AFFORDABLE RACING TECHNOLOGY
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RICK SCHAFFER BEATS THE HEAT AND FIELD AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY
Myerstown PA, July 4th, 2010:
With temperatures approaching 100,
the action on the speedway was almost as hot as the temperature. A
field of 14 SpeedSTR's signed in as a support
class to the already popular NEETS Enduro group and from the drop of
the first heat green, the action was intense. Kaitie McCardle and
Rich Tobias ran side by side for the last 4 laps of the heat to set
the tone for the remaining events on the STR docket, as Tobias
passed McCardle in turn 2 on the last lap to grab the heat win. The
lineup was set by the top 4 in each heat being handicapped by
points.
Jeff Gallup had the honors of
bringing the field to the green and a minor spin after 1 lap was in
the books bunched up the field for another restart. The worst place
to be in this race was the leader. As the 3rd lap was in the books
after another early race yellow ,Gallup's' day would quickly end as
he took the green but a broken rear heim ended his day heading into
turn 1. Doug Sherwood was now the new leader and his reign upfront
lasted until lap 5 when he did a 360 in turn 4 and fell back to
4th.Quickly moving through the field were Rich Tobias and "The Mayor
of Woxall" Rick Schaffer
in the Bulldog Arts Service # 5. Schaffer got the lead on lap 6 and
was now feeling the pressure from Tobias. Tobias slid into Rick
heading into turn 4 getting the 5 a little out of kilter which then
put his Valvoline # 3 to the front with Schaffer now in hot pursuit.
Just as the 1/2 way sign was being
given, DJ Macri found the loose stuff off of turn 2 and started to
spin down the backstretch, with the remaining field heading his way,
he got clipped by Fred Rahmer, Jr and the red had to be displayed as
both the # 2 of Macri and the 51 of Rahmer were helpless on the
backstretch with the 51 sitting skyward on the outside retaining
wall. The red and yellow was being displayed now with anyone wanting
to pit, being allowed to do so. The leader jinx hits Rich Tobias as
overheating forced some quick pit work to make the next green.
Gary Huber in the 11H was now being
a contender for the win as he made his way through the field from an
early race yellow and was following Schaffer's tire marks in hopes
of gaining an advantage to challenge for a chance at a victory. The
excitement of the 2 car battle out front was now replaced by the 4
car battle for 3rd as McCardle, Tobias, Zrinski and Brandon Rahmer
all were within car lengths of each other for the remaining 6 laps
with Brittany Wixon, Doug Sherwood, Tyler Potts and Scott Munroe
swapping positions in each corner.
With 5 to go being flashed by
starter Mike Feltenberger, McCardle had 3rd over Tobias, who was
clinging to 4th as Zrinski tried some outside moves to get by, but
still having to worry about Rahmer sliding in under him. Lap 22
found Schaffer widening his lead and Tobias working the low side of
McCardle in the BTM Motorsports sponsored # 11 to slot in for 3rd.
As the white flag was waving, Wixon, Potts and Munroe all wanted to
be a part of the top 8 with Wixon getting her # 15 to the finish
line just ahead of Potts as Munroe rounded out the top 10.
In victory lane it was noted by
winner Schaffer that the handling of the Thompson Motorsports
prepared # 5 was starting to change and he had to drive a different
line to keep his front running status. Schaffer, the 3rd leading
modified winner in Grandview's track history thanked Tobias for the
ride offer. Multi time feature winner Mario Page had his day end on
lap 1 as his shock came loose and forced the 10 from the speedway.
Both Fred Rahmer, Jr. and DJ Macri walked away from their accident
unharmed.
Bilstein Racing
Shocks Feature Results (25 laps):
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