Craig Von Dohren & Kyle Smith Capture Grandview Victories

After another week off due to a rainout last week; Grandview Speedway returned to action for week 12 of the modified and sportsman points racing along with outlaw vintage racing series.  Comfortable and mild conditions prevailed for the majority of the day but right before the night was complete a small rain drizzle made a brief visit to the speedway that ended the sportsman feature with an early & unexpected lap 13 checkered flag.

The modified feature continued a familiar pattern with the point leaders dominating with podium finishes from mid-pack starting positions.  Craig Von Dohren quickly moved from his 14^th starting position to take his 3^rd win of the season with Brett Kressley and Jared Umbenhauer filling out the podium finish in 2^nd and 3^rd. 

The sportsman feature also continued a familiar pattern in recent weeks with 6 cautious before lap 10 but the new wrinkle this week was a rain shorten race being checkered just past the half-way point on lap 13 with Kyle Smith picking up his career first Grandview win over Steve Young and Kenny Gilmore.

The Outlaw Vintage Sportsman was won by Bill Gerhart and the Outlaw Vintage Modified was won by Jeff Paulson.

Glen Owens took the early lead of the 30 lap modified feature from the pole position with Jordan Henn and Mark Kratz charging hard in 2^nd and 3^rd.  Caution # 1 came out on lap 7 for a broken Eric Biehn and also saw Jordan Henn go back to the pits for a flat tire while running in 2^nd place.  On the restart Kratz took a strong lead until lap 17 when disaster struck and he got hooked together with Doug Manmiller for the second caution of the day.  On lap 17 the 2^nd restart of the night; Craig Von Dohren moved into the lead while Brett Kressley moved from 4^th right into 2^nd place.  A couple more cautions and a red flag for a 6 car tangle didn’t change anything at the front of the field as Craig Von Dohren held off Brett Kressley and Jared Umbenhauer to take his 3^rd Grandview win of the season.

The top ten was rounded out by Brett Kressley in second place followed by Jared Umbenhauer, Craig Whitmoyer, Duane Howard, Kevin Hirthler, Doug Manmiller, Justin Grim, Ryan Lilick and Brett Gilmore in 10^th place.  

The heat races were won by Glenn Owens, Brett Kressley from 11^th starting position. Doug Manmiller.  Jack Butler won the last chance consolation.

Modified Feature (30-laps):

   1. Craig Von Dohren, 2. Brett Kressley, 3. Jared Umbenhauer, 4. Craig Whitmoyer, 5. Duane Howard, 6. Kevin Hirthler, 7. Doug Manmiller, 8. Justin Grim, 9. Ryan Lilick, 10. Brett Gilmore, 11. Jesse Leiby, 12. Brad Arnold, 13. Darrin Schuler, 14. Ray Swinehart, 15. Jack Butler, 16. Bobby Gunther Walsh, 17. Mark Kratz, 18. Jeff Strunk, 19. Danny Bouc, 20. Ryan Grim, 21. Mike Lisowski, 22. Brad Brightbill, 23. Jordan Henn, 24. Dylan Swinehart, 25. Cory Merkel, 26. Glenn Owens, 27. Brad Grim, 28. Eric Biehn.

 DNQ:   Ron Haring Jr., Ron Kline, John Willman, Carroll Hine III, Nate Brinker and Mike Tyson.

The Sportsman feature was led to green by Paul Effrig.  Steve Young was able to maintain the lead for the first 10 laps despite six cautions and one 20 minute long red flag to untangle a six car pile-in tangle in turn 4.  A light drizzle developed around lap 8 and on the 5^th restart when Kyle Smith made the move of the night from 4^th into 2^nd and then set his sights on Young.  The veteran Young held onto the lead for several laps but on lap 11 Kyle Smith used the top to make the pass for the lead.  As pace of the drizzle increased; the race was checked just past the halfway mark on lap 13 and Kyle Smith took his first career Grandview win and made his first trip to victory lane at Grandview.

The top ten was rounded out by Steve Young in second place followed by Kenny Gilmore, Paul Effrig, Dylan Hoch, BJ Joly, Parker Guldin, Joey Vaccaro, Brian Hirthler and Mike Stofflet.

The heat races were won by Steve Young, Paul Effrig and Joey Vaccaro.  The last chance consolation was won by Cole Stangle.

Sportsman Feature (13-laps):

   1. Kyle Smith, 2. Steve Young, 3. Kenny Gilmore, 4. Paul Effrig, 5. Dylan Hoch, 6. B.J. Joly, 7. Parker Guldin, 8. Joey Vaccaro, 9. Brian Hirthler, 10. Mike Stofflet, 11. Mike Schneck, 12. Cody ManMiller, 13. Jesse Landis, 14. Logan Bauman, 15. Dakota Kohler, 16. Nathan Mohr, 17. Jimmy Leiby, 18. Lex Shive, 19. Bryan Rhoads, 20. Cole Stangle, 21. Kenny Bock, 22. Decker Swinehart, 23. Kyle Lilick, 24. Tyler James.

 DNQ:  Hunter Iatalese, Colton Perry, Wayne Rotenberger, Nick Faust, Jason Duppel, Jesse Hirthler and Matt Clay.

Closing out the month on Saturday, July 31, will be the return of the 602 Sportsman racers as they join the Modifieds and Sportsman for a triple-header night of action. Headlining the Meet & Greet at 5 p.m. will be Modified ace Jared Umbenhauer along with Sportsman talents Kenny Bock and Lex Shive. An added attraction will be the appearance of NASCAR Xfinity driver David Starr who carries the same ATS sponsorship as Bock.  Racing starts at 7:30 PM.