BRYAN CLAUSON TOPS USAC EASTERN STORM AS RICK LAUBACH WIN 30 LAP NASCAR 358 MODIFIED FEATURE TUESDAY NIGHT


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BECHTELSVILLE, PA  JUNE 7, 2016   . . . . . . Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, IN thrilled a big crowd winning the forty lap Jesse Hockett Classic AMSOIL USAC non-wing sprint car feature Tuesday night at the Grandview Speedway.  Clauson won the feature that saw as many as five cars challenging for the win.  At one point of the race, the leaders were four wide charging off of turn four.   Clauson earned $6,000 for the win.  In the thirty lap modified feature, Rick Laubach from Quakertown, PA led the entire distance after shaking off some challenges from Keith Hoffman and later in the race, Tim Buckwalter  to earn the $3,000 first place prize.   This event marked the 119th Thunder on the Hill Racing Series event presented by Pioneer Pole Buildings.

A field of thirty USAC non-wing sprint cars took part in the program with Bryan Clauson setting fast time, stopping the clock at 13.664.    Four USAC heats races were presented with victories going to Chad Boespflug, Dave Darland, Chris Windom and Robert Ballou as Bryan Clauson won the “B” event.

Thirty-one modifieds took part in three qualifying events with victories going,  Craig VonDohren, Tim Buckwalter and  Ray Swinehart as John Willman won the modified consolation.

At the drop of the green in the 40 lap Jesse Hockett Classic, you could tell this was going to be a good one.  Tony DiMattia set the early lead with Kevin Thomas and Jarett Andretti in the chase.    Thomas took the lead on lap eight with Andretti now in second.    The battle heated up on lap twelve as Andretti challenged Thomas for the lead.  After a few slide jobs, Andretti moved into the lead.  For at least six laps, Andretti and Thomas traded the lead with each corner.   By lap seventeen,  Thomas was back on top but just two laps later, Andretti was again the race leader.

With the cross flags showing on lap twenty, Andretti, Thomas, Chris Windom, Bryan Clauson and Robert Ballou  were the top five and all in contention for the lead.     On lap twenty-four, Clauson moved into the lead but Andretti refused to settle for second as he went back knocking on the door in search of the lead.

Kevin Thomas moved into second on lap twenty-eight and set his sights on the leading Clauson.   Thomas Meseraulla advanced to fourth and Robert Ballou rounded out the top five.  Clauson quickly established a solid lead but Kevin Thomas refused to settle for second and with each remaining lap, tried to reel in Clauson.  The racing deep in the pack offered plenty of passing but back at the front of the pack, Chris Windom was on a charge now racing in third.

For the final laps, Clauson ran a flawless race to earn the victory followed by Kevin Thomas, Chris Windom and Thomas Meseraull.

The $3,000 to win 358 NASCAR Modified feature saw Rick Laubach lead the entire thirty lap distance.   Early in the race Keith Hoffman put the pressure on followed by Tim Buckwalter.   On lap seven, the caution was displayed for Hoffman who spun in turn two.   This gave Buckwalter a shot to challenge Laubach but Buckwalter to settle into second to hold off a charging Ryan Godown.

At the halfway point of the race, Laubach, Buckwalter, Godown, Craig VonDohren and  Brett Kressley made up the top five.

On lap twenty-two, Buckwalter started to trim down the big lead held by Laubach.  Each lap, Buckwalter inched closer but a lapped car between Laubach and Buckwalter definitely played to the advantage of Laubach.

With the checker flag waiving, Laubach took the victory over Tim Buckwalter, Ryan Godown, Craig VonDohren and  Brett Kressley.

40 Lap Jesse Hockett Classic USAC Feature Finish:   Bryan Clauson,  Kevin Thomas, Jr.,  Chris Windom,  Thomas Meseraull,  Jarett Andretti,  Robert Ballou,  Max McGhee,  Brady Bacon,  Tony DiMattia,  Dave Darland,  Shane Golobic,  Chad Boespflug,  C.J. Leary,  Chase Stockon,  Aaron Farney,  Jerry Coons, Jr.,  Landon Simon,  Mark Smith,  Bret Mellenberndt,  Isaac Chapple,  Shane Cottle,  Joey Biasi   DNQ: JR Berry, Kyle Moody,  Dick Mahoney, Trevor Kobylarz, Dustin Smith, Chase Stockon, Harris Kohen,  Carmen Perigo.

30 Lap 358 NASCAR Modified Feature Finish:  Rick Laubach, Tim Buckwalter, Ryan Godown, Craig VonDohren, Brett Kressley, Ryan Watt, Doug Manmiller, Danny Erb, Jimmy Horton, Duane Howard, Billy Pauch Jr., Tyler Dippel, Danny Bouc, Kyle Weiss, John Willman,  Eric Biehn, Ryan Grim, Frank Cozze, Kenny Gilmore, Ray Swinehart, Keith Hoffman, Steve Swinehart, Mike Kellner, Jeff Strunk.  DNQ:  Jimmy Reppert, Kevin Hirthler, Chris Gambler, Brian Houseknecht, Brian Hirthler, Mike Lisowski, Mike Gular