Craig Von Dohren patiently and methodically worked his way from his 15th starting position to take the lead on lap 58 and then hold off an 18 lap final assault by Brett Kressley to take the checkered flag and make an emotional drive into victory lane to cap a purely brilliant & dominant season of racing at Grandview. Craig Von Dohren continued a storybook season at Grandview with a win of Grandview’s Crown Jewel “Freedom 76er” over a 72 car field of Modifieds.
Nick Rockinski led the field to green and took the early led with outside polesitter Timmy Buckwalter in second. A lap 3 caution for a Ron Kline was the first caution of the night but it was followed by 48 laps of green flag racing. In lapped traffic on lap 28 Tim Buckwalter moved into the lead until Jeff Strunk took over the lead on lap 37. The second caution flew on lap 51 and on the restart Von Dohren moved from 6th to 3rd. On lap 58 Von Dohren took over the lead with Brett Kressley moving into second while Jeff Strunk dropped to 3rd. Brett Kressley used his traditional high side throw everything he had at Von Dohren but tagged to wall twice as Craig Von Dohren weathered the storm and drive into victory lane to his 6th Freedom 76er victory.
The 72 modifieds ran 6 heat races which were won by Jim Houseworth, Ryan Grim, Kevin Hirthler, Matt Stangle, Timmy Buckwalter and Ray Swinehart.
The consolations were won by Dylan Swinehart and Cole Stangle.
The cash dash consisted of the 6 heat race winners and guaranteed starters – Craig Von Dohren, Brett Kressley & Jeff Strunk. Outside polesitter Kevin Hirthler lead all 10 laps and took the win over Jeff Strunk and Craig Von Dohren in 3rd from his 9th starting position.
Jared Umbenhauer won the Minuteman 20 to take one of the last 5 qualifying positions into the 32 car feature field.
MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH (76 laps)
1. CRAIG VON DOHREN ($32,060), 2. Brett Kressley, 3. Jeff Strunk, 4. Billy Pauch Jr., 5. Kyle Weiss, 6. Matt Stangle, 7. Mike Gular, 8. Michael Storms, 9. Danny Bouc, 10. Mike Lisowski, 11. Ryan Krachun, 12. Duane Howard, 13. Nick Rochinski, 14. Jared Umbenhauer, 15. Doug Manmiller, 16. Logan Watt, 17. Jack Butler, 18. Rick Laubach, 19. Lance Willix, 20. Justin Grim, 21. Ryan Watt, 22. Ron Kline, 23. Brandon Grosso, 24. Tim Buckwalter, 25. Kevin Hirthler, 26. Jordan Henn, 27. Kyle Lilick, 28. Brian Hirthler, 29. Ryan Grim, 30. Jim Housworth, 31. Ray Swinehart, 32. Tanner Van Doren
DID NOT QUALIFY: Sam Martz Sr., Cole Stangle, Cale Ross, Kyle Smith, Ryan Beltz, Dave Dissinger, Chris Gambler, Dylan Swinehart, Kevin Graver Jr., Mike Trautschold, Frank Yankowski, Jimmy Leiby, Cory Merkel, Bobby Trapper Jr., Jesse Leiby, Eddie Strada, Brett Gilmore, Ron Haring Jr., Dan Waisempacher, Steve Swinehart, Mark Kratz, Adrianna Delliponti, Bobby Gunther-Walsh, Nate Brinker, Frank Cozze, Steve Young, Sam Martz Jr., Brad Arnold, Craig Whitmoyer, Joe Funk, Louden Reimert, Cody Manmiller, Lex Shive, Ryan Lilick, Eric Kormann, Bobby Trapper Sr., Mike Laise, John Willman, Eric Biehn, Doug Smith
Saturday, September 24 will feature Round 9 with the Outlaw Racing Series Enduro and Outlaw Racing Series Vintage Cars along with the Xcel Modifieds and the Roadrunners in action starting at 5 pm. Pit gates open at 2 pm., Grandstand gates open at 4 pm. Grandstand admission will be $10, with children ages 12 and under admitted for free. Pit admission is $30 for the Outlaw Racing Series event.
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