BECHTELSVILLE, Pa. – Kevin Hirthler became the first repeat winner of the season in the 358 modified division on Saturday night at Grandview Speedway.
The T.P. Trailers Modified NASCAR Advanced Auto Parts 30-lap feature was a battle till the end between Hirthler and defending track champion Duane Howard.
Kenny Gilmore set the pace for the first lap of the modified feature before Hirthler, who had a dismal 20th-place finish the previous week, put the Dave George power plant, which was the sportsman car he would run on occasions with his modified engine underneath the hood, into the lead.
In a few laps Hirthler opened daylight leaving Gilmore, Ron Haring Jr. and Brett Kressley in a three-way battle for second trailed by Brad Grim and Briggs Danner.
Ryan Lilick stopped in the fourth turn on the eighth lap and the pack regrouped during the eighth lap yellow. Hirthler held his line when action resumed, but now he had to deal with Kressley, who was trying feverishly to get by him leaving no margin to error.
Back further in the pack trying to get to reel the front runners in were Gilmore, Haring and Howard.
Lapped cars later allowed Kressley and Howard to get on Hirthler’s bumper.
Fourth place runner Haring had his night end on the 23rd lap when he came to a halt in turn three for the second and final caution period. On the restart Hirthler chose the outside lane since his car was hooked up on the high lane and Howard had to deal with the inside trek. Hirthler was off and running on the restart. By this time last week’s feature winner and 2018 point champion Mike Gular joined the heated battle. Waiting in the wings for a slip up were Kressley and Rick Laubach.
Hirthler was able to keep the competition at bay to post his 14th 358 Modified victory. Coming up a half-car length short was second place finisher Howard followed by Gular, Kressley and Laubach.
Kenny Bock took advantage when rookie racer Dakota Kohler went too high and hit the fourth turn wall with two laps remaining to take the lead in the 25-lap T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman feature. Kohler was able to continue, but fell to third as Jesse Leiby scooted underneath for second to challenge the leader.
Bock was able to withstand Leiby’s moves to score his first career victory after trying so hard and leading on numerous occasions in the past to become the fifth different winner in the class this season.
Eric Jennings ducked underneath leader Joe Biasi on the 21st lap of the 25-lap Winged Super Sportsman feature and held off Biasi’s late race challenges to go on to collect the win.