Column By: TOM WENNER / RPW – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – Mother Nature has not been friendly with the Grandview Speedway competitors and fans this season.
Saturday night, she claimed her sixth event of the year.
On the card was a full regular show of 602 Sportsman and Spec 358 Modifieds. While rain was predicted for the evening, the track crew, led by Kenny Rogers and Brad Missimer, created a super fast and smooth surface for competitors to race on for the evening.
Tina Rogers and the Speedway officials immediately informed drivers and teams of the impending weather by warning everyone to be ready when the call was made to race.
Counts of machines gracing the pit area for the evening’s competition stood at 44 602 Sportsman and 35 Spec 358-Modifieds.
The four 602 Sportsman Heats were called to the track first.
Zach Steffy claimed Heat Race 1 with Lawson Szerencits claiming Heat Race 2. Jared LaBaugh, 602 Sportsman invader from Orange County Fair Speedway was flying to the front of the pack in heat race #2 before getting tangled with Logan Bauman and getting off the track.
Colton Perry got of shape while running in a qualified spot and collected Jesse Hirthler and Kaitlyn Bailey. Hirthler pitted and returned to drive through the field and qualify, while Bailey was unable to return.
Brian Hirthler had the Four Star Racing 4* flying on Saturday, easily claiming Heat race #3. Brett Gilmore would finish 2nd, but had contact with Kenny Bock during the race putting Bock out of contention for a qualifying spot. He was not happy afterwards as he expressed his displeasure.
Steve Young claimed Heat race #4, Mark Kemmerer was running in qualified spot before lapped car Dennis Graber got out of shape in turn 4 and Kemmerer was collected.
The hot and humid weather all night certainly kept the action on the track steamy for some.
The four Spec 358-Modified Heats were called to the track next as the skies started to show signs of impending weather moving in.
The Electric Company, Ryan Watt, was in full power mode on Saturday, driving from sixth to the heat race win in qualifier #1. Louden Reimert drove from seventh to second and point leader, Jeff Strunk, piloting the Norm Hansell #357, had to work extremely hard to earn the final qualifying position.
Nate Brinker, driving Keith Hoffman’s, Hoffman Discount Parts #4R, blasted to the race lead and never looked back in Heat #2. Defending point champ, Brett Kressley, drove from seventh to the runner-up spot.
Johnny Willman and Eddie Strada waged a great battle for third and fourth while Cody Manmiller edged Kyle Smith for the final transfer spot in a photo finish.
Mike Lisowski drove from fifth to the lead and won Heat race #3. Timmy Buckwalter finished second in the Weller #942.
As the fourth Modified Heat rolled onto the track, Mother Nature showed up and it started to drizzle. By the time the field took the green, it started to rain.
The event got to about the halfway point before an accident took place in turn two, involving Carroll Hine III.
While under yellow, Craig Von Dohren lost power in the Bruce Brueche #30. The veteran was pushed to the pits.
That’s when the rain picked up even more and cars were called to the pit area. The skies then opened up fully and the night was over at that point.
This will definitely setup some exciting future events at the Grandview Speedway.