Column By: TOM WENNER / RPW – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – Billy Pauch Jr. swept the Ronnie Tobias Memorial Twin-20’s at the Action Track USA on Wednesday, May 25.
When Billy towed the Heffner 27 All Pro Speedstr into the Grandview Speedway pit area on Sunday for the companion Thunder On The Hill event you knew he would be the favorite to win.
The event saw his legendary father, Billy Pauch Sr. tow the Hummer Rodota R7 invading from his semi-retirement status.
Pauch Jr. easily won Heat Race #1 after timed hot laps. Billy Pauch Sr. scored the Heat Race #2 win. This created a Pauch family front row for the 25 Lap $2500 to Win Speedway Entertainment All-Pro Speedstrs by VP Racing Fuels feature event.
Billy Pauch Jr. and Billy Pauch Sr. led the 21 car field to the green flag.
The caution flag was waving immediately as the field did not get a lap in, several cars were involved in a multi car accident on the front stretch. Jack Berghoff 69, Ryan Krachun 5, and Cole Stangle 27 sustained damage and were retired from the event before a lap was completed.
After the cleanup was completed, The field was reset and the action was again set for the green.
Billy Pauch Jr. took the green and immediately pulled away from his father Billy Pauch Sr, Louden Reimert, Richie Tobias Jr. , and Alex Bright
On lap 8 the caution lights were flying for TJ Mayberry who retired from the event. Mike Bednar retired from the event with a flat tire during this caution as well.
The field was reset and back to green. Billy Pauch Jr. powered into the lead once again with Pauch Sr. in the R7 following. Loudon Reimert in the Von Dohren Stables 1c was right behind Pauch Sr. waiting for his opportunity to sneak past.
By lap 15, Pauch Jr. had the Heffner All-Pro Speedstr flying with a straightaway lead.
As the field clicked off lap 20, 5 to go Pauch Jr. was in total command of the race. Pauch Sr. and Louden Reimert were nose-to-nose battling for 2nd and 3rd place. Richie Tobias Jr. was within reach of both and waiting for his opportunity to drive by. Timmy Buckwalter piloting the #21 after his main #52 lost power in the heat race had driven up to 5th, Tyler Brehm was 6th, and Alex Bright 7th.
Billy Pauch Jr. raced to the Speedway Entertainment $2500 All-Pro Speedstr victory. Billy Pauch Sr. held off a valiant charge by Louden Reimert for the runner-up spot, Richie Tobias finished in 3rd place after Louden Reimert skated high in turns 3 and 4 on the last lap. Louden Reimert finished 4th, Timmy Buckwalter 5th in the Morris #21 backup Speedstr Ride, Tyler Brehm 6th, Alex Bright 7th, Andy Haus 8th, Jason Musser 9th, Dillon Steuer 10th.