Post by Kirsten Snyder on Sept 18, 2023 16:22:32 GMT
Hitzler Prevails in the Grueling and Prestigious Modified 50 at Linda’s
By Kasey Kreider
The Modified 50 annually serves as the crown jewel for the 600cc Modified division. It’s a race
that tests the will of man and machine and always brings the cream of the crop to the top. So it
was no surprise to see one of the division’s most decorated drivers score the victory on Friday
night at the Linda’s Speedway, as Richie Hitzler took his Ray Gradwell-owned No. 9 into
Selinsgrove Ford Victory Lane.
The race had special meaning for all competitors this season, as a benefit fundraiser was held for
Modified competitor Steve McLaughlin, who is continuing his recuperation from a work
accident in July. A total of $2,040 was raised and presented to Steve’s wife Amanda and the
McLaughlin family during intermission.
As Richie Hitzler put it in a social media post earlier in the morning, Steve McLaughlin was the
true winner of the night, as he had won the race of life. But there was still an on-track battle to be
settled. Hitzler started his run to the victory with a crucial pass of quick-timer Justin Schraden in
the heat race, which put him on pole for the 50-lap main event.
Hitzler lost the lead early to Eric Whitby, but was able to reclaim it a few laps later with a bold
outside pass. Hitzler’s machine tickled the top of the cushion throughout virtually the entire race,
and the Lebanon native held off a challenge from Josh Bewley and then a furious charge from
Tyler Bartik – who had started the race in last – to add another big win to his impressive resume.
Both the Hoffer Paving All Star Slingshots and J&J Auto Body Junior Slingshots were also on
the card for the night competing in their final regular points races of the year. Dave Carraghan
dominated the All Star 20-lapper for his first Linda’s win of the season, while Brett Bieber’s
fifth-place finish was good enough for him to virtually lock up another track championship, a
title that will become official once “The Oley Jet” shows up for the Lebanon Valley 50 in two
weeks.
In the Junior Slingshots it was once again Chase Schott who claimed the win and locked up the
championship for the second time in three years.
In the penultimate race of the season for the Stolz Stove Sales Winged 600 Micro Sprints, it was
Rodney Westhafer putting the Faulkner No. 44 into the winner’s circle as the Mechanicsburg
native led wire-to-wire in the 25-lap event. Ben Stolz finished a strong second while Jason
Sechrist could only muster a 14th-place result, giving Stolz a two-point lead in the standings
entering the season finale in two weeks.
The Bernheisel Race Components Chargers also returned for their final tune-up before the
Charger Championship Race on September 29th. Eric Hollenbach took advantage of Josh
Michael’s crash while leading and scored his second win of the season in a race that was
shortened due to being over the time limit. Hollenbach also grabbed the points lead entering the
finale in two weeks.
As a result of last week’s rainout, the points-paying seasons for the Mt. Gretna Roller Rink 270
Micro Sprints and Appalachian Auto Front Wheel Drives came to a premature end. Two-time
Wingless 600 champion Brandon Heist will be the 2023 champion – by one point – in the 270
class, while Rob Pyle will be awarded the championship in the Front Wheel Drive division.
Linda’s Speedway returns to action next Friday, September 22nd with the Kevin Gobrecht
Memorial Race for the 270 Micro Sprints. The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic Wingless 600 Micro
Sprints and the Mike’s Towing & Recovery 600 Modifieds will contest their final points races of
the season. And the Gene Latta Ford Central PA Legends will make their third and final
appearance of the year at the Jonestown quarter-mile.
Results:
Xcel 600 Modified Tour A-Main (50 Laps):
1. 9RGR-Richie Hitzler[1]; 2. 85AM-Tyler Bartik[28]; 3. 88-Justin Schraden[4]; 4. 413-Justin
Maylath[18]; 5. 7$-Bryce Smith[19]; 6. 21-Mark Bressler[11]; 7. 127-Korey Inglin[6]; 8.
29-Douglas Newbigging[15]; 9. 33-Ryan Heckman[27]; 10. 69-Christian Smith[22]; 11.
X-Leeroy Sorenson[24]; 12. 28-Raymond Gradwell[16]; 13. 116-Gerry Bressler[20]; 14.
5S-Geoffrey Sutton[13]; 15. 8-Tiffany Hitzler[5]; 16. 3D-Shjon Dove[9]; 17. 22-Lance
Garrison[10]; 18. 78-Josh Bewley[3]; 19. 5-Mason Peters[14]; 20. 20K-Chad Kreiser[23]; 21.
42K-RJ Smith[7]; 22. 12E-Eric Whitby[2]; 23. 17K-Seth Schnoke[12]; 24. Z12-Randy Getz
Jr[21]; 25. 61S-Kyle Donati[8]; 26. M1-Tommy Martocci[17]; 27. 20-Ryley Garman[25]; 28.
(DNS) 13-Ed Hollenbach
Hoffer Paving All Star Slingshots A-Main (20 Laps):
1. 3-David Carraghan[4]; 2. 112-Cody Kline[2]; 3. 10S-Chase Schott[5]; 4. 1-Tyler Ulsh[7]; 5.
32-Brett Bieber[3]; 6. 22-Matt Kiefert[11]; 7. 77-Daniel Betz[1]; 8. 349-Garrett Chillot[6]; 9.
55AA-Amanda Angstadt[8]; 10. 28K-Karter Adams[9]; 11. 42-Mason Pittenger[17]; 12.
33-Dustin Degler[10]; 13. 95-Lucas Pittenger[12]; 14. K33-Ryan Lutz[13]; 15. 33D-Tytan
Deal[14]; 16. 20A-Trevor Slade[15]; 17. (DNS) 55A-Cole Armstrong
J&J Auto Body Junior Slingshots A-Main (15 Laps):
1. 10S-Chase Schott[2]; 2. 86H-Anthony Siccone[1]; 3. 77-Daniel Betz[3]; 4. 35A-Aubrey
Romig[4]; 5. 7S-Javon Garrison[5]
Stolz Stove Sales Winged 600 Micro Sprints A-Main (25 Laps):
1. 44-Rodney Westhafer[1]; 2. 77-Ben Stolz[2]; 3. 10-Mason Peters[3]; 4. 117-Cody West[6]; 5.
54-Dakota Bartlet[4]; 6. 117X-Randy West[7]; 7. 44S-Steve Whary[8]; 8. 71-Brian Kramer[10];
9. 11H-Holden Eckman[11]; 10. 3-Jesse Maurer[13]; 11. 19S-Chase Schott[5]; 12. 22H-Fred
Heinly[9]; 13. 91-Randy Kunkle Jr[16]; 14. 5J-Jason Sechrist[12]; 15. 56-Morgan Rochelle[19];
16. 19-Scott Heisey[18]; 17. 32S-Garyt Smith[17]; 18. 45-Aiden Lutz[15]; 19. 2L-Luke
Hess[14]
Bernheisel Race Components Chargers A-Main (12 Laps):
1. 711-Eric Hollenbach[4]; 2. 24S-Frank Stoner[6]; 3. 33-Scott Lutz[7]; 4. 46-Jeremy Ott[10]; 5.
15-Butch Helsel[13]; 6. 911-Cheyenne Kreiser[14]; 7. 100-Ronnie Buck[3]; 8. 10-Chucky
Kimmel[9]; 9. 30PK-Chris McCarr[15]; 10. 2M-Josh Michael[2]; 11. 00-Ed Hollenbach[8]; 12.
8-John Hall[1]; 13. 22-David Fidler[12]; 14. 21-Ian Herr[5]; 15. 7-Rob Kreiser[11]; 16.
27-Austin Webster[16]
By Kasey Kreider
The Modified 50 annually serves as the crown jewel for the 600cc Modified division. It’s a race
that tests the will of man and machine and always brings the cream of the crop to the top. So it
was no surprise to see one of the division’s most decorated drivers score the victory on Friday
night at the Linda’s Speedway, as Richie Hitzler took his Ray Gradwell-owned No. 9 into
Selinsgrove Ford Victory Lane.
The race had special meaning for all competitors this season, as a benefit fundraiser was held for
Modified competitor Steve McLaughlin, who is continuing his recuperation from a work
accident in July. A total of $2,040 was raised and presented to Steve’s wife Amanda and the
McLaughlin family during intermission.
As Richie Hitzler put it in a social media post earlier in the morning, Steve McLaughlin was the
true winner of the night, as he had won the race of life. But there was still an on-track battle to be
settled. Hitzler started his run to the victory with a crucial pass of quick-timer Justin Schraden in
the heat race, which put him on pole for the 50-lap main event.
Hitzler lost the lead early to Eric Whitby, but was able to reclaim it a few laps later with a bold
outside pass. Hitzler’s machine tickled the top of the cushion throughout virtually the entire race,
and the Lebanon native held off a challenge from Josh Bewley and then a furious charge from
Tyler Bartik – who had started the race in last – to add another big win to his impressive resume.
Both the Hoffer Paving All Star Slingshots and J&J Auto Body Junior Slingshots were also on
the card for the night competing in their final regular points races of the year. Dave Carraghan
dominated the All Star 20-lapper for his first Linda’s win of the season, while Brett Bieber’s
fifth-place finish was good enough for him to virtually lock up another track championship, a
title that will become official once “The Oley Jet” shows up for the Lebanon Valley 50 in two
weeks.
In the Junior Slingshots it was once again Chase Schott who claimed the win and locked up the
championship for the second time in three years.
In the penultimate race of the season for the Stolz Stove Sales Winged 600 Micro Sprints, it was
Rodney Westhafer putting the Faulkner No. 44 into the winner’s circle as the Mechanicsburg
native led wire-to-wire in the 25-lap event. Ben Stolz finished a strong second while Jason
Sechrist could only muster a 14th-place result, giving Stolz a two-point lead in the standings
entering the season finale in two weeks.
The Bernheisel Race Components Chargers also returned for their final tune-up before the
Charger Championship Race on September 29th. Eric Hollenbach took advantage of Josh
Michael’s crash while leading and scored his second win of the season in a race that was
shortened due to being over the time limit. Hollenbach also grabbed the points lead entering the
finale in two weeks.
As a result of last week’s rainout, the points-paying seasons for the Mt. Gretna Roller Rink 270
Micro Sprints and Appalachian Auto Front Wheel Drives came to a premature end. Two-time
Wingless 600 champion Brandon Heist will be the 2023 champion – by one point – in the 270
class, while Rob Pyle will be awarded the championship in the Front Wheel Drive division.
Linda’s Speedway returns to action next Friday, September 22nd with the Kevin Gobrecht
Memorial Race for the 270 Micro Sprints. The Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic Wingless 600 Micro
Sprints and the Mike’s Towing & Recovery 600 Modifieds will contest their final points races of
the season. And the Gene Latta Ford Central PA Legends will make their third and final
appearance of the year at the Jonestown quarter-mile.
Results:
Xcel 600 Modified Tour A-Main (50 Laps):
1. 9RGR-Richie Hitzler[1]; 2. 85AM-Tyler Bartik[28]; 3. 88-Justin Schraden[4]; 4. 413-Justin
Maylath[18]; 5. 7$-Bryce Smith[19]; 6. 21-Mark Bressler[11]; 7. 127-Korey Inglin[6]; 8.
29-Douglas Newbigging[15]; 9. 33-Ryan Heckman[27]; 10. 69-Christian Smith[22]; 11.
X-Leeroy Sorenson[24]; 12. 28-Raymond Gradwell[16]; 13. 116-Gerry Bressler[20]; 14.
5S-Geoffrey Sutton[13]; 15. 8-Tiffany Hitzler[5]; 16. 3D-Shjon Dove[9]; 17. 22-Lance
Garrison[10]; 18. 78-Josh Bewley[3]; 19. 5-Mason Peters[14]; 20. 20K-Chad Kreiser[23]; 21.
42K-RJ Smith[7]; 22. 12E-Eric Whitby[2]; 23. 17K-Seth Schnoke[12]; 24. Z12-Randy Getz
Jr[21]; 25. 61S-Kyle Donati[8]; 26. M1-Tommy Martocci[17]; 27. 20-Ryley Garman[25]; 28.
(DNS) 13-Ed Hollenbach
Hoffer Paving All Star Slingshots A-Main (20 Laps):
1. 3-David Carraghan[4]; 2. 112-Cody Kline[2]; 3. 10S-Chase Schott[5]; 4. 1-Tyler Ulsh[7]; 5.
32-Brett Bieber[3]; 6. 22-Matt Kiefert[11]; 7. 77-Daniel Betz[1]; 8. 349-Garrett Chillot[6]; 9.
55AA-Amanda Angstadt[8]; 10. 28K-Karter Adams[9]; 11. 42-Mason Pittenger[17]; 12.
33-Dustin Degler[10]; 13. 95-Lucas Pittenger[12]; 14. K33-Ryan Lutz[13]; 15. 33D-Tytan
Deal[14]; 16. 20A-Trevor Slade[15]; 17. (DNS) 55A-Cole Armstrong
J&J Auto Body Junior Slingshots A-Main (15 Laps):
1. 10S-Chase Schott[2]; 2. 86H-Anthony Siccone[1]; 3. 77-Daniel Betz[3]; 4. 35A-Aubrey
Romig[4]; 5. 7S-Javon Garrison[5]
Stolz Stove Sales Winged 600 Micro Sprints A-Main (25 Laps):
1. 44-Rodney Westhafer[1]; 2. 77-Ben Stolz[2]; 3. 10-Mason Peters[3]; 4. 117-Cody West[6]; 5.
54-Dakota Bartlet[4]; 6. 117X-Randy West[7]; 7. 44S-Steve Whary[8]; 8. 71-Brian Kramer[10];
9. 11H-Holden Eckman[11]; 10. 3-Jesse Maurer[13]; 11. 19S-Chase Schott[5]; 12. 22H-Fred
Heinly[9]; 13. 91-Randy Kunkle Jr[16]; 14. 5J-Jason Sechrist[12]; 15. 56-Morgan Rochelle[19];
16. 19-Scott Heisey[18]; 17. 32S-Garyt Smith[17]; 18. 45-Aiden Lutz[15]; 19. 2L-Luke
Hess[14]
Bernheisel Race Components Chargers A-Main (12 Laps):
1. 711-Eric Hollenbach[4]; 2. 24S-Frank Stoner[6]; 3. 33-Scott Lutz[7]; 4. 46-Jeremy Ott[10]; 5.
15-Butch Helsel[13]; 6. 911-Cheyenne Kreiser[14]; 7. 100-Ronnie Buck[3]; 8. 10-Chucky
Kimmel[9]; 9. 30PK-Chris McCarr[15]; 10. 2M-Josh Michael[2]; 11. 00-Ed Hollenbach[8]; 12.
8-John Hall[1]; 13. 22-David Fidler[12]; 14. 21-Ian Herr[5]; 15. 7-Rob Kreiser[11]; 16.
27-Austin Webster[16]