KYLE MERKEL AND JOE MASIADO VISIT VICTORY LANE AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY

(Track Press Release) BECHTELSVILLE, PA – For the first time in his career Kyle Merkel was able to wheel his Excel Collision/Gouldey Meats No. 117 to victory in a Steel Block Bandits Late Model feature race winning the 40-lap feature at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night. In the 20-lap main event for Sportsman stock cars Joe Masiado came home the winner with the Valley Auto NAPA Parts No. 43.

July 31, 2010 Video Highlights

Order the complete night of racing on DVD from the GSP Shop or get it at the track!

Steel Block Bandits Late Models Feature Highlights

Steel Block Bandits Late Models Qualifying Incidents

Sportsman Feature Highlights

Kyle Merkel had a storybook night starting off by winning the 12-lap qualifying race and then coming back to lead the 25-car starting field to the green in the 40-lap Late Model feature. The young Gilbertsville racer who has been traveling with the Steel Block Bandits this season was able to do it all in front of his hometown fans.

Merkel was, for the most part, the man to beat as he led almost all the laps and was able to survive numerous restarts with close to 50-caution laps being recorded. Only Mike Kellner, who charged through the pack, to take the lead on the 25th circuit of the one-third-mile, banked clay oval was able to take the top spot from Merkel. However that lead was short lived as mechanical problems sent to Kellner to the infield and out for the night on the 26th lap.

Merkel, a former regular in the Late Model ranks at Grandview, was able to take back the top spot and that is where he stayed for the balance of the feature race picking up $2,000 for his winning efforts.

In victory lane Merkel had nothing but praise for his team, his sponsors and his engine builder Larry Lombardo. The young Gilbertsville, PA racer told the fans that he would have been very disappointed if he had not been able to win the race in front of all his hometown fans.

Second spot went to Brian Shuey (Shoemakersville) who was a thorn in Merkel’s side all night as he challenged the leader in the early laps and then came back in the final laps to challenge again but ended up settling for the runner-up position.

Randy Stoudt (Pottstown) came home with a strong third place finish while Ron Kline (Salford), a contender for the top spot early in the event, settled for fourth. Andy Fries (Mercerburg, PA) finished in fifth spot.

The 20-lap feature for Sportsman stock cars had Joe Masiado (Bethlehem) getting the top spot on the start and leading all the laps despite an overheating engine in his Valley Auto Parts entry. The win, the first ever for Masiado at Grandview, was worth $1,000.

Second spot went to Brad Brightbill (Sinking Spring). The young racer was closing on the leader when the checkered flag fell. Craig Whitmoyer came home third followed by Mike Lisowski and Kevin Beach.

Qualifying heat races, 12 laps each, for the Late Models were won by Ron Kline, Kyle Merkel and Brian Shuey. The 15-lap B-Main was won by Nate Christman. Eight Late Models represented the Steel Block Bandits while 19 of the Grandview Late Models were on hand.

Qualifying events, eight laps, for the Sportsman were won by Joe Masiado and Craig Whitmoyer.

Alex’s Lemonade stand will benefit from the Saturday, August 7th doubleheader night of racing featuring the NASCAR 358 Modifieds and Late Models sponsored by the Mavericks Motorcycle Club. Racing starts at 7:30 p.m.

Coming up on Saturday, August 14th at 7:30 p.m. will be the annual Forrest Rogers Memorial Classic for NASCAR 358 Modifieds. The race pays $10,000 to win. In addition the Late Models will be in action.
40-LAP STEEL BLOCK BANDITS LATE MODEL FEATURE: 1. Kyle Merkel 2. Brian Shuey 3. Randy Stoudt 4. Ron Kline 5. Andy Fries 6. Bruce Kane 7. Walker Arthur 8. Nate Christman 9. Danny Snyder 10. Bill Henning 11. Wayne Pfeil 12. Kurt Spotts 13. John Giesler 14. Johnny Favinger 15. Rick Todorow 16. Kory Fleming 17. TJ Mayberry 18. Randall Paxton 19. Chuck Schutz 20. Danny Brown Jr. 21. Mike Kellner 22. Grant Adams 23. Joe Leavell 24. Mark Malcom 25. Gerald Davis

20-LAP SPORTSMAN STOCK CAR FEATURE: 1. Joe Masiado 2. Brad Brightbill 3. Craig Whitmoyer 4. Mike Lisowski 5. Kevin Beach 6. Brad Grim 7. Mike Mammana 8. Harry Landis 9. Jason James 10. Joe Funk 11. Brad Force 12. Troy Gibson 13. Josh Hertzog