Grandview Speedway 1999-06-12

------------------------------------------------------------- IN A NUTSHELL: Jeff Strunk won the 30-lap Red Hill Ford NASCAR Winston Racing Series Modified stock car feature at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night. Current point leader Sean Michael took home the top honors in the Bars Leaks United Racing Club sprint car feature. The all time leading feature winner (80 wins) and five time United Racing Club champion Glenn Fitzcharles was honored by the URC, Grandview Speedway and others as he announced his retirement as a driver. Coming up on Saturday, June 19, 7:30 p.m. twin 20-lap features for the NASCAR Winston Racing Series Modifieds along with a full show of NASCAR Shortrack Late Models. At least 13 events of stock car racing will be presented. Should the event be rained out the modifieds and late models will run on Sunday at 7 p.m. -------------------------------------------------------------

JEFF STRUNK AND SEAN MICHAEL WIN FEATURES, FITZCHARLES RETIRES AS DRIVER

BECHTELSVILLES, PA JUNE 12, 1999 . . .Jeff Strunk, current point leader in the chase for the $40,000 Motor Truck Equipment Co. Cummins Kenworth PA NASCAR Modified Championship Series, won his second feature of the season at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night. The win, in the Red Hill Ford NASCAR Winston Racing Series 30-lap Modified feature, was also the second of the weekend for the Bechtelsville racer having won at Big Diamond Raceway on Friday night. And with a huge crowd on hand for the first time ever doubleheader show of URC sprints and NASCAR Modifieds, Sean Michael of Allentown, PA brought the BK Leasing entry home first in the 25-lap Red Hill Ford URC feature race. Veteran racer Glenn Fitzcharles (Pottstown) used the evening to announce his retirement as an active race driver after 34 years of driving stock and sprint cars. Fitzcharles, a fan favorite, started his career at Grandview Speedway and figured it was appropriate that he retire at Grandview in a show that featured his first loves, modifieds and sprint cars. The United Racing Club honored Fitz as did Grandview Speedway with an induction on to their Wall of Fame. In addition Nazareth Speedway presented Fitzcharles with a package of tickets and pit passes to be their guest at their July 16-18 weekend of racing that includes the USAC Coors Silver Bullet Champ Cars. Fitz also received a lifetime gold card membership, the first ever presented, to the United Racing Club. Ron Haring got the jump on the field at the drop of the green leading up to the halfway make when Jeff Strunk put the Cummins/Kenworth sponsored Keith Harring owned mount in front of the pack. Both drivers had to survive a number of early race incidents. Once in front Strunk had his hands full holding off a strong challenge from Chip Slocum and Donny Erb. At the finish Slocum was closing on Strunk but time ran out and Strunk was able to visit victory lane and pick up his $2200 first place money. Slocum (Ewing Township, NJ) finished a close second followed by Donny Erb (Doulgassville), current modified point leader Terry Meitzler (Kutztown) and the Mopar powered Doug Pannepacker (Green Lane). "It is always a pleasure to race with (Chip) Slocum. He is a good racer and a clean racer. We just ran our own race and we can not say enough about the excellent condition of the race track. It was in great shape. Our crew and our sponsors, they all help make the wins possible. I think our early season bad luck is turned around. We are looking for a big season," said Strunk. In the 25-lap feature for Bars Leaks United Racing Club sprint cars Jimmy Stitzel (Blandon, PA) looked as if he would grab his first career URC win. The talented chauffer set the pace for 21 laps before Sean Michael, coming from ninth starting spot, was able to grab the lead and go on to victory. For several laps fans were treated to a four car battle for the top spot between leader Stitzel, Dave Gable, Kramer Williamson and Michael. At the finish Michael had a comfortable lead to gab his third win of the season and increase in his point lead in the chase for the lucrative Bars Leaks United Racing Club sprint car title. Stitzel held on for second with Kramer Williamson (Palmyra, PA) coming home third followed by Dave Gable (Birdsboro) and Chris Coyle (Wilmington, DE). Qualifying heat races for the modifieds were won by Ron Haring, Rick Schaffer, Chip Slocum, and Donny Erb. The consolation wins were earned by Junior Mikosz and Dennis Bailey. The Automotive Machining Services Cash Dash went to Rick Schaffer and was worth $370. In URC sprint qualifying the wins went to Jon Eldreth, Kramer Williamson, and Todd Rittenhouse Jr. Dave McGough won the consolation race. Racing returns to the Berks County clay oval on Saturday, June 19th with the fan favorite twin 20-lap NASCAR Modified features plus a full show of NASCAR Late Model stock car racing. At least 13 events of stock car racing will be presented starting at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday, 7 p.m. rain date. Grandview Speedway is located on Passmore Road, just off Route 100, in Bechtelsville, PA, 10 miles north of Pottstown. For information telephone 610.754.7688 or visit their website at www.grandviewspeeway.com. RED HILL FORD 30-LAP MODIFIED FEATURE(TOP 20): Jeff Strunk, Chip Slocum, Donny Erb, Terry Meitzler, Doug Pannepacker, Kevin Hartnett, Ron Haring, Smokey Warren, Kerry Kratz, Rick Schaffer, Kenny Gilmore, Mike Bailey, Tracy Readinger, Dave Faust, Dennis Bailey, Sam Martz, Steve Folk, Jack Hartnett, Glenn Strunk, Cliff Quinn. RED HILL FORD 30-LAP BARS LEAKS URC SPRINT FEATURE: Sean Michael, Jimmy Stitzel, Kramer Williamson, Dave Gable, Chris Coyle, Glen Clarke, Dave McGough, Todd Rittenhouse, Jr., Midge Miller, Curt Michael, Billy Ellis, Jimmy Martin, Mike Haggenbottom, Jon Eldreth, Bill Case, Danny Massey, Jeremy Trout, Fran Hogue, Tim Higgins, Fed Kennedy, Ray Staats, John Karklin, Tom Freschetta, Glenn Fitzcharles, Becca Anderson.

NASCAR MODIFIED POINT STANDINGS: Terry Meitzler, Kutztown, 2552; Jeff Strunk, Bechtelsville, 2425; Kerry Kratz, Bechtelsville, 2409; Kevin Hartnett, Perkasie, 2362; Rick Schaffer, Woxall, 2281; Kenny Gilmore, Fleetwood, 2203; Jon Kellner, Lansdale, 2117; Glenn Strunk, Boyertown, 2111; Tom Mayberry, Sellersville, 2041; Chip Slocum, Ewing Township, NJ, 2037. NASCAR LATE MODEL POINT STANDINGS-There was not late model racing this week so the points remain the same as the previous week.