Dan Walleigh raced with a heavy heart Sunday.
 
The Reading resident found out early in the morning that his beloved stepfather, John, had died of cancer. However, coming from a family of racers, Walleigh was still there to compete in the Super Chevy Show at Maple Grove Raceway.
 
He painted a message on his 1960 Falcon Wagon: "Rest in Peace Pop-Pop John!" He then drove it to Victory Lane, taking Bracket 2 during a very busy day at The Grove.

Dan Walleigh raced with a heavy heart Sunday.
 
The Reading resident found out early in the morning that his beloved stepfather, John, had died of cancer. However, coming from a family of racers, Walleigh was still there to compete in the Super Chevy Show at Maple Grove Raceway.
 
He painted a message on his 1960 Falcon Wagon: "Rest in Peace Pop-Pop John!" He then drove it to Victory Lane, taking Bracket 2 during a very busy day at The Grove.
 
Walleigh's car was one of nearly 600 competing in five different classes during the show. The several thousand fans in attendence also enjoyed exhibitions ranging from jet cars to wheelstanders, along with a car show and flea market.
 
"In the beginning I was drained," Walleigh said. "Every round I won, I pointed up to him and thanked him."
 
Surviving seven rounds of eliminations, Walleigh faced Don Garloff (Lititz, Pa.) and his '70 Chevelle in the final. He made the winning pass in 10.545 seconds at 115.88 mph.
 
It was a productive Sunday for a few Maple Grove regulars in addition to Walleigh. Kurt Holland (Whitehall, Pa.) won Bracket 1 in his '79 Camaro. He clinched the title when Steve Sisko fouled in the final.
 
Kevin Mendenhall (Parkesburg, Pa.) took the DOT class in his '66 Nova, getting a holeshot victory in the final (10.321 at 126.93) over Pat Barbone.
 
Several racers who were eliminated early in the day were allowed to enter the Last Chance class, and 170 took up the offer. Coming out on top there was Bill Rizzo (Levittown, Pa). In an all-dragster final, Rizzo outraced Don Mattson (Mohnton, Pa.) with a pass of 8.069 at 165.56.
 

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