Grandview race summary 2003-04-12

Desantis and Miller win at Grandview Speedway Saturday night.

BECHTELSVILLE, PA APRIL 12, 2003 . . . Coming from 18th starting spot in the 29 car starting field Meme DeSantis, Temple, PA was able to win the Patriot Bank sponsored 40-lap opening night feature for NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series Modified stock cars at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night. Jason Miller, Germansville, PA was able to win the 20-lap feature for the Late Model stock cars.

A first lap incident put both Tom Mayberry and Billy Pauch out of the modified feature race action. Craig VonDohren had the Devine Transport #70D in front of the pack at the start of the 40-lap feature that was offering $4,000 to the winner. At the midway point VonDohren, a multi time champion at Grandview Speedway, was still in charge but getting heavy pressure from defending champion Jeff Strunk and Meme DeSantis who had charged up from 18th starting spot.

With 23 laps in the record book DeSantis was able to put the Norm's Save Station/Davis Insurance entry in front of the pack. Two laps later Kevin Hartnett brought out the caution stopping in the third turn. On the restart VonDohren was back in front but that was short lived as just two laps later DeSantis put the Norm Hansell owned machine in front of the pack.

In the final five laps of the feature DeSantis had a new challenger in Ray Swinehart who came from 23rd starting spot to take second. The two ran side-by-side several times, Swinehart edged to the front but could not hold the position and when it was over former track champion Swinehart (Bechtelsville) had to settle for second to Meme DeSantis. Third spot went to Craig VonDohren (Oley) followed by defending track champion Jeff Strunk (Bethel) and Jon Kellner (Lansdale).

The 20-lap feature for the Late Models had 26 cars start with a few being eliminated in a first lap accident. Ray Swinehart, doing double duty running both modifieds and late models, put the Bernheisel chassis, Dames Chevy sponsored #33 in front of the pack. It was all Swinehart for the first eight laps with Jason Miller coming from fourth to take the lead on the eighth lap. Once in front, after a little dicing with Swinehart, Miller was able to increase his lead a little each lap and end up with almost a front stretch lead on the field at the finish. Second spot went to Swinehart followed by last season's multi time feature winner Randy Stoudt (Pottstown), defending late model champion Lou Egrie (Willow Grove) and Rick Todorow (Quakertown).

The late model feature was dotted by numerous cautions with no one being injured.

Qualifying heats for the close to 60 modifieds on hand went to Tom Mayberry, Jason Andrews, Craig VonDohren, Jason Smythe and Danny Erb. The consolation races were won by Ryan Watt, Kenny Gilmore and Ray Swinehart while the $300-to-win Cash Dash went to VonDohren.

In the Late Model qualifiers for the more than 30 cars on hand wins went to Ray Swinehart, Ron Kline and Junior Grebe while the consolation race was won by Sam Schlosberg.

Coming on Saturday, April 19th is Checkered Flag Fan Club Night featuring the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series Modifieds and Late Models. There will be at least 13 events of stock car racing starting at 6 p.m. The Checkered Flag Fan Club is one of the largest and most active auto fan organizations in the nation. They will be on hand to sell raffle tickets and solicit new and renewal memberships to fund the organization.

And on Saturday, April 26th at 6 p.m. the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series will be seen in action. This will be the final early season 6 p.m. start for Saturday night racing at Grandview Speedway.

The Berks County oval is a one-third-mile, banked clay speedway located on Passmore Road just off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown, in Bechtelsville, PA. For race information telephone 610.754.7688 or check in at www.grandviewspeedway.com.

PATRIOT BANK NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY RACING SERIES MODIFIED FEATURE, 40-LAPS: Meme DeSantis, Ray Swinehart, Craig VonDohren, Jeff Strunk, Jon Kellner, Keith Brightbill, Kenny Gilmore, Ryan Watt, Randy Bailey, Shawn Reimert, Tracy Readinger, Mike Gular, Glenn Strunk, Jack Hartnett, Kyle Weiss, Rich Wisdo, Danny Erb, Ryan Beltz, John Willman, Kevin Hartnett, Todd Marburger, Jason Andrews, Ben Hatt, Barry Readinger, Donny Erb, Doug Manmiller, Tom Mayberry, Billy Pauch.

PATRIOT BANK NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY RACING SERIES LATE MODEL FEATURE, 20 LAPS:Jason Miller, Ray Swinehart, Randy Stoudt, Lou Egrie, Rick Todorow, Steve Sennott, John Durling, Bill Henning, Dean Stoudt, Mike Steinmetz, Doug Walton, Mike Wunderlich, Kirby Sites, Steve Todorow, Junior Grebe, Dallas Breidenbach, Chuck Schutz, Sam Schlosberg, Ron Chrisman, Hal Browning, Buddy Wharton, Dean Schaeffer, Terry Snyder, Chris Shuey, John Giesler.

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