Grandview season wrap up

BECHTELSVILLE, PA NOVEMBER 23, 2000 . . . For the first time in his long modified stock car driving career, Jeff Strunk was able to win a NASCAR Modified Championship at Grandview Speedway. And for the fourth time in his career Dean Stoudt walked off with the NASCAR ShorTrack Late Model Championship. Making it an outstanding season Strunk (Bethel, PA) also won, for the second season in a row, the lucrative Motor Truck Equipment Co. Kenworth Cummins PA NASCAR Modified Championship Series title.

Strunk, a title winner at a number of other area speedways, earned the NASCAR Modified Championship title at the Berks County, PA Grandview Speedway in a late season surge. The popular Modified stock car driver earned four feature wins, 4246 points, to win the track championship for himself and car owner Keith Harring, Harring Motorsports of Bethel, PA.

For much of the season Terry Meitzler (Kutztown, PA), the defending champion, was the point leader. With four feature wins Meitzler looked like he was going to make it two titles in a row. However in the final weeks Strunk came on strong, Meitzler suffered some bad luck and had to settle for second with 4110 counters. Third spot went to Kerry Kratz (Bechtelsville, PA) with 3823 points and one feature win.

And in the Motor Truck Equipment Co. Kenworth Cummins PA NASCAR Modified Championship Series, including modified events run at Big Diamond Raceway and Grandview Speedway, Strunk was able to tally 8,585 points and top Meitzler by 105 counters to win his second consecutive dual track title worth $15,000 out of the $40,000 in posted point money.

Veteran campaigner Dean Stoudt (East Greenville, PA) won the NASCAR ShorTrack Late Model title the hard way, he did it without winning a feature race. Consistent performance earned Stoudt his fourth driving title, his first since 1993. Stoudt's car owner Kurt Krommes earned the car owner title. The championship team tallied 4,515 points to nose out Kyle Pensinger (Lyons, PA) who finished second with 4,475. Third went to Chuck Sennott (Gilbertsville) 4262 counters.

For their track championships Strunk and Stoudt picked up significant point fund checks from NASCAR and, a second check, from Grandview Speedway management. In addition Strunk and a guest will be part of the annual Champion's Cruise to five Caribbean Islands (December 3 to 10). The trip, valued at close to $3,500, is a thank you to racers for their support of the Grandview Speedway. More than 40 people will be part of the Champion's Cruise which has been put together by Marilyn Saxton and Plaza II Travel each year for the last dozen years or more.

Winners of the biggest events of the season were Jeff Strunk ($10,000 to win Kenworth Cummins Forrest Rogers Memorial), Billy Pauch ($20,000 to win THProperties Freedom 76) and Kyle Pensinger (Harry's U-Pull It Firecracker 40 for Late Models).

The 2001 NASCAR stock car racing season will open at Grandview Speedway on Saturday, March 31, 12 noon, with a free to the public practice session. The chase for the lucrative point title will get the green flag at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 7.

New, for fans, in 2001 will be the opportunity, for two fans, to win a ride in a special two seat modified stock car with one of the top drivers at the wheel. Two rides will be given away each Saturday night.

<pre> TOP TEN IN NASCAR WEEKLY RACING SERIES MODIFIEDS: 1. Jeff Strunk, Bethel, PA............4246 - 4 wins 2. Terry Meitzler, Kutztown, PA.......4110 - 4 wins 3. Kerry Kratz, Bechtelsville, PA.....3823 - 1 win 4. Tom Mayberry, Sellersville, PA.....3766 - 1 win 5. Chip Slocum, Ewing Township, NJ....3522 6. Doug Manmiller, Sinking Spring, PA.3169 7. Jon Kellner, Lansdale, PA..........3130 - 1 win 8. Glenn Strunk, Bechtelsville, PA....2914 9. Rick Schaffer, Woxall, PA..........2909 - 1 win 10. Ray Swinehart, Bechtelsville, PA...2894

TOP TEN IN NASCAR EXIDE SHORTRACK LATE MODELS: 1. Dean Stoudt, East Greenville, PA...4515 2. Kyle Pensinger, Lyons, PA..........4475 - 2 wins 3. Chuck Sennott, Gilbertsville, PA...4262 - 2 wins 4. Lou Egrie, Philadelphia, PA........4225 - 5. Rick Todorow, Quakertown, PA.......3981 - 1 win 6. Sammy Schlosberg, Green Lane, PA...3979 - 3 wins 7. Ed Trimbur, Zionsville, PA.........3978 - 2 wins 8. John Durling, Reading, PA..........3892 - 3 wins 9. Terry Snyder, East Greenville, PA..3482 - 1 win 10. Casey Ebright, Lansdale, PA........3280

MOTOR TRUCK EQUIPMENT CO. KENWORTH CUMMINS PA NASCAR MODIFIED DUAL TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP 1. Jeff Strunk.................8585 - $15,000 2. Terry Meitzler..............8480 - $ 7,000 3. MeMe DeSantis...............7855 - $ 4,000 4. Glenn Strunk................7805 - $ 1,937.50 5. Kerry Kratz.................7805 - $ 1,937.50 6. Ray Swinehart...............7780 - $ 1,650 7. Doug Manmiller..............7590 - $ 1,500 8. Dennis Bailey...............7225 - $ 1,350 9. Shawn Reimert...............7190 - $ 1,225 10. Smokey Warren...............6765 - $ 1,000 11. Barry Readinger.............6580 - $ 900 12. John Willman................6365 - $ 800 13. Tom Umbenhauer..............5760 - $ 700 14. Jeff Sechrist...............5755 - $ 600 15. Bob Trapper.................5095 - $ 500 16. Tracy Readinger.............5080 - Trophy 17. Brian Engle.................4880 - Trophy