Playin’ in the DIRT

10 Real Men, Rednecks and more

Scott Haus of Hamburg in Port Royal’s

victory lane. - photo by Ed “Lugnet” Funk

Big Diamond Raceway - last four seasons. Meanwhile, Strunk’s

Forestville, PA new 2009 car owner Vince Gagliardo
Saturday, March 28 - After rain pos- enjoyed his first win of any kind. Billy
toned the Coalcracker Sportsman 50 Pauch finished second. Duane Howard, a
twice in 2008 it finally reached a check- four-time feature winner last year, started
ered flag on March 28. from nineteenth position. By lap four, he
Earl Paules, captured the victory over was racing within the top ten. After a few
Jared Umbenhauer, who was followed by cautions, Howard, of Oley, found himself
three-time track champion Craig in the front five just one lap later. After
Whitmoyer of Hamburg. Other Berks testing Doug Manmiller for many laps,
locals competing were Brad Brightbill of Howard advanced into the third position
Sinking Spring who finished 10th and late in the running. Manmiller of
Kyle Weiss of Hamburg who finished Shoemakersville finished fourth. Billy
23rd after using a provisional to make the Pauch Jr. finished fifth.
field. Rounding out the top ten were Doug all the laps and earn the first place Port Royal Speedway Mike Erdley took
In Wingless ARDC Midgets feature, Hoffman, Ryan Watt (Boyertown), Craig money. the win in the 410 Sprints and Bobby
Frank Polimeda passed his way to the Whitmoyer (Hamburg), Troy Wink Second spot went to Mike Gular of Hockenberry placed first in the Super
front en route to the exciting 25-lap fea- (Mohrsville), and Mike Gular (Green Green Lane. Meme DeSantis (Temple) Sportsman. For the Super Late Models
ture victory. Lane). was a factor in the battle for the win all Eric Zembower took the win in the regu-
Greg Robinson led the opening three Brad Brightbill of Sinking Spring fol- throughout the feature race but settled for lar feature event while Scott Haus took
laps. Bruce lowed up his ’08 Sportsman champi- third followed by defending track cham- his second Super Late Model feature of
Buckwalter onship with a pion Jeff Strunk (Mohnton) and Tom the season in the 3/28 make up feature.
Jr., of 25-lap main Umbenhauer. Young A.J DeSantis, son Haus finished 4th in the regular feature
Royersford event win. of Meme DeSantis, earned the top rookie event and Brian Sipe of Hamburg came
and Brett Kody Sites spot with a 10th place finish. in 18th after leading the first five laps.
Arndt, of of Hamburg In the 20-lap late model feature Shuey, Sipe finished 12th in the make up feature.
Topton each is only a past champion, earned the pole starting Selinsgrove Speedway –
led a circuit beginning his position with a win in the first qualifying Selinsgrove, PA
before PJ second full event of the night. The Shoemakersville March 21, 2009 – The Race of
Garguilo took year of driver put the starting position to good Champions series rolled into Selinsgrove
command on Roadrunner use setting the pace at the start and lead- Speedway for what was the first ever race
lap six. Duane Howard of Oley racing at Grandview competition ing all the laps on the way to victory. for 358 cubic inch powered modifieds
P o l i m e d a Speedway. - photo by Rich Kepner and has Second spot was earned by Chuck (small blocks) at the track.
dove under- already won Schutz, Pottstown. Ron Kline finished Two-time defending Race of
neath Garguilo on lap eight and brought four career features. Sites was the 20-lap third followed by Danny Snyder (East Champions title holder Pat Ward wired
Steve Buckwalter, of Royersford along feature winner on Sunday. Greenville) and Randy Stoudt the field for the victory in Friday night’s
with him. Grandview Speedway – (Pottstown) who came back from an 25-lap 358 modified season opener.
S. Buckwalter passed Polimeda for Bechtelsville, PA early race pit stop to replace a tire to fin- The event’s first caution flag unfurled
the front position on lap fourteen. April 5, 2009 - For the fourth year in a ish in the top five. However after the fin- on lap five. The ensuing restart saw Ward
Buckwalter’s machine slowed with only row Duane Howard was able to wheel the ish Stoudt was moved back two spots for pull away from the field and a spirited
four laps remaining, and ending his fine Chad Sinon owned No. 4 Modified stock a rules infraction giving fifth spot to Kyle battle for second unfold between Larry
performance. Polimeda led the closing car to victory in the 40-lap modified Merkel. Wight, sixth-place starter Craig
stages and recorded the victory over B. stock car feature race at Grandview. In Port Royal Speedway – Port VonDohren, and 12th-place starter Duane
Buckwlater Jr., Curt Michael, Ryan Watt the “More Money 20” for late models the Royal, PA Howard.
of Boyertown, and Brett Arndt. win went to past champion Brian Shuey Saturday, April 4 – Steve Buckwalter At the checkered flag, Ward was vic-
Sunday, April 05, 2009 - Jeff Strunk of for the second year in a row. Howard, a led the first 15 laps of the 410 sprint fea- torious over VonDohren, and Howard.
Mohnton defended his 358 Modified past track champion, started on the pole. ture before Todd Shaffer took over the The top ten included Ryan Godown,
championship with a 35-lap feature vic- When the green flag dropped the Oley, top spot. Shaffer finished first ahead of Jimmy Horton, Ray Swinehart of
tory in Sunday’s regular season opener at PA racer took command of the race and Buckwalter and Kevin Nouse. Bechtelsville, Jimmy Chester, and Billy
Big Diamond Raceway. It was Strunk’s was able to survive 12 caution periods In the Super Late Model feature Scott VanPelt. Other racers that competed were
third BDR season opener triumph in the and challenges from Meme DeSantis, Haus of Hamburg led from start to finish. Doug Manmiller who finished 14, Sean
Mike Gular and Craig VonDohren to lead Saturday, April 11 – In racing action at Merkel got 19th and Ryan Watt was 25th.

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