RPW Exclusive: Alex Yankowski, Logan Watt Join History; Grandview’s Freedom Weekend Was One For The Ages

Column By: TOM WENNER / RPW – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – The Grandview Speedway Sportsman 38er has been growing leaps and bounds the last 3 years.  On Friday Night the ’24 edition of the event was notably the best ever.

With perfect weather conditions the track enjoyed a full capacity pit area with 67 – 602 Sportsman Modifieds, The parking lot was reminiscent of Super Dirt Week with campers taking up a large portion of the main parking area and adjoining field.

The fans have started to support this show more and more with the bonus 5.00 gate admission. The Friday Grandview Speedway 38er is the “Best Value” in racing entertainment today. Adding that over 50+ Spec 358 Modifieds came to the track for multiple practice sessions, the pit area was overflowing with cars.

The fans were treated to 7 – 602 Sportsman Heat Races, 3 consolation races, and a 20-Lap Battle of Bechtelsville B Main to set the coveted Freedom 38er starting field.

The Freedom 38er saw several invaders join the Grandview Speedway regulars in the pit area. Joe Toth was behind the wheel of the Hirthler Racing Team 117T, Matt Peck, and Jax Yohn from Bridgeport Speedway, Brian Krummel from Accord, Jordan Henn and Colin Cox from Big Diamond Speedway, Former Champ Brad Brightbill, and Former Modified Ace Brad Arnold.

Jordan Henn, Addison Meitzler, Adrianna Delliponti, Mike Toth, Joe Toth, Dylan Swinehart, and Jax Yohn were the 7 heat winners. The 7 Heat Races held produced some of the best racing all year. 67 cars created 7 heats, with 3 qualifying from each heat. Drivers in 4th and 5th went to the B Main, everyone further back had to run consolation races just to get into the B Main. Sportsman Champion Logan Watt was only 602 Sportsman driver with a guaranteed starting spot in the pit area.

The Freedom 38er would run off with Logan Watt coming from the front row. Watt would lead every lap of the race for the win. While the win on paper the victory appeared easy for Watt, but that was far from the truth. The event ran non-stop from lap 10 through 31 without caution.

On lap 31, A 10-Car pileup in turn 3 slowed down the race pace from the final 7 laps. Mike Schneck and Jordan Henn pressured Logan Watt at times during the event before retiring from competition. Jesse Hirthler from Boyertown, PA was looking for his 1st career 602 Sportsman victory and drove from 12th.

Adrianna Delliponti brought her 23XA home in 3rd. A true podium of the young racing talent from Grandview Speedway.

The 3rd victory of the year at Grandview Speedway for Logan Watt, capping his ’24 championship with the prestigious Freedom 38er trophy. Logan commented in victory lane “Any race held at Grandview Speedway that has the word “Freedom” is a big one.”

Logan commented in victory lane that not having to run a heat race was key but having Hannah Korrmann pick the #1 pill for the starting spot in the Freedom 38er was huge. Logan added “Having the Spec 358 Modified here tonight to practice made by 602 Sportsman feel like a slug”. Logan replied, “I have Thank my parents Ryan and Lesley, Ronnie and Fay, Stringers Collision, CTC Construction, and all my buddies who come out to help us”. Logan added ” The track rubbered up on the bottom at the end, those last 7 laps I did not know if it was Jesse or Joe, but I had to hit marks and bring it home”.

On Saturday, another picture weather day, the track atmosphere on Freedom 76 is second to none. The track allows fans to place blankets to save their seats at 900am, The parking lot atmosphere is one of the best in the country as picnics, tailgating start early in the morning and typically run well past the 76er victory lane photos.

73 Spec 358 Modified entered the pit area for the Freedom 76, Jeff Strunk, Ryan Godown, and Ryan Watt were guaranteed starters for the 76er. Another evening of 7 heats created a race fans dream with all of the qualifying drama that happens when 10 cars are trying for 3 coveted spots in the $30k to win 76er.

Adrianna Delliponti, Dylan Swinehart, Jesse Hirthler, and Logan Watt were back on Saturday with Spec 358 Modifieds attempting to qualify for 76er. Brian Hirthler had his Four Star 4* back in the pit area, Hirthler has spent the season going back and forth between the 2 divisions all season.

The 76er field always draws the top names in racing, Saturday was no different with drivers like Stewart Friesen, Mad Max McLaughin, Bobby Varin, Rick Laubach, Frank Cozze, Billy Pauch Jr, Mike Marasca, Dom Buffalino, Ryan Godown, Danny Creeden, Tyler Dippel, Ryan Krachun, Tanner VanDoren, and a host of others.

Jim Houseworth, Kevin Hirthler, Jared Umbenhauer, Brandon Grasso, Logan Watt, David Hunt, and Dom Buffalino were the heat race winners. Ryan Godown would score the $1000 cash dash win. The consolation races were epic in nature as they had many big hitters just trying to gain access into the Minute Man 20.

The Minute Man 20 was like a mini feature this year. The last 8 starting spots in the 76er were open, with many big hitters in the field. Maresca, Varin, Louden Reimert, Rick Laubach, Stewart Friesen, Craig Von Dohren, Max McLaughlin, Danny Bouc, Ryan Krachun, Tanner Van Doren, Tyler Dippel and Billy Pauch Jr.

Mike Maresca would take the Minute Man 20 victory, with Krachun, Pauch Jr., Laubach, Reimert, Varin, Eddie Strada, and Tyler Dippel all grabbing the final spots in the Freedom 76er.

The Freedom 76 was a race of attrition, 35 cars started the race and only 14 remained on the track at end of the event. Jeff Strunk in Norm Hansell’s 357 was looking to cap his championship season off in the same manner that Logan Watt did in the Freedom 38er.

Strunk would lead early in the race and it appeared that the Hansell 357 was set for the long haul. Alex Yankowski had other thoughts, The Fonda, NY Speedway champion stalked Strunk in lapped traffic leading up to lap 47, On the Lap 47, The 2RS of Yankowski drove to the lead. Jeff Strunk followed Yankowski close through lap traffic until lap 65, when the Hansell 357 lost power and Strunk retired from the event.

Eddie Strada was the man of the race, driving from 31st to 3rd. Kevin Hirthler trying to match his son, Jesse’s 2nd place finish in the 38er did it. Kevin looked good all night while running at the front of the pack and then challenging Yankowski at the end.

Ryan Watt, Brandon Grosso, Billy Pauch Jr., Craig Von Dohren from a provisional starting spot to 7th, Logan Watt 8th in his Spec 358 Modified, Kyle Smith, and Rick Laubach.

Alex’s career is peaking and if it is long distance race, you cannot count him out. He has won the Big Diamond Speedway Coalcracker, The Bridgeport Speedway 100 Lapper, He has won at the World Finals in Charlotte, He is a Super DIRTcar Series winner, and is the Fonda Speedway Modified Track Champion.

Alex upon exiting his car “This is a track that I have always struggled at, To get this win means so much”. “To win here, where Rich grew up makes me super excited”. Alex commented “The caution at the end of the race, saved it for us”. The track surface changed and it became a goal to hit my marks and spots”

Yankowski expressed gratitude for Rich Stankewicz, the team, and everyone who helps me at home and at the track. Stankewicz Roofing, SY-Murray Performance Engines, Bicknell, Wilcox, Allegheny Towing,