Grandview Speedway
Schutz takes checkers in richest Grandview race
BECHTELSVILLE, Pa. (July 3) — Chuck Schutz of Pottstown, Pa., led the final 30 laps of the Curt J. High & Associates Firecracker 40 at Grandview Speedway to win the richest Late Model victory in track history and move into the points lead in the track’s NASCAR Late Model division.
“That is awesome,” the 39-year-old Schutz said in victory lane. “I just prayed that I would not get a flat tire or something like that. ... I am just happy to win the Firecracker 40 that the Rogers family puts on. The money is just a bonus.”
John Favinger set the pace for the 28-car starting field, leading four laps before Mike Kellner took command on a restart. Kellner’s run out front didn’t last long as mechanical problems sent him out of the race, returning the lead to Favinger.
A caution allowed Schutz to close up on Favinger, and on the 11th lap he made the winning move. Brian Shuey of Shoemakersville, Pa., and Ron Kline of Salford, Pa., each made a charge for the lead, but both fell short.
Kline, who started 15th, settled for second with 18th-starting Randy Stoudt of Pottstown in third. Shuey, the points leader entering the night, was fourth with Wayne Pfeil Jr. of Mohnton, Pa., rounding out the top five.
Notes: Schutz drives a Lazer Chassis sponsored by Jesse Baro Trucking and BPG Racing. ... The victory was his third Firecracker 40 triumph. ... Fifteen of 28 starters were running at the finish. ... Four lucky youngsters went home with new bicycles thanks to Late Model racer Kory Fleming and his sponsors. Hundreds of youngsters took part in the drawing. ... Grandview hosts a $2,000-to-win Steel Block Bandits race on July 31. ... Grandview tops its Firecracker 40 purse on aug. 18 with its first-ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series on Aug. 18 paying $8,000 to the winner.
Curt J. High and Associates Firecracker 40: (1) Chuck Schutz, (2) Ron Kline, (3) Randy Stoudt, (4) Brian Shuey, (5) Wayne Pfeil Jr., (6) John Favinger, (7) Nate Christman, (8) T.J. Mayberry (9) Bill Henning, (10) Drew Weisser, (11) Dirk Rimrott, (12) Rick Todorow, (13) John Landis, (14) Ron Chrisman, (15) Dave Conover, (16) George Marrero Jr, (17) Randall Paxton, (18) John Giesler, (19) D.D. Keely, (20) Kory Fleming, (21) Danny Snyder, (22) Kurt Spotts, (23) Buddy Mertz, (24) Mark Malcolm, (25) Mike Kellner, (26) Dallas Breidenbach, (27) Lou Egrie, (28) Doug Walton. Heat race winners (among 28 cars): Henning, Todorow, Stoudt.
