RPW Exclusive: Craig Von Dohren Slips By Kevin Hirthler To Win 10th Career Forrest Rogers Memorial At Grandview

Column By: TOM WENNER / RPW – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – Craig Von Dohren has had a quiet season at Grandview Speedway in 2023.

On Saturday night he locked down his 10th career Forrest Rogers Memorial victory.

His season has not been an easy one as this was only his 2nd win of the year and he came into the night trailing Brett Kressley by 43 points for the Modified division point lead.

Von Dohren has won the Forrest Rogers event in 1986, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2021. The win was Craig’s 125th all time leading Grandview Speedway Modified win, But it did not come easy for Craig as he had to slip past a strong running Kevin Hirthler on a lap 40 restart to steal the win.

The victory now sets up a 3 week point championship war between the Hall Of Fame Grandview Speedway Champion and one of the hottest drivers on the circuit in 2023, Brett “The Threat” Kressley ‘23 Grandview Speedway Championship crown.

Lex Shive and Ron Haring Jr. led the 28 car T.P. Trailers Nascar field to the green flag.

Lex Shive took early command of the event with Ron Haring Jr., Chris Esposito, Darrin Schuler, and Nate Brinker the early Top-5.

On Lap 4 Kevin Hirthler and Darrin Schuler got together causing both to loose spots on the track.

On Lap 5 the nights first caution was displayed for Kevin Graver Jr., Joe Funk, and Carroll Hine III. Mike Gular visited the pit area with a flat tire and returned to action. Gular was running 14th at the time. Lex Shive remained the race leader with Haring Jr., Esposito, Brinker, and Craig Whitmoyer the rest of the top 5.

The field was restacked and back to racing with Lex Shive driving to the lead once again. On the restart Jared Umbenhauer and Jeff Strunk got out of shape causing an accident in turn 2 and the backstretch. Strunk, Mike Lisowski, Carroll Hine, Chris Gambler, and Ryan Grim were involved. Jared Umbenhauer visited the pits for repair and returned. Mike Lisowski visited the pits for service and returned.

Take Two on the restart was in order as Lex Shive powered ahead again for the race lead. It was short lived as the caution flag was waiving again on lap 6 for an accident which saw Justin Grim, Craig Von Dohren and Craig Whitmoyer get tangled up and keep moving, then Carroll Hine spun and stopped in Turn 3. Jeff Strunk returned to the track, a lap down. Mike Lisowski, Craig Whitmoyer, Eric Biehn all visited the pits. Whitmoyer rejoined the field.

The field was restacked and back racing as Lex Shive powered to the race lead with Nate Brinker moving into 2nd, Haring Jr., Esposito, and Eddie Strada were the new Top-5.

The caution lights were flashing on Lap 8 for Justin Grim and Brett Kressley who got together in Turn 3 and 4. Grim came to a stop against the wall, Kressley was able to keep moving. The cars were hooked together and Grim got the worst of it. Darrin Schuler retired to the pit area. Jeff headed to the pits and returned. Schuler returned to the track. Brett Kressley went to the pit area for service and returned.

The field was restacked and back to racing as Nate Brinker powered into the race lead. Shive dropped to second, Strada, Haring Jr., Kevin Hirthler and Craig Von Dohren were the Top-5 now.

The field clicked off Lap with Nate Brinker out front Shive, Strada, Kevin Hirthler, and Ron Haring Jr. were the new Top-5.

On Lap 13 the race for the lead was heating up as Brinker, Shive, Eddie Strada, and Kevin Hirthler were side by side for the Top 4 spots. Doug Manmiller and Craig Von Dohren were racing side by side for 5th. On Lap 14 Lex Shive powers past Nate Brinker for the race lead.

Lap 15 is scored with Lex Shive back as the race leader, Kevin Hirthler has moved into 2nd, Brinker, Strada, and Von Dohren are the new Top-5.

As Lap 16 is scored Kevin Hirthler is assaulting Lex Shive for the race lead. This carries over to Lap 17 as Hirthler wrestles the race lead away from Shive.

On Lap 19 the caution lights are lit up for Jeff Strunk who is slowing. Eric Biehn, Strunk, and Ron Haring Jr. all retire to the pit area. The field is restacked with Kevin Hirthler as the race leader, Eddie Strada moved into 2nd, Craig Von Dohren is now 3rd, Lex Shive 4th, Doug Manmiller 5th, Nate Brinker 6th, Timmy Buckwalter 7th, and Ryan Watt 8th.

The field heads back to racing with Kevin Hirthler racing to the lead, Strada, Von Dohren, Manmiller, and Buckwalter are the new Top-5.

On lap 21 Hirthler, Strada and Von Dohren are all nose to tail.

Lap 24 Eddie Strada passed Hirthler for the race lead. Hirthler, Von Dohren, Manmiller, and Buckwalter are the new Top-5.

On Lap 27 Bobby Trapper Jr. retired from the event.

Eddie “The Edge” Strada was beginning to open up daylight and starting to navigate lap traffic on lap 28.

Lap 30 is scored with Strada in race control over Hirthler, Von Dohren, Manmiller, and Mike Gular who is returning from the rear of the field.

On Lap 33 disasters strikes Eddie Strada, The race leader loses power and spins into the turn 3 infield. Strada was flying out front and is now done for the night. Kevin Hirthler will now resume the race lead with Craig Von Dohren moving to 2nd, Manmiller, Gular, Brett Kressley the new Top-5. Brett Kressley also making a drive from the rear after pit service.

The field is restacked with 17 to go. On the restart Craig Von Dohren is challenging Kevin Hirthler for the race lead. Hirthler holds off CVD, Manmiller, Gular and Kressley are all right there.

Lap 36 is scored and Von Dohren is once again Hirthler for the race lead. Kressley and Gular are side by side 3rd and 4th. Lap 37 Kressley moves past Gular for 4th.

Lap 39 is scored with Kevin Hirthler your race leader with Von Dohren, Manmiller, Kressley, and Gular your Top-5.

On Lap 40 the caution lights are flashing for Chris Gambler and Jesse Leiby who are stopped. Leiby goes to the pit area. Lex Shive heads to the infield after a strong run. Jesse Leiby is back. The field is restacked for a 10 lap dash to the checkered flag for $10k to win.

It is now go time, On the restart Craig Von Dohren does after Kevin Hirthler for the race lead. Brett Kressley and Doug Manmiller are side by side for 3rd and 4th. The action was short lived as the caution is displayed again for Chris Gambler who is slow. Jesse Leiby heads to the pit area again. The race has taken on a grueling feel, as 16 cars remain on the track after starting 28.

Craig Von Dohren uses the restart to his advantage and powers to the race lead. Kevin Hirthler drops to 2nd, Brett Kressley is now 3rd, Doug Manmiller is 4th, and Mike Gular is 5th.

Lap 45 and Craig Von Dohren is in race control with Hirthler, Kressley, Manmiller and Gular in chase.

Craig Von Dohren would race onto the Forrest Rogers Memorial 50 Lap T.P Trailers Nascar $10,000 to win victory. Kevin Hirthler would race home 2nd, Brett Kressley rebounded with a solid 3rd place finish after pitting for service, Doug Manmiller 4th, Mike Gular 5th after pitting early, Ryan Watt 6th, Jared Umbenhauer 7th, Timmy Buckwalter 8th, John Willman 9th, and Nate Brinker 10th.

Forrest Rogers Notes:

Brett Kressley debuted a brand new Bicknell 19k for the event and season ending races, The car was ultra fast with Kressley racing from 15th into the top 10, then going to the rear after pitting for service and racing to 3rd at the finish.

Kyle Weiss invaded the Forrest Rogers in the Umbenhauer #5, He was unable to crack the starting field. Jeff Strunk, Doug Manmiller, and Craig Von Dohren were fastest in practice. Bobby Gunther-Walsh had the #65 flying in his heat race only to suffer terminal engine trouble with a few laps remaining in the heat race.

Eddie Strada, Doug Manmiller, Jeff Strunk, and Lex Shive scored heat race wins.