BECHTELSVILLE, Pa. – Modified ace Matt Sheppard collected a $7,500 payday during the second annual running of the VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker at Grandview Speedway Saturday night.
Sheppard inherited the lead in the 50-lap small block/big block modified event when Brian Hirthler, doing double duty, came to a halt in turn four to bring out the caution flag with 16 laps in the books. Sheppard held off the challenges at various times from Duane Howard, Stewart Friesen and Jeff Strunk to collect the $7,500 top prize.
In Sportsman action Kevin Hirthler, also competing in both classes, took the lead away from Craig Whitmoyer on the 13th lap restart and went on to claim the victory in the 25-lap race for the second straight year.
The 50-lap Modified event saw B. Hirthler grab the early lead trailed by Frank Yankowski, rookie and 2018 Sportsman point champ Louden Reimert, Howard and Danny Johnson. It wasn’t long before Sheppard joined the challenging mix.
Howard overtook second on the 13th lap to pressure Hirthler for the top spot with the top five positions completed by Johnson, Sheppard and Strunk.
Hirthler’s run ended when mechanical issues forced him to stop in turn four and that quick Sheppard took advantage of the situation and went from fourth to first as the yellow unfurled on the 16th lap. On the restart Sheppard held his own with Howard, Friesen, Strunk and Ray Swinehart in pursuit.
Johnson was eliminated from the hunt when a flat tire sidelined him as the yellow came out on lap 18. It was still Shepard in the lead when action resumed.
Howard and Friesen had a battle of their own brewing for second and that position was swapped on the 27th lap, but five laps later the roles were reversed.
Howard’s victory lane visions were erased when a flat left rear tire brought out the yellow and put him out of contention. When action went green again Sheppard was still in command with second through fifth now comprised of Strunk, Rick Laubach, Jared Umbenhauer and K. Hirthler.
Sheppard distanced himself from the pack in the later stages and despite having to deal with lapped traffic that didn’t deter him and he went on to park it in the winner’s circle. Following him across the line were Strunk, Laubach, Jared Umbenhauer and Hirthler.
After two attempts to get a lap completed in the Sportsman feature, Whitmoyer grabbed the early lead and followed by Brad Brightbill, K. Hirthler, Mike Koffel and Ryan Smith.
K. Hirthler moved into second on the eighth lap to pursue the lead.
Scott Kohler spun on the 13th lap for a yellow and on this restart Hirthler and Reimert swapped paint and K. Hirthler emerged as the new leader.
Hirthler never relinquished the lead and went on to claim the win by a healthy margin over Whitmoyer, Brightbill, B. Hirthler and Mark Kemmerer. Sixth through tenth were Kreis, Brad Grim, Dean Bachman and Josh Adams.
B. Hirthler, Kemmerer and Grim won the heats. Adams won the consi.