Veteran Modified Racer Kevin Hirthler Wins Freedom 38 At Grandview Speedway Friday
Story By: ERNIE SAXTON / GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – Veteran Modified racer Kevin Hirthler, winner of three NASCAR T.P. Trailers Modified features during the season, was able to wheel to victory in the Freedom 38 Sportsman race at Grandview Speedway on Friday night topping a strong field of 27 racers.
The victory was worth $3,550.
The annual race run the night before the Freedom 76 Classic attracted 55 Sportsman.
Brett Kressley, also a three time winner in the Modifieds, was able to gain a strong second place finish while Mike Gular, winner of the Freedom 76 in 2019, came home third followed by Steve Davis and Kyle Smith.
Hirthler earned a track bonus for being the top finishing crate sportsman racer.
The pits had 54 Sportsman and 53 Modifieds practice.
All attention is now on the 50th Annual Freedom 76. With more than 50 Modifieds at the track on Friday night for practice laps that is pretty much a quarantee that there will be a huge field of racers on hand trying for the $35,550 pot of gold. A who’s who of dirt track Modifieds is expected.
Tickets for the Freedom 76 sell for $40. Youngsters, 6 through 11, on Saturday will pay $10 while kids under 6 are admitted free. Pit admission will be $45 with no license required. There are no advance tickets being offered.
Saturday will see pit gates open at 9 a.m. Ticket windows open at 3:00 p.m. Fans will be able to enter the speedway at the first turn and fourth turn spectator gates to reserve seats with blankets between 9am and 12noon.
On track action will get started at 7 p.m. as top Modified racing talents participate in qualifying events, the $1,000 to win Kirsten Snyder Web Design & Photography Cash Dash, the Schaffer Racing Minuteman 20 and top it all off with the 50th edition of the Freedom 76, “The Granddaddy of Modified Stock Car Classics”.
A large amount of lap money will be divided amongst lap leaders during the big race and the racer gaining the most positions during the 76 laps will receive $500 from Bobby Gunther Walsh and his sponsors as the Hard Charger.
Freedom Fest will take place from 10 AM to 12 NOON on Saturday in the first turn pavilion area and will feature music by Maddie Pearl. Race cars driven by Ryan Grim, Colt Harris and Dylan Swinehart will be on display.
Bob Hilbert Sportswear will present a jacket to the winner of the Freedom 76.
Check the website for information on camping regulations.
Information can be had at www.grandviewspeedway.com or telephone 610.754.7688.
Next event coming up, after the Freedom 76 weekend is complete, 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. And 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.
