a night where Grandview was able to dodge the thunderstorms that moved throughout Berks County.

Matt Bruno, a 22-year-old from Collegeville, worked security at the main gate and said fans were orderly and friendly as they entered the speedway.

“It feels great,” Bruno said. “Everyone’s happy to be back out here and feeling safe.”

Fans were asked to wear masks, but they were not mandatory. Many people had masks but were not wearing them when they were sitting in the stands.

Kreider and Breitegam said they have seen a major change in fans in the last couple weeks as people get more comfortable about going outside and being in crowds.

Kreider and Breitegam said they made their 2020 return to dirt-track racing two weeks ago at BAPS Motor Speedway (formerly Susquehanna Speedway) in York County.

“There we had to sign a waiver and everybody wore a mask,” Kreider said. “Gradually every race we go to it’s less and less.”

The two have also followed their favorite drivers to Big Diamond Speedway in Schuylkill County and Georgetown Speedway in Delaware.

But Kreider said there was nothing like being back in the bleachers at Grandview.

“It feels great to be back,” Kreider said. “This is my home track.”