COZZE, SCHUTZ, LISOWSKI, PECK AND SMITH GARNISH FEATURE VICTORIES AT GRANDVIEW SATURDAY NIGHT
Story By: ERNIE SAXTON / GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY MEDIA
Photos By:GEORGE SIEGERWALT / RACERSGUIDE.COM
BECHTELSVILLE, PA. April 24, 2016 – Nine features have been run at Grandview Speedway since the 2016 April opener and thus far it has produced nine different winners in the three regularly scheduled NASCAR divisions.
Frank Cozze, in his second season behind the wheel of the Tom Umbenhauer-owned/Harry’s U-Pull It sponsored mount now sporting the No. 4, was MIA last week attending his daughter’s wedding. He returned this week and started the evening off right by winning the second heat. He then led the T.P. Trailers NASCAR 358 Modified All-American Racing Series 30-Lap feature from start to finish and one-hour prior to winning the event he learned his son and daughter-in-law made him a grandfather.
The 60-year old Wind Gap veteran, who hasn’t won since July 2013, didn’t have an easy task in scoring his second Grandview victory. He dealt with lapped cars, three-wide racing with Kenny Gilmore and eventual runner-up Rick Laubach. “The track was tricky tonight because it was slippery and I didn’t want to make any stupid mistakes with the lap cars commented the elated winner and this win really helped the team.”
Defending late model champion Chuck Schutz and the Ty Zeigler-owned team really worked hard the past week to repair the No. ONE car that suffered significant damage the week before in the feature and arrived late to the track as they were putting the finishing touches on the car. Things finally went better for the seven-time champ as he turned crash into cash this week to score his first win of the season in the BRC NASCAR 25-Lap Late Model feature. He couldn’t thank everyone enough for all their efforts.
Sportsman action proved that it isn’t over until it’s over. After Craig Whitmoyer, at the head of the pack, and Mike Lisowski, glued to his bumper trying to regain control went into the first turn after taking the one to go signal, Whitmoyer bobbled a bit. Lisowski quickly took advantage of the situation and took back the lead. Lisowski went on to score his first win of the year.
Cozze, Schutz and Lisowski received monetary awards from T.P. Trailers, Limerick and the Dan’s Deli ½-way hoagie certificate. The Loot For Lap 6 from Gramia’s Restaurant, Boyertown, went to Cozze, Schutz and Brandon Whitmoyer. The Cargo Trailers certificate recipients were Ryan Watt, Modifieds; Corey Merkel, Late Models and Jordan Henn, Sportsman.
NASCAR stock car racing returns to Grandview Speedway on Saturday, April 30th at 7 p.m. The T.P.Trailers, BRC Late Models and Sportsman stock cars will be the tripleheader attraction with at least 12 events making up the exciting night of auto racing. Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. and at the same time the weekly Low Down and Dirty Meet & Greet, featuring three different drivers and their race cars, will take place in the main gate area.
Adult admission is just $15 with youngsters under 12 admitted free. Military with proper ID are admitted free also.
Then on Sunday, May 1, 1 p.m. there is Enduro and Blast from the Past Vintage car racing.
On the initial green of the Modified feature, Cozze shot from second and past Bobby Gunther-Walsh to become the early pacesetter.
A homestretch tangle between Brett Kressley and John Willman brought out the first yellow on lap six with Kressley going off on the hook and Willman continued only to drop out later. Cozze held the top spot on the restart while Kenny Gilmore, Rick Laubach, Gunther-Walsh and Kevin Hirthler jockeyed for positions. Anticipating a slip-up so they could advance were Ryan Grim and Jeff Strunk.
By the 16th lap the front runners approached a gaggle of lap cars and had to thread the needle carefully to get by because some didn’t heed the mover-over flag.
The final caution was on the 24th lap when Eric Biehn slowed his pace and was unable to get into the infield quickly enough. As the yellow unfurled Strunk hit the first turn uke tire knocking it onto the track, but didn’t get penalized since it was after the yellow was thrown.
The battle for the lead went three-wide on the restart between Cozze, Gilmore and Laubach with neither one lifting while Grim and Strunk waited for something to happen.
Cozze held off all the competition and went on to claim his second career Grandview win. Grabbing second at the line was Laubach trailed by Gilmore, Grim and Strunk. First through fourth all posted their season best finishes. Jared Umbenhauer, Craig Von Dohren, Hirthler, Duane Howard and Ryan Watt completed the top ten.
Heats winners were Danny Erb, Cozze and Gunther-Walsh. Meme DeSantis won the consi.
Dan Green led four laps of the Late Model feature before Schutz put the Pioneer Pole Building special in first.
Cory Merkel, who was running a solid fourth spun in the fourth turn for the fifth lap caution. Schutz had just moved into first and resumed the position on the restart with Green and Lou Egrie Jr. trying to change the status.
Behind Schutz the action for second was hot and heavy between Green, Egrie Jr., Drew Weisser and Ron Kline with neither one about to give in.
Weisser was in the backstretch wall on the 15th lap after Dave Ogin and he tangled. Ogin continued not losing any spots. Schutz resumed the top spot on the restart while Green, Egrie Jr., Kline and Ogin diced for second through fifth. Soon joining the thick of the battle was opening night feature winner Sean Merkel.
Positions behind Schutz may have constantly been changing, but he never looked back and went on to claim his 41st career win. Finishing second for his season best performance was Green followed by Ogin, S. Merkel and Kline. Rounding out the top ten were Lou Egrie, Egrie Jr., Bill Henning, Brian Shuey, last week’s feature winner, and C. Merkel.
Green and Shuey were the heat winners.
Before the first lap of the Sportsman feature could be scored, an eight-car fourth turn tangle brought out the red. Once things got underway, Brandon Whitmoyer was in charge and immediately pulled away leaving Andrew Kreis, Kurt Bettler, Dylan Swinehart, all rookies second through fourth and Brett Gilmore in tow. Lisowski overtook second on the fourth lap and set his sights on B. Whitmoyer.
It took Lisowski two laps to reel B. Whitmoyer in and one lap to move into first. Behind the pair making it a three-way battle for first was C. Whitmoyer.
C. Whitmoyer overtook his brother Brandon for second on the 12th lap to pressure Lisowski for the top spot. Lisowski and C. Whitmoyer swapped paint many times, but the lead remained the same.
C. Whitmoyer took advantage of lap traffic on the 22nd lap with the pair still rubbing and move into first. After getting the white flag and on his way to a possible victory, C. Whitmoyer slipped up going into the first turn. Lisowski quickly pounced on the situation and was back in front.
Lisowski didn’t give up first and was in victory lane for his sixth career victory with C. Whitmoyer a close second. Finishing third was B. Whitmoyer trailed by Joe Funk and Gilmore. Sixth was Ryan Lilick followed by Brad Brightbill, Jim Housworth, Dean Bachman and Jordan Henn. B. Whitmoyer, Dylan Swinehart and Housworth won the heats. The consi went to Brad Brightbill.
Ronnie Peck, the ’74 and ’75 Grandview Late Model point champion, and Dave Smith were the winners of the two 15-lap Blast From the Past Vintage Car features.
RACE RESULTS
T.P. Trailers Modified Feature (30 Laps): 1. Frank Cozze, 2. Rick Laubach, 3. Kenny Gilmore, 4. Ryan Grim, 5. Jeff Strunk, 6. Jared Umbenhauer, 7. Craig VonDohren, 8. Kevin Hirthler, 9. Duane Howard, 10. Ryan Watt, 11. Tim Buckwalter, 12. Mike Gular, 13. Danny Erb, 14. Kyle Borror, 15. Doug Manmiller, 16. Meme DeSantis, 17. Steve Swinehart, 18. Don Norris Jr., 19. Brian Houseknecht, 20. Justin Grim, 21. Mike Kellner, 22. Chris Esposito and 23. Bobby Gunther-Walsh. DNF: Eric Biehn, Ray Swinehart, John Willman, Ron Seltmann Jr. and Brett Kressley. DNQ: Ron Haring Jr., Chris Gambler, Kory Fleming and Jeremy Banos.
BRC Late Model Feature (25 Laps): 1. Chuck Schutz, 2. Dan Green, 3. Dave Ogin, 4. Sean Merkel, 5. Ron Kline, 6. Lou Egrie, 7. Lou Egrie Jr., 8. Bill Henning, 9. Brian Shuey, 10. Cory Merkel, 11. Wayne Pfeil, 12. Devin Frey, 13. Joe Fanelli, 14. Shawn Horning and 15. Dirk Rimrott. DNF: Drew Weisser, Bryon Sipe and Eric Hoch.
Sportsman Feature (25 Laps): 1. Mike Lisowski, 2. Craig Whitmoyer, 3. Brandon Whitmoyer, 4. Joe Funk, 5. Brett Gilmore, 6. Ryan Lilick, 7. Brad Brightbill, 8. Jim Housworth, 9. Dean Bachman, 10. Jordan Henn, 11. Ryan Beltz, 12. Brian Hirthler, 13. Mark Kemmerer, 14. Ken Eckert Jr., 15. Paul Houseknecht, 16. Ryan Higgs, 17. Kyle Lilick, 18. Jack Butler, 19. Josh Adams, 20. Rich Jones and 21. Lex Shive. DNF: Dylan Swinehart, Andrew Kries, Kurt Bettler, Mike Stringer and Chris Jenkins.
Blast From The Past Feature (1st 15 Laps): 1. Ronnie Peck, 2. Kevin Kuser, 3. Mike Garris Jr. 4. Jack Reifnsyder, 5. Randy Bailey.
Blast From The Past Feature (2nd 15 Laps): 1. Dave Smith, 2. Wyatt Jacobus, 3. Bill Gerhart, 4. Todd Lapp, 5. Tom Orth, 6. Rich Decker, 7. Dave Dissinger, 8. Kerry Breon, 9. Booner Brush, 10. Rick Mutter.
Grandview Speedway, a one-third-mile, banked clay track, is located on Passmore Road just off Route 100 in Bechtelsville, PA, 10 miles north of Pottstown. A full assortment of great concessions and novelty items are available. Free parking on the grounds. Fans are invited to the competition area after the events are completed to meet the racers. For information telephone 610.754.7688 or check in at www.grandviewspeedway.com, Twitter@GrandviewSpeedway and www.facebook.com/grandviewspeedway along with Rainedout.com(for rainout information).
COMING EVENTS:
Saturday, April 30, 7 p.m. NASCAR T.P.Trailers 358 Modifieds, BRC Late Models and Sportsman stock cars.
Sunday, May 1, 1 p.m. Enduro racing and Blast from the Past Vintage Cars.
Note: Saturday night events start at 7:30 p.m. effective May 7th until Freedom 76 weekend.
Saturday, May 7, 7:30 p.m. T.P.Trailers NASCAR 358 Modifieds, BRC Late Models and Sportsman stock cars.
Saturday, May 14, 7:30 p.m. Whelen Engineering Night: T.P.Trailers NASCAR 358 Modifieds, Late Models and Sportsman stock cars.
