Mid-Atlantic Modified Report for Week 8

GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY

7/25/20 – Kevin Hirthler grabbed the lead on lap 2 from his 4^th starting position and proceeded to check out on the field by nearly a full straightaway until the first yellow bunched the field back up.  After the lap 8 restart both Brett Kressley and Duane Howard were within striking distance and applying pressure on Hirthler with a spirited three way battle for the lead until the 2^nd & final yellow of the event flew on lap 23.  On the double file restart Hirthler found Howard next door in the front row with 7 to go.  Hirthler maintain about a car length lead over Howard but on the final lap Howard got his final low side move to stick as he drifted in the final turn and made contact with Hirthler who had the high side momentum and was able to hold off Howard’s charge by half a car length at the checkered flag giving Kevin Hirthler his second modified feature win of the season.

The top ten was rounded out by Duane Howard, Mike Gular, Brett Kressley, Rick Laubach, Ryan Grim, Jeff Strunk, Craig Von Dohren, Briggs Danner and Doug Manmiller.

37 modifieds were on the grounds competing for 28 starting spots on the grid for the 30 lap feature.

After 5 races the season point battle has a new leader this week with Duane Howard leading Craig Von Dohren by 21 points followed by Doug Manmiller, Jared Umbenhauer and Ryan Grim in the top 5.

Next up at Grandview is the 50^th annual Forest Rogers Memorial $10,000 to win modified 50 lap feature with the sportsman also on the card Saturday August 1 with racing at 7:30 PM.

BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY

7/24/20 – Jordan Henn and Dan Hineline lead the field to green.  The field was quickly under red before lap 1 for contact between Tim Apgar and Corey Merkle who flipped several times on the front street.  Jordan Henn returned to the lead when racing resumed with Kris Graver and Jared Umbenhauer in close pursuit.  3^rd place Jared Umbenhauer drew the first caution of the night when he spun in turn 4 and got a flat tire from contact with a yuke tire and consequently fell from contention for the night.  The second and final caution came out on lap 7 for a broken Frank Yankowski.  After the final restart on lap 7 Henn continued to hold the lead over Brett Kressley, Chris Graver and Alex Yankowski.  On lap 15 Henn, Kressley and Yankowski checked out from the field and setup their 3 way shootout.  On lap 23 Alex Yankowski moved into 2^nd with Kressley dropping to 3^rd but staying in hot pursuit of the leader Henn.   Henn continued to lead as the trio took the white flag for one to go and Yankowski continued to run the low line and on lap 25 Alex Yankowski pulled away from Jordan Henn and Brett Kressley for his first ever win at Big Diamond Speedway with a great 3 way battle for the final 3 laps.

Top 10 was rounded out by Jorden Henn, Brett Kressley, Kris Graver, Mike Gular, Jeff Strunk, Rick Laubach, Nick Rochinski, Duane Howard and Craig Von Dorhen. 

The season point championship has a new leader with Jeff Strunk followed by Craig Von Dohren and Mike Gular.  Only 50 points separate the top 3.  Top 5 is rounded with this week’s winner Alex Yankowski and Rick Laubach.

 Next up for Big Diamond is $4,000 to win for the Modifieds and a full regular program of racing on Friday July 31 with racing @ 7:45 PM.

PENN CAN SPEEDWAY

7/24/20 – Penn Can hosted the inaugural event for the new SBM2 Grit 358 Tour Series.  Danny Creeden took the very first win over Corey Cormier, AJ Miller, Brandon Walters, Brent Cross and Shayne Spoonhower.

Penn Can’s next event is on July 31 with Modifieds and a full regular program with racing starting at 7:15.

BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK

7/25/20 – It was Joseph Watson and Tommy Beamer swapping the lead for the first 5 laps while Billy Pauch Sr. moved into 2^nd from his 11^th starting spot.  By lap 6 Pauch took the lead and checked out on the field with his spec 358 motor.  Alex Yankowski was running a distant second to Pauch on lap 23 when the engine expired and was smoking heavily to end his night.  Pauch led the top 5 finishers to the checkered flag grabbing his second straight win on the new Kingdom of Speed.

The top 5 was rounded out by Ryan Godown, Tommy Beamer, David Crossman and Ronnie Roberts.  The other 7 entries in the feature DNF.

David Crossman is a rookie to the modified class and his 4^th place finish was his best to date.  In the past two weeks he has had a 8^th and 4^th place finish at Bridgeport.

Next up at Bridgeport Motorsports Park is a regular weekly program on Saturday August 8 with Mass 305 Sprint Cars, 602 Crates, and Street Stock and racing starting at 7:00 PM (No modified for 8/8).

NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY

7/25/20 – The modifieds returned to New Egypt Speedway after being off for a week.  The field was lead to green by Steve Davis and PJ Oliver (big block).  On lap 3 Wade Hendrickson took the lead and there he would stay.   Hendrickson would see challenges by Dominic Buffalino (flat tire) and Billy Pauch Jr (broken driveshaft) but each would fall out of the race due to mechanical issues.  For the final 5 lap dash Hendrickson had Bouc, Sammons, and Butler in pursuit but was able to hold them off for his first win at NES in nearly 10 years.

The top 10 was rounded out by Danny Bouc, Danny Sammons, Mike Butler, Billy Osmun, Brandon Grosso, David Van Horn, John McClellan, Chris Grbac and Dakota Kessler.

The top three in the modified point standings are Danny Bouc, Mike Butler and Brandon Grosso.

The next event at New Egypt Speedway is Modifieds and a full racing program on Saturday August 01 with racing at 7:00 PM.

DELAWARE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

7/25/20 – Another rainout strikes DIS as heavy rain cancelled racing for the last weekend in July.

Delaware International Speedway will be in action on Saturday night August 1st featuring modfieds, Mid-Atlantic Sprints and a full card of regular classes with racing starting at 7:15.

GEORGETOWN SPEEDAY

7/24/20 – Jordon Watson took the lead from the pole position and led until lap 10 when Ryan Godown made a pass for the lead.  Mechanical issues then retired Watson to the pits.  Billy Pauch Jr powered past Godown for the lead on lap 18 and drove into victory lane with nearly a 3 second margin of victory. 

The top 10 was rounded out by Ryan Godown, Ryan Watt, Carson Wright, Dave Shirk, John Willman, Ryan Riddle, Mark PettyJohn, Kevin Sockriter and Ted Reynolds.

21 cars took the green for the feature. 

John Willman’s spec 358 motor and finished a solid 6^th place against the big blocks and open small blocks.

Greg Nailor and Ted Reynolds qualified for the field with their 602 crate entries.

Georgetown’s next scheduled event is Tuesday August 25^th featuring the STSS Blast at the Beach with modifieds and 602 Crate Sportsman on the card with racing at 7:15