Brian Hirthler Captures the Firecracker 40 and Strunk Claims First Grandview Modified Win of Season

Grandview Speedway hosted the Firecracker 40 a week late due to a rain postponement but this time with only clear skies with seasonable temperatures which presented perfect racing conditions for the “4^th of July” racing celebration.  The season points chase moved into week # 11 of 20 for modified and sportsman divisions.

In the Sportsman Firecracker 40 Brian Hirthler made a late race pass of Kyle Lilick to take his first trip to Firecracker 40 victory lane.   In the modified 30 lap feature it was Jeff Strunk taking the win with a lap 22 pass of Kevin Hirthler for his first Grandview victory this season.

The Sportsman Firecracker 40 saw Adrianna Delliponti lead the first 16 laps from the pole position driving the Kevin Hirthler 117 Crate entry.  Kyle Lilick took the lead lap 17 with a strong top side dominate run from his 14 starting position.  Lilick held the lead until lap 30 when he developed a push that nearly put him into the turn 1 wall allowing Brian Hirthler to move into the lead and drive his 4* into victory lane for his first Firecracker 40 win.

In victory lane Brian Hirthler commented “This is the 10^th time I’ve run this race which is a lot but we finally got the win this time.  When Kyle pushed up and I got under him I was not going to be denied winning this race.  I started on the bottom next to Kyle.  Midrace I got trapped on the bottom a lot and had to head to the top to get moving forward.  When we got strung out I didn’t think I was going to be able to catch Kyle.  When Kyle bobbled I was able to diamond the corner and drove through with a slide job to take the lead.  I was 4^th on that lap 27 restart and Kyle surprised and helped me when he took the top on the restart.  Had he taken the bottom I would have gotten trapped behind 2^nd and probably not able to win this race.  The Firecracker 40 means more to me than the 76er.”

The top ten was rounded out by Kyle Lilick in second followed by Jesse Landis, Dylan Hoch, Jimmy Leiby, Kyle Smith, Cole Stangle, Kenny Gilmore, Parker Guidin and Ryan Beltz in 10^th.

The heat races were won by Tom Miller, Adrianna Delliponti and Tyler James.  The last chance consolation was won by Dylan Hoch.

Sportsman Firecracker 40 Feature Results (40-laps):

Brian Hirthler, 2. Kyle Lilick, 3. Jesse Landis, 4. Dylan Hoch, 5. Jimmy Leiby, 6. Kyle Smith, 7. Cole Stangle, 8. Kenny Gilmore. 9. Parker Guldin, 10. Mike Laise, 11. Ryan Beltz, 12. Bryan Rhoads, 13. Decker Swinehart, 14. Logan Bauman, 15. Adrianna Delliponti, 16. Mike Schneck, 17. Dakota Kohler, 18. Chris Esposito, 19. Tom Miller, 20. Tyler James, 21. Mike Stofflet, 22. Joey Vaccaro, 23. Kenny Bock, 24. Steve Young.

DNQ: Nathan Mohr, Hunter Iatalese, Colton Perry, Wayne Rotenberger, Nick Faust.

Mart Kratz led the field to green and for the first 7 laps until mechanical issues sent him pit side relinquishing the lead to the high side charging Kevin Hirthler with Jeff Stunk in strong pursuit.  On lap 22 Strunk was able to use the improving bottom line to move into 1^st and take the win over Brett Kressley in 2^nd while Kevin Hirthler rounded out the podium in 3^rd.

In victory lane Jeff Strunk noted “We have been solid and up front lately and everything seems to be coming together now.  It is always intense year and doesn’t ever get dull here at Grandview.  There are a lot of good cars hear and at times you have to be patience and buy your time and other times you need to run hard.  Tonight we picked the right times and it all worked out for us.  I hesitated with the top; tried the top; but stayed to the bottom which worked out for us to be able to get by Kevin.  The track was great and this place is always good to me.”

 The top ten was rounded out by Brett Kressley in second followed by Kevin Hirthler, Craig Von Dohren, Jared Umbenhauer, Tim Buckwalter, Danny Bouc, Craig Whitmoyer, Duane Howard and Jack Butler in 10^th place.

The heat races were won by Cory Merkel, Justin Grim and Ryan Lilick.   The last chance consolation was won by Carroll Hine III.

Modified Feature Results (30-laps):

Jeff Strunk, 2. Brett Kressley, 3. Kevin Hirthler, 4. Craig Von Dohren, 5. Jared Umbenhauer, 6. Timmy Buckwalter, 7. Danny Bouc, 8. Craig Whitmoyer, 9. Duane Howard, 10. Jack Butler, 11. Nate Brinker, 12. Eric Biehn, 13. Darrin Schuler, 14. Carroll Hine III, 15. Cory Merkel, 16. Mark Kratz, 17. Dylan Swinehart, 18. Ryan Lilick, 19. Jesse Leiby, 20. John Willman, 21. Justin Grim, 22. Joe Funk III, 23. Brett Gilmore, 24. Ryan Grim, 25. Ray Swinehart, 26. Doug Manmiller, 27. Kyle Weiss, 28. Brad Grim.

DNQ: Brad Arnold, Mike Lisowski, Ron Kline, Bobby Gunther Walsh, Ron Haring Jr., Jordan Henn, Mike Tyson, Glenn Owens

Next up at Grandview is the United Racing Club sprint cars joining the Modifieds and Sportsman for a three division show on Saturday, July 17th with racing starting at 7:30 PM.