Grandview Speedway results 2003-08-04

BECHTELSVILLE, PA August 2, 2003 . . . Coming off several weeks of tough luck Meme DeSantis was able to wheel the Norm's Save Station #357 Modified to victory in the Stauffer Construction Forrest Roger Memorial 50-lapper for NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modifieds. DeSantis earned $10,000, topping a field of 29 starters in the annual classic at Grandview Speedway. It was the second year in a row that the Temple, PA racer has won the rich event.

In the 20-lap main event for NASCAR Late Models Chris Shuey of Orefield, PA was able to drive the Lee Miller Used Cars #56 to his fourth win of the season in a close battle with his younger bother, Brian.

In the 50 lapper run to remember the man who planned and built the track, Forrest Rogers, Danny Erb put his Bause's Super Drug Store entry in front of the pack at the drop of the green and that is where he stayed for 36 laps. Erb, who has never won a feature race at Grandview, was able to hold off the challenges of some strong competition in the form of Doug Manmiller, Craig VonDohren and Meme Desantis right up to the 37th circuit of the one-third-mile, banked clay oval.

With 37 laps in the record book DeSantis was able to shoot through a pack of four front runners and gain second and then scoot under Erb in the fourth turn to take the lead.

Once in front DeSantis had his hands full with multi-time track champion Craig VonDohren putting the pressure on as was Doug Manmiller and Ray Swinehart.

Even a late race caution that allowed the challengers to restart right on his rear bumper could not keep DeSantis out of victory lane. He was just a narrow margin in front of second place finisher Craig VonDohren (Oley). Third spot went to former champion Ray Swinehart (Bechtelsville) followed by Doug Manmiller (Wyomissing) and Terry Meitzler (Kutztown).

"We have been struggling, "said Desantis in victory lane. " We just have not been able to get a forward bite with the car. We had to wait until late in the race to get rid of the full fuel load before the car started working the way I like it to. I got to give a lot of credit to the crew. They made this happen."

Grandview Speedway NASCAR Modified point leader Jeff Strunk was out early with rear end problems on the BPG Racing #88. Strunk earned a 26th place finish ending his streak of 11 straight top five finishes. The poor finish also put a crimp in Strunk's efforts to win the New England Regional title which is worth $45,000.

In the 20-lap feature for the Late Model stock cars former champion John Durling took control at the drop of the green. Steve Sennott challenged but on the seventh circuit of the oval Brian Shuey was able to grab the lead when John Durling got high in a turn. Once in front it looked like Shuey would be able to wheel the Dave & Charlotte Eyrich owned #5c to a second win on the season.

However older brother Chris had different ideas and "brotherly love" seemed to be forgotten as Chris took the lead on the 19th lap and went on to win his fourth of the season. Brian Shuey (Edenburg) finished a strong second followed by Ron Kline (Salfordville), Sam Schlosberg (Green Lane) and Chuck Schutz (Pottstown).

Qualifying heat races for the more than 60 modifieds in the competition area went to Kevin Hartnett, Meme DeSantis, Glenn Strunk, Rick Schaffer and Kyle Weiss. In the consolation races wins went to Kenny Gilmore, Steve Swinehart and Ryan Watt. Glenn Strunk won the Automotive Machining Services Cash Dash worth $505.

Qualifying heat races for the Late Models were won by Chuck Schutz, Buddy Wharton and John Durling. The consolation race went to Dallas Breidenbach.

Things get back to normal next Saturday, August 9th, when Craftsman Tools Night is presented. Featured will be at least 13 events of NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series stock car racing for Modifieds and Late Models. At least 80 stock cars are expected to be in competition with racing starting at 7:30 p.m.

Coming up on Thursday, August 14th, will be the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Series featuring the Thunder Jam 100 for DIRT Big Block Modifieds. Racing will get the green flag at 7:30 p.m. Grandview Speedway, a one-third-mile, clay banked oval, 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.grandviewspeedway.com.

STAUFFER CONSTRUCTION FORREST ROGERS MEMORIAL, 50 LAPS FOR MODIFIEDS: Meme DeSantis, Craig VonDohren, Ray Swinehart, Doug Manmiller, Terry Meitzler, Kevin Hirthler, Ryan Watt, Todd Marburger, Danny Erb, Kevin Hartnett, Rich Wisdo, Shawn Reimert, Keith Brightbill, Greg Sarangoulis, Kyle Weiss, Kenny Gilmore, Donny Erb, Barry Readinger, Jason Smythe, Jon Kellner, John Tschudy, Steve Swinehart, Mike Gular, Rick Schaffer, John Willman, Jeff Strunk, Tom Pompei, Glenn Strunk, Cliff Quinn.

STAUFFER CONSTRUCTION LATE MODEL FEATURE, 20 LAPS:Chris Shuey, Brian Shuey, Ron Kline, Sam Schlosberg, Chuck Schutz, Randy Stoudt, Steve Sennott, Lou Egrie, John Giesler, Doug Walton, Junior Grebe, Ron Chrisman, Dean Schaeffer, Dean Stoudt, Larry Dise, Dave Conover, Rick Todorow, Buddy Wharton, Mike Wunderlich, Harry Neiman, Jr., Jason Miller, Dallas Breidenbach, John Durling, Ted Szymborski.

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