RPW Exclusive: Ryan Godown Added Second Career Grandview Speedway Freedom 76 To Resume Saturday

Column By: TOM WENNER / RPW – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – Ryan Godown added his 2nd Grandview Speedway Freedom 76 win to his resume on Saturday night.

Godown claimed his first in ’21 and last night’s race featured several epic challenges for the win before Godown was finally able to drive away from his competitors.

Ryan had a solid night at the race track, he spent Friday night at the track using the 4 practice sessions to help lock in the needed setup for Saturday’s 76er.

On Saturday, Godown started P2 and raced to an easy heat race win. Up next the Low Down and Dirty Cash Dash, which saw Ryan start deep in the 10 car field and use to test the track for the Freedom 76er coming up later in the evening.

28 drivers participated in the pre-race redraw and Ryan was very fortunate to pull a P6 starting spot for 76 lap event. Ryan wasted no time in moving to the front of the field. On lap 9 he pulled into 2nd, Lap 12 grabbed the lead from Rick Laubach and did not give up the lead the rest of the way.

While that sounds easy, Rick Laubach and Doug Manmiller stalked and challenged Godown several times forcing the NJ driver to switch lanes on the track and fight off their advances.

Mother Nature blessed Grandview Speedway with absolutely perfect weather weekend. Saturday Night was about perfect as it comes, Cool Sunny morning, warm afternoon, and cool evening. The track once again glistened in the spotlight as the Rogers family presented the 76er event with 73 Modifieds in attendance.

A huge crowd supported the event with a Super Dirt Week atmosphere at the race track. The entire 3rd and 4th turns, along with the adjacent field were filled with campers. The parking lots were at full capacity by mid day, forcing parking into the overflow fields.

When it was time for the cars to hit the track at 600pm, The stands were filled to capacity to witness the epic Freedom 76 event.

Lastly, the Grandview Speedway staff and track deserve major kudos for how the event is run off. Tina and everyone in the pit area run the show like a well oiled machine. Every car that enters the race event heads through a full technical inspection process before the car is able to hit the race track.

For 73 cars, this started at 900am and lasted well into the afternoon. The pit shack handles the race activities calling for events while Kenny Rogers and Brad Missimer handle the track prep, On Saturday the race track, despite a strong wind and sun baking the surface all day was in outstanding racing shape.

Grandview Speedway’s track crew is one the best, Saturday night was another example of this. It was multi-groove racing from the start of the night all through the entire 76 lap feature event. Bottom, Middle, and Top, the track crew works tirelessly all evening long.

What is more impressive and most people do not realize, it is not over for them once racing starts. Brad puts on a radio headset and is one of the officials inside the track watching over the action, while Kenny is always watching what that surface needs all night long. Kudos, to you all – Job well done!

Frank Cozze and Brandon Grosso led the 33 car field to the green field for the 53rd annual Freedom 76.

Modified legend who once called Grandview Speedway his Saturday night home, took the races early lead with Rick Laubach, Brandon Grosso, Billy Pauch Jr., and Addison Meitzler in the Brett Kressley Racing #19A chasing him.

On Lap 2, John Willman got out of shape and slowed, while he continued and was right in front of the leaders almost a lap down.

At the 5 laps down mark of the event Frank Cozze looked strong out front, Laubach, Grosso, Pauch Jr., Meitzler, Godown, and Craig Von Dohren were chasing the leader.

The first caution of the event came on lap 7 as Jared Umbenhauer slowed to a stop in the Carriage House Car Wash #19.

The field was restacked and on the restart Rick Laubach took the Shaker Motorsports #20 to the race lead as Cozze dropped to 2nd, Grosso, Pauch, and Godown, and Von Dohren were the new Top 5.

On Lap 9 Ryan Godown quickly powered into 2nd. It was evident that the Godown RM Motorsports #26 was urgently looking to get to the race lead.

Lap 9 the races 2nd caution was flashing as Jeff Strunk and Kevin Hirthler needed service from their pit area. Both drivers visited the pit area and returned to racing action.

The field was restacked and shown as Rick Laubach the race leader, Ryan Godown 2nd, Frank Cozze 3rd, Brandon Grosso 4th, Billy Pauch Jr. 5th, Craig Von Dohren 6th, Ryan Watt 7th, Doug Manmiller 8th, Addison Meitzler 9th, and Joseph Watson 10th.

The field gets the green light as Rick Laubach powers to the race lead, Ryan Godown is on his bumper.

Lap 12 Godown powers around the Laubach #20 for the race lead.

With 15 down on the scoreboard, Ryan Godown is the race leader, with Laubach, Grosso, Von Dohren, Pauch Jr. the Top-5.

Ray Swinehart took the #942 to the pits on lap 15.

At lap 20, Godown is stretching his legs out front and approaching lap traffic as Rick Laubach is chasing him for the top spot. Brett Kressley who started 24th has made a run from 24th to 13th.

With the race showing 25 down, Godown remains the race leader with Laubach, Craig Von Dohren, Grosso, Pauch Jr. and Doug Manmiller the new Top-5.

Lap 28, Brett Kressley the ’23 Grandview Speedway is continuing his march to the front of the pack by hitting 11th.

Lap 30 and clean and green for Ryan Godown. Godown is leading by a straightaway and continuing to navigate lapped traffic. Rick Laubach remains 2nd, Doug Manmiller is now the man on the move in 3rd, Von Dohren is 4th, and Ryan Watt has now cracked the Top-5.

Lap 38 the new caution flag is waving for the race as Bobby Gunther Walsh and Jeff Strunk tangle on the frontstretch. Walsh, returning to racing action after a vicious accident a few weeks ago in a brand new race car. Eric Biehn went to the pit area for a fuel stop, Biehn was the only car operating on alcohol.

The field is restacked for the restart with Godown your leader, Laubach, Von Dohren, Manmiller, Grosso, Watt, Gular, Pauch Jr. Duane Howard, and Brett Kressley. The cream is rising to the top. All the best at the front. While under this caution Timmy Buckwalter, Nate Brinker, and Bobby Trapper all went pitside.

We go back to racing and Godown fights off the advances from Rick Laubach once again.

On Lap 43, Doug Manmiller powers around Rick Laubach for the runner-up spot.

Lap 45 and it is turning into a dog fight at the front of the pack. Godown is fighting to hold off the top dogs – Doug Manmiller and Rick Laubach are challenging Godown for that race lead. You can throw a blanket over the Top 3.

The caution is waving again on Lap 45 as Kevin Hirthler and Joseph Watson in the Auto Gallery 21W tangle. Watson is towed off. John Willman heads to the pits. Frank Cozze suffered damage during accident and had to be towed off. Kevin Hirther went to the pits as well.

The field was restacked for the restart as Ryan Godown is collecting that Freedom 76 Lap Money as the race leader. Doug Manmiller, Rick Laubach, Mike Gular, Craig Von Dohren, Ryan Watt, Duane Howard, Billy Pauch Jr., Brandon Grosso, Brett Kressley, and Briggs Danner. Take a look at the Top- 11 – The best of the best all staged for a 31 lap dash for the big money $.

We head back to green with Doug Manmiller assaulting the Godown 26 for the race lead. Mike Gular is blasting Rick Laubach as they are all side by side and it is now go time.

Lap 50 is scored with Godown fighting off Manmiller’s challenges, Mike Gular moves to 3rd, Laubach slides to 4th, and Von Dohren is 5th.

Lap 53 is scored and Doug Manmiller is mounting another assault on the 26 at the point. Mike Gular and Rick Laubach are not done either as they are side by side for 3rd and 4th.

Lap 55 is clicked off and Ryan Godown has fought off Manmiller’s challenge. Gular, Laubach, Von Dohren are new Top-5.

Lap 60 is scored and Godown is breaking away from Doug Manmiller, Mike Gular, Rick Laubach, and Craig Von Dohren.

As lap 62 is scored there are 2 trains of competitors as Godown, Manmiller and Gular are nose to tail and then there is separation and Laubach, Von Dohren, and Howard are nose to tail.

With lap 65 being scored Mike Gular is now after 2nd place as he goes side by side with Manmiller for 2nd. On Lap 66 Mike Gular moves into 2nd. Lap 67 is scored and Doug Manmiller returns the favor by moving past Gular for 2nd.

Lap 70 is scored – Sponsored by Race Pro Weekly and Wenner Media Group, Ryan Godown is race leader with 6 to go. Godown has a comfortable lead as Manmiller, Gular, Laubach, Von Dohren, Howard, Watt, and Kressley are chasing.

With 73 on the scoreboard Godown is opening up the race lead. Manmiller, Gular, Laubach, Von Dohren, Howard, Watt and Kressley follow.

Ryan Godown goes unchallenged the last 3 laps to score his 2nd Grandview Speedway Freedom 76 crown. The win was worth $30,061 + Lap Money. Godown gave special Thanks to Stephan, from Trick Race Parts for coming down to help for the week. Ryan gave special appreciation to his crew and sponsors for the support. Ryan commented that Grandview Speedway is one of the hardest tracks to win at, he knew the battle was coming and that he thankfully had enough race car to get it done.

T.P. TRAILER NASCAR MODIFIED FREEDOM 76 FEATURE FINISH (76 laps): RYAN GODOWN, Doug Manmiller, Mike Gular, Rick Laubach, Craig Von Dohren, Duane Howard, Ryan Watt, Brett Kressley, Brandon Grosso, Briggs Danner, Billy Pauch Jr., Louden Reimert, Jordan Watson, Eddie Strada, Jeff Strunk, Corey Cormier, Addison Meitzler, Jimmy Leiby, Paul Mancini, Ryan Krachun, Eric Biehn, Frank Cozze, Joseph Watson, Sam Martz Sr., Kevin Hirthler, John Willman, Bobby Trapper Jr., Nate Brinker, Bobby Gunther-Walsh, Craig Whitmoyer, Tim Buckwalter, Ray Swinehart, Jared Umbenhauer, Jesse Leiby

DID NOT QUALIFY: Brian Hirthler, Kevin Graver Jr., Matt Stangle, Mark Kratz, Billy Osmun III, Corey Renninger, Adrianna Delliponti, Sam Martz Jr., Logan Bauman, Matt Yoder, Chris Gambler, Eric Kormann, Darrin Schuler, Mike Lisowski, Mark Malcolm, Aleia Geisler, Ryan Grim, WB James, Ken Eckert Jr., Kyle Smith, Mike Laise, Nathan Mohr, Jesse Hirthler, Dylan Swinehart, Ron Haring Jr., Lex Shive, Anthony Tramontana, Justin Grim, Bobby Trapper Sr., Chris Eposito, Jack Butler, Joe Funk, Bryan Rhoads, Ryan Beltz, Cale Ross, Kyle Weiss, Nick Rochinski, Logan Watt

SCHAEFFER RACING MINUTEMAN 20: (Top 5 to Freedom 76): BOOBY TRAPPER JR., Paul Mancini, John Willman, Jared Umbenhauer, Jimmy Leiby, Kyle Smith, Jesse Hirthler, Eric Kormann, Cale Ross, Logan Watt, Anthony Tramontana, Ken Eckert Jr., Billy Osmun III, Ray Swinehart, Sam Martz Jr., Adrianna Delliponti, Kevin Graver Jr., Jack Butler, Justin Grim, Ron Haring Jr.

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Eddie Strada, Sam Martz Sr., Duane Howard, Joseph Watson, Ryan Godown, Billy Pauch Jr.
CONSOLATION WINNERS: Billy Osmun III, Jared Umbenhauer

NASCAR ADVANCE AUTO PARTS WEEKLY SERIES WINNER BONUS ($1000): Ryan Godown
BOB HILBERT SPORTSWEAR CUSTOM WINNER’S JACKET – Ryan Godown
LOW DOWN & DIRTY CASH DASH – $1371.76 – Duane Howard
BOBBY GUNTHER-WALSH AND SPONSORS (Res Q Natural Supplements, Just Born Candies – Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales, Marshmallow Peeps) HARD CHARGER $661 – Brett Kressley +16
LYNN HIMES GREAT EFFORT AWARD FROM T.P. TRAILERS & TRUCK EQUIPMENT – HIGHEST FINISHER NOT TOP TEN GRANDVIEW POINTS ($100): Ryan Godown
TRACK OFFICIALS HARD LUCK AWARD – $225 – Kyle Smith
COMPETITION CARBURETION FASTEST LAP OF FEATURE CERTIFICATE – $100 – Rick Laubach – 14.927