Hardcharger Bobby Grewohl Drives from Last to 2nd in RSWC NASCAR Modified
STOCKTON, CALIF. (November 8, 2009) – Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle standout Bobby Grewohl once again showed why he is an oval driver on the rise this past Sunday, advancing from the rear of the 24-car Fall Classic Open NASCAR Modified field to a second place finish at Stockton 99 Speedway in California.
When the 2009 edition of the Fall Classic got underway at Stockton 99 Speedway, Grewohl was immediately one of the drivers in the NASCAR Modified field everyone was keeping an eye. The 23 year-old Californian, having contested selected NASCAR Modified and USAC Midget races as part of the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle driver development program this past year, quickly came to grips with his car and the ¼-mile Stockton 99 Speedway oval. After positing some fast times in practice, things however did not go exactly as planned in qualifying, as Grewohl was only able to post the 11th fastest time in his No. 21 RSWC NASCAR Modified entry.
With the reverse grid format utilized for the 20-lap Heat race, the multiple NASCAR Late Model and USAC Midget race winner got the green flag in sixth place. Grewohl, after the crew corrected the handling problems of his car, rapidly began working his way towards to the front. Just as it appeared the RSWC race pilot was poised to earn a top finish, he was struck by another competitor, resulting in tire smoking 360 spin. Able to continue, Grewohl worked his way back to his sixth place starting position at the checkered flag.
As a result of his spin and sixth place finish, the Fall Classic Feature race got underway with Grewohl lining-up on the sixth row in 11th place. While the former SCCA Regional Formula Ford Champion and Jim Russell Karting Champion got away cleanly at the waving of the green flag, his race plans were thrown into disarray on lap two, when he was struck by another driver, spinning and falling to rear of the 24-car field. Grewohl, while less than pleased by the event, remained focused on the task at hand, scoring a top finish. Displaying, the speed, racecraft and patience of a championship-winning driver, the RSWC used the remaining 73 laps around the ¼-mile banked oval to work his way back to the front. Grewohl, passing cars high and low, advanced up the timing charts virtually every lap. The end result, was a stunning second place result by the highly talented Californian oval racer.
Grewohl however was not the lone RSWC driver showcasing his talents in the Fall Classic race. Two-time NASCAR Camping World West champion Eric Holmes joined the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle squad at Stockton 99 Speedway and was a force to be reckoned with. Piloting the No. 7 RSWC NASCAR Modified entry, the Escalon, Calif., native posted the third fastest time in qualifying and finished second in his Heat race, before challenging for the Feature race win. Advancing from third on the grid into second of the 75-lap race, Holmes was bidding his time for the right opportunity to pass for the lead, when his race abruptly ended via a broken axle drive plate.
“We appreciated Eric Holmes and Bobby Grewohl driving our NASCAR Modifieds this weekend to help us sort out some new set-ups. They were both really fast and had cars capable of winning. Everyone knows those drivers are capable of winning,” commented team owner Ron Sutton. “Had the drive plate not sheared off on Eric’s car, the victory was well within his reach. Of course, had Bobby not been spun and come from the back … he very well could have won it too. We are thrilled with the performance of the cars, and Bobby’s come from the back to front run.”
