RPW Exclusive: Over 100 Cars Pack Grandview Speedway’s Practice; Getting Dialed In For 2024 Season

Column By: TOM WENNER / RPW – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – A right of passage every racing season for me has always been the Grandview Speedway practice day.

In the 80’s, it was typically the first time most of the race cars would be in action on the track. It was sign that winter has moved on, Spring is here and it is time to get ready for outdoor activities after a few months of indoor activities.

The smell of new paint, racing fuel, the sounds of fresh racing engines at idle are all what make a true racing fan senses go crazy.

The Rogers family has made significant improvements to the facility over the past 2 offseason breaks, this past winter was no different. If you walked down the backstretch pit area grandstand you will find all new speakers and LED Lighting attached to the poles.

As you walked the aisle looking for your seat, It was noticeable that the Rogers spent time this past offseason replacing worn wooden boards on the pit area grandstands.

The Bruce Rogers Money Maker Memorial Opening Day pays $1000 to start and $7500 to win. You can tell that the money being offered on Opening Day is motivating racers to do their homework. Over 100 cars graced the Grandview Speedway pit for practice.

The tracks premier division NASCAR 358 Modifieds had 35 cars taking time, The Grandview Sportsman division has gone to 602 race engines, no longer allowing open sportsman motors and saw 38 cars practicing, 14 Outlaw Enduro Cars, 8 Vintage Cars, 3 Sprint Cars, Slingshot, and Xcel 600 Modified.

The Modified division was well represented by the tracks regular NASCAR 358 Modified drivers, Track Champion Brett Kressley was practicing with a new brand new yellow and Red Kressley’s Auto and Truck Sales Bicknell 19k, Grandview Speedway Legend Craig Von Dohren used the day to tune the Bruce Brueche Jr. & Sons Bicknell #30, and Duane Howard took laps in both Getz Motorsports Bicknell #15G’s for Big Diamond and Grandview, Duane is returning to Grandview racing action after spending last season at the Bridgeport Speedway.

One of the quietest pairings of the winter offseason was the return of Jeff Strunk to the Norm Hansell 358 race team. Strunk and Hansell debuted to beautiful Yellow and Blue Norm Save Station #357 Bicknell today. Jared Umbenhauer debuted a beautiful new Bicknell NASCAR #19.

The Miller and Miller Pole Line Construction #28 TEO Elite RXD that Brett Hearn has driven recently was in the Grandview Speedway pits. Michael Storms was the pilot today and running quick practice laps all day. Doug Manmiller had a new Jason Miller 44 was in the pits and running fast laps. Big Diamond Speedway and Southern Tier Modified veteran Nick Rochinski was testing his TEO 20r.

There are several Sportsman drivers making the move up to NASCAR 358 Modified racing with Brandon Edgar, Talan Carter, BJ Joly, Matt Yoder, Kyle Smith, and Bryan Rhoads turning laps with the 358 Mods. Rhoads was fastest in 1 of the sessions at 15.490. Former Grandview Speedway Sportsman Champion Brian Hirthler was practicing his Four Star 4* 358 Modified on the day, word in the pit area is that Brian will not race for points and may swap back and forth between 358 and Sportsman during the year.

Jon Kellner Sr. returned to racing action today in the Mike Casey owned Bicknell #21. Kellner knocked the rust off and looked like he never stopped racing.

Duane Howard, Doug Manmiller, Kevin Hirthler, Jimmy Leiby, Bryan Rhoads, and Kevin Graver Jr. were the fastest in the 8 – 358 Modified Practice Sessions.

38 Grandview Speedway Sportsman Modifieds took to the track for practice. Addison Meitzler, Jesse Hirthler, Ryan Graver, Adrianna Delliponti, Mark Kemmerer, and Kaitlyn Bailey were the Sportsman Fast Timers on the day. With 6 drivers moving up to 358 Modified racing, the Sportsman division will have a different look this year. The division has several new Sportsman drivers along with some returning veterans.

The Leiby Racing Team usually has a big racing compound of cars at Grandview Speedway. This season it will be greatly reduced. Jesse Leiby is taking the year off, Molly Struss is no longer racing for the Leiby family and is taking time off away from track. Jimmy was turning fast laps in his 358 Modified. He shared with me that he plans to do some traveling this year with a 602 Sportsman, He will run the Thunder On The Hill Modified Shows, and mentioned a trip to Charlotte in the fall with his Sportsman.

The first time in many years there was no Gilmore Racing team in the pit area at practice day. Kenny and Brett Gilmore were absent, no word on their plans for the ’24 season. The Grim Family was in the pit area with a beautiful #611 tribute paint job to Gary Grim’s old #611. Brad Grim has retired, and Brett Grim is now turning laps for the Lynn Peters #611 Racing Team.

Trent Merkel was practicing the family Merkel Rebar #118 Limited Late Model. Brandon McGough was shaking down his #669 URC Sprint, He was joined by Landon Price who was running laps with his Steak-Umm #69P 305 Sprint Car.

Next Saturday, April 6th – Bruce Rogers Money Maker Memorial – $7500 to Win, $1000 to Start + Sportsman. 600pm Start. Gates Open at 400pm.