BECHTELSVILLE PA – Grandview Speedway officially launches its 2024 racing season Saturday (April 6, 2024), beginning at 6 p.m. at the track, 43 Passmore Rd., 10 miles north of Pottstown.
The track gates will swing open for Big/Small Block Modified competitors in the VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker. It represents the seventh consecutive year of the race that honors long-time track owner and promoter Bruce Rogers.
Rogers helped his father build the track in the 1960s, then along with family members operated it for more than 50 years. It attained national prominence before his death in 2017.
The 50-lap feature race will pay $7,500 to win, as well as a $1,000 to qualify and take the green flag in the main event. An added bonus to the winner will be a guaranteed starting spot in Grandview’s Freedom 76 on Sept. 21. Many drivers consider scoring an opening day win as a special event, and a precursor of more victories to come.
The rain date for the event is April 13 (Saturday).
On Saturday, the T.P. Truck Equipment 602 Sportsman will also begin their point season. They’ll run a full program, with qualifying events and a 25-lap feature race.
The opening night program is sanctioned by NASCAR, and serves as the first point race of the new campaign for both the T.P. Trailer Modified and T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman divisions. Points are valid for both the track and the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Championships.
The track’s pit gates open at 1 p.m.; grandstand gates, 4 p.m.; with the drivers’ meeting also at 4 p.m., followed by draws for position, then warm-ups at 5 p.m. Grandstand admission for adults costs $30; students ages 10-15 with identification cost $20; and ages 9 and younger are admitted free. Pit admission is $40 with an appropriate license, and $45 without.
Grandview’s history of openers
During Grandview’s 61-year history, 38 different drivers that have reached victory lane in the season opener. The latest new name on the list is that of Mike Gular, last season’s winner. Leading with the most opening night wins is Duane Howard, who recorded eight first-night triumphs. Howard won four in a row (2006-2009), and six of seven openers between 2006 and 2012.
The very first opening race was a Big Block-only event.
During the past six seasons, the opener was expanded to combine Big Block Modifieds and the track’s regular Small Block Modifieds in a single event. Winning the first six Rogers memorials were Stewart Friesen, Matt Sheppard, Timmy Buckwalter, Duane Howard, Craig Von Dohren, and Gular.
Find more information about the Rogers Memorial race online, or call the track at 610-754-7688.
Photo by Bas van den Eijkhof on Unsplash, used by Travels With The Post under license
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