By Mark Kielblock
BECHTELSVILLE, Pa. — Jerry Coons, Jr. joined the USAC Eastern swing primarily to race his USAC sprint car.
He decided to bring a midget with him to compete with ARDC in the scheduled ARDC/USAC twinbills at Grandview Speedway and Big Diamond Raceway and June 6 he opened the festivities with a dominant performance in the 20 lapper at Grandview’s third-mile dirt track.
“ARDC has a bunch of good drivers and good cars, and it’s fun to race with them, so we brought the midget,” said the reigning USAC National Midget Series champion.
Coons started 18th and ripped through the field, taking the lead from Drew Heistand on lap 10. Coons raced unchallenged the remainder of the distance.
Steve Buckwalter finished second, ahead of Frank Polimeda and Ray Bull. Thirty-nine midgets filled the pits.
The finish:
Jerry Coons, Jr., Steve Buckwalter, Drew Heistand, Frank Polimeda, Ray Bull, Eric Heydenreich, Ed Stimely, Jr.,  Andy Martin, Billy Pauch, Jr., Ryan Smith, Nick Wean, Brett Arndt, A.J. Ernesto, Tracy Readinger, Randy Monroe, P.J. Gargiulo, Steve Lenig, Scott Zipp, Greg Robinson, Bob Goerner, Jeff Schell, Mike Lapp, Tom Hessert, Mike Miller, Bruce Buckwalter, Michelle Miller