Modified Stars Pack The House At 25th Annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show presented by Reading Eagle and WEEU 830 AM
 
READING, PA - Modified stars drew a packed house the Fairgrounds Square Mall on Wednesday night as Reading Plastic Fabricators presented 'Modified Madness Night' during the 25th annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show presented by Reading Eagle and WEEU 830 AM.

 

An overflow crowd congregated in center court as many of the top driving stars of the region's dirt Modified ranks were interviewed by Jeff Ahlum and Brett Deyo.

 

New Jersey legend Billy Pauch took the stage to discuss his memories of Penn National (Pa.) Speedway (where he led all drivers in victories) and his ambitious 2010 schedule which includes racing for three owners: Kevin Bifulco, Will Brown and Ray Tuit.

 

Modified talents from the Grandview (Pa.) Speedway and Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway turned out in full force with Jeff Strunk, Doug Manmiller, Kevin Hirthler, John Willman, Terry Meitzler, Keith Brightbill, Ray Swinehart and Jason Smythe among those on hand.

 

Jason Bashore of BFP Specialty in Bethel, Pa., formally introduced the 2010 Pennsylvania Young Guns program. Members of the BFP Young Guns interviewed included Mike Gular, Billy Pauch Jr., Sean Merkel, Brad Missimer, Kyle Follweiler, A.J. DeSantis, Addison Meitzler, Jordan Umbenhauer, Kevin Albert Jr., Danny Nicholas, Carroll Hine III, Mike Lisowski, Jared Umbenhauer and Michael Weinert.

 

The Young Guns were available for autographs following the on-stage activity.

 

Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway big-block Modified racer Ryan Watt addressed the crowd with his plans of Mod racing with Ron Roberts and ARDC Midget events driving for Fred Schell.

 

Mike Gular, Doug Manmiller, Kevin Hirthler and Jeff Strunk spent time behind the bar at Applebee's on 5th Street Highway after show hours. The bartenders filled the bar area.

 

A celebrity race held at the Randy's Raceway slot car track featured six top Modified racers: John Willman, Billy Pauch Jr., Mike Gular, A.J. DeSantis, Addison Meitzler and Kyle Follweiler.

 

Earlier in the afternoon, WEEU 830 AM broadcast live for two hours from the mall's center court. Keith Fritz of the Reading Eagle joined the Jo Painter Show to share stories with Reading Fairgrounds Speedway stars Kenny Brightbill, Freddy Adam, Earl Derr, Red Coffin, Whitey Kerschner and Del Bitting.

 

With 113 race cars on display, the show continues through Saturday (Feb. 27) with nightly activities planned. The show features a wide cross-section of racing vehicles, including vintage/restored cars, big- and small-block Modifieds, Late Models, Sprint Cars, ARDC Midgets, SpeedSTR Midgets, Sportsman, Roadrunners, Micro-Sprints, XCel 600 Modifieds, Slingshots, Go-Karts, Quarter Midgets and more.

 

Tonight (Thurs., Feb. 25) is Late Model and Sportsman Night presented by Joe Adams Lettering LLC. Weather permitting, drivers from the Grandview Speedway Late Model division and regional Sportsman division are scheduled to appear including Sportsman stars Jason James, Michael Weinert, and Daryl Dissinger, Late Model talents Brian Shuey, Chuck Schutz, Bryon Sipe, Nate Christman, Kyle Merkel and Kurt Spotts. Kevin Kovac of the World Racing Group will report on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.