Gary Edmondson
04-01-2011, 06:35 AM
Following a below average racing season by his standards on the dual-track circuit of Big Diamond and Grandview, Jeff Strunk has already acknowledged to the masses that he and his Norm Hansell-owned race team are on a mission for 2011.
Strunk split from his previous ride in the offseason (his younger brother Glenn took the ride for the 2011 season) and hooked up with colorful car owner Hansell for this seasons' attack at both tracks and the Race of Champions Tour.
Hansell and crew chief, Jay Thomas have a huge arsenal of cars and power plants; small block (Big Diamond and Grandview cars) and big block modifieds. Hansell, often outspoken in his opinions, bragged about the upcoming season and Strunk has already delivered.
Arriving at Selinsgrove Speedway for the fourth annual Icebreaker Weekend two weeks ago, Strunk put the Morrison-powered Troyer car in victory lane on the teams' maiden voyage in the Friday night 358 feature. Saturday's big block show at Selinsgrove was not successful, but the team rebounded last weekend at New Jersey's New Egypt Speedway, the second stop of the 13-race, RoC Tour.
Strunk started 12th in the 60-lap show and methodically worked his way forward, taking command of the race when leader Danny Johnson's bid for the win went flat with his left rear tire with 10 laps remaining. The Strunk/Hansell combo celebrated their $10,000 victory and RoC points lead in the frigid New Jersey night.
"To start this season like this, two wins already, especially a big block win, since I don't get to drive a big block car too often, this is awesome," said an elated Strunk. "I am competing against guys like Jimmy Horton (2nd place) and Billy Decker (3rd place) who run their big block cars 60 or so times a season. This is great."
The 2010 season at Grandview Speedway was not the best for the eight-time track champion, as Strunk failed to reach victory lane and finished second in the lucrative NASCAR title chase to Duane Howard.
With the 49th season of racing slated to open Saturday afternoon at the Bechtelsville oval, Strunk will be looking to add to his 52 career wins and make another charge at the track title.
The NASCAR sanctioned facility will open the gates at 5 p.m. and racing for the 358 mods and late models will get the green at 7 p.m.
Plenty of other racing action is slated for the weekend, as many tracks besides Grandview will begin their 2011 weekly season.
Williams Grove looks to return to action tonight with a sprint car doubleheader of 358 and 410 sprinters at 7:30. In Saturday action, Lincoln Speedway hosts the 410 sprint cars, winged super sportsman and limited late models. Port Royal Speedway presents the 410 sprinters, late models and pro stocks, while Hagerstown Speedway hosts a four-division show of late models, late model sportsman, pure stocks and hobby stocks.
Selinsgrove Speedway has a 6 p.m. starting time for the regular season opener featuring the 358 sprint cars led by track champion Pat Cannon, pro stocks and roadrunners.
In local drag racing action, Numidia Dragway canceled tonight's street legal drag racing and Saturday's test session, but if the weather cooperates, a test and tune day is planned for Sunday. Beaver Springs Dragway has also canceled tonight's Vegas Fuel street drags, but looks to carry on with a test and tune session Saturday and host the first Summit Series points race on Sunday afternoon.
A little bit of mistaken identity last week, as I inadvertently confused Brett Cox at the wheel of his son's Monte Carlo in the Numidia TCR driver photo which was actually Southern Columbia student Brandon Cox.
(Kaminski covers auto racing for The News-Item)
Strunk split from his previous ride in the offseason (his younger brother Glenn took the ride for the 2011 season) and hooked up with colorful car owner Hansell for this seasons' attack at both tracks and the Race of Champions Tour.
Hansell and crew chief, Jay Thomas have a huge arsenal of cars and power plants; small block (Big Diamond and Grandview cars) and big block modifieds. Hansell, often outspoken in his opinions, bragged about the upcoming season and Strunk has already delivered.
Arriving at Selinsgrove Speedway for the fourth annual Icebreaker Weekend two weeks ago, Strunk put the Morrison-powered Troyer car in victory lane on the teams' maiden voyage in the Friday night 358 feature. Saturday's big block show at Selinsgrove was not successful, but the team rebounded last weekend at New Jersey's New Egypt Speedway, the second stop of the 13-race, RoC Tour.
Strunk started 12th in the 60-lap show and methodically worked his way forward, taking command of the race when leader Danny Johnson's bid for the win went flat with his left rear tire with 10 laps remaining. The Strunk/Hansell combo celebrated their $10,000 victory and RoC points lead in the frigid New Jersey night.
"To start this season like this, two wins already, especially a big block win, since I don't get to drive a big block car too often, this is awesome," said an elated Strunk. "I am competing against guys like Jimmy Horton (2nd place) and Billy Decker (3rd place) who run their big block cars 60 or so times a season. This is great."
The 2010 season at Grandview Speedway was not the best for the eight-time track champion, as Strunk failed to reach victory lane and finished second in the lucrative NASCAR title chase to Duane Howard.
With the 49th season of racing slated to open Saturday afternoon at the Bechtelsville oval, Strunk will be looking to add to his 52 career wins and make another charge at the track title.
The NASCAR sanctioned facility will open the gates at 5 p.m. and racing for the 358 mods and late models will get the green at 7 p.m.
Plenty of other racing action is slated for the weekend, as many tracks besides Grandview will begin their 2011 weekly season.
Williams Grove looks to return to action tonight with a sprint car doubleheader of 358 and 410 sprinters at 7:30. In Saturday action, Lincoln Speedway hosts the 410 sprint cars, winged super sportsman and limited late models. Port Royal Speedway presents the 410 sprinters, late models and pro stocks, while Hagerstown Speedway hosts a four-division show of late models, late model sportsman, pure stocks and hobby stocks.
Selinsgrove Speedway has a 6 p.m. starting time for the regular season opener featuring the 358 sprint cars led by track champion Pat Cannon, pro stocks and roadrunners.
In local drag racing action, Numidia Dragway canceled tonight's street legal drag racing and Saturday's test session, but if the weather cooperates, a test and tune day is planned for Sunday. Beaver Springs Dragway has also canceled tonight's Vegas Fuel street drags, but looks to carry on with a test and tune session Saturday and host the first Summit Series points race on Sunday afternoon.
A little bit of mistaken identity last week, as I inadvertently confused Brett Cox at the wheel of his son's Monte Carlo in the Numidia TCR driver photo which was actually Southern Columbia student Brandon Cox.
(Kaminski covers auto racing for The News-Item)