LAISE WINS FOR FIRST TIME IN SIX YEARS WITH NASCAR 358 MODIFIEDS AT GRANDVIEW, SNYDER TOPS IN LATE MODELS
(Track Press Release) BECHTELSVILLE, PA – It took six years for 22-uear-old Mike Laise to get to victory lane at Grandview Speedway and he savored every minute of it on Saturday night as he celebrated his win in the 30-lap Mavericks Motorcycle Club NASCAR 358 Modified feature race. And he even made sure his two-year-old daughter Brooke was there with him for all the victory lane photos.
July 9, 2011 Video Highlights
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NASCAR 358 Modified Feature Highlights
NASCAR Late Model Feature Highlights
Victory lane is nothing new for Danny Snyder but he still enjoyed celebrating his win in the 20-lap NASCAR Late Model feature, his second win of the season.
Mike Laise was a man on a mission as he charged out in front of the 28-car 358 Modified starting field from his second place starting position. A caution came out on the second circuit as the previous week’s feature winner Kevin Hirthler bounced off the fourth turn wall and headed for the pits with a flat right front tire.
On the restart Laise again took command and another caution came out for a multi-car accident between turns three and four that included six time champion Craig VonDohren, Kevin Albert, John Willman and Brad Grim.
Laise put his Michael Smith Painting/ Reid Auto and Truck Repair No. 15 back in front on the restart and was kept busy holding off challenges from Addison Addison Meitzler and Jarrad Miller.
With the crossed flags being shown by starter Ray Kemp Laise continued to lead with Miller applying pressure.
The balance of the 30-lap feature was all about Mike Laise as the Pottstown racer was able to easily win and pick up the $2,500 first place money. In fact Laise had such a healthy lead that when point leader Duane Howard passed Nate Christman for second spot he actually thought he was taking the lead and was ready to go to victory lane. Howard had been busy working his way through the field after starting in 17th spot.
Second spot went to Howard (Oley) who continues to lead the point battle in the chase for the lucrative NASCAR 358 Modified point title. Third place was earned by Nate Christman (Oley) followed by eight time champion Jeff Strunk (Bechtelsville) coming from 16th starting position. Jarrod Miller (Barto) managed to grab a fifth place finish.
“It feels good (to be in victory lane),” said Laise has he carried his daughter and was surrounded by dozens of members of the Mavericks Motorcycle Club who use their sponsorship of the night as a fund raiser for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand charity. “It has really been up and down for me. Without my parents continued support I just would not have been able to do it.”
In the 20-lapper for the Late Models rookie racer Steve Butler took charge of the 18 car starting field at the drop of the green and set the pace for a half-dozen laps before veteran Danny Snyder was able to take command on the seventh circuit of the one-third-mile, banked clay oval. At 11 laps Kory Fleming lost a wheel and spun in the second turn bringing out one of the few cautions in the event.
On the restart Snyder had current Late Model point leader Chuck Schutz to deal with and then in the closing laps Mike Kellner applied pressure.
At the finish it was Danny Snyder (Green Lane) bringing the 3 Starz Landscaping/Rhoades Livestock Hauling No. 4s to victory lane. Kellner (Lansdale) held on to the number two finishing position. Chuck Schutz (Pottstown) held on to his Late Model point race lead after finishing third. Ron Kline (Salford) was coming on strong in the closing laps to finish fourth and veteran Rick Todorow (Quakertown) finished fifth.
In victory lane Snyder thanked his sponsors and crew for their support as he celebrated his second win of the season. Snyder is currently second in the chase for the point title.
Qualifying heat races for the Late Models went to T.J. Mayberry and Mike Kellner. Danny Snyder had crossed the finish line first in the first qualifier but was set back two spots due to a rule infraction.
Victories in the 12 lap qualifying heats for NASCAR 358 Modifieds went to Kyle Follweiler, Addison Meitzler, Jarrad Miller and Mike Gular. Two 10-lap consolation races were won by Meme DeSantis and Terry Meitzler.
MAVERICKS MOTORCYCLE CLUB NIGHT NASCAR WHELEN 358 MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH (30 LAPS): 1.Mike Laise 2. Duane Howard 3. Nate Christman 4. Jeff Strunk 5. Jarrad Miller 6. Kyle Weiss 7. Kyle Weiss 8. Craig VonDohren 9. Addison Meitzler 10. Doug Manmiller 11. Todd Smith 12. Brad Missimer 13. Ray Swinehart 14. Glenn Strunk 15. John Willman 16. Kyle Follweiler 17. Kenny Gilmore 18. Danny Erb 19. Kevin Albert Jr. 20. Brad Grim (Balance of starting field did not finish) 21. Shawn Reimert 22. Ron Seltman 23.Rayn Godown 24. Glenn Owens 25. Meme DeSantis 26.Jordon Umbernhauer 27. Kevin Hirthler 28. Terry Meitzler
MAVERICKS MOTORCYCLE CLUB NIGHT LATE MODEL FEATURE FINISH (20 LAPS): 1.Danny Snyder 2. Mike Kellner 3. Chuck Schutz 4. Ron Kline 5. Rick Todorow 6. T.J. Mayberry 7. Steve Butler 8. Wayne Pfeil Jr. 9. Johnny Favinger 10. John Giesler 11. Doug Walton 12. Dirk Rimrott 13. Lou Egrie Jr. (Balance of starting field did not finish) 14. Buddy Mertz 15. Bill Lightcap 16. Kory Fleming 17. Jason Miller 18. David Ogin.
