Big Crowd Greets Two First Time Thunder Winners. . . . . .

BECHTELSVILLE, PA    . . . . . . . The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series sponsored by Lee Myles Transmissions opened its' 20th Anniversary season at Grandview Speedway on Wednesday night.  Beautiful weather attracted a big crowd that saw Daryn Pittman of Owasso, MO with the 35 lap Keystone  Cup Series 410 sprint feature as Temple, PA favorite MeMe DeSantis claimed the victory in the 25 lap 358 Modified feature.   A total purse in excess of $38,000 was paid to the sixty-one cars that took part in the racing program.
 
Opening the program was the CnB Mushroom 410 Sprint time trials and Steve Smith in the ZEMCO sprinter set fast time.  In the three sprint heat race events, Cody Darrah, Josh Weller and Brian Montieth took the victories as Chad  Layton won the "B" Main.   Thirty-two modifieds competed in qualifying with heat race victories going to Jason Hamilton, Jeff Strunk and Duane Howard as Ryan Watt won the Consolation.
 
Twenty-four sprint car answered the call for the feature event.  With fireworks bursting in the sky, the green flag fell with Justin Henderson setting the pace.  Pole car Daryn Pittman dropped to third as Steve Smith moved into the runner-up spot.  On lap five, Pittman advanced from third to the lead with a determined Steve Smith in the chase.
 
On lap nine, the red flag was displayed for Jesse Hockett who flipped in turn two.  On the restart, Pittman remained the leader with Smith looking for an opportunity to make a pass.   Greg  Hodnett was on the move and racing in third with his eyes set on a challenge with Smith. By lap nineteen, Smith was now offering a challenge to Pittman for the lead, but with each attempt, Pittman retained the top spot.   Pittman once again developed a comfortable lead, that is until lap twenty-seven when Smith was knocking on the door and offering a challenge for the top spot.    Pittman once again powered away from Smith  but with five laps remaining, it was a two car race for the lead.
 
For the final five laps, Pittman and Smith were in a dual  for the lead. With the checker flag waiving, Daryn Pittman scored the win driving the Pete's Bridge Street Motors, collecting the big $5,000 check.   Pittman took the win over Stevie Smith, Greg Hodnett, Doug Esh and Brooke Tatnell.     Making up the top ten were Chad Layton, Mark Smith, Brian Leppo, Alan Krimes, Cody Darrah and Lance Dewease.
 
The twenty-five lap 358 Modified feature was a thriller with Tom Umbenhauer setting the early pace.  Umbenhauer led the first three laps with Ryan Godown taking the lead on lap four.   Godown remained the leader until a lap nine restart when MeMe DeSantis wrestled the top to become the new leader.   Once on top, DeSantis was not to be denied this victory and established a solid uncontested lead the balance of the night.
 
DeSantis took the victory, his first ever Thunder on the Hill win. Finishing second was Ryan Godown followed by Tom Umbenhauer, Jeff Strunk and Craig VonDohren.  Rounding out the top ten were Kevin Hirthler, Duane Howard,  Billy Pauch Jr., Billy Pauch and John Kellner.