Watt & Godown Enter This Year’s Freedom 76 At Grandview

Story By: ERNIE SAXTON / GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – Garden State racer Ryan Godown and popular Modified racing talent Ryan Watt are the latest top dirt track Modifieds standout to join the entry list for the rich 47th Annual Freedom 76 Modified Classic being run in Honor of Bruce Rogers.

The 76 lap race paying at least $30,000 to win will take place at Grandview Speedway on Saturday, September 16th. Godown, a standout performer in area Modified racing, will be joining two other New Jersey talents, Billy Pauch Sr. and Jr.

Godown and the young Pauch are considered two of the top talents in dirt track Modified racing. Both will be seeking their first victory in the Classic. Legend Bill Pauch Sr. has six Freedom 76 wins as does 10-time Grandview Speedway Modified Champion Jeff Strunk. Both will be looking to add to their impressive resumes.

Boyertown, PA resident Ryan Watt has been having quite a successful season at area tracks and nothing would make the season better than to be able to walk off with a Freedom 76 victory.

Current NASCAR TP Trailers Modified point leader Craig VonDohren has five wins in the Classic and will be looking for his sixth while veteran Duane Howard tries for his fifth victory. Meme DeSantis is ready to try for his fourth victory after missing most of the 2017 season. Those looking for their second Freedom 76 win include Ray Swinehart and possibly Stewart Friesen.

Popular racing talents that have not been able to win this event include Mike Gular, Brett Kressley, Doug Manmiller, Jared Umbenhauer, Ryan Watt and a long list of others. They are all hoping to be able to add their name to the list.

Other entries for the Freedom 76 include, Mike Gular, Jared Umbenhauer, Mike Mahaney, Danny Erb, Doug Manmiller and Mike Lisowski. A long list of standout dirt track racing talent is expected to enter.

Pioneer Metal Roofing has signed on as the sponsor of the cash dash which will award $1,000 to the winner.

Bobby Gunther Walsh’s racing team along with his long list of sponsors including Mrs T’s Pierogis and Just Born Candies has posted a $500 Hard Charger Award in memory of Bruce Rogers.

Pioneer Pole Buildings Motorsports 2016 Racing Trade Show, Manmiller Electric, Stoudt Auto Sales and TP Trailers have posted awards for the event. And Schaeffer Motorsports continues as sponsor of the Minuteman 20 (last chance to make the Freedom 76).

A full series of qualifying events will lead up to the 47th Freedom 76.

Adult admission on race day is $40 but fans buying advance tickets will pay just $35. Advance tickets are sold at the speedway each Saturday night when NASCAR races are presented. Youngsters 6 through 11 pay $10 and kids under 6 are admitted free.

On Friday, September 15th, Modified racers looking for some practice time will be able to do just that as a doubleheader featuring Sportsman and Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series Sprinters is presented. Adult admission is $12 while youngsters 6 through 11 pay $5 and kids under 6 are admitted free. The Sportsman will be racing for $1500 to win in the Freedom 38’er. There is no license required for the Sportsman racers.

Rain date for the Freedom 76 is September 23 but there is no rain date for the Friday event.

Those wishing to be a lap sponsor for the race that honors the memory of the late Bruce Rogers can get information from Tina Rogers and Tommy Kramer at the track or telephone Ernie Saxton at 215.752-7797 or Esaxton144@aol.com. Lap sponsorships are priced at $20 and gets your lap listed in the special event program and has your name mentioned on the public address system. Qualifying event sponsorships are available for just $200.