Veteran Jeff Strunk Takes 50th Freedom 76 At Grandview For Eighth Time In Storied Career
Story By: ERNIE SAXTON / GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – For the eighth time in his long career Jeff Strunk was able to wheel to victory in the Freedom 76, the 50th annual edition, at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night.
The win was worth $35,550 plus a bundle of lap money as he led the final 12 laps. The Boyertown, PA racer was able to top the star studded field of 32 Modified talents.
Second spot went to New Yorker Matt Sheppard who was in the thick of the battle for the win throughout the final laps. Last year’s winner Mike Gular had a strong third place finish. Brett Kressley, a three feature winner during the regular season was able to lead several laps in the 76-lap race finished fourth followed by visitor Bobby Varin who had led the first 25 laps.
Rounding out the top ten finishers were Duane Howard, Ryan Godown, Stewart Friesen, Louden Reimert and Frank Cozze.
Close to 70 cars took part in the excitement filled night of racing that draw a huge crowd despite the chilly 45 degree temperatures.
Ryan Godown won the Kirsten Snyder Web Design & Photography Cash Dash while Mike Maresca topped the field in the Schaffer Motorsports Minuteman 20 earning a feature starting spot for his efforts.
Next event coming up, with the Freedom 76 weekend completed, is the Mods at the Mad House on Saturday, October 17th. Included will be three 20-lap features for Small Block/Big Block Modified racers each paying $2000 to win. A driver winning all three earns a Pioneer Pole Building Triple Sweep Bonus of $2500.
If someone falls short of the three wins and claims two wins there is a PPB Double Sweep Bonus of $500. And for the Sportsman racers there is $1,300 to win their feature.
