Arnold Claims Grandview Firecracker 40

Grandview Speedway held their annual Sportsman Firecracker 40 under warm and clear skies.  The field was lead to green by two of Grandview’s young talents Jimmy Leiby from New York state and Decker Swinehart. 

Jimmy Leiby held the lead in his 602 Crate until the halfway point when the sportsman motored entry of Brad Arnold took over the leader position.   Arnold used the high line to extend his lead to over 3 seconds until the 4^th and final yellow came out on lap 38 setting up a 2 lap shootout with Brian Hirthler. Arnold and Hirthler made contact in the final turn with Arnold holding off Hirthler for the win by .2 seconds.

The top 5 was rounded out by Ryan Beltz, Mark Kemmerer and Kyle Lillick.

Postrace back at the trailer Brad Arnold commented “No leader wants to see the caution come out with two to go but I just keep doing what I was doing and it worked out.  Brian got under me on the final turn, I didn’t flinch and we hit square, you can’t ask for anything more than that and I was able to beat him to the line.”

2^nd place went to Brian Hirthler from a 14^th place starting position.  At the trailer Brian said “Car was good tonight.  In the heat race I got in a little jingle and the car which made the car a little tighter for the feature.  Arnold beat us to the front which made it a little easier for him.”

Firecracker 40 Pit Notes

Brian Hirthler has gotten a strong start to the 2020 season with a win, 4^th and 2^nd place finish.

Ryan Beltz and Mark Kemmerer are long time Grandview drivers who always seem to do well at the big money special races.  Beltz ran to 3^rd from a 17^th starting position while Kemmerer ran to 4^th from an 18^th starting position.  Beltz also has a 38er win in 2017 on his resume.

Ryan Lillick worked his way up to 6^th from his 13^th starting position by lap 16 only to have a flat tire sent him to the pits and to the rear of the field.  In the final 24 laps Lillick ran back through the field again from 19^th to a 5^th place finish.

The Leiby brothers 2020 season has been up and down already this season.  Jesse has returned to crate racing with his 9 crate car which he won the 2018 OCFG Sportsman championship.  His return to the modified ranks at Grandview is planned for 2021.  Jesse qualified for his first two weeks back in his crate car and on the 3^rd week got in a front stretch tangle in almost the same place his brother tangled the week before.

Jimmy Leiby has a brand new 2020 Teo.  After a DNQ the first week and a heat race tangled on the front stretch in week 2 requiring the car to have a front clip after week 2.  The Leiby’s have the clips ready to go and did the repairs right in their own shop.  The 3^rd week was the charm as Jimmy qualified and handicapped to front row.  Jimmy was able to lead the sportsman field for 20 laps with his 602 crate but contact and damage to the shock tower caused his handling to fade nonetheless Jimmy was able to finish 6^th place in the 40 lap feature.