Story By: JEFFREY AHLUM / GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY – BECHTELSVILLE, PA – What a start! Grandview Speedway hosted the first on track action of a brand-new season on Saturday, by presenting an open test and tune practice session, setting the stage for Opening Night next Saturday, April 6.
A spectacular turnout of race teams overflowed the Grandview Speedway pit area on Saturday, with a grand total of 106 race cars taking part in the traditional free-to-the-public open practice session, which allowed drivers to test their cars for the upcoming racing campaign.
Drivers from various divisions were represented and leading the way were the two weekly divisions, as 38 – T.P. Trailer NASCAR Modifieds, and 40 – T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman jammed the pit area, along with Outlaw Racing Series Enduro cars, Vintage cars, winged and non-wing Sprint cars, Late Models, an Xcel 600 Modified, and a Slingshot, which all took practice laps in the nearly 4-hour test session.
Returning six-time T.P. Trailer Modified track champion Duane Howard was the quickest of all 38 Modified teams in attendance, turning quick time in two different sessions at 14.837 and 14.956 seconds respectively, being the only driver to make the 14-second bracket. Kevin Graver Jr. was the next quickest driver at 15.097 seconds.
In the T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman division, the fastest lap of the afternoon was turned in by one of last season’s feature winners in Ryan Graver who turned a lap at 16.147 seconds. Not far behind was one of the top ten points drivers from last year Adrianna Delliponti who turned a lap of 16.232 seconds, followed by last year’s Firecracker 40 winner Addison Meitzler who turned a lap of 16.265 seconds.
In addition to all of the returning stars from past seasons to the track this past Saturday preparing for the new season ahead, there were seven drivers who were making the change to the T.P. Trailer Modified division from the T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman class.
To help take their place, there were eleven brand new T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman drivers making their Grandview debut on Practice Day, preparing for the new challenge ahead in their careers.
A very robust grandstand crowd was on hand, taking advantage of the free grandstand admission to check out the new cars and drivers for the upcoming season on a sunny and cool day that ended up changing to a cloudy day with a few rain drops at the end of the practice rounds.
With practice in the record books, attention now turns to the 2024 season opening VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker, which is open to both Big and Small Block Modified competitors and is run in honor of long-time track owner and promoter Bruce Rogers. The feature race will be 50-laps, paying a cool $7500 to win as well as a remarkable $1000 to take the green flag in the main event. The feature race winner will also receive a guaranteed starting spot in the September 21 Freedom 76!
Grandview Speedway management is reminding all competitors that the Opening Night program will be sanctioned by NASCAR and will be the first point race of the new campaign for both the T.P. Trailer Modified and T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman divisions toward both the track and NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Championships.
For the Bruce Rogers Memorial event, all drivers are welcome to compete as in years past, and if any driver is not a track regular, the Speedway will cover the cost of the $25 temporary NASCAR driver license for this one night of competition.
There is no entry fee for this special event, however drivers are encouraged to pre-enter by calling or texting 484.256.4375, providing the driver’s name, contact information and phone number. Drivers are also reminded to visit the speedway website to print and fill out a W-9 form and bring it with them to the track on Opening Night. The W-9 form must be provided to the pit office to be eligible for drivers to draw for heat race starting spots.
The T.P. Truck Equipment 602 Sportsman will also begin their point season on the Opening Night program in a full show which includes qualifying events and a 25-lap feature race.
Saturday, April 13 is set aside as a rain date if needed for the opener. However, if not needed, then it will be a two-division program for the T.P. Trailer 358 Modifieds and T.P. Truck Equipment 602 Sportsman under the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series banner.
VP Racing Fuels is the sponsor of the Season Opener and is advising all race teams that for this program they can do pre-orders with distributor Road Runner Fuels by contacting them at 717.587.1693.
Information and car rules are listed for the VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker on the speedway website under the Bruce Rogers Memorial tab.
Race time on Opening Night is 6 pm, Pit gates open at 1 pm, Grandstand gates open at 4 pm, the Drivers meeting is at 4 pm. followed by the draw for position, then warm-ups at 5 pm.
Grandstand admission for Adults is $30, Students ages 10-15 with ID are $20, while ages 9 and under are admitted free of charge. Pit admission is $40 with a license and $45 without a license.