Grandview Modified Pit Notes  07/05/25  – Jon Kellner Collects First Grandview Modified Win of the season

Jon Kellner took the lead on a lap 22 restart and then held off Jeff Strunk to take his first win since his return to racing in 2024.

The 30-lap feature saw Ron Haring Jr. charge into the lead and dominate the field for 21 laps until a caution bunched the field for the only restart.  On the restart, it was Jon Kellner pulling into the lead and holding off Jeff Strunk in 2^nd place.

It is often said races are won in the shop during the week.  Well, this was one of those times for sure as Jon switched to coils during the week and won his first time out back on coils.

Heat race winners for the 35-car field were Eric Kormann, Jon Kellner and Ron Haring,

Consolation winner was Cody Manmiller.

T.P. TRAILER NASCAR MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH (30 laps): 1. JON KELLNER (3), 2. Jeff Strunk (9), 3. Jared Umbenhauer (11), 4. Brett Kressley (13), 5. Mike Gular (12), 6. Duane Howard (15), 7. Clay Butler (2), 8. Craig Von Dohren (19), 9. Rick Laubach (14), 10. Bobby Trapper Sr. (4), 11. Tim Buckwalter (8), 12. Brian Hirthler (6), 13. Louden Reimert (27), 14. Eric Kormann (5), 15. Chris Esposito (7), 16. Eddie Strada (23), 17. Doug Manmiller (22), 18. Ryan Grim (20) , 19. Craig Whitmoyer (24), 20. Kyle Smith (18), 21. Cody Manmiller (21), 22. Bobby Trapper Jr. (16) , 23. Ron Haring Jr. (1) , 24. Logan Watt (10), 25. Logan Bauman (17), 26. Ryan Beltz (26), 27. Chris Gambler (25), 28. Eric Biehn (28)

DID NOT QUALIFY:

Justin Grim, Darin Schuler, Mike Laise, Bobby Gunther-Walsh, Ray Swinehart, Ryan Watt, John Willman

HARD CHARGER: Louden Reimert +14

MODIFIED PIT NOTES  – 7/05/25

Jon Kellner finished 1^st from 3^rd starting position.  Jon ran 21 green flag laps and positioned himself in 2^nd for the only restart of the race on lap 21.  Jon gained the lead on the restart and was able to hold off a hard charging Jeff Strunk to post his first win of 2025.  Tonight’s win was Jon’s 17^th modified win and 75^th career Grandview win.

In victory lane Jon noted “We were on coils last year and went back to torsion bars this year until today when thanks to Ron Seltmann we are back on coils for the first time in 2025 and in victory lane.  It all worked out for us today.”

“I made an adjustment under caution and after getting the lead was just waiting for Jeff to blow by for the lead.  I just run and don’t look back, so I had no idea where Jeff was.  If they are going to get me, they are going to get me.  I did change lanes in the final laps and was able to hold Jeff off.”

“We had good starting positions all day in both the heat and feature. I managed to maintain second place for 21 laps until the only caution of the race came out.  On the only restart I got by the 85 and then just had to not make any mistakes with Jeff Strunk right behind me.  It all worked out for us after switching back to coils this week and struggling on bars for the prior six races this season.”

Jeff Strunk finished 2^nd from his 9^th starting position and posted his second consecutive 2^nd place finish.  Jeff has steadily improved in the early season points standings and is now 7^th after a blown motor on twin 20 day took him out of two points events.

Jeff reflected “Another solid night and a good run.  My crew saved the night with a RF tire change after a lap 1 flat tire in the heat race.  Their great work put us in a position to be able to battle back into an invert position for the feature.”

“Car was good in the feature and in contention for the win.  We had a shot at the win after the lap 21 caution, but Jon ran a mistake free 9 laps and we fell one spot short.  A huge thanks to my crew and fans for all their support.”

Jared Umbenhauer finished 3rd from his 11th starting position and posted his best finish of the season.

Jared commented “We had a slower track surface then last week.  I’m a big fan when the track slows down and is not hammer down.  When the track is hammer down everyone is fast and good.  When the track is slower and has two lanes like tonight it is a driver’s race.”

Brett Kressley finished 4^th from his 13^th starting position after spinning on lap 21 and being centerpunched but righted by Logan Watt who subsequently rolled over and received heavy damage.  In the meantime, Kressley was able to keep moving and returned to his 7^th current position.

Brett was able to add to his current points lead over 2^nd place Mike Gular in the points standings.

Brett noted “We had a good solid run in the heat race to 3rd from 12th and made the invert.”

 “In the feature we had a balanced car. We were involved in an unfortunate contact incident, but the car was not banged up too badly and we were able to continue moving forward to a 4^th place finish.  The track was pretty even by the end of the night.”

Mike Gular finished 5^th from his 12^th starting position.  Mike had a strong run in both his heat race and the feature and added to his 5 top five finishes in 7 starts this season at Grandview.

Mike reflected “We were decent all night but just can’t seem to put a feature race together good enough to get a win.  I need to do a better job passing cars quickly and not giving up any spots.”

Clay Butler posted 7th place finish from his 2^nd starting position.  Clay did not race last year, but in 2025 decided to return to Grandview and right-side Panhard racing.  This week’s 7^th place finish is his best race of the season after steady improvement and qualifying in the past 4 races of 7 events this season.

Clay stated “We have been chasing our tail all season with chassis and motor issues.  We did get the chassis dialed in A++ on Saturday night for the first time this season.  We are still chasing motor issues but think we have narrowed it down to something electrical.  Saturday night was our first time out with a new Gary Bouc power plant and when we figure out why it’s stumbling in the center off we will have something special.”

“I have a great crew who truly believe in what we are doing and a car owner that believes in me and treats me like a son.”

Ron Haring led for the first 21 laps with over a 1.5 second lead until the first and only caution/red flag of the race flew on lap 21.  On the restart Ron was passed by Jon Kellner and proceeded to fall through the field to a 23^rd finish.  Postrace Ron mentioned “We had a cut right rear and would have won the race if the red does not come out.”

A few weeks ago, Rick Laubach has returned home to Grandview and the right side Panhard rules.  He has already made his presence known with a 7^th and 11^th in only three weeks with what looks like more to come very soon.

Both Logan and Ryan Watt had a rare rough night on the hill. Ryan bent his front end in the heat race and was busy getting Logan’s car ready for the feature so the 14W wasa scratched for the consolation so dad could help Logan.

Logan was involved in a red flag multi-car tangle during his heat race but managed to get back out in the heat and make the invert for the feature. Logan’s team made repairs for the feature, but on lap 21 Logan was again involved in a hard contact incident that put the 4M over and ended his night. Logan was fine and the car will be ready next week with a new front axle, some bodywork and some small frame repairs.”

Next up on Saturday, July 12 will be 55^th annual FIRECRACKER 40 Sportsman 40 & Modifieds – Hot laps at 6:15 and racing at 7:30 pm.