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Brett Kressley (Dan Demarco photo)

Kressley Thunders On The Hill

BECHTELSVILLE, Pa. — Brett Kressley picked up $3,500 for winning the sixth annual Levan Machine and Truck Equipment Thunder Cup modified event Thursday night at Grandview Speedway.

The Pioneer Pole Building $1,500 first time Thunder on the Hill modified winner bonus remained unclaimed although Matt Stangle was in the hunt for the $5,000 first place prize after leading a good portion of the race.  Stangle turned in a very impressive fourth-place finish.

Matt Stangle and Justin Grim led the field down to the green flag, swapping the top spot twice in the first lap.  A bold three-wide move handed the lead to Jared Umbenhauer, with Grim and Stangle fighting for second.

Umbenhauer dropped into a rhythm that earned him a half-track lead over the rest of the field. Six cars battled for second running multiple grooves before the yellow slowed the field on lap 11.

On the restart, it was Stangle taking the lead and maintaining control with Brett Kressley and Craig VonDohren following close behind.

Kressley made his move on lap 20, powering past Stangle into the lead.

Lapped traffic bunched the field directly in front of the leaders, with Kressley making contact – but continuing on while the lapped cars spun out, bringing out the yellow, and setting up a one-lap shootout for the win.

Kressley took the lead on the start, the checkered flag, and the $3,500 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series win. Umbenhauer, VonDohren, Stangle  and Jeff Strunk followed.

The finish:

Feature (30 Laps): – 1. Brett Kressley  2. Jared Umbenhauer  3. Craig VonDohren  4. Matt Stangle  5. Jeff Strunk  6. Duane Howard  7. Ryan Godown  8. Mike Gular  9. Rick Laubach  10. Justin Grim  11. Jack Butler  12. Kevin Hirthler  13. Davey Sammons  14. Kenny Gilmore  15. Brian Hirthler  16. Ron Kline  17. Jim Housworth  18. Ryan Krachun  19. Tim Buckwalter  20. Craig Whitmyoer  21. Briggs Danner  22. Alex Yankowski  23. Mike Lisowski 24. Kyle Lillick

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