Grandview Speedway Banquet, Final Points

BECHTELSVILLE, PA November 20, 1999 . . . Two new names were added to the list of champions at Grandview Speedway. Terry Meitzler of Kutztown, PA is the 1999 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Modified stock car champion and Jeff Teets of Coplay, PA is the new NASCAR Shortrack Series Late Model champion. And Jeff Strunk of Bechtelsville, PA is the 1999 Motor Truck Equipment Co. Kenworth Cummins PA Modified Champion. All were honored for their championship efforts at the 37th annual Grandview Speedway Awards Dinner-Dance on Saturday, November 20 at the Gilbertsville, PA Fire Co.Banquet Hall. MC Ernie Saxton welcomed a sellout crowd of more than 600. For Meitzler it is the end of a couple years of frustration as he finished second in the final point chase for two years in a row. The veteran modified racing talent wheeled his Meitzler Excavating sponsored entry to one feature win and tallied 5387 points to earn the track title. Meitzler reaped a harvest of awards including some lucrative cash as track champion, NASCAR modified track champion and a third place finisher in the NASCAR New England Regional standings. Meitzler and his Dad, car owner Elton Meitzler, took home more than $20,000 in cash awards along a Grandview championship ring, champion's jacket, some beautiful trophies and other perks including the Champion's Trip that carried he and his wife to Catalina Island, Encinada, Mexico and Las Vegas courtesy of Bruce and Theresa Rogers, owners of Grandview Speedway. Jeff Strunk (Bethel) finished second in the final standings, winning two features, earning 4958 points. However Strunk did win the Motor Truck Equipment Co. Kenworth Cummins PA NASCAR Modified Championship. That title was worth $15,000 based on his efforts in modified racing at Big Diamond Raceway and Grandview Speedway. Strunk (along with car owner Keith Harring) was one of just 13 racers sharing in close to $40,000 in point fund money posted by Motor Truck Equipment Co. along with Kenworth and Cummins plus other supporters. Plans for the 2000 Dual Track Point Series are presently being worked out and are expected to be announced in January. Many key executives from Kenworth, Cummins and Motor Truck Equipment Co. were on hand for the banquet. Kerry Kratz (Bechtelsville), without benefit of a feature win, tallied 4770 points. Kratz put forward a strong in the final weeks of the season to move up a few spots and gain third spot. Kevin Hartnett (Perkasie) was in the thick of the modified point chase for much of the season. Some tough luck in the final weeks moved him down to fourth in the standings with 4593 points. Hartnett did not have a feature victory to his credit. Veteran racing talent Rick Schaffer (Woxall), now the all time modified feature winner at Grandview Speedway with 46, finished fifth with 4496 points. The championship win for Jeff Teets in NASCAR Shortrack Series Late Models was also a first. The talented racer earned 5 feature victories on his way to the title and tallied 5520 points. Teets earned cash and awards from Grandview Speedway management and NASCAR as driver champion and shared the awards as car owner champion with his wife, Karen. And when you talk about determination you may want to think about Dean Stoudt (East Greenville, PA) who was in the chase for his fourth track late model championship going into the final point race. A few days before the race he underwent a gall bladder operation. But he was there for the final race. Early in the main event Stoudt was "shunted" into the infield and had to go to the rear of the field. Still determined he worked his way back to a sixth place finish, not enough to win the championship but enough to win the plaudits of a majority of fans in attendance. He finished second in the final standings for the third year in a row tallying 5440 points. He will be back in 2000 to try for that elusive fourth championship. Third spot in the final standings went to Rick Todorow (Quakertown) with 5315 counters. Todorow was the point leader for a time but late in the season bad luck caused him to lose two positions. Randy Stoudt (Pottstown) won three features in the late models with the Firecracker 40 being the big win. Stoudt, no relation to Dean, had 5024 points when the season was complete. He has sold late model equipment and plans to run NASCAR modifieds in 2000. Former champion Lou Egrie (Philadelphia) got fifth spot in the final standings with 4740 counters. Feature winners in the modifieds, 13 of them, were Tom Mayberry (7), Rick Schaffer (3), Jeff Strunk and John Willman (2 each), and one win each for Terry Meitzler, Chip Slocum, Kenny Gilmore, Ron Haring, Todd Heydt, Donny Erb, Ray Swinehart, Glenn Strunk and Kenny Gruber. 23 features counted toward the final point standings. In the late models feature winners were Jeff Teets (5), Randy Stoudt (3), two each for Junior Grebe,Bill Henning, Chuck Sennott and John Durling, one win each for Dean Stoudt, Rick Todorow, Ed Trimbur, Lou Egrie, Terry Snyder. 21 features run during the late model point chase. The top 20 finishers in the point standings in NASCAR Modified and NASCAR Late Model competition were honored at the annual banquet along with the top 13 finishers in the Motor Truck Equipment Co. Kenworth Cummins PA Modified Championship chase. The top ten drivers in late models and modifieds and the top five car owners in late models and modifieds also received point fund checks from the speedway point fund. And the top 20 in each division earned point fund money sent directly from NASCAR. And the top fifteen modified racers and top ten late model talents received gift certificates from J&L Speed Equipment in Bechtelsville, PA. In addition there was a variety of special awards. In the NASCAR Modified division Todd Heydt earned the Rookie of the Year honors; Jon Kellner took the sportsmanship award; most improved driver honors went to John Willman while veteran Sam Schoenly took the hard luck award. Harring Motorsports was voted the best appearing pit crew award while the best appearing car award went to Shawn Reimert's #58s. And the most impressive newcomer award went to Jeff Strunk who returned to racing at Grandview after being away for several seasons. Special awards for the late models had Ed Trimbur earning rookie of the year; Josh Huber got the most promising newcomer award; Ed Hoffman took home the hard luck award and Mike Bedell's #28 late model earned best appearing car honors. The late model sportsmanship award went to transplanted New Yorker Chuck Sennott. Most improved driver was teenager Sam Schlosberg. And the best appearing pit crew honors went to the Jeff Teets #100 crew. Eddie Smith, writer for Area Auto Racing News and Trackside Magazine, will receive a jacket from each speedway and $100 for picking Jeff Strunk to win the Motor Truck Equipment Co Kenworth Cummins Modified title. Smith was just a few points off the exact point total earned by Strunk. A number of media representatives were on hand and received appreciation awards as did tow and push truck operators, various sponsors and other deserving individuals. The Grandview Groove Most Popular Driver Awards presented by Cheers Tavern (Bechtelsville) went to Kerry Kratz in modifieds and Dean Stoudt in late models. This is by vote of the readers of the Grandview Groove program book. Special awards went to Quigley Dodge of Boyertown, PA for providing the pace truck and sponsoring a number of cash dash events. And TH Properties received an award as sponsor of the TH Properties Freedom 76 Classic. Keith Harring along with Motor Truck Equipment Co Kenworth Cummins received an award for their sponsorship of the Forrest Rogers Memorial race. Pat Palumbo representing NASCAR presented awards to the top three finishers in modifieds and top three in late models. In addition TrueValue Hardware Mechanic of the Year Awards went to Ken Sandman (late models) and Jay Thomas (modifieds). And Jeff Teets received a second place award for his efforts in the New England Region of the NASCAR ShorTrack Series which will be renamed the Exide ShorTrack Series in 2000. It was also announced that Grandview Speedway will continue to be a part of the NASCAR New England Region. NASCAR will again offer $1.4 million in point fund money for the regional point battles and the national championship in 2000. With Winston departing as the sponsor, due to new government regulations, the series will now be the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series. And then was a brief announcement reminding drivers of the Championship Week coming up at the end of the season at a site to be announced. Some major prize money to be offered and ESPN television exposure. The Championship Week race events will be based, loosely, on the very successful TrueValue IROC Series. More details will be announced in the near future. Long time flagman Bruce Harmony was honored with a beautiful custom created wall flag award as he steps out of the starter's stand after 25 years. Harmony will continue as a member of the official's staff. A home style dinner was served and there was music for dancing as Grandview Speedway competitors celebrated the 37th season of professional stock car racing. The 2000 season is tentatively set to open with a free-to-the-public practice session on Saturday, March 25 ( 12 noon to 5 p.m.) and the season opener for NASCAR Modifieds, Late Models and Sportsman will be offered on Saturday, April 1, and that is no April Fool's joke.

OFFICIAL NASCAR WEEKLY RACING SERIES MODIFIED STANDINGS (FINAL) 1. Terry Meitzler #21a....5387 2. Jeff Strunk #w9........4958 3. Kerry Kratz #87........4770 4. Kevin Hartnett #14.....4593 5. Rick Schaffer #77......4496 6. Chip Slocum #61........4452 7. Tom Mayberry #712......4208 8. Kenny Gilmore #7.......4047 9. Jon Kellner #357/85am..3970 10.Smokey Warren #54......3661 11.Donny Erb #42..........3505 12.Shawn Reimert #58s.....3448 13.Glenn Strunk #w9x......3372 14.Dennis Bailey #81......3165 15.Sam Schoenly #21.......2962 16.Tracy Readinger #2t....2951 17.Ray Swinehart #33......2767 18.Kenny Gruber #5........2701 19.John Willman #1t.......2479 20.Cliff Quinn #69........2467 21.Sam Martz #3...........2420 22.Dave Faust #881........2407 23.Doug Pannepacker #6....2346 24.Ken Lindaberry #28.....2332 25.Ed Aikin #16...........2286 26.Jack Hartnett #1.......2069 27.Junior Mikosz #21a.....2024 28.Danny Erb #18/44.......1906 29.Ron Haring #85.........1789 30.Mike Bailey #80........1706 31.Todd Heydt #32.........1304 32.Doug Manmiller #2z.....1098 33.Steve Folk #76......... 996 34.Rich Wisdo #10......... 823 35.Chuck Schutz #00....... 782 36.Bob Trapper #69t....... 745 37.Bill Gensler #57....... 708 38.Jim Bagley #J.......... 705 39.Dennis Fisher #80f..... 621 40.Hal Renninger #99...... 581 41.Carl Ruppert #36....... 562 42.Glenn Owens #73........ 537 43.Meme DeSantis #357..... 520 44.Keith Hoffman #6h...... 423 45.Rob Ratockey #110...... 390 46.Bobby Gunther Walsh #14kt..333 47.Craig VonDohren #114... 330 48.Jim Stong #505......... 327 49.Warren Kohler #36a..... 326 50.Ron Kline #j19......... 236 51.Larry Solomon #14x..... 218 52.Robin Johnson #63h..... 217 53.J.R.Crouse #8 ......... 208 54.Duane Howard #85am..... 193 55.Paul Koch #1tx......... 174 56.Donny Schwab #76Q...... 173 57.Bob Lilick Jr. #76jr... 150 Dave Gibson #15x....... 150 59.Randy Bailey........... 144 60.Todd Marburger #18..... 137 61.Jared Schultz.#66...... 129 62.Jason Andrews.#21t..... 113 63.Barry Readinger #70d... 108 64.Chuck Esposito #540.... 100 65.Dick Andrews.#89....... 89 66.Marty Shurr #31m....... 70 67.Tom Pompei #70......... 60 Kip Timmer #51......... 60 69.Mike Renninger #9t9.... 50 70.Harry Neiman .#15...... 40 Carl Davis #260........ 40 72.Gene Hornberger........ 30 Charley Gilmore #7g.... 30 Brian Schaeffer #87x... 30 Glenn Mertz #9t9....... 30 76.Kevin Hirthler #117.... 20 Billy Warren #54....... 20 Barry Laird #57........ 20 79.Jeff Bomgardner........ 10 Tal Umstead............ 10 Jeff Sechrist.......... 10 Kevin Graber........... 10 Kyle Weiss #21a........ 10 Barry Weiss............ 10 Craig Witmoyer......... 10 Rick Stankiewicz........ 10 Frank Kutt............. 10

OFFICIAL NASCAR SHORTRACK SERIES LATE MODEL POINT STANDINGS

1. Jeff Teets #100........5520 2. Dean Stoudt #77........5440 3. Rick Todorow #93.......5315 4. Randy Stoudt #10.......5024 5. Lou Egrie #x4..........4740 6. Chuck Sennott #61......4646 7. Ed Hoffman #24.........4519 8. Terry Snyder #4s.......4379 9. John Durling #7........4325 10.Sam Schlosberg #70.....4176 11.Ron Chrisman #5........4032 12.John Giesler #zt1......3990 13.Junior Grebe #73.......3978 14.Casey Ebright #59......3964 15.Bill Henning #80.......3643 16.Buddy Wharton #7B......3530 17.Mike Bedell #28........3398 18.Kyle Pensinger #28P....3326 19.Mike Erb #82...........3176 20.Ed Trimbur #2e.........3130 21.Roger Decker #8........3073 22.Scott Miley #1m........3046 23.Keith Kidd #NO.........2675 24.Mike Bernhard #35......1550 25.Bill Neff #79..........1514 26.Chris Wojnar #88.......1390 27.Dave Conover #327......1169 28.Ted Szymborski #777....1008 29.Doug Walton #02........ 860 30.Ray Brinkman #55....... 694 31.Mark Kropp ............ 535 32.Steve Szymborski #7s... 518 33.Jim Bahz #1B........... 484 34.Josh Huber #41......... 303 35.Andy Kirka #55......... 282 36.Glenn Mertz #53........ 246 37.Mark Minotto #14x...... 242 38.Marc Longacre #75...... 140 39.Chuck Rich #c19........ 131 40.Ron Kline #88.......... 80 41.John Zimmer............ 10 Scott Bower............ 10 Marvin Lockhart........ 10 Brian Follin Sr........ 10 Harry Henning.......... 10 Troy Conrad............ 10 MOTOR TRUCK EQUIPMENT CO. KENWORTH/CUMMINGS NASCAR MODIFIED CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AT BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY AND GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY. 1. Jeff Strunk, Bechtelsville, PA.....11145 - $15,000 2. Kevin Hartnett, Perkasie, PA.......10400 - $ 7,000 3. Jon Kellner, Lansdale, PA.......... 9970 - $ 4,000 4. Dennis Bailey, Kutztown, PA........ 9925 - $ 2,000 5. Shawn Reimert, Oley, PA............ 9445 - $ 1,875 6. Smokey Warren, Jonestown, PA....... 9145 - $ 1,650 7. John Willman, Zionsville, PA....... 8890 - $ 1,500 8. Jack Hartnett, Telford, PA......... 8755 - $ 1,350 9. Glenn Strunk, Bechtelsville, PA.... 8250 - $ 1,225 10.Mike Bailey, Kutztown, PA.......... 8220 - $ 1,000 11.Ray Swinehart, Bechtelsville, PA... 6750 - $ 900 12.Bob Trapper, Scranton, PA.......... 6700 - $ 800 13.Dennis Fisher, Pottstown, PA....... 6605 - $ 700 Drivers were required to be in attendance at the banquet to receive a trophy. The thirteen drivers earning point fund money are those who met all requirements to participate in the point fund distribution.