Craig Von Dohren eans first win of season at Grandview Speedway
May 16—Craig Von Dohren doesn't win every weekend at Grandview Speedway. It just seems that way to a lot of fans.
In fact, the veteran modified driver from Oley hadn't won at the Bechtelsville one-third mile clay oval all season prior to Saturday's 30-lap 358 modified feature.
Von Dohren ended his "struggles" that included three straight second-place finishes and four runner-up runs in the last five point races with his first victory of the season at Grandview. It was the 110th victory for Von Dohren, who captured his 11th season points title at Grandview last season.
Logan Bauman was a first-time winner in the 25-lap sportsman feature. Briggs Danner, who runs several different divisions at numerous tracks throughout the area, won the 25-lap East Coast USAC sprint feature.
In the modified feature, Von Dohren and Brett Kressley began to put pressure on leader Doug Manmiller on the 13th lap. It wasn't until the 23rd lap that Von Dohren outmaneuvered Manmiller on a restart to take the lead with Kressley right behind.
Von Dohren kept the competition behind him and went on to chalk up the victory, trailed by Kressley, Jeff Strunk, Manmiller and Nate Brinker. Sixth through 10th were Kevin Hirthler, Duane Howard, Jesse Leiby, Jared Umbenhauer and Brett Gilmore.
In the sportsman feature, polesitter B.J. Joly led until Bauman passed him on a 17th lap restart.
Bauman stayed in front and Joly followed for his best career finish. Mike Stofflet was third, followed by Chris Esposito and Cody Manmiller. Rounding out the top 10 were Mike Schneck, Tom Miller, Decker Swinehart, Kenny Gilmore and Dylan Hoch.
Damon Paul led the first lap of the USAC sprint feature before Danner took over.
In the closing laps, Danner, Steve Drevicki and Alex Bright were in a three-way duel with Drevicki taking second and Bright third. They were followed by Bruce Buckwalter, Tommy Kunsman Jr., Nash Ely, Troy Betts, Mike Meyers, Billy Ney and Jason Cherry.
