Grandview Speedway is celebrating 40 years of continuous professional stock car racing. Forrest Rogers made it happen when he got the idea, created the plan and carried it out by building the one-third-mile, clay banked oval. In 1966 he passed away and never really got to see how successful the track would be come. Since then Bruce Rogers, his son, has continued the success story. And his wife, Theresa, has been instrumental in the success. Today their son Kenny is taking on more of the operational responsibilities particularly on race days. And daughter Tina continues to be an important part of the family team running things in the pits.
    And Tina (husband Mike Missimer) and Kenny (wife Colleen) have their children involved with track preparation and concession work. Kenny's son, Justin, sings the National Anthem for special events and he does an outstanding job. So as you can see it is definitely a family affair at at NASCAR sanctioned Grandview Speedway.
    But racing at the Berks County oval is a family affair for many others. Fred Rahmer, now one of the top names in sprint car racing, followed in his father's footsteps when he started racing at Grandview. He held the record for the most modified wins for a number of years.
A family that has spent the most years at Grandview Speedway probably has to be the Erbs. Mike Erb won the track championship and is a winner of some of the major events presented at the track including the T.H.Properties Freedom 76. The end of the season classic. He is in the pits every Saturday these days working with his sons. Danny Erb is a talented young racer in the modifieds and veteran Donny Erb, a winner in the Freedom 76 a few years back, continues to be a strong campaigner. And a young Mike Erb is running the Late Models. And Janet Erb is there in the stands to cheer her boys on.
Rudy Gular was a popular talent in the Modifieds for many years and now his son, Mike, is making quite a name for himself in the same division with Dad working in the pits, giving advice.
    Dennis and Randy Bailey, brothers, have been active at Grandview Speedway for many years. Dennis is a former track champion who now owns the #81 Modified that is driven by Randy. And there is Randy's son Mike, presently without a regular ride, who has turned heads with some outstanding performances. Mike's mom works the back gate signing in racers.
    Jon Kellner is the all time leading Late Model feature winner at Grandview. He is now one of the top talents in the Modified division driving the #85AM Hutts Glass entry. Now his son, Jon, Jr., is in his rookie season running Modifieds after having had successful efforts in quarter midgets and micro sprints. And Jon's dad, Don, was a top performer in Late Model racing competition for several years. He still spends Saturday nights in the pits.
    The brothers Readinger continue to be impressive contestants at Grandview. Tracy runs the D&S Archery sponsored 2T modified while older brother Barry Readinger is in the Devine Transport #70D. Both have been strong runners at Grandview but continue to search for that elusive first Grandview modified win.
    Charley Gilmore was one of the very best local talents in modified stock car racing for a number of years. Just a couple seasons back he won a Sportsman feature race at Grandview. He has not officially retired from the sport. His son, Kenny, has become a popular and talented racer in the Modifieds. He is having a very good season in the Ron and Ann Wilson owned #7 Airport Restaurant entry.
    Terry Snyder continues to be a very competitive Late Model racer at the popular speedway and has been able to win a feature each season for several years. Now his daughter, Kelly, coming off a career in quarter midget competition, is learning the ropes in Late Model competition. She has been impressive in her rookie season.
    Steve Sennott now drives the #61 that was made famous by his dad Chuck. His dad lost his life late last year at Delaware International Speedway while racing with the Late Models. Steve has had some impressive runs in the #61, a number made famous by his dad and the late Richie Evans (one of the all time greats in NASCAR Modified racing competition).
    And the Swinehart name is a household word at Grandview Speedway. Ray is a two time champion who has visited victory lane a number of times already this season. Steve, his son, is making a strong bid for the Rookie title in the Modifieds and has been in the top 20 in points much of the season. Another son Stanley works as the crew chief on the race cars. Ray's wife, Laurie, runs the J&L Speed Equipment parts truck. J&L is the family business and was responsible for building and maintaining the two seat modified stock car that is so popular with fans at Grandview, especially those who win the opportunity to get a ride.
    Larry Stoudt was a top talent in the Late Models and now works with his son on the #22 Rogers Auto Parts Late Model driven, so far, to seven official points feature wins by Randy. The team could be on the way to a first Late Model track championship and Stoudt is tops or close to the top in the NASCAR New England Short Track Regional standings.

    Lee Miller, a champion at other local tracks, is running with his son Jason at Grandview. Jason had three feature wins in a row near the end of last season but has not been able to crack victory lane this season. Lee runs the #44 that Jason started with early in the season and Jason is running the #56 that his dad was running from time-to-time. They will probably finish the season that way.
    Ron Solomon Sr. was a strong runner here in the Modifieds and then took a break from the sport to concentrate on his Forge Gate Towing (Lansdale) business. This year he has returned to action along with his son, Ron Jr., performing in his rookie year. They have been a welcome addition to the modified action.
    Terry Reimert taught his son all about racing. Now Shawn is doing the driving in the #58s Kochel Equipment sponsored modified and he has had some impressive runs this season. Terry brings the car to the track, has pretty much retired from active competition, and works with his son.
    Jeff and Glenn Strunk make up a talented bother combination with Jeff, the older brother, having earned a number of track championships including one at Grandview. Glenn has been a feature winner at Grandview and other tracks and has been impressive in his new ride with the Don Kiefer #99K. Jeff is in the lead for a second track championship with the Keith Harring owned Cummins/T.H.Properties #W9 Modified stock car.
    Rick Todorow just added another Late Model feature win to his resume. He has been a strong competitor at Grandview. He had his son, Steve, running a second car last season but a college education was more important and Steve will be away from the sport until college has been completed. A wise decision.
    Elton Meitzler, the colorful car owner and event organizer, had two sons that race. Terry Meitzler has been a track champion and a multi time feature winner. Kerry Meitzler has run the modifieds and now runs micro sprints. He also helps his Dad with the promotion of the Fairgrounds at Kutztown, PA where they present micro sprints, Legends and Slingshots on Wednesday nights during the season. The car that Terry had driven at Grandview has been "resting this season" as Terry took advantage of the opportunity to drive the #61 Lou Cozze Giel's Automotive entry when long time driver Chip Slocum retired.
Auto racing at Grandview Speedway is truly a family affair and if you got around to some of the other local tracks you would probably find that family plays a large part in racing at many of those speedways also.
    RACING THIS FRIDAY, August 23rd, includes the URC sprint cars, NASCAR Modifieds and Roadrunners at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, PA at 8 p.m. And East Windsor, NJ Speedway offers the Modifieds, Sportsman and Street Stocks at 7:30 p.m. Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, PA plays host to the Gumout Series of Outlaw racers with a 7:45 p.m. start for the sprint racers.
Also on Friday night the A.T. & T Wireless/Impact Cellular Night will feature the 358 Modifieds, Street Stocks, 4-Cylinder Stocks and Enduro cars starting at 7:35 p.m.
    On Saturday night, August 24th, Grandview Speedway plays host to the NASCAR Modifieds and Late Models with at least 12 events of stock car racing.
    A 30-lap Sprint Car Championship is presented at Port Royal Speedway on Saturday night at 7 p.m. along with Late Models and Pro Stocks. No racing on August 31st as Tracy Byrd performs in front of the grandstands.
    At Trail-Way Speedway in Hanover, PA the 600 winged micro sprints will be featured on Saturday night along with the 4-cylinder stock cars, figure 8 cars, scramble cars and vintage racers. No starting time given.
    Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway played host to 141 micro sprints last Saturday. The sportsman, 125's, 250cc four-strokes and two-strokes will be competing starting at 6 p.m.
    Hagerstown, MD Speedway offers Small Fry Night on Saturday with rides in race cars for kids under 12. Headlining the program will be the 7th Annual Cornett Memorial for Pure Stocks and there will be racing for the Late Models and Late Model Sportsman. Racing will start at 7 p.m.
    Selinsgrove, PA Speedway plays host to the 30-lap Summer Championship on Saturday at 7 p.m. Late models, pro stocks and roadrunners will also be on the racing program.
    We tried something new, featuring a story on one speedway, this week. That limited the race result and race schedule information. We'll get back to normal next time.
Comments, news and other thoughts are welcome at Esaxton144@aol.com.